Courageous Cougars Family Monthly

Principal: Sonia Correia

Head Secretary: Elena Iannicca

Superintendent: Drago Radic

Trustee: Herman Viloria

Pastor: Rev. Edward Curtis, St. Ignatius Loyola Parish

Email: St.ClareInfo@dpcdsb.org

Website: https://www3.dpcdsb.org/CLARE

Twitter/X: @StClareDP

Instagram: @stclaredp

Supervision Begins Outside: 8:15-8:30 am

School Begins: 8:30am

Recess: 10:03-10:18am

Lunch: 11:41am - 12:41pm

Recess: 2:05-2:20pm

Dismissal: 3:00pm

Dear St. Clare families,

As we settle into the rhythm of a new school year, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our students, staff, and families for helping us begin with such positive energy. These first weeks have been filled with enthusiasm and a strong commitment to supporting one another. It has been wonderful to see our classrooms buzzing with learning.

January flew by and what a wonderful start to the year it has been! Our halls are filled with excitement and meaningful learning experiences. Our Grade 3 students kicked things off with an enjoyable trip to the movie theatre, which was a memorable and fun outing for all.

We were also grateful to welcome the Rosary Apostolates once again, who spent time with our students and engaged them in thoughtful and faith-filled conversations. And of course, January wouldn’t be complete without, not one but two, snow days! While it brought a brief pause to our routine, it added a touch of winter wonder to our month. As a school community, we also recognized Bell Mental Health Day by wearing blue. An important reminder to pause, reflect, and continue talking about mental wellness and how we can support one another.

Athletics were in full swing as well. Our intermediate boys’ soccer team represented St. Clare with pride and demonstrated excellent teamwork. Congratulations to the team on their strong effort and especially the coaches, Mr. Cordeiro and Mr. Bugeja, on their continued support.

We were pleased to welcome Father Prince, who met with our Grade 7 students to speak about Confirmation and answer thoughtful questions. To cap off the month, our school-wide STEM Day brought curiosity and problem‑solving to life. Students were fully engaged in hands-on activities that encouraged them to think innovatively and collaboratively.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership, trust, and support. It truly makes all the difference as we work together to create a welcoming and thriving environment for every student at St. Clare. We are excited for a busy and productive February ahead!

S. Correia

Principal

February is Black History Month. Both Federal and Provincial governments recognize the importance of Black History Month. As Canadians and, more importantly, as a Catholic Community, we are called to live in solidarity. Solidarity requires that we learn from, and about our families in Christ. Black History is Canadian history and is a conversation we must all engage in, as it is everyone’s history. We invite you to explore the following resources to deepen your understanding of the contributions of Black Canadians both past and present. Below are resources for families to extend learning at home:

Heritage Mississauga: Black History in Peel

Ontario Black History Society: Biographies on Black Canadians

Parents of Black Children Booklist

Parents for Diversity

Toronto Public Library: Black History Children's Reading List

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board’s (DPCDSB) Special Education and Learning Services Department invites parents and guardians to an information session to support the transition of students with differing abilities who will be new to DPCDSB in September 2026. The information session will provide parents/guardians with the opportunity to meet with board staff and learn about the entry planning and transition process for students with differing abilities.

Entry Planning Information Session:

Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026

Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Catholic Education Centre, 40 Matheson Blvd. West, Mississauga

Parents/guardians can register online for this event. The deadline for registering is February 18, 2026.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to complete the Entry Planning Form for Students with Differing Abilities Form prior to attending these events. Completion of this form should only be done after parents/guardians have completed the online registration process. This form should only be completed for students who have higher needs (e.g. Autism Spectrum Disorder, medical needs, or requires specialized services).

Inquiries regarding registration for the information session may be directed to Fara Miranda Fernandes, Special Education & Learning Services at 905-890-0708 Ext. 24011 or Fara.MirandaFernandes@dpcdsb.org.

To learn more about registering for school, visit dpcdsb.org.

On Friday, February 6th, the St. Clare primary division will be celebrating the 100th day of school. As a primary division, on this day we are asking that students bring to school 100 items to count that can be placed in a small plastic bag. Some examples of what students can bring in are: buttons, macaroni, paper cutouts, paper clips, LEGO pieces, and much more. These items will then be sorted, glued and worked with throughout the day. Encourage your child to “think outside of the box” when choosing their items.

Students are also asked to celebrate this day by dressing like they a a 100 years old. If your child would like to participate, be creative!

Parent teacher interviews will be taking place on the evening of Thursday February 12th and during the day on Friday February 13th. Please see link below and choose the timeslot that best works for you. If the timeslots are full that work with your schedule, please connect with your child's teacher to schedule a phone call on another day.

A friendly reminder that report cards will be sent home on Tuesday February 10 via the parent portal. If you have not signed up for the parent portal yet, please check your email, both in your inbox and spam folder. Do a keyword search for Parent Portal. If you are having difficulty, contact the school and we will be happy to assist you.

https://schoolinterviews.ca/code/fd3j4

EQAO Math Night for Parents and Guardians

Join us for a free live webinar where EQAO staff will discuss math questions that Ontario students encounter when they participate in Ontario’s large-scale assessments. These assessments are taken by all Ontario students in Grades 3, 6 and 9.

During the webinar, EQAO staff will show how these math

questions help assess the skills students are learning in their math classes. Staff will also share valuable insights from EQAO research into assessment results, which can help parents and guardians support

their children’s math learning.

Next available session: January 28, 2026 12:30-1:30 pm ET (offered on multiple dates, a recording will be provided to registrants)

Registration: https://eqao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5puRqI8uQJypIaHgBYoBMw#/registration

Cold, Wet, Windy, Wintery Weather is upon us! The amount of time outdoors may be reduced for our students, especially when the temperature is -20 degrees celsius or colder, this includes the wind chill factor. This means that during the winter months recess may be modified. Please be mindful that students do spend a lot of time outdoors and are strongly encouraged to wear layered clothing, snowpants and other proper winter attire for their protection. This year our supervision model does not have the flexibility to support a soft-entry model. This means that students Grade 1-8 are expected to remain outside until 8:30am. The only exception is for inclement weather such as heavy rainfall or below -20 degress celsius for example. We regret this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Please consider bringing your child to school closer to the bell times, especially on those colder weather days.

We encourage students to have a pair of indoor shoes that can be kept at school, along with an extra pair of gloves, mitts, or other winter apparel. An extra set of clothing goes a long way, especially in the primary division. Please also consider labeling your child(s) clothing so that we can return any lost items to them.

At school, we continue to encourage students to bundle up and to provide reminders of snow etiquette in play. Please support our efforts, reminding your children at home that snowball throwing is not permitted. We also ask students to stay off icy areas and to report them, in order to prevent unnecessary injuries. Our messaging to students, in the name of kindness, is that any snow structures (snow figures or fort) made by their peers are to be respected and students should refrain from intentionally breaking them. As such, we appreciate your support in reinforcing this message.

We are excited to have students engage in SNOW-much fun this winter season at St. Clare school!

It’s cold and flu season!

Keep sick kids at home before and after the break. Children may return to school and childcare after they have no fever and symptoms have improved for 24 hours (or 48 hours for nausea, vomiting and diarrhea). If experiencing severe symptoms like chest pain or difficulty breathing, visit the nearest emergency department.

If you have general questions, or are unsure where to access care, call Health Connect Ontario (formerly Telehealth) at 811, available 24/7 in multiple languages, speak to your family doctor, or access these resources available to everyone, including individuals without an Ontario health card.

• Regional Virtual Urgent Care Program: regional-virtual-urgentcare.ca/
• Pediatric Care Clinic: summervillefht.com/displayPage.php?page=Pediatric
• Chat online with a nurse, 24/7: health811.ontario.ca/static/guest/home
• Practice good hygiene. Remind children to cover coughs and sneezes and wash hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Screen with the self-assessment tool at Ontario.ca/self-assessment and consider testing for COVID-19 as needed. Rapid antigen test kits are available now. Visit peelregion.ca/health/diseases/covid19/ for pickup locations.
• Consider wearing a mask indoors, especially in crowded spaces where you can’t keep a safe and comfortable distance from others, and follow additional protective actions at these links.

How to protect your family from respiratory illness, and where to seek care if sick:

• peelregion.ca/health/diseases/respiratory-illnessseason/
• Fever & Cough Resources for Parents: thp.ca/emergency/A/fever.html#ermenutop /2
• Get vaccinated and stay up to date with vaccinations. Everyone 6 months and older can get the flu or COVID-19 vaccine for free.
• Where to get the flu vaccine: peelregion.ca/health/diseases/flu/
• Where to get the COVID-19 vaccine: peelregion.ca/health/vaccinations/covid-19/ These actions can keep you and your loved ones from getting severely sick.

Peel Public Health wishes you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season.

At different times throughout the year, especially in the winter when students are wearing hats and hoodies, schools experience an increase in the number of cases of head lice. In an effort to be proactive, we ask that your child’s hair be checked periodically to ensure that they do not have head lice. Should you discover the presence of lice or nits, we would appreciate being informed. Helpful information can also be obtained from a pharmacist or the local Public Health Department. Click Here for Peel Health Information Pediculosis (head lice) is spread only by direct contact with a `case', often through the sharing of combs and brushes, exchanging of hats, etc. Please help us instruct students regarding prevention.

Region of Peel Public Health supports the Canadian Paediatric Society's (CPS) position that there is no sound medical rationale to support exclusion of students with head lice from school. Children with head lice should be treated and can attend school.

Peel Public Health does not allow it’s public health nurses to visit schools and provide such services like screening for lice. Further to this, Peel Public Health does not provide recommendations for external services.

CPS further recommends that:

• Treatment should be recommended, and close head-to-head contact should be discouraged pending treatment.
• Families of children in a classroom where a case of active head lice has been detected should be notified and informed about proper diagnosis, and prevention.

To read the Canadian Paediatric Society's position statement on head lice, please visit: http://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/head-lice.

Please visit: Head lice | Caring for kids (cps.ca) for additional information on head lice.

DPCDSB offers the full-day Kindergarten program in 125 Catholic elementary schools in Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Bolton and Orangeville. Elementary school admissions are open to Catholic children and children of Catholic parents. Kindergarten students must be at least 4 years of age by December 31 of the school year for which they are registering.

NOTICES

• All elementary schools are currently accepting new online registrations for 2026-2027
• For information about Kindergarten Registration for the St. James Catholic Global Learning Centre, visit the St. James C.E.S. website.
• To find out which Catholic school is in your area, use the Peel Region and Dufferin County Find My School tools or contact the Planning Department at 905-890-0708 ext. 24440
• If you are applying for admissions under 'Flexible Boundaries', please contact the school office directly.
• Elementary Student Transfer Request Form (for current DPCDSB students)
• Entry Planning Form for Students with Differing Abilities Form
  Completion of this form should only be done after parents/guardians have completed the online registration process. This form should only be completed for students who have higher needs (e.g. a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, medical needs, needs requiring equipment or specialized services, speech, vision or hearing needs, etc.)
• Region of Peel Public Health Resource: Building a Healthy School Environment - For Families Registering Their Children for Kindergarten
  

​For more information about admissions and requirements, parents/guardians should contact their school directly or the Admissions Department at 905-890-1221 or admissions@dpcdsb.org.

REGISTRATION PROCESS

1. Create an account on the Online Application System.
2. How to Create an Account: Quick Reference Guide
3. ​Once you have created an account, complete and submit the Online Application Form​​.
   ​How to Register Online: Quick Reference Guide
4. Receive email confirmation acknowledging receipt of the online Application Form with further instructions if supporting documentation was not submitted online. (See below for a complete list).
5. Entry Planning Form for Students with Differing Abilities
   Completion of this form should only be done after parents/guardians have completed the online registration process. This form should only be completed for students who have higher needs (e.g. a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, medical needs, needs requiring equipment or specialized services, speech, vision or hearing needs, etc.)

For those without online access, printed copies of the Registration Form are available in the school office. You may also download the Printable Registration Form.


SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

The following documents are required to complete the registration process. All documents MUST be submitted in English and be originals:

Proof of age of the child
Birth certificate or passport.

Original Roman Catholic baptismal certificate
Students registering in DPCDSB elementary schools and/or their parents/guardians, must provide the following:
- an original Roman Catholic baptismal certificate (for child and/or parent/guardian), or;
- an original baptismal certificate (for child and/or parent/guardian) from a church that is in communion with the Holy See of Rome, or;
- an original baptismal certificate (for child and/or parent/guardian) from an Eastern Catholic Church (St. Sofia).

Updated immunization records
Report your child's immunizations to Region of Peel Public Health​ or Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health online and give the reference number to your child's school when registering.

​Proof of Canadian citizenship
Birth certificate, passport or permanent resident status.

Proof of home address/Emergency rural address numbers
Two of the following: property tax bill, current utility bill, electronic bill, real estate document or Government of Canada issued forms. On a case-by-case basis, consideration for any special circumstance shall go through the respective Superintendent or Admissions Officer. If the lease agreement is the sole documentation and not a standard lease form, it should be notarized/Commissioner of Oath.

​Proof of English Separate School Support
May be done at the time of registration by completing an​ Application for the Direction of School Support and/or a Separate School Lease Agreement (Peel or Dufferin). ​ Learn More: Direction of School Support

Link: KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM INFORMATION​

The Kiss n’ Ride program is available to provide the convenience and safety for our students and parents driving to our school. Please take a moment to review the following procedures to ensure safety for all students and parents using Kiss N’ Ride.

1. NEVER LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE.

Kiss and Ride lanes are to be “moving lane ways”, not parking spots. This ensures that emergency vehicles or buses may enter the school. Please do not leave your vehicle at anytime. If you need to directly drop off your child, please park your car. For safety reasons, have the children exit the car from the passenger side of the vehicle only. If they are unable to do this without your help, you must park your car and walk your child in.

2. DO NOT drop your child(ren) off in the bus loading zone or in the bus lane, only in the DRIVETHRU lane

3.Teach your child to watch for buses in the bus lane, before they cross into the lane and on to the sidewalk. Once on the sidewalk, they can walk along the sidewalk to the back of the schoolyard.

4. Students walking and using the crosswalk, need to respect the crossing guard on duty. Running across Glen Erin Drive is never allowed and is dangerous. Please use the tunnel.

5. PLEASE CONTROL YOUR SPEED.

Kiss and Ride is the type of environment where students behave unpredictably and could quickly ‘pop out’ in front of you. Please give yourself the greatest chance of avoiding an accident. We are all working together to minimize risks to our children. Please remember that the driveway is a one way only. Please follow the signs to ensure that safety for all students and family.

We want to ensure the safety of all students at all times. Please drive slowly. Thank you for your continued cooperation. Please feel free to direct any questions or safety concerns to Mrs. Rodrigues-Coelho.

Just a reminder that if you are interested in volunteering within the school in any capacity, including field trips, student support, Catholic School Council member, etc., a Valid Criminal Reference Check (CRC), with Vulnerable Sector and Local Records Check is required. Due to COVID closures and not having volunteers in the schools for multiple years, many of our filed CRC and CRC Annual Declarations have lapsed. Therefore, we would like to begin now for any possible volunteer opportunities that may arise this year. Please note that there may be some time required to process a CRC, thus waiting for an announced volunteer opportunity to obtain your CRC may not provide sufficient time for processing. Therefore, we are asking all parents that if you feel that you may be interested in volunteering in any capacity in the school this year, it may be best to start the process now.

Come by the office for a Volunteer Letter from the school before you apply!

Thank you for all your ongoing support and we look forward to having many volunteer opportunities in the school this year.

It is important for students to be at school on time and ready to work. When students are late they miss important information and routines. We realize that throughout the year there will be times that your child will be away from school.

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 to get a late slip.

The Child and Family Services Act compels educators to report any issues that may compromise a child's welfare. If a staff member suspects any issue that may affect a child's safety, then Children's Aid Society (CAS) must be contacted. It is our Legal Obligation as employees of the school to report any suspicions directly to the Children’s Aid Society. It is not the role of educators to investigate. That is CAS' role. CAS, not the school, informs parents directly of the issue.

The School Advisory Council is comprised of parents, a school faculty member, a non-teaching representative, as well as an appointed parish community representative. The aim of the council is to support school activities and students through involvement and fundraising. We are always looking for new parents to join our School Council! If your child is participating in online learning you are still part of our St. Clare community and therefore you are welcome to attend council meetings and participate in council elections.

Please join us for our next council meeting on Monday Februaty 9th @ 6:00-8:00pm Catholic School Council ONLINE via Zoom.

Topic: CSC Meeting

Time: Feb 9, 2026 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/93999291032

Meeting ID: 939 9929 1032

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St. Ignatius Loyola Parish

2300 Burnhamthorpe Rd. West
Mississauga, ON
L5L 3T6

Rev. Edward Curtis

Rev. Alexander D'Silva, Associate Pastor

Deacon John Brown

Deacon Robert Sansone

PARISH STAFF

Olga Calderon Parish Secretary StIgnatiusLoyolaMI@archtoronto.org

Sunday Mass Times for St. Ignatius Loyola Parish are 7:45am, 9:00am, 10:30am and 12:00pm (Noon) Website