Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations: I AM A TEAM PLAYER!
- 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.
Virtue of the Month- Kindness
During the month of March, we will focus on the virtue of Kindness.
God wants us to give generously to others around us.
A kind person …
- is gentle and sensitive to others
- stands by their friends in time of need
- shares their time and talents
- says nice things about others from the heart
- always looks for ways to be helpful God wants us to be kind to everyone we meet.
KINDNESS is about more than just pretending to be nice. It is about helping and playing with others because we want to, not because we feel we have to. We have all been given the fruit of the Holy Spirit called kindness, which is the act of loving and giving generously to others as God does. Our empathy for others is transformed into action that extends beyond concern for ourselves and allows us to see God in every face that we meet.
Let us now pray for the virtue of kindness so that everyone we meet will feel like we are looking out for their good. AMEN.
During the month of February our students engaged in various activities, presentations, projects and mindful discussions around the topic of Black History month. Classrooms focused on famous Canadian Black community members and shared historical inforamtion and accolades of accomplishments and contributions to our country and the world. Various people were acknoledged each day during morning announcements. Our hallways are decorated by projects and works of art that highlight the great contributions Black Canadians have made to society. Well done everyone!
LENT 2025
The Liturgical calendar continues to move forward and we will soon begin the season of Lent. Lent is the 40 day period of fasting, penitence and sorrow, leading up to the feast of Easter, recalling Jesus' 40 day fast in the wilderness. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. Lent is a time to turn to God in simplicity and sincerity, as we prepare to celebrate the joy of Easter. Our hearts feel heavy as we remember our sins, but we are also content in God's mercy and forgiveness.
On Shrove Tuesday our students will begin to prepare for their Lenten journey by eating pancakes (provided by Lunch Lady). Pancakes and syrup with be distributed to each classroom. Students will also observe a presentation on this special day and it's meaning.
A Children's Prayer for Lent
Blessed are You, O Lord our God,
You have made the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night.
Help us walk in your light.
During the season of Lent, renew us through the gift of your Holy Spirit. Help us grow in faith, hope and love.
During this special time, we remember that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so that we might be free to love.
Help us grow to be the people you call us to be; letting go of old habits of selfishness, forgiving those who have hurt us, giving quality time to our families, spending time in quiet prayer.
Amen
SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING
Communication between home and school is greatly enhanced by parental involvement with the Catholic School Council. The aim of the Council is to promote the vision, values,
sacramental life and Catholic practices of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and the Catholic community. The Council also serves to advise the principal and the Board. All members of our school community are invited to attend Catholic School Council Meetings. All meetings will take place in person at 6:00pm or a virutal link is sent out to the community prior to the meeting. All are welcome. Our next meeting is scheduled for:
Wednesday March 26th, 2025
GREAT GULP & BIG CRUNCH!
In an effort to continue to educate our students about nutrition, healthy eating, and being stewards of the earth, we are happy to announce that we will be participating in two great events this month!
March 6, 2025: 'The Big Crunch' is where the students will all join in an annual moment of anti -silence where everyone gets together and bites into crunchy fresh local apple in unison. This event is celebrated coast to coast in Canada and celebrates healthy eating and helps support local farmers.
March 22, 2025: ‘The Great Gulp ’ is an event to help create awareness about the importance of Peel drinking water in our lives. All students will be encouraged to take a gulp of tap water at the same time in unison. This is a global event, where people all over the world take action to conserve water, educate others and celebrate the importance of water.
Cold Weather Is Here
On extremely cold days, particularly when the wind chill factor lowers, we follow Board Policy by limiting the amount of time students spend outdoors. It is generally accepted that when the wind chill factor drops below -21°C, students should not go outside for recess. The Dufferin-Peel C.D.S.B. Policy uses a these occasions, all children will participate in outdoor breaks. We ask parents to ensure that children wear hats, scarves, gloves, winter outerwear and boots. Students are also encouraged to have an extra dry shirt, pants and socks in their backpack...just in case, their clothing gets wet or soiled.
Thank you for your co-operation.
SNOW Safety Expectations
Now that the snow is here, it is important to remind students that St. Therese of the Child Jesus
has a clear rule prohibiting the throwing or kicking of snow. Every student has been made aware of the importance of this rule in preventing injury and keeping students safe.
Snow stays on the ground
NO standing, sitting, sliding down hills
Winter wonder: Enjoy building snow angels, snow people, snow forts!
Please review our Snow Safety Expectations with your children. Thank you for your support.
INCLEMENT BUS CANCELLATIONS AND WEATHER ZONES ~ STOPR
STOPR is providing bus transportation services for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. The STOPR website address is www.stopr.ca. This website provides access to up to date information regarding delayed buses and bus cancellations due to inclement weather. A decision to cancel school transportation, and/or to close schools due to inclement weather is usually made by 6:30 a.m. Bus or school cancellations during winter months are broadcast on various media outlets including the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board Website and Twitter account. For the purpose of weather monitoring and communication of cancelled bus services, the Region of Peel has been divided into three separate weather zones. St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Mississauga is in Zone 1. Please check the school board transportation website, www.stopr.ca for the most up to date information.
Please find the Fall/Winter Newsletter from STOPR and an important letter concerning inclement weather and bus cancellations for the 2024-2025 school year.
You may also contact STOPR via the call center Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm
at 905-890-6000 or 1-800-668-1140
You can also receive up-to-date information by following STOPR on Twitter @STOPRinfo
STOPR website: https://www.stopr.ca/
To receive updates on whether your child’s bus is running late, please subscribe to STOPR. Access your account HERE
Important Reminder
Please note that to ensure the continued safety of all students, the Dufferin -Peel Catholic District School Board with the support of the Anaphylactic Society and the Peel Health Department has recommended that students not bring peanut butter alternatives (soy butter, sunflower butter) to school. We thank you for your cooperation in supporting student safety.
ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALTIY
Head Injury Protocol
Safe Arrival: School Messenger
Whether it’s a medical appointment, an illness or other important event, there are times when students may need to be away from school. Using the SafeArrival system, parents will be able to report daily or future absences in one of three ways:
Web:
- Go to the SafeArrival website at go.schoolmessenger.ca
- Select Sign Up to create your account. (Only needed for the initial setup, after that you will click on login).
- Select Attendance.
- Select Report an Absence.
App:
- Download and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Please note that SafeArrival uses the SchoolMessenger app.
- Select Sign-Up. (Only needed for the initial setup, after that you will click on login).
- You will be prompted to enter your email (same email address your school has on file) and create a password.
- The system will send a link to the same email address the school has on file, please click on the link you have received in your email to activate your account.
Phone:
- Call the toll-free number 1-844-435-3440
- Listen to and follow the instructions to report an absence.
- If the system doesn’t recognize your caller ID, you will be asked to enter the student’s home phone number or any phone number for the guardian that is on file with the school.
EQAO Provincial Testing: Literacy & Mathematics
Grade 3 and Grade 6 students will be participating in the province wide assessment this year. Dates for these assessments will be shared soon. It is very important that student attendance is consistent and that students are punctual during testing periods. Thank you for your support and cooperation.
CATHOLIC CODE OF CONDUCT
Throughout the year, school expectations, with a focus on safety, respect, and responsibility will be reviewed with students. These expectations, based on the Catholic Code of Conduct, are reviewed and reinforced by teachers in the classrooms.
We kindly ask that you review these policies found in the front pages of the Student Agendas with your child(ren) to ensure consistent expectations at home and school. The Student Agenda is a useful communication tool between home and school should you have any questions or concerns to be addressed by your child’s teacher.
IMPORTANT DATES
IMPORTANT DATES!
March 4: Shrove Tuesday - Pancakes for all students
March 5: Ash Wednesday Liturgy & distribution of ashes @ 10am- community welcome
March Break: Monday March 10 - Friday March 14 2025
March 17: St. Patrick's Day
March 19: Rosary of Apostolates
March 20: Grade 8 Graduation PHOTOS
March 21: Gr 3 - 8 Reconciliation with St. John of the Cross priests and associates
March 26: Gr 3 Swim to Survive
March 26: Catholic School Council Meeting @ 6:00pm in the library/virtual also