This Week at SPS – News and Reminders (Sept. 7 to 11, 2026.)
Dear God,
I give thanks for all the amazing gifts You have blessed me with in this life. Thank You for the clouds in the sky and the grass beneath my feet.
Thank You for the roof over my head that shelters me from the cold and the food in my stomach that nourishes my body.
Thank You for the clothes on my back and the knowledge in my head. Most of all, God, thank You for Your everlasting love, guidance and understanding.
Thank You, dear God,
We hope this message finds you well. As the new school year approaches, we’re excited to welcome all students and families back to St. Patrick C.E.S. Kindly take a moment to review the information below to be prepared for the upcoming school year.
📱 Cell Phone Use Policy
✔️ Allowed only: For learning (when directed by teachers Gr. 7 and 8) / Medical needs /Special education support
🚫 Not allowed during instructional time.
Phones must be off and out of sight.
Repeated misuse will result in: 1. Verbal reminder 2. Parent contacted for pickup 3. Progressive discipline if repeated
💬 If an urgent matter arises families are to call the office at 905-939-7753. Thank you for you cooperation and understanding.
📞 Reporting Student Absences
As we begin a new school year, we would like to remind families of the importance of reporting all student absences, late arrivals, and early departures.
How to Report an Absence
Parents/guardians are required to report student absences, late arrivals, or early departures using one of the following methods:
- SchoolMessenger Toll-Free Phone: 1-855-856-7862
- SchoolMessenger Website: go.schoolmessenger.ca
- SchoolMessenger App: Available through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store (blue icon)
Instructions for using the SchoolMessenger website and app are attached to this email, along with a letter outlining the Safe Arrival, Safe Dismissal and Attendance Procedures.
Safe Arrival Procedures
In accordance with Board Policy 228A – Safe Arrival, Safe Dismissal & Attendance – Elementary and the related procedures, the school will make every reasonable effort to verify the whereabouts of a student when an absence has not been reported. If an absence remains unverified after the school has exhausted the appropriate steps to contact the family, York Regional Police may be contacted and may be dispatched to the student’s home to ensure the student’s safety. We also remind all parents/guardians to keep their child’s emergency contact information up to date. Please notify the school office promptly whenever there is a change to your contact information or emergency contacts.
We appreciate your attention to this important matter for the upcoming school year.
Elementary SafeArrival Business Card.jpg Elementary SafeArrival Parent Guardian Letter.pdf
Students who arrive after the 9:05 am bell are expected to use the front door of the school and sign in with the office.
Bus Information: For information on bus routes, stop locations, times, late arrivals, cancellation, eligibility, registering a complaint, safety and general information, please contact the York Region Student Transportation Services School Bus Information Line at 1-877-330-3001, accessible 24 hours a day or visit the STSYR website. Parents and students are encouraged to develop alternate care/ transportation arrangements in the event of service disruptions. Service disruptions, including route delays or cancellations, will be posted on a daily basis with the aim to provide parents and students as much notice as possible. Route delays will be reported through the Late Bus Report. Please refer to the Late Bus Report prior to leaving for the Bus Stop in the morning and afternoon. Parents are also encouraged to review their responsibilities to ensure students safe travel to and from school.
Bus Loop: Kindly note that NO vehicles are to enter the Bus Loop between 8:30 am to 9:15 am and between 3:10 pm to 4:00 pm. If you are dropping off or picking up your child, please use the Kiss N’ Ride Lane (parking lot) or park on the adjacent streets.
Inclement Weather: In the event of inclement weather (rain, cold weather, etc), the following procedures will be implemented:
- Inclement weather will be reported via Instagram (sps_ycdsb) in the morning.
- All students, including FDK students, will enter through the front doors, beginning at 8:50 am, and proceed to their classrooms.
- Please DO NOT use the Bus Loop to drop off your students.
Catholic School Council: We have been blessed to have a tremendous Catholic School Council at St. Patrick’s that has supported our students and staff throughout the school year. As we begin a new school year, we look forward to once again having a dynamic and impactful Catholic School Council working alongside our school community.
Please check your email on Tuesday, September 8th for the Google Form to submit your nomination for the Catholic School Council. The form will remain open until Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026. We encourage all interested parents and guardians to consider getting involved and being part of this important partnership between home and school.
2025–2026 CIVVIES DAYS: The last Friday of each month will be celebrated as Civvies Day. Families may choose to support ShareLife in one of two ways: (1) A one-time annual donation of $20 per student through School Day (covering all Civvies Days for the year), OR (2)A monthly contribution of a loonie or toonie brought in on each Civvies Day. Our first Civvies Day is being held on Friday, September 25, 2026. Your generosity makes a difference! To learn more about how your donations support those in need, please visit sharelife.org
Make A Commitment TO WALK, CYCLE OR RIDE THE BUS This School Year!: It’s the start of the 2026/2027 school year! We want all of our students and families to take a positive step and encourage all families to incorporate active school travel in their children’s daily routines. There are many benefits to walking and cycling and riding the bus to and from school including:
- Improves student academic performance by making children more alert and better prepared to learn
- Contributes to the daily goal of 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity for children, improving their health and overall fitness
- Reduces traffic congestion and improves safety for everyone in school zones
- Promotes life-long habits that foster independence and active lifestyles, preparing children for their future
For those who can’t walk or cycle to school every day, choosing active travel once, twice or a few days a week or parking a block away from the school and walking the rest of the way can still provide benefits. Include active travel as part of your daily routine!
💡 Helpful Back-to-School Resources (Mental Health) An Introduction to Combined Grades Pamphlet / Back to School Tips for Parents – Child Mind Institute
Tips to ease the transition back to school video from SMHO: By Your Side – How to Support Your Child’s Transitions: A Message to Parents and Caregivers / 12 Step checklist for back to school- Anxiety Canada /How to Support a Mentally Healthy Back to School for Your Child
Policy/ Procedures to Review: We would like to ask families to take a moment and review Policy 210 Pediculosis. This will explain how this situation will be handled and the roles we all play together to manage the situation should it arise.
Class Placement Information: To help ease any first-day jitters, we will send out an email on Monday, September 7th, 2026, @ 6pm with your child’s class placement. If you have more than one child, you will receive a separate email for each of them. Please note that class placement changes cannot be accommodated. A great deal of thought and planning has gone into creating balanced classes, and any changes at this stage would disrupt this balance. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter. A friendly reminder that the first day of school for all students is Tuesday, September 8th, 2026.
First Day of School: FDK Students: FDK teachers will welcome students at the kindergarten yard and bring them into their classroom; students will spend the full day at school. FDK Dismissal: Afternoon dismissal for our kindergarten students will begin at 3:25 pm in the designated pick up areas (further details will be provided on Tuesday). As always, please identify yourself to the staff who will be at the door. Once you pick up your child, please clear the area to relieve congestion at the doors.
Grade 1 to 8 Students: Grades 1 to 8 teachers will meet their students in the back playground. All staff will be wearing a vest and hold a name sign, so they will be easily identifiable. At the bell, students will line up with their class and enter the building with their teacher. Gr. 1 to 8 Dismissal: Students will be dismissed by their teachers at 3:35 pm through the back playground. Grades 1 to 3 students will be walked by their classroom teacher to the ramp. For safety purposes, we ask that parents do not enter the yard and have a designated meeting spot.
Parents are welcome to join and assist their children on the yard for the morning of the first day only. For SAFETY PURPOSES, as of Wednesday, September 3, 2025 no parents will be permitted on the yard before or after school.
School Times: Please visit https://sps.ycdsb.ca/ for detailed information.
Standard Dress Code: As we begin the new school year, we would like to remind families that students at St. Patrick’s Schomberg are expected to follow our Standardized Dress Code.The following attire is acceptable: Bottoms – Navy Blue
Students may wear: Pants /Shorts /Skirts or skorts /Jogging pants /Jumpers or dresses (must be navy blue) Tops – Navy Blue, White or Red
Acceptable tops include: Golf shirts or polo shirts /T-shirts / Blouses (short or long sleeves; sleeveless tops are not permitted) / Hoodies / Sweaters / Vests / Cardigans /Turtlenecks
All clothing must be solid in colour and free of logos, stripes, brand names, or other designs. Jeans are not permitted. Families may purchase appropriate clothing at most major retailers. Some suggestions include Old Navy, Hudson’s Bay, Walmart, The Gap, Children’s Place, and Gymboree.
St. Patrick’s Spiritwear: We are also pleased to offer St. Patrick’s Schomberg spiritwear for families who would like to show their school spirit. Spiritwear is available for purchase through the links below: https://stores.inksoft.com/st_patrick_grads/shop/home https://stores.inksoft.com/st_patrick_ycdsb/shop/home
Curriculum Night: We hope you will join us for our Curriculum Night / Open House on Thursday, September 17th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is a perfect opportunity to meet your child’s teachers, visit the classrooms. The Catholic School Council will be providing a free treat as well as selling Candy Apples and Pies. See the link for details: /CSC Open House Information. We look forward to seeing you.
Important Dates: September
7 Class Placement Email sent at 6pm
8 First Day of Class
17 Open House @ St. Patrick’s from 6 to 7pm
25 Civvies Day – Donations collected go to Sharelife
30 Truth and Reconciliation Day/ Orange Shirt Day
Yours in Catholic Education,
Mr. M. Caruso, Principal
St. Patrick’s CES