“Education is not about knowing things or taking lessons but about being able to use three lingos: those of the head, the heart, and the hands…learning so that you can think about what you feel and do, can feel what you think and do, and can do what you feel and think. Unity within a person”

Pope Francis

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year at Our Lady of Mercy. We are all excited to have
students back in our classrooms and hallways filling them with energy and enthusiasm for
learning. We want to extend a very special welcome to our kindergarten students and new
students who will be joining our OLM community.

Going back to school after the long summer can be a time of excitement for many children (and
parents 🙂 However, for some children the transition back to school, especially for
kindergarteners and the new students can be stressful or worrisome. We would like to share some
tips that will help you and your family keep organized, create routines, and support your
child(ren) to be the best at school.

1. Use a calendar
Your children will be better prepared for school when they can visually see when school will
start again. A good idea is to hang a calendar in their room and let them mark off each day with a
colorful pen until the new school year starts.

2. Re-establish daily routines and bedtime routines early
Establishing consistent routines is very important for children. Getting enough sleep is critical
for a child to stay healthy and be successful. They will need some time to get back to the
sleeping pattern that they had before the summer holidays started. In order to make it easier for
children to be awake early in the morning, parents can introduce a bedtime routine one to two
weeks before school starts.

Create a bedtime routine that is consistent to help your children settle down and fall asleep. For
example, a calming pre-bedtime routine may involve a bath/shower, reading with them, tucking
them in and saying goodnight.
Have your children turn off electronic devices well before bedtime and remove the electronics
from the bedroom. Try to have the home as quiet and calm as possible when younger children
are trying to fall asleep.

3. Make the unknown environment more familiar
If your children are worried about the fact that they will start school in a new environment such
as a new classroom or where they will line up, bring your children to the school so that they can
become more familiar with the new place. It is also a good idea to have a conversation with them
about all the positive aspects at school such as their favorite subject and the activities they love at
school.

4. If your child(ren) is worried…
One of the most powerful ways you can support your children through the process of returning to
school is by trying to understand how they are feeling about it.

• find the right time to ask them questions to get a sense of what’s on their mind. Help identify
  what they are worried about. Listening to what they are experiencing – give them an open space
  to talk about what’s going on or ask questions
• encourage them to problem-solve
• focus on the positive aspects (what are they looking forward to or are curious about)
• role play different scenarios to build confidence
• be supportive but don’t allow your child to stay at home

5. Pack your bags the night before
There are quite a few things you can do the night before to help the morning rush run a little
more smoothly. Can you have backpacks packed, and waiting by the door? Can you encourage
your children to pick out their clothes and have them ready? Can you prepare lunches the night
before? These little things can go a long way to help you feel prepared.

6. Eating healthy
Studies show that pupils who have a nutritious breakfast and a healthy lunch function better.
They do better in school and have better concentration and more energy. In advance, ask your
children about healthy food that they like to take to school. Maybe your children like particular
fruits or vegetables which you can pack, as well as a healthy sandwich.

7. Give kids time to adjust
Different kids will be feeling different things – excitement, nervousness, uncertainty – about
going back to school. It’s important to give them time to transition back.

Teach Children How to Cross the Street Safely

1. Look left, then right, then left again before crossing the street, even if you’re at a crosswalk or if there is a walk signal. Then remind them to continue looking until safely across.
2. It’s always best to walk on sidewalks or paths and cross at street comers, using traffic signals and
   crosswalks. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
3. Just because you can see a driver doesn’t mean the driver can see you. Try to make eye contact with
   approaching drivers so you know that they see you.
4. Wait for the car and driver to stop before you cross and then follow the walk signs.
5. Children under 10 need to cross the street with an adult. Every child is different, but developmentally, most
   kids are unable to judge the speed and distance of oncoming cars until age 10.
6. Encourage kids to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up. Be careful in parking lots,
   driveways, and other places where pedestrian crashes are common. Look for signs that a car is about to
   move or back up, such as rear lights, the sound of the motor, and wheels turning.
7. Teach kids not to run or dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
8. If kids are walking when it’s dark out, teach them to be especially alert and make sure they are visible to
   drivers. Have them wear light- or brightly-colored clothing and reflective gear.

Take Action Against Distraction

1. Cross the street responsibly – don’t text, listen to music, or do anything else that will distract you. Stay aware
   of your surroundings and walk, don’t rnn, across the street.
2. Teach kids to put phones, headphones and devices down when crossing the street. It is particularly important to
   reinforce the message with teenagers.
3. Pull headphones down or tum off the volume before crossing the street.
4. Be aware of others who may be distracted and speak up when you see someone who is in danger.
5. If kids need to use a cell phone, teach them to stop walking and find a safe area to talk.

Let Your Actions Speak as Loudly as Your Words

1. Be a good role model. Set a good example by putting your phone, headphones and devices down when walking
   around cars.
2. When driving, put cell phones and other distractions in the back seat or out of sight until your final destination.
3. Be especially alert and slow down when driving in residential neighborhoods and school zones. Be on the lookout
   for bikers, walkers or runners who may be distracted or may step into the street unexpectedly.
4. Give pedestrians the right of way and look both ways when making a turn to spot any bikers, walkers or mnners
   who may not be immediately visible.

By following these tips while driving and teaching your kids to be cautious pedestrians, you can help keep your children out of harm’s way throughout the school year.

Please note that this notice does not apply to Kindergarten parents.

Please see below.

FUEL Catering

Fuel Catering has teamed up with MunchaLunch.com as our online ordering system provider.

We only accept hot lunch order by credit card (Visa or Master Card). It’s quick and easy to pay online, and only requires your cc number, exp date, and cvc.

No cheque or cash payments will be accepted.

FOR NEW FAMILIES.. HOW TO REGISTER:

• Go to: https:muchalunch.com/schools/ourladyofmercy
• Click the “Register Here” button. The system will guide you through.
• After adding your children, click the green “Order Lunch!” button to order
• Next time, just click the “Login Here” button to access your account.

RETURNING parents can go directly to the login page: https://munchalunch.com/login.

ORDERING DETAIL:

• There are increases to prices on our menu this year. As you are aware, with inflation affecting food, supplies, fuel and labour we had to apply these increases to our food and services. We will always thank you for your support!
• Online ordering will be OPEN the first week of September and will close 7 days prior (every Tuesday at midnight) to the next scheduled hot lunch date.
• This term of hot lunches will run from September to January. Hot lunches are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the exception of the first school week of lunches. You can order the full term or order monthly. Term 2 lunches run February to June.
• Please ensure that you have PAID for all orders, as this system will NOT include UNPAID orders to our reports.
• If you need assistance with ordering please contact us at [email protected] please remember to include your name, school name, student and class.

Allergies: It is the sole responsibility of the parent/purchaser to ensure that the ingredients in our products being purchased is safe for consumption due to allergies. We are a nut free facility however cannot guarantee that the ingredients we use come from a nut free facility or guarantee it has not been cross contaminated with nuts. Please contact us at [email protected] for nutritional information or specific allergen information on our menu items.

Absent: In the event that you have to cancel your child’s lunch order, we will require 48 hrs. Notice for a full credit to be issued on to your account. Refunds will not be given for children absent on lunch days; however, you are welcome to pick up their order at lunchtime or you can contact school for pick up arrangements.

A portion of hot lunch sales will go towards your school. Thank you for the support!

Happy Ordering!

Good afternoon Parents,

We are excited to announce that Our Lady of Mercy has started a leadership
club. This club is open to grade 6 & 7 students and what a response we have
had!

The leadership club will focus on :

➔ Raising school spirit
➔ Learning leadership skills
➔ Organizing school wide activities
➔ Public speaking
➔ Fundraising for charities and school projects

To start the school year we will be hosting a mini Spirit Week for the whole
school from September 20-22!

September 20 – Welcome back Hot Dog Day
Each student will receive one free Hot Dog, Bag of Chips, and Juice box.

September 21 – Crazy Hair Day
$2.00 to participate – no uniform required on this day for students
participating.

September 22 – Frozen Treat Friday
$1.00 per treat – frozen treats will be sold after school until 3:20 by the gym
doors.

We look forward to raising school spirit and watching our leaders blossom.