November 3 - November 7, 2025

Prayer

Dear God,

As the leaves change and the days grow shorter, fill our hearts with gratitude and understanding. Help us to honour the past, share our gifts, and cherish time spent with loved ones. Guide us in learning and growing together with respect and love.

Amen

Ninth Week of School

Growing up as one of five children, sports was central to our home, especially baseball, a favourite of my father's. I vividly recall the year I was in elementary school when the Toronto Blue Jays first arrived. My father was actually at their inaugural game on April 7, 1977, a unique event made memorable by the unexpected snowfall. Decades later, as we reach October 2025, it's incredible to think about this team's journey. I doubt my dad, sitting on that bench at Exhibition Stadium so long ago, could have ever imagined the Blue Jays would so completely captivate an entire country. I know he would have savored this run as much as we have. As one parent told me after the marathon extra-inning game, "This is a lot of fun."

We had a truly spirited week! The school dance was a definite highlight, generating tons of excitement and stories that carried into the next day.

Leading up to the dance, students poured their creativity into decorating pumpkins. After Ms. Chung's class issued a challenge, the whole school delivered with some wonderful decorations that brightened the school!

On Friday, not even the rain could dampen our Halloween anticipation. Our traditional "Halloween" Bingo during Block 4 was a joyous success. The school cheered every time a BINGO was called, and it was heartwarming to see the Grade 5 and 6 students mentor and assist our Kindergarten classes throughout the game.

A Note to Our Athletes: We are disappointed to announce that the external Cross Country event, after its third cancellation, will not be rescheduled by the Convenor. However, our determination hasn't wavered! Mrs. Bunbury and the team plan to hold our own in-school meet at St. Daniel during recess next week to ensure our athletes get a chance to compete.

Spirit Wear Webstore

The St. Daniel Spiritwear online store is open from Friday, October 17th, through Friday, November 7th.

 St. Daniel Spiritwear 

Remembrance Day Ceremony Details

On this day, students are invited to show their Canadian pride by wearing red and white or their official Sparks, Ember, Cub, or Scouts uniform.

Poppies will be on sale for the November 11th ceremony. A small donation is appreciated and can be placed directly in the poppy donation box at the main office.

Important Note on Ceremony Content

During the school's Remembrance Day ceremony, students may be shown footage of war and soldiers on the battlefield. Our intention is never to diminish our profound gratitude for those who have fought and continue to fight for peace.

However, we are acutely aware and sensitive that these images may be triggering for students who have witnessed or been subjected to violence. We encourage you to discuss this with your child ahead of time.

Guest Attendance & RSVP

If your family plans to attend the ceremony, please notify your child's teacher by November 3rd. Knowing the expected number of attendees is vital for our safety and seating preparations.

We have also invited special community guests who will RSVP to the main office. On the day of the ceremony, our Master of Ceremonies will escort and acknowledge these guests as a small token of our appreciation for their contributions.

Thank you for your cooperation in making this a meaningful and respectful Remembrance Day ceremony for everyone.

Remembrance Day 

This paragraph provides further information about our upcoming Remembrance Day Ceremony on November 11th, 2025.

To help us plan effectively and ensure everyone's comfort and safety, please let your child's teacher know by Nov 3 if your family plans to attend. Knowing how many people to expect is important for our preparations, particularly for set up of chairs.  We have also invited special guests from our community to join us for this important occasion. We have asked these guests to RSVP to the main office. On the day of the ceremony, our guests will be escorted to their seats and acknowledged by our Master of Ceremonies as a small token of our appreciation for their contributions.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us make this Remembrance Day Ceremony a meaningful and respectful event for all.

Kit Kat Day! & Pajama Day  November 3, 2025

Get ready for some fun! St. Daniel's is bringing back the popular "Give a Kit Kat to an Educator Day" for its second year. Students can use this opportunity to share the sweetness by donating Kit Kat bars from their Halloween candyl to any school staff member—from teachers, Office Administrator and EAs to custodians and principals!

But that's not all! The entire school will also get to enjoy a Pajama Day on Monday thanks to a good-natured wager between Mr. Oliver and Mrs. Anlar. As we heard on Thursday's announcements, the deal was: if the Maple Leafs lost, the whole school got a pajama day. They lost, which means our Lions win! Mrs. Anlar was very pleased that she did not have to wear a Leaf Jersey on Friday!

St. Daniel Catholic School Council  

Next Meeting:  November 13 2025   6:30 PM Learning Commons

Cross Country Meet

On Thursday, October 30 the Cross Country Meet was cancelled due to inclement weather. Unfortunately after 3 tries, they will be unable to run the West Cross Country meet this year. 

Parent Teacher Interviews

Just a reminder and save the date, that parent teacher interviews will take place on November 20, 2025.  We will be sending out a google document on Nov 13 for parents to book their interviews. 

REMINDERS

Arrival / Dismissal Drop off / Pick up

Please be aware of the procedures that are in place for dismissal and pick up.  To promote the safety of our students at St Daniel Catholic School, we have developed and implemented a plan to ensure the safe arrival and dismissal of our children. Parents and school staff have a vital role in this process. 

ARRIVAL: Children enter the gate which is located at the east end of the school . They do so between 9:00 - 9:15 a.m. Students will then proceed to the schoolyard. No adults are allowed on the school yard before, during or after school. Educators will be in these designated areas.  At 9:15 when the bell rings, students will line up with classes, and then they will proceed into the school through their designated door, and be escorted with their teacher to their classroom.  In the case of inclement weather, students will enter the school from designated doors, and be directed by staff to their classrooms. We ask for your full cooperation as the safety and security of our children is a whole school approach.  

Dismissal:  Everyone will be dismissed from their classrooms between 3:38 - 3:45pm.  When the buses arrive, kinders will start boarding buses at 3:40, followed by Grades 1-6 students.  EDP students will leave at 3:44 to walk directly to EDP.  Walkers will leave at 3:44 to leave school for home.  

Drop Off /Pick UP If you are driving your child to school in the morning or picking them up at dismissal time, we ask you to park your car away from the school and WALK-A-BLOCK. We ask that you do not enter the Bus drop off zone, these are off limits to all cars between 9:00 AM - 9:30 PM and  3:30 PM - 4:00 PM .

Volunteers

Snowsuit Fund

The Snowsuit Fund provides new snowsuits to children aged 0-15 who are Ottawa residents and considered low-income. Eligibility criteria include proof of the child's age, household income, and address. Families can apply for the program by appointment only through the Snowsuit Fund website. There is a nominal $10 fee to help cover administrative costs.

Breakfast Program

All students are invited to attend the breakfast program.  If you do not want your child to participate in the breakfast program, kindly contact your teacher with this request.

School Messenger

 Please sign up for School messenger to make sure you will be receiving all communication from our school. If this is not completed you may miss out on receiving some important announcements from our school. School Messenger

Parent Portal: 

Please visit Login - enCompass to access your students information and in future their report cards.  Please review the contact information listed.  If any changes need to be made please email Daniel@ocsb.ca with the new updates.  

Photo Day

We will be using Edge Imaging this year. The students had their pictures taken on Friday October 3. Information will be sent home with the proofs. With regards to a timeline of when they will arrive,the proofs usually takes three weeks.

The retake day is scheduled for November 21, 2025

Please take note that we have scheduled the Class Photo day for March 5, 2026.  This will also be the day that our Grade 6 students will have their Graduation Photos taken.

 If you want your child to have a picture retake, please communicate with your child’s teacher about this request. 

Office Administrator 

Please take note that oftentimes you will not be able to speak to our Office Administrators 30 minutes before the end of school bell at 3:45 PM. This is a very busy time.  Requests to have students be removed from the bus or ready for you to pick them up early should be done in the morning,  by communication in the agenda or a voicemail message before 12:00 PM.  Please understand that these types of requests may not be addressed if you are calling late. We would kindly ask that if you are requesting a pick up at 3:30, please wait until 3:45.

Thank you 

Important Dates

November 3   Kit Kat Day! & Pajama Day!

November 7    PD DAY

Triduum Schedule