Divine Mercy Messenger

Principal: S. Viola

Administrative Assistant: R. Panousis

Superintendent of Mississauga West: Peter Cusumano

Catholic School Council Co-chairs 2025-2026: Deanna Catania and Vivian Correa-Pinto

Parish- Merciful Redeemer Pastor: Rev. James (Seamus) Hogan, Associate Pastors: Rev. John Sutka and Rev. Adam Pantaleo

Parish Number 905.812.0030 Parish E-mail: https://mercifulredeemermi.archtoronto.org/

Email: divinemercyinfo@dpcdsb.org
Website: https://www.dpcdsb.org/DMRCY
Location: 2840 Duncairn Dr, Mississauga L5M 5C6
Phone: 905-812-5445
Twitter: @DivineMercyDP

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• I love God, myself and my family
• I care about and respect my ‘family’ at school, at Church, in the community, and the world
• I care about and respect God’s creation and everything in it

Because I care, I pray for all my families, and I will live my life like Jesus.

During the month of April, we will focus on the virtue of Love.

God wants us to serve and to see the goodness in everyone we meet.

'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31)

A loving person …

• Relates to family intimacy and sexuality as God-given gifts, to be used as the creator intended
• Relates to family members in a loving, compassionate and respectful manner especially when the other seems 'unlovable'
• Respects the rights, responsibilities and contributions of self and others

Co-chair: Deanna Catania

Co-chair: Vivian Correa-Pinto

Secretary: Johnson Lai

Treasurer: Michelle Ferreira

Parish Representative: Jessica Clayton

OAPCE Representative: Elaine Dantas

Teacher Representative: Laura Harper

Non-classroom Member: Marisa Brasil

Principal: Sandra Viola

Voting members: Dorislyn Fernandes, Lisa Bitonti-Bengert, Angela Trewartha, Katrina Vieira Reis, Jonathan Walker, Quynh Walker, Rossana Asencios

Remaining Council Dates for 2026

Thursday April 23rd, 2026-Public Budget Information Session

Monday, May 25th, 2026- Final meeting with a potluck dinner

Thanks to our Catholic School Council for organizing this very exciting upcoming event. Today is the last day to purchase tickets if you haven't done so already. A reminder that all students attending need to be supervised by a parent/guardian.

A special thank you to Mr. Walker and Mr. Sowemimo for coaching the intermediate girls and boys basketball teams.

A special thank you to Mr. Awad for generously donating Tim Hortons hot chocolate/treats for our previous Advent Retreat Day and for our most recent Fête Francophone celebration.

Divine Mercy Eco Team is excited to once again host our annual book swap on Wednesday, April 15. At this time we kindly ask you to send in any Elementary level gently used books that you no longer need and wish to see find a new home. Please send in book donations until April 13th.

All students will have the opportunity to pick a book, and those who donate will be allowed to choose two books.

We thank you in advance for your assistance in our ECO initiative which has helped to prevent hundreds of pounds of books being sent to the landfill from our past book swaps.

Happy Earth Month!

Preparations will soon begin to ensure that our school is thoughtfully organized for the 2026–2027 school year. In creating classes, a wide range of factors are carefully considered to develop balanced, heterogeneous groupings, including academic needs, learning styles, and positive social dynamics.

Parental input is valued and may be submitted in writing to Ms. Viola by May 1st, 2026. While we will make every effort, where appropriate and at the professional discretion of staff, to place students with at least one peer connection, we ask that families refrain from requesting multiple friendships or specific classmates. It is important to note that friendships outside of school do not always translate to effective learning partnerships within the classroom.

Our primary focus remains on creating learning environments that best support each student’s academic success and overall well-being. Requests for specific teachers cannot be considered. We appreciate your understanding and trust in our professional judgement as we make these complex and thoughtful decisions.

If you are already aware that your child(ren) will not be returning to Divine Mercy School in September, please notify the office as soon as possible. We will require the name of the new school and/or new district/town that your child(ren) are attending so we can transfer their Ontario Student Record.

As we have moved toward the season of spring, water and mud around the school yard is inevitable. Although we direct students to stay away from mud and puddles, accidents do happen. If students do get wet during outdoor play or recess, our school approach is to contact parents to bring dry clothing. For younger students especially, we suggest you place an extra pair of socks and/or track pants in your child’s backpack in the event that a change of clothes is necessary. Indoor shoes are also still an expectation.

Grade 3 and Grade 6 students will be participating in this province wide assessment for this year. Dates for these assessments have been determined:

Grade 3's : Tuesday, May 26th, Wednesday May 27th, Thursday May 28th, Friday May 29th

Grade 6's : Tuesday May 26th, Wednesday May 27th, and Friday May 29th

It is very important that student attendance is consistent and that students are punctual during testing periods. Thank you for your support and cooperation.

The safety of our students, staff and visitors remains our number one priority. The following policies will be implemented to ensure the safety of all students, staff and visitors

Please review the following Kiss and Ride Safety Expectations:

• Keep traffic flowing. Proceed as far to the stop sign as possible before stopping your vehicle.
• Have your child exit from the right side (passenger doors) of your vehicle.
• NO PARKING in Kiss and Ride.
• If you wish to wait and see your child enter the school, park in the designated areas and wait in the designated pick-up/drop off locations.
• Please refrain from crossing at the Kiss and Ride driving lane from the parking lot in front of moving cars as this is very dangerous. Please use the crosswalk to ensure everyone's safety.

We appreciate your support, and trust you will collaborate with us on this urgent matter.

Please be reminded that the front of the school is designated as a “Bus Loading Zone.” Parents/guardians are not permitted to pick up or drop off students in this zone. The safety of our students is our priority. Please drop off or pick up students in the designated school parking lot or the Kiss and Ride area.

If your child rides a bus, please continue to review the saftey rules at home and provide frequent reminders of the expectations on the bus. These videos are geared towards specific age groups, and have been viewed by bus students in class also.

Thank you to all the staff that continue to dedicate their time and commitment to allow for many additional learning opportunities outside the classroom. Activities that are already underway include:

• Intermediate basketball
• Well-being and health leaders/ representatives-Intermediates
• Intermediate Study Hall
• Primary/Junior Games club
• Primary drawing club
• Bible Club
• ECO Team
• Soccer Intramurals (To be continued after basketball season)
• Guys club
• Choir
• Office helpers and washroom/hall monitors- grade 5, 6 and 8 leaders (Pejak/Panousis)

Wednesday, April 22nd is designated as Administrative Professionals’ Day. We would like to express our gratitude for the many “hats” Mrs. Panousis wears and the tremendous support she provides for all of us at Divine Mercy School. Thank you Mrs. Panousis for all that you do on behalf of our students, staff and families at Divine Mercy.

Sunday, March 29th-April 5th: Holy Week

Thursday April 2nd: World Autism Day

Monday, April 6th: Easter Monday

Friday, April 10th: CSC hosts Dance Night

Wednesday, April 22nd- Earth Day

Wednesday, April 22nd: Administrative Professional's Day