Dear Families,
Happy New Year! We have had a great first week back at school, and it has been wonderful to reconnect with students and settle back into our routines. We now have Spirit Wear avaialble for sale! Please scroll down to find more information about how to order.
In partnership with School Council and the City of Ottawa’s Parks Maintenance and Forestry Services, we have been granted two Sugar Maples, two Freeman Maples, and one Ironwood, which are scheduled to be planted this spring.
We are also collaborating with Indigenous partners, Uncle Inini and Auntie Steph, who will be providing teachings about the trees and the upcoming tree planting as part of an outdoor learning initiative. On Monday, January 12, we are looking forward to welcoming Scott Sinquah, 2023 World Champion Hoop Dancer, for a whole-school presentation featuring dance and teachings about the meaning of Hoop Dancing.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Allison Wawryn
Principal
St. Francis of Assisi Spirit Wear
Link: Spirit Wear
Order between Jan 9 and Jan 26 for free shipping to the school!
Lost & Found
We have many items in our Lost & Found! Is your child missing an item? All items are on display in the rotunda until Jan. 16. Please remind your child to take a look, or if you are in the school, you are invited to take a look as well! Thanks!
Keeping our schools healthy this winter
A message from Ottawa Public Health: As we enter the winter months, please monitor your child for symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea, and keep them home until they are feeling better and fever-free. Viruses can spread through the air, close contact, and shared surfaces, so regular handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and keeping vaccinations up to date—including flu and COVID-19—are important. Thank you for helping us keep our school community healthy and safe. For more information, click HERE.
Coming soon: OCSB’s 2nd Student Census will take place Feb 24th - March 13th
Each student in grades 4 through 12 will complete the census at school. Parents will be sent a link to the census for each child in grades Kindergarten through 3. Answers are voluntary and confidential.
The information collected will help us:
Plan programs and services that support student success.
Understand language, cultural, and identity needs in our schools.
Improve resources for students with diverse backgrounds.
Guide equity and inclusion work.
Identify areas where additional support is needed; and
Create schools where every student feels safe, welcome, and included.
Want to learn more?
Attend a Parent Engagement Session:
Virtually: Thurs, Jan 29th at Noon or 7:00 PM
Sign up for a session HERE using the same email address you will use to access the Google Meet.
Translation will be provided automatically through closed captioning.
In-Person:
Wed, Feb 4th at St. Paul High School (6:30 PM) OR
Thurs, Feb 5th Lester B Pearson High School (7:30 PM)
On-site child minding will be provided.
Need more info? Consult: Board Census Webpage and FAQ
Note: If you prefer that your child not participate, an opt-out form will be available from Feb 2nd - 13th on our website and a link will be sent directly to your email in February.
Dental Screening
Suzanne Gravel a registered dental hygienist (RDH) with Ottawa Public Health will provide a dental screening on January 16, 2026 for students in JK, SK, Grade 1, Grade 2 and some follow-ups as needed.
If your child’s grade is not selected, but you wish for the dental hygienist to see him/her, please advise the school.
Outdoor play is an important part of every child’s day. Fresh air and active play support physical health, social skills, creativity, and overall well-being.
Outdoor Play Reminder: We go outside in all kinds of weather! Please send your child with a hat, mitts and snowpants, as winter is upon us.
With the right clothing, students can enjoy the outdoors comfortably and safely in every season.
If you are using the Kiss & Ride, please drive all the way down the roundabout to pick up your children safely. Do not pick up half way toward the roundabout.
This prevents students from running between cars, and keeps our Kiss & Ride running safely and smoothly.
Please remember: For safety, there is no car drop offs or pick-ups near the Junior exit in the small paved area: please do not use Charlemange as a pick up or drop off. That area must stay clear for student and pedestrian safety.
Instead, please use the Kiss N Ride or park a block away and walk to meet your children.
Thank you for helping us keep school safe for all students.
Jan. 12 - Scott Sinquah Hoop Dancing Presentation
Jan. 16 - Dental Screening: JK - Gr. 2
Jan. 19 - School Council Meeting - Virtual
Jan. 30 PD Day
Feb 12 & Feb. 19: Vorlage, Feb. 26 & Mar. 5: Cascades Snowhawks’ Ski & Snowboard Program - Grades 5-6 (make-up date is Mar 12 in case of a cancelled outing)
If your child takes the bus, please sign up and login for important bussing updates.
By your side: Parent/caregiver resources to support mental health learning and well-being for every family. Click here.
Key topics in the Parent/Caregiver Learning Hub include:
· understanding mental health
· promoting mental health at home
· supporting mental health at school
· stress and anxiety management
· substance use prevention
· navigating digital technology use
· reaching out for help
Click here to submit your vulnerable sector check and become a volunteer at the school!
If your child has a medical condition, please see below.
In order to best care for your child, parents/guardians must download and print the OSCB Life Threatening Medical Condition and Request and Consent for Administration form and provide it to the school at the beginning of the school year. This form must be updated every school year and/or if the information or medication dosage changes.
In the link provided please also download and print out the corresponding Plan of Care Form that pertains to your child. The Plan of Care Form must be filled out by all new students or if there are any changes to an existing student's plan of care.
If there is no change to your Plan of Care then you can skip it and download and print out the Annual Review Form which can be found at the bottom of the first link.
Please hand in all applicable forms to the front office at St. Francis of Assisi.
If your child no longer has a medical condition please go on to your Parent Portal, log-in, under the purple banner select Forms, select OCSB Student Verification for the child you want to make the change for. Fill out the areas only where there is a change and click submit.
Medication must be sent to school in the original container with your child's name clearly on the label.
Epipens and Asthma Inhalers – Two are recommended , one with the child and one at the office.
Please fill in the linked forms for your child and send them in to the office. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
All the above information and more can be found at https://www.ocsb.ca/parents/student-health/.