Safety Reminders for our St. Kateri families:
Kiss and Ride
We would kindly ask parents and guardians to park their car if they wish to escort their child(ren) to the gates of the school playground. All other parents using the Kiss and Ride are asked to proceed past the pylons in the Kiss & Ride lot and pull over to the curb to drop off their child(ren). Please do not double park in the Kiss & Ride to drop off your child as this poses a safety risk.
We would also like to ask our families to keep the use of the handicap parking spots for those families that require these special spots.
Our school bus end of day routines have been prompt and efficient. Thus enabling the buses to leave early. It may mean the bus arrives at the designated stop earlier than the posted time on School Bus City.
Dress Code
All student attire must be in keeping with our Catholic teachings and beliefs, and reflect principles of modesty and shall not include the following:
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Halter tops, tank tops, spaghetti strap tops (narrower in width than 3 fingers) or tube tops
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Half t-shirts, tops with cut-outs, tops made of mesh or netting type material
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Short shorts or skirts
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Low necklines, front or back
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Language and/or representation (pictures) on attire that indicates gang affiliation and/or depicts violence, profanity or discrimination of any kind whatsoever or that otherwise demeans an identifiable individual or group
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Accessories not in keeping with the spirit of the Dress Code as determined by the local school
Tops, pants, shorts and skirts must cover the entire midriff.
Safe Arrival Information for Families of SKTA
Parents and guardians are required to report student absences, late arrivals or early leaves using one of these three methods:
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Toll Free SchoolMessenger Phone Number 1-855-856-7862
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The SchoolMessenger website: go.schoolmessenger.ca
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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.
YCDSB Elementary School Parent Guardian SafeArrival Instructions.pdf
Elementary SafeArrival Parent Guardian Letter.pdf
St. Kateri Tekakwitha CES Cold Weather Policy
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When the temperature is -20°C or warmer, 15 – minute recesses and lunch breaks will be held outdoors.
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When the temperature drops below -20°C, all recesses and lunch breaks will be held indoors.
This policy ensures the safety and comfort of students during colder weather.
Inclement Weather Reminder:
Parents/guardians are reminded to visit School Bus City for up to date information regarding your child’s route. For up to date information regarding their child’s bus route.
If transportation is canceled in the morning due to inclement weather it will not operate in the afternoon. Therefore, students transported to school by parent(s)/guardian(s) will require the same transportation home. We would like to stress the importance of exercising discretion when deciding to send their child to school on Inclement Weather days. Should an inclement weather day occur and Student transportation is canceled all planned tests, quizzes, excursions, school programs, parent meetings (i.e., IPRC’s), workshops, co-curricular activities and evening presentations, and all evening Permits would be canceled. Furthermore, the hot lunch program would be canceled for the applicable day(s).
Before and After Programs in schools make every effort to remain open in inclement weather, but Before and After Programs can only operate if the school is open. However, the decision to open or to close early is up to the discretion of the Child Care Operator.
FRAGRANCE/SCENT-SAFE BUILDING
St. Kateri Tekakwitha is a fragrance/scent safe building-free! This means that we kindly request everyone’s (All staff, students and visitors) cooperation in refraining or minimizing the use of scented products on school premises as they can result in adverse effects on the health of others.
These products may include: perfume/cologne, hair spray, lotion/creams, body spray, essential oils, air fresheners, and aftershave.
Mental Health Resources
Here are some resources that you may feel useful in supporting your family who may be dealing with mental health:
The Catholic School Council tab on our school website contains information regarding the council minutes, meeting agendas, and its members. The webpage can be accessed from the following link. (https://kta.ycdsb.ca/)
Our next Catholic School Council meetings will take place January 13, 2025 @ 7pm.
Kindergarten Registration for September 2025
Parents and guardians can start to register their child online at: www.ycdsb.ca/admissions JK Registration flyer
Starting Kindergarten is an exciting time in a young child’s life, filled with new experiences and opportunities to learn and grow. Kindergarten registration at the York Catholic District School Board is now open for the 2025-26 school year that starts in September.
York Catholics Kindergarten program teaches children through inquiry and play-based learning methods. Teachers and Early Childhood Educators work together in Kindergarten classrooms to support the unique needs of each child.
Children explore their world through play and real-life experiences. In York Catholic’s Kindergarten program, students actively engage in problem-solving and inquiry in an atmosphere that fosters fun and cooperation. The Kindergarten program helps children develop a solid foundation for their future learning and growth by supporting their spiritual development and enhancing their social, emotional, cognitive, language and academic skills in a faith-filled, safe, caring, nurturing and fun environment.
Parents and/or guardians can register their child for Kindergarten online at www.ycdsb.ca/admissions or in person at the school, and will need to upload/present the supporting documents listed below, following their online registration submission. Parents of students currently attending Junior Kindergarten at a York Catholic school do not need to re-register for Senior Kindergarten.
Parents and/or guardians can look up the Kindergarten program in their area by using York Catholic’s online school locator at locator.ycdsb.ca, or by calling the Admissions Department at 905-713-2711 or 416-221-5050.
The following supporting documents are needed to register for Kindergarten:
∙ A baptismal certificate from a Roman Catholic Church or a Catholic Church in Communion with the Holy See of Rome (child or parent)
∙ Proof of child’s age
∙ Proof of status in Canada
∙ Proof of residency
∙ Proof of Separate School Support (e.g. MPAC Assessment Notice, or a completed Direction of School Support)
To learn more about York Catholic’s Kindergarten program, please visit: JK Registration flyer
FDK Early facilitation Flyer for FDK students 2025/2026 school year
January 30, 2025 EF Parent Information Session Flyer
Family Literacy Day, held annually on January 27th, promotes the importance of reading and literacy-related activities as a family. Since its inception in 1999, schools, libraries, literacy organizations, and community groups nationwide have joined in this meaningful initiative.
This year, join ABC Life Literacy Canada for a special virtual event featuring Family Literacy Day Honorary Chair, Barbara Reid!
📅 Date: Thursday, January 23, 2025
⏰ Time: 4:30 PM ET
📍 Where: Online (accessible across Canada)
Barbara Reid will demonstrate her incredible clay art techniques, sharing tips on creating unique pictures and bringing stories to life. The session will conclude with a live Q&A, making it an interactive experience for families.
✨ Who Should Attend: Children in grades 1–6 and their families.
🎟️ Spots are limited—Register today!
Register Now Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to celebrate literacy and creativity with your family!
🎊 Celebrate Lunar New Year with Us! 🎊
As we prepare to celebrate the vibrant traditions of Lunar New Year, we invite you to join us in commemorating this special occasion in a meaningful way. This year, we’re excited to extend an invitation to all families who observe Lunar New Year to showcase their heritage by wearing traditional clothing to school on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
We would like to encourage all families who may not celebrate Lunar New Year, but would like to support our participating families by wearing red on this day.
Wearing traditional attire not only honours the rich cultural heritage of our diverse community but also serves as a beautiful expression of unity and inclusion. By sharing in each other’s traditions, we deepen our understanding and appreciation for the cultural tapestry that enriches our school environment.
Whether you celebrate Lunar New Year or simply wish to learn more about this festive occasion, we encourage everyone to participate in this celebration of cultural diversity. Let’s come together to make this Lunar New Year a memorable and enriching experience for all.
Math Pathways presentation for Intermediate Families Consideration
These resources focus on post-secondary math options and highlight that pathways in mathematics are not necessarily linear.
The presentation is intended to spark conversation about potential educational journeys available to students. It emphasizes the importance of conversations amongst parents/guardians, teachers, students, and guidance to avoid the assumption that a child’s high school mathematics journey is predetermined.
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Slide Deck |
Video Recording |
OCSTA Bulletin
We are happy to share with you the OCSTA Catholic Education Week Committee’s “Pilgrims of Hope” bulletin for the month of January. This month’s bulletin will focus on the Beatitudes and in particular, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God..” as we celebrate the World Day of Peace on January 1st.
Click here for access to the bulletin.
French Immersion Program at St. Edward CES: French Immersion Flyer 2025.pdf
Policy Review – We would ask that our families take a moment to review this policy: Policy 210 Pediculosis.pdf
Important dates to mark on your calendars:
January 13, 2025 CSC Meeting @ 7pm
January 17 and 31 PA Days
January 20, 2024 Jr Boys Volleyball Tournament @ San Lorenzo Ruiz CES
January 21, 2024 Jr Girls Volleyball Tournament @ All Saints CES/ Hearing Clinic @ SKTA (SSA2024-035 Parent Clinic Information Notice)
January 27, 2025 Family Literacy Day
January 28, 2025 Drumming Presentation – Black History Month
January 29, 2025 Lunar New Year
February 5, 2024 Winter Walk to School Day
February 6, 2025 @ 6:30 Parent Evening