St. Teresa of Calcutta Newsletter

Please review these key expectations with your child(ren) to ensure a safe and respectful school environment.

General Conduct

• Respect & Safety: Keep hands/feet to yourself. No running, pushing or jumping in the hallways. Rough play, fighting, bullying (including cyberbullying), racial slurs, or threats will not be tolerated and consequences will apply.
• Respect for Staff: All staff (teachers, custodians, bus drivers, etc.) must be treated respectfully. Good manners are expected.
• Bathroom Etiquette: Sign in/out, wash hands, and maintain cleanliness.

School Procedures

• Boundaries: Students must stay on school property during school hours.
• Lunch Hour: Students must bring lunch and stay at school unless written permission/signed lunch forms (Gr. 7 -8) are provided.
• Front Door Access: All doors are locked during school hours. Use the buzzer system. Students can minimize interruptions by arriving on time and picking up forgotten lunches at the lunch table.

Arrival & Dismissal

• Yard Supervision: Begins at 8:40 a.m. Late arrivals must sign in at the office.
• After-School Plans: Must be arranged the night before. No last-minute office calls, please.
• Kiss & Ride: Stay in your car, move forward in line, and exit via Drive Thru. No walking through bus lanes.

Transportation & Property

• Bus Behaviour: Stay seated, be respectful, no eating/gum/littering. Report issues to the driver.
• Bikes/Scooters: Walk on school property and lock bikes.
• Personal Devices (PEDs): No photos or use during school hours. Devices must be off and stored. School is not responsible for lost/stolen items.

Other Reminders

• Indoor Shoes: Required for safety and cleanliness.
• Golden Rule: Treat others as you wish to be treated.

Let’s work together for a safe and exciting year at STOC!

School begins: 8:55 a.m.

First Recess: 11:00-11:15 a.m.

Lunch: 11:55-12:55 p.m.

Second Recess: 2:25-2:35 p.m.

Dismissal: 3:25 p.m.

YARD SUPERVISION

Staff supervision of students in the playground begins at 8:40 a.m. To ensure your child’s safety, we appreciate your cooperation and understanding in this matter.

Important Reminder

Pets on school property For the safety and well-being of all our students, we kindly ask that pets are not brought onto school property during drop-off and pick-up. Even well-behaved animals can be unpredictable around children, and some students may have allergies or fears. To help us maintain a safe and comfortable environment for everyone, we ask for your full cooperation in keeping pets off school grounds.

In the month of October 2024, we will celebrate the virtue of: Empathy

Congratulations to the recipients of our September Virtue of Faith certificates:

Ms. Scarpelli FDK

Anastatasiia T.

Ms. Medeiros and Ms. Pereira FDK

David Sebastian

Emma Paiero

Ms. Iassogna Gr.1

Mateus S.

Sebastian S.

Ms. Hassell Gr.1/2

Max

Mariangela

Ms. Bailey Gr. 1/2

Victoria C.

Arianna

Ms. Casciaro Gr. 3

Symphany C.

Jacob S.

Ms. Armstrong Gr. 4

Elise Z.

Sydney H.

Ms. Pereira Gr.4/5

Mykhaila

Andrea

Mrs. Neiva Gr.5/6

Yui

Christopher

Mr. Salinas Gr.6/7

Cyralei L.

Olivia S.

Ms. Guzik Gr.7/8

Rafael

Jessica

Mr. Felice Gr. 7/8

Antonio T.

Mason M

Co- Chairs-

Chris Garofalo and Julia Van de Kraats

Secretary–

Nelly Xavier Cordner

Treasurer-

Claudia Filipe

OAPCE Representative –

Kelly Amaral

Parish Representative–

Janet Kus and Heather Dawson

Teacher Representative –

Stephanie Iassogna

Our next meeting will take place on November 6with a timed agenda at 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

All parents are welcome to attend our CSC meetings.

Information will be sent out to the community with information about how to request a link if you wish to attend virtually. If parents/guardians that are not voting members on a school’s Catholic School Council, wish to have an item to be added to the agenda, then these items need to come forward through nominated members of Catholic School Council listed above. This can be facilitated by parents/guardians sending an email to our Catholic School Council Info email account located at: mtrsacscinfo@dpcdsb.org

All Catholic School Council Meetings will be at 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. on the following dates:

November 6, 2025

February 5, 2026

April 9, 2026

May 7, 2026

June 11, 2026

Approved minutes are posted on our school website.

Thanks to the incredible support of our STOC families, the 2024-25 School Year was one of our most successful years yet! Together, we raised over $25,000 through Pizza Tuesdays, Popcorn Fridays, our first-ever Halloween Dance-a-Thon, and the Spring Flower Sale!!!

Where Your Support Made a Difference

Your generosity allowed us to enhance student life in so many ways beyond the classroom. In the 2024-25 School Year, your support funded:

• Field Trip Subsidies
• Indoor Classroom Supplies
• Open House BBQ
• Shrove Tuesday Celebrations
• Grade 7 & 8 Faith Journals
• The STOC Christmas Concert
• Christmas Teacher Appreciation Breakfast
• Communion Celebration
• Math Night
• Grade 8 Graduation Celebration
• Tents (for use at outdoor events)
• Play Day Games Supplies & BBQ lunch for Students

Our Outdoor Enhancements Project

Our major initiative last year was raising funds to enhance the outdoor space for our students. The Halloween Dance-a-Thon alone raised a staggering $8,500 with Council committing a to a minimum of $10,000 total.

We’re excited to share that planning for the yard enhancements is well underway! The project will likely roll out in stages throughout this school year & we can’t wait to see it come to life for our students.

A Heartfelt Thank You

Every pizza order, popcorn bag, flower purchase, and dance-a-thon pledge added up to make a real difference for our students. We are so grateful for your continued support and look forward to another exciting year ahead!

CATECHISM PROGRAM: First Reconciliation & First Communion Classes

📌 First Holy Communion Classes Reminder

Please note that First Holy Communion classes will begin on October 18th and 19th. This year, our classes will be held IN PERSON at the parish.

For more information or to enroll your child in our Catechism Program, please send an email to: stpatricksmi@archtoronto.org

Details and registration will be communicated via email.

If you have any questions about our programs, please feel free to contact the Parish Office (contact information on the front page of this newsletter)

The STOC Parent Council is thrilled to announce that…

The Halloween Dance-A-Thon is BACK —

bigger, better, and spookier than ever!!!

On Friday, October 31st, the gym transforms into the ultimate Halloween party! Costumes, music, prizes, and non-stop dancing — all while raising funds for our school!

What’s a Dance-A-Thon?

Think dance party + fundraiser = FUN with a purpose! Students collect pledges, then hit the dance floor during the school day for their turn to groove, boogie, and show off their best moves.

Why We Dance…

This year, every dollar raised will go towards enhancing our library — the heart of STOC and the first space that welcomes students and families each day — into a bright, inspiring hub for learning and discovery!!!

Epic Prizes Await!

👻 Top Individual Fundraiser wins the Grand Prize – a PLAYSTATION 5 !!!

🎃 Maple Leaf Tickets, Wonderland Passes, Gametime Gift Cards,

Chuck E Cheese Passes and more!!!

👻 Winning class in each division scores a PIZZA LUNCH!

🎃 Best Costume Awards, Spot-Dance Prizes & many more fun surprises!

How to Collect Your Pledges…

Use the attached Halloween Pledge Form to track all pledges from family & friends.

Once your pledges are collected, submit your total payment through via School Cash Online https://dpcdsb.schoolcashonline.com/ by October 30th.

Remember: you can only submit pledges once — so please be sure you’re done collecting pledges & are ready to submit the total.

Big pledges, small pledges — it all makes a difference.

Together, let’s make this the best Halloween yet!!!

See you on the dance floor, STOC!

Halloween & the Halloween Dance-A-Thon sponsored by the STOC Catholic School Council on October 31, 2025.

A few reminders:

Students will be allowed to wear costumes to school for the Halloween Dance-A-Thon on Friday, October 31st. Students will be asked to collect pledges from your friends and family to support our Halloween Dance-A-Thon fundraiser!

We ask that you ensure their selection of costumes and accessories allows students to comfortably work and learn throughout the day, and of course, dance!

As well, please avoid any items that encourage violence that are inappropriate for children at school. Students will not be allowed to bring toy guns, swords, pitchforks, or other toy weapons. Students are not to wear masks.

We have many students with severe allergies at our school, please do not send in any candy treats to share.

Thank you for ensuring Halloween continues to be a fun and safe celebration for all students and community members.

a. Mock or condescend oppressed people and/or cultures? Is the costume respectful of all or can it be viewed as culturally

insensitive?

b. Include face painting for the sole purpose of matching the skin colour of a specific person or people? Although face

painting is safer than wearing a mask, particularly for younger children, the potential to be offensive to others must be

considered.

c. Mock or condescend religions or religious beliefs? Use sacred objects/clothing of others’ religions/ cultures?

d. Caricaturize marginalized groups or persons (historical or current) in a way that may serve to trivialize them?

Resources & Further Information

#Iamnotacostume - campaign aims to draw awareness to the problematic nature of many Halloween costumes.

My Culture Is NOT A Costume | Teen Vogue - Teen Vogue asks six women about Halloween costumes that co-opt their cultures

Let Us Tell You Why These Halloween Costumes Are Offensive. Because Ignorance Is Spooky

It is important that students attend school regularly and punctually. If your child will be late or absent, please use SafeArrival Absence Reporting. With SafeArrival, you are asked to report your child’s absence in advance using any of these 3 convenient methods: 1. Using your mobile device, download and install the SchoolMessenger App from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store (or from the links at https://go.schoolmessenger.ca ). The first time you use the app, select Sign Up to create your account. Once you are signed up and logged in, select Attendance then Report an Absence. 2. Use the SafeArrival website, https://go.schoolmessenger.ca . The first time you use the website, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence. 3. Call the toll-free number 1 (844) 435-3440 to report an absence using the automated phone system. These options are available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week. Future absences can be reported at any time. If further assistance required on how to report an absence using SafeArrival can be found on the following link: https://www.dpcdsb.org/parents/absence-reporting This measure is to ensure the safety of your child. We thank you for your continued support in following this procedure.

Internet: https://www.stopr.ca/ - this website provides up to date delay and inclement weather cancellation information in addition to policy, procedures, and frequently asked questions.

Businfo.stopr.ca - this website allows parents to access specific to “what school do I attend” and “am I eligible for transportation.” This site also provides parents access to specific bus stop locations and pick up and drop off times for their children if eligible for transportation.

Telephone: Transportation EAST 905-890-6000

Pleae click here for more information.

What you’ll find in this edition:

• October is International Walk to School Month!

• Back to School Transition

• Media Literacy Week is October 27 to 31

• Zero Tolerance for Vaping in Schools!

• ***OPTIONAL*** School Dental Screening

R. Scarpelli FDK

L. Medeiros FDK

A. Pereira DECE

S. Iassogna Grade 1/2

M. Bailey Grade 1/2

C. Hassell Grade 1/2

M. Casciaro Grade 3

T. Armstrong Grade 4

C. Pereira Grade 4/5

M. Neiva Grade 5/6

D. Salinas Grade 6/7

A. Guzik Grade 7/8

M. Felice Grade 7/8

A. Galle French

V. Corapi Library/Planning Time

C. Beach SERC/SERT/ESL

M. Tully SERT/ ESL

B. Ramgoolam Planning Time

A. Mastropaolo Planning Time

L. Mykhalyuk Planning Time/ESL

M. Knibbe ERW

A. Passarelli Child and Youth Worker

S. Haji Speech and Language Pathologist

R. Jardine Psychologist

T. Hoyt Social Worker

L. Gordon Head Secretary

J. Xamin Head Custodian

E. Garcia Night Custodian

A. D’Ettore Night Custodian

Please click here for more information

Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year!

Virtue of themonth: FAITH

September marks a season of newbeginningsfor ourstudents and schoolcommunities. For our youngest learnersin Kindergarten, it’sthe

start of their educational journey. Grade 9 students are stepping into secondary school, and many others are adjusting to newclassrooms,

teachers, and friendships. Aswe begin this year together,we remain committed to nurturing thewell-being of every child and youth. Each

month,wewill highlight the connection between the virtue of the month and mentalwellness,sharing resources and strategiesto support

students, families, and staff. Wewish you a mentally healthy, faith-filled September and a school year filledwith growth,connection, and

wellness. Please take a moment towatch the video belowfrom our Secondary MentalHealth and Well-Being Champions,showcasing how

well-being is being fostered daily in ourschoolcommunities.

Please see the following links if you are interested in purchasing STOC apparels.

T-Shirts:

https://dpcdsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/240096/146/False/True

Hoodie:

https://dpcdsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/240097/146/False/True

¾ Sleeve Shirts:

https://dpcdsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/240098/146/False/True