June 27, 2025
Good afternoon Merivale Families & Students,

We have now wrapped up the 2024-2025 school year - congratulations to our students who have finished the year!   To our graduating class of 2025, we wish you the very best in all that lies ahead.  

A few reminders pertinent to summer are included below.

In the interim, we wish all our parents/guardians/caregivers and our students a relaxing, restful and rejuvenating summer.  On behalf of the entire MHS staff, take good care, and we look forward to welcoming Grade 7-12 students back to school on September 2, 2025!

Matt Gagnier
Proud Principal of Merivale HS

Graduating Students
If you were unable to attend Commencement, Diploma packages are available for pickup in the main office June 30-July 4 (except Canada Day) from 8:00-2:00pm. They will be mailed if not picked up. 

Google Accounts for Graduating Students/Students Leaving the School District
If you are graduating or leaving the OCDSB, be sure to save any documents you want to keep from your Google account to a personal account. Students will not be able to access their Google account, including files and emails, once they are no longer an OCDSB student.   

Report Cards

• Intermediate (Grade 7-8 Report cards) were e-mailed on June 26.
• Secondary (Grade 9-12 Report cards) will be e-mailed to students and parents on Monday July 7 in the afternoon.

To access the report card, enter your Ontario Education Number (OEN) in this format: XXX-XXX-XXX. The OEN can be found on a previous report card. If you need assistance, please contact the main office.  Please get this information in advance if you do not have it.

Return of Merivale School Materials (Chromebooks, Textbooks, Sports Jerseys, Library Books, etc.) - if you find anything at home etc, please return it to the school main office during the week of June 30-July 4.  Any outstanding liabilities may incur a replacement cost. 

Community Service/Volunteer Hours
A reminder that SUMMER is an excellent time for students to complete their 40 hours of Community Involvement.  Any student is eligible to begin working on this high school graduation requirement after completion of Grade 8! This means incoming grade 9 students can start now.   Click here for More information on eligible volunteer hours and how to log them.

Summer Construction

• There will be active construction on campus at Merivale HS through the summer. The roof is being replaced on the main gym and cafeteria.
• There will also be construction impacting the main office area during the summer.

Merivale Office Summer Hours

• Merivale HS main office will be open in-person, June 30-July 4 (except Canada Day) between 8:00-2:00pm.  
• Beginning July 7, the Merivale HS main office will be closed in-person due to Construction.  Please e-mail merivalehs@ocdsb.ca.  Phone messages will also be checked daily.  
• Merivale HS is private property (including outdoor areas surrounding the school and courts) - students need to remain off property during the summer.
• The main office will be closed July 21-August 15.  The school main office itself should reopen following construction during the week of August 25, to prepare for the school year.   

School Startup 2025-2026

• We will be in communication with parents/students the week of August 25 for school startup information.  
• Please see the ministry-approved school year calendars. A reminder to families to avoid planning vacations during the school year, especially during the final 6 weeks weeks of school, as this is a critical time for evaluations in secondary schools.  
• Next year I will be returning as Principal of Merivale HS, as will our Secondary VP’s Dr. Hollingsworth and Ms. Elmer.  Ms. Alexandra McNaught will be our Intermediate Vice-Principal next year behind Ms. McInness, and knows our school well as she currently teaches here! 

The first day of school is Tuesday September 2, 2025.

• Intermediate students report to side field - class lineups will occur. Web Crew and Staff will be available to help students find their class.  Class assignments will not be provided ahead of time.
• Secondary students will receive an e-mail with their timetable by the first day of school.  Timetables will not be available before then.   Link Crew and staff will help students find their first class upon arrival to school. 

Additional Resources to support students/families:

Kids Help Phone:  1-800-668-6868
Youth Services Bureau:  24/7 Crisis Line 613-260-2360
Rideauwood:  613-724-4881
Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre:  613-591-3686
Parent Lifeline of Eastern Ontario:  613-321-3211
Ottawa Public Health - www.ottawapublichealth.ca

Additional Resources compiled by the OCDSB