St. Veronica
June 2026
St. Veronica Catholic Elementary School
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/VERONLocation: 680 Novo Star Dr., Mississauga, ON L5W 1C7
Phone: 905-696-6980
A Summertime Blessing
May you walk with God this summer in whatever you do, wherever you go. Walking with God means walking with honesty and courage and walking with love, respect, and concern for the feelings of others. May you talk to God this summer — every day and in every situation. Talking with God means praying words of praise for the beauty of creation, saying prayers of thanks for friends and good times, asking God's help in all your decisions, and expressing sorrow when you have failed. May you walk and talk with God every day. Amen.
— Unknown
Principal Message
June has arrived, and we have many exciting school events and celebrations to look forward to in the coming weeks!
Our graduating class of Grade 8 students will celebrate the completion of their elementary school journey on Friday, June 19. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to our graduates as they move on to high school. While there will be new challenges ahead, with the support of their families, friends, teachers, and faith community, we know they are well prepared to succeed. Veronica Vipers – you’ve got this!
As this school year draws to a close, we take time to reflect on our journey together as a school community. We are truly blessed to work alongside such a dedicated group of staff, volunteers, parish members, and families. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all members of the St. Veronica community for their ongoing commitment to Catholic education. This is a very special place filled with remarkable people.
We are especially grateful to our volunteers and Catholic School Council members, who generously give their time to support our school through fundraising, guidance, and leadership grounded in Christian values.
I would also like to recognize our students who have volunteered their time throughout the year to support staff and their peers. Your contributions are a true reflection of living the Gospel message and sharing God’s love through your actions.
We extend our appreciation to Mr. Cusumano, our Superintendent, for his dedication and support of our school. We are blessed by our partnership with St. Francis Xavier Parish and are grateful to Fr. Andrew, Fr. Favin and the pastoral team for their guidance and presence in nurturing our faith life.
A heartfelt thank you goes to Mrs. Magi, Mr. Da Silva, and Mr. Butler,, whose tireless efforts support our school in countless ways. They truly are everyday heroes within our community.
On behalf of the St. Veronica staff, I would also like to recognize our departing staff members, Mr. Aleong, Ms. Harricharran, and Mrs. Serpe. We thank them for their dedication and commitment to our students and wish them all the best in their new roles.
To those moving on to the next chapter of their lives, may God continue to guide and protect you. May the memories, lessons, and friendships formed at St. Veronica stay with you as you help build a better world.
We are blessed to work in partnership as a school, home, and parish community, united in our mission to nurture faith-filled, responsible citizens who will share their gifts and talents with the world.
On behalf of the entire St. Veronica staff, I wish you all a safe, restful, and joyful summer. May God bless you and your families.
Sincerely,
N. Laporte
Catholic School Council
Our Catholic School Council has been a proud supporter of many amazing events at St. Veronica including:
- Open House BBQ
- New Jerseys
- Jungle Sport
- Grade 8 Graduation and trip
- Grade 3 First Communion gifts
- Grade 7 Confirmation gifts
- Halloween Dance
- Pumpkin Decorating
- Christmas Market
- Spring Dance
- Family Movie Night
- Intermediate Dance lessons
- Year End Trip
- Big Box of Cards fundraiser
- Terra Cotta Cookie Fundraiser
- Treat Sales at Special Events
We hope you will take an opportunity over the upcoming summer holidays to give thought to joining our Catholic School Council. Nomination forms will be available in the fall. Stay tuned for the September newsletter for more information.
We wish you all a safe, relaxing and enjoyable summer!
Grade 4 to 8 Talent Show
We are excited to invite you to our Grade 4–8 Talent Show, taking place on Tuesday, June 16 at 1:00 p.m. Students have been working hard to prepare a wonderful showcase of their talents, and we look forward to celebrating their creativity and confidence. All families are warmly welcome to attend and enjoy this special event with us!
School-Wide Year End Trip
We are thrilled to announce a special combined Mass at church trip for our students, followed by a fun movie outing! This event is a wonderful opportunity for students to come together, strengthen their friendships, and enjoy a day filled with meaningful reflection and entertainment.
Date: Monday, June 22, 2026
Time: 9:00 to 1:30
Grades: JK to Grade 8
The day will begin with a school-wide Mass at St. Francis Xavier Parish. Afterward, we'll head to Cineplex Courtney Park to see Toy Story 5.
Thank you to all parents/guardians who volunteered for this event. We will be reaching out to you shortly to confirm attendance.
Play Day
Date: Kindergarten to 8: Thursday, June 25
What to wear: this is an outdoor and indoor event, we encourage students to bring and wear sunscreen, a hat, and athletic shoes.
What to bring: reusable water bottle
As part of the play day, each student will receive a Mr. Freeze Freezie (ingredients: water, sugar/glucose-fructose, citric acid, natural and artificial flavours, modified cellulose, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, Stevia extract, Allura red, Brilliant blue FCF, Sunset yellow FCF) thanks to our Catholic School Council.
If you do not want your child/ren to have a freezie, please contact your child's teacher.
Track and Field
Thank you to all of the teachers including Mme. Bozzo, Mrs. Rodrigues, Mrs. Strachan, Mr. Hilario, and Mrs. Rietta for all of their hard work in making this happen.
Best of luck to all competing at the family finals on June 11! We are rooting for you!
Journey into Learning
If you were unable to attend, please contact the school to pick up your Journey into Learning bag.
A special thank you to Ms. Kecskes, Ms. Boniface, Mrs. Romita, and Mrs. Magi for organizing and attending this event.
ShareLife
Thank you to all families and staff for your support.
Eco Team News
Our Eco Team was excited to participate in the Native Plants Program (NPP) offered by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). This engaging, curriculum-linked program introduced students to the importance of native plants and maintaining healthy habitats. Through the program, our students received a native plant growing kit complete with a container, soil, and seeds, and took part in a virtual orientation to learn how to care for their plants. Over several weeks, students nurtured their seedlings in the classroom, developing a deeper understanding of environmental stewardship. The experience culminated in a planting initiative, where students contributed directly to supporting local biodiversity and creating more sustainable green spaces.
We are also excited to share that our school has received funding through the Action Project Grant from Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF) to enhance the front of our school with new plantings. , Our eco team will take an active role in designing and implementing a project to beautify our entrance while promoting biodiversity and environmental responsibility. This initiative not only strengthens our commitment to sustainability but also provides meaningful, hands-on learning experiences for our students as they contribute to a greener, healthier school community.
Our Eco Team would like to thank everyone in our school community who has helped support our various campaigns throughout the school year. Thank you for committing the use of reusable water bottles and containers, recycling, lights out lunches, and plantings, etc.
As we begin to make plans for September, we look forward to another eco-friendly year!
Many thanks to Mrs. Serpe and Mr. Hilario for all their work with the students in helping to bring awareness to our school community about the importance of the stewardship of our planet.
We all belong to God's family!
Grade 8 Graduation
Graduation Ceremony
The Grade 8 Graduation will take place on Friday, June 19, 2026 at Le Treport Banquet Hall in Mississauga. Parents will be invited to attend the Graduation Ceremony that will take place at 9:30 am (doors open at 9:25 am). Following the ceremony, graduates are invited to attend the lunch and dance.
Families are asked to pick up students at the hall by 2:00 pm.
Graduation Mass
Our year end/graduation mass will take place at St. Francis Xavier Parish on Monday, June 22 at 10:00 am. All are welcome to attend.
Recognition of Our Senior Kindergarten Students
Please join us at our graduation/year end mass on Monday, June 22 at 10:00 am. We have a special presentation planned for the students in kindergarten who will be moving on to grade 1 in the fall.
All are welcome to attend.
Jump Rope for Heart
Our Jump Rope for Heart Event is almost here!
On Friday June 5, 2026 our school will be jumping and getting active to support Heart & Stroke. Our grade 8 students will be leading and organizing this day’s events. If you haven’t had a chance to fundraise online, please consider making a small donation to fuel lifesaving heart and brain research. Donations will be accepted until Friday June 12, 2026.
To make a donation to this initiative, please use the following link: https://jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca/117639 and click DONATE.
Please remember to wear red, dress appropriately for the weather and bring a water bottle.
Thank you for your continued support.
A special thank you to Mrs. Strachan, Mrs. de Leon, Mme Bozzo and the grade 8 students for finding fun ways to keep us healthy while raising money for a good cause.
Roots of Empathy
An explanation of the program, from the Roots of Empathy website is included below:
Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based classroom program that has shown significant effect in reducing levels of aggression among schoolchildren by raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy. The program reaches elementary schoolchildren from Kindergarten to Grade 8. In Canada, the program is delivered in English and French and reaches rural, urban, and remote communities including Aboriginal communities. Roots of Empathy is also delivered in New Zealand, the United States, Isle of Man, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
At the heart of the program are a neighbourhood infant and parent who visit the classroom every three weeks over the school year. A trained Roots of Empathy Instructor coaches students to observe the baby's development and to label the baby's feelings. In this experiential learning, the baby is the "Teacher" and a lever, which the instructor uses to help children identify and reflect on their own feelings and the feelings of others. This "emotional literacy" taught in the program lays the foundation for more safe and caring classrooms, where children are the "Changers". They are more competent in understanding their own feelings and the feelings of others (empathy) and are therefore less likely to physically, psychologically and emotionally hurt each other through bullying and other cruelties.
In the Roots of Empathy program children learn how to challenge cruelty and injustice. Messages of social inclusion and activities that are consensus building contribute to a culture of caring that changes the tone of the classroom. The Instructor also visits before and after each family visit to prepare and reinforce teachings using a specialized lesson plan for each visit. Research results from national and international evaluations of Roots of Empathy indicate significant reductions in aggression and increases in pro-social behaviour.
To facilitate this program, we are looking for a proud parent with a new baby (2-4 months old in October). Please see below for more information and who to contact.
St. Francis Xavier Parish
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
Our Virtue of the Month - Fairness
God wants us to treat each other as we would like to be treated.
A fair person is...
- listens to both sides of a story
- is a good team player
- gives consideration to those who need extra support
- works to bring about peaceful solutions to a problem
God made us to live together as a family in creation, to share and to help one another. Being Christian is about living together in community as we build the kingdom of God. Jesus spent much of His life on earth showing us how to care for people in need and how to follow God's rules. Everyone needs a FAIR chance to succeed. A fair team player makes sure the rules of the game give everyone a chance to participate.
Let us now pray... for the virtue of fairness - the desire to live by the rules of God's kingdom everyday of our lives. AMEN.
Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations
- I use my gifts and talents given to me by God
- I always do my best
- I build on my strengths and weaknesses
- I set goals
- I accept change
- I am proud of the good things
- I am thankful for the gifts of others
Because I am a learner for life, I can reach for my dreams, by living my life like Jesus.
Calling All Library Books!
The end of the year will come sooner than we think! Here is the schedule for returning books.
June 1-5 – Last book sign out for students.
June 12 – All library books due back to the library!
June 19 – Notes home about books that have not been returned.
#ILostMyBook!
If your child has lost their library book, we ask that a replacement book is sent in. This can be a book that is less than 4 years old and in good condition from home. The book doesn’t have to be the same one that was lost. Alternatively, you can purchase the same book to donate to the library. Thanks!
Textbooks
We are kindly asking that families check at home for any textbooks used this school year.
School textbooks are school property and are loaned to the students annually. The expectation is that textbooks will be returned at the end of the school year. Thank you for your support and cooperation.
PA Day
Math @ Home
This month the focus is on fractions. Have fun trying these suggested activities at home.
Moving
Updated records are also important in the event of an emergency and if we are required to contact you immediately. Thank you for your cooperation.
Text Messaging Service
Our school utilizes the SchoolMessenger system to deliver text messages, straight to your mobile phone with important information about events, school closings, safety alerts and more.
You can participate in this free service just by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our school’s short code number:
For CANADA-BASED numbers: 978338
You can also opt out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our messages with “Stop”.
We recommend saving this short code and Caller ID to the contacts on your phone. This will help prevent any 3rd party call blocking systems from interfering with your receipt of important messages sent by the school or district.
SchoolMessenger is compliant with the Student Privacy Pledge , so you can rest assured that your information is safe and will never be given or sold to anyone.
Sun Safety
- Drink cool water. Anyone in a hot environment should drink cool water in small amounts frequently - one cup every 20 minutes. Avoid caffeinated soft drinks.
- Dress appropriately. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing.
- Wear a hat to protect both the eyes and the skin.
- When possible, stay out of direct sunlight.
- Wear sunblock; the higher the protection factor number, the greater the protection.
Parents are encouraged to reinforce these strategies with their children regularly.
Please see below for St. Veronica's Hot Temperature Plan.
Allergies
Please remember that we are a nut-free school. Just a gentle reminder to check snack labels carefully and please do not send in any snacks that contain or may contain peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oils, and peanut/but by-products.
Student Agendas
Students from grades 1 - 8 will be using the agenda to help them organize and track assignments, homework reminders and special events. The student agenda is also an excellent tool to support parent/teacher communication.
Our agenda also contains our school's behaviour and discipline code and the board's homework policy.
Medication
As the school year comes to an end, we ask that your child bring home their medication.
Meds will be sent home on the last day of school or parents may request they be sent home earlier if they will be on vacation prior to the end of school year.
In September, please ensure your child is sent to school with his/her medication. The office will send home an 'Authorization to Store Medication' form. If your child's dose or medication has changed, you will require new forms from our office.
Report Cards
We wish to bring to your attention once more to the Response Form. This page provides you the opportunity to comment on your child's achievement and goals. Please consider completing and signing this page and returning it back to your child's teacher by Thursday, June 25.
STOPR (Student Transportation of Peel Region)
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. To check for eligibility for transportation, please access the following website: businfo.stopr.ca.
STOPR Telephone Contact Information: 905-890-6000
Geoquery Website - http://businfo.stopr.ca
This website also allows parents to login and find their child’s transportation information by following these instructions:
- type in the website address: businfo.stopr.ca
- click “student login”
- enter your child’s OEN number, street/house number, school and grade
- click “login”
This will automatically display the child’s transportation information, if they are eligible. This capability for “student login” will be available for parents starting the second last week of August until the end of June each year. This feature will be locked down during the summer for route planning purposes. Additional features of this website are, School Information, Which School Do I Attend, Transportation Eligibility and Delays and Cancellations
STOPR Website
www.stopr.ca. The items available on this website:
- “About Us” – background information on Student Transportation of Peel Region
- “Policies and Procedures” – STOPR procedures and Peel and Dufferin-Peel Transportation Policies
- “FAQ” – frequently asked questions in regards to student transportation
- “School Forms” – the forms that go with the STOPR procedures
- “Operators” – a list of all the school bus operators in Peel Region and their telephone numbers
- “Links” – Ministry of Transportation links i.e.: booster seat legislation
- “Contact Us” – STOPR contact telephone numbers by area
- “Inclement Weather” – updates on a daily basis for inclement weather cancellations
- “Which School Do I Attend” – a direct link to our Geoquery website
- “Am I Eligible for Transportation” – a direct link to our Geoquery website
- “Your Child’s Busing Information” - a direct link to the student login on our Geoquery website
Changes to Qualifications for Busing
Please check the STOPR website to determine your child’s eligibility. Bus routes will be posted at our school during the last week of August. If there is any new information that needs to be shared, we will also post that alongside the schedules and on our website. Distance requirements enable only eligible students to receive busing within our catchment area.
Courtesy Rider Policy
Such requests must be made in writing using the TFL004 Courtesy Seat Application found below. You can also pick up this form at the school office. Parents should be aware that if new students register later in the year (who are eligible for busing) and the bus is already loaded to capacity, students who are riding as Courtesy Riders may have to be removed from the bus.
First Time Rider Safety Program
This one-hour safety program will run every 30 minutes between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm at each school listed below.
Please see below for the online booking portal and information flyer. The online booking portal opens June 22, 2026.
Class Placements and First Day of School in September
St. Veronica staff have been busy working on class placements for the 2026-2027 school year.
Class lists encompass the efforts of teachers, support staff and administration. School staff meet in grade levels to put together class lists. Much time, thought and effort go into the composition of class lists so that they are balanced. The reality of the makeup of classes is that there will be combined grades. As a staff, discussions take place and we work together to be fair to all students with respect to the classes they are placed in. Students will be assigned their grade only – not their specific class – on their final report card.
The first day of school will be Tuesday, September 8, 2026. In-school learning begins at 8:30 a.m. That morning, grade level signs will be posted on the rear exterior walls of the school. Please take your child to the sign indicating their grade level. Teachers will greet students in the assigned grade level area and will call out the names of the students on their class lists. In the event of inclement weather grades 1 - 6 students will meet in the gym and grade 7 - 8 students will meet in the front foyer. Junior/senior kindergarten will enter through their designated gated kindergarten area.
We are looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 @ 8:15 a.m.
