St. Veronica

Trustees: L. del Rosario and T. Thomas

Superintendent: P. Cusumano

Principal: N. Laporte

Head Secretary: L. Magi

Email: VeronInfo@dpcdsb.org

Website: https://www.dpcdsb.org/VERON

Location: 680 Novo Star Dr., Mississauga, ON L5W 1C7
Phone: 905-696-6980

O God, when I have food,

help me to remember the hungry;

When I have work,

help me to remember the jobless;

When I have a home,

help me to remember those who have no home at all;

When I am without pain,

help me to remember those who suffer;

And remembering,

help me to destroy my complacency;

bestir my compassion, and be concerned enough to help;

By word and deed,

those who cry out for what we take for granted.

Amen.

Dear Families,

As we enter the beautiful month of October, we are reminded of the many blessings in our lives. Thanksgiving offers us a special opportunity to pause, reflect, and give thanks—for our families, our faith, and the vibrant school community we share. It is a time to recognize the abundance of grace that surrounds us and to express gratitude for both the big and small moments that shape our journey.

This month, we also focus on the virtue of empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. In our Catholic tradition, empathy is a reflection of Christ’s love and compassion. We encourage our students to practice empathy daily, by listening with care, offering kindness, and standing in solidarity with those in need.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated staff. Their commitment to nurturing the minds, hearts, and spirits of our students is truly inspiring. Their tireless efforts create a safe, welcoming, and faith-filled environment where every child can thrive.

A sincere thank you as well to all the families who joined us for our recent Open House. Your presence and engagement mean so much to us, and it was a joy to welcome you into our classrooms and share the wonderful learning happening each day.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and restful Thanksgiving.

Together in faith,

N. Laporte

Principal

World Teachers' Day is held annually on October 5 to celebrate teachers. Here at St. Veronica we celebrate the critical role teachers play in transforming learners' potential by ensuring they have the tools they need to take responsibility for themselves, for others and for the planet.

We are privileged at St. Veronica to be surrounded by educators and teachers who enlighten our lives with knowledge and wisdom but also with care and understanding. World Teachers' Day might be recognized once a year, however at St. Veronica, we see each and every day the time, energy and love that each educator pours into instilling a passion for learning in their students.

Thank you.

Our first meeting will be a hybrid meeting on Wednesday, October 8 at 6:30 pm in the school library. This meeting will be to determine the roles/responsibilities of the council for this year.

Future meeting dates will be decided at the meeting. Please note, only those whose nomination forms that were submitted by September 26, 2025 will be permitted voting rights.

We look forward to our first meeting of the year.

October 1 - Opening School Mass

October 5 - World Teacher's Day

October 8 - Jr. Boys Volleyball POD Tournament

October 8 - CSC Meeting

October 9 - Photo Day

October 9 - Family Cross Country Meet

October 10 - PA Day

October 13 - Thanksgiving Monday (no school)

October 14 - Rosary Apostolate visits

October 16 - Onkwehonwe and Cree Culture Games (junior grades)

October 16 - St. Martin Catholic High School presentation (grade 7 and 8)

October 21 - Board Cross Country Meet

October 22 - Intermediate Division Trip

October 23 - Hearing and Vision Screening

October 23 - Bus Driver Appreciation Day

October 29 - Bus Safety Presentations

October 30 - Halloween Dance

October 30 - Grade 6 Trip

October 31 - Halloween (dance for grade 6s)

Mass Schedule

Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00 pm

Sunday Mass: 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm

Daily Masses

Monday to Friday Mass 8:00 am, 7:00 pm

Saturday Mass 8:00 am

Email: stfrancisxaviermi@archtoronto.org
Website: https://stfrancisxaviermi.archtoronto.org/en/
Location: 5650 Mavis Road, Mississauga, ON L5V 2N6
Phone: 905-890-5290

If you are new to the community, you are encouraged to register with the Parish.

As we continue to grow in faith together, we encourage families to contact the St. Francis Xavier Parish office to register their children for First Holy Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation.

Parent information nights will be held in-person at the Church at 7:30 pm

• Thursday October 2 for First Holy Communion and Reconciliation
• Thursday October 9 for Confirmation

All sacramental preparations and celebrations will be at St. Francis Xavier Parish. We thank Father Andrew and his parish team for their continued support and generosity as we work to build our parish community.

These sacraments are important milestones in your child’s spiritual journey, and we look forward to supporting them as they prepare to receive God’s grace in a special way.

'But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.'

Galatians 5:22

Are you in Grades 5–8 and looking for ways to make new friends and grow in your faith?

You’re invited to the Edge Program Kick-Off on November 7! Join us for an exciting evening filled with snacks, activities, games, and so much more. It’s a great chance to connect with others and explore your faith in a fun and welcoming environment.

For more information or to register, please contact our Youth Minister, Briana, at sfxyouth1@gmail.com .

During the month of October, we focus on the virtue of empathy.

God wants us to care about everyone's feelings.

An empathetic person...

• listens when people speak
• notices when someone is upset and tries to help
• can understand and name his/her feelings
• can see a situation from another person's point of view
• accepts that others may feel differently about things that they do

There are days in our lives that we may see others come to school sad, afraid, frustrated or even angry.

To live the virtue of empathy is to walk in another's shoes, truly striving to understand their situation and seeking ways to help. We do not judge others because we never know what others are holding in their hearts. In your everyday life, try to remember that you may not always understand what others are feeling, but you can always be a good friend.

Let us pray... for the grace and strength to be people of empathy - people who can really identify with and feel the concerns of those around us. Amen.

Catholic education views human life as an integration of body, mind, and spirit. Rooted in this vision, Catholic education fosters the search for knowledge as a lifelong spiritual and academic quest. The expectations of Catholic graduates, therefore, are described not only in terms of knowledge and skills, but in terms of values, attitudes, and actions.

Vision of the Learner - the graduate is expected to be:

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 life-long learner who develops and demonstrates 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.

Our Opening School Mass will take place on Wednesday, October 1 at 9:30 am. It will be a beautiful gathering of our school community. All are welcome to attend.

Catholic Ratepayers - check your tax bill to ensure proper tax support

If you are a Catholic ratepayer, we urge you to check your property tax bill to ensure that your support is directed to your local Catholic School Board, in our case, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. If you are a tenant, you can verify your support by contacting our Admissions Department at 905-890-0708, ext. 24512 or 24519, or your local Municipal Office. By ensuring that you are accurately recorded as a Catholic school supporter, you can help deliver a powerful message to the government about the level of support for publicly-funded Catholic education in Ontario.

Also, in order to be eligible to vote for your local Catholic school board Trustee, you must be registered as a separate school supporter.

As per the Ontario Education Act, students who are enrolled in school are required to attend school daily by law until the age of 18 and/or until they obtain a diploma. Although at times absences cannot be avoided, it is recommended that whenever possible, students do not miss instructional time for extended vacations or extra curriculars. We ask that caregivers report all absences to the school as per the Safe Arrival program.

To use the Safe Arrival School Messenger program, use the link provided below or you can down load and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Please note that SafeArrival uses the SchoolMessenger app.

Alternatively, you can call the toll-free number 1-844-435-3440. Listen to and follow the instructions to report an absence.

The staff at our school appreciate and value our partnership with families and ask for your continued support. Together, we can make school a memorable and positive experience for all students. You are also invited to refer to our Board’s website to find well-being supports and the Safe & Accepting Schools Site. School Mental Health Ontario’s Resource for Parents & Caregivers can also be accessed for additional resources to support well-being.

If you require additional support or have any questions, please connect with me.

It is wonderful to see so many parents and guardians accompany their children to school. We kindly remind you that you should remain outside school yard boundaries and to keep the pathways clear for students to enter the yard. We thank you for your assistance in making our school a place where students feel welcome and safe.

We would also like to remind parents and guardians that only students should enter the building at 8:15 am. If you would like to talk to a teacher, please contact the main office.

We would like to take a moment to address an important issue that affects student learning and school routines — early pick-ups from school.

While we understand that occasional early departures may be necessary due to appointments or family commitments, frequent early pick-ups can significantly disrupt your child’s learning experience. Here are a few key concerns:

• Loss of Instructional Time: Every minute in the classroom counts. Early pick-ups result in missed lessons, group activities, and valuable interactions with teachers and peers.
• Disruption to Routines: Leaving early can interrupt the flow of the day for both the student and the class, making it harder for children to stay engaged and focused.
• Social and Emotional Impact: Students may feel disconnected or anxious when they miss end-of-day routines, including closure activities and time with friends.
• Safety and Supervision: Frequent early departures require staff to adjust supervision plans, which can impact overall school safety and organization.

We kindly ask for your support in minimizing early pick-ups whenever possible. Ensuring your child remains at school for the full day helps promote consistency, academic success, and a sense of belonging.

If you have any questions or need to discuss specific circumstances, please feel free to contact the school office.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s education.

Students often come to the office for bumps and scrapes from falls or trips outside, in the gym or in the classroom. Whenever first aid is given, we will call families to let them know what has happened and what aid they received. If we are unable to reach you, we will leave a message.

Students will also often come to the office for some TLC and magic ice from Mrs. Magi. For these visits, we will absolutely give students what they need, but we will not be calling home.

If you have any concerns, please contact the office.

On rare occasions, we are faced with difficult situations in which non-custodial parents arrive at the school asking to visit their child or to take their child home after school.

We are best able to serve and protect students when we are made aware of legal custody arrangements, visitation rights, and other special instructions.

If legal custody matters affect your family, please ensure that our office and classroom teachers are aware of custodial arrangements between parents that may affect your child during school hours. Please ensure that a copy of the court order is on file at the school office.

Students are reminded that they must wear proper indoor shoes for gym and appropriate gym clothing. Jewelry must be removed when in gym class or during sports activities. Students are not permitted to wear their 'outdoor' shoes in the gym.

The internet can be a great resource for children and adults. They can use it to research, communicate with others, and play interactive games. Sometimes that access can pose hazards. One area that we are seeing an increase is abuse in the use of social media. That is why it is important to be aware of what your children see and hear on the internet, who they meet, and what they share about themselves online. Just like any safety issue, it is wise to talk with your children about your concerns, take advantage of resources to protect them, and keep a close eye on their activities.

A safety reminder to all students that bikes, scooters and roller blades are to be walked both on and off the school property. Bikes are to be locked in the bike racks. We do not have facilities to store or secure roller blades or scooters, so there is an added risk of damage or theft and they are not encouraged to be brought to school. The school is not responsible for these items. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Thank you to all of the parents who have helped the morning Kiss 'n Ride be so successful. We appreciate how drivers continue to pull as far forward as possible before letting students out. When using the Kiss 'n Ride, please ensure that your children exit the vehicle on the right side. The left side lane is a drive thru lane and can present a safety issue for students exiting on the left.

For those parents who park and walk their children, we remind you that it is important to model for them how/where to cross traffic safely.

We thank you for your continued support in making our Kiss 'n Ride a safe and effective process.

St. Veronica is an allergen aware school. We have a number of students in our school who have severe allergic life-threatening reactions to peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oils, any peanut/nut by-products and dairy products. As in the past, we are asking you to not put any child at risk, therefore, are requesting that peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oils, any peanut/nut by-product not be brought into the school. We ask that you read the labels of all food items sent to school

A letter was sent home in September which addressed this issue for each particular class. We are asking parents/guardians not to send food items to school when celebrating your child's birthday. We thank you for your continued understanding.

Students with severe to moderate allergies requiring an Epipen or Puffer were sent home two forms: a letter to Parents and a form which Authorization Storage and Administration (GF 514A & GF 035).

These forms require completion by a parent and a Doctor’s signature and are to be returned to the school office as soon as possible.

JK/SK medications are stored in the classroom.

Students in grades 1 - 8 are required to carry their own medication in a fanny pack. If you wish to submit additional medication to the office, please send it as soon as possible. Storage of medication in a student's backpack is not permitted.

Please ensure your child is sent to school with his/her medication.

Peel Public Health has recommended to stay home when students are feeling sick. Students who are ill should be kept at home where they are most comfortable and can get better sooner. A child who is too ill to go out for recess is too ill to be at school. Keeping students at home who are unwell is also appreciated as we do want others to be exposed to illness or communicable diseases. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Each and every school within Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is required to have a fire emergency and evacuation plan. We are required under Board Policy to have three practice 'fire drills' during the first term. The classroom teachers have and will continue to review these procedures with their students. We are also required to review 'Hold and Secure' and practice 'Lockdown' and 'Shelter in Place' procedures. We will continue practicing these drills throughout the school year. Teachers will be assuring their children that this is strictly a practice. Please be assured that we always have the safety of our children as our first concern.

Emergency Evacuation Plan

In the unforeseen event that we should have an emergency at our school, we will evacuate to:

Ecole Elementaire Le Flambeau

600 Novo Star Dr.,

Mississauga, ON

Safety regulations and Board policy require us to have this contingency plan in place.

STOPR is providing bus transportation services for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. The STOPR website provides access to up-to-date information regarding delayed buses and bus cancellations due to inclement weather. To check eligibility for transportation, look up your address online (link below) or call 905-890-6000.

Please be reminded that the front of the school is designated as a "Bus Loading Zone." Parents/guardians are not permitted to pick up or drop off students in this zone. The safety of our students is our priority. Please drop off or pick up students in the designated school parking lot or the Kiss 'n Ride area.

The conduct of individual students on the bus directly affects the safety of all the students on the bus. The driver's attention needs to be on the road. If students are misbehaving, this can distract the driver.

We are requesting that all parents/guardians reinforce the School Bus Safety Rules with their child(ren).

Students should:

• Be at the bus stop 5-10 minutes prior to their stop time. Never play close to the road. Be ready to board the bus by waiting in an orderly line.
• Board the bus in a single file, use the handrail and sit down in their seat as quickly as possible.
• Listen to the bus driver.
• Always remain seated while the bus is moving.
• Do not throw anything around the bus or out of the window.
• Keep the aisles clear of all objects (backpacks, lunches, books, feet, etc.).
• Do not shout. Be especially quiet at railway crossings.
• Never put any part of your body out an open window.
• Be sure to look all ways before crossing the road.
• Do not damage the bus in any way.
• Do not throw garbage on the floor.
• Do not consume any food or drink on the bus.

If students fail to follow the bus safety rules, the student may lose their bus privilege.

We have begun to accept requests for courtesy seats. If you would like to apply for a seat on a current bus route, please submit TFL004 from stopr.ca to Mrs. Magi by October 10, 2025.

Once STOPR has approved the requests, families will be notified when their request can be accommodated.

We are not always able to accommodate all of the requests. We are encouraging all students to walk to and from school with a friend. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Friday, October 10 is a Professional Activity Day for staff. There will be no school for students. Staff will be involved in faith development and professional learning.

Year 2 Kindergarten parents/guardians who wish to learn more about French Immersion or wish to enroll their child in a Grade 1 French Immersion program for September 2026, are invited to attend an information meeting at the following information session on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at 7:00 pm.

Click below to join

Mississauga Microsoft Teams* Online Meeting #2

Grade 4 parents/guardians who wish to learn more about Extended French or wish to enroll their child in a Grade 5 Extended French Program for September 2026, are invited to attend a virtual parent information session on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 7:00 pm.

Click below to join

Mississauga Extended French Information Session – Microsoft Teams* Online Meeting #1

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 agenda 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.

Routine Vaccines for Students in Grades 7-12 - It Takes a Village

Every year, Peel Public Health teams up with schools and parents to make sure students get their important vaccines. As part of the Ontario immunization routine schedule, Grade 7 students aged 11 or older are eligible for their routine vaccines. Students can get Hepatitis B (HB), Human Papillomavirus (HPV-9), and Meningitis (Men-C-ACYW) vaccines. These vaccines are safe, have been used for a long time and help keep everyone healthy!

Vaccinations: A Shared Responsibility

Starting in the fall, vaccination clinics will be set up in schools to help students stay on track and get these vaccines for free The goal is to make sure all students get their vaccines before they complete Grade 8.

For Parents: Keeping Your Child Healthy

If your child is in Grade 7 or 8, the vaccine clinic will take place on Thursday, December 11, 2025. You will receive additional information from PPH at a later date.

Want More Information?

For more details about the vaccines, visit the Peel Public Health website or call 90-799-7700.

By working together, we can keep our students healthy and build a stronger community through vaccines.

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 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 the office.

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) has updated its cell phone and personal electronic device (PED) policy to support a focused and respectful learning environment. Students in Grades K–6 must keep devices turned off or on silent and out of sight for the entire school day, while students in Grades 7–12 must store devices out of view and powered off or on silent during instructional time—unless explicitly permitted by an educator for educational, medical, or special education purposes.

Failure to follow these expectations may result in disciplinary action, including the confiscation of devices and consequences outlined in the Catholic Code of Conduct.

Parents are encouraged to contact the school office if they need to reach their child during the day. We appreciate your support in helping maintain a safe and distraction-free learning environment.

Healthy Start for Every Student

We’re excited to welcome all students to our Breakfast/Snack Club, now up and running for the school year!

✅ Free for All Students
✅ Follows Ontario Ministry of Education Nutrition Guidelines
✅ Supported by Peel Nutrition Program

This program provides nutritious snacks to help students start their day focused and ready to learn. While the program is completely free, we gratefully accept donations to help support and sustain it throughout the year.

Students are welcome to access the Snack Club each morning by visiting the front foyer when they arrive at school. A variety of nutritious options will be available to help them start their day with energy and focus. This simple and welcoming setup ensures that all students can participate easily and comfortably. We encourage families to remind their children that they are welcome to stop by—no registration is needed, and every child matters.

💛 Every bite helps build a stronger, healthier school community!

For more information or to donate, please contact the school office.

Get your best smiles ready! Our picture day is Thursday, October 9.

On Friday, September 19, our entire school participated in the Terry Fox Run. We enjoyed a beautiful day while raising funds for cancer research. A big THANK YOU again to everyone who participated in our annual Terry Fox Walk, Run and Roll. We were able to raise approximately $300. Thank you to Mrs. Lawrence and Mrs. Maron for organizing this important event.

Truth and Reconciliation Week is an opportunity to reflect on, and learn about, the impacts of residential schools and the historical and ongoing injustices towards Indigenous Peoples. It is also an opportunity to teach and learn about the incredible contributions of Indigenous Peoples. The staff and students at St. Veronica participated in a variety of activities to honour the children lost to the residential school system and to honour survivors and their families.

On September 30, staff and students at St. Veronica wore orange shirts as symbols. The annual Orange Shirt Day was used to open conversations on residential schools and the effect and legacy they have left behind. The St. Veronica community used the opportunity to reaffirm that Every Child Matters.

Students in grades 4-8 have been working extremely hard at practices for the upcoming cross country meet.

Practices are currently taking place during the school day at lunch. There will be a final selection of the team during the first week of October.

The Missisauga West Family Cross Country Meet will take place on Thursday, October 9 at Erindale Park in Missisauga. A permission form for the event will be sent home. Runners are reminded that they need to make most of the practices and be able to complete the distance without stopping if they wish to be considered for the team.

Thank you to coaches Bozzo, Occhiuto, Kecskes, and Hilario for guiding this group of students. Go Vipers Go!

The junior boys and girls volleyball teams are practicing hard to make this season a great one. Both teams will be playing against our rivals from neighbouring schools in mini tournaments coming up on October 8 and 14.

We send them our cheers and we pray that the players and their coaches are blessed with positive experiences of sportsmanship, competition, and fun with their teammates. Go Vipers!

Thank you to Mr. Aleong and Mr. Hilario for supporting our students.

Thank you to all families who joined us for our annual open house. We were thrilled to see so many families join us to hear about the year ahead. You are an integral part of your child's education and we look forward to partnering with you this year. If you have any further questions, please contact your child's teacher.

We are well on our way to having a great year!

As we begin a new school year, we continue to have the opportunity to be a part of a successful Ontario Eco-School Club. In the 2024-2025 school year, we attained GOLD status in Ontario. We are continuing to strive toward our goal of sustaining the practices we have implemented here at St. Veronica.

In order to minimize our ecological footprint, St. Veronica will continue to encourage our students

• to reduce the use of single-use plastics,
• to have litter-less lunches on Thursdays and Fridays, where students bring in snacks and lunches that are packed in reusable containers instead of containing any disposable waste, and
• to participate in Walk to School Wednesdays.

We will keep you informed over the course of the year as initiatives are being implemented and update you on our progress.

Did you know?

• Car Transportation is responsible for 26% of greenhouse pollution.

• Canadians on average use more energy than any other country in the world and one of the reasons is due to our reliance on motor vehicles.

• Greater pedestrian traffic can help reduce noise pollution. Noise pollution affects the health of the environment and people, and can discourage wildlife and vegetation from coming into urban areas.

Walking is also extremely important for your health. Walking can..

• Improve cardiovascular fitness.

• Strengthen your bones and muscles.

• Improve muscle endurance.

• Increase energy levels.

Let's start walking to school to help save our environment and make our community a more eco-friendly place.

But don't forget to be safe! Look both ways before crossing the road!

All students are invited to wear or bring their costumes on Friday, October 31st or wear orange and black. As part of our continued efforts to create a safe, caring and inclusive environment within our school, we encourage you to facilitate meaningful conversations with your children regarding their Halloween costume choices.

Just a reminder that all costumes must be safe and appropriate. Please remember that guns, fake blood, swords or weapons of any kind are not permitted at school on this day. Any capes worn must not touch the floor as it can be a trip hazard. Also, due to safety concerns, students are not allowed to wear full masks and full makeup to school. Costumes are to be culturally respectful.

Classes will be given a pumpkin to decorate for our Halloween Pumpkin decorating contest. Pumpkins will be on display at our Halloween Dance. Thank you to our Catholic School Council for donating pumpkins.

We are having a school dance on Thursday, October 30 in which all students will have an opportunity to attend. More details will be forthcoming.

Due to allergy concerns, we are asking parents/guardians NOT to send food items to school when celebrating Halloween.

If you wish to send something, please consider non-food alternatives such as stickers, pencils, etc. Any food items sent into to school will be returned (and not distributed).

We thank you for your continued understanding and support for the safety of all of our students.