Welcome Back!

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🏫 Back to School at St. Kateri Tekakwitha C.E.S.

📅 First Day: Tuesday, September 2, 2025

🙏 My Gratitude Prayer

Dear God,

I give thanks for all the amazing gifts You have blessed me with in this life. Thank You for the clouds in the sky and the grass beneath my feet.

Thank You for the roof over my head that shelters me from the cold and the food in my stomach that nourishes my body.

Thank You for the clothes on my back and the knowledge in my head. Most of all, God, thank You for Your everlasting love, guidance and understanding.

Thank You, dear God,

We hope this message finds you well. As the new school year approaches, we’re excited to welcome all students and families back to St. Kateri Tekakwitha C.E.S.

We look forward to a wonderful year ahead!

🎒 Important Reminders

  • 📌 First Day of School:
    ➤ Tuesday, September 2, 2025
    ➤ Entry routine/ Class Placement information will be shared on Monday, September 1

Calendar Dates

  • Picture Day – September 22, 2025

  • Welcome Back School BBQ/ Open House – TBD

  • Picture Day Sept 22/25

  • PA Day September 26/25

  • Catholic School Council Meeting – Further details to follow next week – stay tuned to your emails early next week for a date and the nomination process for 2025/26 school year

📱 Cell Phone Use Policy

✔️ Allowed only:

  • For learning (when directed by teachers)

  • Medical needs

  • Special education support

🚫 Not allowed during instructional time.
Phones must be off and out of sight.

Repeated misuse will result in:

  1. Verbal reminder

  2. Phone sent to office for the day

  3. Parent contacted for pickup

  4. Progressive discipline if repeated

💬 If urgent, please call the office at 905-471-4477

💡 Helpful Back-to-School Resources

📞 Reporting Student Absences

This is a message from the York Catholic District School Board with important information for our elementary parents and guardians about attendance reporting for the upcoming school year 2025-2026.

Parents and guardians are required to report student absences, late arrivals or early leaves using one of these three methods:

• Toll Free SchoolMessenger Phone Number 1-855-856-7862

• The SchoolMessenger website: go.schoolmessenger.ca

• The SchoolMessenger App (blue icon) from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

Instructions for the use of the new SchoolMessenger website and app have been attached to this email, as well as a letter detailing the Safe Arrival Absence Reporting Procedures.

This message is being sent to the email addresses we have on file for your household. If any of your contact information changes, please contact your child’s school office immediately with the updated details.

We appreciate your attention to this important matter for the upcoming school year.

Elementary SafeArrival Business Card.jpg

Elementary SafeArrival Parent Guardian Letter.pdf

YCDSB CASL Parent Information- June 2025.pdf

Bus Information

Dear Parents / Guardians of Transportation-Eligible Students,

Student Transportation Services of York Region (STSYR) is committed to

supporting student achievement by planning and managing safe, efficient transportation that focuses on customer service and utilizes innovative resources.STSYR is responsible for ensuring all students receive transportation service in accordance with the York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) Policy #203-Student Transportation.

The success of our transportation system relies on the input and support of all of key stakeholders, including service providers, school staff, parents/guardians, and students. An important way parents/guardians can help is by notifying their school if their child(ren) will not be using transportation services in the morning, afternoon, or both. Sharing this information allows our department to better plan routes, reduce unnecessary stops, and keep service reliable for all students.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Your cooperation helps STSYR provide safe, efficient, and effective transportation for students throughout York Region. We wish you and your family a happy, productive, and successful school year.

Niall Smith

Manager, Student Transportation Services of York Region

🎉 School Spiritwear is Here! 🎉

We’re excited to announce that our St. Kateri Tekakwitha CES Spiritwear Shop is now open!
This is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to show their school pride with official St. Kateri gear.

👕 Why order?

  • Perfect for everyday school spirit

  • Great to wear at events and activities

  • Highly recommended for students participating in our Cross Country Meet – October 8, 2025 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

🛒 How to Order:
St Kateri Tekakwitha Spirit Wear Archives – SHARC PROMOTIONAL SALES

Enter the access code SSKT4477 – please note that the first 4 letters must be ALL CAPS + the last 4 digits are NUMERALS.

📅 Order Deadline: Sept. 7/ 25 at Midnight

Let’s show our St. Kateri pride together! 💙✨

Make A Commitment TO WALK, CYCLE OR RIDE THE BUS This School Year!

It’s the start of the 2024/2025 school year! We want all of our students and families to take a positive step and encourage all families to incorporate active school travel in their children’s daily routines.

There are many benefits to walking and cycling and riding the bus to and from school including:

  • Improves student academic performance by making children more alert and better prepared to learn

  • Contributes to the daily goal of 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity for children, improving their health and overall fitness

  • Reduces traffic congestion and improves safety for everyone in school zones

  • Promotes life-long habits that foster independence and active lifestyles, preparing children for their future

For those who can’t walk or cycle to school every day, choosing active travel once, twice or a few days a week or parking a block away from the school and walking the rest of the way can still provide benefits. Include active travel as part of your daily routine!

TERRY FOX RUN

Each fall communities across Canada and the world come together to continue Terry Fox’s legacy to raise awareness of cancer. Terry Fox Run Day is an excellent opportunity for all students and families to get active for an incredible purpose. On September 14, we encourage all students and families to safely participate in a Terry Fox Run in any way you can.

For families unable to participate in this event in the community, St. Kateri will once again be engaged in this activity as a school. Further details on date and time will be sent home in the coming week. We will also be providing a secure site where donations to the Terry Fox Foundation can be made. Last year we raised over $1600. Our goal this year is to break $2000.

Sincerely,

YCDSB Active School Travel Team/St. Kateri Tekakwitha CES

Policy/ Procedures to Review

We would like to ask families to take a moment and review Policy 210 Pediculosis. This will explain how this situation will be handled and the roles we all play together to manage the situation should it arise.

Student Forms

We hope this message finds you well! As we begin the school year, we kindly ask for your attention to a few important items that need to be completed. These forms help ensure we have the necessary information to support your child and enhance their experience at school.

Deadline for Submission:
Please complete and submit these forms as soon as possible to help us stay organized and ready to support your child’s learning.

Yours in Catholic Education,
Mr. M. Caruso, Principal
St. Kateri Tekakwitha C.E.S.