THE SABRES ROAR

St. Sofia Byzantine Catholic School

3540 Havenwood Dr. Mississauga, Ontario L4X2M9

(905) 625-0823

E-mail: stsofiainfo@dpcdsb.org

X (twitter): @StSofia_DPCDSB

Principal
S. Donaghue

Vice Principal
S. Rossi

Head Secretary

O. Tkaczyk

Assistant Secretary
A. Amato

D.P.C.D.S.B Catholic Education Centre
905-890-1221

Website: www.dpcdsb.org/SOFIA

Superintendent Mississauga East
D. Belchior
Trustee
Mario Pascucci (Mississauga Ward 3)

To begin the new school year, we’ll focus our attention on the first of our virtues – faith. Faith is the great virtue of believing in God and trusting that God is with us.

A faithful person believes that we are created, guided by and destined to be reunited with God. A faithful person believes that God’s plan for us includes the right to be safe, especially at school.

A Faithful Person...

• Prays regularly and reverently
• Learns from Scripture stories
• Honours people’s God‐given names
• Assumes that there is good in everyone

September / October 2026

September is National Ukrainian Heritage Month

We proudly celebrate and recognize the rich history, culture, traditions, and contributions of the Ukrainian community throughout the month of September.

📸 September 28, 2026
Picture/Photo Day
Smile! Individual student photographs will be taken throughout the day. Photos will be taken in uniform.

🍕 September 29, 2026
Pizza Days Begin
Our popular Pizza Days program kicks off for the school year.

🔒 September 29, 2026
New Date: Lockdown Drill at St. Sofia
As part of our commitment to school safety, students and staff will participate in a lockdown drill.

September 30, 2026
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day
Students and staff are encouraged to wear orange (civvies day) as we honour survivors of residential schools and reflect on the importance of truth, reconciliation, and healing.

🥫 October 1 to 9, 2026
Thanksgiving Food Drive

Help us support families in need by donating non-perishable food items.

⛪ October 1, 2026 | 6:30 p.m.
Catholic School Council Meeting
All parents and guardians are welcome to attend at St. Sofia School.

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ October 2, 2026
NEW DATE: Terry Fox “Marathon of Hope” Walk/Run
Wear red and white (civvies day) as we honour Terry Fox's legacy and support cancer research.

🍔October 7, 2026

Hero Burger Day

💉 October 8, 2026
Grade 7/8 Vaccine Clinic
The Peel Public Health vaccine clinic will take place at St. Sofia School.

🙏 October 9, 2026 | 11:45 a.m.
Thanksgiving Moleben
Families are warmly invited to join us for this special prayer service at St. Sofia School.

🦃 October 12, 2026
Thanksgiving Day
No School for students and staff.

🏅 October 16, 2026
Family Level Cross Country Meet
Centennial Park

🏅 October 20, 2026
Board Cross Country Meet
Centennial Park

📚 October 26, 2026
PA Day
No School for Students

To ensure the safety and privacy of our students, parents and guardians are reminded that they are not permitted to remain on the school pavement or school grounds when school begins at 9:00 a.m. or after students have entered the building. We have also received reports of individuals videotaping on school property. Please be advised that recording students, staff, or members of the school community is not permitted due to privacy considerations. Parents and visitors are not permitted on school grounds during nutritional breaks or at any time during the instructional day. If you are picking up your child during the school day or from the bus, please report to the office and sign in before proceeding. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all members of our school community.

Please be advised that electric bikes and all scooters are no longer permitted on school grounds. We are no longer permitted to have these items in the school as well.

Donations for the Terry Fox "Marathon of Hope" can be made through the following link:

https://schools.terryfox.ca/131903/donate

9:00: Supervision begins

The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. A discussion all Canadians can tune into and create bridges with each other for reconciliation. A day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that have been affected. Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on. More Information.

On this day students and staff wear orange shirts to honour and commemorate Truth and Reconciliation Day, recognizing the impact of residential schools and supporting the journey toward healing and understanding.

DPCDSB uses School Messenger to deliver text messages to your mobile phone with important information about school closings, safety alerts and more.

You can subscribe to this free service by sending a message of Y or Yes to DPCDSB's number: 978338 (for Canada-based numbers).

Whether it’s a medical appointment, an illness or other important event, there are times when students may need to be away from school. The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District school board is introducing a new method for parents to report their child(ren)’s absences. Using the SafeArrival system, parents will be able to report daily or future absences in one of three ways:

Web:

1. Go to the SafeArrival website at go.schoolmessenger.ca
2. Select Sign Up to create your account. (Only needed for the initial setup, after that you will click on login).
3. Select Attendance.
4. Select Report an Absence.

The Child and Family Services Act compel educators to report any issues that may compromise a child’s welfare. If a staff member suspects any issue that may affect a child’s safety, then the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) must be contacted. It is not the role of the educator to investigate. That is CAS’s role.

As we begin a new school year, we would like to inform you that St. Sofia is an allergen aware school. There are pupils and staff in attendance who suffer from severe and life threatening allergies to certain foods, such as dairy, peanut and nut products. Exposure to even the smallest quantities can cause severe life threatening reactions. Anaphylaxis is a severe and life threatening allergic reaction. The most common allergen triggers are food, insect stings, medications, and latex. An anaphylactic reaction involves symptoms from two or more body systems. We at St. Sofia School would appreciate the cooperation of the entire school community by NOT sending any lunches or snacks that contain nut or nut byproducts which could potentially harm a pupil. Please make sure that all of your children’s caregivers are aware of the food restrictions. Please do not send food for birthdays or special occasions. We look forward to your co-operation in making this a safe year for all of our pupils.

If your child has a medical condition, please ensure that the school is aware of it by submitting the proper forms and medication as soon as possible.

When a student receives an injury/bump to the head (however minor), it is a Board Policy that we inform parents. You will be contacted by phone, a phone message will be left at one of your contact numbers or a note will be left in your child’s agenda if you are unavailable. This is precautionary only and we ask that you check your child when they get home for any signs of a concussion or illness. Agenda’s should be checked by parents daily for this reason, as well as to check for any notes from the teacher or office. A copy of the concussion brochure is always available on our school website.

STOPR - Transportation Procedures

The distance criteria for transportation eligibility must be more than:

• 1.0 kilometer Kindergarten and Grade 1

• 1.6 kilometers for Grades 2 – 4

• 2.0 kilometers for Grades 5 – 8

• 3.8 kilometers for Grades 9 – 12

If your child is moving to grade 2, grade 5, or grade 9 in the 2024-2025 school year, their eligibility status for transportation may be changing. Eligibility information can be accessed at the website noted below.

All transported kindergarten and grade 1 students are required to be met by a parent/caregiver when disembarking from their bus on their return trip from school.

Internet: 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. Please consider registering for notice of alerts regarding issues such as buses running behind schedule. The STOPR website also allows parents to access information specific to “what school do I attend” and “am I eligible for transportation”. This site also provides parents access to specific bus stop location and pick up and drop off times for their children if eligible for transportation.

Telephone: STOPR: Phone: 905 890-6000

Toll free: 1-800 668-1140

Statistics indicate that the most critical moment for student safety, while riding a school bus, is actually when students are getting on or off their school bus. Therefore, it is important that Parents/Guardians understand that they are ultimately responsible for the safe conveyance of their children to and from their bus stop location each day. There is simply no substitute for an adult’s supervision at a bus stop. Here are some important School Bus safety tips for parents and children.

• Get to the bus stop in plenty of time so you do not have to run
• Wait for your bus in a place that is away from traffic in the road
• Bus stops are not appropriate places to push or wrestle with your friends
• Let the school bus stop before you try to get on
• If you can touch the school bus, you are too close
• Remember if you cannot see the bus driver, then the bus driver cannot see you
• The driver will let you know when it is safe to approach the bus
• When getting onto the bus, take the steps one at a time, holding onto the handrail
• Go right to a seat, and sit quietly, without blocking the aisle
• Listen to your school bus driver, and follow his/her instructions.
• Leave the bus in single file, holding the handrail
• Walk away from the bus without running, and never go behind it
• If you have to cross the street to leave or board your bus, you need to be 10 giant steps away from the front of the bus. Watch for overhead red lights to flash, and wait for the stop arm to activate and your driver’s signal before crossing
• If you ever drop something underneath the bus or in its path, leave it there! Never, never stop and reach under the school bus to pick it up. (information taken from https://www.stopr.ca/school-bus-safety)

Bus Safety Tips While At School

• Ensure your child(ren) know their plans for after school dismissal ie taking the bus or being picked up.
• Communicate any changes to the classroom teacher.
• When arriving to school and disembarking the bus, students are to go directly to their classroom.
• Disembark the bus in a single file.
• At the end of the day, remind students to listen attentively for their bus to be called and proceed directly to their bus.
• Once the dismissal bell rings students are to promptly line up in their bus lines.
• Embark the first in a single file, with the youngest students loading the bus first.
• Students are to sit on the bus in order of age, with our youngest students at the front. If siblings would like to sit together, they will sit with the youngest sibling.
• Students are to be seated facing the front.
• Aisle is to be clear at all moments.
• Students are to remain in their seats for the entire bus ride. Seat swapping is not allowed.
• Due to safety precautions eating is not permitted on the bus.
• Screaming, throwing objects, pushing and inappropriate language is not allowed.
• Be kind to each other.
• Listen to the instructions of the bus driver and teachers loading the bus.
• If there is an issue, report it immediately to the bus driver and school staff.
• Parents/Guardians sign up for STOPR bus notifications to be aware of any bus delays.

TOGETHER WE ARE BETTER AND SAFER!

Keeping Our Students Safe through Kiss ‘N Ride, Parking Lots and Bus Lanes

Our school offers a Kiss ‘N Ride program in the morning where parents can drop off their children at a designated area on school property. The program was established to provide a convenient and safe option for parents/guardians who drive students to school. To ensure the safety of staff and students, we ask all parents/guardians to be mindful of the following guidelines on Williamsport Drive:

• There is no parking and no waiting in the Kiss ‘N Ride lane, the lanes are to be clear at all times, before and after school.

• For safety reasons, passengers may only exit from the curb side of the vehicle. Drivers must always remain inside their vehicles.

• Pay attention to the traffic in front of you and pull forward as cars move forward.

• Be mindful that you are not blocking people trying to exit the parking lot.

• As we only have enough parking for staff to park, we ask that parents refrain from parking in the parking lot or in front of the cement garbage containers. Instead, parents are asked to park in designated places on streets near the school.

• Parents/guardians who display a valid handicapped parking pass assigned to the driver of the vehicle may park in one of the designated handicapped parking spaces.

• Vehicles entering the Kiss ‘N Ride lane must stay in the designated lane, unless otherwise directed by a staff member or volunteer.

• Always respect traffic flow, the instructions of staff/volunteers on duty who are wearing reflective safety vests and abide by all traffic laws and signs. Please do not block the flow of traffic through the Kiss ‘N Ride Lane.

• At dismissal please wait for your children to walk to the kiss ‘n ride area.

•Bus lanes are for buses only. Pedestrians dropping off or picking up their children are asked to access the school yard from the south side (kiss n' ride area).

Some of these rules may seem inconvenient for visitors and parents, but it will promote a safer environment for all staff, parents, visitors and most importantly the students that we serve.

In the event that there are changes to the pick up routine, please inform the office prior to 3:30pm. This will ensure accurate communication with the classroom teacher and the safety of our students.

Thank you for your support in trying to keep our community and our students safe. TOGETHER WE ARE BETTER!

School Council Nomination and Election Information

The purpose of Catholic School Council is, through the active participation of parents, to improve pupil achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education system to parents. A Catholic School Council's primary means of achieving its purpose is by making recommendations in accordance with this policy and regulation to the principal of the school and to the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board.

Council members shall maintain a school-wide focus on all issues. Each member shall:

• Attend regularly and participate in council meetings;
• Participate in faith development, information and training programs;
• Act as a link between the Catholic school council and the school community;
• Encourage the participations of parents from all groups and of other people within the community.

We are excited for the beginning of another great school year. We look forward to meeting our new St. Sofia families and reconnecting with returning ones.

Join us for our first meeting of the year at St. Sofia, on October 1, 2026 at 6:30 pm. All are welcome

Don't Forget to Get yourself set up on School CashOnline as we are no longer able accept cash payment.

https://dpcdsb.schoolcashonline.com

You will need your child’s name and date of birth. Use of student number is optional.

Should you encounter any difficulties, you can use the parent help desk at 1 (866) 961-1803 or the support link on the school cash online website.

PAY WITH: Credit Card or Debit Card

1. Create Your Profile:

Go to https://dpcdsb.schoolcashonline.com/ and click on "Get Started Today".

2. Confirm Your Email:

Check your inbox for the email confirmation and click on the link inside. Sign in with your new login details.

3. Add a Student

Click "Add Student" and fill in the required fields with your child’s details:

1. School Board name

2. Select a school

3. Legal First Name

4. Legal Last Name

5. Birth Date (Month/Day/Year)

As has occured in past years, parent(guardian)s should be aware of combined grades and possible re-organization for September. Please see the letter and pamphlet below for more information:

https://www.dpcdsb.org/download/573260

As part of our commitment to fostering safe, inclusive, and Catholic learning environments, we are reminding all students and parent(s)/caregiver(s) that the use of discriminatory language or any language rooted in hate or racism is not permitted at school. Any use of such language will be addressed promptly and appropriately to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, staff, and community members.

We ask parent(s)/caregiver(s) to support this expectation by having age-appropriate conversations with their children about the importance of using respectful language and understanding the harm caused by discriminatory words. Together, we can continue to build a community grounded in human dignity, compassion, and the values of our Catholic Social Teachings.