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

February was another wonderfully busy month at St. Clare, filled with learning and laughter for our students to grow in faith and community.

We were blessed to have Father Prince visit our Grade 7 students once again, and our Rosary Apostolate spent meaningful time with all classes, sharing the beauty of our faith. Moments like these truly enrich the spiritual life of our school. As we entered the Lenten season, we gathered as a community for our Ash Wednesday Liturgy. A special thank you to Father Ed for leading us in prayer and Ms. Bartucci and Ms. Bianchi’s class for sharing beautiful readings and songs. I would like to extend a warm and sincere thank you to our fantastic parent volunteers who spent the morning preparing pancakes for our students. The students absolutely loved it, and your generosity and time helped make the day truly special. A big thank you as well to Mme. Gallant for leading our Mardi Gras celebrations and to Mr. Z for being our incredible DJ, your energy and enthusiasm brought so much joy to the event!

And of course, a huge thank you to Ms. Black for organizing and leading the Olympic Games! Our students and staff had so much fun participating in all the activities.

Thank you to everyone who helped make today memorable for our school community!

We also celebrated the 100th day of school, and it was delightful to see our kindergarten students dressed up for the occasion, some even humorously reporting “back aches”!

Our Valentine’s Spirit Week was a huge success, complete with a lively school dance and sharing of candy grams. A big thank‑you to Mr. Z, who kept the energy high by spinning student‑requested tunes throughout the day.

This month also included the sharing of Term 1 Report Cards and Parent‑Teacher Interviews, an important opportunity to connect, reflect, and plan for continued student success.

Our Junior Boys and Girls Basketball Teams worked incredibly hard and represented St. Clare with pride. Thanks to the coaches, Mr. Bugeja and Mr. Cordeiro. Our primary classes also enjoyed playing beach Volleyball! It was a lot of fun to watch. Thank you Ms. Black for coaching. Congratulations to all our athletes!

We had another wonderful week of Scholastic Book Fair! Thanks to Ms. Gillis for organizing it.

Students across all grades enjoyed hands‑on learning through Scientist in the School, sparking creativity, curiosity, and especially excitement.

We also recognized Pink Shirt Day in support of Anti‑Bullying. At St. Clare, we continue to teach and model kindness, respect, and the importance of treating others the way we wish to be treated.

Overall, February was a full and joyful month at St. Clare. Our students learned, participated, created, and had fun every step of the way.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making our school a warm, welcoming, and a faith filled community.

S. Correia

Please note that the Hot Lunch Program is provided to students who have pre-ordered online via School CashOnline:

Monday - Shawarma

Tuesday - Pizza

Wednesday - Baked Chicken & Baked Fries

Thursday - No hot lunch

Fridays - Burrito

In celebration of World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st, St. Clare School is proud to join schools and organizations around the globe in recognizing this important day.

World Down Syndrome Day is an opportunity for people with Down syndrome and those who live, learn, and work alongside them, to come together to raise awareness, promote inclusion, and advocate for the rights and well‑being of individuals with Down syndrome.

The date, March 21 (3/21), is significant because it represents Trisomy 21, the medical term for Down syndrome, which is caused by the presence of a third copy of the 21st chromosome.

To mark this special day, students and staff are invited to wear bright, colourful, or mismatched socks as part of the worldwide Rock Your Socks campaign.

Let’s celebrate together. Rock Your Socks, St. Clare!

Mark your calendars for March 26!

Purple Day is Canada’s nationally recognized day dedicated to epilepsy awareness, a powerful opportunity to shine a light on a condition that affects 1 in every 100 Canadians.

What began as the vision of a courageous nine‑year‑old girl from Nova Scotia has grown into a global movement, uniting supporters across every continent. This March, St. Clare School and families are invited to wear purple and join thousands of others in bringing epilepsy out of the shadows and into the conversation.

On April 2nd we welcome staff, students and all familes to wear colourful clothing in honour of World Autism Day!

World Autism Day, observed on April 2nd, is a time to celebrate the diverse experiences, strengths, and voices within the autism community. It’s an opportunity to promote acceptance, understanding, and meaningful inclusion for autistic individuals in all areas of life.

Each person’s experience is unique, like a kaleidoscope of color, ever-shifting and vibrant. The day encourages a deeper appreciation of autistic perspectives and the need for support systems that respect and uplift neurodivergent individuals.

Advocacy efforts on this day emphasize listening to autistic voices, challenging misconceptions, and pushing for equity and acceptance. Whether through community events, storytelling, or policy discussions, World Autism Day serves as a reminder that true inclusion means embracing and valuing neurodiversity every day.

As we begin a new school year, we would like to inform you that St. Clare is an allergen aware school. There are pupils and staff in attendance who suffer from severe and life threatening allergies to certain foods, such as dairy, peanut and nut products. Exposure to even the smallest quantities can cause severe life threatening reactions. Anaphylaxis is a severe and life threatening allergic reaction. The most common allergen triggers are food, insect stings, medications, and latex. An anaphylactic reaction involves symptoms from two or more body systems. We at St. Clare would appreciate the cooperation of the entire school community by NOT sending any lunches or snacks that contain nut or nut byproducts including peanut butter alternatives (i.e. WowButter), or other products containing nuts or nut oils (i.e., Nutella). If a student who has such an allergy comes into contact with anything containing peanuts, nuts, nut oils or derivatives, it could be life threatening. Some students have such a severe allergy that only the smell of the allergen may cause a reaction. Your child’s teacher will inform you of any class specific allergy concerns which could potentially harm a pupil. Please make sure that all of your children’s caregivers are aware of the food restrictions. Please do not send food for birthdays or special occasions. If you have any questions, please talk to your child’s teacher or the school staff. We look forward to your co-operation in making this a safe year for all of our pupils.

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
• 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​

During the school year we will be rehearsing and will continue to rehearse with students a number of emergency response situations including lock down and fire drills. All schools are required by Board policy to practice these procedures throughout the year. We have these ‘practice drills’ for precautionary purposes only so that in the event of an actual emergency, students will be prepared to respond in a safe and responsible manner. We will also be practicing a Lockdown drill. During this drill, the outer doors will be locked and the office will be unavailable during the time of the drill. No one will be allowed to enter or exit during the drill while the emergency protocol is being followed. The day will continue as normal following the drill. Dates for lockdown and fire drills are posted in our "Upcoming Events" section.

Thank you for your patience.

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 March 9th

VIA ZOOM @ 6:00-8:00pm Catholic School Council.

CSC Meeting March 9th 6-8pm

Time: Mar 9, 2026 06:00 PM

https://zoom.us/j/96032978151

Meeting ID: 960 3297 8151

One tap mobile

+16475580588,,96032978151# Canada

+16473744685,,96032978151# Canada

Join instructions

https://zoom.us/meetings/96032978151/invitations?signature=ftOthMMA3t_8GcQauXGs3VVwTKWUxWW1LdE4LyuWwvk

ST. CLARE CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL FOR 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR

Principal: Ms. Sonia Correia

Chairs: Mrs. Laura Zampino-Mendonca

Secretary: Mrs. Joanna Agueci

Treasurer: Mrs. Katherine DaSilva

Parish Rep: Mr. Gerald Menezes

OAPCE Rep : Mrs. Sophia Krol

Teacher Rep: Ms. Gillis

Non-Teacher Rep: Ms. Traynor

Voting Members:

1. Ms. Sophia Krol

2. Mrs. Eva Chatfield

3. Mrs. Melisia Catling

4. Ms. Joanna Agueci

5. Ms. Michelle Divers

6. Mrs. Lisa Whitelaw

7. Ms. Alexandria McCann

8. Mr. Gerald Menezes

9. Ms. Laura Zampino Mendonca

10. Mr. Leonard Mendonca

11. Ms. Tiffany Mammoliti

12. Ms. Claudia Loustel

13. Ms. Aksana Savitskaya

14. Ms. Katherine Da Silva

15. Mrs. Danielle Campion

Monday, March 9th, 2026

Monday, April 27th, 2026

Monday, June 1st, 2026

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