Welcome to the 2026/2027 School Year

Parent Information - Week of August 31st, 2026

Welcome Back to 

John Galt Public School!

Dear John Galt Families,

It is with great excitement and a very full heart that I welcome you back to the John Galt Public School community for the 2026/27 school year!

I am absolutely delighted to be returning as your Principal and to have the opportunity to reconnect with our wonderful students, families, and staff. John Galt is such a special community, and I am looking forward to another year filled with learning, growth, connection, kindness, and many wonderful memories.

I am always happy to hear from our families and can be reached at lisa.sanvido@ugdsb.on.ca or by phone at (519) 824-4760, ext. 223.

I am also very pleased to welcome our office team for the upcoming school year. Joining me are Vice Principal Ibrahim Akyol and our Office Coordinator, Jeanette Tavares. Ibrahim will be at John Galt each Thursday, and we are very fortunate to have his support and leadership within our school community.

We are also grateful to have Janna Sassur continuing in her role as our School Council Chair. Thank you, Janna, for your continued commitment to our students and school community.

A Message from Vice Principal Ibrahim Akyol:

Hello John Galt Families,

I hope everyone had a wonderful summer break and is feeling refreshed and excited for the new school year!

I am incredibly happy to be returning to John Galt on a part-time basis to support this wonderful school community. John Galt holds a very special place in my heart, and I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to return and work alongside such an amazing community of students, families, and staff.

I will be at John Galt on Thursdays, and I am really looking forward to reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting new families, and being part of another wonderful school year. I am so excited to be back and can't wait to see everyone!

Wishing you all a fantastic start to the new school year!

A Message from School Council Chair Janna Sassur:

Welcome back John Galt Jaguar families and welcome to those families who are joining John Galt this year for the first time. School Council is looking forward to a new school year and excited about the fun activities that will be offered throughout the year. 

If you would like to join school council this year please feel free to attend our first meeting of the year on Thursday September 10, 2026 at 6:30pm in the staff room.  School Council will meet the first Thursday of every month, everyone is welcome. 

We hope you are enjoying these final weeks of summer with your children and making the most of this special time together. As the new school year approaches, there is a wonderful sense of excitement and anticipation throughout our school.

We are so looking forward to welcoming our students and families back to John Galt PS and beginning another year of learning, friendship, discovery, and growth together.

Here's to a wonderful 2026/27 school year filled with many opportunities to learn, connect, celebrate, and grow!

Welcome back, John Galt! We are so happy to have you here.

A few important things to note…

Information for PA Days, September 2nd and 3rd, 2026 & the first day of school

School begins for students on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 8:25 am.  Please note that the board has scheduled PA days on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 2nd and 3rd, 2026.  Staff will be engaged in Health and Safety, Mental Health and Instructional Design training that day.  We will be sharing information about first day procedures in a message the week before school starts. 

Mark your Calendars

September 2nd and 3rd, 2026 - PA Days

September 8th - First Day of School

September 9th - Forms sent home

September 10th - First School Council Meeting - 6:30 pm - Note:  School Council Meetings will be held the first Thursday of each month for the 2026/27 school year

September 9th - International FASD Awareness Day - Wear Red 

September 16th - Forms Returned to Homeroom Teachers

September 18th - Terry Fox Walk Run

September 24th - 5:30-7 pm - JGPS Open House - Meet The Teacher

September 21-25th - Truth and Reconciliation Week

September 28-30th - Rowan’s Law - Wear Purple

September 30th - National Day of Truth and Reconciliation - Wear an Orange Shirt 

October 27th - Photo Day

Attendance - Every Day @ JGPS Counts

Upper Grand DSB - Every Day Counts

Strategies For Parents to Help Students Return to School

Registration Information

Have new families moved into the neighbourhood over the summer?  Please encourage them to register online at https://www.ugdsb.ca/schools/admission-registration/  The office is open for registrations beginning on Tuesday, September 1st, 2026 at 8:30am.  This helps us to make sure that we have them assigned to a class so that they can have a great start to school.

Have you Moved?

If you have moved and will be attending a different school for September, please let us know so that we can transfer your child’s information to their new school.  It is important that you register at the new school so that your child also has a great start to their school year.

Medical Plans of Care - NEW FOR 2026/27

New forms required for ALL students

All students with an existing Plan of Care on file must submit a new Plan of Care using the updated Board forms.

The Annual Renewal form (518-6) is NOT available this year; it resumes as an option in future years for plans with no significant changes.

Next Steps for 2026/27:

1. Provide the updated Plan of Care form

   The parent/guardian will be provided with the new 2026/27 Plan of Care form.

2. Parent/Guardian Completes the Form

   The parent/guardian will complete the form, providing all relevant medical information and instructions.

3. Review the Plan of Care Together

   School staff will meet with the parent/guardian to review the completed Plan of Care, clarify any information as needed, and discuss how the student will be supported at school.

4. Finalize the Plan of Care

   Once all information has been reviewed and confirmed, the Plan of Care will be finalized and shared with the appropriate staff to ensure the student is supported safely and consistently throughout the school year.

Please see UGDSB Policy 518 (Students with Life Threatening Medical Conditions) Forms.

Information from Transportation (for students who ride the bus to school):

• Newsletter https://stwdsts.ca/newsletter/

• First Rider Program https://stwdsts.ca/first-rider-program/

• Opt Out https://stwdsts.ca/opt-out-of-busing/

• Parent Portal Subscription https://stwdsts.ca/parentportal/

• Eligible for the Bus? https://www.findmyschool.ca/TransportationEligibility

Please also note that once school starts in September, it can take 5-10 business days to arrange busing.  If you have any questions regarding bussing please reach out to transportation’s call centre at 519-824-4119. They will do their very best to assign students as quickly and safely as possible.  Please be aware there will be changes to busing for the Fall and so families are asked to check their busing information in August and frequently after that as minor changes to scheduled bus stop times can occur throughout the course of a school year. They also ask that students are waiting 5-10 minutes prior to their pickup times as drivers will not wait for students who aren’t at their stop on time. 

What to Bring to School

Please keep your child’s personal items to a minimum!  Students are asked to bring the following items clearly labeled with the student’s name:

• Knapsack or tote bag for personal belongings

• Personal water bottle

• Seasonal outdoor wear

• Students may bring their own devices 

• Indoor shoes 

Note:  More information around school supplies will be provided by the classroom teacher.

How Will I Know What Class My Child is In?

On June 10, John Galt PS welcomed Grade 6 students from Ottawa Crescent Public School for a Turnaround Day, providing students with an opportunity to meet their teacher and become familiar with their new classroom and school environment for the 2026/27 school year.

During the final week of the 2026/27 school year, students were also sent home with a card indicating their teacher’s name for the upcoming school year. If your child has misplaced their card or you are unsure of their teacher assignment, please don’t worry!

On the first day of school, students will be warmly welcomed by several staff members wearing John Galt PS shirts. Students are encouraged to approach any staff member wearing a school shirt, and they will be happy to confirm their classroom assignment and help guide them to the appropriate entrance.

To support a safe, organized, and positive start to each school day, students will enter the school through one of four designated entrances. Kindergarten students will enter through the gate leading to the Kindergarten classrooms, located near the front entrance of the school.

Please refer to the map below for detailed information regarding student drop-off locations and designated entry points.

JGPS Site Map

Classroom changes may be necessary so that our Board and school remain compliant with Ministry parameters (see below). Any changes would be implemented by Tuesday, September 16th. Principals do not have the option of changing the school organization that is set by the District Staffing Committee of the Board. If changes affect your child(ren), you will be informed by the school.

Ministry of Education Parameters: 

• Full Day Kindergarten Class Size Average for the Board is 26 students 

• 90% of Full Day Kindergarten classes with 29 or fewer students 

• 10% of Full Day Kindergarten classes with up to 32 students, under certain circumstances 

• 90% of the Board’s primary classes with 20 or fewer students 

• 10% of the Board’s primary classes up to a maximum of 23 students 

• Grade 3/4 classes have a cap of 23 students 

• Junior/Intermediate Class Size Average for the Board is 24.5 students

JGPS Staff 2026/27:

Intermediate History, Geography - O’Neil Ford

Intermediate Science/Math - Shayne Campbell, Adam Good

Intermediate Math - Bill Brown, Shayne Campbell

Intermediate Language - Monica Martin, O’Neil Ford, Adam Good and Shayne Campbell

Intermediate Visual Arts - O’Neil Ford

Intermediate Phys Ed - Bill Brown

Intermediate Music, Drama and Dance - Peter Schroeder

Intermediate Technological Studies - Adam Good

Library - Rebecca Mottin

Resource - Cecilia Cheng, Connie Howald

MLL - Connie Howald

Core French - Jennifer Macleod, Peter Schroeder

Planning - Jennifer Macleod, Andrea Stirling, Rebecca Mottin

First Day Procedures

Morning Drop Off:

• Children will enter the school at the entrances outlined on the school map.  Kindergarten students will be dropped off at the gated entrance to the Kindergarten Yard.  Parents are asked to remain outside the fenced yard. Drop off begins at 8:10 am  Students in Grades 1-3 will enter the school through the back entrance of the building.  Students in Grades 4-6 will enter the school through the side entrance closest to the path where students catch the bus.  Grade 7 and 8 students will enter the school through the side entrance at the back of the school.  There will be staff available on the tarmac and at entrances to help direct any students.  

• Teachers will be waiting with class lists and school shirts from 8:10 am – 8:25 am on Tuesday, September 8th.   

• The school day will begin at 8:25 am and end at 2:45 pm.

• Please see the Main Office if you have any questions or wish to drop off medications.

• To help keep our school grounds safe and accessible for everyone, we kindly ask parents and caregivers to please park in designated parking spaces only while on school property.

• We are encouraging families to walk, or park on the side streets and limit the use of the drop off zone.   

If your child takes the bus:

• Your child will be greeted by a staff member who will unload buses one at a time.  That staff member will ensure students know where they are meeting their teacher and will support them by finding non-classroom staff who are available to help them if they become unsure of where to go.

• For more information, visit the STWDSTS website at https://stwdsts.ca. 

• It is important that bus families register on the transportation website to receive notification of late or canceled buses.

• If you are opting out of taking the bus, please ensure your choice is updated with Transportation. 

Entering the Building

Students will enter and exit through the assigned doors, see map of entrances.

Late Arrival Procedures 2026/27:

Students who arrive late will sign in inside the front entrance and pick up a late slip for their teacher.  Staff will be at the front door to assist students.

Students are required to sign in as part of our safe arrivals procedure.  They will get a late slip that they will then provide to their teacher upon entering class.  Children will either walk to class on their own, or, a staff member can assist them in getting to class (for the little ones).

If there is any communication that needs to come to the office, please call the school at (519) 824-4760, ext. 100.  Parents/guardians please remind your child to check into the office before going to the classroom. 

SCHOOL TIMES - JGPS DAILY SCHEDULE (2026-2027):

School Emergency Response Training and Annual Drills

The following is information regarding emergency drills that we will be conducting this school year.

The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. Although we hope that an incident that requires a response from emergency personnel will never occur in our school, we must be prepared to respond quickly and effectively in case it does.

Each year our school must conduct drills to ensure staff and students are prepared in the event of a real emergency.

The following number of drills are required each school year:

· Three (3) fire drills in the fall and three (3) fire drills in the spring - we will have our first drill Wednesday, September 23rd, 2026.

· Two (2) lockdown drills

· One (1) tornado drill

· One (1) bomb threat drill

For each of these drills, there is an education component to explain why they are necessary. All drills are conducted in a manner that is sensitive to the needs of our students.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

UGDSB Family Portal

We are excited to share that the UGDSB Family Portal version 2 is set to launch on August 25, 2026.

Parents/caregivers can log in with the same username and password at famliy.ugdsb.on.ca (they may need to refresh the webpage).

The updated portal features child-specific information organized into cards on one page, including:

1. Absences

2. Google Classroom Assignments (grade 4 and above)

3. Parent-Teacher Interview (Parents will book appointments here)

4. Report Cards (this is the recommended method, however, ConnectEd remains accessible for parent use)

5. School Bus Information

6. School Cash Online

7. School Events

8. Special Reports (e.g., IEPs)

9. Student Profile (Class and teacher email details available starting Labour Day. “Send Message” feature has been removed from school websites)

School Cash Online

All school related expenses will be available for online purchase.  Please take a few minutes to register so you can enjoy the convenience of online shopping now and into the coming school years.

Here’s How to Register for Online Payments

Step 1:  Go to this website  - ugdsb.schoolcashonline.com

Step 2:  Register by selecting “Get Started Now” and follow the steps

Step 3:  Respond to the confirmation email, select the “click here” option, sign in and add each of your children to your household account

Lunch Procedures

• Wash hands before and after eating.

• No sharing food.

• Use water bottles and filling stations.  

• Students eat at their individual station in their classrooms.

• Students will not be permitted to go off-site for lunch unless arranged with the school.  

End of Day Procedures

• Students will be dismissed in a similarly organized manner to how they enter the building and classroom with teacher support to reinforce expectations as we build routines. 

• Grade 1-3 students will line up at their assigned class line up location at the bell.  This would be a good meeting spot for a parent/guardian or sibling to pick up.  

• Protocol for bus students:  

  • Students will be directed to the bus lines marked in the foyer to line up with their bus group to walk to the bus.  No unstructured play in the school yard after school

• Students must leave school at the bell 

• YMCA after-school programming will meet outside the gymnasium, and will operate in Room 105.

Communication with the School

Communication between school and home will be very important.  We will use the Board and our school websites, email and phone calls out as a means to share important school and board information.  As items come up, they will be posted in our News and Announcements section of the school website.  Our website and the school board is an important link to have in your favourites.   Please check it often at https://www.ugdsb.ca/o/jgps and https://www.ugdsb.ca/.  Please consider downloading UG Connect from the App Store/Google Play.  Information will be shared by the school through Apptegy Thrillshare.

Classroom teachers will be using Google Classroom to support home and school communication. Teachers will be providing specific details on this with you.

We will be sending home a package of information Wednesday, September 9th.  Please return all the completed forms to your child’s homeroom teacher by Wednesday, September 16th.

Access to the School

All parents and visitors must:

• Sign in at the office

• Wait to be escorted or met by a staff member to go to a classroom 

• Sign out at the office upon leaving

• Visitors/volunteers working with students must have a criminal background check 

• Visitors are bound by relevant school policies

• Privacy should be protected when working with students

• In the event of an emergency that requires the building to be evacuated, assemble at the designated place which is displayed in each room 

The Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) is committed to providing a safe, secure, and welcoming learning and working environment for all students, staff, and visitors.

During the 2025/26 school year, John Galt Public School upgraded our door access system to further support the safety and security of our school community. As part of this commitment, all exterior doors will remain locked throughout the school day.

We appreciate the support and cooperation of our students, families, staff, and visitors as we work together to maintain a safe and welcoming environment at John Galt PS.

If you would like additional information please see the link below which will take you to the board’s website and to Policy / Procedures 322 that outlines the management of access to schools sites across the system: https://www.ugdsb.ca/o/ugdsb/page/policy-322-safe-operation-of-schools-and-board-sites

Thank you for your patience and understanding and we look forward to welcoming you the next time you are at the school! 

Information for parents/guardians: Student Accident Insurance

Parents and guardians are responsible for expenses related to student injuries on school premises or during school activities. Accidents can and do happen and the costs involved might not be fully covered by Provincial health care or employer group insurance plans.

The Upper Grand District School board is empowered under The Education Act to offer Accident and Life Insurance for students.

See the Upper Grand District School Board Director’s letter to families posted on our website containing information with respect to two Programs available for the purchase of Student Accident Insurance. The Insuremykids Program is offered through Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada and the Study Insured Program is underwritten by Certain Lloyds’s Underwriters through AON Insurance.

Each program offers a variety of options, including family rates at affordable prices. The cost must be paid by the parent or guardian. Paper copies of the application are no longer available. Purchase is done directly on line or by contacting the Provider:

www.insuremykids.com or call toll free 1-800-463-5437

www.studyinsuredstudentaccident.com or call toll free 1-833-560-0527.

For today’s active children, especially those who participate in field trips, co-curricular and other school activities outside the school day, Student Accident Insurance is recommended.

Board Communication - Newsletter Information - September 2026

The September Communications Newsletter is out! 

In this month's issue:

• Register for school and Find Your Path

• Transportation info for families

• Not sure who to contact? We’re here to help!

A reminder that this is our monthly public-facing newsletter so we encourage you to share it with your parents/guardians and school community. You can view the newsletter here: https://www.ugdsb.ca/page/communications-newsletterPlease don’t hesitate to reach out to the school if you have any questions—we’re always happy to connect. We are truly looking forward to a wonderful 2025–2026 school year together!

You can expect the next JGPS communication during the first few days of school. Beginning Friday, September 11th, JGPS will be sharing a weekly newsletter every Friday with updates and information for the upcoming week.

Wishing you and your family an enjoyable and relaxing finish to the summer break!

Lisa, Ibrahim and Jeanette

Lisa, Ibrahim and Jeanette