Older Announcements
Early Student Fees and Presto Card Day
Dear Parents and Guardians:
The new school year is almost here. I hope you have had a great summer break.
We are offering 3 dates next week for students wishing to pay their student fees early, (online or in person) to pick up their presto cards before the first day of school.
Students who do not wish to pay their student fee early or are out of town on these days will receive their presto cards on the first day of school.
The $45.00 student fee includes the purchase of a yearbook and subsidized student events and activities that take place throughout the year. We are encouraging students to pay online using https://www.schoolcashonline.com if possible and to bring their receipt for presto card pick up.
If you have more than one student attending St. Pat’s, the fee for any additional students is $30 per student, i.e. 2 students total fees would be $75 or 3 students would pay $105.
If you do not have a school cash online account please create one and add your student to your profile.
If you are coming in person to pay your fees, please note that the school now has the ability to accept any form of electronic payment i.e. debit and credit card payments.
This year we are offering 3 dates for this event:
Tuesday August 27th - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm : Grades 7 and 8
Wednesday August 28th - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm : Grades 9 and 10
Thursday August 29th - 11:00 am to 2:00 pm : Grades 11 and 12
This will take place in the main gym, the entrance will be at the side of the building near the main parking area.
If you have students in different grades, you can pay their student fees and pick up their presto cards on the same day, you do not have to come on multiple days.
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:
for educational purposes, as directed by an educator;
for health and medical purposes (which must be identified in advance);
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 Newsletter - July 202
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!
Principal's Newsletter- May 2024
Principal’s Message
Last week, our school came together in prayer for our beloved chaplain, Richmond Guillermo. After suffering cardiac arrest on Sunday, April 21st, Richmond was placed in the ICU. Over the past week and a half, we have prayed, written letters and cards and even gathered in his name. Being believers in the power of prayer, and praying for a miracle, I am happy to share that Richmond has been showing significant positive improvements. We ask for everyone’s continued prayers and strength - we truly do believe he can hear and feel them!!!!
Next week marks the annual Catholic Education Week (CEW) in Ontario. This year’s celebration is entitled, “Catholic Education: We Are Called To Love”. Please read the following Letter to Families and join us on Thursday, May 9th, 5:00 - 7:00 pm for our Open House. This is an opportunity to celebrate all the wonderful work our students and staff have been doing here at St Pat’s! On Tuesday evening, we will be celebrating VP Sheila Cousineau and Linda LoFaro after the OCSB CEW Mass where they will receive their Director of Education Commendation Award!!!
To all families in our communities who recently celebrated Passover, may you have had a kosher and joyous Passover.
Mme Al Koura
Catholic School Council
A quick reminder of the following date for our last meeting of the year:
Monday, May 13th, 2024 - Virtual
To join the May meeting virtually please email the school to get a link for the meeting.
Uniforms
We have noted a decline in student compliance when it comes to wearing the school uniform. I am sharing once again the expectations for all St Pat’s students on a daily basis to avoid having students being sent home or asking parents to bring uniform items to the school!
Bottoms: black dress pants, black cargo pants, black skirt or SPH Kilt (black leggings may be worn under the skirt and/or kilt however NOT on their own). NO jeans or jogging pants are to be worn.
Tops: Top Marks shirts are the only permitted tops on a daily basis. Grade 12 students are permitted to wear their Grad sweatshirt once they have received it. Spiritwear is to be worn ONLY on Wednesday - not every day of the week.
Students are expected to be in proper uniform all day, every day.
*** BLACK JEANS, LEGGINGS AND JOGGING PANTS ARE NOT considered uniform bottoms. ***
Donation of used uniforms for families in need would be greatly appreciated to help replenish our Used Uniform supply.
We ask that you support your child in arriving at school in proper uniform.
St Pat’s Drama Club Presents “Clue: On Stage”
From April 11th to the 13th, the St. Pat’s Drama Club returned to the stage for a thrilling performance of Clue: On Stage. Under the guidance of our dedicated team of teachers and volunteers, the stage came alive with intrigue, laughter, and suspense. From the candlestick to the conservatory, every detail was meticulously crafted to transport the audience into a thrilling game of whodunit.
The cast and crew worked tirelessly to bring this classic tale to life, and their hard work paid off in a performance that kept audiences on the edge of their seats. As the final curtain fell, applause filled the air, a testament to the talent and dedication of our students.
On the Friday evening performance, the Ottawa Cappies critics attended to review the show for the Ottawa Citizen. All the reviews can be read on the Citizen website. Our school is proud to have showcased such a stellar performance. Keep an eye on the nominations that will be out very soon!
We extend our gratitude to everyone who supported the production, from the performers to the behind-the-scenes crew and our enthusiastic audience. Together, we created a night of entertainment and mystery that will linger in our memories for years to come. Until the next mystery unfolds, we thank our cast, crew, and all who made 'Clue: On Stage' an unforgettable success!
Follow this link for the Cappies reviews in the Ottawa Citizen:
Cappies Nominations
Nominations for this year’s Cappies Awards were announced on Wednesday evening. We are very proud to share that Clue: On Stage was nominated in 13 categories!!!!!
Marketing & Publicity
Special Effects & Technology
Sound in a Play
Props
Lighting
Sets
Choreography
Creativity
Ensemble in a Play
Comic Actor in a Female Role in a Play
Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Play
Lead Actor in a Male Role in a Play
Critic’s Favorite Play
Looking forward to the Cappies Ceremony on Sunday, June 2nd at the National Arts Center where the winners in each category will be announced. Go Irish!!!!!!!
Math Competitions
St. Patrick's was well represented recently in two separate boardwide math competitions.
On Thursday, April 18, grade 11/12 students Maya Al Ali, Nathaniel Decarie, Kaine Ezirigwe, Alexis Julian-Diaz, Priyadarshan Kharel, and Zahra Nazari competed at St. Paul High School.
On Thursday, April 25, grade 9/10 students Nermin Abed Ali, Makayla Agyekum, Elena Ginblat, and Padi Odonkor-McClean competed at St. Pius X High School.
Students worked hard through individual problems, team problems, team-relay problems, and logic puzzles. The students truly demonstrated the joy of the "productive struggle" in mathematics, and had a great time in the process.
Homework Club
Free homework clubs are running at the following branches of the Ottawa Public Library: Carlingwood, Ruth E Dickinson, Orleans, Cumberland, St. Laurent
A new program will also be starting at the Greenboro branch within the next couple of weeks.
The 9th Annual R&B Summit
The 9th Annual R&B Summit, held on Thursday, April 25th, marked a significant event in our school's calendar as we welcomed talented R&B students from across the board to showcase their musical abilities. This highly anticipated gathering brought together students and professional musicians from the community for a night of exceptional performances and artistic celebration.
Each school participating in the summit delivered outstanding performances, highlighting the dedication and hard work these young musicians have invested throughout the year. Our very own St. Pat’s R&B Band, with their renditions of classics such as Walking on Sunshine, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Uptight, I'll Be There, and Respect, captivated the audience and demonstrated their musical prowess with flair and skill.
The event provided a platform for each student to shine, showcasing their phenomenal talents and passion for music. Their performances were a source of great pride for our school community, reflecting the commitment, excellence, and joy that define our music program at St. Pat’s.
Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate the upcoming Spring Concert on June 5th, where these talented students will once again grace the stage, inspiring us with their musical talents and dedication to their craft.
Kiwanis Music Festival
We are proud to announce that our St. Pat’s HS Concert Band and R&B Band made their debut at the Kiwanis Music Festival this month, both achieving a standing of Silver! This marks a remarkable achievement for our bands, showcasing their dedication and musical talent. Congratulations to all the students involved for playing their hearts out and representing our school with pride!
Celebrating Black Excellence
On Tuesday, April 30th, our BSA’s entry in the Black History Month’s Video contest took 1st Place (for the 2nd year in a row). Our students created a heartfelt and genuine video answering how St Pat’s actively nurtures, recognizes, celebrates and embraces the unique identities of Black students. They shared what makes our Black students feel seen, heard, acknowledged, and valued. Finally they featured examples of how we foster a sense of pride, identity and belonging among Black students. Click on this LINK to see the awesome video!!!!
In the same evening, our Black Student Grad Coach, David Kajoba, was presented with the Champions of Black Excellence certificate for the amazing work he does both here at St Pat’s as well as at Lester B Pearson.
Athletics
A huge congratulations goes out to the Jr. Girls Volleyball team who completed their undefeated season, on April 18th, by dominating Mer Bleu in the championship game. The team has been working hard practicing 4 mornings a week since late October and all of their hard work and dedication paid off by bringing the first ever Jr. Girls Championship to St. Pat's. Congratulations Team!!
St. Patrick’s Indoor Plant Sale
Attention Plant Parents! St. Pat's will be having a spring indoor plant sale at various times throughout May and June. If you can help with donations of small indoor house plants or cuttings please contact Kathryn.Robinson@ocsb.ca
Dress Up Days
Please note that the following days are designated as Dress Up Days (non-uniform days) for the remainder of the school year.
Monday, May 27th
Monday, June 17th
Semester 2 Assessment Schedule
A continuous reminder that the June Assessment/Exam Schedule is already available. We ask that families plan any vacations or early departures around these dates. Students are required to be present for their RSTs and final assessments/exams.
Semester 2 RST Period June 4 - 19, 2024
Second Semester Final Assessment/Exam (Grades 9/10-12) June 20 - 26, 2024
Important Dates
Please mark your calendars!
OCSB/SPH Red Dress Day (Wear your Red Shirts)
May 3, 2024
Catholic Education Week
May 5-10, 2024
Full Disclosure (High School)
May 7, 2024
Open House
May 9, 2024
7/8 Play
May 9, 2024
Oscars Night
May 16, 2024
Victoria Day (No School)
May 20, 2024
Dress Up Day
May 27, 2024
Grad Mass
May 30, 2024
Prom
May 31, 2024
PD Day
June 3, 2024
Spring Concert
June 5, 2024
Dress Up Day
June 17, 2024
Have a great day!
St. Patrick’s High School
2525 Alta Vista Drive
Ottawa, ON K1V 7T3
Phone: 613-733-0501
Email: Patrick.High@ocsb.ca
Website: sph.ocsb.ca
Twitter: stpatricksIRISH
Principal Newsletter- February 2024
Principal’s Message
Second semester is well underway and we have had a BIG February to kick it off!!!! I am so proud to share the many highlights of this past month. Please join me in congratulating all of our students and staff who made this past month so vibrant and energizing!
VP Sheila Cousineau is away until mid-April - while on leave, retired VP John O’Connor will be taking over her duties. We welcome Mr. O’Connor to the Irish Family - even if only for a short period of time.
I am proud to share that St Patrick’s High School has TWO Director of Education Commendation nominees: Mrs. Sheila Cousineau and Ms. Linda LoFaro!!!! We are so proud of you and thank you for your unwavering dedication to our school community. Winners will be announced at the end of March!
A special request to families to review with your children the uniform required to attend St Pat’s, in particular the bottoms: black DRESS pants, black CARGO pants, black SKIRT, or KILT. Students are not permitted to wear jogging pants, leggings, yoga pants, or jeans in place of their uniform bottoms. Please visit the Top Marks website if you need to order uniform pieces.
Whether traveling or staying close to home, I would like to wish you and your loved ones a safe and relaxing March Break.
Mme Al Koura
Catholic School Council
A quick reminder of the following date for our last meeting of the year:
Monday, May 13th, 2024 - Virtual
To join the May meeting virtually please email the school to get a link for the meeting.
Our Council is continuing its fundraising efforts and THANK YOU for supporting our school. Please, consider buying your gift cards through Fundscrip. Money raised helps to contribute funds to various Clubs/Teams within the School, Teacher Wish Lists (supplies) for the Classroom and Special Events at the School.
FundScrip (www.fundscrip.com) is a fundraising program that asks you to pay for your everyday purchases with gift cards bought through the FundScrip program. Invitation code is HZYTCL or by clicking on https://www.fundscrip.com/support-a-group/HZYTCL. There are over 250 retailers to choose from.
It doesn't cost you anything extra
You don't have to change where you shop or what you buy
Your everyday purchases add up to make a difference very quickly
Please consider buying one gift card of $25 for gas or groceries or a card used as a gift to give every month.
You have the following options to pay:
Online Banking Bill Payment - FREE
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) - FREE Requires completed application form and void cheque sent to FundScrip to be activated.
Interac Online - earnings reduced by $0.85 per transaction for those with accounts at the following financial institutions: RBC Royal Bank; BMO Bank of Montreal, ScotiaBank and TD Toronto Dominion
Credit Card (earnings are reduced by 1.99%)
CSPA
CSPA is hosting an event on March 20, 2024, please see the details below for inclusion in the school Newsletter.
Respectful Conversations about Race
Date: Wed, Mar 20 • 7:00 PM EDT
Aubrey Noronha: Colour Blind
St Patrick’s High School Catholic School Council is proud to present Aubrey Noronha: Colour Blind on Tuesday, March 19th at 7:00 pm. Child-minding will be available while parents can enjoy the talk in our cafeteria. Light refreshments will be available as well as door prizes.
Aubrey's engaging talk will discuss conscious and unconscious bias, the evolution of the word "racism" and what "systemic" really means. We will learn practical steps how to transform ourselves from being a ”non-racist” to an “anti-racist”
Aubrey Noronha is a recognized Safe Schools, Mental Health and Anti-Racism Speaker who believes in the possibility of a safer and more emotionally connected school culture.
https://www.hellohope.ca
Screenagers Under the Influence: Vaping Drugs & Alcohol in the Digital Age
St Patrick’s High School and the SPH Catholic School Council are inviting you to a FREE screening of “Screenagers Under the Influence: Vaping Drugs & Alcohol in the Digital Age”, the last of three movies. The screening will be taking place VIRTUALLY, on Thursday, May 22nd starting at 7:00 pm.
“Join Screenagers filmmaker, Delaney Ruston as she picks up her camera once more to examine the impact of our digital age on teens’ decision-making in relation to substances such as vaping, alcohol and drugs.”
Please see the website for more information.
https://www.screenagersmovie.com
We hope to have you amongst us!
April Professional Development Day (PD Day) - Date Change to April 8, 2024
The following messaging was sent to families last week, but in case you missed it, please make note:
The Professional Development Day, initially planned for Friday, April 26, has been rescheduled. The new date for the PD Day is Monday, April 8, 2024, pending Ministry approval.
Why the Change?
We rescheduled the PD Day because there will be a solar eclipse in Ottawa on April 8, coinciding with our school's dismissal time. There are safety concerns for our students and staff who will be outside at this time because looking directly at the sun during the eclipse can cause damage to one's eyes.
The Board of Trustees Approved the Change
The Board of Trustees has approved the date change and wanted to inform staff and families about it as soon as possible so you can plan accordingly. We have requested the PD day change to the province and are awaiting final approval. We are confident the request will be approved, as it has been for other school boards across the province.
St Patrick’s Day
Most years, St Patrick’s Day falls during March Break and as such is not celebrated here at the school. With St Patrick’s Day falling on Sunday, March 17th, our Student Council has proposed extending the celebrations to Monday, March 18th - our first day back from the March Break. As such, we have approved a St Paddy’s Day Spirit day where students will be invited to wear St Paddy’s Day accessories with their proper uniform. Leading up to the March Break we will have a classroom door decorating contest, Spot the Leprechaun activity and on the Monday after March break we will have morning trivia and a photo booth at lunch. Wishing everyone an early Happy St Patrick’s Day!!!!!
Special Olympics Ontario - School of the Month
Congratulations to our Special Olympics Ontario St Patrick’s Bocce team for receiving a School Program Recognition Award!!!! Join me in celebrating this beautiful group of athletes!!!
Black History Month
February was an inspiring month focussed on celebrating Black Culture, Black Joy and Black Successes through the OCSB theme of ‘Boldly Me, Diverse We:Shaping Our Collective Future’. Staff and students participated in a variety of experiences that connected them not only with our history, but also with all that our community has to showcase the amazing contributions of our Black brothers and sisters.
Every day, we started off with interesting facts or mini-lessons created by student leaders within the BSA that highlighted in their own words significant moments, people or culturally relevant topics for each week’s theme.
On February 22nd, our SPH BSA students and invited guests spent the day at the National Gallery of Canada. They had a private tour of the gallery’s several beautiful pieces and then participated in a “Meet the Artist” talk with Deanna Bowen who shared her work “The Black Canadians (after Cooke)” which is currently installed on the gallery’s South facade. A special thanks to David Kajoba, our Black Grad Coach, for making this day possible. It was a fantastic day for all involved!
On February 27th, Stacey Martin shared her powerful story of hope, determination, tenacity, resiliency and creativity with our student body. In her words, “As a Black woman entrepreneur, my mission is to inspire students by providing representation that fuels their belief in achieving extraordinary heights.” And that she did!!!!
As always, the highlight of our BHM celebrations is the student-led Student Showcase. Our BSA, alongside our various student associations and dance teams/troops gave us over an hour of >>>>>>>>>>>
Have a Heart Day
On February 14th, members of our Indigenous Student Association as well as Mrs Williams’ English class, attended the Have a Heart Day event at the Meridian Theatre at Centrepointe.
“Have a Heart Day is a child and youth-led reconciliation event that brings together caring Canadians to help ensure First Nations children have the opportunity to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and be proud of who they are.”
PINK Shirt Day
On Wednesday, February 21st, SPH staff and students were invited to wear pink shirts to take a stand against bullying. All ages have the power to create and make change, and elevating the voices of ALL begins by advocating for kindness and inclusivity. As with many of our campaigns, the drive falls on ONE day, ONE week, ONE month, but the goal is that this becomes part of our daily routines so that kindness and inclusivity remain a year-round commitment. Staff and students had a chance to fill out a commitment heart on what they hope to do (everyday) to encourage behaviours/mindsets that combat bullying.
Athletics
From February 8 - 10th, the Varsity Boys Basketball team traveled to southern Ontario to participate in the All Ontario Catholic Classic tournament. This tournament has been running since the 1960s and invites the top Catholic school from each athletic association across the province to participate in it each year. The team used the opportunity to prepare themselves to defend their city championship, and make a run at returning to OFSAA for the second year in a row. While in the Niagara region the team was also able to take in one of Canada's most recognizable features, as well as one of the world's natural wonders in the horseshoe waterfalls. The team went 1-1 in the tournament, only losing to eventual finalists, Notre Dame (Brampton) by nine points. The trip was a good bonding experience for the team, while opening their eyes to one of Canada's natural wonders.
Guitar/Vocal Music Workshop
On February 27th, the board held its first workshop day focused on guitarists, bassists, and vocalists. This event provided a valuable opportunity for our high school music students to enhance their current knowledge and connect with fellow musicians from across our school board. After welcoming all of the students together, they were split into their respective groupings in order to learn new techniques and styles in the morning. Each student then chose a song from the ones available that they wanted to focus on for the afternoon, all of varying styles. Once they did, they were put into groups made up of some guitars, basses, and vocalists. Each group worked collaboratively to learn the song and perform it before the day was over. All of the groups performed with resounding success, showing how much they learned throughout the experience, all while meeting some new friends in the process!
International Language Credit Program
As students are choosing courses for September, a reminder of the International Language Credit program as an option where up to 3 credits can be earned in a language other than English or French. Essentially, classes are held starting in the Fall, on Saturdays (one is offered two times a week) in both in-person and virtual formats.
On behalf of the Continuing Education department, all information and the registration process are available by clicking on this link.
Grade 12 Visual Arts Show
The Grade 12 Visual Arts students had a busy first semester creating impressive art, which they displayed at the Grade 12 Art show in December. Spectators were amazed at the level of talent, and the students were so proud to showcase their work. Some of these students have also been preparing their portfolios for post-secondary programs in the Arts.
St Pat’s Christmas Concert
On December 20th, our school community came together for our much-anticipated Annual Christmas Concert, a delightful showcase of our students’ talents and creativity. The evening featured a variety of performances by our high school and intermediate music students, and the vibrant melodies of our board jazz band. It was a wonderful evening, where families and friends gathered to celebrate our students' hard work and dedication. The high school Concert Band and R&B Band filled the air with festive tunes and showcased their mastery of pieces they had diligently practiced throughout the semester. Our intermediate students, including the Concert Band and Glee Club, returned to the stage, impressing everyone with their remarkable progress in such a short time. The board jazz band, composed of talented students from various high schools, delivered a fantastic performance that demonstrated their versatility across different musical styles while also featuring many different soloists. The students are looking forward to the many more performances and opportunities that lie ahead in the second semester, including our Spring Concert!
St. Patrick’s Indoor Plant Sale
Attention Plant Parents! St. Pat's will be having a spring indoor plant sale at various times throughout May and June. If you can help with donations of small indoor house plants or cuttings please contact Kathryn.Robinson@ocsb.ca
Italy 2025
Italy 2025! Is your child interested in traveling? Is your child currently in grades 9-11? St. Patrick's High School is once again partnering with EF Educational Tours to bring a wonderful opportunity to our school! Your child will have the chance to spend 9 days traveling through Italy in April 2025. Please email Ms. Bellefeuille at katie.bellefeuille@ocsb.ca with any questions and for more information. Andiamo!
Semester 2 Assessment Schedule
An early reminder that the June Assessment/Exam Schedule is already available. We ask that families plan any vacations or early departures around these dates. Students are required to be present for their RSTs and final assessments/exams.
Semester 2 RST Period June 4 - 19, 2024
Second Semester Final Assessment/Exam (Grades 9/10-12) June 20 - 26, 2024
Important Dates
Please mark your calendars!
Last Day of Classes before March Break
March 8, 2024
March Break
March 11-15, 2024
First Day of Classes after March Break
March 18, 2024
School Council Event - Aubrey Noronha
March 19, 2024
Good Friday - No School
March 29, 2024
Easter Monday - No School
April 1, 2024
**NEW PD Day date
April 8, 2024
**New OSSLT Dates
April 9-15, 2024
Have a wonderful and safe March Break!
Principal's Newsletter October 2023
Principal’s Message
The summer season has come and gone and we welcome fall with all of its beauty and colours!
This past week marked National Truth and Reconciliation Week. Every morning through song, prayer and spoken words, we took time to reflect, learn, and discuss our commitment to action here at SPH. Each class was asked to complete the following statements: “We commit to reconciliACTION by…” and “Our HOPE is…”. On Thursday, approximately 150 students and staff traveled to Lansdowne Park to attend an event brought to Ottawa by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) which focused on honouring survivors of residential schools. The event was called "Gidinawendimin - We Are All Related". It was a powerful and moving experience for all who attended. See further down in this newsletter for more details. And lastly, all staff and students were invited to participate in Orange Shirt day on Friday. We recognize the importance of our commitment to continue our work, our learning and putting our HOPES and intentions into ACTION!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Meet the Teacher! We had such a great turnout and really enjoyed seeing so many smiling new and familiar faces. We look forward to continuing our work with our families throughout the year.
On Friday, we said “Congratulations” and “Farewell” to one of our custodians, Bob Garrard. Bob was seen and known by most of our students - often greeted by him in the mornings when he unlocked the doors, or the quick “flash” as he rushed by to get to the next task. Thank you for your service to the OCSB Bob and wishing you the very best in retirement!!!!
Stay Safe and Be Well!
Mme Al Koura
Catholic School Council
Our first Catholic School Council meeting took place on Monday, September 25th at 7:00 pm. At this first meeting, we elected our executive and I am pleased to introduce our members:
Co-Chairs: Elizabeth Bartlett and Dawn Eady-Dowdall
CSPA Representative: Nadine Robinson
We are still looking to fill the following positions: Treasurer, Secretary/Co-Secretary and Fundraising Coordinator(s). If you are interested in holding/sharing one of these positions, please email the school at your earliest convenience.
I would also like to confirm the following dates for our future meetings.
Monday, November 27th, 2023 - In-Person/Hybrid
Monday, February 26th, 2024 - Virtual
Monday, May 13th, 2024 - Format TBC
To join the November meeting virtually please email the school to get a link for the meeting.
CSPA is hosting an event with Dr. Niigaan Sinclair, Anishinaabe writer, editor, activist, and Head of the Department of Native Studies at the University of Manitoba. May I kindly ask you to this information about this event with your parent/guardian community:
Truth & Reconciliation: We All Have a Role to Play w/Dr. Niigaan Sinclair
Thursday, October 5th at 7pm
St Paul High School
Child Minding Available
Register: OttawaCSPA.eventbrite.com
Dr. Sinclair_Fall 2023.png.pdf
Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age
On Thursday, November 16th, St Patrick’s High School and the SPH Catholic School Council are inviting you to a FREE screening of “Screenagers: Growing up in the Digital Age”, the first of three movies. The screening will be taking place starting at 7:00 pm in the cafetorium.
‘Screenagers is about the impact of the digital age on children and how to help families minimize harmful effects and find balance.’
Please see the website for more information.
https://www.screenagersmovie.com
We hope to have you amongst us!
Drop-Off/Pick-Up and Walk-A-Block
A gentle reminder that the speed limit in our parking lots as well as the pick-up/drop-off zone is 10 km/hr. To ensure the safety of students and staff, we ask that you pay close attention to the directional arrows so that we can maintain a smooth traffic flow at these busy times of the day. When picking up or drop
St Patrick’s Remembers: Remembrance Day
On Thursday, November 9th we will be having our Remembrance Day Assemblies.
We would like to invite any Parents or Guardians who are retired or currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces or Royal Canadian Mounted Police to join us for this event.
Due to the size of our school population, there will be two Assemblies:
Period 1 (8:50 - 10:00) and Period 2: (10:10 - 11:15).
If you would like to join us, please email: pamela.roddick@ocsb.ca to confirm your seat. In your email, please indicate which assembly (or both) that you would like to attend. In your RSVP email, please also indicate your formal title/rank.
Uniforms
A gentle reminder that if your Top Marks order has not yet arrived, we ask that your child arrive at school in black bottoms (dress pants, cargo pants, skirt - NO jeans, leggings or jogging pants) and a white-collared polo or dress shirt. By choosing St Pat’s as your school, you are agreeing to wearing the uniform everyday!
*** BLACK JEANS, LEGGINGS AND JOGGING PANTS ARE NOT considered uniform bottoms. ***
Donation of used uniforms for families in need would be greatly appreciated to help replenish our Used Uniform supply.
Changes to Community Service Hours
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Education (EDU) temporarily waived some policy restrictions set out in PPM 124A so that students had more flexibility in how they could complete community involvement hours required to graduate. These temporary measures expired at the end of the 2022-2023 school year on August 31, 2023.
In addition, the Ministry has revised and released a modernized policy for the 2023-2024 school year and going forward effective September 1, 2023. Please find a link to the new PPM 124 here
OC Transpo
We have our first early dismissal for Parent-Teacher Interviews coming up on October 19th. We anticipate our “Special” buses to arrive in time for the early dismissal time, however in case the buses do not arrive early, we advise families to explore alternative routes or options to get home.
Athletics
Athletics at St Patrick's High School are up and running for the new school year. The Fall teams that have kicked off their seasons, or will be soon, include:
Varsity Football
Varsity Boys Soccer
Varsity Girls Basketball
Varsity Cross Country Running
Sr Boys Volleyball
Varsity Non-Contact Hockey
Varsity Girls Rugby 7's
Varsity Boys Rugby 7's
Parents and family members are encouraged to come support your athletes in action.
H.S. Cross Country team: We currently have our largest team ever! We have over 30 current members that have signed up to take part on the School Team. Gr. 9 - 3-4 Km, Gr. 10 - 5 Km, Gr. 11/12 - 6 Km. The events take place at the Hornets Nest. The race dates are: Race 1 - Oct. 19th and Race 2 - Oct. 26th.
Asian Student Association
This year, we will be starting up the Asian Student Association (ASA). This association is student led, where we will host weekly lunch meetings to discuss various topics, concerns, and the celebration of Asian culture. This ASA will encompass a wide range of cultures that belong under the Asian umbrella including the Middle East, South East Asia, and more! The goal is to connect with community organizations to get everyone involved, and to eventually plan events and activities for Asian Heritage Month in May 2024. Stay tuned!
The Annual St. Pat’s Craft Fair
We at St. Pat's are excited to announce that the Annual St. Pat's Craft Fair will take place on Saturday, November 25th this year! Our craft fair has grown over the years to include over 100 vendors who bring a wide range of handmade products. As a community event, the craft fair offers our students a great opportunity to get involved while accumulating volunteer hours towards their graduation requirements. Each year our student volunteers are the highlight for vendors! At last year's craft fair there were over 100 student volunteers who helped vendors get set up, run errands for them, as well as help them return their materials to their vehicles at the end of the day. Those St. Pat's smiles have become a staple of the craft fair and one which returning vendors look forward to. The first craft fair took place in 2018 and since then, the proceeds have been used to support various groups, teams and initiatives within the school. Admission to the craft fair is $2 and there will be a concession stand run by the St. Pat's Dance Team, available for those that wish to nibble on something or have a drink as they peruse the many, incredible vendors and their products. Vendors include many local artisans and crafters, including a few that are from our school community. Make sure to mark November 25th on your calendars and come out to support this year's St. Pat's Craft Fair.
Grade 9 Assessment Schedule During the Exam Period
Following our schedule last June, grade 9 teachers will extend the assessment/evaluation process of grade 9 students into the exam period. This will involve student activities, primarily work associated with the students’ rich summative task (RST) taking place during a final class (120 minutes in duration) during the high school exam period. The following is an example of what this schedule would look like:
Student timetable
Student schedule during the exam period
Period 1
English
Period 2
Math
Period 3
Phys Ed.
Period 4
Religion
1st day of exams
continuation of English RST
2nd day of exams
continuation of Math RST/EQAO
3rd day of exams
continuation of PE RST
4th day of exams
continuation of Religion RST
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 8 - 24, 2024
Semester 1 Examinations (Grades 10-12) January 25 - 31, 2024
Semester 2 RST Period June 4 - 19, 2024
Second Semester Examinations (Grades 10-12) June 20 - 26, 2024
Community Services for Families in Need
The OCSB has created a document with a list of Community Services that families can access for various needs that they may be facing. Please take a moment to review this document Community Services for Families in Need
Adult Volunteers Needed - Talk About Your Job or Career
Do you have an interesting job? Was the path to finding your career full of lessons you would like to share? Have you ever thought about sharing what your workplace is like with students taking a Careers’ class? If you have answered yes to any of these questions and are open to the opportunity of speaking to students about the work that you do, then please reach out to Mme Julie Guèvremont!
We are looking for a number of adults who can share their experiences about a variety of different jobs or careers, from the self-employed to those who have a trade, from those who are earlier in their careers to workers who are now in management, from lower paying to higher paying jobs etc. Our main goal is to share a snapshot of the “world of work” with our students.
This is a great teaching and learning experience for those who volunteer! There is a time commitment and some preparation for the presentation with the teacher is required. For more information and a further conversation, please email Mme Guèvremont at julie.guevremont@ocsb.ca.
Verification Forms, Consent Forms and Use of Technology Forms
A reminder that Verification Forms, Consent Forms and Use of Technology forms MUST be completed online through the Parent Portal. Please note that these updated documents help us maintain accurate records in order to be able to reach you in case of an emergency or to communicate updates, as well as your child’s photo(s) being included in the yearbook.
We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.
Parent Portal: https://ca.schoolcash.net/OttawaCatholicSchools/Login
School Messenger: https://go.schoolmessenger.com/#/account/signup
School Cash Online: https://ca.schoolcash.net/OttawaCatholicSchools/Login
Activating Black Student Success: Parent Engagement Event
Our parent engagement event is coming up October 14th! Please make sure you are sharing this event within your schools, with staff and the parents of your students!
Field Trip - Gidinawendimin - We Are All Related
On September 28, around 100 students from St. Patrick HS attended the Gidinawendimin field trip to TD place, where they watched performances by Indigenous singers, and dancers, and listened to Residential School survivors' stories to commemorate Truth & Reconciliation week.
Grade 12 Grad Retreat
The Grade 12's and several staff came together on a beautifully sunny day for their Grad Retreat where they shared their messages of Hope for the year, bonded with old and new friends and committed to goals that will lead to giving back to the community they love so much this year.
A competitive spirit of fun through the amazing race, reflection and gratitude through letter writing as well as inspiration offered up by Coach Paul Racine and former graduate Jesse Luketa motivated the grads throughout their day. We are looking forward to all that they will accomplish together this year!
International Languages Secondary Program
Did you know that you can learn or master a language other than English and French while earning credits towards your high school diploma? The International Languages Secondary program with OCSB offers courses in languages such as Spanish, Arabic, Yoruba, and more. Classes are held virtually or in-person every Saturday morning, from 9 am to 12:30 pm. For more information, check out the brochure in the guidance counselors' office or visit 2023-2024 IL Secondary (Credit) program.
Important Dates
Please mark your calendars!
PD Day
October 6, 2023
Thanksgiving
October 9, 2023
H.S. Letters of Intervention
October 12, 2023
Opening Liturgies
October 12, 2023
9-12 Letters of Intervention
October 13, 2023
H.S. Parent-Teacher Interviews (Early Dismissal)
October 19, 2023
H.S. Academic Awards
October 25, 2023
Photo Retakes
October 26, 2023
7/8 Parent-Teacher Interviews (Early Dismissal)
November 23, 2023
Principal's Newsletter-- September 2023
Principal’s Message
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! The Irish Family is excited to welcome all new and returning students! We have missed you! We have been busy getting ready for your arrival on Tuesday morning.
We are now in the third and final year of our Board’s 3-year Spiritual Theme: Gratitude, Rooted in Joy, Fills Us with Hope. Our focus this year is on “HOPE”! I invite you to reflect on what your HOPES are for this coming school year so that you can meet with success; and identify ways you will commit to making these HOPES a reality. I hope that this year, you will continue to find GRATITUDE and JOY in all the projects, challenges and goals you work through.
This year, we are welcoming a new member to our Administration team: Mr. Paul Tamburrini. Mr. Tamburrini is joining us after serving the Notre Dame community in the classroom for 14 years. I had the pleasure of working with him for 4 of those years and I am very excited to have him join our team. Mr. Tamburrini will be working with families with last names starting with D - Me. Welcome to the Irish Family!
Due to the sudden and quick announcement of Mr. Philippe Cossette’s transfer to Lester B. Pearson Catholic School in the last week of school, I was unable to share my sincerest gratitude for his support and dedication during his 4-year tenure here at St Pat’s. I would like to wish him the best at his new school - and remind him that he will always be a part of the Irish family!
Our building has been undergoing some major “renovations” in the locker bay area following a flood mid-August. Construction crews have been working 7 days a week to ensure the space is ready and I am grateful for their hard work.
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.
My HOPE for this year is that each and every student entering into our building this year finds “their” place and meets with success for the ‘23-’24 school year.
Stay Safe and Be Well!
Mme Al Koura
Catholic School Council
Our first Catholic School Council meeting will take place on Monday, September 25th at 7:00 pm. At this first meeting, we will elect our executive and confirm the dates for future meetings. The meeting will be virtual. To join the meeting please email the school to get a link for the meeting.
Bell Times/Schedules
A reminder of our schedule and bell times: please ensure your child is familiar with their bus route and/or walking route so that they are arriving on time. If your child is going to be late or absent, please call the school to report the absence/late. If your child is late, they will be asked to sign-in at the main office using our automated system. You will receive a communication letting you know the time your child signed in. If your child is absent, you will receive a different message to indicate the absence.
High School Schedule Intermediate Schedule
8:30-9:55 HMRM + P1 P1 8:30-9:25
10:00-11:15 P2 P2 9:30-10:20
11:20-12:00 LUNCH P3 10:25-11:15
12:05-1:20 P3 P4 11:20-12:10
1:25-2:40 P4 LUNCH 12:10-12:50
P5 12:55-1:45
P6 1:50-2:40
Uniforms
St Patrick’s is a uniformed school and our uniform supplier is Top Marks. All families are asked to open an account with Top Marks if you have not already done so and to place your order directly to the company. Top Marks will deliver the uniform to your home address. Please visit their website at: www.topmarks.ca with the St Patrick’s High School code PAT02
UNIFORM INCLUDES:
TOP (all items from Top Marks with St Patrick’s logo)
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
BOTTOM
black dress pants/cargo pants
black skort or tartan kilt
black cargo shorts
PLEASE NOTE:
7/8 physical education uniform includes black gym shorts and a grey t-shirt and is mandatory for all grade 7 and 8 students.
If your order has not arrived by the first day of school, we ask that your child arrive at school in black bottoms (dress pants, cargo pants, skirt - NO jeans, leggings or jogging pants) and a white-collared polo or dress shirt.
***IMPORTANT: BLACK JEANS, LEGGINGS AND JOGGING PANTS ARE NOT considered uniform bottoms. ***
Donation of used uniforms for families in need would be greatly appreciated to help replenish our Used Uniform supply.
Meet the Teacher
You are invited to our Meet the Teacher event that will be taking place “IN-PERSON” this fall. Please join us on Thursday, September 21st between 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm for an opportunity to meet your child/children’s teachers. An opening gathering will take place at 4:30 in the cafeteria before you can meet Intermediate staff in the 7/8 gym and the High School staff in the main gym.
OC Transpo
Our school uses public transit as our school’s transportation. We do not use yellow bus service. If your child is eligible for a Presto pass (this is determined by OSTA) and did not pick it up on the designated days last week, they will receive it on the first or second day of school. Students are asked to register their card immediately upon receiving it. Lost cards are not replaced by the office.
Opening Procedures
This year, all 7/8 students will have received an email communication (in their OCSB email account) indicating where they are to report on the first day (Grade 7s to the 7/8 Gym and Grade 8s to Gym C). Any new students or those who cannot access their email account can report to the main office. High School students can check MySPH on Monday evening for their first period homeroom class.
Lockers will be available for use this year and will be assigned starting on the first day. Due to the increase in student enrolment, we are currently awaiting the delivery and installation of 140+ lockers. We have prioritized students in Grades 7-10 to be assigned lockers once they have their lock. Some Grade 11 and 12 students will be assigned lockers at this time while the remainder will be assigned upon the installation of the new lockers. We ask for your patience in this matter.
Students in grades 7- 12 must have a combination lock in order for their locker to be assigned. A reminder that lockers are on “loan” to students for the duration of the school year. Students are responsible for the contents of the locker they are assigned. The practice of sharing combinations with friends or peers is highly discouraged.
Students 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 4th). Students can go directly to their Period 1 class on Tuesday morning.
Students who are new to the school may 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 in Semester 1, they are asked to come to Student Services during the blank period to select a course.
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 5th to address any issues with schedules. The form will be open until Wednesday, September 13th (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 12th 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).
Lunch Time and Cafeteria Service
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 who chose to go off property at lunchtime must ensure they return to school in time for the start of their afternoon course.
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.
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 8 - 24, 2024
Semester 1 Examinations (Grades 10-12) January 25 - 31, 2024
Semester 2 RST Period June 4 - 19, 2024
Second Semester Examinations (Grades 10-12) June 20 - 26, 2024
Student Fees
The fees for 2023-2024 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.
Parent Portal, School Messenger and School Cash Online
In order to receive timely communications from the school, pay for any fees or access your child’s report card, you must sign-up for the following services. If you have not already done so, please click on the links below to create your accounts.
NEW THIS YEAR: Verification Forms, Consent Forms and Use of Technology forms MUST be completed online through the Parent Portal. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.
Parent Portal: https://ca.schoolcash.net/OttawaCatholicSchools/Login
School Messenger: https://go.schoolmessenger.com/#/account/signup
School Cash Online: https://ca.schoolcash.net/OttawaCatholicSchools/Login
International Languages Secondary Program
Did you know that you can learn or master a language other than English and French while earning credits towards your high school diploma? The International Languages Secondary program with OCSB offers courses in languages such as Spanish, Arabic, Yoruba, and more. Classes are held virtually or in-person every Saturday morning, from 9 am to 12:30 pm. For more information, check out the brochure in the guidance counselors' office or visit 2023-2024 IL Secondary (Credit) program.
Important Dates
Please mark your calendars!
First Day of School
September 5, 2023
Picture Day
September 14, 2023
Last Day to Request Course Changes for Semester 1
September 16, 2023
Meet the Teacher (4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.)
September 21, 2023
First Catholic School Council Meeting
September 25, 2023
PD Day
October 6, 2023
Thanksgiving
October 9, 2023
H.S. Letters of Intervention
October 12, 2023
H.S. Parent-Teacher Interviews (Early Dismissal)
October 19, 2023
Photo Retakes
October 26, 2023
7/8 Parent-Teacher Interviews (Early Dismissal)
November 23, 2023
Wishing Everyone a Wonderful 2023-2024 School Year!
HS Parent Teacher Interviews
We will be holding Parent-Teacher Interviews for Grades 9-12 on Thursday, October 20th.
Appointments from 2:00 – 5:00 pm will be held in person at the school. Appointments from 6:00 –
7:30 pm will be held by phone or virtual meeting. This term, you will be able to schedule your
Parent-Teacher Interviews online. If you wish to schedule a meeting with any of your child’s teachers,
please follow the instructions printed further down the page. You will be able to schedule appointments
until October 19 th at 11:00 pm.
Instructions
1. Go to the St. Pat’s scheduling webpage at https://parentinterview.com/s/stpat
2. Enter the Parent Code (printed below) and click “Sign In” (please make a note of your Confirmation #)
3. Fill in your contact information and click “Continue to Make Appointments”
4. Click on the name of a teacher with whom you wish to schedule an appointment
5. Click on “Available” for a time at which you wish to have your meeting
6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until you have scheduled all the teachers you wish to meet
7. Click on “My Schedule” (top left of the page)
8. Print out, email or copy down your schedule
The Parent Code for this term is
PAT2022
Do not share this code with anyone outside your school community
Should you wish to delete an appointment you have made, click on "Delete" beside the meeting you
wish to have removed from your schedule. If you misplace your schedule, you may use your
Confirmation # to retrieve your schedule from the website at any time. If you need help using the
service, please email support@parentinterview.com
We look forward to speaking with you.
Revised High School Graduation Requirements
The provincial government has revised the high school graduation requirements to include mandatory online courses. Students still need to earn 30-course credits to receive their Ontario Secondary School Diploma, but at least two of those credits need to be from e-learning courses.
Who’s affected?
The new requirement applies to any student currently in grade 10 or below. It does not affect students currently in grades 11 and 12.
Why the change?
The new requirement is intended to help students become familiar with working and learning in a fully online environment. e-Learning courses help develop digital literacy and other necessary transferable skills that will serve students well in all aspects of their lives.
What counts as an e-learning course?
An e-learning course is any asynchronous grade 9-12 online learning credit course delivered entirely using the internet. It does not require students to be present with one another or with their educator in the school or online. Because courses taken through St. Josephine Virtual High School are synchronous, they do not meet the criteria for this requirement.
Advantages of e-learning
In addition to developing students’ digital fluency and skills, e-learning courses have several other benefits. Students have access to a broader selection of courses and are not limited to those offered by their home school. Because the courses are asynchronous, students have greater flexibility and can choose to learn when best suits their schedule.
e-Learning at the OCSB continues to grow
The OCSB has offered e-learning courses since 2014. Both course offerings and participation have grown significantly since then. This year, 13% of students in grades 11 and 12 are enrolled in e-learning courses. When surveyed, 89% of current OCSB e-Learning students said they would take another e-learning course. Next year, we will offer 42 e-learning courses. These are designated with a J or a V in myBlueprint. Students can also talk to their guidance counselor to access additional courses offered by school boards across Ontario.
Can my child be exempted?
Despite its advantages, e-learning is not for everyone. Parents/guardians may opt out their child from the mandatory e-learning graduation requirement. Log into the parent portal and complete the Mandatory e-Learning Opt-out form to exempt your child from the graduation requirement. By completing the form in the Parent Portal, all your child’s student information will be automatically filled in.
If you do not have a parent portal account, you can use this link to access the Mandatory e-Learning Opt-out form.
Students who opt out of the e-learning courses will need to complete all 30 of their credits through in-person courses. Students will be reminded of the e-learning requirement and the option to opt out each spring during the course selection period.