Happy Thanksgiving

As we head into the Thanksgiving weekend, I want to take a moment to wish our St. Francis Xavier community a very happy Thanksgiving.

This time of year gives us an opportunity to pause and appreciate the people who make our school community what it is. I am grateful for our students, who bring energy, curiosity and spirit to our school each day, and for our staff, whose care and commitment make such a difference in the lives of our young people.

I am also grateful for our families and the partnership you share with us. Thank you for the support, encouragement and care you provide to your children and to our school community.

I hope the Thanksgiving weekend gives everyone a chance to slow down, enjoy time together and appreciate the people and moments that matter most.

Wishing all of our students, families and staff a safe, restful and very happy Thanksgiving.

High School Parent-Teacher Interviews & Early Dismissal

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.

Coyote Canned Food Drive

Thank you to our St. FX community for your generosity and support of our canned food drive.

Together, we collected an incredible 5,268 donations when combining every dollar contributed and every physical item donated. This is a wonderful reflection of the compassion and generosity of our school community and our willingness to look beyond ourselves to support those in need.

Every donation makes a difference, and together, we have made a meaningful contribution to our community.

Thank you to our students, staff, families, and everyone who contributed to making this initiative such a success.

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.

A Thoughtful Approach to Halloween Costumes

With Halloween just around the corner, many families are beginning the search for the perfect costume. While it can be tempting to let children dress up as anything they wish, it’s important to take a moment to consider whether a costume is culturally sensitive and appropriate.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, cultural appropriation is “the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without showing that you understand or respect the culture.”

Halloween is meant to be a fun and creative celebration. With a little guidance, parents can help their child(ren) choose a costume that shows imagination while also respecting all cultures and communities. Taking a proactive and thoughtful approach ensures that everyone feels comfortable, valued, and included so that Halloween remains a fun and positive event for all of our students.

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