St Richard Community Newsletter

Principal: T. Brancalion

Head Secretary: T. Hale

Superintendent of Schools: Peter Cusumano (905)-890-1221

Trustee: Brea Corbet (905)-301-9373

Parish: St. John of the Cross Parish (905) 821-1331

Email: RICHAInfo@dpcdsb.org
Website: https://www.dpcdsb.org/richa
Location: 7220 Copenhagen Road, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Phone: 905-826-5572

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

Scripture passage for Catholic Education 2025-2026 is:

“As God who called you is holy, be holy yourselves.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)

“À l’exemple du Dieu saint qui vous a appelés, devenez saints, vous aussi” (1 Pierre 1, 15-16)

Catholic Education Week Prayer 2025-2026

God of grace and love,

Strengthen and sustain us as we continue to journey as pilgrims of hope.

Guide us on the path to holiness with the light of your love.

Inspire us to serve joyfully in the love of Christ through the beautiful examples of the saints.

As we journey together in faith, may we experience the peace of Christ through the presence of one another.

We pray that all young people in our Catholic schools may believe, and become empowered by,

these three important Gospel messages:

“God loves you!”

“Christ saves you!”

“The Holy Spirit lives in you!”

Virtual Alpha Marriage Course

The Alpha program will be holding a virtual marriage course

7 weekly sessions from Sunday April 26th to Sunday June 7th at 7:00pm to 9:00pm online via Zoom

For more information: https://www.themarriagecourse.org/

For course inquires: sjocalphamc@gmail.com

To register please click here

Mother's Day Walkathon

The Parish Women's Group invites all ladies and their families to wear pink and walk/bike/run to support breast cancer research

Saturday May 2nd at 8:00am starting at the Church parking lot

Please contact the Parish office 905-821-1331 to sign up

Bible Study: Life Everlasting - Heaven, Hell, Death, and Judgment

This study aims to help participants understand the Catholic teachings on the afterlife and live with eternal perspective.

5 week session starting Tuesday May 19th at 7:00pm to 8:45pm in the Nessinger Hall

Cost including workbook is $23. Please contact the Parish office 905-821-1331 to sign up

Potluck & Game Night

The Prime Time Club is inviting all seniors in the parish for a fun spring evening of food, games & great company

Friday May 22nd at 6:30pm in the Nessinger Hall

Cost is $5 plus bring a dish, dessert, or beverage to share

Please register at ptcsjoc@archtoronto.org

Women's Retreat

The Parish Women's Group is inviting all women to a Pentecost retreat with speaker Matthew Galli

Saturday May 23rd at 9:00am to 3:00pm in the Nessinger Hall

Lunch is provided, love offering is appreciated registration is required

Please contact the Parish office 905-821-1331 to sign up

A Day with Mary

The Archdiocese of Toronto invites you to "A Day With Mary"

Saturday May 30th alt 11:00am to 4:00pm at Villanova College in King City

Register for free https://www.archtoronto.org/mary

Afternoon Tea Party

The Catholic Women's League invites you to an afternoon tea party

Saturday May 30th at 11:00am to 3:00pm in the Nessinger Hall

Tickets are $35 per person ($25 for SJOC CWL Members). Please contact Leeann 647-929-6567 for info

Bundle Up Collection

The St. Vincent De Paul Society will be accepting donations of any condition of clothing, bedding & footwear; drapery & towels; and new toys

Saturday June 6th & Sunday June 7th in the Church parking lot

Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit

A work of St. Carlo Acutis, the exhibit showcases some of the many miracles of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world

Friday June 5th to Monday June 8th in the St. John of the Cross room

Summer Cross Camp: Registration now open!

The Parish will be holding its annual Cross Camp this summer for children entering grades one to six.

Weeks of July 13th to 17th and July 20th to 24th

For more information about the camp, and registration forms, please visit the Parish office or click here

Children's Liturgy

The Liturgy of the Word for children during Mass has returned

Every weekend during the Saturday 5pm and Sunday 10am, 12pm & 4pm Masses

All children ages 4 to 8 years old are invited to join .

Parish Children's Choir

The Parish Children's Choir invites all children from Grades 2-8 to join the choir

The choir will be practicing every Saturday at 10:00am and singing every other Sunday at the 10:00am Mass

Please contact Jade Coutinho at sjocchildrenschoir@gmail.com for more information

EDGE Youth Program

All youth in grades 5 to 8 are invited to join the EDGE program

Every other Thursday at 6:45pm to 8:45pm this Fall at the Parish

Make new friends and dive into the Catholic faith in a fun and meaningful way through interactive games, lessons, and discussions.

To learn more click here. Please contact Ryan Belluz at rbelluz@archtoronto.org for more information

Parish Prayer Group

The Prayer Group invites everyone to join their sessions

Every Friday at 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Parish

For more information please contact the Parish office at 905-821-1331

That Man Is You!

The Men's Fraternity Group invites all men ages 18 and up to join their new TMIY sessions "Thy Kingdom Come"

Every Saturday morning starting September 13th at 7:00am to 8:30am in the Nessinger Hall

The program is free of cost and breakfast is included

To learn more click here. To register click here.

EDGE Youth Program

All youth in grades 5 to 8 are invited to join the EDGE program

Every other Thursday from October 16th to June 11th at 6:45pm to 8:45pm at the Parish

Make new friends and dive into the Catholic faith in a fun and meaningful way through interactive games, lessons, and discussions.

To learn more click here. Please contact Ryan Belluz at rbelluz@archtoronto.org for more information

LIFE TEEN Youth Program

All youth in grades 9 to 12 are invited to join the LIFE TEEN program

Every other Sunday from October 19th to June 14th at 5:15pm to 7:15pm at the Parish

Navigate the challenges of adolescence such as peer pressure, academic stress, and family issues while building a deeper relationship with God.

To learn more click here. Please contact Ryan Belluz at rbelluz@archtoronto.org for more information

Schedule for First Communion 2026-2027

St. John of the Cross Church

First Communion registration meetings Part 1

Sunday, September 20/26 7:00 p.m. @ church

Tuesday, September 22/26 7:00 p.m. @ church

Reconciliation

Monday, November 23/26 7:00 p.m. @ church

Tuesday, November 24/26 7:00 p.m. @ church

First Communion Registration meetings Part 2

Sunday, January 17/27 7:00 p.m. @ church

Tuesday, January 19/27 7:00 p.m. @ church

Enrolment Ceremony

January 23/27 & January 24/27 and January 30/27 & January31/27

All masses

Ash Wednesday is February 10/27

Ester Sunday is March 28/27

First Communion masses

Saturday, April 10/27 10:30 a.m. @ church

Sunday, April 11/27 2:00 p.m. @ church

Saturday, April 17/27 10:30 a.m. @ church

Sunday, April 18/27 2:00 p.m. @ church

Schedule for Confimation 2026 - 2027

Confirmation - Parent Meetings

Sunday, September 27, 2026 6:00pm Church

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 7:00pm Church

Confirmation Rite of Enrollment at all Masses Saturday/Sunday

October 17/18 2026 & October 24/25 2026

Confirmation Dates for 2027 @ 7:00pm

Tuesday April 6, 2027

Thursday April 8, 2027

Tuesday April 13, 2027

Our Catholic School Councils provides an opportunity for parents and guardians to discern how their gifts and talents might serve the school community. As per the Ontario Regulation 612/00 and 298, the purpose of a school council is, through the active participation of the parents, to improve pupil achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education system to parents.

In addition to the purpose of school councils as identified in the regulation, the mission of the Catholic School Councils in the DPCDSB, is to promote, the vision, values, and sacramental life of Catholic practices for the Catholic communities we serve.

All parents/guardians are welcome to attend any St Richard Catholic Elementary School.

Neisma Peredo Chair

Melissa Larmour Secretary

Renata Bieniek Treasurer

Rachel Pinto OAPCE Representative

David Randall Parish Representative

Lynn Rockett Voting Member

Cynthia Sudeyko Voting Member

Stephanie Giorgio Voting Member

Milena Piasentin Voting Member

Magda Kaniewski Voting Member

Stephanie Ulman Voting Member

Khalisa McCooty-Edwards Voting Member

Patricia Achuo Arong Voting Member

Monday, September 22, 2025 6:30

Thursday, October 23, 2025 5:30 (Catholic Council Chair Meeting)

Monday, November 17, 2025 6:30

Monday, January 12, 2026 6:30

Monday, February 23, 2026 6:30

Thursday, April 23rd 2026 Budget Meeting online

Thursday, May 14th 2026 6:30

Monday, June 15th 2026 6:30

All new kindergarten families attending St Richard beginning September 2026, are invited to our Journey into Learning event being held at St Richard on Monday, May 4th. We look forward to welcoming you in September and hope that this presentation is informative and helps with your child's transition to JK.

We are very excited to share with you that ‘St. Richard’s Talent Show 2026 will be on May 8th at 9:00 a.m. We already know that St. Richard is full of talent and so this is a fantastic opportunity for the students to share and celebrate their creative performances - magic tricks, dance, singing, and playing an instrument. All are welcome!

May is the month we dedicate to Mary, the mother of our Saviour, Jesus.

All are welcome to attend. The primary Crowning of Mary will be at 9:00am and the Junior/Intermediate will be at 10:20 in our gym.

We celebrate Mary, who humbly and gladly accepted God’s will when she said “Yes” to our Lord. As we honour Mary and all mothers, we are reminded of the many blessings mothers bestow upon their children each and every day. Let us keep Mary and all mothers in our thoughts and prayers so that the honour and respect they deserve is not limited to one day or month in the year.

Friday, May 15th is a PA Day. There is no school for students.

Monday, May 18th is Victoria Day. School is closed.

Our school is proud to support the 2026 Pedal for Hope tour alongside the Canadian Cancer Society And Peel Regional Police. This event raises funds for childhood cancer research and support programs.

Pedal for Hope is a meaningful program where the Pedal for Hope team, made up of police officers, visits schools to spread hope and support children and families affected by cancer.

A school assembly will take place on Thursday, May 21, 2026 in our gym. Students will be able to participate in minute to win games, dancing, and dcheering with Peel Regional Police. 3 prizes will be given out to 3 students at random. (No donation is necessary to be chosen for the prizes)

You can donate directly to our school’s page using the link below:

School Fundraising Link

Please note that we are collecting as a school, not individual student fundraising pages.

You may also help raise money by purchasing merchandise for Pedal for Hope using the link below. Please note merch sales close as on May 1st.

Pedal for Hope Store

Video from previous events in other jurisdictions

On Tuesday, May 26th frefighters will be at St Richard giving presentations about fire safety and prevention for all students.

Our Grade 3 students will be writing in EQAO on June 1st and 2nd Make up day June 3rd

Our Grade 6 students will be writing EQAO on June 3rd and 4th Make up day June 6th

Students are able to purchase Ice Dawgs after last recess every Tuesday and Friday. All profits made from the sale of the Ice Dawgs will be to help offset the cost of our Grade 8 Graduation Trip. Please see below for ingredients list. The cost of the Ice Dawgs is $2.50

Ingredients:

Ice Cream: Fresh milk and/or fresh cream, Sugar (sugar, corn syrup solids, dextrose), Modified Milk ingredients, Mono and diglycerides, Guar gum, Polysorbate 80, Carrageenan, Natural and/or artificial vanilla flavour, caramel colour

Cookie: Enriched wheat flour, Sugars (brown sugar, sugar), Semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, dextrose, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), Liquid whole egg, Soybean and modified palm oil margarine, Unsweetened applesauce (apples, ascorbic acid), Baking soda, Vanilla extract.

Allergens: Wheat, Soy, Egg, Milk

I am very excited to share that we have been accepted into the YMCA Nutrition Program. All students who need a healthy snack can come by the main office between 8:15-8:30 every morning to pick up a snack.

Kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year at Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) schools is now open. The DPCDSB offers the Kindergarten program in 126 Catholic elementary schools in Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Bolton and Orangeville.

Parents/guardians can register online at dpcdsb.org.

Registration is open to Catholic children and children of Catholic parents. Kindergarten students must be at least four (4) years of age by December 31, 2026.

The following documents are required to complete the registration process:

• Proof of age of the child
• Original Roman Catholic baptismal certificate (for child and/or parent/guardian) or original baptismal certificate from a church in full communion with the Holy See of Rome or an Eastern Catholic Church.
• Immunization Reference #’s from the local Public Health Unit
• Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status
• Proof of home address
• Proof of English Separate School Support

Please refer to the Registration webpage for accepted forms of documentation.

Inquiries about home school locations/boundary areas should be directed to the DPCDSB Planning Department at 905-890-0708 ext. 24440.

For more information, parents/guardians should contact their local Catholic school, visit the DPCDSB website at dpcdsb.org, or call DPCDSB’s Admissions Department at 905-890-1221.

The Lunch Lady school lunch program is coming to St Richard on Monday starting September 22nd.

Please see the link below to set up an account. You will need to enter your child's name and select your child's teacher information as a part of your account information.

Lunch options include kid favourites such as pasta, burgers, grilled cheese, shepherd's pie, as well as many "breakfast for lunch", vegetarian, gluten free and halal options. There's even a specialized "Little Lunches" menu for our younger students to enjoy!

You can place or cancel your order by 8 am on the delivery date.

Once you create an account you can order every week or only for the days that suit your schedule.

https://order.lunchlady.ca/Security/Registration

Starting Tuesday, October 14th we will be having pizza days every Tuesday and Friday. We have chosen Little Ceasars Pizza as our provider this year. We are excited to let you know that pizza will also be available for purchase on pizza days. The cost of the pizza will be $3.00.

All sales must be made through School Cash Online. There will be no purchasing of food on Harveys days.

We are excited to share that beginning on Thursday October 16th, St. Richard will be offering Swiss Chalet lunches to all students every Thursday.

Students will have the option between:

• Quarter Chicken, dark meat
• Quarter Chicken, white meat
• Pierogies
• Chicken Strips

All meal options come with the choice of one side:

• Garden salad
• Cesear salad
• Mashed pototoes
• Rice
• Veggies

All the details are on SchoolCash online!

Anyone working with children as an employee or volunteer must have a Criminal Reference Check/Vulnerable Sector Check completed by the Peel Police.

ALL volunteers including those going on one day school trips MUST have a Criminal Reference check. The Criminal Reference Check for volunteers may take a number of days for the paperwork to be processed and has to be done through Peel Police.

If you already have a Criminal Reference Check on file at the school, please ensure you have completed the yearly Criminal Offence Declaration form with the office.

https://rec-check.peelpolice.ca/

Emergency response procedures in the event of a fire, bomb threat, serious accident/injury or an intruder have been established and are revised on an ongoing basis. Each school within the DPCDSB is required to hold 9 emergency procedure drills over the course of the year.

These drills consist of three fire drills per term, one lockdown drill per term, and 1 hold and secure drill per year. During these drills staff review all emergency procedures with students to ensure all children are safe in the event of a real emergency.

In the event that it is necessary to evacuate the school, our site for relocation is St John of the Cross Church located at 6890 Glen Erin Drive.

St Richard Catholic School actively encourages and promotes regular and punctual attendance. Educational research has consistently shown that student progress and academic success are closely related to regular attendance and active participation in the day-to-day activities of the school. Frequent absences from school jeopardize a student’s successful completion of any level.

Ultimately, responsibility for attendance lies with the student and the parent.

Although trips and vacations may provide diverse learning experiences, the school does not support travel or vacations during class time. The content covered in each grade is important and requires attendance. While parents may choose to travel during the school year, the time missed from class is recorded as an absence and counted in the total absence record for the term and the year. Also, assessment and evaluation can become problematic.

What takes place in the classroom is the work. What occurs as a follow up is either completion of in-class work, or practice and review of the skills and knowledge gained in the classroom.

Successful students attend all classes, consult with teachers, hand in assignments, take pride in themselves and their accomplishments, study and complete homework daily and set realistic goals.

Please use the school messenger app/website/phone number to report your child's absences.

https://go.schoolmessenger.ca

1-844-435-3440

Open communication between home and school is very important. Although we will be reporting to you formally during the year, please do not hesitate to contact the classroom teacher at any time if you have questions or concerns. A phone call on the onset of a concern usually resolves itself before it becomes a problem. On our part, if we have any concerns about your child, we will also contact you at the earliest opportunity.

Sabrina’s Law is an Act to protect anaphylactic pupils in publicly funded schools in Ontario. Named “Sabrina’s Law” in honour of an Ontario student who died following an anaphylactic reaction in 2003, this law requires that every school board establish and maintain an anaphylaxis policy.

If your child has a severe allergic reaction to peanuts, peanut by-products, bee/wasp stings etc., please let the school know as soon as possible. It is essential that the information you provide us with is accurate and up-to-date. There are various forms which need to be completed by you and your family doctor if it is necessary to store and dispense an EPI-pen or any other medication at school.

We continue to have both students and staff with severe, life threatening allergy to certain foods, such as peanuts and nuts. This is a medical condition that may cause severe and life threatening reactions to certain allergens within minutes. Although this may or may not affect your child’s class directly, we require your continued cooperation in sending foods to school with your child that are free from peanuts, nuts or their by-products.

Please do not send food products to be shared in your child’s classroom. If you would like your child to share their special day/birthday with their classmates, we suggest that you consider non-food items such as pencils or stickers.

Ryan’s Law is an Act to protect Asthmatic pupils in publicly funded schools in Ontario. If your child has asthma please let the school know immediately. It is essential that the information you provide us with is accurate and up-to-date.

Ryan’s Law introduced policies and procedures that:

Allow your child to carry his/her asthma reliever (rescue) inhaler (with your permission).

Reduce your child’s contact with asthma triggers.

Develop an individual plan for every student with asthma, including recommendations from their health-care providers and current emergency contacts. This will be kept on file at the school.

If you have more questions about

Ryan’s Law?

Call The Lung Association Lung Health Information Line at 1-888-344-LUNG (5864), email info@on.lung.ca, or visit www.RyansLaw.ca.

If a child is required to bring medication to school, procedures regarding the administration of medication shall only be adopted:

· when requested by the parents/guardians; and

· when authorized by a physician; and

· when medication must be provided during school hours

A designated staff member must administer medication; hence, a signed request/authorization form from the parents/guardians and the supervising physician, must be obtained. These forms are available through the school office. The required authorization forms and the medication shall be delivered to the principal or designated person by the parents/guardians. All medication will be housed in a safe location. Medication must not be kept in the child’s possession or in the classroom except for EpiPens and asthma inhalers.

It is highly encouraged that students who have an anaphylactic allergy or who have asthma, keep their epi-pen and/or inhaler on their person at all times. If able, it is recommended that your child bring two epipens and/or two asthma inhaler to the school. This would allow your child to keep this medication on their person as well as ensuring that the school office has an additional set of medication.

Please note that school staff cannot dispense medication of any kind without the proper physician authorization and a properly labeled container, (i.e. prescription bottle or original over the counter container).

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board has the following policy regarding Personal Electronic Devices in place for all schools.

The Board recognizes the importance of the use of PED’s by students at school and the benefits in their classroom. As part of our policy, students may bring their own device (B.Y.O.D.) for learning purposes. As part of our efforts to promote and maintain a positive Catholic climate in our schools, all PEDs must be kept out of sight, turned off, and not used within school premises or during school-sanctioned activities; unless the classroom teacher grants specific permission for use.

This policy applies to field trips, retreats, sporting events, etc. as well as daily classroom activities. Personal Electronic devices (PEDs) include, but are not limited to cell phones, iPods, iPads, cameras, ...

Please note that it is optional for students to bring their devices to school and it is their responsibility to follow the school and Board policies set out in the “Personal Electronic Device used with Wi-Fi Network Student Agreement.”

When a student receives an injury to the head, it is Board Policy that we inform parents. We will attempt to reach you even when it is a minor injury. Please try not to be too alarmed should you receive a call. Please remind your child to let a staff member know immediately, if they are hurt at school.

As in previous years, all head injuries will be logged and reported to parents/guardians directly. We ask that you please inform the school as soon as possible when your son/daughter sustains a concussion because of a school incident or because of an activity outside of school. Questions or concerns regarding this policy should be directed to the Main Office. Your cooperation and assistance are greatly appreciated.