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7/8 Student Announcements

HS Student Announcements

As we head into our final week of school before March Break, we have a number of exciting events planned for our students. Next week will be School Spirit Week, and we look forward to seeing our community come together to celebrate school pride. We will also be hosting our Coffee House, which is always a wonderful opportunity for students to share their talents.

Families should also note that Letters of Early Intervention for high school students will be emailed home on Thursday, March 12. These letters are intended to support students by identifying areas where additional attention or improvement may be needed before the end of the semester.

March Break will take place from March 16–20, and we hope it provides families with a chance to rest, recharge, and spend time together.

March is Mois de la Francophonie,

Our school is looking forward to a vibrant month celebrating the French language and Francophone culture. Students will take part in a variety of engaging activities that highlight the richness and diversity of the Francophone world. We are excited to welcome special guest Fana Soro on March 5th and to host a visit from the Francophone Sugar Shack on March 26th, offering students a taste of traditional culture and customs. Throughout the month, French will be celebrated in our daily school life through morning songs and prayer, festive decorations, and engaging mini-lessons in French classes. We look forward to a joyful and meaningful celebration across our school community.

Coffee House - March 12, 2026

St. Francis Xavier High School is proud to present the Spring edition of our Coffee House. Our Coffee House is an intimate performance set on a small stage by students in the high school panel. There will be signing, music and more. Please come and join us in the atrium on Thursday, March 12th, at 6 pm. There are a variety of great acts that will be sure to entertain you. The students really appreciate your support. See you there!

Reminder: DELF Registration Deadline for Grade 12 French Students

This is a reminder for families of students currently enrolled in Grade 12 French (FIF4U or FSF4U) in Semester 2 about the upcoming DELF registration deadline.

Students wishing to register must complete the DELF Registration form before 3:00 PM on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Please note that late registrations cannot be accepted.

2026 Multicultural Showcase

Leading up to Catholic Education Week, we are excited to begin preparations for our annual Multicultural Showcase. This year’s theme is “Windows of Us.” Every culture offers a window into different ways of living, thinking, celebrating, and understanding the world. By looking through these windows, we build empathy, curiosity, and global awareness. Through various art forms - music, dance, poetry, fashion, storytelling, and more, we will showcase how beautifully diverse yet deeply connected our St. FX community is.

We will be hosting a brief after-school meeting on Thursday, March 12th for all students who are interested in learning more about this year's show. Please encourage your child to attend, should they be interested in participating on stage or behind the scenes.

Lost and Found Reminder

Our Lost and Found items will be displayed at the school until March 26. Students are encouraged to take a few moments to check for any missing belongings.

Any items that remain unclaimed after March 26 will be donated.

Final Assessments – Exams and RSTs

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 prior to the exam or RST.

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. As a general rule, it is prudent to avoid any planned student absences during the months of January and June, as this is when RSTs and exams are scheduled.

Chocolate for a Great Cause!

Just in time for Easter, our Parent Council is partnering with Purdys Chocolatier to raise funds for a student bursary at our school. This is a wonderful opportunity to stock up on delicious treats while directly supporting a graduating student.

Every purchase made through our campaign helps grow the bursary fund and invest in our students’ futures. Whether you’re filling Easter baskets or treating yourself, your support makes a meaningful difference.

The campaign ends March 12, 2026

Simply use the link provided beside this message to place your order.

Thank you for supporting our students — and happy Easter chocolate shopping!

St. Francis Xavier High School Spring FundraiserPlease help us raise funds for grad bursaries!

Upcoming Ontario Literacy Test (OSSLT):

Here are some key dates and information about the upcoming test and test preparation:

March 31, 2026 - Gr. 11&12’s who have not yet passed will write the OSSLT

April 1, 2026 - Gr. 10’s who have not yet written or passed will write the OSSLT

Grade 11 students will participate in extra practice sessions on March 24 or 25. The practice test will provide strategies for success on the test.

Additional information and preparation materials for the OSSLT can be found on this document.

High School Parent-Teacher Interviews – March 26

Parent-Teacher Interviews for students in Grades 9–12 will take place on Thursday, March 26, from 2:00–6:40 PM at St. Francis Xavier Catholic High School.

Families who wish to meet with their child’s teachers will be able to schedule appointments online. The booking system will open on March 13 at 3:00 PM and will close on March 25 at 12:00 PM.

Please see these booking instructions. We encourage families to take advantage of this opportunity to connect with teachers and discuss student progress.

Parking Lot Safety Reminder

With many students arriving and leaving at the same time, our parking lot becomes very busy during drop-off and pick-up. Please drive slowly, stay alert, follow the traffic flow, and watch carefully for students.

Our teacher supervisors are on duty to help keep everyone safe. We ask that all drivers follow their directions and show them courtesy and respect.

Thank you for doing your part to keep our school community safe.

Supporting Children During Ongoing World Events

Many regions of the world are currently experiencing war and conflict, including recent events in West Asia. We recognize that these situations can be deeply distressing, especially for members of our community who have family, cultural, or personal connections to affected areas. Our school remains committed to supporting the well-being of every student and staff member.

Families may find the following strategies helpful when speaking with children about difficult world events:

Ask what they already know and how they are feeling.
Keep explanations age-appropriate and factual.
Limit exposure to graphic media coverage and social media.
Reassure children about their safety and the support around them.
Maintain regular routines, which help provide stability and security.

If children are experiencing ongoing distress, families may wish to access additional supports through community resources:

Parents Lifeline of Eastern Ontario: 613-321-3211

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868

Distress Centre of Ottawa: 613-238-3311

As a faith-filled community, we continue to pray for peace and for the safety and dignity of all people.

Summer School Preview 2026

Dates: July 2 – July 23, 2026

Registration: Registration will officially open on 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.