NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
DENTAL SCREENING
The Durham Region Health Department will be holding a dental screening at the school on January 20 & 21, 2025. The clinic will screen JK, SK, and Grade 2 students, as well as any urgent needs from last year and students whose parents/guardians request a screening.
Please see the attached flyer for clinic details.
HOLY FAMILY NIGHT AT THE GENS!
On Friday, February 7th, the Oshawa Generals will be dedicating a night specifically for the students, parents, friends and staff of our school! Our choir will be singing the anthem as part of our special night.
Tickets are $22 and available now through School Cash Online. The deadline to purchase tickets January 24th.
** NOTE: A parent/guardian is required to purchase a ticket and attend with their student.
UNITED WAY BASKET FUNDRAISER
We are holding a Guess-the-Basket-Number Fundraiser and all funds raised are in support of United Way! We have 10 secret-number gift baskets, and students who purchase tickets can guess the number of the basket in hopes of winning! Tickets are 5 for $5 and available through School Cash Online.
Student will be able to view the baskets during their library time from this Friday through to December 18th. The winning guesses will be announced the afternoon of December 19th!
CHRISTMAS CONCERT DETAILS
We are excited to present our Christmas concert to our families this Thursday, December 12th! Please read the following details carefully:
PARKING
As you are aware, there is limited parking available at the school. We ask you to please park on the roads around the school and not in the parking lots as these are reserved for daycare and school staff. If you are within walking distance, we strongly encourage you to walk that day.
STUDENT CALL DOWNS
Due to limited seating and fire regulations, we are unable to call siblings down to watch the Thursday performance. All students will be watching the performances as a school on Friday.
Kindergarten Families please follow the directions provided by your teachers.
STUDENT SIGN OUTS
If you are taking your child home after their performance, please sign them out from their classroom. You do not need to come to the office.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Grade 4-8 Presentation Primary Presentation Kindergarten Presentation
DOORS OPEN 10:30am DOORS OPEN 12:15pm DOORS OPEN 1:45pm
Run Time 10:45am - 12:00pm Run Time 12:30pm - 1:30pm Run Time 2:00pm - 3:00pm
FORGOTTEN POINSETTIAS
If you forgot to pick up your poinsettia on Friday, please make sure you stop in to the office between 8:30-4:00 to pick them up as soon as possible.
BUS FAMILIES - STUDENT PICK UP REMINDER
Reminder
Just a reminder for our bus families, if you dropped your children off this morning, you will need to pick them up by 3:40 from the back field today. When the bus is canceled in the morning, it does not run in the afternoon.
Thank you!
DECEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER
Please read the December 2024 Newsletter for Holy Family Catholic Elementary School found here:
BE AN ANGEL FOOD & TOY DRIVE EXTENSION
St. Vincent de Paul has extended our deadline for food and toy donations to Tuesday, December 3. Please send any non-perishable food items, toys, or gift cards to the school by this date so they can reach our families in time for Christmas.
Thank-you for generosity!
PICTURE RETAKE DAY
Reminder...
Picture Retake Day is Wednesday, November 27. If your student is getting retakes, please complete and return the attached form by Wednesday.
GRADE 8 - CAMP KAWARTHA PARENT INFO NIGHT
Attention Grade 8 Parents / Guardians:
On December 2nd, 2024 at 6 pm, there will be a parent information session regarding the grade 8 trip to Camp Kawartha. This session will take place in the library at Holy Family and a representative from the camp will be here to provide information and answer any questions that you may have.
Please join us!
BE AN ANGEL TOY & FOOD DRIVE
Holy Family is getting ready for our Be an Angel Food & Toy Drive. Each year, the St. Vincent de Paul Society relies on the generosity of our school to help many families in our community have a wonderful Christmas. Our campaign begins tomorrow and runs to Dec 2.
BE AN ANGEL
Each class will be assigned a family to support. Gift items should be new and unwrapped, and gift cards to popular stores (clothing / music) for teens are welcome!
FOOD DRIVE
Please send donations of:
non-perishable food items
toiletry items
grocery store gift cards (so families can purchase perishable items like produce and meat)
Thank you for helping us spread the joy of the season!
SPIRIT WEAR
Check out our Holy Family Spirit Wear using the attached link for Entripyshops. Orders can be made throughout the school year and are shipped directly to your home! As an added bonus, a portion of your purchase is returned to the school to support our programs. Class of 2025 grad items are available on the site.
Spirit Wear makes a great Christmas idea! Entripy Shops
INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES
With the cold weather approaching we want to remind you of the inclement weather procedures.
Walking Students - Please call the school by 9:30am if your student(s) will be absent that day. The attendance line is open 24 hours to leave a message.
Bus Students - DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL. If the bus is cancelled, the attendance will be entered automatically.
If the bus is cancelled in the morning, it will not run after school. You must make arrangements to pick up your students by 3:40 on those days.
Please ensure your have signed up for notification emails with STSCO who will advise you of any cancellations or delays.
REMINDERS
INTERVIEWS
Parent-Teacher Interviews are tonight for those who have booked an appointment. If you still want to meet with a teacher but didn't make an appointment, reach out to the teacher and they can make arrangements on an alternate date.
LOST & FOUND
While you're here, please make sure to check the lost & found located just across from the gym, in the main foyer.
HOLY FAMILY CHRISTMAS
See attached flyer
REPORT CARDS / PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS
PROGRESS REPORTS
Progress Reports will be available via the Parent Portal at 4:00 today. The link and instructions are below. Please note, there is often high traffic on the site which can cause issues with immediate access. Just check back with the site a little later and the issue should be resolved.
Using a cell phone to access this site often proves difficult, a laptop or desktop are often the best ways to view the reports.
Parent Portal Link Parent Portal Instructions
PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS
The link for Parent-Teacher Interviews opens today at 4:00 and closes Wednesday at midnight. You must create a new account at the beginning of each school year. Once your account is created you will be able to book appointments.
CLARINGTON JOB FAIR
Please see the attached information regarding PVNC's Clarington Job Fair.
REKKER'S POINSETTIA FUNDRAISER
Christmas is just around the corner and we are offering a Poinsettia Christmas Fundraiser to support our grade 8 students on their trip to Camp Kawartha.
All orders must be placed through School Cash Online
There are many different options to choose from with various prices. These lovely Christmas blooms will be provided to Holy Family by our local Rekker's Garden Centre.
Orders will be available to be picked up from the school on Friday, December 6th between 4-6pm. More details to follow regarding pickup procedures.
Last day to place your orders will be Wednesday, November 20th.
Thank you for your support!
NOVEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER
Please read the November 2024 Newsletter for Holy Family Catholic Elementary School found here:
PJ DAY TOMORROW
Don't worry about getting dressed tomorrow morning, keep those jammies on and come to school!
HOLD AND SECURE
October 24, 2024
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The purpose of this communication is to make you aware that yesterday, Wednesday, October 23rd, a “Hold and Secure” was announced on the PA system.
“Hold and Secure” is a procedure that is familiar to all staff and is used as a preventative measure to keep students in the school. All school operations continue as usual but students remain in their classrooms and follow their normal routine. Individuals are not permitted to enter or exit the building.
Yesterday’s announcement was not as a result of any threat to safety for students or staff. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the school.
Sincerely,
Nancy Jones
Principal
VOLUNTEERING
If you are interested in volunteering with the school either for hot lunches, field trips or classroom activities you will need to complete the appropriate volunteer document. The police check process takes several weeks, so we recommend you do it now so you are not disappointed.
BRAND NEW VOLUNTEERS or LAPSED VOLUNTEERS (if you did not keep your declaration current)
Print and sign the Police Check Form, then upload it to the DRPS website for a reduced rate on the police check
Bring the official police check to the school
New volunteers only: Complete the volunteer training (20 minute online training, we will email the link)
PREVIOUS VOLUNTEERS
Complete the Declaration Form
Thank you for your support!
REMINDERS...
Cold & Flu Season
'Tis the season for respiratory ailments and stomach bugs. Please see the attached guidance from the health dept. about when to return to school from illness.
Fever - Stay home 24 hours after the fever has broken and symptoms are improving
Nausea/ Vomiting/ Diarrhea - Stay home 48 hours and may return as long as no new symptoms have developed
Picture Day is this week!
Tuesday - JK - Gr 3
Wednesday Gr 4-8
Grade 7 Immunization Clinic
Thursday, Oct 24
PD Day
Friday is a PA Day!
PICTURE DAY
Picture Day is next week! Please see note of the schedule below and see the attached flyer for more info. Picture Day
Tues Oct 22 - JK - Grade 3 Wed Oct 23 - Grade 4 - 8
Note: We do not have a scheduled list of times that students are being called for photos.
Re-take Day is November 27th.
FOOD DRIVE EXTENSION
Thank you for your generous contributions to our school Food Drive! We are going to extend our food drive until Wed Oct 16th as the need in our area is increasing each year. If you have any items you would like to contribute, please send them next week.
Thank you again for your amazing support and generosity!
NEWS FROM ST. JOSEPH PARISH
First Communion, Confirmation, Preparing for the end: see all this and more in the October update from St. Joseph Church!
Keep up to date with the St. Joseph Church News App: news.stjoeschurch.ca
First Communion (groups for children in grades 2 & 3 or 4-8)
Sign up for Confirmation (for those in grades 7 and up)
Baptism
For adults wanting to know more about the Catholic faith
See https://stjoeschurch.ca/saccard
- All Soul's Day Prayer, Saturday, November 2nd at 7pm
- Altar Server Training - Saturday October 26th at 10:30am
- EDGE Youth Group (grades 5-8): Tuesday evenings beginning October 22nd 6:15pm - 8pm
- Youth Dances (grade 5-8) - Friday October 25, 7pm to 10pm $8
- Adult Dance, Friday, October 18th, 7-12pm, $15
- Compassion Circles - For Ladies, Thursday, Oct 24th 10am, Columbus Hall
We all have very real questions about death. What happens when we die? What does Scripture teach about death? How do we prepare for the life to come? Explore the mystery of death, dying, and everlasting life through Eternal Rest. See the trailer: https://youtu.be/2V1QFGlckhU
Happy Thanksgiving from St. Joseph Church!
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
Our food drive will run Oct 7-11. Please see our flyer for details
OCTOBER 2024 NEWSLETTER
Please read the October 2024 Newsletter for Holy Family Catholic Elementary School found here:
TOONIES FOR TERRY - TERRY FOX WALK / RUN
Terry Fox Walk / Run is scheduled for Wednesday, October 2nd. Our goal is to collect "Toonies for Terry", however we are happy to accept donations of any kind. If you are unable to donate, that's ok too! All students will be participating in the walk / run regardless. Donations can be made through School Cash Online
REMINDERS...
ORANGE SHIRT DAY
On Monday, Sept 30, is Orange Shirt Day. We wear orange as part of the Every Child Matters movement to bring awareness of the impact of residential schools.
PA DAY
Tomorrow, Friday September 27, is a PA Day. Enjoy!
CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCIL
Good afternoon Holy Family community. Please see the following information regarding our first Catholic School Council meeting on Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 at 6:00 pm in our school library.
THE SAIDAT SHOW
On Monday, October 7, Saidat from The Saidat Show will present:
Kindness & Respect Creates a Ripple Effect to our JK - Gr 3 students
Power Up or "Debuff" to our Grade 4-8 students
The presentation schedule is as follows:
9:40 - 10:40 - JK - Gr 3
11:10-12:20 - Gr 4-6
1:30 - 2:40 - Gr 7-8
Saidat is a motivation speaker and performer dedicated to spreading messages of kindness, respect, and inclusivity to students. Parents will be notified of any changes should they occur.
EARLY PICKUP REMINDER
Holy Family currently has over 750 kids. To help things run smoothly, please follow these pick up procedures:
1. Please sign your children out before or after recess. It is extremely difficult to find them on the yard.
First Recess 10:43 - 10:58
Lunch - 12:22-1:24 - Pick up by 12:30
Second Recess 2:48- 2:58
2. Send a note to your child's teacher indicating what time your child is being signed out.
3. After 3:30 you will have to go to the back field for pick up. It is too difficult for us to track students after this time.
4. Remember that children do not wait in the office for pick up, they are waiting in their classroom, which means they need a few minutes to get their things when they are called out. If you need them at a specific time, you should arrive 5-10 mins early.
5. BUS/ DAYCARE FAMILIES: Please make every effort to communicate changes to pick up arrangements to your teacher with a note. If you have to call in a late change, please call by 3:00. Classes are often on the move and it is difficult to find you student. We don't want the message to get missed.
Thank you for your help with this!
HOT LUNCH INFO
This year, Parent Council is offering 5 days of hot lunch options for our students. As always lunches are purchased through School Cash Online, we do not accept cash. Please remember, we cannot process late orders, if you miss the deadline you will have to wait until next month. To avoid confusion, we only post one month at a time.
School Cash Online Tips - New Students
If you transferred to Holy Family from another PVNC school, you account should still be active, but you may need to change the school
If you transferred from a different board, you need to create a new account with a NEW email address. If you have not already created your new account, here are the instructions School Cash Instructions
October's lunch is now available - ORDER DUE BY SEPTEMBER 24 (next Tuesday)
HOT LUNCH OFFERINGS
MONDAY - Pizza Nova
TUESDAY - Subway
WEDNESDAY - East Side Mario's
THURSDAY - Mucho Burrito
FRIDAY - Harvey's - Hamburger & Jr Hamburger (ketchup only) & fruit cup
JUST A REMINDER...
Our school Open House is this Thursday, September 12, from 5-6 pm.
Come and meet your teacher, and say hello to our new Principal, Nancy Jones, and Vice Principal Tom Fletcher!
See you there!
REMINDERS
PINK SHEETS
By now you should have received a PINK sheet with family contact information. Please make corrections if needed, sign both sides of this form and return it to the school whether there are changes or not. The signature confirms a parent has seen the form.
EMERGENCY MEDICATION & YELLOW SHEETS
For those with life-threatening medical conditions, the YELLOW Plan of Care forms have been sent home. Please return the form AND send the medications to the school ASAP preferably by Monday. Please do not hold the medication at home because you are waiting for a doctor's signature, send the medication so it is on hand at the school. JK students will receive this form next week.
TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT
Please ensure this is reviewed and returned.
AGENDAS
For Grade 1-8, school agendas have come home. Please proceed to school cash online for payment information.
SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER
Please read the September 2024 Newsletter for Holy Family Catholic Elementary School found here:
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES FOR THE FIRST DAY
To help with a smooth end-of-day tomorrow, could you please send a note to your child's teacher about how they are getting home.
Also, just a reminder for bus students: You MUST send a note if you are picking up your child. If there is no note, the child goes home on the bus.
Thank you for your help, can't wait to see everyone tomorrow!
USE OF PERSONAL MOBILE DEVICES AT SCHOOL
Please see attached new mobile device policy for Holy Family Catholic Elementary School. Mobile Device Policy