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 Co-Chairs

TBD

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.

Please note that First Holy Communion classes will begin on October 18th and 19th.

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.)

Dear St. Thomas More Families,

It's hard to believe that Autumn is upon us!

Huge "shout out" to our staff and students for transitioning into school so well, despite the re-organization and staff changes that took place for some students.

October seems to be filled with many school wide activities. Cross Country students are "in training"; Junior Volleyball players are being recruited; and our Youth Faith Ambassador and EcoTeam members are in the midst of planning. Our staff and students are all anticipating our Terry Fox Run and if we raise $2000, Mrs Moran and myself have a surprise for the school.

As we approach Thanksgiving, we give thanks for all we have, and, if able, we ask those who can to donate to our food drive. Our Food Drive collection will continue until Thursday, October 9th. Just a reminder that there is a PA Day on Friday, October 10th and school is closed on Monday, October 13th.

Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends.

In gratitude and as a partner in Catholic Education,

Mary Noce
Principal
St. Thomas More CES

An empathetic person…

• listens when people speak

• notices when someone is upset and tries to help

• can name her/his feelings

• can see a situation from another person’s point of view

• accepts that others have different perspectives

Our Daily Prayer for October

Let us now pray …for the grace and strength to be people of empathy-people who can really identify with and feel the concerns of those around us. AMEN

• 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

Friday, October 10th: PA Day

Monday, October 13th: Thanksgiving Monday

Friday, October 17th: Thanksgiving Mass @ 9:30 am

Monday, December 22, 2025, to Friday, January 2, 2026: Christmas Break

Monday, February 16th: Family Day

Monday, March 16, 2026, to Friday, March 20, 2026: March Break

Friday, April 3rd: Good Friday

Monday, April 6th: Easter Monday

Monday, May 18th: Victoria Day

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

There are many families within our school community and local neighbourhood who face food insecurity. As part of who we are as a Catholic faith community we will be asking for your consideration to donate to our THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE, which will be held from September 29th - October 9th.

We are asking for non-persihable food items. All of our donations will be given to the beautiful people who work at the Mississauga Food Bank https://www.foodbanksmississauga.ca/

The 2025 Terry Fox School Run is set, and we are so excited to be taking part! Our event will take place on Friday, October 3, 2025 (Rain Date: Monday, October 6, 2025). We need your help to boost our students’ fundraising. This event supports vital cancer research while also building incredible school spirit for our students. Let’s all show how incredible and generous our school community is and work together to reach the fundraising goal of $ 2,000. We will be sharing regular updates of our fundraising progress on X.

School Picture Date: Thursday, October 2nd, 2025

Retake Date: Monday, November 3rd, 2025

On September 18, we welcomed all students and their families to STM. The students had the opportunity to showcase their classrooms and introduce their teachers. Mrs. Costa organized the school's first scholastic book fair of the year, which turned out to be a great success.

On Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025, four enthusiastic students and Mme Cruz set off to the Mississauga East Leadership Conference. The Wellness Warriors came away with some fantastic ideas that are sure to enhance the well-being of both staff and students!

Cross Country has started from grades 4-8. Students in Cross Country are to listen to announcements every day to determine when they are to practice.

Family Cross Country Meet: Friday, October 17th

Board Cross Country Meet: Tuesday, October 21st

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.

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 October 2nd, 2025 @6:00

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/

If you can and are able to, you can consider donating a Pizza Day to a student in need. Visit SchoolCash Online to contribute.

https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

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

Transportation is provided for FDK and Grade 1-8 students at St. Thomas More who meet the Board distance eligibility for busing. Students who are ELIGIBLE are automatically assigned to a BUS STOP.

Please be sure to arrive at the bus stop AT LEAST 5 minutes before the scheduled pick up time. You can get all busing information by signing into to STOPR (OEN is required to register and access child busing information and to receive late/cancelled notifications. OEN is on the students report card.)

Students are reminded that riding the bus is a privilege. They are expected to conduct themselves safely and appropriately. Bus meetings will be held in the first weeks of school to go over safety and appropriate bus behaviour.

Drivers are not able to change bus stops or times. Students from grades FDK-1will be provided with bus tags on the first days of school.

Parent Phone Line 905-890-6000 Ext #1 Big Bus Ext #2 Spec Ed

Parents must provide us with their child’s OEN or student # in order for us to access their busing information.

Students in JK, SK and Grade 1 must be met at the stop by a responsible adult. Please note that students will be returned to school if there is no one to meet them at the stop. Your child will be given a red bus tag which must always be attached to their knapsack.

Please also note that eligibility is based on age and home address distance from the school as per the information provided by transportation:

• Kindergarten to Grade 1: 1.0 kilometers
• Grades 2 to 4: 1.6 kilometers
• Grades 5 to 8: 2.0 kilometers
• Grades 9 to 12: 3.8 kilometers

Please double check new eligibility distance if your children are transitioning from:

• Grade 1 to grade 2
• Grade 4 to grade 5
• Grade 8 to grade 9

If you require courtesy seating, please complete the form and return to the school office as soon as possible. Please note that courtesy seats are available if there is room on the bus and may not be granted until after the October Thanksgiving weekend. Thank you for your patience and understanding with courtesy seats.

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.

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