Embedded Files
St. Marguerite d'Youville School Parent Newsletter | June 2026
Prayer
Loving God,
As we come to the end of another school year, we thank You for the many blessings You have given our school community. Thank You for the learning, friendships, challenges, and successes we have shared this school year.
As summer begins, keep our students, families, and staff safe in Your care. May this season be filled with rest, joy, and opportunities to grow in faith and love.
We ask You to continue to guide us and bless our St. Marguerite d'Youville community until we gather together again.
Amen.
Important Dates
Please note there is NO Pizza or Subway this week.
Monday, June 22: School Council Meeting 6 pm (Virtual)
Tuesday, June 23: SMY Talent Show 12:30 pm (parents are welcome)
Wednesday, June 24: Final Report Cards sent home and available on the Parent Portal
Thursday, June 25: Last Day of School for Students
Friday, June 26: PD DAY, Schools Closed
The first day of school for students in Grades 1-6 is Tuesday, September 1st.
Please note the school office will be closed from June 29th to August 24th.
Message From the Principal
I want to take this opportunity to thank the school community for all of your support over the past year. SMY is truly an amazing place! We have an incredible group of educators, a fantastic group of students, and a wonderfully supportive group of parents.
We have some staff changes coming next Fall as we say goodbye to some of our amazing educators. Mrs. Sabourin, Mrs. Ayafor, and Ms. Evert are retiring this year. We thank them for their dedication, and may they always know they have made a difference in countless children’s lives. We also say goodbye to Ms. Muccitto, Mr. Sebastien, and Mme. Hampton, Ms. Mantha, and Ms. K, who will be starting a new chapter of their careers as they head off to new schools in September, and to Mr. Wright, Mme. Zeljka, Mme. Djina, Mme. Lou, Ms. Noor, and Ms. Sienna, whose contracts have finished for the year. They will be missed for their hard work and dedication to SMY. We wish them all the best of luck in their new schools!
For students and families that will not be returning to our SMY community in the Fall, we wish you continued success in your new schools. May the spirit of St. Marguerite d'Youville be with you always.
I wish you all the best this summer. Be safe when travelling, take time to be with friends and family and enjoy a relaxing summer break!
See you in September!
Mrs. Brooks
Planning for 2026-2027
To help you plan for next year, here is a list of suggested school supplies for each grade for 2026-2027.
Starting Junior Kindergarten Starting Grade 3
Starting Senior Kindergarten Starting Grade 4
Starting Grade 1 Starting Grade 5
Starting Grade 2 Starting Grade 6
Moving?
Are you moving or planning to move? Please contact the school as soon as possible to ensure we have the correct mailing address on file or update your contact information via Parent Portal.
Kindergarten Registration
It’s time to think about next school year! If your child turns four by December 31, 2026, they will be ready to start Kindergarten in September 2026. Go to ocsb.ca/our-schools/kindergarten/ for more information.
News from OSTA
Please find the flyer for OC Transpo’s Free Summer Trips for Youth Aged 11-18.
Important Details:
To ensure a smooth transition, we’d like to clarify the following points:
Existing Cards REMAIN ACTIVE: Existing student cards will continue to work for free transit until September 1st. Students do not need a new card if they already have an active OSTA student pass.
No Summer Replacements: OSTA will not be able to replace any lost cards over the summer. If a student loses their card, they will need to purchase a new PRESTO card.
Proof of Age Required: When setting up or updating a PRESTO card, students must bring a valid proof of age to have their fare type set to the "Youth" discount.
Timeline: Starting September 1, students with PRESTO cards can ride free after 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Eligible students will receive new student passes from OSTA that will work any time.
Invitation: Register for OSTA’s First Rider Event for Newly Registered Families
Dear Families,
Riding a school bus is an important aspect of your child’s education journey. As part of this journey, Ottawa Student Transportation invites you to attend their First Rider Event held on Sunday, August 23, 2026. All are welcome!
First Rider is a great opportunity for your child(ren) to learn about being safe on their way to and from school. This integrated 45-minute session provides elementary school-age children and their families with the essential skills to navigate their commute safely. Combining hands-on bus training with interactive pedestrian practice, this comprehensive program ensures a confident start to the school year.
For more details and to register, visit OSTA online.
Introducing the "Literacy at Home - Parent Website"
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are excited to share a new resource designed specifically to support your child’s reading and writing development: the OCSB Literacy at Home website.
Created by our Literacy team, this site is a one-stop hub for families with children in Grades K-6. It provides practical activities and information to help you support your child’s growth in key areas like phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.
You will find:
Direct Links to Student Tools: Easy access to Gale Elementary, Newsela, and Sora.
Foundational Skills: Simple strategies to practice reading at home.
Curriculum Insights: Information on Early Reading Screening and the Ontario Language Curriculum.
Multilingual Support: Resources tailored for multilingual learners.
We invite you to explore the site and discover new ways to make reading and writing a fun, shared experience at home. You can access the site at LiteracyAtHome.ocsb.ca. A link to the site has also been posted on the Parents page of every elementary school website.
Working together, we can ensure every child becomes a confident, lifelong reader and writer!
Thinking of Volunteering in our School, or on Field Trips?
If you would like to volunteer in our school or on a field trip, please complete the necessary process and join our community.
OCSB Summer Camps
OCSB Continuing & Community Education is excited to share that registration is now open for OCSB Summer Camps 2026!
Our summer camps provide children and youth with opportunities to stay active, explore new interests, build confidence, and make new friends in a safe and welcoming environment. With programs ranging from arts and sports to STEM, themed adventure, and specialty camps, there is something for every camper.
Camps will run June 29 – August 14, 2026, at OCSB locations across Ottawa, with weekly full-day programs and extended hours available at select sites.
We would appreciate your help in sharing this opportunity with families in your school communities.
Thank you for helping us connect families with these exciting summer opportunities!
Warm regards,
Summer Camps Team
OCSB Continuing & Community Education
Summer International Languages Program for Elementary Students
OCSB Continuing & Community Education is excited to share that registration is now open for our Summer International Languages Program - Elementary!
The Summer International Languages Program offers students the opportunity to learn a new language or strengthen their home language through engaging activities, including music, art, storytelling, and cultural exploration. It is a meaningful way for students to build confidence, develop language skills, and connect with diverse cultures in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
The program runs from June 29 to July 31, 2026, at various OCSB locations, with classes available for students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8, and is free for Ontario residents.
Thank you for helping us connect families with these exciting summer opportunities!
Warm regards,
OCSB Continuing & Community Education
SMY Spirit Wear!
Great news! We have SMY Spirit Wear!
Place your order today!
SMY Office Closed Daily from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Due to operational requirements, our school office will be closed from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. while Ms. Brady-McCowell is on her lunch break. Please leave a detailed message when you call, and we will reply at our earliest convenience.
If you are picking up or dropping off your child during this time, it may take longer than usual. Although we recognize this might not always be possible, you are encouraged to arrange student appointments outside of this time to avoid delays. Please let us know in advance if you will be picking up or dropping off your child during this time.
Thank you for your understanding.
Cell Phones
As per Ministry guidelines, students at St. Marguerite d'Youville are NOT permitted to use cell phones during the school day. If a student needs to reach their parents/guardians, they must come to the office.
If a student has a cell phone at school, they must keep it in their backpack, and the phone should not be seen by anyone. If students are seen with their phones out, they will bring their phones to the Office.
Food Allergies
Foods containing nuts (tree nuts or legumes) are not permitted at school at any time of year. We have many children with severe nut allergies (both peanut and other nuts); therefore, ALL student snacks and lunches must be entirely peanut- and nut-free.
St. Bernard Parish News
Page updated
Report abuse