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.)

Greetings STM Families,

It is hard to believe that we have already reached the halfway point of our school year. We are truly blessed to be part of such a vibrant and caring community, filled with rich experiences, events, and activities that support the growth and well‑being of all our students. We are deeply grateful for your continued partnership and support, and we look forward to watching your children continue to thrive.

February is a special month in the Canadian calendar as we celebrate Black History and Heritage Month. Throughout the month, our school will engage in a variety of meaningful learning experiences—including classroom activities, morning announcements, and school-wide presentations—that honour the legacy, achievements, and contributions of Black Canadians, both past and present. These celebrations reflect our ongoing commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusivity.

A reminder that First Term Provincial Report Cards will be sent home on February 10th, 2026. Parent–teacher interviews will take place on the evening of Thursday, February 12th, as well as during the day on Friday, February 13th. Please note that Friday, February 13th is a Professional Activity Day, and there will be no school for students. If you have not done so already, please continue to book your interview time using the School Interviews link previously shared. We encourage students to attend these meetings with you and participate in setting goals for Term 2.

As always, we will continue to keep you informed through School Messenger and our social media channels (X, formerly Twitter).

I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming week as we celebrate the accomplishments of our students from Term 1.

Yours in Catholic Education,
Mary Noce

Principal

February: Respect

God wants us to treat all people with the respect they deserve.

A respectful person…

• uses a positive tone of voice and body language

• avoids swearing, name-calling, put-downs, and inappropriate gestures

• says ‘Excuse me’, ‘Please’, ‘Pardon me’

• avoids gossip

Merciful God,

We ask that you help us to see the beauty of you creation.

To speak and act with humility,

To treat others with respect,

And to love you with all our heart.

Father, you are our guide and teacher,

Helps us to walk in the footsteps of Your Son, Jesus,

The best example of who we are called to be.

Let your shine and light shine through us as we walk in our journey of life.

OUR DAILY PRAYER FOR FEBRUARY

Let us now pray...for the virtue of respect so that everyone we meet will feel like we are their brother or sister in Christ. AMEN

We are excited to celebrate Shrove Tuesday at St. Thomas More—a joyful tradition that marks the day before Lent begins. This special day is often associated with sharing pancakes, symbolizing a time to come together as a community before entering the reflective season of Lent.

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing Parent Council, who will be preparing and serving pancakes for our students and staff. We are grateful for their time, generosity, and continued support in making this day extra special for our school community. To add to the fun, STM will also be celebrating Carnival, with festive activities that bring energy, laughter, and school spirit to our halls. It promises to be a wonderful day filled with joy, teamwork, and celebration!

We look forward to enjoying these traditions together as a community rooted in faith, gratitude, and joy.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent, a sacred time of reflection, renewal, and preparation. At St. Thomas More, we will gather together for a school liturgy, during which our Eucharistic Ministers will distribute ashes to all students and staff. This meaningful ritual reminds us of Jesus’ journey into the desert and his ultimate sacrifice. Throughout the day, students will be invited to reflect on their own Lenten promises—simple, heartfelt commitments that bring them closer to God and guide them in following Jesus’ example of love, compassion, and service.

As we enter this solemn season, we pray that our Lenten practices open our hearts and prepare us for the joy and hope that Easter brings. May this year’s Lenten journey be a rich and rewarding one for our entire STM community.

Lent is a special 40‑day period in the Catholic calendar during which we reflect on the events leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The word Lent comes from an old English term meaning “to lengthen,” referring to this time of year when the days begin to grow longer as we move closer to spring and summer. Throughout Lent, Catholics focus on prayer, reflection, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal. It is a time to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter, the joyful feast that marks Jesus’ resurrection. Many families use this season as an opportunity to “give something up” or to commit to acts of kindness and charity as a way of growing closer to God and following Jesus’ example. We encourage you to speak with your child about how they might observe Lent this year—whether by giving up something meaningful, helping others, or choosing small daily actions that reflect love, compassion, and gratitude.

May this Lenten season be a time of growth, reflection, and grace for all members of our STM community.

• 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, Feb 9th: Jr Boys Basketball Mini Pod Tournament/ St. Thomas More Speech Contest

Tuesday, Feb 10th: Reports and IEP's Go Home

Thursday, Feb 12th: Parent Teacher Interviews evening

Friday, February 13th:Parent Teacher Interviews day

Friday, February 14th: Valentine's Day

Monday, February 16th: Family Day

Tuesday, February 17th: Shrove Tuesday/Carnival

Wednesday, February 18th: Ash Wednesday

Thursday March 5th: Catholic School Council @ 6:30 pm

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

Friday, April 3rd: Good Friday

Monday, April 6th: Easter Monday

Thursday, April 23rd: Public Budget Meeting, Link to Come/ Catholic School Council @ 6:30pm

Monday May 4th-Friday May 8th: Catholic Education Week

Sunday, May 10th: Mother's Day

Friday, May 15th: PD Day

Monday, May 18th: Victoria Day

Monday: June 8th: PD Day

Wednesday, June 10th: Miss. East Track and Field at St. Marcellinus

Thursday, June 18th: Board Track and Field at St. Marcellinus

Monday, June 22nd: Grade 8 Graduation

Friday, June 26th: Last Day of School

Parents / Guardians can create their own accounts using EACH child’s unique Access ID and Access Password provided they meet the following criteria in PowerSchool:

• Marked as Guardians
• Have Access to Records
• Have an valid email address
• Student is under 18 years old

If a Parent / Guardian has more than one child in Dufferin-Peel, they will be able to link their account to EACH of their children.

Please create your account to access student record such as upcoming Progress Reports.

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!

There is so much to celebrate at St. Thomas More—our hallways are buzzing with creativity, curiosity, and school spirit! Our young authors have been busy crafting thoughtful and imaginative short stories that showcase both their talent and their growing confidence as writers. On the court, our students continue to shine as they build their basketball skills, demonstrating teamwork, perseverance, and amazing athleticism. In our skills club, hands-on learning is in full swing as students explore the exciting world of coding and robotics, testing their problem‑solving abilities and innovative thinking. And of course, we love seeing the many photos students have shared of their favourite school helpers—those caring adults who support, guide, and brighten their days.

February marks Black History Month, a meaningful time for our STM community to honour and celebrate the achievements, contributions, and rich heritage of Black Canadians. Throughout the month, students will take part in activities that highlight stories of strength, creativity, leadership, and perseverance—past and present.

This year, we are reflecting on the important theme of “Inspiring Hope: Reclaiming Narratives.” As a school, we are committed to helping students recognize how stories shape understanding, identity, and community. Together, we will explore voices that have historically been overlooked, celebrate Black excellence in all its forms, and encourage students to see themselves as changemakers who uplift and inspire hope in others.

At STM, Black History Month is not just a reflection on the past, but a celebration of the present and a commitment to a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

With the chilly weather keeping us indoors, our STM students made the most of their indoor recess time! Classrooms and hallways were filled with laughter, creativity, and teamwork as students enjoyed a variety of activities. Many gathered to play board games and card games, building friendships and strengthening problem‑solving skills. Others took the opportunity to dive into hands‑on learning by building and experimenting with robotics kits—showcasing impressive creativity, engineering skills, and collaboration.

Even on the coldest days, STM students find ways to learn, play, and have fun together. What a wonderful reminder that great things can happen anywhere when we bring imagination and enthusiasm indoors!

~Junior Boys' and Girls' Basketball

~Reheasals for The Wizard of Oz

~Junior and Intermediate Boys' and Girls' indoor Soccer

~Junior and Intermediate Chess club-Tournament coming up

~Eco Team

~Library helpers

~Makerspace for primary students on Monday

~Junior and Intermediate Speech writing-school contest coming up

~Wellness Warriors

~PALs leaders

~Youth Faith Ambassadors

~Knitting and Crochet Club

~Intermediate Dance Team

~Intermediate Girls' and Boys' Basketball

~ Mississauga East Chess Tournament for Junior and Intermediate students-March 27th

~School Speech Contest-February 9th, 2026

Our Jr. Boys’ and Girls’ Indoor Soccer teams had an exciting and energetic time, showcasing teamwork, determination, and a whole lot of school spirit! Students demonstrated impressive skills on the court, supported one another, and represented St. Thomas More with pride.

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated coaches—Mme. Baptista, Mr. Lewis, and Mrs. Oliver—for your time, enthusiasm, and leadership. Your encouragement and commitment helped our young athletes grow in confidence, sportsmanship, and love of the game.

Congratulations to all our players on a fantastic indoor soccer experience!

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!

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

Parents/guardians can register online at dpcdsb.org.

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

The following documents are required to complete the registration process:

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

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

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

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

The 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, March 5th, 2026 @ 6:30 pm

Thursday, April 23rd, 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.

• 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.

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