Good morning RCPS families,
We hope you had a wonderful weekend!
Open House: It was wonderful to see so many families out for our school open house. Our school safe and inclusive posters are up for display as each class did an outstanding job discussing what it means to have a safe and inclusive school where everyone feels welcome. Please have a look at the pictures, words and ideas shared. We strive to create a school community where every student feels valued and welcomed. Discrimination in any form based on race, gender identity, disability or ethnicity will not be tolerated. Please ensure you have a conversation with your child about what this means and the importance of inclusion and respectful interactions. Our code of conduct outlines parameters for expected behaviour and is linked here. Code of Conduct https://www.ugdsb.ca/o/rps
Upcoming Reminders:
· Rowan’s Law concussion awareness Tuesday, Sept 29th
· National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day - Wednesday Sept. 30th
· Intermediate Football tournament- Wednesday, Sept. 30th
· Food orders due- Thursday, Oct 1sth
· Junior Cross Country/Bus Patrol training – Wednesday, October 7th
· Intermediate Cross Country – Thursday, October 7th
Food orders for the upcoming term are now available for purchase through School Cash Online. Please log in to your account to review and place your orders before the due dates listed below. First day of food orders starts Monday, Oct 5th.
Available items:
Pizza Term 1 (Tuesdays, October 6 to December 15, 2026 Order Deadline: October 1, 2026
Milk Term 1 (Monday, October 5 to December 19, 2026) Order Deadline: October 1, 2026
Mr. Sub Term 1 (Monday, October 5 to December 14, 2026) Order Deadline: October 1, 2026
Open House Pizza Meals Only - Order Deadline: September 22, 2026
Food Support Program - If you wish to make a donation to support a child who doesn't receive pizza or other food programs, please donate if you can. Donation Deadline: Friday October 9, 2026
Booster Juice Orders
Booster Juice will be purchased separately using the QR code provided below or through the Booster Juice website . Please scan the QR code to access the ordering site and complete your purchase.
We encourage families to place their orders as soon as possible to avoid missing any deadlines. If you have any questions, please contact the school office. Thank you for your continued support.
Vision Support: Clear vision is important to success in the classroom. It is recommended that all children have a comprehensive eye exam before entering school and every year afterwards. Annual eye exams for children and youth under the age of 20 are covered by OHIP.
Please see the one-page information note about the importance of regular eye exams for their child. Please also see the attached flyer for local vision support. Vision support
FYI: Free science event for students
The University of Guelph and Let’s Talk Science are holding a free event this fall. The Magic of Science, is a special community event taking place on November 7, 2026, at the University of Guelph’s Summerlee Science Complex.
This is a free event for all participants, with a particular focus on those in need. The event gives children and teens access to a wide range of fun hands-on science activities with the opportunity to discover different types of science, ask questions, explore, experiment, and see that science can be fun and accessible to everyone. Their hope is to remove any financial or educational barriers and ensure that every child has the chance to explore the magic of science.
Event: Let’s Talk Science: The Magic of Science 2026
Date: Saturday November 7th, 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: University of Guelph, Summerlee Science Complex
Cost: Free!
Who: All Children, Families, and Community Members
Sign up opens on September 28th: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/lets-talk-science-guelph-presents-the-magic-of-science-2026-tickets-1997245353617
Questions? Please contact Isabella Pehar at Let’s Talk Science Guelph (isabellapehar@gmail.com)
FYI: Ticks and Lyme Disease: A Reminder for Families (from WDG Public Health)
Public Health is sharing information about Ticks and Lyme Disease (note: this is the same content that was previously shared in May). Schools are welcome to share this information with their families. Please ensure you are sharing this version, as previous versions (prior to May 2026) may contain outdated information.
School Emergency Response Training and Annual Drills
I am writing to provide you with some 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 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
· Two (2) lockdown drills
· One (1) tornado drill
· One (1) bomb threat drill
For each of these drills, there is an educational 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.
Attendance: Every Day Counts-Please see the following link about the importance of attending school regularly and on time. https://www.ugdsb.ca/article/3924
Did You Know?
If your child misses… | That equals… | Which is… | Over 13 years of schooling this is…. |
1 day every 2 weeks | 20 days per year | 4 weeks per year | Nearly 1 ½ years of schooling |
1 day each week | 40 days per year | 8 week per year | Over 2 ½ years of schooling |
2 days per week | 80 days per year | 16 weeks per year | Over 5 years of schooling |
3 days per week | 120 days per year | 24 weeks per year | Over 7.5 years of schooling |
Tips for Families to Encourage Regular Attendance
Understanding the challenges, here are some strategies families can implement to promote regular attendance:
Establish a Reliable Routine:
Consistent bedtimes and morning routines can help make school mornings predictable and less stressful. Preparing the night before—laying out clothes, packing backpacks, and discussing breakfast—can also smooth the way.
Communicate the Value of Education:
Talk with your child about how going to school every day can help them achieve their dreams and goals. Make the connection between attendance, learning, and future opportunities.
Engage with Teachers and School Staff:
Stay in close contact with your child’s teachers and school staff. They can offer insights into how your child is doing and suggest ways to support their learning and attendance.
Set Attendance Goals:
Create positive reinforcement around attendance. Celebrate milestones like a week or a month of perfect attendance with simple, meaningful rewards.
Plan for Absences:
Understand the school’s attendance policy and communicate any expected absences in advance. For unavoidable absences, work with teachers to make sure your child can catch up.
Address Challenges Early:
If you notice patterns of reluctance to attend school or frequent illnesses, talk to your child and seek support from school counsellors. Often, early intervention can resolve underlying issues.
Our Commitment to Support
For students struggling with attendance, the UGDSB offers many supports including access to Attendance Counsellors, Social Workers, referrals to community agencies and support staff in schools, in addition to many ways to ensure students keep connected and on top of their learning for periods when they have to be absent from school.
Remember, every day counts. Together, we can make a positive impact on students’ education, well-being and future.