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Chapel Hill Catholic School Parent Newsletter | Oct. 19th, 2026
Important Dates
This Week
Monday Oct. 19th
6:30PM - 7:30PM - School Council Meeting
Tuesday Oct.20th
Subway lunch - for students who ordered
Wednesday Oct. 21st
Pizza Day - for students who ordered
Thursday Oct. 22nd
Mad Radish Lunch - for students who ordrered
Friday Oct. 23rd
First popcorn orders of the year for students who ordered.
Looking Ahead
Oct. 19th - 6:30PM - School Council Meeting
Oct. 26th - Boys Touch Football tournament (Gr. 5&6)
Oct. 28th - Photo Retake Day (sibling photos will be today)
Oct. 30th - Halloween Costume/Black and Orange Day (all students invited to participate)
Thank you!
Our recent Gr. 6 Cake Raffle raised over $1000 for a Gr. 6 Field Trip later this year. Thank you so much to all parents who helped provide cakes, and for all families who supported our Gr. 6 students!
Important Parking & Traffic Guidelines for Parents
Please review the updated traffic map for our school zone to help keep our students safe and ensure smooth traffic flow during drop-off and pick-up times:
Staff Parking Lot Closed During Peak Hours: The Staff Parking Lot (outlined in red/white hazard stripes) is strictly closed to all non-staff vehicle entry, parking, drop-offs, and pick-ups before and after school from 8:45 AM – 9:15 AM and 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM.
One-Way Bus Lane: The central lane is strictly reserved for school buses.
No Parking Zones: Please do not park or stop along the designated No Parking red zones.
Street Parking: Designated street parking (marked by the green P arrows) is available along designated sections of Promenade Meadowglen Dr and Forest Valley Dr.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school zone safe for all students!
Student Pickup Reminder
Dear Chapel Hill Catholic School Families,
We kindly ask for your help in limiting student pick-ups during our busiest times of the day, particularly lunch (12:00–1:00 p.m.) and after 3:00 p.m.
Locating students can be especially challenging when they are outside for morning recess (10:30–10:45), lunch (12:00–12:40), and afternoon recess (2:15–2:30). After 3:00 p.m., our staff are focused on coordinating the dismissal of the entire school, including buses and student pick-up.
Whenever possible, please schedule pick-ups outside of these high-traffic times. Pick-ups should be reserved for necessary appointments or other unavoidable events that cannot be rescheduled. We understand that emergencies and unexpected circumstances can arise, and we will always do our best to accommodate families when needed.
Thank you for your understanding and partnership in helping us keep our school day safe and running smoothly!
Warmly,
Chapel Hill Catholic School
Ottawa Public Health Parent Updates
Car Safety Check
As children grow, their car seat or booster needs to change. Using the right seat helps protect them in a crash.
Try this: check that your child’s seat matches their height and weight. Straps should fit snugly, and the seat should be installed tightly.
Tip: many children need a booster longer than parents expect, until the seatbelt fits properly on its own.
Not sure? Check Ontario guidelines or Ottawa Safety Council for useful videos.
Learn more: Ottawa Public Health – Child Passenger Safety
Lunch Box Order Information
We are offering Subway lunches on Tuesdays and Mad Radish Lunches on Thursdays through School Cash Online. Click the button below to order.
Parish News
Upcoming Meeting - Oct. 19th - 6:30PM
Get Involved. Stay Informed. Make a Difference!
Interested in helping out at your child’s school? Want to stay connected and informed about what’s happening in our school community?
We’re looking for new members to join this year’s School Council!
Whether you have lots of time or just a little, your ideas and involvement can make a difference. Come be part of the conversation!
All are welcome to attend. Meetings are in the Learning Commons.
Council has the following year-round fundraisers:
Mabel’s Labels: Who doesn't need labels to keep their children's stuff from getting lost? Mabel’s Labels has teamed up with Chapel Hill to provide 20% of your purchase as a donation to our ongoing fundraising efforts. All you have to do is go to mabelslabels.ca, search for and select "Chapel Hill Catholic School (Orleans)" from the list of schools under the "Support a Fundraiser'' tab and the school will receive a donation from that purchase.
Contact Info: for any issues/concerns/questions, email CHCScouncil@gmail.com.
Reminders
There are a few important things we need all families to complete as we get ready for the year ahead. Please take a few minutes to review the information below.
ACTION REQUIRED: SchoolMessenger
Please sign up for SchoolMessenger ASAP!
SchoolMessenger is how you will receive important communications from the school, OCSB, and educators throughout the school year.
Important: This Welcome Back Newsletter was sent using an emergency communication feature. Regular newsletters and school communications will not be sent this way going forward.
Please register for SchoolMessenger now so you don't miss important information.
SafeArrival: Report Absences & Late Arrivals
No more calling the school or emailing the school and leaving a message!
Use SafeArrival to quickly report your child's absence or late arrival.
Choose one of three easy options:
SM Home App
Download the SM Home app through the Apple App Store or Google Play. Use your existing SchoolMessenger login, or create an account using the email address on file with the school.
Online
Visit home.schoolmessenger.ca, sign up using your school email address, then select Attendance → Report an Absence.
By Phone
Call 1-844-478-2598 and follow the automated prompts.
Beginning-of-Year Checklist
Please make sure you complete the following items.
1. Student Information Verification
REQUIRED EVERY YEAR
Log into the Parent Portal and verify that all student and family information is correct.
If anything has changed, please notify the school at chapel.hill@ocsb.ca.
2. Responsible Use of Technology Agreement
REQUIRED EVERY YEAR
Review the agreement in the Parent Portal with your child. Both the student and parent/guardian must initial and sign as required.
3. Consent for Use & Disclosure of Information
REQUIRED EVERY YEAR
Log into the Parent Portal and review/complete the required consent.
4. Off-School Property Permission
REQUIRED EVERY YEAR
Complete the electronic permission form in the Parent Portal.
One form is required for each child.
School Cash Online
School Cash Online (SCO) will be used for school events, activities, food days, and other purchases once these programs begin.
Please note: Cash and cheques will not be accepted.
New families: Please wait until your child's first full day of attendance before creating your School Cash Online account.
Parent Portal (EnCompass)
The Parent Portal provides digital access to important information such as:
Report cards
IEPs, where applicable
Student information and annual forms
New families: Please wait until your child's first full day of attendance before signing up.
Having trouble creating an account? Make sure the information you enter matches the information provided to the school during registration.
For assistance, email chapel.hill@ocsb.ca or use the chat button in the bottom-right corner of the login screen for 24/7 assistance, 7 days a week.
OSTA School Bus Transportation
For bus information, including late or cancelled buses, please visit ottawaschoolbus.ca and create a parent login.
Important!
Your child's bus assignment is based on the home address we have on file.
Please check your Parent Portal and make sure your address is correct.
Kindergarten Bus Riders
Kindergarten students will receive a yellow plastic name tag for their backpack.
Please do not remove the tag.
Kindergarten students cannot be released from the bus unless an approved parent/guardian or designated adult is present at the stop.
OSTA allows two alternate names on file. The driver will only release your child to one of the approved individuals.
Medical Conditions & Medication
If your child has a medical condition, please make sure all required medical documentation is completed and submitted to the Chapel Hill Front Office at the beginning of the school year.
Medical forms must be updated every school year and whenever there is a change to your child's condition or medication dosage.
Please also remember:
Medication must be sent in its original container with your child's name clearly displayed.
Two EpiPens and/or asthma inhalers are recommended where applicable — one with the student and one in the office.
New students require the appropriate Plan of Care documentation.
If there are no changes to an existing Plan of Care, the Annual Review Form may be completed instead.
For additional information and forms, please visit the OCSB Student Health resources.
Need Help?
We know there is a lot to do at the beginning of a school year!
Once school begins, Mrs. Corissa, our Office Administrator, will be happy to assist you with questions about the Parent Portal, forms, or other school procedures.
Thank you for helping us get the school year off to a smooth start.
School Council Corner
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