St. Veronica

St. Veronica Catholic Elementary School

Trustees: L. del Rosario and T. Thomas

Superintendent: P. Cusumano

Principal: N. Laporte

Head Secretary: L. Magi

Email: VeronInfo@dpcdsb.org

Website: https://www.dpcdsb.org/VERON

Location: 680 Novo Star Dr., Mississauga, ON L5W 1C7
Phone: 905-696-6980

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If there could be one thing in life for me to teach you, I would teach you to love …

To respect others so that you may find respect in yourself;

To learn the value of giving, so that if ever there comes a time in your life that someone really

needs, you will give; To act in a manner that you would wish to be treated;

To be proud of yourself; To laugh and smile as much as you can,

in order to help bring joy back into this world;

To have faith in others; To be understanding…

To stand tall in this world and learn to depend on yourself; To only take from this earth those

things you really need, so there will be enough for others;

Do not depend on money or material things for your happiness,

but learn to appreciate the people who love you.

Appreciate the simple beauty that God gave you and find peace and security within yourself.

To you, my child, I hope I have taught all of these things,

for they are LOVE.

Amen.

Welcome to April!

As we welcome the month of April, we are grateful for the blessings that the Easter season brings. Spring surrounds us with signs of new life and growth, reminding us that Easter is a time filled with hope, renewal, and joyful celebration. It marks Jesus’ victory over death and His promise of eternal life—an invitation for each of us to rekindle our faith and renew our relationships with others. We are one body in Christ, and with that unity comes a responsibility to reach out with love, compassion, and kindness. We wish all members of our St. Veronica community a blessed and joy‑filled Easter season. May this time offer opportunities to gather, reflect, and celebrate together. May everyone experience the renewal and hope that come with the promise of the Resurrection.

We also extend our heartfelt best wishes to our Grade 2 and Grade 7 students as they prepare for and receive the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. For our Grade 2 students, this marks the beautiful moment of receiving the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time. For our Grade 7 students, Confirmation represents a significant step in their faith journey as they become adult members of the Church. These are pivotal and grace‑filled milestones in the lives of our Catholic children, and we celebrate with them and their families.

March was a month filled with faith, community, and kindness at St. Veronica. Students participated in many activities that encouraged acts of compassion and service. Kindness continues to flourish in our school, reminding us daily of the impact small actions can have on others.

In April, we turn our focus to the virtue of Love. God calls us to serve others and to recognize the goodness in everyone we encounter. Love is not only a feeling—it is a deliberate choice. It involves giving, serving, and offering care even when it may go unnoticed. As we reflect on this virtue throughout the month, we invite everyone to consider: How will you show Love in action? May we find meaningful ways to share God’s love with our families, classmates, and community.

Wishing you all a blessed month ahead filled with hope, gratitude, and love.

The council was thrilled to facilitate the delicious Terra Cotta Cookie Dough fundraiser for St. Veronica. Our council raises funds to cover and/or subsidize costs of events, materials and workshops in the school. We are grateful for the council for volunteering their time to support St. Veronica.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Thursday April 23, 2026 at 6:30. All are welcome to attend.

Our Catholic School Council is pleased to host a Spring Dance for the students of St. Veronica. Students from kindergarten to grade 3 will enjoy a dance in the afternoon of Friday, May 22.

There will be two after school dances - one for students in grades 4 and 5 and another for students in grades 6, 7 and 8. Please note: this dance is for current students of St. Veronica only.

More details to follow.

The Central Committee for Catholic School Councils (CCCSC) has sent out nomination forms for the Annual Volunteer of the Year Award.

This award has been developed to acknowledge the dedicated individuals who make a significant contribution to supporting Catholic education. Volunteers play a very important role in our schools and in our communities, helping to build vibrant, caring, inclusive, faith filled school communities. This award will recognize an individual who exemplifies volunteerism in Dufferin-Peel. The award process is also a means to thank volunteers for their continuous years of commitment and dedication. The candidate chosen as the Volunteer of the Year and all the nominees for the award will be recognized and celebrated at the June meeting of the CCCSC and at the fall meeting of Catholic School Council Chairs.

Please see below for more information. If you are interested in nominating a school volunteer, please contact the office for nomination forms.

March 31 - Pretzel distribution

April 2 - Great Big Gulp

April 2 - Stations of the Cross at 1:00 pm

April 2 - Holy Thursday

April 3 - Good Friday - no classes

April 5 - Easter Sunday

April 6 - Easter Monday - no classes

April 7 - Hearing and Vision Clinic

April 7 - 30 - Gently Used Clothing, Toy, Book Collection

April 14 - Rosary Apostolate

April 17 - Resurrection Liturgy

April 22 - Earth Day

April 22 - KUNE World Music Assembly at 9:30 am

April 23 - CSC Meeting

Our Junior Girls’ Basketball Team represented St. Veronica with pride at the DPCDSB board‑wide tournament on March 4, competing against the top five schools who advanced to the finals. We are thrilled to share that our team ranked among the top 6 schools out of 126—an incredible accomplishment!

Throughout this fierce and exciting tournament, our girls showcased impressive skills in dribbling, passing, and shooting. Their teamwork, determination, and positive spirit were evident in every game. While our offensive play was strong, our defense was challenged by some very skilled opponents who ultimately outscored us. Regardless of the results, we could not be more proud of the effort, sportsmanship, and resilience our girls displayed.

A heartfelt thank you to coaches Mr. Aleong and Mr. Hilario for their dedication, guidance, and hard work in preparing the team.

Congratulations to our Junior Girls’ Basketball Team—you made us proud!

Students from Grades 3–8 recently participated in a Chess Tournament, where they demonstrated focus, sportsmanship, and a love of learning. Our students had a great time and represented St. Veronica extremely well. We are proud of their effort and enthusiasm—well done to all who participated!

Our junior students have been busy exploring their creativity through Pixel and Paint workshops this month! During these hands‑on sessions, students are learning the fundamentals of digital storytelling while planning, designing, and producing their very own stop‑motion videos.

Using simple materials, imaginative problem‑solving, and collaborative teamwork, students are discovering how everyday objects can be transformed into animated characters and scenes. We can’t wait to see the unique and inventive videos they create!

Stay tuned—final projects will be shared soon!

St. Veronica is having a Spring Clothing Drive to help support our Eco Initiatives (sustainability) and each other.

From April 7 - 30, please donate clean, gently used children's spring/summer clothing you no longer use.

Our giveaway is open to everyone on Monday, May 4, 2026 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.

We’re collecting donations!

Bring in your gently used items from April 7–30.
All proceeds from the sale will support our school community.

Donation Window: April 7–30

White Elephant Sale Date: May 4

We gladly accept:

• Toys and games
• Books
• Other gently used treasures!

Please ensure all donations are clean and in good condition.

Thank you for supporting our school!

Our Grade 8 students, under the thoughtful leadership of Mr. Hilario, will be presenting the Stations of the Cross to the school community on Thursday, April 2. This prayerful dramatization is a longstanding tradition at St. Veronica, offering students and staff a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the final moments of Jesus’ journey.

Families are warmly welcome to attend and join us in this important Lenten observance. We are grateful to our Grade 8s for their reverence, preparation, and leadership as they guide us through this powerful expression of our faith.

The students of Mrs. Carvalho's class and Mrs. Ryan's will be sharing the joy of Jesus' resurrection with the school at a liturgy on need date. All are welcome to attend.

On April 7, we will celebrate the arrival of spring with a Spring Colour Day, led by our Wellness Committee. Students are invited to wear their brightest spring colours to celebrate the new season and the positive effect it has on our mood, energy, and well‑being. Let’s welcome spring feeling happy and healthy!

It’s not an April Fools’ prank—it’s Great Big Gulp Day! On April 2, our Eco Team is encouraging students to bring their biggest reusable water bottles to help cut down on single‑use plastics. Let’s take great big gulps for a healthier planet!

Earth Day is April 22.

Our planet is an amazing place, but it needs our help to thrive! That’s why each year on April 22, more than a billion people celebrate Earth Day to protect the planet from things like pollution and deforestation. By taking part in activities like picking up litter and planting trees, we’re making our world a happier, healthier place to live.

Stay tuned for Earth Day events planned by our Eco Team.

On April 27th, we will celebrate Administrative Professional's Day. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize Mrs. Magi who works tirelessly every day in support of students, families and staff. We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated, caring and hard working angel in the office.

Kindergarten registrations for next fall are still being accepted at the school office. Parents and newly registered kindergarten students for 2026 - 2027 are invited to attend a Journey into Learning evening at the school on Wednesday, May 27. On that evening, families will participate in a variety of fun activities and will receive a gift bag of resources to help their child successfully transition to life at school. More detailed information regarding the Journey into Learning will be forthcoming.

Parents/guardians of students in grade 8:

DPCDSB is very excited to offer the “Get Ready! for Secondary School Summer Program 2026” transition program this August. This program is offered at all our Secondary Schools.

Get Ready!” is designed to welcome our grade 9 students before beginning classes in September 2026.

The Get Ready! Program will offer students:

• a fun and interactive orientation to the explore their school layout, schedules, and routines
• an introduction to effective learning strategies and organizational skills
• a review of key concepts in literacy and numeracy
  
• a chance to meet some future teachers
  
• a chance to make connections with peers in the incoming class

The Get Ready! program is tentatively scheduled for the last week of August 2026. Times for the program vary by Secondary School.

To ensure your child’s participation in the “Get Ready! For Secondary School” program, be sure to watch your email for registration information late April/early May 2026.

Grade 8 Students going into Grade 9 in September 2026

Dufferin Peel CDSB will be offering current Grade 8 students the opportunity to obtain one (1) secondary credit in Secondary Summer School. This program is fast paced and runs through the full month of July.

Please note:

• These courses are credit bearing.
• Courses are fast paced and run the full month of July (July 6 – 31, 8:ooam – 1:30pm)
• Attendance is mandatory – no holidays.
• There is NO bussing for these Reach Ahead courses
• Registration closes June 10, 2026.

See attached for more information.

Please see the link below for the Thrive Newsletter for April.

Mass Schedule

Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00 pm

Sunday Mass: 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm

Daily Masses

Monday to Friday Mass 8:00 am, 7:00 pm

Saturday Mass 8:00 am

Email: stfrancisxaviermi@archtoronto.org
Website: https://stfrancisxaviermi.archtoronto.org/en/
Location: 5650 Mavis Road, Mississauga, ON L5V 2N6
Phone: 905-890-5290

Please contact the church for further details regarding First Communion and Confirmation.

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

God wants us to give generously to others around us.

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

A loving person...

• follows the example of holy people
• is willing to make sacrifices for the good of others
• knows that we are all lovable
• prays for others and cares deeply about them

God has given us many people in our lives to show us examples of LOVE. Our families, teachers, and friends show us their love every day. Love can be seen in the simplest acts of kindness, such as sharing a book, playing a game, or even by saying 'thank you.' We should always show our love to others because love is about seeing the good in people, even when they make us angry. Jesus is always with us and we should always try to remember His most important lesson, the lesson of love. With love, God wants us to serve and to see the goodness in everyone we meet.

Let us now pray...for the virtue of love so that we will never be satisfied until all are satisfied. AMEN.

I CARE!

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

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

Holy Week is the last week of Lent.

Holy Week observances began in Jerusalem in the earliest days of the Church, when devout people traveled to Jerusalem at Passover to reenact the events of the week leading up to the Resurrection.

The purpose of Holy Week is to reenact, relive , and participate in the passion of Jesus Christ. Holy Week is the same in the eastern and western Church, but because eastern Christians use the Julian Calendar to calculate Easter, the celebrations occur at different times. However, the following events in the week before Easter are the same, east and west, relative to the date of Easter.

Palm Sunday - (or Passion Sunday), the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem

Holy Thursday - the institution of Communion and the betrayal by Judas

Good Friday - the arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus Christ

Holy Saturday - the Sabbath on which Jesus rested in the grave

Please take the time to ensure your child is aware of the sacrifice Jesus made for us and that we remind ourselves that Jesus came to show us the way to eternal life. Let us keep in mind that He led by example. He gave his life for us. He is our role model and we aspire to live our lives in a manner consistent with the lessons that Jesus taught us.

Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness

We will be celebrating Catholic Education Week May 3 - 8. Our committee is hard at work organizing a variety of activities and events that celebrate our Catholic Faith.

A couple of events already in planning:

• Opening Liturgy
• Intermediate Dance Performance
• Classroom visits
• Journey to Learning
• Spring/Summer Clothing Giveaway
• Province-wide Mass
• Art Extravanga

Report Cards and Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are now available through the Parent Portal. We are reminding all families to ensure they are signed up and connected, as report cards and IEPs will not be printed or sent home in paper form.

At this time, we still have approximately 30 students whose parents/guardians are not yet connected to the Parent Portal. If you have not created your account, please do so as soon as possible to ensure you can access important student information, including report cards.

If you need assistance with setting up your Parent Portal account, please contact the school office and we will be happy to help.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support.

Our grade 3 and grade 6 in-person students will participate in the Provincial Education Quality and Accountability Office testing (EQAO). The testing will take place May 27, 29, June 1 and 2.

In the coming months, students and staff will participate in three second term fire drills (and lockdown drills) as per Board Policy. In the event of an actual evacuation or emergency situation, it is extremely important to be well prepared.

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

We thank you for your support and understanding during this transition to (hopefully) warmer and drier weather.

We have noticed an increase in “roasting” among students—comments made jokingly at someone’s expense. While some may see this as playful, it can easily cross the line and hurt feelings, create tension, or impact someone’s sense of belonging at school.

At St. Veronica, we expect all students to speak kindly, act respectfully, and lift each other up. We encourage students to avoid engaging in roasting, even as a joke, and instead choose words that build community, not break it down.

Thank you for helping us keep our school a safe, welcoming, and caring place for everyone.

In accordance with Ontario guidelines, cell phones and personal devices must be turned off/silent and stored out of view during the school day. Smartwatches must be in airplane mode. Students may only use devices if a teacher or administrator gives permission for learning, medical, or accommodation needs. Devices used inappropriately may be collected and returned at the end of the day

Plans are well underway for this year's Grade 8 Graduation. The Graduation will take place on Friday, June 19 at Le Treport Wedding and Convention Centre at 1075 Queensway E., Mississauga, ON . The cost for the celebration will be $60. Our Catholic School Council will contribute funds to help subsidize this celebration.

The graduate's immediate family is invited to attend the ceremony. Due to limited seating, we are unable to accommodate any further family members.

The events of the day will be as follows:

• 9:00 am Graduates gather at Le Treport to line up, families go to the hall
• 9:30 am Liturgy, Granting of Diplomas and Awards
• 10:30 am Photos/Parents leave
• 11:30 am Students assemble in the dining area - Lunch Served
• 12:30 pm Graduation Dance
• 1:45 pm Event finished - Parents pick up their children

Stay tuned for further details.

To help keep all students safe, we remind families of the importance of following proper bus‑riding etiquette. Students are expected to ride the bus consistently each day and get on and off only at their designated stop. This ensures accurate attendance tracking and helps our drivers maintain a safe and orderly route.

While on the bus, students should remain seated, speak respectfully, listen to the driver, and keep the aisle clear. Safe, calm behaviour helps everyone arrive at school and home safely.

Thank you for supporting safe and responsible bus use for all students.

We are presently looking for parents who may be interested in taking on the role of Student Monitors. Although the full time positions are presently filled we are looking for individuals who would be interested to fill in when there is a need due to illness or vacations. The job description is posted below. Please contact the office if you are interested.

DUTIES OF THE STUDENT MONITOR:

Under the supervision of the Principal or designate, the Student Monitor will: carry out supervision duties assigned by the Principal, Ensure that all reasonable safety procedures are carried out in activities for which the Student Monitor is responsible, Co-operate with the Principal and teachers to maintain consistent disciplinary practices in the school.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT MONITOR:

Be aware of the school rules;

Be prompt in reporting for supervision assignments;

Become informed of specific medical/behavioural situations pertaining to students supervised;

Be aware of the school emergency plans;

Notify the teacher on duty when a problem arises.

The process of forming class placements for September 2026 will begin soon. Creating balanced, effective learning environments requires thoughtful consideration and careful planning. Our goal is always to build classroom groupings in which students can learn successfully together and enrich one another’s educational experience.

When determining placements, we consider a variety of factors, including:

• academic ability and achievement
• work habits
• social and group dynamics
• placement history

While there are limits to the placement options available, we strive to balance classes while keeping the individual needs of students in mind.

If there is specific information you would like us to consider regarding your child’s class placement for September, please submit your input in writing to veroninfo@dpcdsb.org by Friday, April 24, 2026.

We kindly ask that families do not request specific teachers, as staffing is tentative and may change before the first day of school.

We will review your input alongside the professional insights of classroom teachers. While we will accommodate requests whenever possible, this may not always be feasible. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility. Please be assured that all placement decisions are made thoughtfully, with the best interests of each child—and the needs of the school community as a whole—at the forefront.

Are you looking for ways to engage your family in math activities at home? Connect learning between school and home with the Board's Math@Home newsletters.

This month the focus is on fractions. Have fun trying these suggested activities at home.

The Elementary Literacy Numeracy Summer Program is an intensive, challenging program from July 4, 2026 to July 24, 2026 for those students in grades 6, 7, or 8 who are looking for grade level remediation (not enrichment). Small group learning provides opportunities to close gaps, build confidence and competence in grade level language and mathematics.

Please contact your child's teacher for further information and registration criteria.

Last year, School Mental Health Ontario launched the By Your Side parent/caregiver learning hub and toolkit for school staff, filled with research-based practical resources, tools and supports tailored to the needs of Ontario families.

This spring, School Mental Health Ontario is offering a free webinar series designed to help parents and caregivers navigate important topics to support their children’s mental health.

This expert-led series will provide insights and practical strategies on:

✅ balanced device use

✅ vaping

✅ body image

✅ anxiety

The webinars will also include answers to questions that parents/caregivers can provide ahead of the webinar, giving you the chance to ask questions and gain practical guidance.

📅 Sessions run March to June

💻 Register for free today

We encourage all parents and caregivers to participate in this informative series. Together, we can support the well-being of our children and communities.

The Multi Year Strategic Place 2023-2027 has five core values that frame the essence of our work as a Catholic learning community: Believe, Excel, Respect, Thrive, and Trust.

Please see the link below for more information on Dufferin Peel's multi year strategic plan.

If you will be moving out of the St. Veronica area between now and September 2026, please inform the school as soon as possible. This information assists with our planning, organization of classes, ordering of materials, etc. for 2026-2027. Updated records are also important in the event of an emergency and if we are required to contact you immediately. Thank you for your cooperation.

Please note: the next immunization clinic for grade 7/8 students will be Friday, June 12, 2026.

Also, to ensure school immunization clinics run efficiently, Peel Public Health is distributing a consent form for Hepatitis B, Meningococcal ACYW-135 and HPV immunization to current grade 6 students. These students will then be immunized in Grade 7 during the 2026-2027 school year.

Families of students in grade 6 are asked to complete the consent forms sent home and return them to the school as soon as possible. Peel Public Health will be picking up the signed forms at the end of April.

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://www3.dpcdsb.org/students/indigenous-self-identification