Nov. 21, 2025
Nov. 21, 2025
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Dear Families,
We’ve had a wonderful and busy week here at school! Today we were proud to host our Girls Volleyball Tournament. A big thank you to our dedicated coaches and to all families who were able to come out and cheer on our team!
Earlier this week, our Kindergarten to Grade 3 students participated in a Walk Safe presentation courtesy of the Ottawa Safety Council. This program helps our younger learners build confidence and awareness as they move safely through their community.
As we look ahead, December is filled with many exciting events! You’ll find more information throughout the newsletter about our Christmas Store, Advent and Angel Tree projects, Scholastic Book Fair, and MacMillans fundraising.
Our Christmas Concert is planned for the last week of school, with a tentative date of Wednesday, December 17. More details will be shared soon.
Thank you for your continued partnership and all the ways you support our school community. A reminder also, that there is no school on Dec. 5, as it is a PD day.
Allison Wawryn
Principal
Advent & Angel Tree Project
The season of Advent is approaching and in order to share our many blessings our Advent Project will focus on:
The needs of the Ottawa Area by supporting The Shepherds of Good Hope, & the needs of our St. Francis Community through our Angel Tree.
Click Here for More information: Advent & Angel Tree Projects
Book Fair
Looking for Christmas gift ideas? How about books! Our St. Francis of Assisi book fair will run from Dec. 9 - 11, with exteneded hour on Wed. Dec. 10, until approx 6:15pm.
Christmas Store - Dec. 4
Donation Drop-Off Options
Now until Dec 2: Drop donations at the school
Mon, Nov 24 from 6:00–8:00 pm:
Drive-Up Drop-Off! Pull up to the school and we’ll collect donations right from your car — no need to get out!
Please Note:
No broken, dirty, dangerous, or inappropriate items (for a Catholic school and young children).
Shopping Details
Please send your child’s money in a labelled Ziploc bag.
Important: Teachers and volunteers cannot monitor or track student cash.
Only send the amount you want them to spend — change may not come home.
Gift Basket Raffle
Students can also enter to win exciting gift baskets for $1 per ticket — a fun chance to take home something extra special! Thank you
A big thank you to Sarah Hatoum from “Sarah, Your Travel Advisor” for generously donating a Stanley to our raffle prizes!
https://sarah.centreholidays.com
Gift Wrapped!
All gifts are wrapped on site, so everything your child purchases will come home ready to go straight under the tree.
MacMillans Fundraising
We are excited to share that our MacMillan’s fundraiser is now live! This is a great opportunity to stock up on treats for the holiday season while helping support improvements to our school yard.
How to Order:
Please visit: https://macmillansfundraising.online/store/
At checkout, be sure to select “St Francis of Assisi” as your school from the drop-down menu.
Important Dates:
Online Closure: Monday, December 1 (portal closes at midnight)
Delivery Date: Monday, December 15 – Tuesday, December 16 (Pick up at school or local pick up in Fallingbrook)
Thank you for your continued support of our school community. Your participation helps make a meaningful difference for our students.
Dress for the Weather
Dress for the Weather
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—even a light rain! Please send your child with a hat and mitts, as the days are getting cooler.
With the right clothing, students can enjoy the outdoors comfortably and safely in every season.
Ottawa Catholic School Parents’ Association
CSPA invites parents to attend:
November’s General Meeting (Wed, Nov 26th) to learn about how the OCSB supports students’ to build social, emotional and mental health skills (St Matthew HS); and
Mon, Dec 1st Parent Session: Interactive Digital Resilience & AI Night: Explore how to raise digitally resilient kids and experience how AI is transforming education at the OCSB (Holy Trinity HS)
Parents can attend sessions virtually or in person at the designated location by registering through THIS link.
Kiss & Ride
Kiss & Ride
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 to the roundabout.
This prevents students from running between cars, and keeps our Kiss & Ride running safely and smoothly.
Youth Group - Gr. 5 and up
Exciting News: Combined Junior and Senior Youth Ministry at Divine Infant Parish!
Aligned with the mission of the Divine Infant Parish, we are thrilled to announce the formation of our combined Junior and Senior Youth Ministry. Our Vision is simple yet powerful:
"Empowering the next generation to boldly follow Christ, grow in faith, and transform their community with love and purpose."
This is a wonderful opportunity for youth to unite in faith, deepen their relationship with Christ, and make a meaningful impact in both their lives and the community.
Why Combine the Junior and Senior Youth Ministries?
By bringing the two groups together, we create a stronger, more vibrant community. This change will enable:
Shared experiences: Youth of all ages can learn from one another, fostering mentorship and friendship across grades.
Increased involvement in parish life: Our combined ministry will have greater opportunities to participate in liturgical events, parish fundraisers, community service projects, and more.
Enhanced spiritual growth: With a larger group, we can offer a richer diversity of experiences, deepening our faith through shared prayer, discussions, and activities.
A more cohesive youth community: Unity fosters a stronger bond, where everyone—no matter their age—can contribute to the mission of the parish.
We're Now Accepting Registrations!
Junior Youths: Grades 5 to 8
Senior Youths: Grades 9 to 12
How to Register: Divine Infant Youth Registration Form or email youth@divineinfantparish.ca
When: Friday Nights, 7 - 9pm
Where: Divine Infant Parish Hall
Please join us!
Immunization Records
Need to submit your child's immunization records?
Parents can be directed to submit their child’s immunization record(s) directly to Ottawa Public Health at www.ParentingInOttawa.ca/immunization
Drop Off & Pick Up
Drop Off & Pick Up
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.
Dec 1 - MacMillan’s fundraiser https://macmillansfundraising.online/store/ (portal closes at midnight)
Dec 1 - Parent Session: Interactive Digital Resilience & AI Night Register through THIS link.
Dec. 4 - Christmas Store during school hours
Dec. 5 - PD Day
Dec. 9 - 11 - Book Fair (Dec. 10, extended hours to 6:15 pm)
Dec. 15 & 16 - MacMillan’s fundraiser, Delivery Date: (Pick up at school or local pick up in Fallingbrook)
Dec. 17 AM - Potential Date for Christmas Concert
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!
OSTA Parent Portal
OSTA Parent Portal
If your child takes the bus, please sign up and login for important bussing updates.
Students with Medical Conditions
Students with Medical Conditions
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/.
Advent & Angel Tree Project
The season of Advent is approaching and in order to share our many blessings our Advent Project will focus on:
The needs of the Ottawa Area by supporting The Shepherds of Good Hope, & the needs of our St. Francis Community through our Angel Tree.
Click Here for More information: Advent & Angel Tree Projects
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