Welcome to the 2025/2026 school year! We are very excited about this school year as it is the 40th anniversary of the St. Brother Andre school community! Throughout the year, we will be celebrating and acknowledging this beautiful milestone in our school’s history. Today’s communication is lengthier than usual on account of the nature of the content – apologies in advance!
We greatly value our partnership with students and their families. It is important that we are all on the same page, especially in the day-to-day running of our school. Kindly note the following:
1. Grade 9 Orientation on September 2nd
Grade 9 Orientation takes place on Tuesday, September 2nd. Only Grade 9 students attend school on this day. Students should be in the building no later than 8:25am and will go through the full-day schedule, which ends at 2:28pm. We welcome all parents and guardians of Grade 9 students to join us for our “Introduction to High School” presentation, beginning at 8:30am in the Library. Students are expected to be in full uniform. Students are encouraged to bring lunch as there will be no cafeteria service that day. Students may leave the premises during lunch but must manage their time in order to avoid being late.
2. Semester 1 Timetables
The Student Portal will be open for students at 4:00pm on August 29th in order to access Semester 1 timetables. Grade 9 students will receive a hard copy of their schedules on Grade 9 Orientation Day.
3. Code of Conduct
As followers of Christ, all members of our community are expected to comport themselves in a manner that honours the dignity of all those who share the learning environment at St. Brother André, including their own. Please review the Student Handbook, which outlines a variety of expectations and the “rules of the road” so that we all understand what is required of us to create a safe and inclusive learning environment at school. In particular, we would like to draw your attention to the sections that pertain to vandalism and damage to school property. We all share the school as a common working and learning community and we expect all members of the SBA community to treat each other and the space with respect. Individuals should expect very serious consequences when poor choices are made.The cell phone ban during instructional time continues. Students will comply with the direction of classroom teachers regarding the placement of cell phones during class time. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action.
Document: SBA Student and Parent Handbook.pdf
4. Requesting Course Changes
The last day for students to request a course change for their timetable is TOMORROW. Please be advised that at this time, due to extremely limited availability, we are only able to process requests (without any guarantees) that meet the following criteria:
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A change in program pathways
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Course was taken at summer school and is still on the timetable
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Extenuating circumstances pertaining to potential graduating students
For more information, please visit the Guidance Department Google Classrooms, website and Instagram feed.
5. School Uniform
The expectation that the school uniform be worn as prescribed by the Administration is not negotiable. Students are expected to attend school everyday in proper uniform. The uniform may only be purchased from DGN Kilters. The school uniform is defined as follows:
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All black shoes (i.e. dress shoe, running shoe, loafer)
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Embroidered, grey SBA uniform pant
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Official school golf shirt, long or short sleeve, white or navy blue
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Warm items: official navy blue Cardinals hoodie, ¼ Zip with school crest, crewneck with school crest; all other hoodies/sweaters are not permitted.
Spirit Wear is NOT uniform. Spirit Wear refers only to t-shirts and sweaters (with the SBA school, club, council or team logo), not bottoms. There will be days set aside for students to wear their Spirit wear with uniform pants and shoes. All other items are OPTIONAL.
There are no spare uniform items available in the school. Students who are not in uniform can expect to be sent to the Main Office where their respective Vice Principal will determine next steps, which may include being sent home. To avoid unnecessary time wasted, we ask for your cooperation in ensuring that your child is in proper uniform everyday before leaving for school.
6. Attendance
There is a direct correlation between regular attendance at school and academic success. Students should be in their homeroom class by 8:25am each morning (the warning bell). Classroom teachers, with the assistance of Vice Principals, will be monitoring attendance. Please do your best to schedule appointments outside of the school day whenever possible. To access the correct procedures for processing your child’s absences, please review the attachments below:
Documents: Secondary Student Attendance Parent Guardian Letter.pdf, YCDSB Secondary School Parent Guardian SchoolMessenger Instructions.pdf
7. Transportation
The following is an important school bus service reminder for transportation-eligible students on behalf of Student Transportation Services of York Region:
For students that are ELIGIBLE for school bus transportation:
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Parents/Students are reminded to refer to the Late Bus Report on the Student Transportation Services website at www.schoolbuscity.com prior to leaving for the bus stop in the mornings and afternoons and understand the need to make alternative arrangements if the school bus is late or cancelled.
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Students should arrive at the bus stop 5 minutes prior to the regularly scheduled pick-up and drop-off times. During the first two weeks of school, it is recommended that students arrive at the bus stop 10 minutes prior.
Document: 2025-08-22- STS Memo for Parents- YCDSB.pdf
8. School Day
You may already be familiar with School Day, the cashless school payment system. We use the cashless platform to collect all manner of school fees, including excursions, team fees, yearbook, etc. The School Day platform will be live and available for use on September 3rd. If you do not have an active account, you can expect to receive email communication from the Board that contains your secure match key so that you can set up your account. Please contact the Main Office and ask to speak with the Bursar should you have any questions or are in need of assistance.
Stay tuned for more information regarding the payment of any outstanding fees: Muskoka Woods 2025, locks for student lockers, Student Activity Fee for 2025/2026.
9. Important Dates
The Student Master Calendar livestreams on the homepage of the school website. It is always current. Please make particular note of the following events:
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Awards Ceremonies (for the 2024/2025 school year): October 16, 2025
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Grade 11 Semi-Formal: October 23, 2025
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Semester 1 Exams: January 23-29, 2026
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Prom: May 21, 2026
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Semester 2 Exams: June 16-23, 2026
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Graduation: June 26, 2026
10. Stay Connected
You can expect periodic emails from the Administration with school updates but you are encouraged to stay connected via the school’s social media on Instagram (stbrotherandre). The school website (sba.ycdsb.ca) will also be updated as needed.
As the semester and year progresses, should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to first contact your child’s teachers/Guidance Counsellor/Special Education teacher directly. If additional assistance is needed, the Vice Principals are also available to help, as am I if more support is required. Please make note of the Vice Principal assignments:
Ms. Karahalios: Grades 10 and 12
Mr. Dharmai: Grades 9 and 11
Through the intercession of our patron, St. Brother André, I pray that this be a successful and productive year for our students and staff, that our school continue to be a place where they can freely use their God-given gifts and talents to discern their pathways and make positive contributions to our community. I ask that you keep our students and staff in your prayers.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support of the St. Brother André CHS community!