Newsletter from St. Mother Teresa

PD Day for Students Friday, October 2nd:

This year, our October PD Day falls on October 2nd, not attached to the Thanksgiving weekend as in years past.

Online Chats and Behaviour with Grade 7/8 Students:

We have been made aware of several student group chats that contain highly inappropriate images and language. We are working to address these concerns and are doing our best to shut down these group chats.

We ask parents and guardians to please take some time to check your child’s phone, particularly Snapchat, including stickers and saved content within the app, to ensure that they are using their devices responsibly and appropriately.

Your support in reinforcing responsible and respectful online behaviour is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your assistance and partnership in keeping our students safe.

Titan Trek Thank you!

Thank you to all families who helped make our annual Titan Trek a huge success. We raised over $13,000!

High School Letters of Intervention:

Parents of students in Grades 9-12 may receive a Letter of Intervention on October 8th via email. This serves as early communication that your child may be experiencing a challenge in a particular course (details will be specified in the letter). If you have questions, please reach out to that particular teacher. Thank you for your partnership.

Period 4 Reminder for Grade 11 and 12 Students

To help us manage space and ensure a positive learning environment for everyone during Period 4, we are asking students to follow these guidelines:

Grade 12 students who have a Period 4 spare or e-learn course should not remain in the building during this period, unless they are staying after school for a supervised extra-curricular activity.
Grade 11 students with a Period 4 spare are encouraged to leave the building but may work quietly in the Learning Commons or Atrium if needed.

We have a significant number of students in the building during Period 4 who are not scheduled for a class, and our available spaces are not large enough to comfortably accommodate everyone. Thank you for your cooperation.

Student Attendance

Each day in the classroom is an opportunity for students to explore new ideas, collaborate with peers, and develop skills that will serve them well throughout their school years and beyond. Regular attendance is essential to students’ academic and social-emotional success, as well as overall well-being.

Later this week, the monthly attendance letter will be emailed which provides a summary of attendance for the month of September. This letter is and will continue to be shared monthly to ensure transparency around cumulative attendance, and awareness around the impact of missing school.

We understand that some students may experience specific challenges that affect their attendance. Our dedicated team of educators and support staff are here to help provide assistance, resources, and understanding to help address these concerns. Feel free to reach out to your student’s teacher, guidance counsellor or vice-principal should you feel additional support may benefit your student with their attendance at school. Together, we can explore strategies to better support your student's individual needs.

Ministry of Education Updates to Attendance and Evaluation for High School Students

Information from the Ministry regarding this new policy: Letter to Parents/Guardians

Other OCSB Resources for Parents:

How School Attendance Impacts Student Success

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. Walk a Block strongly encouraged.
AFTERNOON PICK UP: Students must Walk a Block from Silver Sage, Claridge or Utman Park in the afternoon and are also encouraged to do so in the morning.

Parking Lot Construction - October 1st

Beginning October 1st, there will be no access to the EAST parking lot and loop due to construction. This closure will last until at least October 9th. Students will not have access to the east entrance; they will need to come through the main doors.

Please adhere to the pick up and drop off recommendations communicated.

High School Parent-Teacher Interviews - Thursday, October 15th

Interviews will be held from 2-4 pm and again from 5-7 pm. Booking information will be forthcoming.

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.

Ottawa Police Presentation to Grade 7/8 Students:

Presenter: Sharon Priestman (Community Yough Unit Officer)

Topics: Social Media Use; Group Texting Chats; Consent

Date: TBD

Anti-Human Trafficking Presentation to Students in Grades 8 and 9:

Presenter: Christine Clark is the Community Education Coordinator for A New Day Youth and Adult Services.

Topic: Anti-Human Trafficking

Date: TBD

This 75 minute presentation will be presented by a person with lived experience in human trafficking. When the presenter shares their lived experience, they will provide the youth with very basic knowledge of their experience. An example of this would be using language like “I was forced to do things that I didn’t want to do” versus saying “I was forced to do sex work”. The presenter will use age appropriate language for the audience. The presenter will also use language matching with this age category. As the youth open up and use their own language the presenter will expand on this language for further explanation. This will be an interactive presentation and the youth will be encouraged to engage in conversation to further their knowledge of human trafficking. The following information will be included in the presentation.

What is Human Trafficking

Lived experience story

Where does it happen

Where are youth lured

Online safety

Consent

Healthy relationships

Healthy boundaries

Q&A session