Caudle Park Elementary School

Thank you for your wonderful support at home as we recognized Stand Up Against Bullying Day and Orange Shirt Day. Seeing a sea of pink and a sea of orange filling our assemblies was a powerful and meaningful symbol of our school community coming together to stand for kindness, inclusion, respect, and belonging.

These important days provide valuable opportunities for our students to learn, reflect, and have meaningful conversations about how each of us can help create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. We are so grateful for the support and encouragement you provide at home as we continue these important conversations at school.

As we move into October, we are excited for all the deep learning, new experiences, connections, and fun that the month will bring. Thank you for continuing to partner with us in supporting our students as they learn, grow, and make a positive difference in our school community!

Yours in education,
Shawn Marsh
Principal

OCTOBER

Focus: Gratitude

Mi’kmaq History Month

Canadian Library Month

• October 1

• Treaty Day — Culturally Significant Day; schools open

• October 5

• Terry Fox Run

• October 7

• SAC/PTA Meeting 5 pm and 6 pm

• October 12

• Thanksgiving Day — No classe

• October 13

• Picture Retakes

• October 9-13

• School Bus Safety Week

• October 22

  • PTA Halloween Family Dance

• October 23

• NSTU Provincial Conference Day — No classes

• October 31

• Halloween

Each October, Mi'kmaq History Month provides an opportunity to deepen our understanding of Mi'kmaq culture, history, language and traditions, while recognizing the important contributions of Mi'kmaq people past and present.

Across our schools, students and staff may mark the month through learning, storytelling, art, community connections and cultural experiences that bring Mi'kmaq perspectives into the classroom and school community.

As we learn together, Mi'kmaq History Month reminds us of the importance of listening, building relationships and continuing our shared commitment to truth and reconciliation.

Learn more about Mi'kmaq History Month here.

Your photos are available online at photomasterstudios.ca.

To access them, you will need your 10-digit Power school number. For example, 310xxxxxxx.

The delivery date for finished orders is October 13, and then again on October 22nd for any retakes.

After that, orders will be subject to a late or shipping fee.

Your photos will be available for ordering until June 1, 2027, after which they will be removed from the site.

Retakes:

Students must present their old proof card to the photographer on retake day. They will retain it, as no new card will be made for their retakes. Photos will be added to the online site. This information is included on the proof card.

Students who did not have a photo taken on the first day will receive access information at the time of the retake.

Retake orders are Due10 days after retakes are taken.

Monday is our Terry Fox walk/run. Please ensure your child comes prepared for the weather and has outdoor sneakers. We will be heading outside rain or shine just like Terry did on his Marathon of Hope. If rain is heavyey, we will bring our students inside for "Plan B" in the gymnasium. Our goal this year is to raise $500. If you would like to make a donation in the name of Caudle Park Elelmentary please use the link below:

https://schools.terryfox.ca/142187

We are interested in building a solid volunteer base at our school. Volunteers help us support special school events, class trips, clubs, and reading to students. If these things interest you and you have the time to offer, we would love to have you on board.

All volunteers in the HRCE who are in the presence of students must obtain a Criminal Records Check that includes a Vulnerable Sector Check. Volunteers also need a Child Abuse Registry Check. Both of these documents will stay active at the school for 3 years to the date of issue.

1. A completed Child Abuse Register - Request for Search Form, which can be found here

2. A certified and true copy of a Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Check available here, from your local Police or RCMP detachment or through online organizations endorsed by Nova Scotia law enforcement agencies. Please do not use the online criminal records check if you instend to bring a signed volunteer letter from the school to reduce the cost from $50 to $30. Going to the RCMP detachment is required if you wish to be reimbursed by the school.

There are also volunteer opportunities for people without their checks done that don't involve students (eg. setup for an event, SAC members, Parent/Teacher Committee members)

Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency is inviting families to take part in Fire Prevention Week, October 4–10. Visit halifax.ca/fpw to complete an online fire safety quiz. Want to win a Nintendo Switch, Apple products or LEGO sets? Participants who score 100% will be entered into a draw for a prize in their age category.

This year’s theme, “Safe Charging is a Superpower,” focuses on the safe use and charging of rechargeable devices powered by lithium-ion batteries. These batteries power many everyday devices, including phones, tablets, laptops, e-bikes and power tools. If damaged or charged improperly, they can overheat and cause fires.

Visit halifax.ca/fpw for contest details, videos and fire safety resources, and take a few minutes to test your smoke alarms and review your home fire escape plan.

Every school day, thousands of HRCE students rely on the bus to get to and from school safely.

School Bus Safety Week is a chance to highlight the simple habits that help keep everyone safe — from waiting well back from the road, to following the driver’s instructions, to staying alert around stopped school buses.

With more than 33,000 HRCE students travelling on more than 400 buses each day, safety depends on all of us: students, families, drivers, schools and motorists.

This week is a good opportunity to review a few everyday reminders and help reinforce safe routines on the bus, at the stop and on the road.

Bus Stop Safety

• Be on time for the bus and please don’t run to/from the bus.
• Stand back off the road and don't push or shove when waiting at a stop.
• Always cross in front of the bus. Walk three metres (10 feet) in front of the bus to a point where you can see the driver and wait for the driver's signal to cross. Proceed to the centre of the road, STOP, LOOK & LISTEN and cross the road when it is safe.
• Never crawl under a school bus or cross the road behind the bus.
• Know the danger zones around the bus.
  

School Bus Safety

• Please respect and listen to the driver and avoid distracting them.
• Please keep noise levels to a minimum.
• Do not stand or move seats while the bus is in motion.
• Never put your hands, arms, feet or head out of the bus window.
• Ask the driver for permission before you open the bus windows.
• Do not throw anything inside the bus or out of the windows.
• Keep the aisle clear at all times when the bus is in motion.
  

Remember: In Nova Scotia, it's illegal to pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended.

You can find out more information about riding the school bus in HRCE here.

Growing independence doesn't have to start with a smartphone

As children get older, parents naturally want to give them more independence, such as walking to the park, playing at a friend's house, staying home alone for a short time, or getting to activities on their own. A smartphone can seem like the obvious way to make this possible, but it isn't the only option.

There are lots of ways families can give children more freedom while keeping communication simple and age-appropriate:

• Long-range walkie-talkies: A simple way for kids to check in while playing in the neighbourhood or exploring outdoors, without access to the internet or social media.
• A home phone: Allows children to call friends, make plans or contact a parent when they're home alone.
• A kids' smartwatch: Some watches offer limited calling or messaging, without the apps, social media and internet access of a smartphone.
• A basic talk-and-text phone: When children eventually need a way to coordinate rides or activities, a simple phone can provide communication without introducing the distractions and social pressures of a smartphone.

The goal is to match the technology to what children actually need. A child who needs to call home doesn't necessarily need a device that also gives them access to social media, games and the Internet.

Starting with a more limited device can give children time to develop the responsibility, judgment and independence they'll eventually need to manage a smartphone.

Explore more resources from Unplugged Canada and join thousands of Canadian families taking the Unplugged Canada Pledge to delay smartphones and support connected childhoods.

A reminder to families that vehicles are not permitted to enter our parking lot between 8:15 am and 3:00 pm as students and pedestrians walk in this area at various times throughout the day.

The vehicle drop-off/pickup zone for students is located on either side of our driveway entrance but please do not stop close to the corners of the driveway as it prevents our buses from being able to drop off or pickup students. When dropping off please ensure that students exit vehicles on the passenger side and that vehicles are not left in our "No Parking" zones.

Thank you for your help in making our parking areas safe!

Registering and ordering

All lunches must be ordered through the online ordering system. To get started, visit www.NSLunch.ca and click “Order Now.” Returning users can sign in using their existing account.

More information, including instructions on how to create a diner account, is available at www.NSLunch.ca.

Our school will post items for purchase in SchoolCash online throughout the year. You can make purchases and payments from your phone, tablet or computer.

We would like families to register as soon as possible.

To get started, please register for SchoolCash Online. It’s free and takes less than two minutes. You will receive an email once items are posted for purchase.

Visit https://hrce.schoolcashonline.com/ and click Register to get started.

Need support? Connect with the SchoolCash Online help desk at schoolcashonline.com/Home/Support

We hope that SchoolCash Online makes paying school-related fees more convenient!

Did you know that there’s a protocol in place to help families contact schools or the HRCE office when you have concerns about your student’s education or well-being?

• All concerns should first be shared with your child’s teacher.

• If your concern is not resolved, you should then contact the principal.

• If your concern remains unresolved, you can reach out to HRCE’s Family Navigators who can provide information about a wide range of supports and resources.

• If your matter continues to be unresolved, you can then initiate a formal review process in which the matter will be investigated by the appropriate HRCE Directors.

• The final step is for your concern to be passed on to the Regional Executive Director.

Click here to learn more.

As we move into the winter months, we want to share how decisions are made when a school experiences a power outage.

Our priority is always to keep schools open safely when possible. A power outage does not automatically mean classes are cancelled – even if it happens during the school day. The decision depends on when power is expected to be restored.

Here’s what happens

When a school loses power, HRCE's Operations Team contacts Nova Scotia Power to gather available details on the cause and an estimated restoration time.

Once we have this information, we consider:

• Before school starts: Have buses begun their routes? If so, we wait until students arrive before making a decision. If classes are cancelled, elementary families will be contacted before dismissal.
• During the school day: How close is dismissal? What is the temperature in the building? Does the school rely on power for water or septic systems? These factors, among others, help us decide whether to stay open or close. Often, power returns faster than we could safely send students home.
  

If classes are cancelled:

• HRCE will notify families by email and text.
• Families of elementary students will also receive a phone call before dismissal.
• Deciding to close schools during a power outage is never simple, but safety is always our top priority. We understand that cancellations can be inconvenient, and our goal is to keep students learning in class whenever possible.
  

More information about school cancellations for any reason can be found here.

School Closures

Sometimes schools are closed when storms or conditions become severe. The HRCE has three types of emergency closure procedures; all or some schools closed, early dismissals, and 2 hour delayed openings. There may also be occasions when buses are cancelled but schools remain open. Please read about this in greater detail in the link below.

https://www.hrce.ca/weather

How will I find out?

• By email to the addresses in PowerSchool
• By text message, if you have opted-in. If you aren’t sure if you have opted-in, text Y to the following number: 978338
• On our website www.hrce.ca
• On X (formerly Twitter) at Twitter.com/HRCE_NS
• On Instagram at www.instagram.com/hrce_ns/

Make sure you listen for either the Family of Schools name or the individual name of your child's school in cancellation announcements. Click here to find your Family of Schools.

Paper Newsletters - If you wish to receive paper copies of our newsletter, please contact Ms. Morris in the main office (902-864-6864)

Names in Clothes - Please write your child's name on the inside of clothing. This will help us return lost items to the rightful owners.

School Insurance Program (SIP) - Your child is automatically covered for accidents and injuries that happen during the school day. If you want to have 24/7 coverage including the summer months it only costs $14.00/year for a gold plan.

Email: cpes@hrce.ca
Website: cap.hrce.ca
Location: 35 McGee Drive, Lower Sackville
Phone: 902-864-6864