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
Instagram: richadpcdsb

To begin the new school year, we will 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

Accepts the God-given worth of themselves and others

Let us pray this month for the grace and courage to be people of faith – people who can truly believe that God’s plan for us includes the right to be safe at school.

Good and Gracious God, as a new school year begins,

Fill the hearts of our students with an eagerness to learn:

About the world You have created,

About themselves and

Most of all about You!

Bless our teachers with the gifts of wisdom and patience,

That they may help students find the truth.

Give our parents generous hearts,

To encourage and support their sons and daughters.

Help us all work together to form a community of learning

That teaches not only skills for material success,

but all that we need

To live our faith fully in this world.

Amen

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

Children's Bible Study

The Jesus Youth Ministry will be hosting a God's Plan in Scripture (GPS) Bible study for children in grades 2 to 5

Every other Friday from September 26th to March 27th at 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Parish

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

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

LIFE TEEN Youth Program

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

Every other Sunday at 5:15pm to 7:15pm this Fall 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

Annual Parish Family Potluck Picnic

The Parish Women's Group invites all parishioners and their families to the annual Parish family potluck picnic

Saturday September 27th at 10:00am to 3:00pm at Meadowvale Conservation Area

Bring your families and let’s celebrate our Parish and each other as one big family!

To register please contact the Parish office at 905-821-1331

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.

1st Friday Holy Mass

1st Friday of the month Holy Mass followed by Adoration and Benediction

Friday October 3rd at 9:00am and 7:00pm in the Church

Blessing of Pets

There will be a pets blessing on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi

Saturday October 4th at 10:30am & 12:00pm at the Glen Erin side of the Church parking lot

You may bring your pets at this time. For the safety of everyone, the owner must be able to control their pet at all times.

Life Chain

Join millions across Canada and the world standing in peaceful and prayerful respect for all life from conception to natural death

Sunday October 5th after the noon outside the Church along Glen Erin Drive

Placards will be available in the hallway after the noon Mass

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

International Festival of Foods

The Parish will be hosting the 3rd annual International Festival of Foods

Saturday October 18th immediately following the 5:00pm Mass in the Nessinger Hall

Come celebrate the food, entertainment, customs, and traditions of the diverse cultures within our Parish

For more information contact Julia D'Souza 416-275-5646

Christmas Joy Market

The Catholic Women's League will be hosting a Christmas Joy Market

Saturday November 22nd from 10:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday November 23rd from 9:00am to 5:00pm

Any vendors who are interested in participating please contact Barbara Godfrey 437-776-0284

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

Sacramental Preparation Meetings

First Communion: Sunday September 21st at 7:00pm OR Tuesday September 23rd at 7:00pm in the Church

Confirmation: Sunday September 28th at 6:00pm OR Tuesday September 30th at 7:00pm in the Church

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

Schedule for First Holy Communion 2025 - 2026

First Communion Registration Part 1

Sunday, 21, 2025 7:00pm @ Church

Tuesday, September 23 2025 7:00pm @ Church

Reconciliation

Monday, November 24, 2025 7:00pm @ Church

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 7:00pm @ Church

First Communion Registration Meeting Part 2

Sunday, January 18 2026 7:00pm @ Church

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 7:00 @ Church

Enrolment Ceremony

January 31st, February 1st, February 14th & February 15th All Masses

First Communion Masses

Saturday, April 18, 2026 10:30am @ Church

Sunday, April 18, 2026 2:00pm @ Church

Saturday, April 25, 2026 10:30am @ Church

Sunday, April 26, 2026 2:00PM @ Church

Confirmation - Parent Meetings

Sunday, September 28, 2025, 6:00 p.m. church

Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 7:00 p.m. church

Confirmation Rite of Enrollment at all Masses Saturday/Sunday

October 18/19, 2025 & Oct 25/26, 2025

5 Classes / Sessions 9 am – 12 Noon (Saturdays only)

November 08th, 2025

December 6th, 13th, 2025

Jan 17th & 31st, 2026

Confirmation Retreat Saturday 9 am – 11:30 am

February 28TH 2026, OR March 07TH, 2026

Confirmation Dates for 2026 @ 7pm

Tuesday 14, April 2026

Thursday 16, April 2026

Tuesday 21 April 2026

On behalf of the entire staff, we would like to welcome you and your children to the 2025–2026 school year. Welcome to our new and returning students, their respective families, and our new Junior Kindergarten students as they embark on their educational journey.

St Richard Catholic School is truly an outstanding and welcoming school. Our School Council continues to make a very positive contribution on behalf of all our students to ensure that our school is a remarkable place to work, to learn and to play.

A special thank you is extended to the teaching staff who have been working diligently over the past few weeks preparing classrooms and curriculum for students. A heartfelt thank you is extended to our office staff, Mrs. Hale and to our custodians, Mr. Walker, Ms. Quadro and Mr. Huertas for spending endless hours preparing our school for the new year.

We look forward to the opportunity to continue working with the students and parents of our community. Together with a dedicated staff, we will do our very best to help all students experience spiritual, academic, social and emotional growth throughout the school year.

I look forward to working with all of you this year and look forward to meeting all parents and guardians at our Open House on Thursday, September 25th at 5:30pm

To all, our best wishes for a very successful school year!

T. Brancalion

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

Wednesday, April 22nd 2026 Budget Meeting online to be confirmed

Monday, May 11, 2026 6:30

Monday, June 1 2026 6:30

Just a reminder that will be no classes on Monday September 15th for reorganization.

Our picture day will be on Thursday, September 18th

Wednesday, September 25th @10:30 in our gym. All are welcome!

Please join us on Thursday, September 26th to meet your Child's teacher!

St. Richard Catholic Elementary School is proud to take part in Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope

This year our walking route will be around the paved path behind our school field. All students are encouraged to wear red and white to support a true Canadian hero, Terry Fox. Also, please make sure your child is dressed for the weather, hat, sunscreen etc.

More information to follow.

Orange Shirt Day - 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.

Bracelets have been purchased for all students.

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.

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

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!

All orders must be placed through cash online. There will be no subs for purchasing on Sub days.

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

This fundraising initiative is to raise money for various activities for our students throughout the year. (Guest Speakers, Technology, and to off set costs for our graduating class of 2025).

• Tuck Shop Items for purchase
• $2.50 Kernels Popcorn (Butter and Salt, White Cheddar, Dill Pickle, Salt and Vinegar, Caramel)
• $2 Various Chips (Lays Regular, Cheetos, Doritos, All Dressed, and Ketchup, Crunchy Cheetos, Pringles)
• $2 Garden Veggie Straws
• $2 Terra Cotta Cookies (Chocolate chip, Fudge chip, Vanilla, Vegan Cholocate Chip, Glutenf ree Choclolate chip)
• $2 Breton Veggie Crackers
• $1 Pretzel Sticks
• $1Goldfish Crackers
• $1 Organic Apple Sauce Pouches
• $1 Rice Krispies
• $1 Welch's Fruit Gummies
• $1 Sour keys
• $1 Red Lolipops ( Ingredients: Sugars (sugar, glucose, syrup), Water, Artificial flavour, Titanium dioxide, Allura red)
• $1 Fruit Roll ups

If your child has any food restrictions and you do not want them to participate please contact their teacher directly to let them know.

The Terra Cotta cookies do have a vegan and gluten free option available. Please let your child's teacher know if you would prefer they purchase either of those options instead.

Ingredients for all Terra Cotta Cookies

Fudge Chip DeLite

Ingredients:

Enriched wheat flour, brown sugar, sugar, liquid whole egg, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, dextrose, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), unsweetened applesauce (apples, ascorbic acid), cocoa, soluble vegetable fiber (corn), baking soda.

Contains: wheat, soy, egg.

Catholic Chip DeLite

Enriched wheat flour, brown sugar, sugar, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, dextrose, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), liquid whole egg, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, unsweetened applesauce (apples, ascorbic acid), soluble vegetable fiber (corn) baking soda.

Contains wheat, soy, egg.
May contain milk.

Vanilla Butterfly

Ingredients:

Enriched wheat flour, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, sugar, liquid whole egg, soluble vegetable fiber (corn), rainbow sprinkles (icing sugar, fractionated palm kernel oil, corn starch, glucose, soy lecithin, colour, gum arabic, carnauba wax), natural flavour.

Contains wheat, soy, egg.

Vanilla Heart Cookies

Ingredients:

Enriched wheat flour, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, sugar, liquid whole egg, soluble vegetable fiber (corn), colour, natural flavour.

Contains wheat, soy, egg.

Vegan Chocolate Chip

Ingredients:

Enriched wheat flour, brown sugar, sugar, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, anhydrous dextrose, soya lecithin, vanilla extract), water, soybean and palm oil margarine, unsweetened applesauce, milled flaxseed, soluble vegetable fiber (corn), baking soda.

Contains: Wheat & Soy

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip

Brown sugar, soybean and modified palm oil margarine, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, dextrose, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), rice flour, liquid whole egg, soy flour, cassava starch, vanilla extract, baking soda, xanthan gum.

Contains: soy, egg.

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