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Friday, June 19, 2026

Hello Rideau Families!

Updates for the 2026-27 School Year

June is a complex time of year in our school as we work with our existing community of staff and students to finalize the year in a good way, while planning and preparations are taking place for the next school year. As we prepare to say “farewell” to our students transitioning to new programs, other community schools or to a new division of learning (High School!!), we are also preparing ourselves for changes to our staffing compliment. Change can be challenging, especially when we do not want to experience the changes coming our way. However, change and transitions are a normal and important part of our lives. Change also provides opportunity and with it, the infusion of new ideas and new energy!

Class Size Reduction Funding

We are pleased to inform you that our school has been allocated ONE additional teaching position for the 2026–27 school year through the Government of Alberta’s Class Size Reduction Grant. This funding is specifically intended to help reduce class sizes in core subject areas (English Language Arts/French Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies), with priority given to schools experiencing the greatest class size pressures.

This grant funds teaching positions that support improved learning conditions in kindergarten to Grade 9 classrooms. In our case, our grade 5 and grade 6 cohort is identified as having a high class size (30+ students each). To reduce overall pressure at these grade levels, we are reorganizing to three grade 5-6 multiage groups that will work together in a large double classroom space, led by a three-person teaching team. Flexible break-out groups will access the Learning Commons as required.

This grant allocation decision was made using system-wide data that considers:

• The number of classes exceeding provincial class size benchmarks
• Projected enrolment and class organization
• School programming and grade configuration

 Our goal is to ensure students benefit from:

• Increased teacher attention
• Improved classroom learning environments
• Greater support for diverse learning needs

We remain committed to supporting strong learning environments for all students and using our resources thoughtfully and strategically.

Staffing Updates – Welcome!

Please welcome the following staff back to Rideau Park for the 2026-27 school year:

• Ms. Arianna Lovas will continue in her kindergarten position, moving from a temporary to a permanent position.
• Ms. Taylor Williams, who enjoyed a successful final practicum year at Rideau Park School, as well as providing us with important temporary coverage this spring, will join our permanent staff as a member of our grade 3/4 team.
• Ms. Nicole Kabat, will continue as a member of our grade 7-9 team, also moving from a temporary to a permanent position.

I am also happy to welcome Ms. Leslie Bronconnier, who will join our grade 5/6 team, after several years of successful teaching across grades 5 and 6 at Raddison Park School.

Staffing Updates – Farewell!

On behalf of our Rideau Park community, I would like to thank the following staff members for their service to our learners:

• Ms. Sandy Swift, Education Assistant, is retiring from the CBE after 25 years of service.
• Mr. Dave Yackulic, is moving on to explore new opportunities in a different school division.
• Ms. Kimberley Lewis, is also exploring new opportunities in a different school setting.

2026-27 School Organization – What we know so far…

We are provisionally preparing for the following teacher staffing compliment. While most decisions are finalized at

this time, changes may still occur over the summer. Here is what we know right now:

• Kindergarten (morning only) – Ms. Arianna Lovas
• Grade 1/2- Ms. Emily Dockrill, Ms. Michelle Lee, full-year temporary (Ms. Alana Swereda parental leave)
• Grade 3/4 - Ms. Taryn Cameron, Ms. Kerry Goodine, Ms. Taylor Williams
• Grade 5/6 – Ms. Soha Mohamed, Ms. Elena Cristea, Ms. Leslie Bronconnier
• K-6 Classroom Complexity Team (CCT) Teacher – Ms. Lindsay Bliek (funded through the classroom complexity grant, awarded earlier this spring)
• Grade 7-9 ELA/SS – Ms. Jenn Kelsey, Mr. Carl Pocock, Ms. Julia Schmidlin, Mr. Ian Burns, full year temporary (Ms. Gemma Rae parental leave)
• Grade 7-9 – Math/Science – Ms. Nicole Kabat, Mr. Jeff Ball, Ms. Shawnalee Redwood, Ms. Margaret Wilson
• Grade 7-9 Complimentary and K-9 Specialists – Mme. Ford (7-9 French), Ms. Emily Wegg (PE), Ms. Kayla Koshynsky
• (Music and Band)

We are actively hiring for our remaining temporary positions as well as hiring the Education Assistants that will compliment our Classroom Complexity Team (CCT).

Provincial Achievement Test (PAT) Volunteers Needed!

PAT’s have arrived for students in grades 6 and 9. Adult volunteers (with security clearance) are needed to support students as either test readers or scribes. If you can assist with any of the dates and times below, please contact our Assistant Principal Ms. Cochrane jacochrane@cbe.ab.ca

Additionally, if your child will be absent for any of the remaining dates indicated below, please contact Ms. Cochrane ASAP.

Final Celebratory Events at Rideau Park School – What a Week to Come!

• Sports “Day” – Monday June 22, 1:30pm-3:00pm; dress western and appropriately for the outdoors.
• Grade 9 Farewell Ceremony – Wednesday June 24, 1:30pm-2:45pm
• Kindergarten Farewell Ceremony – Thursday June 25, 11:00am-12:00pm
• Talent Show – Thursday June 25, 1:30pm-2:30pm - families welcome to attend!
• Year-End Assembly – Friday June 26, 12:00pm-1:00pm – families also welcome!

Rideau Park Parents Association - School Council Update

Healthy Hunger – Hot Lunch

Here are the final dates for this school year! Thank youto parent volunteers, in particular Healthy Hunger Coordinator Jenny Swift for organizing hot lunches for students this year.

June 25 – Boston Pizza

Reminders – Help us with the following!

• Please ensure that your fees are up to date. There are many field trips occurring this month that have new fees applied to your accounts. Our school budget is not equipped to cover unpaid fees for these services. Your cooperation is appreciated so that we can continue to plan for these enrichments for your students. Any outstanding fees must also be paid. If you have questions about your account, you can reach out to Ms. Janzen in the office by phone or e-mail at fajanzen@cbe.ab.ca THANK YOU!
• Cellphones and personal tech – Away for the Day K-9 (provincial legislation). We notice that some parents continue to text or call students during the day. Please know that students in grades 7-9 should only have access to their personal devices when off school property at lunch time. All families are reminded to call the school directly and speak to school staff if an important message needs to be shared with their child. Your child can be called down to the office in order to connect with you.
• Students are asked to please walk their bikes and scooters once the arrive on school property. We are noticing many ‘near-misses’, especially at the end of the school day when students are rounding the corner at the south end of the building. Please also remember to secure your bikes and scooters. The school is not responsible for any lost, damaged or stolen property