Hello Rideau Nov. 8 | Veteran's Food Bank, Fundraiser, Book Fair, Volunteer, High School Open Houses

Dear Rideau Park School Parents and Guardians,

Principal Leave Update

I learned today that Mr. Robertson’s leave has been extended and I will be at Rideau Park at least until December 11, 2023.

I am pleased to be able to continue as acting principal here and am working closely with Area 7 Education Director David Dyck and Assistant Principal Jackie Cochrane to ensure continuity in addressing school goals and priorities.

I appreciate your understanding during this time. Please rest assured that our priority will continue to be to provide a quality learning program for all students at Rideau Park School. I look forward to continuing to get to know our students and their families

Should you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me at the school.

Rolf Haensel
Acting Principal

Thank you | Veterans Food Bank + Remembrance Assembly Participants

On behalf of the Veterans Food bank, thank you to all the families that were able to donate food items for our veterans. With our help we have ensured that our Canadian Military Veterans will have access to the food they need.

Thank you also to all the students who helped make this year's Remembrance Day Ceremony memorable. Major [Ret’d] Griffiths and Corporal Morach really enjoyed their visit and sharing their stories with those in attendance on November 8.

Thank you to our MC’s Shylah and Lucas. To Everly for singing our National Anthem. The speakers Mrs. Cochrane, Sophia, Wolf, Joey, Mazzy, Emerson and Harris. Those who laid the wreaths, Lenka, Blakely, Eva and Sabastian. Lastly, thank you to the two students who stood guard at our artifacts table. Thank you also to The Military Museums: Highlander and Naval Museums for loaning Rideau Park the artifacts for display.

~ Ms Kimberley Lewis

School Fundraiser | Poinsettias and Winter Greenery

The Winter Greenery fundraiser is ongoing with online orders accepted through to November 15. 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 can be placed at this website: rideauparkschool.growingsmilesfundraising.com

Orders can be picked up at the school on November 30, 1:00 - 5:00 pm

Thank you for your continued support of our school!

Parent Volunteer Opportunity | Scholastic Book Fair Fundraiser

Parent volunteer assistance is needed to run the Scholastic Book Fair Fundraiser from November 20 – 24.

Volunteer shifts are 1 hour to 2 hours depending on the day:

  • Monday Nov. 20 to Wednesday Nov. 22, (9 am to 4 pm)
  • Thursday Nov. 23 (9 am to 8 pm)
  • Friday Nov. 24 (9 am to 3 pm)

Sign up here to volunteer:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0845A9AE2AABFFC16-45687234-scholastic

Thank you for your support.

Upcoming | Scholastic Book Fair

Mark your Calendars! The Scholastic Book Fair Fundraiser is coming to Rideau Nov 20-24!

You’ll find us in the Learning Commons:

  • Monday Nov. 20 to Wednesday Nov. 22, (9 am to 4 pm)
  • Thursday Nov. 23 (9 am to 8 pm)
  • Friday Nov. 24 (9 am to 3 pm)

We’ll be open over lunch too!

All purchases earn Scholastic Dollars that can be redeemed for books and educational resources for our school. The countdown is on! See you at the Fair!

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 & 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

First session in this series is on November 16: Understanding Vaping

Open House | High School Open House & Information Evenings

  • Monday, November 27 – Western Canada High School, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
  • Information Evening for International Baccalaureate (IB) Program
  • More information is available at this LINK
  • Wednesday, December 13 - Central Memorial High School, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
  • Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) Program
  • PVA Application Submission deadline: January 12, 2024
  • Tuesday, January 30 – Western Canada High School
  • Information Evening for Regular Program, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

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. Continue Reading

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).

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

Reminder | Important Safety Notice for Parents/Guardians (pick-up and drop-off)

With the colder weather, we have increased congestion with cars trying to drop off closer to the school. Even with the colder weather, we ask your cooperation for the same procedures with pick up and drop off.

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 nor from the t- intersection at the front of the school. Continue Reading

Looking Ahead

Dates of Significance

Upcoming Calendar of Events

Poinsettias & Winter Greenery Fundraiser: to Nov 15
Rideauparkschool.growingsmilesfundraising.com
Veterans’ Food Bank: to Nov 8

Nov 8

Wed

Remembrance Day Ceremony (Assembly) – AM
Veterans’ Food Drive – last day

Nov 9

Thurs

Non-Instructional Day (no school for students)
System Indigenous Education Professional Learning

Nov 9 - 14

Fall Break

Nov 15

Wed

Poinsettias & Winter Greenery Fundraiser Last Day
Rideauparkschool.growingsmilesfundraising.com

Nov 16

Thurs

Homework Hotel, Grade 7: 3:45 – 4:15 pm

Nov 17

Fri

Parent Teacher Conferences (virtual) – Jr High only – 1:20-3:30pm

Nov 20-24

Scholastic Book Fair Fundraiser

Nov 23

Thurs

Healthy Hunger Fun Lunch – Spolumbo’s

Nov 23

Thurs

Parent Teacher Conferences – 4:20 – 8:00 pm

Nov 24

Fri

Parent Teacher Conferences (in person) – 9:00 am – 3:30 pm 
Non-instructional Day (no school for students)

Nov 30

Thurs

Information Evening for International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Western Canada High School, 6:30 – 8:00 pm (LINK)

Nov 30

Thurs

Homework Hotel, Grade 7: 3:45 – 4:15 pm

Nov 30

Thurs

Order Pick-up Day for Poinsettias & Winter Greenery Orders
1:00 – 5:00 pm

Dec 1

Fri

Grade 9: Economics for Success – in-school program

Dec 4

Mon

Grade 9: Military Museum

Dec 7

Thurs

Healthy Hunger Fun Lunch – Famoso

Dec 7

Thurs

Homework Hotel, Grade 7: 3:45 – 4:15 pm

Dec 7

Thurs

Winter Showcase (concert)

Dec 8

Fri

Non-Instructional Day (no school for students)

Dec 12

Tues

Grades 3 & 4 + 5-2 class: Calgary Zoo

Dec 14

Thurs

Homework Hotel, Grade 7: 3:45 – 4:15 pm

Dec 14

Thurs

Grade 9: Biodiversity at the Calgary Zoo

Dec 14

Thurs

Grades 1 & 2: Storybook Theatre