Meet Your Child’s Teacher | September 19, 5:00 – 6:30 pm

On Thursday from 5:00 – 6:30 pm, come to the school to meet your child’s teacher(s).  The early evening event will be drop-in style for conversation with the teacher(s).  

Sept 16 – 20 | Gym Strip & Spirit Wear Ordering Window

The online ordering window for Rideau Gym Strip and Spirit Wear via Top Marks is Monday September16 to Friday September 20, 2024. 

Website link: http://www.topmarks.ca/
Password: RID01

Please measure your child and double check the sizing chart on the order form.   The rack of sample sizes will be available at the school until Friday. 

Top Marks does not accept returns for mis-sizing.

Online orders from September will arrive at the school for distribution to students at the beginning of November.

Terry Fox Run

Rideau Park School is getting ready for the 2024 Terry Fox School Run & Fundraiser for cancer research. We are proud to continue the legacy of one of our country’s greatest heroes. To align with our week focused on empathy and recognition, we will come together as a school to run the Terry Fox Run on September 20. Students in Grades K to 9 will run with their classmates to acknowledge and support The Terry Fox Foundation and cancer research. We hope you will join us in supporting this cause by donating to our Terry Fox School Run fundraising page. 

Currently, our total is at $800. Thank you to Alice S. and Theia V. in Grade 5 who raised $248.10 by selling cookies to raise money to donate to the Terry Fox Foundation. 

On September 20, students are encouraged to each bring a loonie ($1.00) donation to support the school’s fundraising efforts.

School Picture Day | September 23

Monday, September 23 is School Picture Day.  All students will be photographed on picture day. No hats, please, for school photos.  Proofs will arrive at the school for distribution approximately 2 weeks later.  Families can order photo packages online via www.mylifetouch.ca 

Students absent on picture day will have their photo taken on the photo retake day (October 30).  

Absence Procedures Have Changed

The procedure to report an absence has changed for this school year. When a student is absent:

• Send an email to RideauPark@cbe.ab.ca
• Copy your child’s Classroom / Homeroom Teacher
• Include your child’s first and last name and homeroom teacher
• Reason for absence

Teacher emails can be found on our website on the Our Staff page. 

Fun Lunch, Healthy Hunger | on behalf of RPS’ Parent Society

The Rideau Park Parent Association is once again coordinating bi-monthly ‘Fun Lunch’ with Healthy Hunger.  This is also a great fundraiser for the school with a portion of sales being returned to the school.  Participation is completely voluntary with a variety of healthy lunch vendors to choose from. 

Sign up for your account with this LINK. 

Parent Volunteer opportunity: for each fun lunch Thursday, parent volunteers are needed to help sort orders and deliver to classrooms.  Time commitment is about an hour, with start time at 11:00 am.  If available to help on one or some Thursdays, you must complete the annual volunteer registration, which includes a valid Police Information Clearance. 

Volunteers are still needed for:

• October 10 – 2 volunteers are needed
• October 24 – 3 volunteers are needed
• November 7 – 2 volunteers are needed 

Sign Up to volunteer for the above dates and/or future dates. 

Bikes, Scooters, Skateboards | Bring a Lock

Most bikes, scooters and skateboards parked at the racks at the back of the school are not locked. 

Please note:

• Bicycles/Scooters - Neither the Calgary Board of Education nor Rideau Park School are responsible for damage, loss or theft of personal property.
• For your own protection, please ensure any bicycles/scooters using school equipment racks are securely locked each day. 

New Process | Volunteer Clearance

Volunteer with us! Registration for volunteering has changed for 2024-25.  The Annual Volunteer Registration form is now submitted via MyCBE. Detailed information can be found on the main CBE website. 

All volunteers require a valid Police Information Clearance.  How to complete the PIC and information about the voucher to cover the application fee can be found HERE. 

2024-25 Casino | on behalf of RPS’ Parent Society

Rideau Park School Parents Association needs your help! 

Our most important fundraising event is our casino which will be on November 18 and 19 2024 and will be held at Elbow River Casino. Please consider volunteering for our casino and make a big difference for our students. NO experience necessary. 

This casino is an integral part of our fundraising at Rideau Park School. It raises over $65,000.00 for our school which goes directly to providing our students- your children - with important learning tools and enrichment opportunities. This money pays for items like computers, special events, equipment, etc. 

Sign Up to volunteer 

Mission Bridge Rehabilitation Project

The City of Calgary is currently working on Mission Bridge to rehabilitate it and extend its service life by about 35 years. This means there may be some impacts for you this year when dropping off or picking up your child and your child's route to/from home if they are walking or wheeling to school. Please keep the following in mind: 

• Allow extra time if driving your child to school to account for lane reductions & detours
• Follow any posted detour signs for your safety & the safety of construction crews
• Dismount bikes & scooters when using the bridge sidewalk
• Mission Bridge will close to vehicle traffic for about 6 months later this fall 

If you'd like to stay informed on the project, you can visit the project page where construction updates, current detours, closures, lane reductions and other impacts are posted. 

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. 

School Drop-off & Pick-up | Important Safety Notice for Parents

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 nor parking availability directly at our school entrance.

Be aware that Rideau Road Back Alley access (off 30 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 30 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.

Volunteer Parking

Volunteers or guests who are parking for an extended time, please use the lot at the south end of the school yard on 32 Street SW

Clarification | School Grounds within Instructional Days

 Our supervising staff ask that during lunchtime (and outdoor recess and physical education activities), with large numbers of our own students outdoors to tend to, that:

• Deliveries (forgotten lunches and homework/school items, etc.) occur through the front office.
• Pets are not to be brought onto school grounds.
• Visitors (adults, siblings, etc.) refrain from entering/using school grounds (sport court, playground, field, etc.) alongside staff-supervised students. 

Classroom teachers and school administration remain available as questions arise. 

Looking Ahead – Calendar of Events