St. Thomas More

3270 Tomken Road

Mississauga, ON., L4Y 2Y7

(905) 279-6472

Fax: (905) 279-3205

http://www.dpcdsb.org/TMORE

Principal

M. Noce

Vice-Principal

L. Moran

Administrative Staff

M. Shahbaz

A. Simoes

Superintendent

D. Belchior

(905) 890-1221

Trustee

Mario Pascucci

Mississauga Wards 1 & 3

(905) 302-3096

(905) 890-0708 x20161

mario.pascucci@dpcdsb.org

Catholic School Council Chair

R. D'Souza

Pastor

Rev. John Facey

St. Patrick’s Church

(905) 270-2301

Email: St.ThomasMoreInfo@dpcdsb.org
Website: http://www.dpcdsb.org/TMORE
Location: 3270 Tomken Road, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Phone: 9052796472
Twitter: @stthomasmore19

St. Thomas More Catholic School and St. Patrick's Parish are working collaboratively to create an atmosphere in which your child will be able to experience and express our Catholic Faith. We also support Father Facey at St. Patrick's with preparing students for sacraments. If you have a child in Grade 2 or 7 and intend to celebrate the sacrament, please contact the church at 905. 270 - 2301 to provide your email address and/or to register.

EDGE is a youth ministry for those in grades 6, 7 & 8, aimed to present the truths of the Catholic faith in a hand​​s-on and relevant format.

Twitter: @SPYGMississauga​

Instagram: ​​SPYGMississauga

Contact: Maria Espinoza, Youth Minister

stpatsyouthgroup@hotmail.com​

Please feel free to click on the Translate button on the newsletter to choose your language of preference! (Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Italian, Vietnamese, Hindi etc.)

Happy New Year, St. Thomas More community!

As we welcome the month of January, we embrace the opportunity for fresh beginnings and renewed purpose. I hope that the Christmas season brought your families moments of rest, joy, and connection. We look forward to continuing our journey together in 2026 with faith, gratitude, and hope.

This month, our Virtue of the Month is Self‑Control. We encourage our students to reflect on how thoughtful choices, patience, and kindness can guide their actions. Self‑control helps us follow the example of Jesus by pausing, thinking, and responding in ways that uplift others. We invite families to join us in reinforcing this virtue at home through daily conversations and small acts of mindfulness.

As we settle back into routines, please note that Monday, January 19, is a PA Day. There will be no school for students.

January is often a time to set intentions, reflect on our blessings, and focus on growth. We are grateful for the ongoing trust and partnership of our families. Together, we continue to build a welcoming and faith-filled community where every student is valued, supported, and able to shine.

Wishing all our students, families, and staff a joyful, healthy, and hope-filled New Year.

Warm regards,

Mary Noce
Principal

God wants us to do what we know and feel is right.

A person with self-control…

● is patient

● knows how to wait his/her turn

● can calm him/herself down and think before reacting to situations

● knows how to avoid physical aggression (hitting, kicking, pushing, etc.)

● can think things through

Our Daily Prayer for January

Let us now pray …for the virtue of self-control so that we will resist the temptation to cause harm to ourselves and others around us.

• A discerning believer formed in the Catholic Faith community who celebrates the signs and sacred mystery of God's presence through word, sacrament, prayer, forgiveness, reflection and moral living.
• An effective communicator who speaks, writes and listens honestly and sensitively, responding critically in light of gospel values.
• A reflective, creative and holistic thinker who solves problems and makes responsible decisions with an informed moral conscience for the common good.
• A self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner who develops and demonstrates their God-given potential.
• A collaborative contributor who finds meaning, dignity and vocation in work which respects the rights of all and contributes to the common good.
• A caring family member who attends to family, school, parish, and the wider community.
• A responsible citizen who gives witness to Catholic social teaching by promoting peace, justice and the sacredness of human life

8:45 am -Staggered Entrance (students arrive and are directed straight to their classroom)

9:00 am -School starts

11:05 am -Morning Recess

12:00 pm -Lunch

1:00 pm -School starts

2:30 pm -Afternoon Recess

3:30pm -Dismissal

2025-2026 School Year

Monday, January 5th: First Day back! Welcome 2026

Monday, January 5th, to Tuesday, January 13th: Free dental clinic at St. Thomas More - see below for more details.

Monday, January 19th: P.A Day for students

Thursday, February 12th: Interview evening

Friday, February 13th: Interview Day-P.A. Day for students

Friday, February 14th: Valentine's Day

Monday, February 16th: Family Day

Monday, March 16th- Friday March 20th: March Break

Thursday, April 2nd: Stations of the Cross

Friday, April 3rd: Good Friday

Monday, April 6th: Easter Monday

Monday, April 20th: Easter Mass at St. Patrick's Church- All are Welcome

Friday, May 15th: PD Day

Monday, May 18th: Victoria Day

Monday: June 8th: PD Day

Friday, June 26th: Last Day of School

EQAO Math Night for Parents and Guardians

Join us for a free live webinar where EQAO staff will discuss math questions that Ontario students encounter when they participate in Ontario’s large-scale assessments. These assessments are taken by all Ontario students in Grades 3, 6 and 9. During the webinar, EQAO staff will show how these math questions help assess the skills students are learning in their math classes. Staff will also share valuable insights from EQAO research into assessment results, which can help parents and guardians support their children’s math learning.

Next available session: Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 12:30-1:30 p.m. (offered on multiple dates, a recording will be provided to registrants)

Registration: https://eqao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5puRqI8uQJypIaHgBYoBMw#/registration

EQAO will be offering additional webinars throughout the year for families. Please check our website regularly for an updated list of upcoming sessions at https://www.eqao.com/school-outreach/.

If you have any questions about the information shared, please reach out to EQAO directly for clarification.

We are looking for Lunch Hour Supervisors here at St. Thomas More School. The role involves supervising students during lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.

If you are interested or would like more information, please contact the school office. Your support helps keep our students safe and happy during lunchtime!

We are thrilled to announce that N.D. is the winner of our Mascot Drawing Contest! Their creative design will now be professionally digitized and proudly displayed on our gym walls and featured on our new school jerseys. Thank you to all students who participated and shared their amazing ideas—your creativity truly shines in our school community!

Our students embraced the snowy weather with creativity and teamwork! From building impressive snow forts to crafting delightful snow people, the playground was alive with laughter and imagination. It was wonderful to see everyone enjoying the fresh air and making the most of this winter wonderland. These moments remind us how outdoor play fosters collaboration, joy, and a sense of community—even on the chilliest days!

Excitement is building as our Grade 8 students prepare for their big milestone! Students had the opportunity to order their graduation wear, a special way to celebrate their achievements and show school pride. These keepsakes will be a wonderful reminder of their journey as they get ready for the next chapter. We can’t wait to see everyone wearing their grad gear!

This Christmas season, our St. Thomas More community came together in a remarkable spirit of generosity, compassion, and faith in action. Through our Hat and Mitten Tree, gift card donations, and Advent Food Drive, students and families helped support children, seniors, and families in need within our local community.

Our Hat and Mitten Tree quickly filled with cozy winter essentials—hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves—thanks to the kindness of our families. In total, four boxes of warm items were collected and donated to ensure that members of our community stay warm during the colder months.

At the same time, our Advent Food Drive brought in an impressive amount of non‑perishable food. We collected four large boxes of items, all of which were delivered to support local families during the holiday season.

In addition, through the incredible generosity of our families, we collected $2,015 in gift card donations, which will provide direct support to families experiencing financial hardship.

Finally, our students shared the joy of the season beyond our school walls by creating Christmas cards for residents in two local senior homes, bringing comfort and cheer to seniors in our community.

We are deeply grateful for the kindness and support shown by our students, staff, and families. Your contributions truly embody the spirit of giving and reflect the Gospel values we live each day at St. Thomas More.

On December 16, our FDK students delighted families with a wonderful afternoon concert celebrating the Christmas season. Parents filled the gym as our youngest learners sang, danced, and shared the joy of the holidays through thoughtful songs, a prayer and performances. The students’ enthusiasm was contagious, and their hard work truly shone on stage. Thank you to our FDK team for their hard work with preparing the students.

On December 17, our Primary students lit up the school with two wonderful Christmas Concert performances—one in the afternoon and another in the evening for families. Students took to the stage with confidence and joy, sharing festive songs, cheerful dances, and heartfelt holiday spirit. Their enthusiasm created a warm and memorable experience for all who attended.

We extend our sincere thanks to our dedicated Primary educators for their hard work in preparing the students, and to our families for joining us and supporting this special event. It was a beautiful celebration of community, creativity, and the magic of the season.

As part of our ongoing eco initiatives, classes participated in a fun and meaningful contest: creating GOOS (Good On One Side) bins to collect and reuse paper. Students showed incredible creativity, designing colourful and practical bins that encourage sustainability in our school. This friendly competition not only highlighted the importance of reducing waste but also showcased how teamwork and innovation can make a big difference for our planet. Congratulations to all participants for helping us take another step toward a greener future!

A special thank‑you goes out to our dedicated Eco Team for their creativity and leadership this season. Our Eco members designed and built two beautiful eco‑friendly Christmas trees using entirely repurposed and sustainable materials. These unique creations were proudly displayed during our Christmas Concerts, adding a meaningful touch to the festivities.

The trees not only showcased the students’ creativity but also highlighted the importance of environmental responsibility and reducing waste—especially during a season often filled with excess. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and the positive message they brought to our school community.

We’re committed to creating a healthier environment for everyone—inside and outside our school! As part of our Clean Air Campaign, students and staff are working together to promote fresh, clean air. Some exciting goals include installing Idle-Free Zone signs, hosting a school-wide presentation on the importance of clean air, and sharing informative flyers to encourage eco-friendly habits. Together, we’re taking steps to reduce pollution and ensure St. Thomas More is a place where clean air thrives. Let’s all do our part to keep our air fresh and our community healthy!

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) is committed to the safety and well-being of all students. To support this, DPCDSB offers SafeVoice, a confidential Safe Schools Tool for students to share concerns about bullying, harassment, discrimination, or other issues. Students can access SafeVoice from the DPCDSB homepage, the Student Portal, their school website, or directly at https://dpcdsb.org/SafeVoice.

The form allows students to provide information about incidents they’ve experienced or witnessed, including details about who was involved and when and where it took place. Students may choose to remain anonymous or include their name and contact information if they wish to be contacted directly by a school administrator.

All submissions are reviewed by the school Principal and Vice-Principal, unless a concern involves a Principal or Vice-Principal, in which case it is directed to the Superintendent.

SafeVoice is one of the many ways DPCDSB works with students, staff, and families to foster safe, caring, inclusive, and faith-filled school communities. If you need to share information about a crime, please contact Crime Stoppers, Peel Regional Police, or the Ontario Provincial Police.

If you have questions, please contact your school Principal or Vice-Principal.

• Upholding dignity and rights: All members of the school community are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect, regardless of their background or identity.
• Diversity and inclusion: Respect extends to celebrating diversity and treating people fairly regardless of factors like race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
• Safety and non-violence: DPCDSB prohibits bullying in all its forms, including cyberbullying, physical, verbal, and psychological abuse. This also includes restrictions on taking photos or videos of others without consent.
• Responsible behaviour: Respect is demonstrated through actions like coming to school on time, being prepared to learn, refraining from bringing prohibited items to school, and taking responsibility for one's own actions.

Demonstrating respect

• Verbal and non-verbal communication: Use appropriate language, tone of voice, and body language. Avoid swearing, name-calling, gossip, and put-downs.
• Respect for property: Treat school materials, such as textbooks, equipment, and facilities, with care.
• Respect for Catholic teachings: Support and participate in the liturgical life of the school and strive to live a virtuous life in accordance with Gospel value

The Catholic School Council is an integral part of every school community. If you are interested in being a part of the Catholic School Council this year, please join us for our first meeting. The details are posted below, along with required nomination forms and information about roles and responsibilities:

Our School Council is comprised of Parents/Guardians, School Staff, a Student, and a Parish Representative. All are welcome to attend.

School Council Meeting of 2025-2026

Thursday January 15th, 2026 @ 6:30 pm

Thursday, February 19th, 2026 @ 6:30 pm

Thursday, April 16th, 2026 @ 6:30 pm

Thursday, May 21st, 2026 @ 6:30 pm

In the School Library

Subway days is now on Mondays

Use SchoolCash Online

https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

PIZZA TUESDAYS ARE BACK!

Use SchoolCash Online

https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

Pita days are back, now on Wednesdays!

Use SchoolCash Online

https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

Now introducing Barburrito on Thursdays

Use SchoolCash Online

https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

As we enter the winter season, we kindly remind all families to ensure that students come to school prepared for the cold and snowy weather. Please make sure your child is dressed in layers, including a warm winter jacket, hat, scarf, mittens, snow pants, and boots. This will help them stay warm and comfortable during outdoor play.

For safety and fun in the snow, students should also wear appropriate footwear and bring an extra pair of socks and gloves, as they may get wet during play. We encourage everyone to be mindful of the snow and ice, using proper snow play etiquette, such as playing safely and respectfully with peers.

Thank you for your support in helping our students enjoy winter while staying warm and safe!

As we begin the 2025–2026 school year, St. Thomas More, we will continue to follow the provincial cellphone and social media policy from the Ontario Ministry of Education, alongside our Board’s policy on Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs). These rules are in place to reduce distractions, protect student well-being, and support a safe Catholic learning environment.

Key Points ~

• Cellphones and PEDs should not be brought to school. If brought, they must remain off and out of sight during the school day.

• No social media access on school networks during school hours.

• Use for learning only: Devices may be used in class only if a teacher specifically permits them for academic purposes.

• Emergency communication: If you need to reach your child during the day, please call the school office. Students who need to contact a parent must use the office phone.

• Loss or damage: The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices.

• Repeat violations: Continued misuse of a device will result in it being taken to the office. The student may pick it up at the end of the day. For repeated incidents, a parent/guardian will be asked to pick it up.

• Reflection and accountability: Students may be required to complete a short reflection activity if a violation occurs, helping them think about responsible use.

Why this matters:
This policy is not about punishment, but about focus, safety, and responsibility. By limiting cellphone and social media use during the school day, we are creating more opportunities for learning, connection, and personal growth.

Thank you for working with us to support a healthy, distraction-free environment for all students

How to Access Bus Stop and Time Information:

-Visit stopr.ca

-Select parent/student login

*if you do not have an account, please create an account by clicking 'create an account' on the bottom of the screen

-Enter your child's OEN number - this number can be found on the top portion of the report card.

-Once you've entered your child's OEN you will be able to view bus stop information

If your child rides the bus daily, it is important that they are aware of the safety rules on the bus. Students are required to:

• Listen to the Bus Driver at all times and report any problems or injuries to him/her
  
• Go directly to your seat and remain seated during the entire bus ride
• Do not eat, drink, swear, fight or chew gum on the bus
• Do not put arms out the window, or throw items or garbage out the window
• If any damage to the seat of bus is caused, students will be held responsible
• Be at least 5 minutes early at your bus stop to ensure that you don't miss the bus

Improper conduct on the bus will be dealt with at the Office. Repeated or serious incidents can result in busing privileges being suspended or removed. Please review these rules with your child. Taking the bus is a privilege, not a right.

*Important: The process to exempt your child from school dental screening has changed.

Peel Public Health is providing free dental screening, as required by the Ontario Ministry of Health, for students in all grades on January 8, 9, 12, 13, 2026. Please note that dental screening may be completed earlier than the expected end date. A dental screening is a quick assessment by a registered dental hygienist who will take a look inside your child's mouth. A separate, sterilized mouth mirror is used for each child. It identifies children who may be in need of dental care. After the dental screening, a form with the results will go home with every child screened. If a child is identified with a dental condition requiring immediate dental treatment, the parent may be contacted by a dental staff member. A re-screening may be required.

If you do not want your child to be screened, please visit http://www.peelregion.ca/dental/schoolscreening or call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 by January 7, 2026.

• Stay home when you're sick.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or, if unavailable, use a hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unclean hands.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and objects often.
• Pay attention to public health alerts and advice in your community.

1. It is important when you are dropping off your child in the morning that you enter the Kiss & Ride lane and proceed to the end of the lane before allowing your child to get out of the car.

2. Students must exit from the right hand side of the car (closest to the school) and parents should remain in the car. Parents may then proceed to exit.

3. If you need to walk your child, you must park in a parking spot at the front of the school or in the church parking lot. Please do NOT park in the drive through lane, the kiss & ride lane or the kindergarten pick up and drop off parking spots as moving traffic is dangerous to children in these locations.

4. If walking your child to school in the morning or picking them up at the end of the day, parents are asked to remain either behind the fence by the church parking lot, on the path closest to the school, or on the perimeter of the school pavement. This is for your child’s safety, as teachers on duty cannot distinguish parents from “strangers” in the yard.

5. Kindergarten students are released hand to hand. Those parents may park in the kindergarten pick up and drop off parking spots.

6. Only bus/daycare students exit at the end of the day through the front doors.

If you are First Nation (Status Indian or Non-Status Indian), Métis and/or Inuit you can self-identify as Indigenous. You do not need to produce any documentation or proof of ancestry. Self-identification is voluntary and confidential.

“This has been really important for us because of the sense of community and the connection to other Indigenous families.” ~ Melanie Cormier, parent

Self-identification will provide access to culture and language programs and monthly programming for students and families. Relevant information will be sent directly to you about upcoming cultural events and opportunities which help to build community and a sense of Indigenous pride in Dufferin-Peel.

To learn more about opportunities for Indigenous students and families please visit: https://www.dpcdsb.org/student-portal/indigenous-self-identification

The Catholic Code of Conduct sets standards of behaviour that promote, encourage and foster a shared commitment to gospel values in daily life, respect for the dignity of persons created in God’s image, responsible participation in the civic life of the school community, peaceful conflict resolution, respect for diversity, and a commitment to exemplary conduct, conscientious work, and service to others. At St. Thomas More, we continue to work together to provide a safe, caring, inclusive and healthy Catholic school community for all.

DPCDSB and St. Thomas More use the Attendance Program: SafeArrival.

If you have not registered for SafeArrival, please review the registration procedure at https://www.dpcdsb.org/parents/absence-reporting

SafeArrival is an application within SchoolMessenger that will allow parents/guardians to report their children’s absences in one of the following three ways:

• SchoolMessenger App
• SchoolMessenger website https://go.schoolmessenger.ca
• Toll Free number 1-844-435-3440

What is SafeArrival:

• SafeArrival is an absence management system that improves student safety.
• It supports school staff to follow up on unexcused absences.
• It allows parents and/or guardians to notify the school in advance about an upcoming absence.

Benefits:

• Better Attendance Management for Enhanced Student Safety
• Faster and Easier Attendance Management
• Simplified Parent Reporting Tools
• Accessible, Convenient and Secure
• Automated Key Tasks With SafeArrival Administrative Tools

In the event that your child is late or absent, please use one of the three ways to access Safe Arrival. Students who arrive late to school must proceed to the office.

St. Thomas More Catholic School is dedicated to helping your child develop the spiritual, intellectual, aesthetic, emotional, social and physical capabilities to live fully and to meet the future challenges of adult roles and responsibilities. The school can best contribute to your child’s education and development when you form a partnership with them.

As parents/guardians you have many responsibilities towards your child. One responsibility is to ensure that your child is in school every day, ready to learn. In fact, it is the law. The Provincial Education Act states that every child between the ages of 6 and 18 years is required to attend school every day from the first school day in September until the last school day in June.

Accident Insurance forms are now being offered digitally. Please note this insurance is voluntary, but the board encourages parents to take advantage of the inexpensive coverage especially if your children participate in sports, excursions or field trips or, if you do not have dental coverage. If you wish to purchase insurance coverage for your child, please click on the image to the left where you will be able to complete an online application form.

Please be reminded that no nut products including tree nuts, Nutella or scented perfumes/cologne are allowed in school.

We have a number of staff and students who have potentially fatal anaphylactic sensitivities to the above products. Community Letters regarding allergens in our school will be forthcoming.

Thank you for your commitment to keeping STM allergy aware!

If your child has any health problems of which the office is not aware, please notify us as soon as possible.

Please note, we cannot administer or store medication for your child (such as antibiotics, aspirin etc.) without board policy forms that are signed by a medical doctor. In the event your child requires medication at school, please have your medical doctor complete the form and we can proceed with administering the medication.

Every year, medical forms for puffers, epi-pens, or other medication are required to be filled out by the doctor for renewal. All returning students with medical conditions have been sent the forms via email. Please check your e-mail for the receipt of these forms. These forms must be returned to the office before medication can be administered.

A reminder that children are not allowed to keep ANY medication on their persons, in their desk, backpack or anywhere in their classroom, unless ordered by their doctor. In such case, documentation is necessary. All dispensing and storage of ANY medication must occur in the office. We appreciate your attention to this matter.

Build your math skills and confidence with a personalized math coach. Tutors are available online Mondays-Fridays from 9am to 9pm ET and Sundays from 3:00pm to 9pm ET.

https://www.tvomathify.com/students