HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL

A PRAYER ON ALL SAINTS DAY

Dear God,

Thank you for the example of the Saints.
I desire to join in their company,
worshiping you forever in Heaven.

Please help me follow their footsteps,
and yours, Jesus Christ.

Please help me to conform
myself to Your image,
seeking Your will in all things,
as the Saints did.

Please help me to devote myself,
and all that I do, to Your glory,
and to the service of my neighbors.

Amen.

OUR CATHOLIC FAITH

Each year, on November 1st, Catholics around the world celebrate All Saints’ Day, a special day when we honour and remember all the saints who have gone before us. While we often think of saints as extraordinary people who accomplished remarkable things, All Saints’ Day reminds us that holiness is not reserved for a select few. We are all called to be saints! In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus shares the Beatitudes, teaching us that true happiness and holiness are found in humility, kindness, mercy, compassion, and the courage to do what is right.

The saints were not perfect people, but ordinary people who responded to God’s love in extraordinary ways. Their lives remind us that we, too, can bring God’s light into the world through the choices we make each day. Whether we are welcoming someone who feels left out, standing up for a friend, offering forgiveness, or simply showing kindness when it is needed most, we are living the message of the Beatitudes. All Saints’ Day is a beautiful reminder that we are all called to holiness, and that even the smallest acts of love can make an extraordinary difference in the world.

WE HAD A SPOOKTACULAR WEEK!

What a wonderfully fun, festive, and slightly exhausting week it has been at Holy Family! From decorating pumpkins to dressing up for our daily spirit days, our school was bursting with creativity, excitement, laughter, and Hallowe’en spirit!

First, a HUGE thank you to our families! We know that a week of spirit days doesn't just magically happen. Behind every creative costume, themed outfit, and excited child is often a parent or caregiver searching through closets, planning ahead, and making sure everything is ready for the next morning. We recognize and appreciate the time, energy, and effort that goes into making these special days so much fun for our students. Thank you for being such wonderful sports and for helping us bring the magic to life!

To our incredible staff, thank you for embracing the fun, joining in the festivities, and somehow managing to keep the learning happening amid all the excitement! The week before Hallowe’en is certainly not for the faint of heart, and you made it a memorable one!

A very special shout-out to our amazing Educational Assistants, who took the lead in planning, decorating, organizing, and bringing our Hallowe’en dance to life on Friday! Thanks to their creativity, enthusiasm, and hard work, our students had an absolutely fantastic time dancing and celebrating together. We are so grateful for everything they did to make the event such a success!

It takes a whole school community to make a week like this happen, and we couldn't have done it without you!

Take a peek at some of the Hallowe’en fun in the photos below!

WATCH OUT, REDBLACKS! THE OWLS ARE AT YOUR DOORSTEP!

Our Holy Family Owls took to the field at TD Place this past week, and boy, did they make us proud! On October 26th and 27th, our Boys' and Girls' Touch Football teams participated in the Board's East Ottawa Touch Football Tournaments, showing off their skills, teamwork, determination, and incredible school spirit! Both teams represented Holy Family beautifully, and we couldn't be prouder of their efforts!

A HUGE thank you to our wonderful coaches, Ms. Rosales and Ms. Rodrigues, for the time, energy, and dedication they put into building our teams, preparing our players, and making sure they were ready to shine on the field. These opportunities simply wouldn't happen without staff who generously give their time and talents to our students.

Congratulations to all of our athletes! You've made your school community very proud! Watch out, Ottawa REDBLACKS — the Holy Family Owls are coming for you!

WHEN BUSES ARE CANCELLED

In order to ensure the safety of all students parents/guardians are required to report all absences, including those on inclement weather/bus cancellation days. When buses are cancelled due to inclement weather, schools will remain open unless otherwise notified.

If your child is unable to attend school on an Inclement Weather day please report their absence as you would on any other school day. SafeArrival can be used for reporting - enter Absent Approved (AA) with a comment of “bus cancellation” or “inclement weather”.

This is an important step in ensuring every student is accounted for every day.

NEED A SNOW SUIT FOR YOUR CHILD?

Winter is coming! The Snowsuit Fund of Ottawa helps families who need support getting warm winter clothing for their children. Families who qualify can receive a new snowsuit for children aged 15 and under for a small fee of $10 per snowsuit.

How to apply:

Visit www.snowsuitfund.com to check eligibility and book an appointment.
Bring proof of your child's age, your Ottawa address, and your family's income or financial assistance.
If you need help with the application or have questions, call 613-746-8719.

Location:

225 Donald Street, Ottawa

Families can apply directly. You do not need a referral from the school.

We want all of our Owls to stay warm, safe, and comfortable this winter!

CHILD ABSENT? THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT!

How to Report Absences with SafeArrival

To report absences, our school board uses the SafeArrival 24-Hour Attendance Line.

Call 1-844-478-2598 or Download the APP:

Google Play or Apple Store

Learn How to Report Absence

PARENT HOMEWORK

Please take a few minutes to make sure you are connected. We don’t want you to miss anything! It can be a bit overwhelming with all of the forms at the beginning of the school year. Please see here for an overview of all the needed forms and links to help you complete them.

Please complete the following as soon as possible.