Newsletter 

Message From The Principal

It was wonderful to see so many families represented at our High School Parent-Teacher Interviews! Our students truly benefit when a strong circle of care is created around them, and we appreciate your continued partnership in supporting their academic journey and personal growth.

Here are a few highlights from around our school community over the past two weeks:

• Hands-On Learning in the Skilled Trades: Our Grade 8 students had an exciting hands-on experience visiting the Skills Ontario Trade & Tech Truck. They explored various future career pathways in the skilled trades through interactive technologies and simulation tools.

• Athletics in Full Swing: Our gymnasiums have been packed with energy! High school sports are underway, and it is incredible to see so many students growing through both skill development and athletic competition.

• Getting Involved at St. Paul: Today, we held our Club Information Fair. It was a fantastic event, highlighting the many incredible extracurricular opportunities available to help students connect and get involved in our school community.

• Upcoming Fall Spirit Week: Student Council is creating a real buzz as they prepare for Fall Spirit Week next week! Please encourage your child to join in, participate in the theme days, and show off their school spirit—it’s going to be a lot of fun!

Thank you for your ongoing support and for being such an active part of our St. Paul community.

Alanna Vandewint 

Chaplain's Message

Cake Walk Wednesday, our annual school fundraiser for Christmas hampers, is coming up next week on Oct. 28th. Classes compete to see which can raise the most money and one representative from each class brings in a cake or dessert - use your creativity! Each class then enjoys another class’s treat, and the winning class then gets to pick their cake or dessert first! 

Please donate with cash or through School Cash Online to contribute to your student’s class total. Every dollar helps. Let’s support our community together! 

We invite you to join us in prayer: 

Loving God, we give you thanks and praise for the beauty of creation this fall season. Help us notice moments of joy, kindness, peace, and hope in our lives. Let these remind us of your loving presence. Saint Paul, pray for us. Amen. 

E-Scooter Awareness from Ottawa Police 

Please be aware as parents children under the age of 16 are not allowed to operate E-Scooters.  Here is some information for you to inform yourselves as parents/guardians as to the legal requirements for the operation of these scooters.

Video: La sécurité des trottinettes électriques à Ottawa - Trottinettes électriques | City of Ottawa

Video: E-scooter safety in Ottawa - E-scooters | City of Ottawa

E-scooter rules and safety requirements - E-scooters | City of Ottawa

Règlements et exigences de sécurité concernant les trottinettes électriques - Trottinettes électriques | City of Ottawa 

St. Paul School Council Christmas Wreath Fundraiser

Grade 7-12 Spirit Week October 26 - 30

Grade 9 - 12 Fall Semi-Formal Dance 

Thursday November 5, 6-9PM

Bear Wear

Civics Exams

Semester 1 Civics exams will take place in-class on Monday, November 2nd. Please reach out to the classroom teachers for more information. 

OSSLT - Grade 10 Literacy Test

All Grade 10 students and some previously eligible Grade 11 and 12 students, will write the OSSLT between Monday, November 16th and Thursday, November 19th. There will continue to be practice sessions during school, however, for any students looking to complete extra practice, please find practice assessments here.  

Take Our Kids to Work Day - Grade 9 Students

Wednesday, November 4th is the annual Take Our Kids to Work Day for all Grade 9 students. This event provides Grade 9 students with the opportunity to explore various career paths and gain insights into the working world.

Some parents/guardians may have arrangements with their workplace for student activities.  In this case, students should have their parents/guardians notify the school to have them marked absent-approved for the day, and parents are asked to fill in a permission form available through School Cash Online. 

The remaining students will participate in some form of career exploration activities in class and/or consolidate their learning in their subject area(s).  Students who participate in the community will not be responsible for any additional work from school that day.

Skills Ontario Trade & Tech Truck Visits St. Paul HS

The Skills Ontario Trade and Tech Truck is a mobile experiential learning unit that travels across Ontario to let youth explore the skilled trades and technology through hands-on activities, real tools and virtual reality simulators.  Our grades 7-9 students enjoyed learning more about the skilled trades and technology from October 19 - 22.  More specifically, students had the opportunity to learn more about welding, painting, automotive, hairstyling, hospitality, 3D printing, electrical and much more.

Many thanks to Victoria Clifford and Michel Villeneuve from Skills Ontario and our OCSB Consultants Edwina Chittilappilly and Suzanna Barakat who worked with our staff to bring this awesome learning opportunity to our students.  Our guests and staff helped to inform our students about the various technology courses available to them as they prepare to select their mandatory technology credit needed for their Ontario high school diploma.

Grade 12 Challenge and Change Class

Did you receive a thank you for a job well done unexpectedly or did someone hand you a little note with kind words on it that helped brighten your day? Our Challenge and Change class have been studying how deviance (breaking a social norm) can result in positive change. Students were asked to do something (a little act of “positive deviance") that might brighten someone’s day. As their teacher I was overjoyed reading about what our Grade 12s did to help our community be a brighter space. Some made or collected food and gave it to those who have little, others visited retirement homes bringing compliments with them, many went to public spaces to hold doors, hand out stickers or positive messages. Some cleaned up after others, while others gave flowers and kind words. Many of their reflections noted how surprised people were by their action (proving it was out of the norm) but thankful for it. As a teacher, I feel so blessed to have such an amazing group of Grade 12 Challenge and Changers. They have already made an impact by being kind to others and being aware of what micro actions we can take to be better people. We are hoping as a class these acts will no longer be “different” or “deviant” but simply interactions of kindness between people. 

Also, we may have been so busy with Acts of Kindness but managed to fit time in for a visit from Dr. Stefania Maggi from Carleton University who spoke about Climate Change Anxiety and what Carleton has to offer.

Remember, if you see one of these folks on the street, say Hello!

Grade 9 Math Project

Our MAT1L students brought math off the page and into the sunshine this week! Putting their knowledge of area, perimeter, and estimation to work, the class took on the task of repainting the St. Paul’s life-sized (3.5 m x 3.5 m) chessboard located in our courtyard. Bringing the board back to life required intentional planning, strong collaboration, and plenty of pride in the final product. Through hands-on experience with the trade of painting, students gained practical trade skills while developing lifelong habits in planning, teamwork, and attention to detail.

We are looking forward to bringing the big chess pieces out next week and having some friendly competition. Check out the progress photos below to see their hard work!

Information from the OCSB

• October’s Monthly CSPA meeting will take place on Wed, Oct 28th at the OCSB Board Office beginning at 7PM. Learn about the practitioner services offered by the Special Education and Student Services Department and discuss effective use of School Council agenda templates and a month-by-month to-do list. Register HERE.

• Careers Beyond the Screen: The Apprenticeship Pathway in an AI World - A Parent Evening, with award-winning employment researcher Dr. Jon Callegher, is taking place on Wed, Nov 4th, at St Pius X High School beginning at 6:30PM. Register HERE.

Updates from Student Services 

Upcoming Open Houses: We encourage you to attend and explore options!

Carleton University Fall Open House: Saturday, October 24, 9:30am-3:00pm 

 Ottawa U Fall Open House: Sunday, October 25 9:00am-3:00pm 

Algonquin College Fall Open House: Saturday, November 7, 10:00 am-2:00pm

St. Paul University Fall Open House: Saturday, November 7, 10:00 am-2:00pm

Algonquin College Degree Discovery Evening: Wednesday, November 25, 5:00-7:00pm  

*If you attend this event, Algonquin College will cover your application fee if you apply to one of their degree programs that evening!

Reminder to our Grade 12 students to Book a Guidance Appointment. We strongly encourage every Grade 12 student to book an appointment with their Guidance Counsellor before the end of November. We'll review your graduation requirements together and map out your post-secondary plans and help with any questions or concerns.

Important Dates