Updates from All Saints

JANUARY 13, 2026

DEAR ALL SAINTS FAMILIES, 

We hope the first weeks of 2026 have been excellent ones for all All Saints families. We have a busy month ahead with several key deadlines approaching, including registration for the Grade 8 Mini-Course program, and upcoming High School exams. Please take a moment to review the following opportunities for student enrichment, parent engagement sessions, and important events.

FREE FRENCH TUTORING

Bonjour! 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. 

Franco-Fun is a virtual program for students in Grades 1-8 enrolled in Core French, Extended French, and French Immersion. Participants will take part in games and activities online to improve their French all while having fun and making new friends!

Reading Circle is a virtual program for students in Grades 1-8 enrolled in Core French, Extended French, and French Immersion. Participants will read books, articles, poems, and other reading materials with new friends and engage in activities to learn new vocabulary and improve their reading comprehension skills.

Vive La Parole is a virtual program for students in Grades 7-12 Core French and French Immersion. Participants will improve their fluency in French, practice their oral French skills, meet new people, and get the opportunity to share ideas, discuss current issues, play games, and more!

Registration Link

https://form.jotform.com/260106927554256

Waitlist

https://form.jotform.com/260108005601238

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CSPA EVENTS

• January’s General Meeting (Wed, Jan 28), virtually,  to learn about the new system principal roles and about the upcoming OCSB Student Census. There will be an interactive portion: how parents can support math fluency.

• A repeat virtual parent session with the author of "The Family Smartphone Guide: Navigating Physical, Mental, and Legal Challenges in a Digital World” on Thurs, Jan 29

Parents can register through THIS link for either session. 

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EQAO MATH WEBINARS FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

1. Jan 29, 2026 12:00 PM.  Register here.

EQAO staff will show how the math questions used on the EQAO assessment help assess the skills students are learning in their math classes. Staff will also share valuable insights from EQAO research into  assessment results, which can help parents and guardians support their children’s math learning.

2. Feb 12, 2026 12:00 PM.  Register here.

How does EQAO assess Grade 9 students’ mathematics learning? EQAO staff will discuss mathematics questions from the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics. Participants will hear how these questions help assess the skills students are learning in class. Staff will also highlight valuable insights and resources that can help parents and guardians support their child’s learning

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STUDENT DROP OFF & PICK UP

Before and after school, please follow the instructions provided in this LINK for student drop off and pick up. We also recommend 'walk-a-block': picking up or dropping off on a street a block away from the school in a safe, pre-designated location. Following these instructions helps to ensure the safety of students and staff. 

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GRADE 8 MINI COURSE PROGRAM - DEADLINE JAN 16

The Mini-Course Program is an annual activity where Carleton University and University of Ottawa offer courses to students in grades 8. The program runs on campus from May 4-8 and the cost is $200 +tax. Students and their families are responsible for providing transportation to and from the university campus each day.

Every year, more than 3000 students participate in the program, and the universities offer a large selection of mini-courses. The list of possible subjects includes information technology, psychology, engineering, journalism, music and mathematics, to name a few.  Each mini-course runs from Monday to Friday, 9 A.M. to 3 P.M., with one hour for lunch. Universities host a mandatory orientation day on the Sunday before courses start so that students and their parents can become more familiar with the campus.

For more information on the Mini-Courses Program, please visit the official site of the program at the Mini-Course website https://minic.ca/. Please consider the following and discuss with your child to best determine if they would be a good candidate for this program. 

Students being considered would demonstrate the following 

• • Strong learning skills such as responsibility and self-regulation

  • active participation 

  • positive collaboration with other students in their class 

  • The ability to manage both their regular school work in addition to the demands of the mini-course

  • An engaged and self-directed student with a desire to learn

  • appropriate behaviour and maturity

There are no staff from our board participating.  Students will be working with professors in the classroom and there is campus security around the facilities.  Students who do not respect acceptable rules of behaviour will be asked to leave. 

If you are interested in nominating your child based on the above criteria, please complete this FORM. The deadline to apply is January 16. Only students who are chosen by draw will be notified.

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INVITATION FOR NOMINATIONS FOR STUDENT TRUSTEE

Current grade 10 or 11 students are invited to in apply to be an OCSB student trustee. 

Each OCSB school is able to put one student forward for consideration. All Saints' candidate will be determined by a school-based selection committee.  Interviews will take place on Tuesday, February 10. From the candidates selected from each school, two students will be elected to serve as OCSB student trustees for the 2026-27 school year. 

A panel composed of co-presidents from each of the OCSB high schools will elect next year's OCSB trustees after each candidate has had the opportunity to present.

The selected school candidate must meet the following criteria:  

• Will be a full-time grade 11 or grade 12 student during the 2026-2027 school year

• Has an average of 70% or more on her/his most recent report card 

• Has permission of the parent/guardian to apply for this position 

• Must be able to attend the election at the Catholic Education Centre taking place on Tuesday, February 24

• If elected, is able to attend bi-monthly evening Board meetings 

• If elected, is able to coordinate and lead a minimum of 4 student senate meetings

• If elected, will serve as a student representative on two to five Board committees 

In addition, each elected student trustee receives: 

• a $2,500 honorarium paid in two installments, one in December and one in June 

• the use of an iPad or Chromebook for the duration of their time as a student trustee 

• an opportunity to attend the Ontario Catholic Schools Trustees’ Association Conference (registration, meals, travel, and accommodation costs are covered by the Board) 

For more information, please see Mrs Hessel (316), Mrs Beaupre (222), or Mrs Lance (Student Services).

Apply HERE. This form will close on February 9 at 9:00 am.  

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GIFTED LEARNER SCREENING

We are once again beginning the process of identifying students in grades 7 to 10 who may qualify for Gifted programming. Through this process, students who meet the OCSB criteria of a Gifted Learner profile (via standardized testing) are eligible for enrichment programming. Examples of this enrichment programming include the development of a Genius Hour project and a reach ahead course in grade 8. Students may be nominated by either their teachers or their parents. Please reach out to your child’s homeroom teacher if you have any questions or would like your child to participate in the screening process.

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CAFETERIA CLOSURE

The Cafeteria will be closed January 22, 23, 26 & 27.  It will reopen on January 28 & 29 for grade 7/8 lunch only. Breakfast service will resume on February 2.

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SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

Preparation for Confirmation in 2026

In order to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation (grades 6 to 12), we welcome parents to attend the Parent Information Meeting on Wednesday, January 21 at 7:00 pm in the church. The deadline for registration is Friday, February 6. For more information, please visit https://www.stisidorekanata.com/sacraments/confirmation/ or contact Antonella del Papa at sacraments@stisidorekanata.com.

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WATERLOO MATH COMPETITION

The Waterloo Math Competition is approaching! 

This competition is for high school students, and will have a $3 non-refundable fee. The Pascal (grade 9’s), Cayley (grade 10’s) and Fermat (grade 11’s) competitions will be held in the AM on Wednesday, February 25 in the Learning Commons.

Students must sign up before Friday, February 6 in order to be eligible to participate. The grade 12 math competition, and sign-up sheet, will be available at the beginning of March.

Sign-Up Sheet: https://forms.gle/CTd2pE3MULwWaGDVA

Please contact Ms. Hessel (C312), lisa.hessel@ocsb.ca, or Mr. Burchill (C343), steven.burchill@ocsb.ca, if you have any questions. 

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OCSB STUDENT CENSUS

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: Thursday, January 29 at Noon or 7:00 PM  

Sign up for a session HERE using the same email address you will use to access the Google Meet.

Translation will be provided automatically through closed captioning.

In-Person: 

Wednesday, February 4 at St. Paul High School  (6:30 PM)   OR   

Thursday, February 5 at 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 2 - 13 on our website and a link will be sent directly to your email in February.

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HIGH SCHOOL EXAMS AND RSTs

Please note: Grade 9 - 12 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. Vacation and work arrangements are expected to be made around the examination timetable. 

If a medical problem arises, a Vice-Principal must be contacted prior to the exam or RST.   

For detailed exam information and an FAQ, please click HERE. 

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IMPORTANT DATES

JANUARY

19 - United in Black Day

20 - Education Assistant Appreciation Day

22 - HS Exams begin

30 - PD Day

FEBRUARY

Black History Month

2 - Semester II Starts (HS)

9 to 12 - Student Services class visits about course selections

9 to 12 - Spirit Week

11 - Grade 9 Skilled Trades Assembly (am)

11 - HS report cards posted

12 - Grades 9 to 12 Program Night / Parent Information Night; 5 pm

13 - MyBlueprint opens

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