Dear Parents,
As a follow up from our Meet the Teacher Night, we would like to remind those who may have missed the gym presentation slides of the following reminders:
Meet the Teacher 3 Key Points for Parents.
- Communication
Please remember that teachers are only available through appointment or contact through email or the office (if it is an urgent matter). Please do not walk into the school or go to a classroom without checking first with the office if they are available. Please also remember when your child comes home upset to use the 24-hr rule to express your anger or frustration. Any issues that are potentially emotionally charged need to wait for the 24-hr cool rule to address personally. Teachers also do need time to respond by email (up to 24 hrs) as they have many students and are busy throughout their day (teaching, coaching, supervising, meeting, planning and assessing, as well dealing with many other students’ needs). Of course, if it is of an urgent issue, please call the office to set up an urgent callback or appointment. You can also contact the Principal at the office if the teacher is unavailable.
- Student Learning needs vs Behavior needs
Many of our students do require extra assistance with their Educational programming. We, as a school, PRIORITIZE Learning support over Behavior support. We employ 2 fulltime Qualified Learning Support Teachers and 20 Educational Support Aides. We do not have the capacity to deal with chronic disruptive behaviors that are not supported by a student’s specialized learning designation or I.E.P. Students are expected to come to school with the intent of wanting to be a willing participant in learning, and participating properly in a safe and caring, Christian classroom and environment. Teachers will continue to help encourage students to use proper classroom behaviors in a variety of positive ways, and always prior to using disciplinary action.
To help parents better understand how our school and our classroom teachers deal with those students who have been classified as “Neurodivergent”, we are sending home a letter through our classroom teachers by posting on Seesaw as part of Autism Awareness Month.
Some examples of neurodivergent conditions: Autism: A neurodevelopmental disorder affecting communication and behavior. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder): A disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Dyslexia: A learning difficulty specific to reading. Dyspraxia: A disorder of coordination and motor development.
- Resource Sharing
The school subscribes to many services to help parents to deal with the increased demands of raising children in a very different technological and social environment than we personally as parents were raised in as children.
If you wish to have access to these services or suspect that your child is exhibiting neurodivergent behaviors, please notify the classroom teacher, or our Learning Support Teachers for a follow-up meeting.
** AND most importantly, we wish to again THANK ALL OUR PARENTS AND FAMILIES for the tremendous support you all give our school, and our teachers and staff every day! We are truly a Blessed School Community!
Thank you
Mr. Balletta
Principal
SCHOOL REMINDERS
OCTOBER 1-31, 2025 – READ-A-THON
The Read-a-Thon has begun. For further details please refer to the package that has been sent home with students. Reminder, ALL reading records need to be handed in by November 3rd at 3:00 p.m. to be eligible for prizes.
OCTOBER 6 – 9, 2025 – FOOD DRIVE & “TALE OF THE TAPE”
The first House Colour Challenge of the year “Tale of the Tape” will take place on Thursday, October 9th. Students can bring in their food items starting Monday, October 6th. Please bring items in a box or bag with the student’s house colour labelled on it by Thursday, October 9th. Please do not send a bag that you would want returned. Last year, we raised over 3,000 individual items to be given to the needy. Items will be measured and totalled to determine points for each House Colour Team. May the best team win!
Items that can be donated:
- Canned Items (Tuna, Salmon, Sardines, Meat, Fruit/Vegetables, Sauce, Beans)
- Dried Food (Rice, Beans, Chickpeas, Lentils)
- Breakfast Items (Cereal, Coffee, Tea, Cookies, Sweets)
- Baking (Sugar, Cooking Oil)
We ask that all donated items be non-perishable, small, unopened, and not expired. Please avoid items that can be damaged easily such as glass.
We thank you in advance for your generous donations!!
OCTOBER 13, 2025 – THANKSGIVING DAY – NO SCHOOL
There will be no school on Monday, October 13th. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
OCTOBER 14, 2025 – REGULAR UNIFORM NOW IN EFFECT
Regular school uniform is now in effect. Summer uniform will no longer be accepted. We ask that you ensure students have all items in good order and wear their proper uniform including shoes and sweaters to school daily. Also, please refer to our Uniform Policy, which is located in your child’s school agenda, for compliance for Hair, Nails or Jewellery. The agenda is also located on our website’s homepage under ‘Documents and Procedures.’ The goal of a Uniform is to ensure all students are not a distraction and are ready to learn. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
*Sweaters are mandatory for all school functions such as Masses, School Assemblies, Para liturgies, and outings when representing the school.
OCTOBER 15, 2025 – HEAD LICE CHECKS
The next school-wide lice checks will be conducted on Wednesday, October 15th. Thank you to Mrs. Pia Fasan for doing this.
OCTOBER 22, 2025 – LIVING ROSARY
The Living Rosary will be prayed in the Gym at 10:45 a.m. Students are expected to be in full uniform this day.
OCTOBER 24, 2025 – HALLOWEEN BASH
This year’s Halloween Bash will be held on Friday, October 24th from 6:00 -10:00 p.m. More information will follow from the Halloween Committee. There is no dress down day or costumes during this school day.
OCTOBER 26, 2025 – FAMILY MASS – 11:30 A.M.
The Family Mass will be held on Sunday, October 26th at 11:30 a.m. lead by the Grade 6 class. We invite all families from OLS to celebrate the Family Mass. This is a great way for our families to attend and participate in the required Sunday liturgy.
OCTOBER 30, 2025 – INDIVIDUAL PHOTO RETAKE DAY
Retakes will be on Thursday, October 30th. Please have your child dressed in full uniform on this day if they wish to have their individual photo retaken. If you wish your child to have a retake, please let your child’s classroom teacher know.
OCTOBER 31, 2025 – HALLOWEEN COLOUR / COSTUME DAY
Students may dress down (e.g., orange, and black) or come in costume on Friday, October 31st. More information will be provided soon.
AGAPE STREET MINISTRY DONATIONS
Once again, we reach out to OLS families for their donations of extra Halloween candy. We will be accepting candy until Friday, November 8th. All candy donated will go to AGAPE Street Ministry.
OCTOBER 2025 HOT LUNCH DATES
| Thursday, October 9th | Blowfish Sushi Lunch |
| Thursday, October 16th | Columbus Meats Chicken Strips |
| Thursday, October 23rd | Columbus Meats Beef/Veggie (Cheese) Burgers |
| Thursday, October 30th | EDO Japan – Rice / Noodle Bowls |
ARTONA PHOTO UPDATE
Your child’s photo is now available online! On photo day, your child brought home a notice from Artona with a QR code for ordering online. If you have any questions about ordering, please contact Artona at https://www.artona.com/contact-us or by telephone: 604-872-7272.
If you are not happy with your child’s photo or missed photo day, photo retake day will be on Thursday, October 30th.