School Opening Memo 2025-26
Holy Cross High School
MEMORANDUM
June 30, 2025
TO: Students and Parents/Guardians
FROM: K. Hayes, Principal
RE: Welcome to Holy Cross High School
Welcome to Holy Cross High School for the fall of 2025! Hope you enjoy the summer break and are looking forward to returning to school on September 2nd.
This memo is to provide information regarding school start up. Thank you for taking the time to read over this important information.
1. School Opening Schedule
Wednesday, August 27 8:30 am - 3:00 pm School Photos in the main gym
Thursday, August 28 8:30 am - 3:00 pm School Photos in the main gym
Friday, August 29 Division Mass and Institute – School is closed
Tuesday, September 2 First day of classes
Grade 9 students attend in the morning ONLY
8:35 – Students meet in Theatre for Grade 9 Orientation
Period 1 9:10 – 9:30
Period 2 9:35 – 10:00
Period 3 10:05 – 10:30
Period 4 10:35 – 11:00
Period 5 11:05 – 11:30
Grades 10 – 12 attend in the afternoon ONLY
Morning Class 12:00 – 12:25 (CMA20/30 Rapin only)
Period 1 12:30 – 1:00
Period 2 1:05 – 1:30
Period 3 1:35 – 2:05
Period 4 2:10 – 2:40
Period 5 2:45 – 3:10
**Please note that city transit special bus service will only be available in the morning prior to the 8:30 a.m. start time and at the end of the day following the 3:10 p.m. dismissal. Students who use the special buses must make alternate transportation arrangements after the 11:30 a.m. dismissal and before the 12:30 p.m. start. **
Wednesday, September 3 - Regular school day for all students.
Please note we have adjusted the schedule for next year to allow for more time to transition between classes and at noon. Cafeteria service will be available during both morning breaks (7 minutes long) to allow more student access. See new daily schedule below.
2. Photographs
Photographers will be at the school on Wednesday, August 27th & Thursday, August 28th from 8:30am – 3:00 pm to take a photo of each student for photo proofs and student cards. All students need to attend one of the days. Please dress appropriately and no hats. Retakes will be available on September 29th in the library.
3. Student Timetables
Schedules will be available on MSS as of Thursday, August 28th. The MSS tile can be found on the GSCS portal on your student’s account. Schedules for students new to GSCS will be available for pickup at Student Services on August 28th, if they cannot access them on MMS.
4. Program Changes
Please note that some students may experience a change in their schedule after the first week in September. We will do our best to minimize these changes; however, adjustments may need to be made to accommodate increased enrolment.
During registration in the spring, students were advised to make sure they knew which courses they wanted in their schedule. Schedule changes will not be accommodated in the fall unless there is an error. Please do not request a change for personal convenience or preference. For schedule changes due to errors or omissions please fill out this form (closes September 5 at noon): https://forms.office.com/r/FYqxqWwBCB
5. Student Access to the School
The school is open on regular school days for students from 7:30am until 4:00 pm. Families should arrange for their children to be picked up by 4:00 pm unless they have a planned extracurricular activity with a staff supervisor.
6. Locks & Lockers
Grade 9 students will receive a lock and locker on September 2nd. Students who are in Grade 10 -12 can request a locker through this form: Grade 10-12 Locker Request Form. The form will be open until end of day on Friday, September 5. All students must use the blue locks given out by the school. Grade 9 students will also receive a green lock from their Physical Education teacher which is to be used on Phys Ed lockers only. Students who have misplaced their lock or whose lock no longer works may purchase a new lock from the main office. Locks not purchased from the school will be removed by Administration.
7. School Supplies
Students should come to school equipped with a small supply of pens, pencils, binder(s), and paper. Teachers will advise students of other specific needs for their classes.
8. Website
The school’s web site can be found at www.gscs.ca/hch. On our web page you will find the daily student notices, a calendar of events, the school handbook, Edsby instructionsnd other important information about Holy Cross High School. Be sure to check the website regularly for updates and information.
9. HCCSCC
The Holy Cross Catholic School Community Council (HCCSCC) will hold their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, September 16 at 8:30 pm in the Holy Cross Library (following the Grade 9 parent night). All members of the Holy Cross Catholic school community are invited to attend. Parents wishing to volunteer can email Krista Hayes at khayes@gscs.ca or come to the meeting on September 16 to sign up.
10. Cafeteria Services
Regular cafeteria services begin Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025. The cafeteria operates on a non-profit basis and provides meals at a reasonable cost.
11. Absent Reporting Tool
All absence reporting can be completed on Edsby. Please find a link below for information on how to use Edsby. If you need to be invited to download the link, please contact the school after September 3rd. https://edsby.com/help/parents
12. Student Fees
School fee invoices will be issued through MySchoolBucks at end of September and are payable by November 1, 2025. If this is not possible, please speak with Mrs. D’Souza in the Main Office to make alternate arrangements for a partial/monthly payment schedule. If there are financial difficulties, please discuss with Ms. Hayes.
Payment can be made by cash, cheque addressed to ‘Holy Cross High School’ or debit at the school main office. Credit card payment can be made by logging into www.myschoolbucks.ca
We are currently updating course fees; however at the end of this memo is an outline of the fees that will be applied in September 2025.
13. Band & Choir Costs – Assessed by the Music Parent’s Association
Gr. 9 Band No uniform
Gr. 10 Band Golf Shirt purchase – $25.00
Gr. 11 Band no additional charges – will use previously purchased shirts
Gr. 12 Band $20 uniform rental fee + $100 damage deposit (postdated cheque for graduating year, or e-Transfer)
Choir $20 uniform rental fee + $100 damage deposit (postdated cheque for graduating year, or e-Transfer)
14. Transit Service
Please visit the Saskatoon Transit website at https://transit.saskatoon.ca/route-and-schedules for more information and route information.
Holy Cross High School Regular Schedule 2025-2026 – Updated!
7:28 am – 8:30 am | Morning Class (CMA20/30 Rapin) |
8:30 am | Warning Tone |
8:35 am – 9:42 am | Period 1 and Morning Prayer |
9:49 am – 10:51 am | Period 2 |
10:49 am – 10:59 am | Break |
10:58 am – 12:05 pm | Period 3 and Daily Notices |
12:05pm – 1:05 pm | Lunch |
1:05 pm – 2:07 pm | Period 4 |
2:13 pm – 3:15 pm | Period 5 |
Shortened Day – schedule to come – dismissal at 12:30pm
Semester 1: September 2, 2025 - January 23, 2026
Semester 2: January 28, 2026 - June 23, 2026
Shortened Dismissal Days – 12:30pm Thursday, Sept 18 Thursday, Oct 9 Thursday, Oct 23 *Tuesday, Nov 4 Thursday, Nov 20 Thursday, Dec 11 Thursday, Jan 15 Thursday, Feb 5 Thursday, Mar 5 Thursday, Mar 19 Thursday Apr 16 Thursday, May 7 Thursday, May 21 | No School Friday, Oct 17 – SPT Conferences Monday Dec 22 – Friday Jan 2: Christmas Break Monday, Jan 26 – Semester Turnaround Day Tuesday, Jan 27 – Semester Turnaround Day Monday, Feb 16 – Feb 20: February Break Friday, Mar 13 – SPT Conferences Friday, Apr 3 – Apr 10: Easter Break Friday, May 8 – Staff Retreat Wednesday, June 24 – Semester Turnaround Day |
Closed Days Friday, Aug 29 – Opening Institute Monday, Sept 1 – Labour Day Wednesday, Sept 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Monday, Oct 13 – Thanksgiving Tuesday, Nov 11 – Remembrance Day Monday, Feb 16 – Family Day Friday, Apr 3 – Good Friday Monday, May 18 – Victoria Day | Graduation Thursday, June 25 – 1:30pm |
Frequently Called Numbers | |
Main Office: | 659-7600 |
Attendance Line: | 659-7606 |
Edsby : | https://edsby.com/help/parents/ |
Fax: | 659-2167 |
Web Page: | www.gscs.ca/hch |
| Course Description | Amount | |
Accounting | Accounting 10 | $ 50.00 | |
AP | Calculus AB | $ 135.00 | |
AP | AP Computer Science Challenge | $ 135.00 | |
AP | AP Drawing | $ 135.00 | |
AP | English Literature | $ 135.00 | |
AP | French Language & Culture | $ 135.00 | |
AP | Chemistry | $ 135.00 | |
AP | Art & Design | $ 135.00 | |
Art | Art 90 | $ 25.00 | |
Art | Digital Art 90 | $ 20.00 | |
Art | Visual Art 10 | $ 40.00 | |
Art | Visual Art 10 Honours | $ 40.00 | |
Art | Visual Art 20 | $ 40.00 | |
Art | Visual Art 20 Honours | $ 40.00 | |
Art | Visual Art 30 | $ 40.00 | |
Art | Visual Art 30 Honours | $ 40.00 | |
Graphic Arts | Graphic Arts 20 | $ 40.00 | |
Graphic Arts | Graphic Arts 30 | $ 40.00 | |
Band & Choir | Band Folder and Method Book | $ 30.00 | |
Band & Choir | Band Resources | $ 15.00 | |
Band & Choir | Band Instrument Rental | $ 120.00 | |
Band & Choir | Choir | $ 20.00 | |
Band & Choir | Band Uniform Shirts | $ 25.00 | |
Band & Choir | Percussionists | $ 10.00 | |
Career Work Ed | Career Work Exp. 10 | $ 20.00 | |
Career Work Ed | Career Work Exp. 20 | $ 20.00 | |
Career Work Ed | Career Work Exp. A30 | $ 20.00 | |
Career Work Ed | Career Work Exp. B30 | $ 20.00 | |
Design Studies | Design Studies 10 | $ 35.00 | |
Design Studies | Design Studies 20 | $ 35.00 | |
Design Studies | Design Studies 30 | $ 35.00 | |
Practical & Applied Arts | Drafting Fee | $ 5.00 | |
Grade 12 Retreat | Grade 12 Retreat | $ 25.00 | |
Graduation | Graduation | $ 70.00 | |
Home Ec | Food & Clothing 90 | $ 50.00 | |
Home Ec | Commercial Cooking 10 | $ 55.00 | |
Home Ec | Clothing, Textile & Fashion 10 | $ 25.00 | |
Home Ec | Baking and Food Prep 20 | $ 55.00 | |
Home Ec | Baking and Food Prep 30 | $ 55.00 | |
Home Ec | Clothing, Textile & Fashion 30 | $ 25.00 | |
Home Ec | Food Studies 30 | $ 55.00 | |
Home Ec | Food Studies 30 | $ 55.00 | |
IA | Construction & Carpentry 90 | $ 70.00 | |
IA | Construction & Carpentry 10 | $ 160.00 | |
IA | Cabinet Making 20 | $ 40.00 | |
IA | Cabinet Making 20 Project Fee (based on project) | $ - | |
IA | Cabinet Making 30 | $ 40.00 | |
IA | Cabinet Making 30 Project Fee (based on project) | $ - | |
Lock | Regular Lock | $ 13.00 | |
Lock | Used Lock | $ 10.00 | |
Practical & Applied Arts | Outdoor Leadership 20 | $ 160.00 | |
Media Studies | New Media Studies | $ 15.00 | |
Photography | Photography 10 | $ 25.00 | |
Photography | Photography 20 | $ 35.00 | |
Photography | Photography 30 | $ 35.00 | |
Physical Education | Welding 10 | $ 100.00 | |
Physical Education | Wellness Hockey 10 | $ 100.00 | |
Physical Education | Personal Fitness 20 | $ 125.00 | |
Physical Education | Personal Fitness 30 | $ 125.00 | |
Physical Education | Phys Ed Lock | $ 10.00 | |
Physical Education | Phys Ed Shorts | $ 18.00 | |
Physical Education | Phys Ed Shirt | $ 12.00 | |
Physical Education | Physical Education 20 | $ 125.00 | |
Physical Education | Physical Education 30 | $ 125.00 | |
Practical & Applied Arts 9 | General Practical Arts 90 (IA / HEC) | $ 55.00 | |
Robotics | Robotics | $ 65.00 | |
Science | Chemistry 30 AP | $ 35.00 | |
Studio Art 30 | Studio Art 30 | $ 90.00 | |
SRC Fee | Student Activity Fee | $ 40.00 | |
Supervision Fee | HCH Noon Lunch Supervision Fee | $ 25.00 | |
Textbook Fees | Textbook Fees (only if lost or damaged) | $ - | |
Yearbook (Optional) | Yearbook (Optional) | $ TBD | |
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Yearbook Fee Yearbook is optional. Parents and/or guardians need to complete the GSCS Media Release form for their child to be in the yearbook. Please note last year we created a simplified yearbook due to workload and timeline issues. More details to come regarding yearbook plans and costs for next year.
NLS Fee NLS Fee is an annual supervision fee charged by the School Division to cover the expense of supervision that is not funded by the provincial operating grants. The level of supervision needed for high school students is different compared to elementary schools, but they still require monitoring and supervision, so a nominal fee is charged to all students in the school.
SRC Fee Student Representative Council Fee is a fee charged to all students in the school. This is an activity fee for supplies for school spirit activities scheduled throughout the year and organized by the Student Representative Council. It is a base funding for student clubs (Art, Beading, Book, Chess & Games, Drama, Environmental & Gardening, Film, French, Jazz Band, Knitting, One Act Plays, Outdoor Ed, Photography, Rosary Club, Youth Alliance Club, Rosary, Multicultural Group clubs) and athletics.
Textbook Fee Textbooks are supplied with no charge to students; however, students will be charged for any lost or damaged textbooks at the end of each semester.
Band Instrument Rental Fee Band students who rent instruments from GSCS will see this rental fee on the Student Fee statement in September.
Fee Refund No refunds of student activity fees will be made. Refunds of course fees will be prorated after 15 days into the course up to 35 days. Students who withdraw from a course for which fees have been paid must speak to the main office regarding a refund.
Other Fees Athletic fees are under the jurisdiction of the Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate. Students participating on an athletic team will be charged $20.00 for each respective athletic team. The fee is payable to the coach once the student has been selected to the team. There is no refund of this fee; however, there may be additional fees depending on the sport.
Teams or clubs that choose to travel must cover the cost of the excursion, including the teacher supervisor cost. This type of excursion is completely voluntary. Teams or clubs that choose to purchase team apparel take full responsibility for these voluntary purchases.
Each year, student activity fees are based on the needs of the extracurricular program of the school. At the end of an academic year, a surplus may occur. These funds will be directed by the SRC for special projects of the school in the following academic year. | |||
