This week, on October 5, we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, honouring the dedication and passion of our teachers. Our educators inspire curiosity, foster growth, and support students every day, not just academically, but also socially and emotionally. We are grateful for their commitment, creativity, and care in making our school a welcoming and inspiring place for all students. Thank you to our teachers for the incredible difference you make in our community!

Coyote Prowl – Friday, October 9

We are excited to celebrate our annual Coyote Prowl on Friday, October 9, a cherished St. Francis Xavier tradition and a highlight of the school year! Planned by our Student Council, along with our Leadership and Mentorship classes, this special day is all about community, school spirit, and fun.

Students will come together to enjoy a variety of activities, performances, and games, while also supporting charitable causes and marking the conclusion of our Coyote Canned Food Drive. Please note that the cafeteria servery will be closed, and students are encouraged to bring their own lunch or purchase from the food trucks and pizza sales available on site.

We look forward to a safe, spirited, and memorable day that celebrates what it means to be part of the Coyote community!

Coyote Canned Food Drive

This is our final push! Let’s finish strong and show the power of our community spirit. A huge thank you to all the students and families who have already contributed to our annual Coyote Canned Food Drive — your generosity has already made an incredible impact.

We’re almost there, but we need one last surge of support! Please continue bringing in non-perishable food items or making monetary donations through SchoolCashOnline. Every contribution helps local organizations and makes a real difference for families in need.

Let’s come together and make this year’s drive our most successful yet!

High School Letters of Intervention & Parent-Teacher Interviews

High School Letters of Intervention will be emailed to parents on Thursday, October 8. These letters serve as an early indicator of any concerns regarding a student’s progress.

Parent-Teacher Interviews for students in Grades 9–12 will take place on Thursday, October 15, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. and 4:40–6:40 p.m. Here are the instructions for booking parent-teacher interviews.

Please note that on October 15, 2026, all students will be dismissed early at 1:30 p.m. While school buses adjust their timing for early dismissal, OC Transpo will only provide service at the regular dismissal time.

Grade 7 Field Trip – Baxter Conservation Area

We are excited to share that our Grade 7 students are participating in a hands-on outdoor learning experience at Baxter Conservation Area this fall!

Some of our Grade 7 classes have already had the opportunity to participate on September 29 and 30. The remaining classes will be heading to Baxter on the dates below.

During the trip, students will participate in inquiry-based activities that explore ecosystems, biodiversity, and the interdependence of living things — all directly related to the Interactions in the Environment Science strand. The program emphasizes observation, data collection, and critical thinking skills, while also encouraging students to consider their role in maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment.

• Dates: Each class will attend on the following days:

  • October 5 – 702 & 707

  • October 6 – 705, 710 &714

  • October 7 - 701 & 706

  • Students who are now in 711 will attend with their original classes on their original dates 

This promises to be an engaging and memorable experience for our students as they connect classroom learning with the natural world!

Any questions or concerns, please email Stephanie.Boivin@ocsb.ca

St. Francis Xavier Catholic School Council

FlipGive Fundraiser – Support St. FX with Your Everyday Shopping!

Parent Council is excited to continue our fundraising efforts through FlipGive — a simple way to support our school at no extra cost to you. With just 5 minutes to set up the app on your phone or web browser, a portion of what you’re already spending on groceries, gas, restaurants, and online shopping will go directly back to our school community.

Getting started is quick and easy:

• Click here to join our team: https://flipgive.app.link/teams/join?joincode=394PVR

• Enter code 394PVR when prompted

Every purchase helps make a difference! Thank you for supporting our students and school community. If you have any questions, please reach out at stfx.chair@gmail.com.

Student Fees & Yearbook 2026–2027

Student fees support student programming and include the cost of the yearbook.

• 1 student: $65 (includes 1 yearbook)

• 2 students: $115 (includes 2 yearbooks)

• 3 students: $155 (includes 3 yearbooks)

Please pay via School Cash Online . Yearbooks are included in the student fee and won’t be sold separately later.

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) will take place this fall. Please note the following important dates for students who are writing the test:

Grade 10 students: Students currently enrolled in an English class in Semester 1 will write the OSSLT on one of the days between November 9–12, 2026.

Grade 11 & 12 students: Students who have not yet successfully completed the OSSLT will write on Friday, November 13, 2026.

OSSLT Practice Test: Students will participate in a practice test during the week of October 19–23. This will provide students with an opportunity to become familiar with the online test format and the types of writing prompts they will encounter.

Additional information and OSSLT preparation resources are available HERE.

Communicating Absences

St. Francis Xavier now uses SafeArrival, an attendance management system that makes it faster and easier for parents/guardians to report student absences or late arrivals. Instead of contacting the school, you can now report absences securely in one of three ways:

• SM Home App – Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play

• Online – Visit home.schoolmessenger.ca - link now embedded on the school website

• Phone – Call 1-844-478-2598

Parish Updates