St. Veronica CES
St. Veronica Catholic Elementary School
Trustees: L. del Rosario and T. Thomas
Superintendent: P. Cusumano
Principal: N. Laporte
Head Secretary: L. Magi
Email: VeronInfo@dpcdsb.org
Website: https://www.dpcdsb.org/VERONLocation: 680 Novo Star Dr., Mississauga, ON L5W 1C7
Phone: 905-696-6980
A Children's Prayer for Lent
You have made the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night. Help us walk in your light. During the season of Lent, renew us through the gift of your Holy Spirit. Help us grow in faith, hope and love.
During this special time, we remember that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so that we might be free to love. Help us grow to be the people you call us to be; letting go of old habits of selfishness, forgiving those who have hurt us, giving quality time to our families, spending time in quiet prayer. Amen.
Principal's Message
St. Veronica CES continues to be a faith-filled, vibrant, and bustling place. February was filled with many opportunities to grow. We welcome March and the signs of spring it brings. The sun shines brighter as we continue to live and learn in our school community.
With Ash Wednesday, we are now into one of the most important times in our liturgical calendar as a Catholic community. We renew our hearts and we reflect on what is really important in life. Jesus, who died on the cross for us, calls us to care for each other and to do the best we can with the gifts we have been given. I hope that we can all find some time to prepare for Easter and the importance of reaching out to one another, helping each other, and giving to those less fortunate. We, students and staff alike, will all work especially hard to be peaceful, life-giving people in the classroom, on the playground and at home.
March also has us looking forward to spring and Daylight Savings Time. Please remember to spring forward your clocks on March 9. March Break is approaching the week of March 10. We wish all our families and students a wonderful March Break week to be with loved ones to rest and recharge for the remainder of the school year.
Take good care.
N. Laporte
Principal
Catholic School Council Update
St. Veronica's Catholic School Council met on February 7. The council is currently working on a Krispy Kreme donut fundraiser.
We would like to thank the council for helping to facilitate activities such as the Family Movie Night, Grade 6-8 Movie Night, Student Club supplies (Lego, games, yarn) intermediate dancing and Scientists in the School for our students.
The next council meeting is scheduled for April 24 at 6:30 pm. All are welcome to attend.
Our hearts continue to grow here at St. Veronica. Students are encouraged to live our virtues and be kind and respectful. When a student has been 'caught' demonstrating positive behaviours a staff member gives them a virtue award. Students then bring them down to the office to be celebrated and recognized.
Thank you to all for making our school at better place to be each and every day.
Black History Month
We will continue to highlight Black History and Black excellence throughout the year.
Bullying Awareness and Prevention
Students can try the 3 R's approach to stopping bullying.
- recognize the bullying behaviour
- refusing to be bullied
- reporting the bullying behaviour
This approach works both with students who are being bullied and those who witness bullying. Together we can stop it in its tracks.
Pink Shirt Day
A special thank you to Mrs. Lawrence, Mrs. Nichols and the Mental Health Wellness committee for organizing this event.
Book Fair
Thank you to all families who visited and supported our Book Fair in February. With your support our school was able to raise approximately $900. This money will be used to purchase new books for the school library and support our students and teachers.
A special thank you to Ms. de Leon for organizing and running this event.
Basketball
We are very proud of our junior girls' and boys' basketball teams. They represented St. Veronica beautifully at the pod tournaments. The girls persevered despite two very close and tough losses. The boys battled hard from the beginning and made it to the family finals. Although eliminated in the semi-finals of the family final round, the boys showed continued willingness to learn and great sportsmanship.
Thank you to Mrs. Adebajo and Mr. Romen for coaching both teams.
Go Vipers!
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects up to 12% of children. Children with ADHD may experience challenges with focusing attention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity. Many individuals with ADHD continue to face these challenges into adulthood, often alongside co-occurring conditions such as learning disabilities, mood disorders, and behavioural difficulties.
Early identification, treatment, and support can significantly improve the ability of children with ADHD to manage their symptoms and lead successful lives. Without appropriate interventions, children with ADHD may experience academic struggles, relationship difficulties, and other challenges.
We encourage families to explore the resources below (curated by the DPCDSB Psychology Department) to learn more about ADHD and how to support children at home.
Elementary Literacy Numeracy Summer Program
DPCDSB is excited to offer the Elementary Literacy Numeracy Summer Program at various Dufferin-Peel CDSB locations for students in grades 6, 7 and 8 who would benefit from fun learning environments, small group learning, and gap closing activities. This program is designed for grade-level remediation not enrichment).
Please see the attached for more information.
St. Francis Xavier Parish
Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00 pm
Sunday Mass: 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm,
Daily Mass (Monday to Friday): 8:00 am; 7:00 pm
Daily Mass (Saturday): 7:30 am
Email: stfrancisxaviermi@archtoronto.org
Website: https://stfrancisxaviermi.archtoronto.org/en/
Location: 5650 Mavis Road, Mississauga, ON L5V 2N6
Phone: 905-890-5290
Our Virtue of the Month - Kindness
God wants us to give generously to others around us.
A kind person...
- is gentle and sensitive to others
- stands by their friends in time of need
- shares their time and talents
- says nice things about others from the heart
- always looks for ways to be helpful
God wants us to be kind to everyone we meet. KINDNESS is about more than just pretending to be nice. It is about helping and playing with others because we want to, not because we feel we have to. We have all been given the fruit of the Holy Spirit called kindness, which is the act of loving and giving generously to others as God does.
Our empathy for others is transformed into action that extends beyond concern for ourselves and allows us to see God in every face that we meet.
Let us now pray...for the virtue of kindness so that everyone we meet will feel like we are looking out for their good. AMEN.
Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations
- I co-operate with others in all that I do
- I value everyone's work
- I respect and listen to others
- I think of others before myself
- I follow the rules of fair play
- I work hard in school so that I can build my community and make it a better place
Because I am a team player, I know that 'Together is Better,' and we will live our lives like Jesus.
Lent
The Liturgical calendar continues to move forward and we will soon begin the season of Lent. Lent is the 40 day period of fasting, penitence and sorrow, leading up to the feast of Easter, recalling Jesus' 40 day fast in the wilderness. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. Lent is a time to turn to God in simplicity and sincerity, as we prepare to celebrate the joy of Easter. Our hearts feel heavy as we remember our sins, but we are also confident in God's mercy and forgiveness.
Lenten Reconciliations
Reconciliation is what God does. Receiving it and celebrating it is what we do. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a most natural way to celebrate God's forgiveness and love. Reconciliation is the opportunity to grow closer to God.
While going to confession throughout the liturgical year is important, Lent is a great time to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. The sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered to students in grades 3 to 8 during the school day on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
Pretzels for Lent
Pretzels from Dimpflmeier Bakery will be available for sale on SchoolCashOnline beginning February 5.
$2.50 each (95 gram Pretzel) with proceeds going to ShareLife. Order them for you, your family, your friends and/or neighbors!
Pretzels will be distributed on Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025.
Order deadline: Friday, March 28, 2025. Please use link below to order.
Catholic Education Week: May 5 to May 10, 2025
The subthemes for Catholic Education week 2025 are as follows:
Monday: by honouring human dignity
Tuesday: by caring for creation
Wednesday: by responding to the poverties in our world
Thursday: by serving in solidarity
Friday: by living as peacemakers
Catholic Education Week Prayer
Pilgrims of Hope
Hope is our calling, O Lord,and the destination of our pilgrim journeys.
As we mark this Jubilee Year of hope,
keep our eyes focused on Jesus, and on the hope he reveals to us.
May our hope lead us to love genuinely and to live generously.
In the dignity of every human being, may we honour your presence.
In our stewardship of creation, may we care for your creatures, large and small.
As we strive to respond to the poverties of our world, may we be bearers of your compassion.
As we live as people of solidarity, may we help to heal the divisions of our world. In our lives as peacemakers, may we share the “Shalom” which is your gift to all people.
Hope is the flame that has been entrusted to us;
may we keep it burning brightly, to enlighten the path of our pilgrim journey.
All our hope is in you, O God,
in the name of Jesus our Lord and companion. Amen.
ShareLife
Student involvement in school-based activities has already raised some funds. Additional funds are being raised through our Pretzels for Lent. Pretzels can be purchased for $2.50 using SchoolCashOnline. Orders are due by March 1. Pretzels will be delivered to students on Holy Thursday, March 28. Thank you for giving generously.
Food Sales
Pizza and pasta orders are due by Sunday, March 2. Portuguese Chicken and Veal/Chicken sandwiches are due by Sunday, March 23. Please see the link below to access School CashOnline.
Please note: Since schools were closed on February 13, those who have ordered and paid for pasta, we have rescheduled that pasta day to Thursday, March 20.
Moving
Lates
As the year has continued we’ve noticed an increase in students coming to school late. We understand life happens, and children will be late from time to time, we are just asking for your help as it will go a long way. Here is a link to an article on the benefits of arriving on time to school (Lates).
Lateness = lost learning!
- 5 minutes late each day = 3 days lost!
- 10 minutes late each day = 6 days lost!
- 15 minutes late each day = 9 days lost!
- 20 minutes late each day = 12 days lost!
- 30 minutes late each day = 18 days lost!
Success in learning is strongly linked to participation in school programs which includes arriving on time. Coming to school on-time:
- Help your child understand punctuality and commitment—sets them up for success
- Let them greet friends before class—reduces anxiety
- Coming in with the class—makes them feel comfortable and gives them sense of belonging
- Being on Time and Present makes them feel good about themselves
Kiss and Ride
Thank you for continuing to follow our Kiss & Ride procedures and helping to keep everyone in our school community safe. Please see the following guidelines when using the Kiss & Ride program at St. Veronica.
Please:
- Drive your vehicle to the top of the Kiss and Ride Lane,
- Fully stop your vehicle,
- Have your child/ren exit the vehicle by the right-hand side door only
- Only kindergarten families are allowed to exit their vehicle to assist in removing child/ren from car seats,
- Cautiously proceed into the Drive-Thru Lane once all children have left your vehicle and leave the Kiss and Ride area.
Please Do Not park or leave your vehicle unattended in the Kiss & Ride lanes.
We kindly ask that you park your car in our parking lot and walk your child to the school yard if you wish to accompany your child to the playground. Please ensure that your child is never allowed to cross through the parking lot and/or kiss and ride alone.
Please note that the front of the school driveway is designated for school buses only. Please do not drop off students in the bus lane during bus loading or drop off timeframes. Children should not be dropped off or picked up at the front of the school - unless they are late or leaving early.
We thank you for your continued support in making our kiss & ride a safe and effective process.
Allergies/Anaphylactic Shock
As a result of concerns for students with life threatening allergies, families are discouraged from sending peanut butter substitute products to school with their child(ren). The rationale for this is
- If a child with a life-threatening peanut allergy sees it, they may experience anxiety and/or a physical panic reaction as a result of visually seeing the peanut butter substitute product, or at minimum, the child and his/her family members may have safety concerns about the product being in school;
- It can create significant challenges for teachers, and especially students, to identify real peanut butter from the substitute;
- If one student sees another with a peanut butter substitute product, they may believe it is peanut butter, and may take the message home that it is acceptable to bring peanut butter, and may bring their own peanut butter to school as a result; and,
- The presence of a look-alike product can create potential circumstances of bullying/threats toward students with life-threatening peanut allergies.
We are also asking parents not to send food items to school when celebrating your child's birthday. If you would like to send something, please consider alternatives such as pencils, stickers, etc.
We thank you for your continued understanding and support of the safety and well-being of all students.
Storage/Administration of Medication
A reminder that students in grades 1 to 8 are required to wear a fanny pack to house their epi-pen/puffer. All dispensing of medication (including Tylenol) requires medical permission. Students are not permitted to keep medication including Tylenol in their backpack.
Appropriate Dress - Cold Weather
- winter hat
- mittens/gloves
- scarf/neck warmer
- winter boots
- snow pants (highly recommended for primary and junior students)
- winter jacket
We have a variety of hats, mittens, gloves and scarves available at the office to share with students should they forget these items at home. Students are encouraged to stop by the office to get them as needed.
To be allowed on the field when there is snow:
- K-6 Grades - MUST wear snow pants, snow boots, gloves and a winter jacket. If they are missing any one of these items they are to remain on the asphalt
- 7-8 Grades - MUST wear snow boots and a winter jacket. If they are missing any one of these items they are to remain on the asphalt.
For health and safety reasons, students must wear their indoor shoes while inside the school. Students cannot walk through the school with wet boots or shoes. For their safety and comfort they need to have indoor shoes. Please note that in the event of an emergency evacuation, students will not have the opportunity to put boots on.
Where possible, please put identification on your child’s belongings. Throughout the winter the lost and found box fills up with unidentified clothing.
Winter Weather
During the winter season, the school receives calls from concerned parents as to how we determine when children will or will not be allowed outside for recess. Dufferin‐Peel CDSB Policy uses a Wind Chill factor of ‐20 C (website we use) as the determining temperature. Students will not be sent outside for recess if it is colder than this.
We also receive numerous requests to allow children to remain indoors when students have a cold, flu, etc. Please note that we cannot comply, as we neither have the facilities nor the staff to supervise these students. If your child is not feeling well we encourage you to keep them home to avoid the spread of illness. The expectation is that all children will go outdoors for recess and the lunch break.
Outdoor Play
Snow season is here. Please ensure that your child is properly dressed for outdoor play in winter. It is a school expectation that all students go outside for recess and outdoor learning for exercise and fresh air. If your child is unable to go outside for recess because of illness, please consider keeping them home until they are feeling better.
We would appreciate your support in reinforcing the school rule that all snow stays on the ground. For everyone’s safety we do not allow snowballs, kicking snow, or any other snow\ice activity that could lead to potential harm or injury. Also, no one owns the snow.
Inclement Weather - Bus Cancellations
The present board policy, if school buses are cancelled in a specific zone or in multiple zones, ALL schools in that zone will remain open to students and staff. While students unable to attend in person due to transportation cancellations are not required to access learning materials in the Google Classroom, they can if they choose to. Learning activities posted in Google Classroom specifically for inclement weather days provide opportunities for consolidation, curriculum enrichment or practice of skills already taught.
Please note: we are in zone 1.
If there is a full system closure, where all DPCDSB schools and facilities are closed to students and staff, there is no switch to synchronous learning for the day.
Similar to bus cancellation days, students can access learning activities posted in Google Classroom specifically for inclement weather days that provide opportunities for consolidation, curriculum enrichment or practice of skills already taught.
