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Principal's Message
Principal's Message
Dear St. Michael Families,
Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year!
All of us at St. Michael Catholic Elementary School are truly excited to begin this new journey together. We hope you enjoyed a restful, faith-filled summer and had many opportunities to create lasting memories with family and friends.
As we open another year of learning and growth, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to our dedicated caretakers and staff for their hard work and commitment in preparing our school for opening day. Their efforts have ensured that our students return to a safe, welcoming, and engaging learning environment.
This year, we embrace Niagara Catholic's theological theme, Constellations of Hope. Just as stars shine brightly and guide travellers through the darkness, we are called to be beacons of hope, faith, kindness, and compassion for one another. Together, we will help each child recognize their God-given gifts and encourage them to shine brightly within our school, parish, and community.
At St. Michael, our Catholic faith is at the heart of all that we do. Guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ and supported by Father Peter Rowe and our St. Vincent de Paul Parish community, we strive to nurture both the academic success and spiritual growth of every student. Our mission is to foster a safe, inclusive, and caring environment where all members of our community feel valued, respected, and loved.
As we begin this exciting year, we ask all members of our school community to work together in a spirit of partnership and mutual respect. Positive and constructive communication between staff, students, families, and community members helps create a culture where everyone can thrive. When we support one another with patience, understanding, and kindness, we strengthen the bonds that make St. Michael such a special place.
We are also delighted to welcome several new staff members to our school family:
Lydia Zimolag, Educational Assistant
Natasha Freitas, Early Childhood Educator
Amanda Goulet, Library Assistant
Maisyn Kwinecki, Grade 6/7 Teacher
Jeff O'Neil, Grade 7/8 Teacher
We know they will be wonderful additions to our community, and we look forward to the gifts and talents they will bring to St. Michael.
The partnership between home, parish, and school is essential to student success. Thank you for the trust you place in us each day. Your support and involvement play a vital role in your child's academic achievement, faith development, and overall well-being.
As we journey through this school year together, may we continue to build a vibrant community where every child is encouraged to shine as part of our Constellation of Hope. With God's guidance and blessings, I know this will be a year filled with faith, learning, joy, and countless opportunities to grow together.
I look forward to working with each of you throughout another wonderful year at St. Michael Catholic Elementary School.
God Bless,
E. Fera-Massi
Principal
St. Michael Catholic Elementary School
💙 We Love Our Volunteers!
💙 We Love Our Volunteers!
Volunteer Police Record Checks – Important Reminder
Volunteer Police Record Checks – Important Reminder
Dear St. Michael Families,
As a reminder, new provincial requirements now require school boards to collect a police record check for all school volunteers. This is an important step in helping us maintain a safe and secure environment for all of our students.
If you are planning to volunteer at St. Michael this school year — including helping with classroom activities, field trips, school events or other volunteer opportunities — you will be required to complete a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) before volunteering.
To assist you with this process, the school will provide you with an official letter on school letterhead. This letter is required as part of the police record check application and will include your full legal name and date of birth, as well as information confirming your volunteer role at St. Michael.
For more information and to complete your police record check, please visit:
Ontario – Police Record Checks
Police Record Checks – Government of Ontario
Niagara Regional Police Service – Police Record Checks
Niagara Regional Police Service – Police Record Checks
💙Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us ensure the safety and well-being of our St. Michael students. We greatly appreciate the many ways our families support our school community!
( Check List)
🛡️ Provide an original, satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check
📝 Complete the Volunteer Application Form – Appendix A.
🚗 If you will be driving students, complete the Volunteer Driver Authorization to Transport Students Form – Appendix B.
SAVE THE DATE!
Wednesday September 15th
4:00pm to 5:00pm Classroom Visits
5:00pm to 6:00pm Community Social
FOOD TRUCK : MJ Ingribelli
https://stores.inksoft.com/stmichaelsspirtwear/shop/home
💙 Spirit Day Wednesdays! 💙
💙 Spirit Day Wednesdays! 💙
Let’s show our St. Michael spirit every Wednesday! Students and staff are encouraged to wear their St. Michael spirit wear and show off their school pride. Whether you’re wearing a school shirt, hoodie, or another favourite piece of spirit wear, let’s fill the school with St. Michael pride!
Don’t have your spirit wear yet? No problem! St. Michael spirit wear can be purchased through FRONT ROW Sports. It’s a great way to support our school community while looking school-spirit ready!
Every Wednesday = Spirit Day! 🎉💙
🏠 Home–School Communication
🏠 Home–School Communication
Staying connected with our St. Michael families is an important part of building a strong and supportive school community.
As we begin a new school year, please ensure that the school office has your current email address and phone number on file. Email is an important way for us to share school newsletters, calendars, important announcements, upcoming events, reminders, and other information throughout the year.
We also ask that families provide a current emergency contact number so that we can reach someone promptly should an unexpected situation arise during the school day.
If any of your contact information has changed, please take a moment to update it through the Niagara Catholic Parent Portal or contact the school office.
Thank you for helping us keep our lines of communication open and for being an important part of the St. Michael Catholic School community! We look forward to working together to make this a wonderful school year for all of our students and families. 💙
ELECTRONICS
As we continue to foster a safe and positive learning environment for all students, I would like to remind you of the new regulations regarding cell phone use that have been implemented in Ontario schools.
To minimize distractions and maximize learning, cell phones are only permitted during instructional time when they are being used for educational purposes as directed by the teacher. Outside of these times, students are expected to keep their phones turned off and locked away unless needed for documented learning needs and/or health related requirements. We kindly ask for your support in reinforcing this policy with your children and encouraging them to focus on their studies during school hours.
Your cooperation is essential in helping us maintain a healthy and respectful school environment. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these rules, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Included below is the link.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
💜 Rowan’s Law Day – WE will be recognizing this important law on September 23
💜 Rowan’s Law Day – WE will be recognizing this important law on September 23
Wednesday, September 23, we will be wearing purple in support of Rowan’s Law Day. At St. Michael Catholic School, we will be recognizing this important day by raising awareness about concussion safety and remembering the legacy of Rowan Stringer.
Rowan was a 17-year-old high school rugby player who tragically died in 2013 after suffering multiple concussions. Her story helped bring greater awareness to the importance of recognizing concussions, taking them seriously, and allowing the brain time to heal.
Ontario’s Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2018 was created to help make sports safer by promoting concussion prevention, recognition and management. It also emphasizes the importance of removing an athlete from play when a concussion is suspected and following appropriate return-to-sport protocols.
At St. Michael, we want to help our students understand that when it comes to a possible concussion, we need to “Hit. Stop. Sit.” Speaking up, telling an adult, and taking the time to recover are important steps in keeping ourselves and others safe.
💜 Wear Purple!
💜 Wear Purple!
Purple was Rowan’s favourite colour and has become a symbol of remembrance and concussion awareness.
We invite ALL students and staff to wear purple on Wednesday, September 23, in recognition of Rowan’s Law Day.
Together, we can help promote a culture of safety, awareness and looking out for one another. 💜
Hit. Stop. Sit.
Recognize it. Report it. Recover.
RYAN’S LAW: ENSURING ASTHMA-FRIENDLY SCHOOLS
Ryan’s Law is an important step in supporting the health and well-being of students with asthma in Ontario schools. In response, the Niagara Catholic District School Board has created an Asthma Policy to ensure the safety of all students.
If your child has been diagnosed with asthma, please contact the school office to share information about your child’s condition and medications. Families will be required to complete and submit the Niagara Catholic Student Asthma Management Plan.
Students under 16 years of age may carry and administer their own asthma medication at school with parent/guardian consent.
Students 16 years and older may carry and administer their asthma medication without parental consent.
For more information, resources on asthma and other prevalent medical conditions are available on the Ministry of Education website. We encourage families to review this valuable content.
Together, we can help ensure St. Michael remains a safe and supportive environment for all students.
Terry Fox Run – September 18
Terry Fox Run – September 18
Terry Fox’s legacy continues at St. Michael Catholic School!
On Friday, September 18, our school community will come together to honour the incredible courage, determination and hope of Terry Fox. Students and staff will participate in our own Terry Fox walk as we remember Terry’s Marathon of Hope and his dream of finding a cure for cancer.
Terry Fox inspired Canadians with his determination to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. His dream continues today, with the Terry Fox Foundation supporting innovative cancer research across Canada.
👕 Wear Your Terry Fox T-Shirt!
👕 Wear Your Terry Fox T-Shirt!
We invite all students and staff to wear a Terry Fox T-shirt /RED on Friday, September 18, as we walk together in support of Terry’s dream.
Every step we take and every donation we receive helps us continue Terry’s journey and reminds us of the difference one person can make.
💙 Help Us Reach Our Goal!
💙 Help Us Reach Our Goal!
Families are invited to support our school’s Terry Fox fundraising efforts. Donations can be made by cash or online. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference and helps support cancer research.
We are excited to come together as a school community to walk, remember, celebrate and continue Terry’s dream.
Go, St. Michael! Let’s “Finish It” for Terry! 💙
Opening School Mass
Our Opening School Mass will take place at St. Vincent de Paul Church on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Parents and grandparents are warmly invited to join us for this celebration.
We look forward to beginning our school year together in faith, community, and service.
Student Emergency Information
During the first week of school, you will receive a copy of your child’s emergency information sheet, which we keep on file for all students. Please take a few minutes to review the information carefully and update any changes. It is essential that we have accurate and current contact details so we can reach you quickly during the school day if needed.
'SchoolCash' ONLINE
If they have not already done so, families are encouraged to create an account for 'SchoolCash' Online. 'SchoolCash' Online gives parents the ability to make quick and easy payments online for school-related purposes. When vising the website below, parents will need to click on the 'Register' icon to create their account. The site also provides additional information about 'SchoolCash' Online and how it works. For those who have already setup an account during a previous school year. Thank you for your coperation.
Link to 'SchoolCash Online website: https://ncdsb.schoolcashonline.com
🚌 School Bus Safety & Behaviour Expectations
🚌 School Bus Safety & Behaviour Expectations
As we begin a new school year, we would like to remind all students and families about the importance of safe and respectful behaviour while riding the school bus.
Taking the bus to and from school is a privilege and an important part of our school community. We all share a responsibility to ensure that every student has a safe and positive experience. Students are expected to follow the bus driver’s directions at all times and demonstrate respectful behaviour throughout their ride.
Students are reminded to:
Remain seated while the bus is moving.
Use quiet voices and speak respectfully to others.
Follow the bus driver’s instructions at all times.
Keep hands, arms, feet and belongings inside the bus.
Keep the aisles clear and avoid behaviour that could distract the driver.
Treat other students, the driver and school transportation staff with kindness and respect.
Use appropriate language and behaviour at all times.
We ask families to speak with their children about these expectations and to reinforce the importance of making safe and responsible choices on the bus.
If a student is unable to follow the expectations for safe bus behaviour, the school will work with the student and family to address the concern. Serious or repeated behaviour concerns may result in further consequences, including the loss of bus privileges.
🚌 Bus Route Information
🚌 Bus Route Information
Bus route information is available through the Niagara Student Transportation System (NSTS) website. Routes are assigned based on students’ home addresses, and families are encouraged to check the NSTS website regularly for route information and updates.
Niagara Student Transportation System (NSTS) – www.nsts.ca
Thank you for working with us to ensure that every student arrives at school and home safely each day. Together, we can make riding the bus a safe, respectful and positive experience for everyone.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL 2026–2027
The Catholic School Council is a wonderful way for parents and community members to become actively involved in the life of our school. All parents/guardians are welcome to attend council meetings. Community members may either nominate parents or self-nominate if they wish to serve in an executive role or as a member of council.
Your time and involvement directly benefit our students—please consider volunteering!
📅 First Catholic School Council Meeting & Elections
Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: St. Michael Catholic Elementary School Library
If you are interested or have any questions, please call the school office at 905-684-1051 to confirm your attendance.
We look forward to welcoming new and returning members to our Catholic School Council!
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day — September 30
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day — September 30
On September 30, communities across Canada recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This important day honours the children who never returned home from residential schools, the survivors, their families, and the generations of Indigenous peoples who continue to experience the impacts of the residential school system.
The day was inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, a residential school survivor from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation. In 2013, Phyllis shared her experience of having her new orange shirt taken from her on her first day at residential school. Her story has become a powerful reminder of the dignity, identity, and belonging that every child deserves.
At Niagara Catholic, we recognize this day as an opportunity to listen, learn, remember, and continue our journey toward truth and reconciliation. We are called to acknowledge the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools while fostering relationships grounded in respect, compassion, understanding, and hope.
On September 30, we invite our students, families, and staff to wear orange as a visible expression of our commitment to the message that Every Child Matters. As a Catholic community, we are called to recognize the sacred dignity of every person and to live out our responsibility to love, respect, and care for one another.
May this day encourage meaningful learning, reflection, and action as we continue walking together on the path toward reconciliation.
Kiss and Ride Safety Reminder
As we begin the school year, we would like to remind everyone of our Kiss and Ride expectations to ensure the safety of all students, staff, and families:
Staff Assistance: When pulling up to the Kiss and Ride lane, a staff member will assist your child(ren) in getting in or out of the car.
Drive Carefully: Please enter the parking lot with caution and proceed slowly at all times.
No Parking in Kiss and Ride Lane: The Kiss and Ride lane is for drop-off and pick-up only.
Stay in Your Vehicle: For safety reasons, please remain in your vehicle while in the Kiss and Ride lane. Opening trunks, getting out, or walking children to the gate from this lane creates safety risks and is not permitted.
Patience and Courtesy: Be patient and courteous to staff and other drivers to help our morning and afternoon routines run smoothly.
Following these guidelines helps keep all students safe and ensures that our Kiss and Ride runs efficiently for everyone.
Thank you for your cooperation and support!
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