St. Thomas More
April 2020: Welcome One Another As Christ Has Welcomed You
St. Thomas More
3270 Tomken Road
Mississauga, ON., L4Y 2Y7
(905) 279-6472
Fax: (905) 279-3205
Principal
M. Noce
Vice-Principal
M. Limarzi
Administrative Staff
L. Antilope
M. Shahbaz (M. Gallant)
Superintendent
M. Lewis
(905) 890-1221
Trustee
Mario Pascucci
Mississauga Wards 1 & 3
(905) 302-3096
(905) 890-0708 x20161
Catholic School Council Chair
C. Abdo/M. Conte
Pastor
Rev. John Facey
St. Patrick’s Church
(905) 270-2301
Website: https://www.dpcdsb.org/TMORE
Location: 3270 Tomken Road, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Phone: 9052796472
Twitter: @stthomasmore19
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Pope Francis' Prayer to Virgin Mary for Protection from the Coronavirus
O Mary,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman People,
know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings
and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection.
Amen.
Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
I hope this message finds you, your family and loved ones healthy and safe. I know you have
many questions about how our team of educators will be supporting our students in their learning during the school closure.
I also know many of our staff members and students have been keeping in contact during the closure, whether it’s been through a classroom tool or social media. We all care about our students and families and want to maintain these important connections.
As you know, on March 20, the province provided phase one of this learning, which includes online opportunities for students to engage in independent learning through Learn at Home. Additional online learning resources are available on our Board website. In the coming days, more information will be provided as to what the continuity of learning and well being will look like, and ways to work and interact with our students while being apart.
Please continue to take care of yourselves, your families and your loved ones. I know everyone is dealing with a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty at this time. If you or others in your family are experiencing emotional distress, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional. There are also crisis counselling supports available, if needed, through the KidsHelpPhone 1-800-668-6868; Catholic Family Services 905- 897-1644; and Mental Health Helpline 1-866-531-2600. For those in our community who are essential workers, thank you and I will continue to pray for all that you are doing to keep our communities safe, healthy and fed.
For those who are able, please stay home as much as possible to flatten the curve of this pandemic and help keep our healthcare workers and first responders safe. Further, I want to thank all our families who are staying at home. Although we have never faced something like this before, we can get through this together, while staying apart. As trusting children, we turn to Our Loving Father to beg mercy for all as this pandemic threatens human life. We must pray in solidarity, with care, and perseverance. My prayers for health and safety are with you all.
Mary Noce
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER
This Holy Week (April 6-10 ) we await Jesus' resurrection on Easter (April 12). This is a time for us to remember the greatest GIFT that God has given all of us is LOVE.
We may be celebrating Easter differently than we have in the past; however, we are reminded that in our celebrations we celebrate with the ones we love, and that WE are ONE in His image. At this time, more than ever, we must come together in our Faith for each other. Share HIS LOVE ALWAYS!
Land Acknowledgement
Class Placements
The planning process that will result in the school / class organization for the 2020-2021 school year will be beginning in the coming months. It is our hope that by sharing the information concerning school organization, you will understand the care and thought that is required to develop a plan for each of our students.
The task is complex, time consuming and because it is consensus seeking, must be the subject of many revisions. The process will begin soon and will continue right up to September.
Our primary goal is to develop balanced classes. A balanced class reflects the diversity of our community and allows the variety of interests and talents of our learners to emerge and be appreciated.
It is our hope that each new school year brings opportunities for students to meet new friends and expand their circle of acquaintances. We try to place the child where he or she will be able to work best and achieve the most success. In building classes we use the following criteria:
1. Heterogeneous groupings—a balance of abilities in each class.
2. A balance according to gender.
3. Best matching the students’ learning style with the teacher’s teaching style.
4. If a child was in a combined class this year, we will do our best to try to place that child in a straight grade class. However, this is not always possible.
5. Social blending—we attempt to place students in groupings where they will learn effectively. This should not be viewed as a grouping of friends. At particular stages, some close friends learn best in separate classes.
The staff are a group of dedicated professionals. Years of meeting the learning needs of children gives them the unique qualifications to make these decisions. It takes many hours of discussion, reflection, revision and consideration of alternatives to arrive at the best organization for our school.
Please note that parental input is important to us and is weighed with other criteria. Specific teacher requests cannot be considered. Rather, if necessary, parental input, in the form of a letter to the Principal, Mrs. Noce, should focus on the learning style of the student and the type of environment best for student learning. Letters should be submitted to Mrs. Noce by April 30.
Please note: An information box is forthcoming to submit your input via e-mail. Thank you for your patience in this matter.
Pizza and Specialty Order Updates
Due to the school closure, refunds are being processed for all Catholic School Council Pizza Orders and Specialty Orders (Mr. Submarine, Pita Pit and Pretzels). We appreciate your patience as these funds are returned to you for the duration of the expected closure.
St. Thomas More Catholic School Council Chocolate Fundraiser
Resources for Learning @ Home
Ministry of Education: Learn at Home Portal
Special Education and Learning Services
Scholastic Learn at Home
Mash Up Math
Mathies
History for Kids
Yoga for Kids
Are Your Children Using Google Classroom? Read Below!
Family Games for @ Home Fun
Here are just a few:
Snakes and Ladders
Monopoly
Game of Life
Trouble
Battleship
Card Games (for example: Go Fish)
Connect 4
Chess
Checkers