Newsletter from St. Mother Teresa

Welcome to the 2026-2027 School Year!

Welcome to all of our new and returning families! With over 2,000 students in our school community this year, staying connected and keeping up with important information is more important than ever. Please take a few minutes to review the links at the bottom of this newsletter to make sure you are set up to receive school communications.

We encourage everyone to check school communications regularly so you don't miss important announcements, events, deadlines, and opportunities throughout the year.

Welcome back, Titans! Let's make it a great year!

Administrative Team:

Principal: Wanda Symes

Vice-Principal (A-C): Suzanne Baird (Guidance: Erin Byrne)

Vice-Principal (D-K): Patricia King (Guidance: Mark Buccino)

Vice-Principal (L-P): Diana Malenica (Guidance: Nicole Chiasson)

Vice-Principal (Q-Z): Andrew Kwai (Guidance: Katie McCarthy)

Titan Trek - Thursday, September 24th

The St. Mother Teresa Titan Trek is coming soon!! Our annual community building event is soon approaching and we are very excited! Our Recreation Leadership Class, Student Council, and SMT staff have been hard at work planning a wonderful day of fun, fitness, and fundraising!! This event will take place on Thursday, September 24th with a rain date scheduled for Friday, September 25th.

With the minimum donation of $20 via SchoolCash Online, each student will receive a BBQ lunch (all beef hot dog & chips). Students are encouraged to collect further donations as proceeds raised go towards the Terry Fox Foundation in support of cancer research, as well as St. Mother Teresa student initiatives. Thank you for your generosity in supporting this event!!

NOTE: Donations can only be made via SchoolCash Online. Deadline is Tuesday, September 22nd at 3pm.

Student Absences - Signing In/Out Procedures

Our school hours are 8:40am-2:50pm. Students are expected to be in their Period 1/Homeroom classroom promptly at 8:40am so should arrive at school between 8:25-8:30am.

Parents report student full day absences through the Safe Arrival tool:

High school sudents report directly to class if they arrive before 8:50 am. They need to sign in through the main office after 8:50 am. Students in Grades 7-8 sign in through the main office starting at 8:40 am. Students who are signing in late or signing out for an appointment are expected to do so through the main office, with a note signed by a parent/guardian.

**Please avoid signing out your child in Grades 7-8 during lunch hour, if possible, between 12:25-1:02pm.

**Students in Grades 7-8 are not permitted to be signed out to go for lunch offsite unless accompanied by a parent.

Parking Lot and Student Drop-off and Pick-up Guidelines

With ovr 2000 students, it is more important than ever to drop off/pick up students away from the school to minimize traffic congestion in our parking lot. We are asking for students to Walk a Block in the afternoons for pick up but also strongly encourage this practice in the mornings.

Key Parking Lot Instructions:

The front of the building is closed off to the public before and after school as it is the location for our special transportation drop off and pick up. It is imperative for student safety that you do not access this laneway directly at the front door between 8am-8:50am and 2:20-3:05pm.
The front of the building is a one way lane only (direction of the one way is heading east). This ensures all vehicles and pedestrians are safe.
MORNING DROP OFF: Students can be dropped off in the bus loop on the west side of the building OR at the east side of the building.
AFTERNOON PICK UP: Students must be picked up at the EAST SIDE of the building as ONLY OC Transpo buses can access the bus loop in the afternoon. Move up in the pick up line as far as you can to help with traffic flow.
There is construction in the rear of our building which affects traffic on the east side. This adds extra congestion, especially when construction machinery vehicles need to be prioritized.
Students should Walk a Block from Silver Sage, Claridge or Utman Park in the afternoon and are also encouraged to do so in the morning.

Please review this slidedeck for a parking lot map.

Student Technology

Chromebooks:

With over 2000 students this year, we are unable to lend Chromebooks through the Learning Commons. If you believe your child would benefit from having consistent, individual access to a device, we recommend considering the purchase of a personal Chromebook. While each classroom will have a limited number of Chromebooks available for student use, these will be shared among all students in the class.

Student Cell Phones:

Students in Grades 7-11 are not permitted to have cell phones with them during class time.

Student Fees

Every year, we ask families to pay a student fee. This fee helps subsidize financial costs associated with sports, clubs, transportation, guest speakers, and excursions, to name a few. This year’s student fee is $35.00. A student fee for families with one student is $35.00. The student fee for families with two students is $70.00. For each additional student in the family, the fee will increase by $15.00. For example, the fee for three students will be $85.00. Your support is greatly appreciated.

School Photos - September 29th

More information to come but please save the date! All students are expected to have their photos taken for identification purposes (for school use only).

Yearbooks for Sale!

We’re excited to announce that yearbooks for this school year are now available for purchase through SchoolCash Online.

Early Bird Special: Purchase your yearbook by October 30th to take advantage of the early bird price of $50! After Otober 30, price increases to $55.

Costa Rica Experience - February 2027

We still have spots available for this amazing trip! Information available in the above poster.

2026–2027 International Languages Programs – Elementary and Secondary Credit!

The International Languages Secondary Credit Program gives students in Grades 9–12 the opportunity to earn up to three Ontario secondary school credits while developing their language skills and learning about diverse cultures. With 14 languages available, students can strengthen a home language, continue learning a language they already know, or explore a new one. Classes are offered on Saturdays through in-person and virtual options, from September 19, 2026, to June 5, 2027.

The International Languages Program – Elementary is also available for students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8, offering a welcoming environment where students can explore a new language or strengthen their home language through engaging language learning and activities. Registration is on-going throughout the school year.

We would appreciate your help in sharing these opportunities with students and families in your school communities, particularly with students in Grades 9–12 who may be interested in earning secondary school credits through language learning. Both International Languages Programs are free for Ontario residents.

Guest Speakers at SMT

There is an OCSB policy which requires principals to inform parents/guardians in advance of any guest speaker presenting to more than one class. This section will be included in each biweekly newsletter. Feel free to connect with the teacher organizing the guest speaker (the contact name would be indicated in the information letter linked) if you have any questions.

Catholic School Council

MEETING: Monday, September 21st at 6pm

CSC Self-Nomination Form - Please complete this form if you wish to declare your candidacy for an elected position on the St. Mother Teresa High School Catholic School Council. This form closes at noon on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

Nominations will not be accepted at the meeting.

STMT Catholic School Council Elections/First Meeting

September 21, 2026 at 6pm sharp in the Learning Commons on the second floor.

Any questions, please contact stmt.csc@gmail.com

Catholic School Council Constitution

CSPA Events:

Registration link for all events: Ottawa CSPA Events

Links for Parents/Guardians:

St. Mother Teresa High School Website

SchoolMessenger

SchoolCashOnline

OCSB Parent Portal