Parent Newsletter

Translate This Page

7/8 Student Announcements

HS Student Announcements

We are entering a busy and important period of learning as the semester draws to a close. Secondary students are completing Rich Summative Tasks, with students in Grades 10–12 also preparing for exams, while students in Grades 7 and 8 are wrapping up learning activities that contribute to their report cards.

If you have not already done so, please take a moment to review the Exam Memo to Parents that was shared earlier this week.

Thank you for your ongoing support as students work to finish the term strong.

Grad Photo Retakes:

Grad photo retakes will take place from February 3rd - 4th by appointment only in the Learning Commons. To book an appointment go to bookmygrad.ca, select “Book graduation photos at your school”, and use the school code FXH.

You can book an initial appointment.
You can book a retake.
You can book a FREE appointment just for the yearbook (not needed if you have another appointment type!)

Book early as appointment time slots fill up quickly!

Students should dress semi-formally, and if they are wearing a button-down shirt, white is suggested. Not sure what to expect - check out this VIDEO

Yearbooks

Don’t Miss Out on your 2025-2026 Yearbook Orders! The deadline to guarantee your student a copy of this year’s memories is April 15th.

Not sure if you’ve already purchased one? Students can quickly check their status by visiting my.studentinfo.ca.

If you haven’t yet paid, please head over to School Cash Online and look for the “Student Fee/Yearbook Payment” option to secure your copy today!

Picture Consent

Parents, if you DO NOT want your child’s picture in the yearbook, please ensure you fill out the form on the parent portal (called Consent for Use and Disclosure) and select the No-Consent option. The form is located under the menu on the left-hand side under "Forms".

High School Semester 1 Exams

As we approach the end of the semester, families are reminded that Grade 9–12 exams and RSTs cannot be moved for vacation or travel plans. Please schedule all appointments outside these dates. If a student is ill, a Vice-Principal must be contacted before the exam; a medical note is required for alternate arrangements.

Exam Schedule

Thurs. Jan 22 – Period 1 Exam
Fri. Jan 23 – Period 2 Exam
Mon. Jan 26 – Period 3 Exam
Tues. Jan 27 – Period 4 Exam

Expectations for Gr 9 Students

Students are expected to attend 120 minutes each day - 8:00 am-10:00 am

January 22 - Gr 9 Period 1
January 23 - Gr 9 Period 2
January 26 - Gr 9 Period 3
January 27 - Gr 9 Period 4

Attendance is taken at the start of the day.

Students are expected to move to the ATRIUM to be supervised OR vacate the building.

Students remaining at school after lunch are expected to stay in the supervised atrium until the end of the school day.

Inclement Weather

In the event of a “snow day” where yellow school bus transportation is cancelled for the school board during the high school exam period, the missed exam will be written the following day. All other exams will be bumped by one day and the last exam, scheduled for Tuesday, January 27th will be written on Wednesday, January 28th. During a snow day, the school will be open, but exams will not be written.

January Parent Information Evening: Screens, Sleep, and School

Parents of students in Grades 7–12 are invited to join us for an informative evening on navigating screen use in the digital age. We’ll explore the impact of screens on sleep, learning, and attendance, recognize warning signs of digital overuse, and share practical strategies for setting healthy digital boundaries at home.

Wednesday, January 21 at 6:00 p.m.
St. FX Learning Commons
Grades 10–12 students are welcome to attend with a parent.

French Tutoring!

The Ottawa Catholic School Board has partnered with Canadian Parents for French again this year in order to be able to offer free virtual tutoring programs to our students. There are limited spaces available.

Registration Link Waitlist Link

Franco-Fun is for French as a Second Language (FSL) students from SK to Gr. 8. Participants will have the opportunity to interact in French all while having fun through a variety of activities (i.e. games, arts and crafts, discussions, videos). Students will learn new vocabulary and about Francophone culture.

Vive la Parole! is a program for FSL students from Gr. 7 to 12. Students will explore French culture, participate in discussions, and play games. This program encourages students to connect and socialize with their peers from across Ontario, building their confidence in speaking French.

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

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.

Summer School Preview 2026

Dates: July 2 – July 23, 2026

Registration: Registration will officially open on Friday, March 13th, 2026.
Hours: Summer school hours: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm.

In-Person Reach Ahead Locations: St. Pius X Catholic High School (Central) and St. Matthew Catholic High School (East).

Credit Recovery: St. Pius X, St. Mother Teresa, St. Patrick, St. Matthew, and Holy Trinity.

Skills Builder Courses: English Numeracy & Literacy Support or Core French Literacy Support will be offered at St. Pius X and St. Matthew.

Indigenous Education: This will be offered at St. Pius X.

Conversational English & Literacy Development: Offered at St. Pius X, this is a 55-hour non-credit course for students entering Grades 9-12 who are beginner multilingual learners (ELD and ESL AO/BO) and have not yet earned a mainstream English credit.

Course Requirements: All courses are dependent on enrolment. Students are required to bring their own laptop.

Catholic School Parent Association (CSPA) – Parent Learning Opportunities

The CSPA invites all parents to attend January’s General Meeting on Wednesday, January 28, held virtually. This session will provide information about the new System Principal roles and the upcoming OCSB Student Census. Parents will also take part in an interactive discussion on how families can support math fluency at home.

In addition, parents are invited to attend a repeat virtual session with the author of The Family Smartphone Guide: Navigating Physical, Mental, and Legal Challenges in a Digital World on Thursday, January 29.

Parents can register through THIS link for either session.

St. Francis Xavier Catholic School Council

Our next School Council meeting will take place virtually on January 26th at 5:00 p.m.

1. - January 21 - Last day of regular classes (Gr. 10 - 12)
  - January 22 - Period 1 exams (Gr. 10-12), RSTs (Gr. 9)
  - January 23 - Period 2 exams (Gr. 10-12), RSTs (Gr. 9)
  - January 26 - Period 3 exams (Gr. 10-12), RSTs (Gr. 9)
  - January 27 - Period 4 exams (Gr. 10-12), RSTs (Gr. 9)
  - January 28 - extra exam/RST day in case of inclement weather
  - January 28 - Gr. 8 Elective Carousel Day
  - January 29 - Credit Intervention Day
  - January 30 - PD Day (no school)
  - February 2 - First Day of Semester 2 (Gr. 9 - 12)

Updates from the Ottawa Public Library

Manotick Branch

Greenboro Branch

Parish Updates

Our Lady of Visitation Bulletin

Page updated

Report abuse