Principal's September Welcome to Mary Monarchs

Posted On Saturday August 30, 2025

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers, 

As we begin a new school year, we extend a warm welcome back to all families in our school community. We hope your summer was filled with rest, renewal, and joyful moments with loved ones. This letter includes important instructions to help both students and families prepare for the start of school. 

This year, as we embrace the Durham Catholic District School Board’s spiritual theme, “Blessed are the Peacemakers”, our school is committed to helping both students and staff explore and embody what it truly means to be a peacemaker. 

Peacemaking is an active and courageous calling—it involves building understanding, resolving conflict, and standing up for justice. It begins within, as we nurture calm, compassion, and emotional resilience. It also involves reconciliation, healing relationships, and fostering trust. Peacemaking touches every part of life, from our classrooms and homes to our wider communities and care for creation. Above all, it reflects God’s nature and love, reminding us that when we work for peace, we live as children of God. 

Throughout the year, we will offer opportunities for reflection, learning, and action that support this theme and help our students grow as thoughtful, faith-filled leaders. 

As always, we recognize the importance of working in partnership with families. We are committed to nurturing not only academic excellence but also the spiritual and personal growth of every student. Your support and collaboration are essential to this journey. 

More detailed instructions, expectations and updates about the school year will be shared with you shortly. Please keep an eye out for further communication in the coming days. 

We look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and peace. 

With warm regards,

The St. Mary CSS Administrative Team, 
Mr. J. DiVizio - Principal
Ms. M. Morrison - Vice Principal (Student surnames A - Gi)
Ms. C. Minardi - Vice Principal (Student surnames Gl-O)
Mr. C. Gardner - Vice Principal (Student surnames P - Z) 

 

School Schedule

  • The first day of school is Tuesday September 2, 2025 for ALL students.  The school day begins promptly at 9:30am and ends at 3:30pm. Please see the daily school schedule for lunch times on our website. Please also visit our website to view the calendar for the 2025-2026 school year which includes pertinent information such as the January and June exam schedule.   
  • Students/families can access tentative class schedules for 2025-2026 school year via student EDSBY accounts on August 29, 2025 at the end of the day. Grade 9 – Grade 12 Homeroom teachers will provide students with their timetable and locker number on the first day of school. Upon arrival at school on the first day, students will locate their Period 1 room before proceeding to class. Student lists will be posted in the front foyer and atrium. Students on spare during Semester 1, Period 1 will report to the Learning Commons.   

Edsby

  • Edsby is our primary tool for communication between St. Mary/DCDSB staff, students and parents/guardians/caregivers. Parents/Guardians/Caregivers can communicate with teachers and if the teacher is using Edsby to do so, parents can see current grades and assignments/tests in a class. Other school information such course selection and making appointments for Parent-Teacher Conferences in October and March is also communicated through Edsby. Report cards are also only visible through Edsby. Important school initiatives will also be communicated through the Edsby banner.
  • To activate your EDSBY parent account or to get answers to frequently asked questions about Edsby please visit the following website for more information: https://www.dcdsb.ca/en/parents/edsby.aspx

Lockers 

  • All students must use a Dudley lock which has been issued by the school. All Grade 9 students and new Grade 9-12 students will receive a lock on the first day via their homeroom teacher; all other students are asked to bring their school lock from the year before. Any grade 10 – 12 students who have misplaced their school-issued Dudley lock will have the opportunity to purchase a lock in the Main Office $5.00 (used). Cash payments for locks are accepted before school, after school, or during lunch.
  • Students are advised to NOT share their lockers or locker combinations with anyone in order to secure their private belongings and to prevent theft.   

Attendance and Reporting 

  • Student attendance and care of our students are of critical importance to the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB). Parents and/or guardians are required to report their child(ren)’s partial or full day absence in advance, or before school start for the current day by accessing the Secondary Attendance Program using one of these three methods: 
  • If your child is going to be absent, notify the school by using one of the following methods:  
  1. Safe Arrival portal login: go.schoolmessenger.ca 
  2. Call the toll free number: 1-844-288-7628
  3. Report the absence through our smartphone mobile application: SchoolMessenger. Available from the App Store and Google Play Store. 
  • Please click on the following link for information on the importance of regular school attendance and tips on how to help your child.  
  • Note that if your child is signed out for any period of the day, they are NOT to remain on school premises.  Parents cannot sign their child out and allow them to remain on school grounds (library, cafeteria, field, parking lot, classroom) as it is a school safety issue.   
  • Parents/guardians/caregivers who have not reported their child(ren) absent or late will receive an automated phone call where they can explain the absence. If any of your contact information changes, or if you have any questions in regards to the contents of this letter, please contact your child’s school office.  

Uniform 

  • Students are to be in full uniform from 9:30am-3:30pm throughout the building.  Please click on the following link for compulsory Uniform Policy. The official dress code of St. Mary is a result of discussion with faculty, students, parent council and administration. Unless there is a scheduled non-uniform day or spirit day all students are to arrive in full uniform to their classroom door and must always wear their full uniform. 
  • Students are asked to remove their hats, hoods, scarves and face masks (balaclavas) immediately upon entering the building. Jackets/Outerwear are not permitted in classrooms and must be stored away in lockers.
  • Joggers, track pants, patterned tights or patterned knee socks are not permitted.
  • Boots, UGGs, Blundstones, Birkenstocks, moccasins, sandals, slippers, Crocs or open-back shoes of any kind are not permitted.
  • Hats, bonnets, bandanas, large headbands, patterned scarves, durags and all other head gear are not permitted.
  • Only religious head-wear is permitted to be worn in the building. If there is an extenuating circumstance, please contact your child’s Vice Principal directly. 
  • Students can purchase their uniform at McCarthy School Uniforms located at 700 Finley Avenue Unit 14, Ajax, ON, L1S 3Z2.   

Bussing - Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS) 

  • In order to ensure the safety of all students please read responsibilities of students and parents regarding school bus transportation to and from school.
  • Those eligible for transportation can check the parent portal or automated phone line 1-866-908-6578 for their student’s bus stop information.  Student OEN # (located on the report card) is required.
  • Students are reminded to have their DSTS Transportation Card ready on the first day of school. Information about mTransport and how to replace missing cards can be found by clicking on highlighted links.
  • If families need to contact DSTS, they can do so via the “contact us” link on DSTS website www.dsts.on.ca or by calling 905-666-6395. 

Drop off and Pick Up - Parking Lot Safety

  • Designated Drop-off/Pick-up Areas: Utilize designated drop-off and pick-up areas to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.  Please refrain from dropping off/picking up directly in front of the school from 9:00am to 9:45am and 3:00pm to 4:00 pm as the driveway facing Whites Road is the designated school bus drop off and pick up zone.  Please use the designated route at the back of the school to drop off or pick up your child during these times.  Click on the following link and zoom in/out to view an aerial map of St. Mary’s parking lot with signage that directs flow of traffic.
  • Parents, visitors and parking pass holders, please be reminded of the following guidelines when utilizing the east and west side parking lots:
    • Speed Limit: Maintain a safe and appropriate speed while navigating the parking lot. Pedestrian traffic is common, especially during arrival and dismissal times.
    • Pedestrian Right-of-Way: Always yield to pedestrians including in designated crosswalks. Exercise caution and patience when pedestrians are present.
    • Cell Phone Usage: Refrain from using cell phones while driving in the parking lot. Distractions can compromise safety for both drivers and pedestrians.
    • Reserved Parking: Only St. Mary staff and students are permitted to park in the St. Mary parking lot.  All the parking spots on the east side of the school and the first 5 rows of parking spots on the west side lot are reserved for school staff. Students who desire to park in the parking lot must acquire a St. Mary parking sticker and affix it their car. If you are not a visitor and your vehicle does not display a St. Mary parking sticker you will be asked to remove your vehicle from the premises or it may be towed. 
  • By adhering to these safe driving practices and being mindful of noise levels, we contribute to the overall safety, well-being, and positive relationship with our community.  

School Cash Online   

  • Parents/Guardians/Caregivers of our new students are invited to register for an account for St. Mary CSS Cash Online at the following link DCDSB School Cash Online
  • Note – You will need your child’s OEN number in order to attach them to your profile and complete the registration process. The OEN number is available on your child’s report card. Please view the following video to learn more. Beginning this year, a transaction fee of 4% plus $0.10 will be applied to each order - payable by parents/guardians/caregivers. 

Student Activity Fee 

  • Every student pays a yearly Student Activity Fee. This $75.00 Student Activity Fee is used towards various items including: yearbooks, student retreats, clubs, honorarium for guest speakers, student I.D. cards and Student Council and/or school-wide activities.  

Visitors

  • As part of our ongoing commitment to the safety and security of all students and staff within our school community, we would like to remind all visitors of our protocol regarding entry and movement within the school building. All visitors are required to report to and sign in at the school office using the main/central east-facing entrance. This protocol is in place to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff and to prevent any potential safety concerns. 
  • We kindly request that visitors refrain from roaming the school building without prior and proper authorization from office administration. Those who do not adhere to the protocol may be issued a trespassing notice.   
  • In keeping with board policy, volunteers who have regular contact with students will be required to submit a Vulnerable Sector Criminal Reference Check (available from the Durham Regional Police – letters for a reduced rate are available at the school office). 

Gathering/Learning Spaces 

  • During lunch/spare or elearning students are not permitted to wander throughout the school and may use the cafeteria or learning commons and are to remain in these areas so as to not disrupt the learning environment around the building.  

Academic Integrity 

  • Please read the pdf form in the link below under “Important Attachments” entitled ‘DCDSB Academic Integrity Statement for Students’, which outlines the importance of academic honesty in ensuring your child's academic success. The statement emphasizes that students must complete their work independently, accurately cite all sources, and avoid using unauthorized tools like artificial intelligence without proper acknowledgement. Violations of these principles, such as plagiarism or using AI-generated content without permission, may result in serious consequences, including receiving a mark of zero. We encourage you to review the statement to support your child in maintaining academic integrity. 

 Scent Free School 

  • Many of the chemicals and artificial additives used to provide fragrance/scent to products can trigger serious health reactions including asthma, migraines, allergies or chemical sensitivities. 
  • Typical sources of these chemicals include the following: perfumes, colognes and body sprays, high-odor personal products 
  • We endeavour to provide a scent-free environment for students, staff and visitors. We ask that everyone please refrain from using scented products while in our school. 

 Vaccinations

 Vaping

  • St. Mary is committed to preventing young people from the initiation and increased use of tobacco and vapour products; protecting people from second-hand exposure to smoke and vapour; motivate and support people to successfully quit using tobacco and nicotine; and identify and reduce disparities in tobacco use and related harms. 
  • Anyone smoking tobacco, using an e-cigarette to vape any substance, or smoking cannabis (medical and recreational) on school/board property or public areas within 20 metres of school/board property can be charged and may be subject to additional consequences in accordance with Board policies and/or procedures.  The school has ample signage regarding the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. 
  • Anyone selling, buying for, or giving tobacco/vape products on and off school/board property, to anyone under 19, can be charged and may be subject to additional consequences in accordance with Board policies and/or procedures. This includes: parents/guardians/caregivers, all staff, students (including summer school and evening continuing education students), and visitors 
  • In the case of these substances being found in the possession of students:
  1. parents/guardians/caregivers, will be notified and the student must surrender the item(s) to the educator or administrator. Any confiscated tobacco, ecigarettes and/or cannabis products will be handled in accordance with the Board’s Student Discipline Administrative Procedure and will not be returned;
  2. consequences applied will be in accordance with progressive discipline protocols and may include suspension and/or contact with the Durham Region Health Department’s (DRHD) Tobacco Enforcement Officers  
  • Fines:
    • Smoking or holding lighted tobacco/cannabis, and/or using an electronic cigarette on school property (or public areas within 20m of school property) carries a minimum fine of $305, up to a maximum fine of $1000 for a first offence.
    • Selling/supplying tobacco products to a person who is less than 19 years old carries a minimum fine of $490, up to a maximum fine of $8000 for a first offence.
    • Selling/supplying vapour products to a person who is less than 19 years old carries a minimum fine of $490, up to a maximum fine of $4000 for a first offence. 
  • Parents/guardians/caregivers are encouraged to discuss the dangers of using tobacco, cannabis, and e-cigarettes/vaping and being exposed to second hand smoke with their children at home. Collaboration between parents/guardians/caregivers and the school is essential in reinforcing the message that using tobacco, cannabis, e-cigarettes/vaping is prohibited and unacceptable. 
  •  Resources for students and parents:

Information about vapes and health effects 

CAMH Vaping Fact Sheet - What Youth Need to Know.PDF

Health Canada:  Talking Teen Vaping Parent Tip Sheet.PDF

NotAnExperiment Parents/Guardians/Caregiver How to talk to Teens.PDF

  • We also have a collaborative relationship with Lakeridge Health: Pinewood Centre's Youth Services.  If you need help quitting but don’t know where to start, please review the resources herein. 

Personal Mobile Devices (cell phones, smart watches, air pods)  

  • In accordance with the newly issued Ministry of Education policy memorandum, the Provincial Code of Conduct has been revised to regulate the use of cell phones and other personal mobile devices, as specified in PPM 128. These updates aim to limit the use of personal mobile devices during instructional time in secondary classrooms to minimize distractions and optimize learning time. 
  • Please be advised that we have an appropriate cell phone use policy at St. Mary CSS. If your children bring their phone to school, they are not to be used during the instructional day.  
  • Please read the additional attached letter for more details about exceptions, tips for parents and consequences for unauthorized PMD use.   

We eagerly anticipate welcoming all St. Mary Monarch students on the first day of school and are excited for a wonderful year ahead!

Blessings,

The St. Mary Catholic Secondary School Administration Team