Heavenly Father,
During Catholic Education Week, we give thanks for the gift of learning, faith, and community at St. Marguerite d'Youville School. Bless our students, staff, and families as we grow together in knowledge, kindness, acceptance, and love. Help us to follow the example of Jesus in all we do, serving others with compassion and joy. May our school always be a place where faith is lived, hope is shared, and every child is valued.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Monday, May 4 - Friday, May 8: Catholic Education Week
Thursday, May 7: Open House 8:35-9:30 am
Monday, May 11- Friday, May 15: Scholastic Book Fair
Thursday, May 14: SMY Grades 4-6 Track Meet
Monday, May 18: Victoria Day (Schools Closed)
Monday, May 25: Grade 6s go to St. Pat's HS for the morning
Monday, May 25: School Council Meeting, 6 pm
Friday, May 29- Thursday, June 4: EQAO for Grade 3 and Grade 6
Friday, June 5: PD Day (Schools Closed)
Are you moving or planning to move? Please contact the school as soon as possible to ensure we have the correct mailing address on file.
It’s time to think about next school year! If your child turns four by December 31, 2026, they will be ready to start Kindergarten in September 2026. Go to https://www.ocsb.ca/our-schools/kindergarten/ for more information.
Our Scholastic Book Fair will take place from May 11-15. Students will have the opportunity to browse and purchase books while helping to support literacy initiatives in our school.
English Site: scholastic.ca/bf/SMY
Site en français: scholastic.ca/bf-fr/SMY
We thank you for your continued support of reading at home and at school.
All students in grades 4-6 will be participating in a Track and Field Day on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Their participation is part of the physical education curriculum. This day is intended to be fun and to assist in selecting athletes to be part of our school's Track and Field team that will represent SMY at our meet at the end of May. The events on May 14th will take place on our school property. There will be a variety of running, jumping, and throwing events.
Please ensure that your child comes to school prepared to be outside for most of the day (running shoes, shorts, t-shirt, sunscreen, water, healthy snacks).
"Hello, Hope" Presentation with Aubrey Noronha, on Thurs, May 7th, at St Paul High School.
Supporting youth well-being, building resilience and connection, nurturing confidence & self-worth, and promoting academic and personal success. Please see this flyer for more details.
For events, please register through THIS link.
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 are subject to availability and eligibility. The opt-out form is now available on OSTA’s website. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2026.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are excited to share a new resource designed specifically to support your child’s reading and writing development: the OCSB Literacy at Home website.
Created by our Literacy team, this site is a one-stop hub for families with children in Grades K-6. It provides practical activities and information to help you support your child’s growth in key areas like phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.
On the site, you will find:
Direct Links to Student Tools: Easy access to Gale Elementary, Newsela, and Sora.
Foundational Skills: Simple strategies to practice reading at home.
Curriculum Insights: Information on Early Reading Screening and the Ontario Language Curriculum.
Multilingual Support: Resources tailored for multilingual learners.
We invite you to explore the site and discover new ways to make reading and writing a fun, shared experience at home. You can access the site at LiteracyAtHome.ocsb.ca. A link to the site has also been posted on the Parents page of every elementary school website.
Working together, we can ensure every child becomes a confident, lifelong reader and writer!
If you would like to volunteer in our school or on a field trip, please complete the necessary process found at this link: Volunteer at the OCSB
OCSB Continuing & Community Education is excited to share that registration is now open for OCSB Summer Camps 2026!
Our summer camps provide children and youth with opportunities to stay active, explore new interests, build confidence, and make new friends in a safe and welcoming environment. With programs ranging from arts and sports to STEM, themed adventure, and specialty camps, there is something for every camper.
Camps will run June 29 – August 14, 2026, at OCSB locations across Ottawa, with weekly full-day programs and extended hours available at select sites.
We would appreciate your help in sharing this opportunity with families in your school communities.
LEARN MORE: https://conted.ocsb.ca/summer-programs/summer-camps/
Thank you for helping us connect families with these exciting summer opportunities!
Warm regards,
Summer Camps Team
OCSB Continuing & Community Education
OCSB Continuing & Community Education is excited to share that registration is now open for our Summer International Languages Program - Elementary!
The Summer International Languages Program offers students the opportunity to learn a new language or strengthen their home language through engaging activities, including music, art, storytelling, and cultural exploration. It is a meaningful way for students to build confidence, develop language skills, and connect with diverse cultures in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
The program runs from June 29 to July 31, 2026, at various OCSB locations, with classes available for students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8, and is free for Ontario residents.
LEARN MORE: https://conted.ocsb.ca/summer-programs/summer-international-languages-elementary/
Thank you for helping us connect families with these exciting summer opportunities!
Warm regards,
OCSB Continuing & Community Education
Great news! We have SMY Spirit Wear!
Here is the link to view the online store and place orders: https://st-marguerite-dyouville.secure-decoration.com/.
Due to operational requirements, our school office will be closed from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. while Ms. Brady-McCowell is on her lunch break. Please leave a detailed message when you call, and we will reply at our earliest convenience.
If you are picking up or dropping off your child during this time, it may take longer than usual. Although we recognize this might not always be possible, you are encouraged to arrange student appointments outside of this time to avoid delays. Please let us know in advance if you will be picking up or dropping off your child during this time.
Thank you for your understanding.
Would you like to help out our School Council with special events and/or weekly food organization?
Please fill out this Volunteer Sign-Up form - We need your help!
We are excited to share a valuable opportunity to support your child’s well-being. School Mental Health Ontario is offering a free webinar series as part of the By Your Side Learning Hub, designed to help parents and caregivers navigate important topics to children’s mental health.
This expert-led series will provide insights and practical strategies on:
balanced device use
vaping
body image
anxiety
The webinars will also include answers/responses to questions submitted in advance, giving the opportunity to ask questions and receive practical guidance.
We encourage all parents and caregivers to participate in this informative series. Together, we can support the well-being of our children and communities.
As per Ministry guidelines, students at St. Marguerite d'Youville are not permitted to use cell phones during the school day. If a student needs to reach their parents/guardians, they must come to the office. If a student has a cell phone at school, they must keep it in their backpack, and the phone should not be seen by anyone. If students are seen with their phones out, they will bring their phones to the Office.
Foods containing nuts (tree nuts or legumes) are not permitted at school at any time of year. We have many children with severe nut allergies (both peanut and other nuts); therefore, ALL student snacks and lunches must be entirely peanut- and nut-free.
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." - Aesop