Principal's Newsletter - July 2024
Principal’s Message
Last week, we bid farewell and adieu to the Graduating Class of 2024!!!!! What a beautiful ceremony! Congratulations to all of our graduates and their families. Thank you to our Grad Committee and Awards Committee for organizing and coordinating a wonderful celebration.
As we close off the third and final year of our current board theme “Gratitude, Rooted in Joy, Fills Us With Hope” I would like to thank each of our families for entrusting us with your young ones! I HOPE you continue to commit to putting actions to your hopes so that they can become a reality. Set a new goal, try something new, and plan how you will get there.
Wishing all of our students a safe and adventurous summer!
Mme Al Koura
Catholic School Council
Thank you again to the members of our Catholic School Council for all of their hard work and unwavering commitment/support. Please join us on Thursday, September 19th for the St Patrick’s Meet the Teacher, where you can meet our Council Members and learn more about joining our team. All parents are invited to keep an eye out for the confirmed date of our first meeting in the Fall! Many hands make for light work!
High School Athletic Awards
High School sports wrapped up another year with our annual athletic banquet on Monday, June 10th. At the banquet, coaches recognized two athletes from each team awarding them medals for their hard work and dedication to their team. Our major awards were also handed out at the event. Here is a list of the major awards for this year:
BILL PAYNTER AWARD – JACQUELINE MARRS
MOUSA ABDEL-HUSSEIN MEMORIAL AWARD – CALEB WEEKES
SENIOR MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – KIERAN COUGHLAN
SENIOR FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR - JACQUELINE MARRS
JUNIOR MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – PEDRO WAMBA
JUNIOR FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – ISABELLA BATURAN
SENIOR MALE STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – CARTER DALIPAJ
SENIOR FEMALE STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – KEIKO POMAKIS
JUNIOR MALE STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – OMAR SHABANA
JUNIOR FEMALE STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – EMILY BYRNE
JUNIOR MALE LEADERSHIP AWARD – KARIM ASSAAD
JUNIOR FEMALE LEADERSHIP AWARD – EMA AJDINI
SENIOR MALE LEADERSHIP AWARD – KIERAN COUGHLAN
SENIOR FEMALE LEADERSHIP AWARD - ANIKA EDWARD
Uniforms
A reminder to all parents that students are expected to be in full uniform on the first day of school. Parents are encouraged to submit their uniform orders in asap (if not already done). Here is the LINK for Top Marks in case you have not ordered yet!!! A reminder that black jeans, black jogging pants and black leggings (when worn without the skirt/kilt on top) are NOT acceptable uniform bottoms. Let’s start off the 2024-2025 school year in proper uniform!!!!!
Message from OSTA
Information accuracy affects OSTA’s planning. Any changes to your home or alternate addresses must be provided to your school. It is critical that parents and guardians provide their school with any changes to home/alternate addresses AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to avoid extended waiting for a transportation change in the fall.
OSTA’s Parent Web Portal (Bus Stop Finder) will be closed from the end of June until mid-August. The portal will reopen with next year’s transportation information. Please regularly check OSTA’s website and social media pages for important transportation announcements, deadlines, and other vital information.
Not Using the Bus Next Year? Let OSTA Know by Declining Transportation
Are you eligible for transportation but not using it next year? Decline today. Keeping OSTA informed is important as it allows us to better use available transportation services for those who need them. For more information, visit OSTA’s website.
School Zone Safety and Walk-A-Block
Help make your school zone safer. Reduce congestion around your school site by parking away from it and using #Walk-a-Block instead. Find your school map here.
Take the Wheel and Drive Yellow Today
Looking for a satisfying part-time job that fits your work-life balance? Take the wheel and drive yellow. Yellow school bus drivers are impactful workers who are highly valued by our communities for getting kids safely to school. Visit driveyellow.ca for more information on becoming a school bus driver.
Recognizing our Dedicated School Bus and Special Transportation Drivers
As we look back on the challenges of the past school year, the shortage of school bus drivers stands out as a significant issue that affected many families, causing disruptions in transportation services. While efforts to recruit new drivers are ongoing, it's essential to recognize that retaining our current drivers is equally crucial in addressing this shortage.
Let's set an example for our children by teaching them to show respect and gratitude towards these essential workers. Recognizing the contributions of school bus drivers not only fosters empathy and kindness but also nurtures a culture of appreciation within our school community. Together, as parents, schools and students, we can create a supportive and respectful environment that honours the invaluable role of our school bus drivers. By collectively acknowledging and respecting these dedicated professionals, we can ensure our children's continued safety and well-being during their daily commute.
Dental Screenings
Has your child missed the school dental screening? Community Dental Screenings are held over the summer at Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs. The calendar poster is attached.
Dental screenings and fluoride varnish applications are free for all ages. Registered dental hygienists can also support clients with the Healthy Smiles Ontario and Ontario Seniors Dental Care Plan enrollments.
For the full list of programs/services, schedule and locations of Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs, please visit: www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/NeighbourhoodHub
Immunization Surveillance
For the 2024-2025 school year, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) will be resuming their review of student immunization records as required by the Immunization of School Pupils Act. Students may be at risk of suspension if their records are not updated within the given timeframe. Please read this Immunization Letter from OPH to ensure your child is up-to-date on their immunizations.
Important Dates
Please mark your calendars for key dates for the 2024-2025 school year!
First Day of School
September 3, 2024
Meet the Teacher
September 19, 2024
PD Day
October 11, 2024
Thanksgiving Day
October 14, 2024
PD Day
November 8, 2024
PD Day
December 2, 2024
Christmas Break
Dec 23, 2024 - Jan 3, 2025
First Day Back after Christmas Break
January 6, 2025
First Semester Exams (High School ONLY)
January 23-29, 2025
PD Day
January 31, 2025
First Day of Semester 2
February 3, 2025
Family Day
February 17, 2025
March Break
March 10-14, 2025
First Day of School after March Break
March 17, 2025
PD Day
April 4, 2025
Good Friday
April 18, 2025
Easter Monday
April 21, 2025
Victoria Day
May 19, 2025
PD Day
June 6, 2025
Second Semester Exams (High School ONLY)
June 19-15, 2025
Last Day of School
June 26, 2025
PD Day
June 27, 2025
Have a wonderful, restful and happy Summer Break!
Letter of Attendance Requests -- 48 Hours Notice Required
Please be advised that due to the volume of requests being received , the Main Office will require 48 hours to complete a letter of attendance . If you require a letter confirming the attendance of your child at St. Patrick's High School, please contact the office via email at patrick.high@ocsb.ca or call us directly at 613-733-0501. When making the request, please include your child's full name and grade as well as your contact information.
School Uniform Policy
SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICY
The school uniform at St. Patrick’s High School is both a source of pride and identification for the school. By registering at St. Patrick’s, a student is agreeing to uphold the uniform regulations from the time they arrive at school until the end of the school day, including the lunch break. Students who fail to comply with school uniform expectations may be sent home to change into the school uniform or they may be assigned a consequence.
Uniform clothing is ordered through TOP MARKS, our supplier. Orders are placed through the company, and clothing is sent directly to students’ homes by courier.
Our Supplier information is below:
Top Marks www.topmarks.ca
St Patrick’s High School code PAT02
Toll free 1-800-667-7105 (customer service)
**School Uniform consists of garments produced by TOP MARKS for St. Patrick’s High School. All tops will bear a St. Patrick’s logo. All bottoms will bear the TOP MARKS tag.**
UNIFORM INCLUDES
black pants
Tartan skort
black skort
black cargo shorts,
white polo shirt / white blouse or white long or short sleeve shirt with St Patrick’s school logo
St. Patrick’s V-neck sweater, Crew neck sweater, or rugby shirt are permitted; older versions of the uniform (i.e. the St. Patrick's Intermediate hooded sweatshirt) are no longer part of the uniform
7/8 physical education uniform includes black gym shorts and a grey t-shirt and is mandatory for all grade 7 and 8 students.
PLEASE NOTE
solid black tights or leggings may be worn under uniform skirts or kilts; pants, jeans or sweatpants are not permitted under the kilt
REMINDERS
students may wear a plain white T-shirt under a uniform shirt or blouse; wearing a hooded sweatshirt under a school long- or short-sleeved shirt is not permitted
girls may wear a plain white ladies’ camisole under a uniform shirt or blouse; (plain white implies no writing, no logos, no diagrams)
camisoles may not be worn with sweater cardigans unless under a TOP MARKS shirt or Blouse;
skirts and kilts must be worn at a respectable length and such that undergarments are not visible;
Pants and shorts are worn such that undergarments are not visible;
shirts, blouses, and sweater must be worn so shoulders and torsos are covered;
Hats and bandanas are not permitted;
the last Monday of each month (with the exception of June) may be designated a “Dress Up Day” to support a designated charity. Students are reminded to exercise good taste in the selection of their “dress up” apparel.
every Wednesday is designated St. Patrick’s Spirit Day. Students may wear their St. Patrick’s school team or club shirt, with proper uniform bottoms;
students must be in proper uniform for any off-site excursions or activities unless otherwise approved by Administration;
Clothing or accessories that are deemed to be gang related in the opinion of Ottawa Police are unacceptable and not allowed in the school;
any clothing or accessory that is deemed to be inappropriate in the opinion of the Administration is unacceptable and is not allowed in the school.
Wearing clothing with culturally insensitive messages or images is not in keeping with our Catholic value of promoting a safe, caring and inclusive school community. All students are encouraged to wear respectful clothing at all times when on school property or on a school related activity.