St Richard Community Newsletter

Principal: T. Brancalion

Head Secretary: T. Hale

Superintendent of Schools: Peter Cusumano (905)-890-1221

Trustee: Brea Corbet (905)-301-9373

Parish: St. John of the Cross Parish (905) 821-1331

Email: RICHAInfo@dpcdsb.org
Website: https://www.dpcdsb.org/richa
Location: 7220 Copenhagen Road, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Phone: 905-826-5572

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)

Cardinal Leo's Lenten Message

Please read the Lenten message from His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo here

Free Income Tax Preparation

Free income tax preparation for low income individuals is offered by the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), coordinated by the Canada Revenue Agency

Contact the parish office to check eligibility and to book a 30 min appointment on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm during the months of March and April

Tax preparations can be done in-person or by telephone interview. Let the accountant know when they call you to confirm your schedule.

Bereavement Sessions

If you have lost a loved one, even if not recently, the Parish invites you to bereavement sessions

6 week session starting Tuesday April 7th at the Church

Please contact Muriel Haney at muriel76mph@gmail.com for more information

Horizons of Hope

The Palliative Support Ministry invites you to their training sessions entitled Horizons of Hope: A Toolkit for Catholic Parishes on Palliative Care

4 week session starting Wednesday April 15th at 10:00am or 7:00pm at the Church

Please contact palliativesupport@gmail.com for more information

"The Mass" by Bishop Barron

See how the Mass brings us out of the fallen world and into the heavenly realm, how it resonates with a call from God and a response from His people, the Church

2 showings on Friday April 24th: 2:00pm to 4:30pm and 6:30pm to 9:00pm

For more information please contact the Parish office 905-821-1331

Virtual Alpha Marriage Course

The Alpha program will be holding a virtual marriage course

7 weekly sessions from Sunday April 26th to Sunday June 7th at 7:00pm to 9:00pm online via Zoom

For more information: https://www.themarriagecourse.org/

For course inquires: sjocalphamc@gmail.com

To register please click here

KofC Leadership Award

Grade 12 students in Mississauga whose parents are registered parishioners of St. John of the Cross Parish are invited to apply for the Knights of Columbus Leadership Award 2026, which carries a prize of $600 Complete applications must be submitted no later than April 30th, 2026 by email to olmc12706@gmail.com with “KOC Leadership Award Application” as the subject

Eligibility rules and instructions are available in the Application Form here

Mother's Day Walkathon

The Parish Women's Group invites all ladies and their families to wear pink and walk/bike/run to support breast cancer research

Saturday May 2nd at 8:00am starting at the Church parking lot

Please contact the Parish office 905-821-1331 to sign up

Bible Study: Life Everlasting - Heaven, Hell, Death, and Judgment

This study aims to help participants understand the Catholic teachings on the afterlife and live with eternal perspective.

5 week session starting Tuesday May 19th at 7:00pm to 8:45pm in the Nessinger Hall

Cost including workbook is $23. Please contact the Parish office 905-821-1331 to sign up

Parish Trip: Save the date

The Parish is organizing "A Day With Mary" trip

Saturday May 30th all day

Details will follow

Afternoon Tea Party: Save the date

The Catholic Women's League invites you to an afternoon tea party

Saturday May 30th at 11:00am to 3:00pm in the Nessinger Hall

Details and ticket information will follow

Summer Cross Camp: Save the Date

The Parish will be holding its annual Cross Camp this summer for children entering grades one to six. Weeks of July 13th to 17th and July 20th to 24th

More information regarding registration, fees, and programming will be announced shortly

Children's Liturgy

The Liturgy of the Word for children during Mass has returned

Every weekend during the Saturday 5pm and Sunday 10am, 12pm & 4pm Masses

All children ages 4 to 8 years old are invited to join .

Parish Children's Choir

The Parish Children's Choir invites all children from Grades 2-8 to join the choir

The choir will be practicing every Saturday at 10:00am and singing every other Sunday at the 10:00am Mass

Please contact Jade Coutinho at sjocchildrenschoir@gmail.com for more information

EDGE Youth Program

All youth in grades 5 to 8 are invited to join the EDGE program

Every other Thursday at 6:45pm to 8:45pm this Fall at the Parish

Make new friends and dive into the Catholic faith in a fun and meaningful way through interactive games, lessons, and discussions.

To learn more click here. Please contact Ryan Belluz at rbelluz@archtoronto.org for more information

Parish Prayer Group

The Prayer Group invites everyone to join their sessions

Every Friday at 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Parish

For more information please contact the Parish office at 905-821-1331

That Man Is You!

The Men's Fraternity Group invites all men ages 18 and up to join their new TMIY sessions "Thy Kingdom Come"

Every Saturday morning starting September 13th at 7:00am to 8:30am in the Nessinger Hall

The program is free of cost and breakfast is included

To learn more click here. To register click here.

EDGE Youth Program

All youth in grades 5 to 8 are invited to join the EDGE program

Every other Thursday from October 16th to June 11th at 6:45pm to 8:45pm at the Parish

Make new friends and dive into the Catholic faith in a fun and meaningful way through interactive games, lessons, and discussions.

To learn more click here. Please contact Ryan Belluz at rbelluz@archtoronto.org for more information

LIFE TEEN Youth Program

All youth in grades 9 to 12 are invited to join the LIFE TEEN program

Every other Sunday from October 19th to June 14th at 5:15pm to 7:15pm at the Parish

Navigate the challenges of adolescence such as peer pressure, academic stress, and family issues while building a deeper relationship with God.

To learn more click here. Please contact Ryan Belluz at rbelluz@archtoronto.org for more information

Our Catholic School Councils provides an opportunity for parents and guardians to discern how their gifts and talents might serve the school community. As per the Ontario Regulation 612/00 and 298, the purpose of a school council is, through the active participation of the parents, to improve pupil achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education system to parents.

In addition to the purpose of school councils as identified in the regulation, the mission of the Catholic School Councils in the DPCDSB, is to promote, the vision, values, and sacramental life of Catholic practices for the Catholic communities we serve.

All parents/guardians are welcome to attend any St Richard Catholic Elementary School.

Neisma Peredo Chair

Melissa Larmour Secretary

Renata Bieniek Treasurer

Rachel Pinto OAPCE Representative

David Randall Parish Representative

Lynn Rockett Voting Member

Cynthia Sudeyko Voting Member

Stephanie Giorgio Voting Member

Milena Piasentin Voting Member

Magda Kaniewski Voting Member

Stephanie Ulman Voting Member

Khalisa McCooty-Edwards Voting Member

Monday, September 22, 2025 6:30

Thursday, October 23, 2025 5:30 (Catholic Council Chair Meeting)

Monday, November 17, 2025 6:30

Monday, January 12, 2026 6:30

Monday, February 23, 2026 6:30

Thursday, April 23rd 2026 Budget Meeting online

Monday, May 11, 2026 6:30

Monday, June 1 2026 6:30

I am very excited to share that we have been accepted into the YMCA Nutrition Program. All students who need a healthy snack can come by the main office between 8:15-8:30 every morning to pick up a snack.

On Thursday, April 2nd. We will be celebrating World Autism Day with activties in videos. Students are encouraged to wear the colour blue to show their support.

We will be having a Stations of the Cross Presentation at 12:45 on Tuesday March 31st in our gym. All are welcome to attend.

On Holy Thursday (April 2nd) Students will be engaged in faith-based activities during the morning.

As a special treat, each student at St. Richard will receive a bag of mini pretzels. We eat pretzels on Holy Thursday because early Christians made them during Lent using only simple ingredients like flour, water, and salt. The pretzel’s shape looks like arms crossed in prayer, so it became a symbol of praying and preparing our hearts for Easter. Eating pretzels on Holy Thursday reminds us to be simple, prayerful, and ready for the days leading up to Easter.

The ingredients of the pretzel are as follows: Enriched wheat flour, Salt, Vegetable oil, corn syrup, yeast, *may contain malt syrup, sodium bicarbonate. May contain milk, sesame.

If you do not wish for your child to eat the pretzel please let their classroom teacher know by Wednesday, April 1st.

Good Friday is on Friday, April 3rd and Easter Monday is on Monday April 6th. The school will be closed on both dates.

It’s Hearing and Vision Screening time!

Our clinic will be at your school St. Richard on: April 13th, 14th, 2026

Register your child and complete the payment through this Online Link

https://form.jotform.com/260706891533259

Deadline for registration is April 9th, at 9am and the duration at the school may be adjusted

based on student participation

Your child’s Hearing and Vision should be screened every year

A fee of $25.00 is collected to help offset the cost of bringing this clinic to your school.

Why Screening Matters:

Growing children are very susceptible to middle ear problems and one of the best ways to prevent hearing loss is early detection of middle ear function issues.

Vision issues are common in children, so early detection is crucial for their healthy development and academic success.

Our screening program helps identify hearing and vision concerns before they impact learning and social development, ensuring children get the support they need to thrive. As part of the program, we will refer any results that are considered outside the normal range to the parents for follow-up with their physician and/or optometrist.

For hearing concerns, we recommend bringing your referral to your physician, who can then refer you to an ENT specialist, which is covered by OHIP. Alternatively, you have the option to schedule an appointment with an Audiologist without needing a referral from your family physician. Please note that visits to an Audiologist may not be covered by OHIP, and you could incur a fee ranging from $75 to $150 or more.

Your child's hearing is not being monitored unless they're seeing an audiologist or an ENT specialist, making our screening program a valuable resource for your child's health.

While eye exams are covered by OHIP, our hearing clinic offers a basic vision screening for students participating in the hearing clinic.

For more information and to address all your questions and concerns, please visit our website at www.schoolscreeningassociation.ca.

Good Grades start with Good Hearing and Vision

We will be having our Grad Photos on Wednesday, April 15th

Kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year at Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) schools is now open. The DPCDSB offers the Kindergarten program in 126 Catholic elementary schools in Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Bolton and Orangeville.

Parents/guardians can register online at dpcdsb.org.

Registration is open to Catholic children and children of Catholic parents. Kindergarten students must be at least four (4) years of age by December 31, 2026.

The following documents are required to complete the registration process:

• Proof of age of the child
• Original Roman Catholic baptismal certificate (for child and/or parent/guardian) or original baptismal certificate from a church in full communion with the Holy See of Rome or an Eastern Catholic Church.
• Immunization Reference #’s from the local Public Health Unit
• Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status
• Proof of home address
• Proof of English Separate School Support

Please refer to the Registration webpage for accepted forms of documentation.

Inquiries about home school locations/boundary areas should be directed to the DPCDSB Planning Department at 905-890-0708 ext. 24440.

For more information, parents/guardians should contact their local Catholic school, visit the DPCDSB website at dpcdsb.org, or call DPCDSB’s Admissions Department at 905-890-1221.

The Lunch Lady school lunch program is coming to St Richard on Monday starting September 22nd.

Please see the link below to set up an account. You will need to enter your child's name and select your child's teacher information as a part of your account information.

Lunch options include kid favourites such as pasta, burgers, grilled cheese, shepherd's pie, as well as many "breakfast for lunch", vegetarian, gluten free and halal options. There's even a specialized "Little Lunches" menu for our younger students to enjoy!

You can place or cancel your order by 8 am on the delivery date.

Once you create an account you can order every week or only for the days that suit your schedule.

https://order.lunchlady.ca/Security/Registration

Starting Tuesday, October 14th we will be having pizza days every Tuesday and Friday. We have chosen Little Ceasars Pizza as our provider this year. We are excited to let you know that pizza will also be available for purchase on pizza days. The cost of the pizza will be $3.00.

All sales must be made through School Cash Online. There will be no purchasing of food on Harveys days.

We are excited to share that beginning on Thursday October 16th, St. Richard will be offering Swiss Chalet lunches to all students every Thursday.

Students will have the option between:

• Quarter Chicken, dark meat
• Quarter Chicken, white meat
• Pierogies
• Chicken Strips

All meal options come with the choice of one side:

• Garden salad
• Cesear salad
• Mashed pototoes
• Rice
• Veggies

All the details are on SchoolCash online!

Anyone working with children as an employee or volunteer must have a Criminal Reference Check/Vulnerable Sector Check completed by the Peel Police.

ALL volunteers including those going on one day school trips MUST have a Criminal Reference check. The Criminal Reference Check for volunteers may take a number of days for the paperwork to be processed and has to be done through Peel Police.

If you already have a Criminal Reference Check on file at the school, please ensure you have completed the yearly Criminal Offence Declaration form with the office.

https://rec-check.peelpolice.ca/

Emergency response procedures in the event of a fire, bomb threat, serious accident/injury or an intruder have been established and are revised on an ongoing basis. Each school within the DPCDSB is required to hold 9 emergency procedure drills over the course of the year.

These drills consist of three fire drills per term, one lockdown drill per term, and 1 hold and secure drill per year. During these drills staff review all emergency procedures with students to ensure all children are safe in the event of a real emergency.

In the event that it is necessary to evacuate the school, our site for relocation is St John of the Cross Church located at 6890 Glen Erin Drive.

St Richard Catholic School actively encourages and promotes regular and punctual attendance. Educational research has consistently shown that student progress and academic success are closely related to regular attendance and active participation in the day-to-day activities of the school. Frequent absences from school jeopardize a student’s successful completion of any level.

Ultimately, responsibility for attendance lies with the student and the parent.

Although trips and vacations may provide diverse learning experiences, the school does not support travel or vacations during class time. The content covered in each grade is important and requires attendance. While parents may choose to travel during the school year, the time missed from class is recorded as an absence and counted in the total absence record for the term and the year. Also, assessment and evaluation can become problematic.

What takes place in the classroom is the work. What occurs as a follow up is either completion of in-class work, or practice and review of the skills and knowledge gained in the classroom.

Successful students attend all classes, consult with teachers, hand in assignments, take pride in themselves and their accomplishments, study and complete homework daily and set realistic goals.

Please use the school messenger app/website/phone number to report your child's absences.

https://go.schoolmessenger.ca

1-844-435-3440

Open communication between home and school is very important. Although we will be reporting to you formally during the year, please do not hesitate to contact the classroom teacher at any time if you have questions or concerns. A phone call on the onset of a concern usually resolves itself before it becomes a problem. On our part, if we have any concerns about your child, we will also contact you at the earliest opportunity.

Sabrina’s Law is an Act to protect anaphylactic pupils in publicly funded schools in Ontario. Named “Sabrina’s Law” in honour of an Ontario student who died following an anaphylactic reaction in 2003, this law requires that every school board establish and maintain an anaphylaxis policy.

If your child has a severe allergic reaction to peanuts, peanut by-products, bee/wasp stings etc., please let the school know as soon as possible. It is essential that the information you provide us with is accurate and up-to-date. There are various forms which need to be completed by you and your family doctor if it is necessary to store and dispense an EPI-pen or any other medication at school.

We continue to have both students and staff with severe, life threatening allergy to certain foods, such as peanuts and nuts. This is a medical condition that may cause severe and life threatening reactions to certain allergens within minutes. Although this may or may not affect your child’s class directly, we require your continued cooperation in sending foods to school with your child that are free from peanuts, nuts or their by-products.

Please do not send food products to be shared in your child’s classroom. If you would like your child to share their special day/birthday with their classmates, we suggest that you consider non-food items such as pencils or stickers.

Letters will be sent home with the students whose classroom members have specific allergies. Please check with your child, and in their backpack, for letters regarding the type of allergy and products to avoid in your child’s classroom. Please pay careful consideration to school lunches and snacks while continuing to refrain from sending in items that are made of, or contain, nuts or peanuts. We offer our heartfelt thanks for your support in making our school a safer environment for all.

Ryan’s Law is an Act to protect Asthmatic pupils in publicly funded schools in Ontario. If your child has asthma please let the school know immediately. It is essential that the information you provide us with is accurate and up-to-date.

Ryan’s Law introduced policies and procedures that:

Allow your child to carry his/her asthma reliever (rescue) inhaler (with your permission).

Reduce your child’s contact with asthma triggers.

Develop an individual plan for every student with asthma, including recommendations from their health-care providers and current emergency contacts. This will be kept on file at the school.

If you have more questions about

Ryan’s Law?

Call The Lung Association Lung Health Information Line at 1-888-344-LUNG (5864), email info@on.lung.ca, or visit www.RyansLaw.ca.

If a child is required to bring medication to school, procedures regarding the administration of medication shall only be adopted:

· when requested by the parents/guardians; and

· when authorized by a physician; and

· when medication must be provided during school hours

A designated staff member must administer medication; hence, a signed request/authorization form from the parents/guardians and the supervising physician, must be obtained. These forms are available through the school office. The required authorization forms and the medication shall be delivered to the principal or designated person by the parents/guardians. All medication will be housed in a safe location. Medication must not be kept in the child’s possession or in the classroom except for EpiPens and asthma inhalers.

It is highly encouraged that students who have an anaphylactic allergy or who have asthma, keep their epi-pen and/or inhaler on their person at all times. If able, it is recommended that your child bring two epipens and/or two asthma inhaler to the school. This would allow your child to keep this medication on their person as well as ensuring that the school office has an additional set of medication.

Please note that school staff cannot dispense medication of any kind without the proper physician authorization and a properly labeled container, (i.e. prescription bottle or original over the counter container).

Parents are responsible for ensuring that all medication and forms are updated if there is a change to the medication for any student who requires medication to be administered at school. Forms are available at the school office or from your child’s teacher. Please check and note expiry dates on all medication.

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board has the following policy regarding Personal Electronic Devices in place for all schools.

The Board recognizes the importance of the use of PED’s by students at school and the benefits in their classroom. As part of our policy, students may bring their own device (B.Y.O.D.) for learning purposes. As part of our efforts to promote and maintain a positive Catholic climate in our schools, all PEDs must be kept out of sight, turned off, and not used within school premises or during school-sanctioned activities; unless the classroom teacher grants specific permission for use.

This policy applies to field trips, retreats, sporting events, etc. as well as daily classroom activities. Personal Electronic devices (PEDs) include, but are not limited to cell phones, iPods, iPads, cameras, ...

Please note that it is optional for students to bring their devices to school and it is their responsibility to follow the school and Board policies set out in the “Personal Electronic Device used with Wi-Fi Network Student Agreement.”

When a student receives an injury to the head, it is Board Policy that we inform parents. We will attempt to reach you even when it is a minor injury. Please try not to be too alarmed should you receive a call. Please remind your child to let a staff member know immediately, if they are hurt at school.

As per the Ministry of Education direction, our Board has a Concussion Protocol in place. ALL students who sustain a head injury during the school day, however minor, will receive a Concussions Are Serious pamphlet and accompanying paperwork to take home. We ask parents/guardians to review this pamphlet and seek medical attention for your son/daughter if you feel it is required.

As in previous years, all head injuries will be logged and reported to parents/guardians directly. We ask that you please inform the school as soon as possible when your son/daughter sustains a concussion because of a school incident or because of an activity outside of school. Questions or concerns regarding this policy should be directed to the Main Office. Your cooperation and assistance are greatly appreciated.

Please see pdf below for information about School Cash Online