SNC Tiger Streak:

Mission Statement: To educate each student to his/her full potential in a community formed and guided by Catholic beliefs and traditions.

Motto: “Journey Together On The Road To Discovery”

St. Nicholas Catholic is proud to be a part of the Denis Morris Catholic High School Family of Schools.

Go Tigers Go!

Principal: Mrs. Jackie Watson

Secretary: Mrs. Kim Winstanley

Catholic School Council Co-Chairs: Mr. Foster, Ms. Paprzycki

Superintendent: Mrs. Forsyth-Sells

Parish: Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Father Benjamin Weber, Father Paul Mc Donald

Email: st.nicholas@ncdsb.com
Location: 149 Church St, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
Phone: 905-685-7764

Loving God,

We turn our hearts to you

on this day for giving thanks,

mindful of your many gifts.

For each one, we are grateful.

For each one, we are blessed.

For each one, we are open to

the abundance of your love.

May this Thanksgiving Day offer a

reminder to be generous to others

as you are with us.

We praise you.

We rejoice in you.

We give you thanks.

Amen

Tigers,

From our families to yours, have a blessed Thanksgiving.

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14)

When we do something kind or stand up for a friend, we are like a bright light that everyone can see. We can be witnesses of our faith in our words and in our actions. When we use kind words, play together, and support one another we are being light for the world.

St Nicholas Catholic Elementary School is associated with the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria. Parish Rector is Father Ben Weber, Vice-Rector is Father McDonald.

Weather pending, we walk to church once a month for mass to be celebrated with either Father Ben or Father Paul. Mass is usually - but not always - the third Thursday of the month and begins at 10:00 a.m. Each class is responsible for the readings and for celebrating mass alongside Father. As in the past couple of years, we have a wonderful choir led by Mr. McGowan. The St. Nicholas Catholic Choir leads us in song at every mass.

Our current Masses are tentatively scheduled as follows:

Thanksgiving Mass - October 15th, celebrated with Mr. McGowan and his Grade 6 class,

November 19th, December 4th (Feast Day of St. Nicholas), January 21st, February 10th (Ash Wednesday), March 11th, April 15th, May 20th and June 17th.

School-wide Sacrament of Reconciliation will be in December and April, once Father sets the dates. These will be held at school.

Sacramental Dates:

Grade 8 Confirmation will be on Pentecost Sunday, Sunday May, 16, 2027 at the 11:30 a.m. mass, celebrated by Bishop Bergie.

Grade 2 Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion dates have not been released as of yet.

Grade 2 and 8 parent information meeting dates will also be released shortly.

Grade 8 Graduation - Wednesday, June 23, 2027, at Club Roma from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Information to graduates and their families follow later.

Please understand that dates may change due to unforeseen circumstances. If this happens, the St. Nicholas Catholic Family community will be notified.

SafeArrival:

To report your child absent prior to the start of the school day (before 8:25 a.m. of the day being called in for), please use one of the 3 methods listed below:

1. Use the SafeArrival website, https://go.schoolmessenger.ca. The first time you use the website, select Sign Up to create your account using your email address. After logging in, select the Attendance tab to Report an Absence.

2. Using your mobile device, download and install the SchoolMessenger app (blue logo) from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store (or from the links at https://go.schoolmessenger.ca). Use your new login information to access your account. Select Attendance to Report an Absence. If you would like to receive attendance notifications on your mobile device please enable Push Notifications in the Settings area of the app. The document Using the SchoolMessenger app will give instructions for using the App.

3. The toll-free number 844-287-6287 will allow you to report your child absent without creating an account.

You can enter absences for the current school day in the SafeArrival system up to 8:25 a.m.

If you know ahead of time that your child needs to leave early, please enter their early dismissal in the SafeArrival system. This way your child will be at the office ready and waiting.

If you come to the school without prior notice, please ring the buzzer and Mrs. Winstanley will assist you.

Are your children feverish? Do they have diarrhea and/or vomiting? If your children are displaying any of these symptoms, they may not feeling well and it is a good idea to keep them home. This way they can rest, get better faster and rejoin their classmates and friends. This is especially true when cold and flu season is upon us, when many of our students are already feeling a little under the weather.

Public Health states that a child suffering from diarrhea and/or vomiting must be excluded from school for at least 48 hours after their symptoms have completely stopped (without the use of medication).

Get ready for picture day on Wednesday, October 28th. Individual pictures will be taken this day with a retake day to be announced. The Grade 5s will have their pictures taken first today as they will be leaving on a class trip at 9:30 a.m.

Grade 8 graduation pictures will take place later in the school year, usually in January

Our Friday Hot Lunch menus from October to January is now on school cash.

October 9th - Taco Day

October 23rd - Firehouse Subs

November 6th - Mac and Cheese Day

November 20th - Chicken Finger Day

December 4th is the Feast of St. Nicholas and a luncheon will be prepared for the students

December 18th - Pierogi Day

January 8th - Pizza Day

January 22nd - Grilled Cheese and French Fries

All orders are to be in by the Tuesday prior to the hot lunch.

Please note that all lunches are to be preordered. Extra meals are not brought in.

This month, Grade 3 and 6 parents and guardians will receive their child’s Individual Student Report (ISR). This report contains their child’s results from the Assessments of Reading, Writing and Mathematics, Primary and Junior Divisions, administered in spring 2026. These results did not impact students’ report cards last year.

EQAO results offer an independent snapshot that shows whether students are meeting literacy and math expectations from The Ontario Curriculum. In receiving the ISR, there is an opportunity for parents and guardians to have discussions about their child’s achievement within their family or with a teacher (e.g., parent/guardian-teacher interview).

EQAO data should be considered alongside other information—such as in-class assessment results, report-card grades and teacher observations—so parents and guardians can build a fuller understanding of their child’s learning.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We would like to remind families about the use of electric scooters (e-scooters) in our community.

The Niagara Regional Police Service has advised that none of the municipalities within the Niagara Region have passed by-laws permitting the use of electric kick-scooters in public places. As a result, e-scooters are currently not permitted on public roads, sidewalks, parks, or trails, and riders of any age may be subject to fines.

In addition, electric scooters are not permitted on Niagara Catholic District School Board property. Students should not ride, bring, or store e-scooters on school grounds at any time.

To help ensure the safety of all students, staff, and visitors, we ask families to discuss these regulations with their children and make alternate transportation arrangements where necessary.

Thank you for your support in helping us maintain safe and welcoming school environments.

J. Watson

It has been asked by our friends from Community Care that we do not walk through their parking lot or park in their parking lot.

Thank you

Please remember that you are asked not to park or get out of your car when in the Kiss 'n Ride line up. The Kiss 'n Ride is exactly that - a quick kiss as your child(ren) quickly get(s) out of the family car. Or the quick ability for your child(ren) to get into the car and do up their own seatbelts. Please ensure that you have pulled up to the front of the line prior to your child(ren) getting out of the car. After school, staff will support students by getting them to their car safely. If you need to help your child(ren) get in and out of the car, or to assist with the seatbelt, or to help with the putting on or taking off of backpacks, we kindly ask that you park your car in a designated parking spot - away from the flow of traffic.

It has been noticed that at times when cars are pulling into or out off the parking lot, the car is straddling the sidewalk as the driver awaits his or her turn to move up or pull out. When a car straddles or blocks the sidewalk, our students and families are prohibited from moving forward safely while walking on the sidewalk. At times, students and families are remaining on the sidewalk and they squeeze between two cars. At other times students and families are going around a car, thereby walking on the road to get past the car that is straddling the sidewalk. This is very unsafe.

It is asked that when pulling into or out of the parking lot, please do not straddle the sidewalk. Please wait your turn until you are able to safely pull your entire car in or out of the parking lot.

Our parking lot is small, however the traffic is able to flow well when expectations are followed.

Please remember that if you are parking on North St., to obey all no parking signs. The City's By-Law Officers will be coming around on a regular basis and they will issue tickets if need be.

We thank everyone for their cooperation and patience when it comes to the safety of our students and staff when in the parking lot and in the Kiss 'n Ride.

Communication thru emails:

A reminder that information and updates will be regularly sent out via email. Please ensure that your current email address is on file at the office. Likewise, monthly calendars, newsletters and on-line paraphernalia such as class trip information can be found on our school's website.

*Please understand that if we do not have your current email address, you will not receive information, nor will you be able to access information such as report cards, through the parent portal.

Always keep us apprised of email changes.

Thank you

Found On the Board's Website In School Cash Online

As part of Niagara Catholic District School Board’s ongoing commitment to the protection of personal information under the custody and/or control of the Board along with the right of privacy with respect to personal information that is collected, used, disclosed, and retained in the school system, parents/ guardians are asked to complete the updated form that is found in School Cash Online.

The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) requires school boards to obtain parent/guardian consent to release students’ personal information to school volunteers, parishes, and the Niagara Region Public Health Unit, as well as consent to the disclosure of personal information such as creative and academic accomplishments, images/videos/audio recordings and/or accomplishments to be shared on school or Board websites, social media or with the media.

Please complete the Notice of Collection, Use and Disclosure of Student Personal Information Consent Form that can be found on school cash. Click on Add to cart, Review answers, then Complete order. Please complete by Friday, September 18, 2026.

As of April 21, 2026, NEW VOLUNTEERS for the 2025-2026 school year, prior to volunteering, driving, or supervising an end-of-the year class trip must:

• provide an original and satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC), dated within six months of submission (the cost of the PVSC is the responsibility of the volunteer)
• complete and submit the Volunteer Application Form (Appendix A)
• complete and submit the Volunteer-Authorization to Transport Students Form (Appendix B), if applicable
• complete a one-time training on accessibility, and provide proof of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation Certificate of Training and the Ontario Human Rights Commission Certificate of Completion.
• Please call the school if clarification is required.

Thank you

Congratulations and thank you to all who are a part of the St. Nicholas Catholic School Council for the 2026-2027 school year:

Co-Chairs

Mr. Foster

Mrs. Paprzycki

Members

Mrs. Koch

Ms. Martineau

Mrs. Melville

Community Member

Mrs. Ciancio

Father Weber

We are always looking for new members to join Catholic School Council. Come on out and share in ideas and suggestions that will help to support our students.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, November 18th at 5:00 p.m. here at the school.

Are you a member and just cannot make it to the meeting? A virtual link will be provided at a later date so you can join from the comfort of your home.

It has been motioned that St. Nicholas CSC will hold three fundraisers for the 2026 - 2027 school year. Approvals are as follows:

Fall - COBS Bakery, Boxed Gift Cards

Spring - Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Christmas Shoppe will take place on Wednesday, December 2nd and Thursday, December 3rd this year. Donations will gladly be accepted throughout the next couple of months. Please reach out to the school to determine a convenient drop-off time for items donated. Thank you

All monies raised will support our students in either technology, bussing, events and the like.

The following dates have been set aside for CSC meetings, 5:00 p.m. at the school:

Wednesday, November 18, 2026

Wednesday, January 13, 2027

Wednesday, March 3, 2027

Wednesday, April 21, 2027

All are welcome to attend.

Fire Prevention Week is a nationally observed week in the United States and Canada from the Sunday to the Saturday in which October 9 falls in.

In the United States, the first Presidential Proclamation of the week was made in 1925 by Calvin Coolidge. Since then, the parent organization of the Fire Marshals Association of North America who first created the week, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), continues to be the international sponsor of it.

In Canada, the week is proclaimed annually by the Governor General. The Saturday at the end of the week is also proclaimed as "Fire Service Recognition Day" to express appreciation for the many public services of the Canadian fire service.

This years Fire Prevention Week Theme is : Safe Charging Is a Superpower!

“Charge Into Fire Safety™. Safe Charging Is a Superpower” focuses on the everyday charging habits that can help reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires and keep homes and communities safer.

Plug in. Power up. Stay safe.

Subject: Action Required: Student Medical Information & Acknowledgement of Risk Form

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As part of our commitment to student safety, injury prevention, and well-being, we require your cooperation ahead of the upcoming school year. Prior to student participation in curricular, interschool, and intraschool sports or physical activities, parents and guardians are required to review, complete, and sign the Medical Information, Acknowledgement of Risk, and Permission to Participate Form.

This document ensures that our staff has up-to-date medical information and that families are informed about safety protocols and expectations for physical activities.

How to Complete the Form:

• Access: The form must be completed online through SchoolCash Online.

• Review: Please log in to your account, carefully review all information and embedded links within the form, and provide your electronic signature.

• Deadline: Please submit the completed form prior to the start of the school year.

Please note that students will not be permitted to participate in physical education classes, athletic tryouts, or sports teams until this form is completed and on file.

If you do not have a SchoolCash Online account or require assistance logging in, please visit https://ncdsb.schoolcashonline.com/ or contact Mrs. Winstanley at 905-685-7764.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and for partnering with us to keep our students safe, healthy, and active.

The end of September quickly saw the first sport of the year with the Intermediate Girls and Boys playing soccer at WestPark and Pearson respectively on the 29th.

Junior Soccer will take place at Club Roma for both boys and girls. Junior Girls will play on Wednesday, October 7th, with the boys seeing the field the next day on the 8th.

Cross Country will take place on October 14th at Burgoyne Woods.

On deck for November will be Intermediate Volleyball and Junior Handball.

Thank you to Coaches Grant, McGowan, Pennacchio, Iantomasi, Rathee and Carbonara for dedicating time towards these sports. And thank you to all students for showing dedication, perseverance and sportsmanship.

NCDSB has a dress code of navy and white for all Elementary schools and their students within. Below is an excerpt from the Elementary Standardized Dress-Code Policy 302.6.10:

1.1 At a minimum, every student is required to wear one of the following items:  Navy Blue sweat pants for students in Kindergarten to Grade 3;  Navy Blue Pants (Cargo, Corduroy, Denim, Dress, Kobe styles permitted);  Navy Blue Dresses or Skorts; or  Navy Blue Capris or Walking Shorts.  Grade 8 students have the option to wear grey secondary uniform pants purchased through Board uniform suppliers. Pants, skirt or dress length must be appropriate and modest. Only knee length capris or shorts are permitted. All clothing must be in good repair.

1.2 At a minimum, every student is required to wear one of the following items:  Navy Blue or White Oxford shirt (short or long sleeve);  Navy Blue or White Polo shirt (short or long sleeve); or  School designed spirit wear polo shirt. The elementary standardized dress code shirts, either polo or oxford must be buttoned in a respectable manner. Visible t-shirts worn under the elementary standardized dress code top must be either navy blue or white. In addition, approved sweaters and hoodies embroidered and/or screened with the school logo are permitted to be worn as part of the elementary standardized dress code.

Please see below the policy attached in its entirety.

St. Nicholas Spiritwear is now being offered through Big Bear Spiritwear. Please click onto

https://www.bigbearspiritwear.com/st-nicholas/ to see the options available for purchase. All St. Nicholas Spiritwear can be worn throughout the year as it is an extension of the school dress code.

Orders placed through Big Bear Spiritwear can either be picked up at their Niagara Falls store or can be delivered to the school for a $3.00 charge. Items delivered to the school will be sent home with the student in his/her backpack.

Dear Parent/Guardian(s),

Elementary

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, cell phones are only permitted during instructional time when they are being used for educational purposes as directed by the teacher. Outside of these times, students are expected to keep their phones turned off and stored away unless needed for documented learning needs and/or health related requirements. 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.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Please note that all cell phones need to remain in backpacks or lockers. If your child does have a locker, it is suggested that s/he bring a lock. Cell phones are not to be kept in back pockets, in the pouch of hoodies, in desks, or anywhere visible.

If a child does have his/her cell phone out, they will be directed by the classroom teacher to go to the office where the phone will be locked in the safe. The cell phone will either be returned at the end of the day, or will be returned to the parent/guardian when they come to pick it up.

Thank you

All schools within Niagara Catholic are peanut and tree nut free.

At St. Nicholas Catholic, we have many students with a life threatening allergy (anaphylaxis) to peanut and/or tree nut products. We ask that you please read labels carefully ensuring that all lunch products are peanut and tree nut free. That includes products that 'may contain' or are packaged in a facility that uses peanuts and/or tree nuts. We work very hard at preventing accidental exposure. We ask that you please ensure that your child has thoroughly washed his or her hands after eating peanuts or peanut products for breakfast while at home. It is also very important that we have common rules throughout the school. The teachers will explain the importance of the following health and safety routines to the students in their classrooms:

1) Wash hands with soap and water/hand sanitizer before and after eating,

2) Do not bring in food that contains, or possibly contains peanuts/tree nuts,

3) Do not share food with other students,

4) Do not accept food from other students, especially if you have an allergy,

5) Dispose of all food waste properly

If your child has an allergy or is anaphylactic, please ensure that the office is aware and that the proper medical forms have been completed. All medication signed off on by a doctor will be housed safely at the school during the duration of the school year. Please check the expiration date of all medication prior to bringing in.

Students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 are able to wear their Halloween costumes to school on Friday, October 30th. We ask that masks, weapons and small costume pieces please remain at home. This way a part of your child's costume will not be lost, damaged or left behind at the end of the day. No masks or dangling pieces ensure that our students remain safe, with a clear line of vision throughout the day.

All Parents/Guardians are welcomed to watch our Halloween Parade starting at 9:30 a.m.

Kindergarten to Grade 8 will be walking a very short route around the backyard perimeter of the school. If it rains, we will be indoors.

Classes will come out of the Primary doors and walk the perimeter towards Immaculee Conception. They will walk along the fence line of North Street and will reenter the school through the Junior/Intermediate doors or Primary Doors - depending on the weather.

Our parade will begin sharply at 9:30 a.m. and will take approximately 15 minutes.

In the afternoon, our little ghosts, goblins, superheroes, princesses and everything in between, will have fun completing Halloween activities within their classroom.

We remind parents/guardians to please not send in candy/chocolate as many of our students have food intolerances and/or allergies.

As a reminder, when packing Halloween candy in lunches, please ensure all are peanut/nut free. This would include items being made in a nut-free facility.

Ryan’s Law (Ensuring Asthma Friendly Schools) 2015 is an important step to support the health and well-being of students diagnosed with asthma in Ontario schools.

If your son/daughter has been diagnosed with asthma, please contact the office to provide information about your son/daughter’s asthma medication.

You will be required to complete and submit the Niagara Catholic Student Asthma Management Plan for your student.

Any student under the age of 16 years will be permitted to carry and administer his/her asthma medication at school with your consent. A student 16 years or older is not required to have his or her parent’s or guardian’s permission to carry his or her asthma medication.

Information on asthma that can be found at ASTHMA MANAGEMENT IN SCHOOLS

Niagara Catholic's Concussion Administrative Operational Procedure provides guidance regarding concussion prevention, identification, management, and Return-to-Learn and Return-to-Physical-Activity planning.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to review concussion awareness information with their children and report any suspected or diagnosed concussion to the school.

Remember: When in doubt, sit it out and seek medical attention.

A very big thank you goes out to Marko from COBS Bread for once again supplying all of the hotdog and hamburger buns for our Meet and Mingle last week. Your kindness and love is alway very much appreciated.

Just a reminder that we will be selling our COBs gift cards in November - just in time for Christmas. They will be $30.00 +service charge and will be available through school cash on-line.

Are you passing through Welland and need a loaf of bread? Marko has just opened up a COBS in Welland on Niagara Street. Go in, say hi and pick up a loaf of his wonderful bread.

St. Nicholas Catholic is rooted in Catholic and Christian values. Our goal is to create a safe, kind and loving environment for all who work, learn, and assist with our school community.

Aggressive or hostile behaviour or language toward, staff, students or our community helpers will not be tolerated.

While we welcome feedback, concerns and opinions it is the expectation that all staff, students, parents, guardians and community helpers communicate their needs and concerns with one

another in a respectful and peaceful manner whether through email, on the phone or face-to-face.

Adherence to this expectation is vital in order to create a community which can solve problems and help one another achieve success.

Thank you