Updates from All Saints

May 1, 2026

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK

Each year, Ontario’s Catholic community comes together to celebrate the distinct identity and meaningful contributions of Catholic education during Catholic Education Week. This year, Catholic Education Week will be celebrated from May 3 to May 8, 2026, under the theme “Catholic Education: Pilgrims of Hope: On the Path to Holiness.” Rooted in scripture “As God who called you is holy, be holy yourselves” (1 Peter 1:15-16), we are reminded that each of us is called to live lives of faith, love, and service.

Catholic Education Week celebrates the enduring gift of publicly funded Catholic education. Since 1841, Catholic schools in Ontario have nurtured generations of students who contribute to society with compassion, integrity, and a commitment to the common good. Today, our students continue this legacy as they grow into people of faith and hope.

As a Catholic community, we are called to nurture this hope within ourselves and share it with others through our actions. Throughout the week, students will engage in prayer, reflection, and activities that encourage them to live as true Pilgrims of Hope.

As a way to enter more fully into this week of celebration, let’s carry with us five prayer intentions: 

Monday:  Peace be with you… Let our hearts be filled with peace.

Tuesday: God Loves you… Let our souls rest in the peace of God’s unwavering love.

Wednesday: Christ saves you… Let our minds dwell in the peace and promise of Christ.

Thursday: The Holy Spirit Lives in You… Let the Spirit’s presence guide our hearts and strengthen our steps.

Friday: Together on a Journey… Let us walk in peace, side by side with one another.

Together with Catholic school communities across Ontario, we will celebrate this special week by deepening our faith and strengthening our commitment to living as disciples of Christ, walking together as Pilgrims of Hope on the path to holiness.

If you would like to share your journey this week, tag us in socials: #CathEdWeek  @ocsbRE

We look forward to celebrating Catholic Education Week with you.

EDUCATION WEEK AT ASH

TURNING THE TIDE

For Education Week 2026, a small group of visual arts students at All Saints will lead an initiative to engage our school community in understanding the importance of protecting and preserving our world’s oceans. Four capable and enthusiastic students from Grades 10 and 11 will create large-scale seascapes on 36" x 48" canvases, which will be displayed in the school atrium. Alongside their artwork, compelling facts and ideas will be presented to both inform and inspire students to become part of the solution in protecting our global water systems. 

These student leaders will also share their artistic and academic learning with their respective Grade 10 and 11 classes. In response, those classes will create their own smaller-scale abstract seascapes, extending the impact of the project throughout the school community. In the end, the four large seascapes will remain on display at All Saints as a lasting visual reminder of environmental stewardship and student voice.

EDUCATION WEEK MASS

OCSB staff will celebrate Mass together on May 5. After the Mass, Ms. Stacey Lance will receive a Director of Education Commendation Award for her outstanding work in her role as guidance counsellor at All Saints. 

READ-A-THON

Grade 7&8 students will participate in a read-a-thon in the learning commons on Thursday. 

RELAY FOR LIFE

We end the week with a fundraiser as we participate in Relay for Life. 

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FRENCH EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Students who will be in grades 10 and 11 in the 2026-2027 school year are eligible to apply for a French exchange for next spring.  As part of the exchange, students will be working online with a teacher to gain a French credit.  For more information, please see this poster.

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GRADUATION - MINISTRY OF EDUCATION ANNOUNCEMENT

Graduation is one of the most important moments of the school year. It is a chance to celebrate our students and to recognize everything they have accomplished. As schools prepare for their ceremonies, the focus should stay on our graduates. This is their moment. Creating a welcoming and respectful atmosphere helps ensure that every student and every guest feels comfortable and can fully enjoy the celebration. The Ministry of Education has been clear that graduation ceremonies are meant to honour student achievement and are not intended to be a place for political expression or for promoting personal or institutional viewpoints, especially where they may be divisive. Keeping the focus on students helps ensure that graduation remains what it should be, a positive and memorable experience for everyone.

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STUDENT COUNCIL CO-PRESIDENT ELECTIONS

Interested students are now running for the position of Co-president for next year's student council. Two students will be elected to hold these positions.  This year, the speeches will be recorded and played in grade 7-11 homerooms. Elections will be done via Google Form, sent out to each student's school email addresses. We thank Ms Hessel and Ms Beaupre for organizing the elections. 

May 1-6: Campaign period

May 6-8: Teachers will show the campaign videos

May 11- student voting from 8:30am - 3:00pm

Please let us know if you have questions!

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Secondary Midterm Report Cards

Midterm reports are now available on the Parent Portal. 

Understanding the secondary report card is an important step in supporting a student's educational journey. The percentage marks reflect how well a student is meeting the Ontario curriculum expectations.

To help families interpret these results, we are sharing this document which outlines what each percentage range and achievement level means for your child’s learning and ongoing progress. Understanding Percentage Marks and Achievement Levels 

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CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING

We will meet at as a Catholic School Council on Monday, May 25, in-person in the Learning Commons at 7pm. If you would like to join the meeting virtually, please complete this form by 3pm on Monday, May 25. Links to join will be sent out before the meeting.  

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CSPA & SCHOOL COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS

Hello Hope Presentation with Aubrey Noronha (Thurs, May 7th) at St Paul High School 

Supporting youth well-being, build resilience and connection, nurturing confidence & self-worth, and promote academic and personal success.  Please see this flyer for more details. For events, please register through THIS link.

Parent Presentation on Human Trafficking

All Saints and Holy Trinity School Councils have collaborated to offer this free presentation for parents/guardians.

Christine Clark is a sought-after presenter, educator and trainer in the field of Human Trafficking.  She has designed this presentation for parents based on her lived experiences. Light refreshments will be served.

Date: Tuesday, May 12th

Time:  Doors open at 6:30, presentation at 7:00

Location:  Holy Trinity High School Learning Commons

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SUMMER SCHOOL

The Ottawa Catholic School Board Summer School Registration is now open! Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until classes are full. Reach Ahead courses are open to all learners from all school boards. The deadline to register is June 19th by 3:00 PM. 

For more information on the Summer School programs and course offerings, please visit conted.ocsb.ca/summer-programs/summer-school/ 

If you have any questions about registering for the Summer School Programs, please contact 613-723-7757 or email at Summerschool@ocsb.ca. 

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SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION: OPT OUT PROCESS 

Ottawa Student Transportation (OSTA) is launching its annual opt-out process to enhance bus routing and transportation planning for the 2026-2027 school year.  If your child(ren) will not require school bus transportation next school year, please complete the electronic opt-out form to inform OSTA that a seat is not needed. This will help optimize services and minimize disruptions. Requests for reinstated service can be made anytime through OSTA’s Transportation Issues Form, and is subject to availability and eligibility.  The opt-out form is now available on OSTA’s website. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2026.  

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IMPORTANT DATES

MAY 

Asian Heritage Month

Dutch Heritage Month

Jewish Heritage Month

4 to 8 - Catholic Education Week

5 - Red Dress Day

7 - 7&8 Read-a-Thon in the LC

8 - Relay for Life 

15 - Grade 7&8 Track and Field Day

18 - Victoria Day - No School

20 - Grad Retreat

25 - Catholic School Council Meeting

26 - ASH Cabaret Talent Show

26 - Grad Mass & Rehearsal 

27 - Arts Showcase

29 - Closing Liturgies (Grades 9 to 11)

29 - Prom

JUNE EXAM INFORMATION

OCSB Calendar and Dates for 2025/26: www.ocsb.ca/parents/calendar/