Happy Thanksgiving
As we enter this season of gratitude, we take time to reflect on the many blessings within our St. Francis Xavier community. May this Thanksgiving bring your family moments of peace, joy, and connection, and may we all carry a spirit of thankfulness into the weeks ahead.
Wishing all our families a wonderful and restful Thanksgiving weekend.
Coyote Prowl
Our annual Coyote Prowl was an incredible celebration of school spirit, community, and generosity! From the door-decorating competition and homeroom games to the teacher vs. student matchups, talent show, teacher performance, football game, and community walk, the energy and enthusiasm were outstanding all day long.
A heartfelt thank you to our families for their tremendous support of the Coyote Canned Food Drive and generous donations to our Christmas hampers. Your kindness helps make a real difference in our community.
We’re so proud of our students and staff for planning such a memorable day that truly reflects what it means to be part of the Coyote community!
Parent-Teacher Interviews & Early Dismissal
Parent-teacher interviews are being held in person on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 2:00-4:00 pm and 4:40-6:40 pm.
Please read this document for important instructions on how to book a Parent-Teacher interview.
Interviews will be conducted at the school in one of the gyms. If you wish to book an interview, our online booking system will be available beginning Friday, October 10, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. and will close on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at noon. Time slots will be limited.
If you are unable to obtain a time slot to see a teacher, please note that at any time during the semester, you may contact your child's teacher regarding his/her progress. You can call the school and leave a message for the teacher, or you can email them (see list of email addresses here).
Please note that on this day, all students will be dismissed early at 1:30 p.m. While school buses adjust their timing for early dismissal, OC Transpo will only provide service at the regular dismissal time.
All Grade 10 students will write the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) on one of the following days: November 10–14 or November 17, 2025.
Students in Grades 11 and 12 who have not yet completed the OSSLT successfully will write on November 18–19, 2025.
To help prepare, Grade 10 students will complete a practice test on October 20, 21, 22, 24, or 27. The practice test familiarizes students with the online testing format and types of writing prompts they will encounter.
For more information and preparation resources, please refer to this OSSLT information document.
9-12 Semester 1 Exam Schedule
Grade 9 - 12 students’ examinations and Rich Summative Tasks (RSTs) WILL NOT be rescheduled for holiday or travel convenience, and all appointments should be scheduled so as not to conflict with exams and RSTs. If a medical problem arises, a Vice-Principal must be contacted before the exam or RST. Medical certificates will be required to permit alternate arrangements for final examinations.
The OCSB has released the Semester 1 Final Exam schedule. Attendance on exam days is mandatory - vacation and work arrangements are expected to be made around these dates:
Thurs. Jan 22 - Grade 10-12 Period 1 exam and Grade 9 Period 1 RST
Fri. Jan 23 - Grade 10-12 Period 2 exam and Grade 9 Period 2 RST
Mon. Jan 26 - Grade 10-12 Period 3 exam and Grade 9 Period 3 RST
Tues. Jan 27 - Grade 10-12 Period 4 exam and Grade 9 Period 4 RST
Wed. Jan 28 - Exam Buffer day in case of inclement weather
Thurs. Jan 29 - Credit Intervention Day (students will be invited to attend, if required)
Fri. Jan 30 - PD Day
Mon. Feb 2 - Semester 2 begins
Students and Parents/Guardians can refer to the OCSB website for the Grade 9 - 12 calendar. These calendars identify the first and last day of school, PD days, Statutory Holidays, Board Holidays, and High School exams.
Grade 7 Field Trip – Baxter Conservation Area
We are excited to share that our Grade 7 students will be heading to Baxter Conservation Area this fall for a hands-on outdoor learning experience!
During the trip, students will participate in inquiry-based activities that explore ecosystems, biodiversity, and the interdependence of living things — all directly related to the Interactions in the Environment Science strand. The program emphasizes observation, data collection, and critical thinking skills, while also encouraging students to consider their role in maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment.
Cost: $24.00 per student (payable through SchoolCash Online)
Dates: Each class will attend on the following days:
October 28 – 702 & 708
October 30 – 705 & 711
November 3 – 701 & 707
November 4 – 703 & 710
November 5 – 704 & 710
November 6 – 706 & 712
This promises to be an engaging and memorable experience for our students as they connect classroom learning with the natural world!
Any questions or concerns, please email Stephanie.Boivin@ocsb.ca
Grade 7 & 8 Excursion - Ottawa 67's
Our Grade 7/8 students will be heading to the TD Arena to cheer on the Ottawa 67’s as they face Brampton! This experience builds community, school spirit, and life lessons about teamwork and perseverance, while giving students a chance to enjoy live sports together.
The cost is $29 (ticket + transportation). Please register and pay through School Cash Online by October 5th.
St. Francis Xavier Catholic School Council
FlipGive Fundraiser – Support St. FX with Your Everyday Shopping!
Parent Council is excited to continue our fundraising efforts through FlipGive — a simple way to support our school at no extra cost to you. With just 5 minutes to set up the app on your phone or web browser, a portion of what you’re already spending on groceries, gas, restaurants, and online shopping will go directly back to our school community.
Getting started is quick and easy:
Click here to join our team: https://flipgive.app.link/teams/join?joincode=394PVR
Enter code 394PVR when prompted
Every purchase helps make a difference! Thank you for supporting our students and school community. If you have any questions, please reach out at stfx.chair@gmail.com.
College and University Application Help
For students planning to apply to college or university for admission next fall, there is help available from Student Services.
These two slide decks outline much of the information needed to get started with applications:
Over the coming weeks, there will also be several Drop-in Application Help Sessions at lunch for students. The times and locations have been sent directly to students and are also posted in the school announcements. Helpful information is also always available at stfxgrads.com.
Student fees support student programming and include the cost of the yearbook.
1 student: $65 (includes 1 yearbook)
2 students: $120 (includes 2 yearbooks)
3 students: $160 (includes 3 yearbooks)
Please pay via SchoolCashOnline. Yearbooks are included in the student fee and won’t be sold separately later.
VV Fundraiser Nov 9 2025.pdfSt. FX Ultimate Team FUNDrive - Nov. 9
Mark your calendar for our Community Collection Day on Sunday, November 9, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Francis Xavier High School.
For full details on what can be donated, check out the attached poster.
October 13 - Thanksgiving
October 14/15 - Opening Liturgies/Thanksgiving Liturgies
October 16 - Gr. 9-12 Parent/Guardian-Teacher Interviews
October 21 - School Council (Parent Council) Meeting 7:00
October 23 - School Photo Retake Day
October 27 - Catholic School Council Meeting (Virtual 4:45 PM)
October 29 - 67s Game day for Gr. 7/8 students
October 31 - Halloween
November 4 - Gr. 10 Civics/Careers Turnaround Day
November 5 - Gr. 9 Take Our Kids to Work Day
November 7 - PD Day (no school)
November 11 - Remembrance Day
November 13 - Gr. 7/8 Progress Reports posted to Parent Portal
November 19 - Gr. 9-12 Semester 1 Interim Report Cards posted to Parent Portal
November 20 - Gr. 7/8 Parent/Guardian-Teacher Interviews
Our Lady of the Visitation Parish Sacramental Preparation Programs are beginning for any youth wishing to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation next Spring. Information meetings for parents/guardians will be held on Tuesday, October 21st at 7pm or Sunday, November 2nd at 12:30pm. All meetings will be held in the church.
For further information, please email: confirmation@olvottawa.ca or contact the parish office.
