Welcome to the month of November! Throughout this month, we will be reflecting on the virtue of justice: justice in our lives, in our communities, and all around the world.
Yesterday, on November 1st, we celebrated the Feast of All Saints, or All Saints Day. On this day we celebrate all the saints of the people of God. We give thanks for the good example of the lives of the saints and all good people who are models for us of compassion, love and justice. We pray for the courage and the willingness to follow in the footsteps of the saints, today and every day.
The feast of All Souls, or All Souls Day is today, November 2nd. On the feast of All Souls, and throughout the month of November, we remember in a special way our relatives, friends and all the faithful departed who are in God’s great love.
Let us take a moment to recall in our hearts anyone who has died, family or friends.
May all the dearly departed members of the St. Mark CES community rest in peace.
Treaties Recognition Week
Treaties Recognition Week occurs annually during the first week of November. It was introduced in 2016 to honour the importance of treaties and to help Ontarians learn more about treaty rights and relationships.
Teachers will engage students in age-appropriate learning activities and reflections to deepen understanding of treaty relationships, strengthen spiritual and cultural connections to the land, and affirm our shared responsibility to live in right relationship with one another.
EQAO Webinar: Math Night for Parents and Guardians
Parents and guardians are invited to join a free live webinar where EQAO staff will discuss math questions that Ontario students encounter when they participate in Ontario’s large-scale assessments. These assessments are taken by all Ontario students in Grades 3, 6 and 9. During the webinar, EQAO staff will show how these math questions help assess the skills students are learning in their math classes. Staff will also share valuable insights from the past three years of assessment results, which can help parents and guardians support their children’s math learning.
Webinar date: November 19, 2025, starting at 6:00 pm
Click here for registration.
Active School Travel
Did you know that Active Transportation can strengthen child and youth mental health, which helps children and youth perform better academically, form social relationships, promote positive emotional feelings that increase self-confidence, and overall make healthier lifestyle choices?
Read YCDSB’s Active School Travel Newsletter November 2025 newsletter for more information on Active Transportation and Mental Health!
November AST Communication - Mental Health and AST.pdf
Elementary Progress Reports Distribution
Due to recent technical challenges, elementary schools in the YCDSB will be delivering this fall’s progress reports in paper copy form on Tuesday, November 18th. Progress reports will be given to all students to take home on this day.
It is anticipated that term one and two report cards will be delivered digitally and accessible via the Parent Portal.
Thank you for your understanding.
Parent-Teacher Interviews
St. Mark CES’ parent-teacher interviews will take place on Thursday, November 20th from 3:30-4:30pm and 6:00-8:00pm, and Friday, November 21st from 8:30-10:00am. School-Day will be used to book interviews. Parents and guardians are encouraged to create a School-Day account if they do not already have one. Visit www.school-day.com.
Need assistance? Please visit the School-Day’s Support Centre at: https://support.school-day.com/en/articles/#parents .
Please note that a separate email will follow by Sunday, November 9th to inform parents and guardians that interview scheduling is open for bookings.
TerraCotta Cookie Sales
Thank you to all families who purchased TerraCotta vanilla cookies for Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter! As previously communicated, funds raised for this school-based fundraising initiative will help subsidize the Grade 6 students’ end of year celebration and Marlies Game trip. The total funds raised was $972.58. Thank you for your support!
Photo Orders
St. Mark CES photos are now available online! Visit www.centophotography.com to place your orders by Monday, November 10th! Please see the image below for more information.
Next Week’s Activities and Events
Here is a look ahead to next week…
Friday, November 7th:
– Virtues Buddies (class pairings), 1:45-2:25pm; older students working with younger students to explore the virtue of justice
Upcoming Activities and Events
November 11th: Remembrance Day Service in gymnasium, 10:15am; all parents/guardians are welcome to attend
November 12th: Photo Retake Day
November 17th-21st: Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week
November 18th: Praying with the Rosary Apostolate; all classes
November 18th: Progress reports (paper copes) sent home with students
November 20th: Parent-Teacher Interviews, 3:30-4:30pm and 6:00-8:00pm
November 21st: PA Day (no school)
November 21st: Parent-Teacher Interviews, 8:30-10:00am
November 27th: HERO program, Grades 5&6 classes; facilitated by St. Mark Parish Youth Minister
November 26th: Grade 2 First Reconciliation Ceremony at St. Mark Parish, 7:00pm
November 27th: CSC Meeting in the library, 6:30pm
Closing Prayer
God of love,
May we walk with saints
in the ways of justice, peace, and freedom
this month and always.
With the company of saints
may we seek justice where there is none.
Amen.
St. Mark, pray for us.
Wishing you a great week!
Sincerely,
C. Quadrini, Principal