Hello Rideau Oct. 18 | Fundraisers, Computing Challenge, Photo Proofs & Retakes, Family Dance, WCHS Info Evening, Remembrance Day,
Hello, Rideau!
As we finish off October, we appreciate and recognize that we have been very fortunate weather-wise throughout early-autumn. Knowing to expect the unexpected and to prepare for expected temperatures-dips following the weekend, we continue to encourage each student to:
- Bring and dress in layers (allowing students to be fully prepared for outdoor learning activities, especially within physical education, and to be prepared for outdoor time for the first half of lunch
- wear footwear outdoors that allows for safe movement on the snow and ice
- be mindful of keeping our hallway spaces dry (for younger grades this means having indoor shoes as part of established routines)
As RPS’ Parent Society enthusiastically plans an annual traditional family dance for elementary (K-6) families on October 26 following dismissal, and staff/students are permitted to wear costumes for October 31, our usual safety reminders continue to be shared, with active learning as the priority for October 31: no face coverings, no weapons, no weapon replicas, allowing for safe/free movement, etc.
We also continue to express gratitude to staff and volunteers and supporters for so many activities and events, so far! Our Quebec Trip and Band Trip (occurring right now) have been substantial undertakings. Soccer, Basketball, and Cross-country running, too, would not happen without dedicated and passionate staff and volunteers.
Mr. T. Robertson
Safety Protocol | Guests to our School
Rideau Park School, like each Calgary Board of Education school, is closed campus. All guests must sign-in immediately upon entry into the school building.
In the mornings, or throughout the day, students are dropped off outside of the main entrance.
Reminder | Attendance
Parents are requested to inform their child's Homeroom teacher as a primary contact about attendance decisions (i.e., reporting absences) in kindergarten and grades 1 to 5, and the Learning Leader as primary contact in grades 5-9. Learning Leaders are teaching staff with administrative designations.
The more specific you are as parents/guardians with teachers/learning leaders, the more specific the attendance code applied will be.
Kindergarten to Grade 5:
Teachers' contact information is also available, here.
Please also include as a carbon copy (CC) within attendance e-mails learning leaders (listed below) for each grade-divisional-level division, too:
- Emily Dockrill (K- Grade 2)
- Katrina Watson (Grades 3-6)
Grades 6-9 (primary contacts, below):
- Katrina Watson (Grades 3-6)
- Shawnalee Redwood (Grade 7)
- Jackie Cochrane, Assistant Principal (Grade 8)
- David Yackulic (Grade 9)
Our student information system, MyCBE provides parents, guardians and students with access to detailed attendance information. For help creating an account or signing in, please visit Technical Support for Students & Parents.
Reminder | Volunteer Clearance
Don’t miss out on an amazing field trip because you haven’t updated your Police Clearance.
Please make sure that your Volunteer Clearance is up to date: https://www.cbe.ab.ca/get-involved/volunteer/Pages/volunteer.aspx
If you have any questions, you can contact the office at RideauPark@cbe.ab.ca
On Behalf of Parent Society | Fundraiser Thank You and Updates
Rideau Park School’s Parent Society wishes to thank everyone who could attend and/or contribute to last week’s Parent Social and Fundraiser on the evening of Wednesday, October 11.
Organizers have a thank you and update shared (with a grades K-6 wish list and a grades 7-9 wish list referenced within here).
Math Contest | Beaver Computing Challenge, November 7
The Beaver Computing Challenge is a problem-solving contest with a focus on computational and logical thinking. Questions are inspired by topics in computer science but only require comfort with concepts found in mathematics curriculum common to all provinces.
When - Tuesday November 7th at 3:35 - 4:30pm.
Where - Room 11
Who – Registered Grades 5 through 9 students, an email was sent to parents of registered students on Tuesday October 17th. Email Ms. Watson if you have any questions (kaawatson@cbe.ab.ca)
School Fundraiser | Poinsettias and Winter Greenery
We are once again teaming up with Growing Smiles for this fundraiser. For this fundraiser, the following items can be ordered:
- Red and White Poinsettias (6.5", Premium Plants)
- Holiday Wreaths
- Indoor Tropical Planters
- Hanging Greenery Boughs
- Outdoor Greenery Arrangements
Orders will be accepted from October 18 through November 15.
Orders can be picked up at the school on November 30, 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Orders can be placed at this website: rideauparkschool.growingsmilesfundraising.com
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!
Fall Photo Proof Packages: Order by October 20
The photo proof packages have arrived at the school and will be distributed to students this week. Online ordering is encouraged at mylifetouch.ca. You will be asked for the Portrait ID and the Access Code to view the photo proof package and to place an online order.
For paper orders, return the order form and payment in the envelope provided in the proof package to your child’s homeroom teacher.
Online order deadline: Friday, October 20
Paper order deadline: Thursday, October 19 (October 20 is a non-instructional day)
Photo Retakes
Photo retakes are scheduled for Thursday, November 2
Students absent for the September photo date will automatically be included in the photo retake list. To request a photo retake, please email Ms Cochrane with Subject Line: Photo Retake.
On behalf of Parent Society | upcoming event (Family Dance)
Please join us for the Elementary (Kindergarten to Grade 6) Family Halloween Dance, Thursday October 26, 5:30 to 7:30 in the Gym.
All information in the attached poster and ways to get involved in the sign-up link below:
Junior High students who would like to volunteer to assist with the Halloween Dance can sign up at the main office.
Upcoming | Remembrance Day Ceremony & Veterans’ Food Bank Drive
Help Rideau Park School combat hunger by sending non-perishable food items with your child as a donation to the Veterans Food Bank this November. Collections of non-perishable food items will begin on Wednesday November 1st and continue up until the day of our Remembrance Day Ceremony, Wednesday November 8.
Rideau Park School families are welcome to attend the Remembrance Ceremony on Wednesday November 8th. Parent and guest seating will begin at 10am.
We thank you for your support. - Ms. K. Lewis
Parent Volunteer Opportunity | Fun Lunch Thursdays
Fun Lunch – we require some assistance with sorting the Fun Lunch orders from the Healthy Hunger vendors every second Thursday. Time commitment would be 30 – 45 minutes starting at 11:05 AM. We ask for assistance in sorting the individual orders and ensuring they get to the students. Please note that all lunches are marked with the child’s name and classroom, and all classes are grouped together when they are delivered to the school front doors by the restaurant at 11:20 AM on the date of the order.
If you can help with one or some of these Thursdays, please use this link, on behalf of Parent Society, for sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E49AFA72DA7F49-funlunch
Within the month of October, there are enough volunteers signed up to assist with Fun Lunch. For the November 2 Fun Lunch and the December Fun Lunches, additional volunteers are required.
Thank you for your support.
Upcoming | Child and Youth Well-Being: A Webinar Series for Parents and Guardians
The Calgary Board of Education invites all parents and guardians to join us in an online series focusing on child and youth well-being. These sessions will be hosted in partnership with experts from Alberta Health Services and will explore topics such as vaping, brain development, mental health, and sexual health.
Click here to learn more:
Child and Youth Well-Being:
A Webinar Series for Parents and Guardians
CBE educators believe that parents and guardians can inspire their kids to make healthy lifestyle choices and increase protective factors – in order to do so, they need the right tools and information.
Well-being is a precondition for learning. As our understanding of student well-being continues to evolve, it is important for those that support children and youth to stay up to date on the same information so everyone can support student success.
The intention of the series is to advance student well-being by raising family and caregiver’s understanding of a variety of health-related topics.
First session in this series is on November 16: Understanding Vaping
Thank you for your time and consideration to join us.
Reminder | Important Safety Notice for Parents/Guardians (pick-up and drop-off)
Please be advised that due to increasing safety concerns of neighborhood residents and our student community, policing of city bylaws relating to parking and traffic restrictions will be more strictly enforced in the coming months. Unfortunately, there is no car-accessible front door drop-off or parking availability directly at our school entrance.
Be aware that Rideau Road Back Alley access (off 30th Ave SW) is NOT permitted for student drop-off. Alley access is for residents and Rideau staff ONLY. Please respect our neighbours.
If you drive your children to school, we URGE you to consider the following:
- ’Kiss & Go’ Drop-off zone with ONE-WAY TRAFFIC FLOW. See Map: Rideau Road, left turn to 30th Ave
- Street parking is available on 30th Ave S.W. (south side only please)
- Minimize idle time. The small public parking lot on the south end of the soccer field is reserved for families with small children and students with injuries.
- Please walk whenever possible - the pedestrian bridge from Elbow Dr SW provides another foot access entry route
- Consider dropping off older children within reasonable and safe walking distance and remind them of street safety.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Save the Date | Information Evenings at Western Canada High School for Parents / Guardians
Western Canada High School is hosting two information evenings for current Grade 9 students and their families.
- Monday, November 27 – Information Evening for International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
- For prospective IB students for the 2023 – 24 school year
- More information is available at this LINK
For those students who will be attending the regular program at Western Canada:
- Tuesday, January 30 – Information Evening, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Looking ahead – Dates of Significance
| October |
Mon |
German Heritage Month |
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Oct 17-22 |
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Oct 18 |
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Oct 19 |
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Oct 24 |
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Nov 11 |
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Looking Ahead – Upcoming Calendar of Events
| Oct 17 - 19 |
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Band Camp: Grades 7, 8 & 9 Band students |
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Oct 18 |
Wed |
Poinsettias & Winter Greenery Fundraiser Start Date |
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Oct 18 |
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School Council |
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Oct 19 |
Thurs |
Photo Order for Paper Orders (return to homeroom teacher) |
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Oct 20 |
Fri |
Photo Order deadline for Online Orders: mylifetouch.ca |
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Oct 20 |
Fri |
Non-instructional Day (no school for students) |
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Oct 26 |
Thurs |
Healthy Hunger Fun Lunch – Edo Japan |
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Oct 26 |
Thurs |
Family Halloween Dance – 5:30 – 7:30pm |
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Oct 31 |
Tue |
Costumes permitted for K-9 students and staff within instructional day; safety reminders: no face coverings, no weapons, no weapon replicas, allowing for safe/free movement, etc. |
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Nov 2 |
Thurs |
Photo Retakes |
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Nov 2 |
Thurs |
Healthy Hunger Fun Lunch – Mucho Burrito |
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Nov 7 |
Tue |
Beaver Computing Challenge (Math Contest), 3:35 – 4:15, Rm 11 |
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Nov 8 |
Wed |
Remembrance Day Ceremony (Assembly) - AM |
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Nov 9 |
Thurs |
Non-Instructional Day: System Professional Learning (no school for students) |
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Nov 9 - 14 |
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Fall Break |
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Nov 15 |
Wed |
Poinsettias & Winter Greenery Fundraiser Last Day |
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Nov 17 |
Fri |
Parent-Teacher Conferences – Jr High only – 1:20-3:30pm |
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Nov 23 |
Thurs |
Healthy Hunger Fun Lunch – Spolumbo’s |
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Nov 23 |
Thurs |
Parent-Teacher Conferences – 4:20 – 8:00 pm |
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Nov 24 |
Fri |
Parent-Teacher Conferences – 9:00 am – 3:30 pm |
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Nov 30 |
Thurs |
Information Evening for International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Western Canada High School, 6:30 – 8:00 pm (LINK) |
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Nov 30 |
Thurs |
Order Pick-up Day for Poinsettias & Winter Greenery Orders |
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Dec 1 |
Fri |
Grade 9: Economics for Success – in-school program |