Sick days happen.  For all of us, there are times when we need to stay home to get well and not infect others.  These absences should be approved by a parent or guardian by calling or emailing the school. 

Being absent when not feeling well, while totally appropriate, is also time away from school that might have a negative effect on academics.  Not to worry.  Here is a checklist for all students returning to school after 3 or more days of being away that will help keep those grades up!  

Eagle Wear is on sale.  For those new to ND, this Eagle Wear is Notre Dame branded clothing such as sweat shirts and hoodies that students can wear as approved uniform.  Visit tuckgear.ca to order yours today. Deadline to order is October 18.

On September 30th, Orange Shirt Day, our school community will come together to honour the thousands of children who attended residential schools and reflect on meaningful ways we can all contribute to advancing reconciliation.

To start the day, Gramma Jo, an Algonquin Elder, will lead students in a prayer and smudging ceremony. As part of this ceremony, she will smudge newly purchased blankets, which will then be placed at various stations for classes to visit throughout the day. At these stations, students will engage with Indigenous art, stories, and picture books, reflecting on their role in the reconciliation process.

For more information on smudging ceremonies, click here.  

Dress Code for Orange Shirt Day: students are invited to wear an Orange Shirt (not red, not peach - Orange) or remain in uniform.  We will have orange shirt shaped stickers for all students to wear to show their support if they do not own an orange shirt.   Students wearing an Orange Shirt must wear uniform bottoms (pants, skirt or kilt).  This is not a dress down day.

Would you like to get more involved in daily life at Notre Dame?  We are looking for people like you to join ND staff and students in the following activities and initiatives. 

Community Gardens

Do you have a Greenthumb?  Behind the school, we have garden beds that are tended by some of our science and religion classes.  If you would like to join us, do a little gardening, impart some wisdom, and bring home some produce, please click here. 

Breakfast and Lunch Program

We operate a grab and go breakfast and lunch program.  Volunteers are needed to prepare food (eg// make sandwiches, cut veggies, bag items).  You are also welcome to join us to serve the students.  We serve 100s of students daily.  To join us or learn more, please click here. 

Yearbook

This one is pretty self explanatory.  If you would like to help with the creation of this year’s book, please click here.   At the moment, we do not have a yearbook in production because we need more support.  We are looking for anyone with graphic design or artistic skills to help a teacher and a group of students create a yearbook.  

Other Areas? 

Do you have any talents to share and would like to volunteer?  Please click here and we start a discussion.

School Council

A great way to get involved is to join the School Council.  See the next section for more information. 

ND Science Wear is back!  Uniform approved tshirts, hoodies, and crewnecks.  Customizable and available in 4 different colours.  You can even personalize it and add your name to the sleeve.  Go to the Tuck Gear website and click on ND Science.  Order deadline is September 29!  See Mrs Ferguson in room 103 if you have any questions. 

tuckgear.ca

Congratulations to the elected executive of our Catholic School Council. Thank you in advance for representing Notre Dame families so well.  

Chair:  Natacha Ruiz Tardif

Vice-Chair: Lori Goodyear

Secretary:  Ann-Marie Haley

Treasurer: Natacha Ruiz Tardif

Our next meeting will be virtual October 9, 2024 at 7:00 pm.  For a meeting link to join us, please click here. 

As a school council member, you contribute to the education of students in our school.  Strong education requires partnerships involving parents, students, teachers, principals, educational assistants, support staff, school boards, government, and the community.  When you are involved on the council, you are part of a team working to support high-quality education for our children. Your participation will make a difference.

Very important information will be sent to graduates weekly via email.  

Please stay up to date with all things related to the grade 12 year by reviewing these emails together.  It is very important that these are read to avoid missing essential information.  

For example, the first email was sent this week with information about: 

• Grad fees

• Important dates

• Scholarships 

• Grad Mass

• College and University applications

• First meeting with grads will be Sept 26 during period 2

To ensure students with medical concerns or life-threatening allergies are safe at school, please click here for information on submitting their plan of care if you have not done so yet. Your child’s safety and well-being is our top priority, which is why we have many policies and procedures in place. For help with this, please contact your child’s vice-principal. 

Notre Dame is a uniform school.  Students wear the uniform as a symbol of school pride and unity.  If your student will not have their uniform by the first day of school, please contact their vice-principal by emailing NotreDame.High@ocsb.ca. 

All students are expected to be in school uniform at all times with the only exceptions being gym/fitness class, spirit days, or dress down days.  Sweaters, jackets, and other items that are not school uniform are not to be worn in the school at any time.  Jogging pants are not allowed. 

Clothing for the uniform must be acquired through the authorized supplier: Top Marks.  Order forms are on-line at www.topmarks.ca or by calling 1-800-667-7105. You may place an order with school code: NOT01.

Students must wear a uniform top and bottom and it must be worn properly (ie// shirt must be fully on, buttoned fully).  No alterations of the uniform are permitted, nor is attaching a ‘Top Marks’ tag to a pair of non-uniform pants.  With the kilts, solid coloured nylons, tights or leggings may be worn provided they match the school uniform colours (white, navy blue, grey, black). No sweatpants are allowed. 

Eagle Wear or Club Wear is appropriate to wear as part of the uniform.  Eagle Wear is available for order twice per year; Club Wear is made available by coaches or club supervisors. 

The Principal may issue further clarification on this policy as required.  Should a student be out of uniform, they will be asked to go to meet with their Vice-Principal.   Outcomes could include: being sent home to change; being asked to remain in the office for the day; calls home; or other consequences determined by considering the specific situational circumstances. 

If you are not receiving emails such as the Principal Updates, Parent-Teacher Conferences, OSSLT, Early Dismissal, etc, please be sure to update your SchoolMessenger settings. You want to have the email icon under "General Email" turned green. 

We encourage everyone to consider donating used uniforms.  These can be dropped off at the main office.  If you would like us to pick up the uniform donation, please call the school office and we can arrange pickup. 

It is very important that all guardians/parents update and verify the following information in the “Parent Portal” ASAP.

• Student Verification

• Responsible Use of Technology

• Consent for Use and Disclosure of Information

• Offsite Permission

Please note that this must be done each school year.  To update your information on the Parent Portal, please follow these instructions.