St. Philomena Catholic School

Principal: Mrs. A Cybula. Secretary: Ms. J Smith

Superintendent: Mr. D Massi

School Email: st.philomena@ncdsb.com

Phone: 905-871-1842

Address: 1332 Philips Street, Fort Erie

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/jNYmwhF35EJo9Uw49

Optional Spirit Wear: bigbearspiritwear.com

St. Michael Roman Catholic Church

Pastor: Fr. Patrick Gilmurry

Email: mailto:stmichaels1@bellnet.ca

Location: 310 Central Avenue, Fort Eris, ON

Phone: (905) 871-0692

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StMichaelRomanCatholicFortErie

Sunday Mass @ 10 am

We believe that St. Philomena Catholic School should be the first choice for families in our neighbourhood who are seeking a school that offers excellence in Catholic education. Since students spend up to 10 years in elementary school, choosing the right school is a significant decision. Children thrive in environments where they feel safe, valued, and a true sense of belonging.

Being a St. Philomena Bulldog means more than just wearing our school colours — it reflects who we are every day. Bulldogs are strong, loyal, and caring. At St. Philomena, we work hard, treat one another with kindness, and always strive to do our best. Our school is a safe, inclusive, faith-based learning community where everyone is welcomed and loved as children of God.

We support one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and grow together through challenges. Whether in the classroom, on the playground, or out in the community, we show what it means to be part of a team — and a family.

Our Team Logo and Spirit Wear logo represents our mascot the bulldog and our school colours.

If you’d like to learn more about how a Catholic education at St. Philomena Catholic School can enrich your child’s life and prepare them for the future, please contact our office. We’d love to chat.

We can’t wait to meet you!

Mrs. Cybula, Principal

Our Official Logo represents the journey of St. Philomena. Stories written share that when St. Philomena and her father, the Greek emperor, traveled to Rome to plead with the Roman emperor to not go to war with them, the Roman emperor took an interest to Philomena and asked her to marry him. She refused because of her promise to God. The anchor and arrows represent two ways the emperor tried to end her life that failed. The Roman emperor finally succeeded on the third attempt and she died at the age of 13. In 1837, she was officially canonized as a saint. Her feast day is August 11, and she is the patron saint of children, infants and youth.

Looking Ahead to Lakeshore Catholic High School!

At St. Philomena Catholic Elementary School, we are proud to celebrate our strong connection with Lakeshore Catholic High School in Port Colborne, our feeder secondary school. Lakeshore offers students a vibrant Catholic learning environment where faith, academic excellence, athletics, the arts, and leadership opportunities come together to help every student thrive. As our graduates prepare for their next chapter, they can look forward to becoming part of a welcoming school community dedicated to inspiring success, fostering belonging, and helping students discover their God-given gifts. We are excited to see our St. Philomena Falcons continue their journey at Lakeshore Catholic!

We are a Kindergarten to Grade 8 school and welcome new registrations throughout the school year! Join our St. Philomena Family! All registrations are completed on line. Need help - during school hours call us at 905-871-1842.

New Kindergarten students must be turning age 4 as of December 31st, 2025 to attend school.

https://niagaracatholic.ca/registration/

Tips for Parents

Two Nutritional Breaks

How to Plan and Prepare for Nutritional Breaks Packing a nutritious meal for the Balanced School Day can be both enjoyable and straightforward. Here are some suggestions to help you plan a healthy lunch for your child:

• Divide a single lunch into two portions to ensure adequacy for each nutritional break. You can label if you wish into "1" and "2" to help younger students plan for eating
• Wrap sandwiches individually or cut them in half.
• Separate fruits, vegetables, crackers, and cheese into labeled bags for each break.
• Pack two sets of snacks for each nutritional break.
• Consider providing two healthy drinks for each break.
• Avoid packing foods containing nuts or nut products to support our nut-safe schools.
• Involve your child in planning and preparing their nutritional breaks.
• Ensure your child includes a balanced selection of healthy foods if they are responsible for packing their lunch.
• Aim to include items from three of the five food groups outlined in Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating for each break.

Rooted in the scripture passage from Isaiah our new theological theme, "Constellations of Hope” builds upon the foundation of our previous theme, Called by Name. In the passage, Isaiah is reminding us that God created all things and when we look up to the Heavens, to the stars shining in the vast night sky we cannot but marvel at the magnitude of his power and strength. ​

Astronomers estimate that there are between 100 and 400 billion stars in the Milky Way alone. And yet God is so powerful and awesome that he can call each by name. Each of those stars was created by God and placed in the sky. They provide light in what would otherwise be a vast darkness.​

​The Sun, the brightest star to us on Earth, provides the light by which we see the world around us. Without it our world would be a frozen darkness. No life could exist without it. In this same way we look to Christ. He is the light which washes away all darkness and brings life to the world. ​

​When we are baptized, the celebrant lights a baptismal candle from the Paschal candle and hands it to one of the Godparents saying, “Receive the light of Christ.” ​

​In doing so parents and Godparents are reminded that God has gifted them this child and that the flame of faith is one that must be nourished and protected to keep burning brightly. In Catholic Education, we help to fan those flames, protecting and strengthening the light of Christ that dwells in each one of our students. ​

2026-27 Catholic Education Theme - Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association

The entrance of the Kiss N Ride has been widened to allow easier flow of people entering the parking lot when the Kiss N Ride gets full at our busiest times. Parking spots have been lined up as well for easier drive through. The area to stop in the Kiss N Ride has been moved back a bit to allow easier flow of traffic as well. We hope these improvements will help.

Please use the Kiss N Ride as much as possible to drop of your child, especially if they don't need a car seat. This will help to reduce foot traffic and allow quicker flow of vehicles exiting the parking lot.

Please DO not park on Phillips Street, this is a NO parking zone by the Town of Fort Erie. If you park there this is a possibility you will be ticketed.

🚫 Daytona Side Road & Staff Parking Lot

• Do not park or drop off outside the staff parking lot.
• Three buses use this area — it’s unsafe for student drop-off.
• Use the Kiss N Ride area instead.
• Staff parking lot is only for staff between 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
• No pick-ups or drop offs in the staff parking between 8am and 4pm.

🚗 Kiss N Ride Guidelines

• Curbside lane = Kiss N Ride drop-off (be patient).
• Outside lane = Drive-thru lane.
• Students exit anywhere along the curb/sidewalk in Kiss N Ride lane
• Children should only exit from the passenger side (curb side) only in Kiss N Ride lane. Parents/Drivers please stay in your vehicle at all times when using the Kiss N Ride lane.
• Peak times: 8:55–9:20 am and 3:25–3:45 pm — drive slowly and carefully.
• Use crosswalk to get to school side when parking and walking your child to fenced area.

🅿️ Parking & Walking

• If you need to get out of your car (e.g., hugs, seatbelts), park in a designated spot.
• To walk to drop off fence area, please use the open lane closest to Phillips Street. Always use the crosswalk — please do not cross live lanes.
• DO NOT enter the tarmac area, please stay clear of the gates to allow easy flow of students and staff.
• At arrival dismissal, children/families will cross at the crosswalk to reach parked cars.

🙏 Respect & Safety

• Be patient and kind with staff and volunteers — they’re ensuring safety.
• Aggressive behavior is not acceptable on school grounds.
• Accessible parking is for vehicles with a valid permit only.

As we continue to foster a safe and positive learning environment for all students, I would like to remind you of the new regulations regarding cell phone use that have been implemented in Ontario schools.

To minimize distractions and maximize learning, students cell phones are not needed during the school day. If brought to school, they are stored in a backpack/locker and powered off. We kindly ask for your support in reinforcing this policy with your children and encouraging them to focus on their studies during school hours.

Your cooperation is essential in helping us maintain a healthy and respectful school environment. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these rules, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

The school council is a key advisory body to its school. Your participation can make a difference.

As an elected school council member, you can connect with parents, school staff and the school community. You are part of a team that improves the student experience and supports high-quality education at your school.

St. Philomena Volunteer Bingo Parent Group is run separately from the school. We encourage parents to volunteer and support their efforts. BINGO funds supports the students within our school by helping to subsidize trips, sport equipment, technology and so much more.

Within our school community, there are several students who have a life-threatening allergy (anaphylaxis) to foods, predominantly to peanuts and tree nuts (e.g. almond, cashew, hazelnut, pistachio). We feel the best way to reduce the risk of accidental exposure to these students is to respectfully ask for the co-operation of the parents/guardians within this school community to avoid sending peanut butter or products with peanuts listed in the ingredients. There is a wide range of nutritious foods available to pack for your child. Visit www.eatrightontario.ca for suggestions. For more information on anaphylaxis, visit www.anaphylaxis.ca or www.aaia.ca We are working hard at preventing accidental exposure. It is also important that we have common routines throughout the entire school. There are many shared areas (washrooms, fountains, gym, library, computers, etc.) students could come in contact with allergens. The teachers will explain the importance of the following health and safety routines to the students in their classrooms:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after eating.

2. Do not bring food that contains peanuts/tree nuts.

3. Do not accept food from other students especially if you have food allergies.

4. Snacks are not permitted outside in the schoolyard.

5. Dispose of all food waste properly.

Standardized Dress code (blue/white) are required daily and can be purchased at any store. Optional Spirit Wear Items through Big Bear Spirit Wear. These Spirit Wear items are optional (not mandatory) and can be worn daily at the school this year. Free delivery to the school as an option. Orders can take up to 3 weeks during busiest ordering times, as they are made to order.

www.bigbearspiritwear.com