St. Thomas More

3270 Tomken Road

Mississauga, ON., L4Y 2Y7

(905) 279-6472

Fax: (905) 279-3205

http://www.dpcdsb.org/TMORE

Principal

M. Noce

Vice-Principal

L. Moran

Administrative Staff

M. Shahbaz

F. Silva-Correia

Superintendent

D. Belchior

(905) 890-1221

Trustee

Mario Pascucci

Mississauga Wards 1 & 3

Catholic School Council Chair

R. D'Souza

Pastor

Rev. John Facey

St. Patrick’s Church

(905) 270-2301

Email: St.ThomasMoreInfo@dpcdsb.org
Website: http://www.dpcdsb.org/TMORE
Location: 3270 Tomken Road, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Phone: 9052796472
Twitter: @stthomasmore19

St. Thomas More Catholic School and St. Patrick's Parish are working collaboratively to create an atmosphere in which your child will be able to experience and express our Catholic Faith. We also support Father Facey at St. Patrick's with preparing students for sacraments. If you have a child in Grade 2 or 7 and intend to celebrate the sacrament, please contact the church at 905. 270 - 2301 to provide your email address and/or to register.

EDGE is a youth ministry for those in grades 6, 7 & 8, aimed to present the truths of the Catholic faith in a hand​​s-on and relevant format.

Twitter: @SPYGMississauga​

Instagram: ​​SPYGMississauga

Contact: Maria Espinoza, Youth Minister

stpatsyouthgroup@hotmail.com​

Please feel free to click on the Translate button on the newsletter to choose your language of preference! (Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Italian, Vietnamese, Hindi etc.)

As we enter the month of May—a time of renewal and growth—we are reminded of its special significance in our Catholic faith as we honour Mary, our Mother. May invites us to pause, reflect, and deepen our faith as a school community. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “Behold, your mother” (John 19:26–27), reminding us that Mary lovingly walks with us and watches over our children.

We begin the month by celebrating St. Joseph the Worker on May 1, which also allows us to recognize Staff Appreciation Day. Our staff faithfully live their vocation each day, supporting the academic, social, and spiritual growth of our students. I am grateful for their dedication and care.

Catholic Education Week begins on May 4, offering us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Catholic education. This will be highlighted through our school musical, The Wizard of Oz, as well as classroom activities that invite students to reflect on what makes our school community a gift.

During Catholic Education Week, we are also pleased to welcome new families at our Welcome to Kindergarten evening. We look forward to partnering with families as their children begin their learning journey in a faith‑filled, caring environment.

Throughout the month, students will engage in meaningful experiences such as field trips, the Crowning of Mary liturgy, and learning opportunities that foster responsibility and appreciation for God’s creation.

Later in May, students in Grades 3 and 6 will participate in EQAO assessments. We encourage them to do their best, knowing they are supported and valued beyond any assessment.

Thank you for your continued trust and support. Together, we continue to build a faith‑filled community rooted in belonging and care. May Mary, our Mother, guide and watch over our STM community throughout the month.

Yours in Catholic Education,

M. Noce

God wants us to make friends with everyone no matter how different they may look or act..

An accepting person is…

● willing to treat everybody as a member of a group

● non-judgmental

● welcoming to those different than himself/herself

● loving and happy with who he/she is

The virtue of ACCEPTANCE means we accept ourselves and others just the way we are. God created all of us in His image, and God does not make mistakes. Being a part of God’s family means that we love and welcome everyone just the way Jesus did. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where it is easier to follow the crowd than to stand up for what we know is right. However, Jesus wants us to accept everyone even when it is hard.

OUR DAILY PRAYER FOR MAY

Let us now pray...for the virtue of acceptance the strength to trust that God is at work in everyone’s life despite what we think. AMEN

• 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, lifelong learner who develops and demonstrates their 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

This year’s Catholic Education theme is, “Catholic Education: Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness.”

The theme for Catholic Education Week 2026 was inspired by the following considerations:

• The Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee year provides us the ongoing opportunity to serve the common good and recommit ourselves to prayer, service, and evangelization.
• As we remember our late Pope Francis, and eagerly embrace the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, the coming school year will be a time to renew the momentum of our Jubilee celebrations, by inviting everyone in Catholic education to embrace the journey toward holiness and peace.
• In light of the canonization of Blessed Carlos Acutis, the Catholic Education Week theme will focus on the Pastoral Letter to Young People issued by the Bishops of Canada in October 2022. As young people themselves, their example shows us, very vividly, what it means to live as pilgrims on a journey of faith, toward a hope grounded in the unshakeable love of the Risen Jesus.

Our lives as Christians are truly a path toward holiness – becoming, more and more, the people God created us to be. That will look different in each of our lives, but for all of us, we know that it is God’s Spirit at work in us who guides us toward holiness: “The Holy Spirit illumines all believers with the light of hope. He keeps that light burning, like an ever-burning lamp, to sustain and invigorate our lives.” (Spes Non Confundit, 3)

There are five sub-themes for each day of Catholic Education Week:

Day 1: Peace be with you / La paix soit avec vous

Day 2: God loves you / Dieu vous aime (Dieu t’aime)

Day 3: Christ saves you / Le Christ vous sauve (Le Christ te sauve)

Day 4: The Holy Spirit lives in you / L’Esprit Saint demeure en vous (L’Esprit Saint demeure en toi)

Day 5: Together on the journey / Ensemble sur le chemin

Every year, the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) provides our Catholic schools with a resource kit to help schools prepare for Catholic Education Week. Using these resources, as well as our own developed plans, we have prepared a series of activities, which will highlight how the students and staff at our school are being Pilgrims of Hope together.

8:45 am -Staggered Entrance (students arrive and are directed straight to their classroom)

9:00 am -School starts

11:05 am -Morning Recess

12:00 pm -Lunch

1:00 pm -School starts

2:30 pm -Afternoon Recess

3:30pm -Dismissal

2025-2026 School Year

Monday May 4th-Friday May 8th: Catholic Education Week

Monday, May 4th: Journey into Learning Night 6 pm-7 pm

Wednesday, May 6th and Thursday May 8th: The Wizard of Oz Performance-daytime & Nighttime

Sunday, May 10th: Mother's Day

Tuesday May 12th- Thursday, May 14th: Grade 8's Ottawa trip

Tuesday, May 12th: Math Contest-Grade 7 Waterloo Contest

Thursday, May 14th: Grade 6s trip to the Living Arts, Scientist to the School Grade 3

Friday, May 15th: PD Day -No School

Monday, May 18th: Victoria Day

Monday, May 25th to Wednesday May 27th: Grade 3 EQAO Testing Widnow

Tuesday, June 2nd to Thursday June 4th: Garde 6 EQAO Testing WIndow

Monday: June 8th: PD Day-No School

Wednesday, June 10th: Miss. East Track and Field at St. Marcellinus

Thursday, June 18th: Board Track and Field

Monday, June 22nd: Grade 8 Graduation Mass

Tuesday, June 23rd: Reports Sent Home

Friday, June 26th: Last Day of School

Parents / Guardians can create their own accounts using EACH child’s unique Access ID and Access Password provided they meet the following criteria in PowerSchool:

• Marked as Guardians
• Have Access to Records
• Have an valid email address
• Student is under 18 years old

If a Parent / Guardian has more than one child in Dufferin-Peel, they will be able to link their account to EACH of their children.

Please create your account to access student record such as upcoming Progress Reports.

About this event: Supporting Your Child’s Well-being. A free, four-part webinar series created with parents/caregivers, for parents/caregivers.

Parents and caregivers across Ontario shared their top mental health and substance use health questions - and we listened. Each session will dive into important mental health and substance use health topics identified by families in Ontario - guided by subject matter experts who offer practical, evidence-informed strategies.

The webinars will also include answers to questions that parents/caregivers can provide ahead of the webinar. Parents and caregivers can submit their questions here: https://smha.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0UI4DFh0gY95I8e. Submissions will close 10 days prior to each session.

4 Webinars. Real conversations. Practical strategies.

Link: Registration Link

Series dates and topics:

May 7 | 7 – 8 p.m. – Conversations about body image

June 5 | 12 – 1 p.m. – Conversations about anxiety

Can’t make all four dates? No problem! Select one or more of the four sessions when you sign up.

Language: Each webinar will be offered in separate English and French language sessions. Dates listed above are for our English sessions.
Register here for our French language sessions: https://votreenfantwebinaires0306226-06042026.eventbrite.ca

Students in all grades enjoyed an exciting Scientist in the School experience, engaging in hands-on, inquiry-based learning that brought science concepts to life in the classroom. The interactive sessions encouraged curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of learning across the school. A sincere thank you to our Parent Council for subsidizing this event for STM, making this enriching opportunity possible for all our students. We truly appreciate their continued support of learning at STM!

Students in all grades enjoyed a valuable and engaging presentation about dairy farming, learning where milk comes from and gaining insight into farming practices, nutrition, and a variety of dairy products. The presentation sparked curiosity and encouraged thoughtful questions across the school. A big thank you to Ann for sharing her time and expertise with our students, and a special thank you to Mme Marchese for organizing this wonderful learning experience. We appreciate everyone who helped make this memorable event possible!

~ Rehearsals for The Wizard of Oz

~Eco Team

~Library helpers

~Wellness Warriors

~PALs leaders

~Youth Faith Ambassadors

~Knitting and Crochet Club

~ Track and Field

~Int. Boys and Girls soft ball-try outs happening soon

Our school proudly celebrated Earth Week with a variety of meaningful, hands-on activities! Students showed their school spirit and care for the planet by dressing in blue and green on day. Classes participated in an outdoor schoolyard clean‑up, helping to keep our environment clean and looking its best. Many students also took part in litterless lunches, making thoughtful choices to reduce waste. To deepen their learning, students explored an engaging Ocean Wise display on coral reefs, discovering the importance of protecting our oceans and marine life. Earth Week was a wonderful opportunity for our school community to learn, take action, and celebrate caring for our planet together. 🌊♻️

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 https://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 your school Principal or Vice-Principal.

• Upholding dignity and rights: All members of the school community are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect, regardless of their background or identity.
• Diversity and inclusion: Respect extends to celebrating diversity and treating people fairly regardless of factors like race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
• Safety and non-violence: DPCDSB prohibits bullying in all its forms, including cyberbullying, physical, verbal, and psychological abuse. This also includes restrictions on taking photos or videos of others without consent.
• Responsible behaviour: Respect is demonstrated through actions like coming to school on time, being prepared to learn, refraining from bringing prohibited items to school, and taking responsibility for one's own actions.

Demonstrating respect

• Verbal and non-verbal communication: Use appropriate language, tone of voice, and body language. Avoid swearing, name-calling, gossip, and put-downs.
• Respect for property: Treat school materials, such as textbooks, equipment, and facilities, with care.
• Respect for Catholic teachings: Support and participate in the liturgical life of the school and strive to live a virtuous life in accordance with Gospel value

The Catholic School Council is an integral part of every school community. If you are interested in being a part of the Catholic School Council this year, please join us for our first meeting. The details are posted below, along with required nomination forms and information about roles and responsibilities:

Our School Council is comprised of Parents/Guardians, School Staff, a student, and a Parish Representative. All are welcome to attend.

School Council Meeting of 2025-2026

Thursday, May 21st, 2026 @ 6:30 pm

In the School Library

Subway days is now on Mondays

Use SchoolCash Online

https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

PIZZA TUESDAYS ARE BACK!

Use SchoolCash Online

https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

Pita days are back, now on Wednesdays!

Use SchoolCash Online

https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

Now introducing Barburrito on Thursdays

Use SchoolCash Online

https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

We are doing 2 more Harvey's pop-up lunches

May 22, 2026

June 19, 2026

Use SchoolCash Online

https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

As we begin the 2025–2026 school year, St. Thomas More, we will continue to follow the provincial cellphone and social media policy from the Ontario Ministry of Education, alongside our Board’s policy on Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs). These rules are in place to reduce distractions, protect student well-being, and support a safe Catholic learning environment.

Key Points ~

• Cellphones and PEDs should not be brought to school. If brought, they must remain off and out of sight during the school day.

• No social media access on school networks during school hours.

• Use for learning only: Devices may be used in class only if a teacher specifically permits them for academic purposes.

• Emergency communication: If you need to reach your child during the day, please call the school office. Students who need to contact a parent must use the office phone.

• Loss or damage: The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices.

• Repeat violations: Continued misuse of a device will result in it being taken to the office. The student may pick it up at the end of the day. For repeated incidents, a parent/guardian will be asked to pick it up.

• Reflection and accountability: Students may be required to complete a short reflection activity if a violation occurs, helping them think about responsible use.

Why this matters:
This policy is not about punishment, but about focus, safety, and responsibility. By limiting cellphone and social media use during the school day, we are creating more opportunities for learning, connection, and personal growth.

Thank you for working with us to support a healthy, distraction-free environment for all students

How to Access Bus Stop and Time Information:

-Visit stopr.ca

-Select parent/student login

*if you do not have an account, please create an account by clicking 'create an account' on the bottom of the screen

-Enter your child's OEN number - this number can be found on the top portion of the report card.

-Once you've entered your child's OEN you will be able to view bus stop information

If your child rides the bus daily, it is important that they are aware of the safety rules on the bus. Students are required to:

• Listen to the Bus Driver at all times and report any problems or injuries to him/her
  
• Go directly to your seat and remain seated during the entire bus ride
• Do not eat, drink, swear, fight or chew gum on the bus
• Do not put arms out the window, or throw items or garbage out the window
• If any damage to the seat of bus is caused, students will be held responsible
• Be at least 5 minutes early at your bus stop to ensure that you don't miss the bus

Improper conduct on the bus will be dealt with at the Office. Repeated or serious incidents can result in busing privileges being suspended or removed. Please review these rules with your child. Taking the bus is a privilege, not a right.

Dear Parents and Guardians:

With the arrival of warmer temperatures and more time spent outdoors, we wanted to remind you how to protect yourself and your loved ones from Blacklegged Ticks, which are native to our region, live in wooded areas, tall grasses and bushes, and may carry Lyme Disease.

In this regard, we encourage you to read the fact sheet below from Health Ontario which indicates how to prevent tick bites when outdoors.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

M. Noce

1. It is important when you are dropping off your child in the morning that you enter the Kiss & Ride lane and proceed to the end of the lane before allowing your child to get out of the car.

2. Students must exit from the right hand side of the car (closest to the school) and parents should remain in the car. Parents may then proceed to exit.

3. If you need to walk your child, you must park in a parking spot at the front of the school or in the church parking lot. Please do NOT park in the drive through lane, the kiss & ride lane or the kindergarten pick up and drop off parking spots as moving traffic is dangerous to children in these locations.

4. If walking your child to school in the morning or picking them up at the end of the day, parents are asked to remain either behind the fence by the church parking lot, on the path closest to the school, or on the perimeter of the school pavement. This is for your child’s safety, as teachers on duty cannot distinguish parents from “strangers” in the yard.

5. Kindergarten students are released hand to hand. Those parents may park in the kindergarten pick up and drop off parking spots.

6. Only bus/daycare students exit at the end of the day through the front doors.

If you are First Nation (Status Indian or Non-Status Indian), Métis and/or Inuit you can self-identify as Indigenous. You do not need to produce any documentation or proof of ancestry. Self-identification is voluntary and confidential.

“This has been really important for us because of the sense of community and the connection to other Indigenous families.” ~ Melanie Cormier, parent

Self-identification will provide access to culture and language programs and monthly programming for students and families. Relevant information will be sent directly to you about upcoming cultural events and opportunities which help to build community and a sense of Indigenous pride in Dufferin-Peel.

To learn more about opportunities for Indigenous students and families please visit: https://www.dpcdsb.org/student-portal/indigenous-self-identification

The Catholic Code of Conduct sets standards of behaviour that promote, encourage and foster a shared commitment to gospel values in daily life, respect for the dignity of persons created in God’s image, responsible participation in the civic life of the school community, peaceful conflict resolution, respect for diversity, and a commitment to exemplary conduct, conscientious work, and service to others. At St. Thomas More, we continue to work together to provide a safe, caring, inclusive and healthy Catholic school community for all.

DPCDSB and St. Thomas More use the Attendance Program: SafeArrival.

If you have not registered for SafeArrival, please review the registration procedure at https://www.dpcdsb.org/parents/absence-reporting

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

St. Thomas More Catholic School is dedicated to helping your child develop the spiritual, intellectual, aesthetic, emotional, social and physical capabilities to live fully and to meet the future challenges of adult roles and responsibilities. The school can best contribute to your child’s education and development when you form a partnership with them.

As parents/guardians you have many responsibilities towards your child. One responsibility is to ensure that your child is in school every day, ready to learn. In fact, it is the law. The Provincial Education Act states that every child between the ages of 6 and 18 years is required to attend school every day from the first school day in September until the last school day in June.

Please be reminded that no nut products including tree nuts, Nutella or scented perfumes/cologne are allowed in school.

We have a number of staff and students who have potentially fatal anaphylactic sensitivities to the above products. Community Letters regarding allergens in our school will be forthcoming.

Thank you for your commitment to keeping STM allergy aware!

If your child has any health problems of which the office is not aware, please notify us as soon as possible.

Please note, we cannot administer or store medication for your child (such as antibiotics, aspirin etc.) without board policy forms that are signed by a medical doctor. In the event your child requires medication at school, please have your medical doctor complete the form and we can proceed with administering the medication.

Every year, medical forms for puffers, epi-pens, or other medication are required to be filled out by the doctor for renewal. All returning students with medical conditions have been sent the forms via email. Please check your e-mail for the receipt of these forms. These forms must be returned to the office before medication can be administered.

A reminder that children are not allowed to keep ANY medication on their persons, in their desk, backpack or anywhere in their classroom, unless ordered by their doctor. In such case, documentation is necessary. All dispensing and storage of ANY medication must occur in the office. We appreciate your attention to this matter.

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