St. Teresa of Calcutta Newsletter

Good and Gracious God,

You call your people to you this Lent.

May this sacred season renew our desire

to live fully the promises of our baptism

and to love you with a whole heart.

Through more frequent prayer,

acts of charity, and fasting,

may we remember that

loving you and one another

is the most important thing we can do.

In confidence, we ask these things

through Jesus Christ

Our Risen Lord and Savior.

Amen

Dear STOC Family,

February was a month for reflections on Faith, Respect, and Kindness at St. Teresa of Calcutta. Our students engaged in a variety of activities in recognition of Black History Month 2026, honouring the achievements, stories, and contributions of Black Canadians.

As we prepare for the Lenten season, our journey toward Easter began on Ash Wednesday, February 18.

Throughout March, we focus on the virtue of Kindness. We invite our school community to continue sharing kindness during this Lenten season by giving generously to the St. Vincent de Paul Society and ShareLife at St. Patrick’s Parish. We will be having an Easter Food Drive from Monday March 23 to Thursday March 26. Many families within our community benefit from your generosity, and we are grateful for your ongoing support.

Our Virtue of Kindness Assembly will take place on April 1 at 9:15 a.m.
We celebrated Lenten Mass on March 4 and
Stations of the Cross will be held on Thursday, April 2 at 9:30 a.m..
Families are warmly welcome to attend all events.

God Bless,
G. Maddison

Congratulations to the recipients of our February Virtue of Respect certificates:

Ms. Scarpelli FDK

Viktor H.

A'Laiyah

Ms. Medeiros/Ms. Graveline and Ms. Pereira FDK

Olivia

Daniel

Ms. Iassogna Gr.1

Sebastian

Cierra

Bailey

Ms. Hassell Gr.1/2

Raina

Kira

Ms. Bailey Gr. 1/2

Miriam

Mila

Ms. Casciaro Gr. 3

Antonina

Malwina

Ms. Armstrong Gr. 4

Aria F.

Lizi

Artem

John

Ms. Pereira Gr.4/5

Mykola

Karina

Mrs. Neiva Gr.5/6

Dario

Linzie

Mr. Salinas Gr.6/7

Anastasiia

Ella

Ms. Guzik Gr.7/8

Olena

Preston

Mr. Felice Gr. 7/8

Kristijan

Alexis

Students earn WWJD tickets when they demonstrate the Catholic Graduate Expectations. Tickets are entered into a weekly draw on Virtual Mondays. We celebrate what the student did and how they followed Jesus. Teachers had out tickets selectively when students demonstrate these positive behaviours:

1. A Caring Family Member

I show love and I use kind words

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2. A Faithful Person

I show my faith every day.

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3. A Respectful Friend

I treat others the way I want to be treated.

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4. A Responsible Citizen

I take care of my classroom and school.

---

5. A Lifelong Learner

I try my best and do not give up.

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6. A Peace Maker

I help solve problems calmly.

---

7. A Person with Integrity

I make good choices, even when no one is watching.

---

• When the bell rings in the morning or after recesses, line up at your usual door.

• Please wait outside until the bell rings..

• A teacher will be at the door to welcome you and supervise entry so you are ready to learn.

• During recess or lunch, students may not come inside unless they have a washroom pass. If you have a club or sport, wait until the bell rings and go directly to meeting/practice.

• At dismissal, bus students leave through the front door.
  All other students use their regular classroom doors.

• Students may not leave the classroom until the bell rings at 3:25 p.m.

• If you go out for lunch, students may leave the school between 11:55 and 12:00.

• Students should not be calling home during the school day for permission to go out for lunch.

• Due to allergies at our school, please do not bring food back to school - finish all food and treat items before returning

• If families are dropping of lunch, please leave on the lunch table. Your child will be called down if they do not come and pick it up by 12:00

• Students invited to stay for lunch must be seated for the first 20 minutes.

• A Student Monitor will supervise the entry/exit door at lunch recess to help supervise: only one boy and one girl at a time may use a pass for the washroom.

Teachers and monitors on duty will supervise the primary, Junior and Intermediate yard and fields.

Hands and feet to self. Use kind words. Find a supervisor if you need help solving a problem.

Our main goal is to keep morning drop‑off safe and running smoothly.

MORNING DROP OFF PROCEDURES

• Drive into the Kiss and Ride lane. If your child needs help getting out of the car, please wait until you reach the front of the lane so a staff member can assist.
• Please don’t stop at the turn‑around point. Stopping there blocks traffic and slows everyone down.
• Pull up beside the sidewalk. Children should only exit from the passenger side onto the sidewalk for safety.
• Stay in your vehicle. Please don’t get out or leave your car parked in the Kiss and Ride lanes.
• After your child gets out, pull away safely. Follow traffic signs, and please don’t sit and watch your child or reverse your car in the Kiss and Ride lane.
• You may park in the lot or on the street if you prefer to walk your child to school. However, please do not enter the school yard or the Kindergarten gated area.
• On rainy days, students may enter through the side door or the front doors of the school.

AFTER SCHOOL STUDENT PICK UP

• After school, a line of cars in the Kiss and Ride is normal since many parents arrive at the same time.
• Please do not leave your vehicle unattended in the Kiss and Ride lanes.
• Students should enter vehicles from the passenger side for safety.
• Once your child is in the car, pull out slowly and safely into the drive‑through lane.
• As cars leave, vehicles waiting in line should move forward to keep the line moving.

School begins: 8:55 a.m. *Please arrive at school on time

First Recess: 11:00-11:15 a.m.

Lunch: 11:55-12:55 p.m.

Second Recess: 2:25-2:35 p.m.

Dismissal: 3:25 p.m.

YARD SUPERVISION

Staff supervision of students in the playground begins at 8:40 a.m. To ensure your child’s safety, we appreciate your cooperation and understanding in this matter.

Important Reminder

Pets on school property For the safety and well-being of all our students, we kindly ask that pets are not brought onto school property during drop-off and pick-up. Even well-behaved animals can be unpredictable around children, and some students may have allergies or fears. To help us maintain a safe and comfortable environment for everyone, we ask for your full cooperation in keeping pets off school grounds.

March Break for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) in 2026 is scheduled from Monday, March 16, to Friday, March 20, 2026. Schools will be closed for the entire week (inclusive), with classes resuming on Monday, March 23, 2026.

Co- Chairs-

Chris Garofalo and Julia Van de Kraats

Secretary–

Nelly Xavier Cordner

Treasurer-

Claudia Filipe

OAPCE Representative –

Kelly Amaral

Parish Representative–

Janet Kus and Heather Dawson

Teacher Representative –

Stephanie Iassogna

Our next meeting will take place on April 23, 2026 with a timed agenda at 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

All parents are welcome to attend our CSC meetings.

Information will be sent out to the community with information about how to request a link if you wish to attend virtually. If parents/guardians that are not voting members on a school’s Catholic School Council, wish to have an item to be added to the agenda, then these items need to come forward through nominated members of Catholic School Council listed above. This can be facilitated by parents/guardians sending an email to our Catholic School Council Info email account located at: mtrsacscinfo@dpcdsb.org

All Catholic School Council Meetings will be at 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. on the following dates:

* Date Changed to April 23, 2026

*Date Changed to May 21, 2026

June 11, 2026

Approved minutes are posted on our school website.

Thanks to the generous support of our school community, CSC fundraising for our School Learning Commons (Library) is now complete. We are excited to begin ordering new furniture and resources that will transform our library into a even more vibrant, modern learning space

March 21, is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The date for WDSD being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. Staff and students are encouraged to wear colourful and mismatched socks to raise awareness about Down syndrome with DPCDSB school communities #LotsOfSocks. More Information: Word Down Syndrome Day / Canadian Down Syndrome Society

EDGE Camp (Grades 6–8)

EDGE CAMP WEST is coming back on August 15 - 19, 2026!

An invitation has been sent specifically to all our EDGE parents, EDGE CAMP WEST is coming back on August 15 - 19, 2026! (Grades 6-8)

EDGE/ELEV8

2026 CALENDAR

March 13 – Catechesis

March 27 – Catechesis

April 10 – Social

April 24 – Catechesis

May 8 – Catechesis

May 22 – Catechesis

June 12 – END OF YEAR SOCIAL

Registration is only required ONCE for the school year of 2025-2026. If you have already registered for Edge this year, there is no need to register for the upcoming nights.

As A Collaborative Contributer:

I co-operate with others in all that I do

I value everyone’s work

I respect and listen to others

I think of others before myself

I follow rules of fair play

I work hard in school so that I can build my community and make it a better place

Because I am a team player, I know that ‘Together is Better’, and we will live our lives like Jesus.

Connect learning between school and home with our Math@Home newsletters.

Each Math@Home newsletter:

• Highlights a mathematical concept/skill;
• Includes related Family Math Activities that can be done at home;
• Spotlights a resource that can be used to further support doing math at home.

DP Math At Home Site

March's Focus - Coding

*Click link above for activities to try at home

Build friendships/social skills

Strengthen faith and community involvement

Develop problem solving skills

Develop organizational skills

Increase gross and fine motor skills

Develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills

Foster creativity

Maintain physical activity levels

Independence in toileting/dressing, etc.

It is important that students attend school regularly and punctually. If your child will be late or absent, please use SafeArrival Absence Reporting. With SafeArrival, you are asked to report your child’s absence in advance using any of these 3 convenient methods: 1. Using your mobile device, download and install the SchoolMessenger App from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store (or from the links at https://go.schoolmessenger.ca ). The first time you use the app, select Sign Up to create your account. Once you are signed up and logged in, select Attendance then Report an Absence. 2. Use the SafeArrival website, https://go.schoolmessenger.ca . The first time you use the website, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence. 3. Call the toll-free number 1 (844) 435-3440 to report an absence using the automated phone system. These options are available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week. Future absences can be reported at any time. If further assistance required on how to report an absence using SafeArrival can be found on the following link: https://www.dpcdsb.org/parents/absence-reporting This measure is to ensure the safety of your child. We thank you for your continued support in following this procedure.

Click above for March Issue

As we journey through this Lenten season, we are reminded of the profound sacrifices Jesus made for us. Lent invites us to deepen our relationship with God and with one another through prayer, reflection, and acts of service. It is a meaningful time to consider how we might strengthen our connection to God and extend compassion to those around us.

Click above for March Issue

What you’ll find in this edition:

• Dental Sealants

• Free Parent Webinar: Balancing Children’s Device Use

• Plan Ahead – Stay Healthy When Travelling

• School Suspensions Related to Vaccinations

R. Scarpelli FDK

L. Medeiros FDK (LTO R. Graveline)

A. Pereira DECE

S. Iassogna Grade 1/2

M. Bailey Grade 1/2

C. Hassell Grade 1/2

M. Casciaro Grade 3

T. Armstrong Grade 4

C. Pereira Grade 4/5

M. Neiva Grade 5/6

D. Salinas Grade 6/7

A. Guzik Grade 7/8

M. Felice Grade 7/8

A. Galle French

V. Corapi Library/Planning Time

C. Beach SERC/SERT/ESL

M. Tully SERT/ ESL

B. Ramgoolam Planning Time

A. Mastropaolo Planning Time

L. Mykhalyuk Planning Time/ESL

M. Knibbe ERW

A. Passarelli Child and Youth Worker

S. Haji Speech and Language Pathologist

R. Jardine Psychologist

T. Hoyt Social Worker

L. Gordon Head Secretary

J. Xamin Head Custodian

E. Garcia Night Custodian

A. D’Ettore Night Custodian

Internet: https://www.stopr.ca/ - this website provides up to date delay and inclement weather cancellation information in addition to policy, procedures, and frequently asked questions.

Businfo.stopr.ca - this website allows parents to access specific to “what school do I attend” and “am I eligible for transportation.” This site also provides parents access to specific bus stop locations and pick up and drop off times for their children if eligible for transportation.

Telephone: Transportation EAST 905-890-6000

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board has developed a Concussion Policy and Guidelines for students who have been diagnosed with a concussion by either a medical doctor or nurse practitioner. School staff cannot diagnose a concussion. Anytime a student reports to the office with a head injury, the parent/guardian will be contacted and the incident will be entered into the school’s “Documentation of Head Injuries” log. This is precautionary only, and we ask that you check your child when he/she gets home for any signs of a concussion or illness. A brochure containing information about Concussions is provided upon pick up of the student or when they go home for the day. This is a precautionary measure and for information purposes.