Message From The Principal

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! As we open our doors to a fresh academic year at Chapel Hill, my heart is filled with joy, gratitude, and anticipation for all that lies ahead. Whether you are returning families or joining our community for the very first time, we are blessed to have you as part of our Chapel Hill family.

A new school year brings a unique sense of wonder—a blank page waiting to be written with discoveries, growing friendships, and meaningful achievements. Our dedicated faculty and staff have worked tirelessly throughout the summer to prepare vibrant classrooms, engaging lessons, and a safe, nurturing environment where every student can flourish academically, socially, and spiritually.

As we embark on this journey together, let us ground our efforts in hope and community.

A Prayer for New Beginnings

Heavenly Father,

We come before You at the start of this new school year with grateful hearts, trusting in Your guidance and grace.

We ask You to bless our students with curiosity, courage, and a love for learning. Grant our teachers wisdom, patience, and enthusiasm as they ignite young minds. Surround our parents and families with peace and strength as they support their children's growth.

In moments of challenge, remind us of Your presence. In moments of success, fill us with gratitude. May our Chapel Hill community be a sanctuary of kindness, respect, and love, where every child feels valued and inspired to reach their God-given potential.

We commit this year into Your hands, confident that You make all things new.

Amen.

Thank you for trusting us with your children’s education and growth. Please take a moment to review the key dates and announcements in the rest of this newsletter to help ensure a smooth start to our first month together.

I look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming Back-to-School Night. Let’s make this our best year yet!

With warm regards and blessings,

Dan Rigley

Principal, Chapel Hill School

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.

Important Dates

Student Council Corner

Upcoming Meeting - to be announced soon!

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.

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