Principal's Newsletter August 2024

Principal’s Message

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year!  I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable summer and is ready to welcome the 2024-2025 school year. This year, we begin Year 1 of our Board’s new 3-year Spiritual Theme: We are called to Open Doors, Build Bridges, Nourish New Beginnings.  “Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock…” (Rev 3:20)  As we OPEN our DOORS on September 3rd, our first day of school, the Irish family will be welcoming many new students and staff!  We are growing in numbers and have even added a few more portables.  

This year, we are welcoming a new member to our Administration team: Mme Paula Joly.  Mme Joly is joining us after serving the St Paul High School community as Vice-Principal for over 6 years. Mme Joly will be working with families with last names starting with A - D.  Welcome to the Irish Family!  

I am happy to share the news that our Technology department is undergoing a major renovation.  The Transportation and Construction classrooms are being updated and modernized to meet the changing needs of these programs.  At the moment, the Transportation classroom is undergoing this construction and we hope to have it back online by the Second Semester.  

I would also like to thank our Custodial Staff, Office and Support staff as well as our Guidance Team for their continued dedication to complete all summer tasks so that we are prepared to welcome your children on Tuesday.  

There are many important points in this first Newsletter and I kindly ask you to take a few moments to go through the various points.

Stay Safe and Be Well!

Mme Al Koura

Catholic School Council

Welcome/Bienvenue to our new and returning families to the 2024/2025 school year!

Our first Catholic School Council meeting will take place on Monday, September 23rd at 7:00 pm. At this first meeting, we will elect our executive council; confirm the dates of our future meetings; and vote to pass the recently revised Constitution. Note: only executive members can vote. Click here to see a list of the eligible council positions.

If you are unable to attend this first meeting but have an interest in one of the council positions, please send an email to the school office with a subject line of “re Catholic School Council” and indicate your position of interest by no later than 3 pm on Monday, September 23rd.

This meeting will be hybrid. For virtual attendance, please email the school to get a link for the meeting and for those joining in-person, meet us in the Learning Commons. 

We look forward to working with you this upcoming school year.

First Day Procedures

The first day of school is Tuesday, September 3rd.  Students in Grade 7 are to report to the 7/8 Gym while students in Grade 8 are to report to Gym C in the Main building.  They will meet their Homeroom teachers there before proceeding to their homerooms.  Students should receive a communication from Homeroom teachers later this week to confirm who they should be looking for when they arrive in their respective spaces.

High School Student schedules will be available from MyStudentInfo.ca after 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 31st.  For students who do not have access to MyStudentInfo.ca, they can report to the Mall/Atrium where they can get their schedule from a member of Student Services. 

All eLearning students must report to the Learning Commons to check-in.  They will be required to attend an orientation. The orientation is essential to ensure that you are able to login and have access to the correct course. eLearning uses different tools than Hapara, so you will want a quick tour to help you navigate the online learning environment.

In case you didn't see it, here is the LINK for the letter that was sent home earlier this week with some important first day information.

Bell Schedule

7-8

Entrance Bell 

8:25 am

Period 1

8:30 am - 9:25 am

Period 2

9:30 am - 10:20 am

Period 3

10:25 am - 11:15 am

Period 4

11:20 am - 12:10 pm

Lunch

12:10 pm - 12:50 pm

Period 5

12:55 pm - 1:45 pm

Period 6

1:50 pm - 2:40 pm

9-12 

Entrance Bell

8:25 am

Homeroom

8:30 am - 8:40 am

Period 1

8:40 am - 9:55 am

Period 2

10:00 am - 11:15 am

Lunch

11:15 am - 12:00 pm

Period 3

12:05 pm - 1:20 pm

Period 4

1:25 pm - 2:40 pm

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!!!!!t Services - Welcome, High School Schedules and Course Changes

The Student Services Department looks forward to welcoming students and working with parents this school year.  We invite you to visit the Student Services section of our school website (sph.ocsb.ca) for important information on Grade 7-12 programming, Community Service Hours Opportunities and Graduation & Post-Secondary information.  Appointment requests forms can also be accessed through this site. Please note:  dates and information will be updated throughout the school year as they become available.

High School Schedules (Grades 9-12)

Schedules for the current school year will be finalized the week before school.  

Returning students are asked to check their MySPH portal to view an updated schedule on Monday evening (September 2nd).  Students can go directly to their Period 1 class on Tuesday morning. Updated schedules will be refreshed in the system by Saturday evening.

Students who are new to the school will not be able to access MySPH and are asked to come to Student Services for a copy of their schedule.  Volunteers will be available to help students find their classes and to answer any questions. 

If a student has a blank on their schedule or needs to drop a course taken in Summer school, they are asked to come to Student Services during the blank period to select a course. If a student’s blank is in Semester 2, they are asked to complete a course change request form.

Students should ensure the following:

• They have a full schedule - 8 courses for the year. Grade 12 students can have one study period/spare per semester if it works as part of their graduation plan.

• They have all course prerequisites for the courses on their schedule.

• Graduating students have all courses required for post-secondary (Ontario universities require a minimum of six 4U or 4M level courses, Ontario Colleges require a Grade 12 English for all programs)- research website is available on the Student Services section of the school website.

High School Schedule Changes (Grades 9-12)

An online course change request form will be available on the school website (Student Services section) on Tuesday, September 3rd to address any issues with schedules. The form will be open until Wednesday, September 11th (8:00pm).  Course changes will be made based on availability and prioritized for the following reasons:

• Incomplete schedule (blanks) due to conflicts with selected courses

• Missing a prerequisite course for a current course

• Pathway/level change (priority to Grade 12 students)

As was communicated during course selection, we are not able to make any changes to Grade 9 & 10 elective courses.

Guidance counsellors will respond to requests by email and will make appointments when needed. Students must check their school email for a response to their course change request.

It is very important that students continue to follow their current schedules until a guidance counsellor has communicated with them.  We will do our best to accommodate course change requests when possible.

Student Appointments (Grades 7-12)

Guidance counsellors will be focused on scheduling in the first week of school.  An online appointment request form will be available on Tuesday, September 10th for students wanting to meet with their counsellor for academic, career or personal counselling. The form will be on the school website (Student Services section).

New Cell Phone Policy

At the end of the last school year, the Minister of Education announced new expectations on Cell Phone use at schools.  As such, the OCSB has updated our Board’s School Code of Conduct to align with this new direction.  

This past Tuesday, parents received a communication from the Board with these updates and we would like to remind you that we expect students to arrive at school ready to learn and be respectful of these expectations.  

For the 2024-2025 school year, Grades 7 and 8 students will have to secure their phones in their locker during class time.  They can access their telephones before school, at lunch and after school.  Teachers will communicate with students if/when access to cell phones will be permitted - only for academic purposes.  

Grades 9 -12 students must keep their cell phones on silent and OUT OF SIGHT during class time.  This means students cannot check their phones for messages, reply to messages or access social media platforms during class time.

Mobile devices can only be used:  

1. for educational purposes, as directed by an educator; 

2. for health and medical purposes (which must be identified in advance); 

3. to support special education needs (included as part of the student’s programming).

If students do not comply with the mobile devices restrictions above, the mobile device must be immediately surrendered to school staff. Failure to surrender the mobile device, by any student, will result in the student being sent to the Principal/Designate and may result in further consequences.  

Transportation

St Patrick’s students who are eligible for transportation use OC Transpo to get to school and home.  To confirm if your child is eligible for a Presto Pass, please check this website https://ostabusplanner.ottawaschoolbus.ca/TransportationEligibility

Please note that Presto Passes are issued through OSTA for the school year and eligibility is based on distance from school.  Last week, the school sent out a message regarding early distribution of Presto Passes for families who would like to pay school fees early.  If you did not get a chance to pick up your Presto Pass at that time, they will be handed out next week.  

It is crucial for students to register their Presto Passes online in case cards become lost.  If cards are not registered we are unable to replace them if lost. You can register your card on their website here or use one of the chromebooks we will have available when you pick up your Presto Pass.

Pick Up and Drop-Offs

To ensure students, staff and parents’ safety, we ask parents to exercise extra caution when picking up and dropping off your child/ren.  Please be alert to pedestrians and follow the flow of traffic.  Please consider making arrangements to pick-up or drop-off your child down the street at the plaza to avoid congestion in the parking lots.  If picking up your child/ren from the Heron Rd parking lot, please do not block our Special Transportation vehicles or the OC Transpo busses route but not entering into the loop.

Students can access the building after 8:00 a.m. (not before) and as such, we encourage you to not drop them off before that time. 

Lunch Time 

We are very happy to have the cafeteria service return this fall.  Our cafeteria accepts cash and tap cards.  

7/8 students cannot leave school property at lunchtime (exception: if they are being signed out by a parent/guardian). 

High School students can eat their lunch in the cafeteria, the Mall, or on the outdoors grounds.  Students who chose to go off property at lunch time must ensure they return to school in time for the start of their afternoon course.  We remind our students to be courteous and respectful when visiting their establishments.  Let’s be good community members!

The cafeteria service will only be available to serve students until 8:30 am and/or during their respective lunch block.  We ask that students NOT leave class to access the cafeteria service.

The Breakfast program will resume.  It will be a “Grab ‘N Go.”  Information on how to access the program will be shared with students in the first few days.

Lockers

Students in Grade 7-10 will be assigned a locker by their homeroom teachers on the first day.  Students must bring a combination lock to receive their assigned locker.  We recommend students practice using their lock if they have not used one before.  

Unfortunately, at this time, we do not have enough lockers for ALL of our Grade 11 and 12 students.  We will be assigning lockers to our senior students via opt-in.  If you would like a locker, please fill out this form. Starting September 9th, lockers will be randomly assigned through my.studentinfo.ca for those who receive one.  Lockers will be assigned based on first come, first served or individual needs of the student.  

Meet the Teacher

You are invited to our Meet the Teacher event that will be taking place on Thursday, September 19th.  This year, we will begin with a Family BBQ between 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm.  The Meet the Teacher will run between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm.  This is an opportunity to meet your child/children’s teachers.  An opening gathering will take place at 5:00 in the cafeteria before you can meet Intermediate staff in the 7/8 gym and the High School staff (for both Semester 1 and 2) in the main gym.  Please look for a communication shortly to pre-order your BBQ items.  You can pay using School Cash Online.

High School Exams and RSTs 

Our Grades 10-12 students will once again be completing RSTs and/or Exams as a part of the final assessment of their courses.  Once again, Grade 9 students will only complete RSTs, they will NOT have exams as part of their final assessments.  Please watch for an update regarding their schedule during that period.  

RSTs will be completed in the final 2-3 weeks before exams.  We ask that families please take note of the following dates and to avoid any non-essential travel or absences during those periods.  It is critical that students complete the designated final assessments to be able to earn their credit.  

Semester 1 RST Period                                                            January 6 - 22, 2024

Semester 1 Examinations (Grades 10-12)                            January 23 - 29, 2025

Semester 2 RST Period                                                             June 2 - 18, 2025

Second Semester Examinations (Grades 10-12)                  June 19 - 25, 2025

Student Fees

The fees for 2024-2025 school year are $45 and $30 for any additional siblings.  A reminder that this fee also covers the Yearbook, which will be available at the end of the school year.

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

Last Day to Request Course Changes for Semester 1

September 11, 2024

Picture Day

September 12, 2024

Meet the Teacher

September 19, 2024

PD Day

October 11, 2024

Thanksgiving Day

October 14, 2024

Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year!

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!