Staffing Update 

We'd like to wish farewell and thank you to Michelle Coles, our Administrative Secretary of the past 3 years, who will be transferring to Nickle School.  Her last day with us at Rideau Park is Friday, May 10.  We wish Mrs Coles well in her new position.  

We are pleased to announce that Florence Janzen will transition to the Administrative Secretary position at Rideau Park. Ms Janzen has been working in our office part-time since the spring and we are looking forward to working with her in a different capacity. Ms Janzen can be contacted by email at fajanzen@cbe.ab.ca.  

Parent Volunteer Opportunity Highlights 

May 13, Assist Students for Grade 9 PAT – ELA, Part A, 9:00 – 11:45 am – 2 parent volunteers are needed to provide writing accommodations for the Grade 9 PAT. The volunteer responsibility will entail scribing or typing for a student to complete the writing task. It could be a bit less time if the student finishes prior to 11:45. Please contact Ms Cochrane if you are available for the morning. 

Fun Lunch – only 1 Fun Lunch date remains that requires volunteers. Volunteering starts at 11:05 am for approximately 45 minutes: 

• May 16 – 2 volunteers needed  

Sign up!   Thank you for your support.  

Book Drive | Little Red Reading House, May 6 - 16 

From May 6 through 16, we will be holding a book drive to support Little Red Reading House Book Bank which promotes literacy for young children and emerging readers.   

“Help feeds the hearts and minds of children with their very own books. Because more books in homes means better reading scores at school and more children who will grow to love reading. We get books into the hands of children who would love to own their very own!”  

What types of books to donate?  

• New or like-new books for children aged 0 – 8 
• Children’s books with literacy building qualities 
• Please keep in mind that the books you are giving will become another child's treasure. Only give books that are of high quality and in very good condition (either new or like new). We cannot accept books that are tattered, scribbled on, written in, or missing covers.  

How? 

• Each classroom will have a drop-off bin where book donations can be accepted. 
• Main office will also have a bin to accept book donations. 

Wish List 

Link to Little Red Reading House 

Fundraiser | Spring Plants and Planters 

One week remains in the Spring Plants and Planters fundraiser. With the next 2 orders we will have reached our fundraising goal! Of course, it would be wonderful to surpass our goal to provide more support to our programs.    

The following items are available to order: 

• Premium Hanging Basket 
• Strawberry Hanging Basket 
• Outdoor Patio Planter 
• Rose Patio Planter  
• 10-pack Geraniums (red, white, pink), Petunias (white, purple, pink) &/or Marigolds 
• 10-pack Assorted Herbs &/or Assorted Veggies 
• Organic Garden Soil &/or Fertilizer (shaker)  

The last day to place an online order is May 8. 

Pick-up date: Thursday, May 23, 1:00 - 4:30 pm  

Place an order!  

100% of the profits from this fundraiser will be used to fund student programs at Rideau Park School.   

Thank you for your continued support of our school.   

May & June | Grades 6 & 9 Provincial Achievement Tests 

Grades 6 and 9 students will write Provincial Achievement Tests on these dates and times:  

If you know that your child will be absent for any reason during one or more of the scheduled PAT’s, please contact Ms Cochrane (jacochrane@cbe.ab.ca ) as soon as possible to make alternate arrangements to write the test. Provincial testing guidelines will allow a student to write a missed PAT after the scheduled date.    

Reminder | Bikes, Scooters, Skateboards need to be Locked 

The spring weather has finally arrived and more students are riding bikes, scooters & skateboarding to school.  At the back of the school there is ample space for bikes and 2 scooter/skateboard racks for storage.  When stored during the school day at the racks, bikes, scooters & skateboards should be locked with a quality lock and/or chain.    

While we encourage ‘wheeling’ to school, we recommend securing the ‘wheels’ with a lock.   

With safety being utmost in our minds, Government of Alberta reminds us that cyclists under the age of 18 MUST wear an approved bicycle helmet.   

Extension | Fall 2024 Québec Trip, Fees Payment Extension 

The deadline for the fee payment for the Fall 2024 Québec Trip has been extended to May 10.  This is also the same deadline to make arrangements for payment by installment. To establish a fee installment plan, parents should contact Mme Ford.  

Parent Volunteer Opportunities | May & June 

Grade 3 / 4 – MNP Week, May 6 – 9 – contact Mr Brush if you are able to volunteer on one or more days of the MNP activity week.  

May 13, Assist Students for Grade 9 PAT – ELA, Part A, 9:00 – 11:45 am – 2 parent volunteers are needed to provide writing accommodations for the Grade 9 PAT. It will entail scribing or typing for a student. It could be a bit less time if the student finishes prior to 11:45. Please contact Ms Cochrane if you are available for the morning.  

Fun Run & Sports Day – elementary, May 31 am – several volunteers are needed for this event.  Contact Mr Brush if you can volunteer.   

Grade 1 / 2 – Calgary Zoo, June 25 – contact your child’s teacher if you are available to volunteer.  More specific information will be shared with parent closer to the date  

Fun Lunch – only 1 Fun Lunch date requires volunteers. Volunteering starts at 11:05 am for approximately 45 minutes: 

• May 16 – 3 volunteers needed  

Sign up!   Thank you for your support.   

Upcoming | School Council & RPPA Annual General Meeting, May 15, 7:00pm  

The Annual General Meeting of the Rideau Park School Council & RPPA is scheduled for May 15 at 7:00 pm. This is an in-person meeting at the school's Learning Commons.  

The Chair of the School Council and RPPA has written this letter of invitation and to recruit for positions on the 2024-25 council. This letter is posted on our website in the School Council and Parent Society sections.  

Click to read letter    

Important Safety Reminder | Student Pick-up and Drop-off 

We ask your cooperation to keep student safety and with respecting our neighbours by following procedures with picking up and dropping off students for school.    

Parents are asked to make a loop when driving students to school at Rideau.  Please drop off on 30 Ave SW heading eastbound.  Do not park in the bus zone or block the alley nor drive into the cul de sac as this is a heavy pedestrian zone.  Never be in a hurry when near Rideau Park School.  It is not worth the consequence.   

There is no car-accessible front door drop-off, nor parking available directly at our school entrance, nor from the t-intersection at the front of the school.  

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Looking Ahead – Upcoming Calendar of Events