A.D.S. Elementary School

Dear ADS Families,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the new school year. As I begin my seventh year as principal of ADS Elementary, my excitement for the journey ahead is as strong as ever. Our halls are once again buzzing with energy and anticipation, and I am thrilled to see all of our students back. I am also incredibly excited to welcome our new updated playground, a project that began six years ago. This new space includes new play areas and our very own outdoor classroom, which will provide our students with new and exciting opportunities for learning and play.

This year, our work will be guided by our school's mission and vision, and the specific goals of our educational project. These aren’t just words on paper; they are our roadmap for nurturing every student’s potential and creating a purposeful learning environment. In a few days, the final touches of mulch will come in ;)

We know that we are stronger together. The partnership between home and school is a team effort, and your involvement is crucial to your child's success. With your unwavering support, our dedicated educators, and our enthusiastic students, we are ready to build a dynamic and thriving learning community.

Let's make this a truly exceptional year, working side-by-side to celebrate every milestone and achievement. Thank you for being an integral part of our school family.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Palik
Principal

Our incredible staff is the heart of our school community. They are a dedicated team who embody our core values of teamwork, perseverance, and respect every day. Through their collaborative spirit and commitment to working together, they create a positive and supportive environment for every student.

Our educators and support staff model perseverance, encouraging students to embrace challenges and never give up. Above all, they foster a culture of respect, ensuring that every member of our school family feels valued and heard. With this team, your child is in the best hands to learn and grow.

Ms. Angie Whalen - Kindergarten 4 Teacher

Ms. Andrea Lockwood - Kindergarten 5 Teacher

Ms. Sarah MacDuff - Grade 1 Teacher

Ms. Tori Fournier - Grade 1/2 Teacher (combined classroom)

Mr. Cameron McLachlan - Grade 2 Teacher

Ms. Vanessa Lodge - Grade 3 Teacher

Ms. Morgan Côté - Grade 4 Teacher

Mr. Dylan Smith - Grade 5 Teacher

Ms. Elizabeth Viens - Grade 6 Teacher

Mr. Guillaume St-Denis - (Coach) Physical Education Teacher

Ms. Marie-Pier Tremblay - Resource Teacher

Ms. Andréanne Richard - French Teacher

Ms. Angie Garrou - HSA/Supervisor

Ms. Kelly Andrews - HSA/Supervisor

Mr. Steven Gendron - HSA/Supervisor

Ms. Chantal Richard- Special Ed Tech/ Supervisor

Ms. Allyson Viens - Educator in a School Setting

Ms. Cindy Coffin - Cafeteria - Cook, Educator in a School Setting

Ms. Karen Johnston - Daycare Technician - Educator in a School Setting

Ms. Lana Fontaine - Educator in a School Setting

Ms. Pennie Lynch - replacing Ms. Gabrielle Pelletier-Lachapelle - Educator in a School Setting

Mr. Barry Roberts - Caretaker

Ms. Jeannik Bachand - School Secretary (Monday - Thursday)

Ms. Rebecca Taylor - School Secretary (Friday)

Ms. Catherine Boisclair - Psychoeducator

Ms. Denise Robinson - Counselor in Academic Training

Ms. Marion Cartier - Speech and Language Therapist

Ms. Rachel Lassenba - Occupational Therapist

Ms. Isabelle Lodge - Community Development Agent

CLSC Nurse - Cindy Regis

Ms. Jennifer Palik - Principal

New Staff

I’m especially happy to extend a warm welcome to our new teammates and some who found their way back to ADS this year:

• Cameron McLachlan – Grade 2

• Chantal Richard – Special Education Technician

• Gabrielle Pelletier-Lachapelle –Educator in a School Setting

• Rebecca Taylor – School Secretary (Fridays)

• Sarah MacDuff – Grade 1

• Tori Fournier – Grade 1/2

Goodbye and Best of Luck!

We also have some changes to our team this year. Ms. Holliday will be away on maternity leave, and we wish her and her family all the very best as they enjoy this special time together. Ms. Brooke has taken on an exciting new challenge at a school closer to her home— we wish her the best of luck in her new role.

A reminder that our Welcome Back BBQ will take place on Tuesday, August 26th from 4:00–6:00 p.m. – a perfect way to start the year together as a community. 🌭 We will have hot dogs and chips while quantities last. A special thank you to @CoopMetroPlus in Val-des-Sources for providing all the food for this event! 💙

In case of rain, we will adjust to indoors.

• Bring your chairs or blankets.

• 4-5 p.m. - Meet the staff, visit the classrooms, drop off your school supplies

• 5-5:45 p.m. - BBQ supper

• 5:45 p.m. - Parents’ General Assembly, if you choose to stay

👉 Don’t forget to bring your child’s school supplies with you so they’re ready to start the year off smoothly. School supply lists can be found on our school website.

📢 Our General Assembly will take place at 5:45 p.m. during the BBQ. We are looking for parents to join both our Governing Board and PPO (Parent Participation Organization). This is a wonderful opportunity to be involved in school life and make a difference for our students!

We can’t wait to see everyone soon and look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and lots of great memories. ✨

🟦 Parent Participation Organization (PPO)

• Open to all parents – no elections required. Meeting frequency decided by the PPO.
  
  

• Focuses on helping with school life through activities, fundraising, and volunteering.
  
  

• Works closely with the principal, staff, and community partners to support student engagement.
  
  

• Examples of what PPO might do:
  
  

• Organize bake sales, book fairs, or community events.
  
  

• Help with holiday activities or teacher appreciation.
  
  

• Support fundraising projects for school initiatives.
  
  

👉 If you want to be involved in hands-on activities and events, the PPO is for you!

🟩 Governing Board (GB)

• A decision-making body made up of parents, school staff, and community representatives.
  
  

• Parent members are elected at the General Assembly at the beginning of the year.
  
  

• Meets about once every month and a half (minimum of 5 meetings per year)
  
  

• Responsible for:
  
  

• Approving school policies (e.g., rules, anti-bullying plan).
  
  

• Approving budgets and fundraising projects.
  
  

• Guiding the school’s educational direction in partnership with staff.
  
  

👉 If you want to help make decisions that shape the direction of the school, the Governing Board is for you!

On Friday, September 5, Grade 1-6 will be going to the Richmond Fair. We will need volunteers to make this trip possible.

We will have our annual Terry Fox Run on Friday, September 12th at 10:05 am. Parents are welcome to join.

• Your child's teacher is your first point of contact for any questions or concerns. You can contact them directly by phone or email.

• Please note that online classroom platforms are for sharing educational content only; for all formal communication, please use phone or email.

• Our days are busy, if you need to meet with a staff member please contact them in advance to arrange a time.

• If you need to access your child’s locker or cubby, a staff member will accompany you.

Parent Handbook

We're excited to introduce our new Parent Handbook! It's your go-to guide for all the day-to-day happenings at our school. Inside, you'll find everything you need to know about our daily routines, procedures, and important information to help your family navigate the school year smoothly.

Code of Life

This year, we will continue to be guided by our Code of Life, which sets the standards for behavior and interaction within our school community. We encourage you to read through this code with your child. Discussing these principles at home will help them understand their importance and how to apply them every day, fostering a shared commitment to respect, responsibility, and kindness.

Volunteering at ADS

• We love having parents involved in school life!

• If you’re interested in volunteering, please let us know.

• A criminal record check (school board policy) is required, and forms will be sent home with your child. Thank you for helping us make ADS such a vibrant and supportive community!

• Our Main Office is open from 8:00-11:45, 12:45-3:00 daily.

• Our School Secretaries are:

• Jeannik Bachand - bachandj@etsb.qc.ca (Monday-Thursday)

• Rebecca Taylor - taylorr@etsb.qc.ca (Friday)

• To ensure that the message is received, please email both.

Morning arrival

Morning Routine Supervision in the schoolyard begins at 7:55 a.m. To ensure a smooth and safe drop-off, please use the designated horseshoe drop-off zone and follow the directional arrows.

Late Arrivals If you arrive after 8:05 a.m., please walk your child to Door #1. Wait with them until a staff member lets them in, and ensure your child checks in at the office before going to class.

Afternoon Pick-up

• The horseshoe is also the designated area for afternoon pick-up.

• Bus dismissal begins approximately five minutes after the school day ends, so we highly discourage making last-minute changes to your child's schedule.

End-of-Day Routine Changes

• School ends at 2:35 pm

• If your child’s end-of-day routine changes, you must notify their teacher in writing.

• For safety reasons, we cannot accept last-minute phone calls or emails for changes, as teachers may not have a chance to see them during the day.

• If there is any doubt about a change, we will keep your child at school, and you will need to pick them up.

A child will only be released to a custodial parent or guardian. If someone else is picking up your child, you must provide written permission to the teacher beforehand.

Why Good Attendance Matters

Academic Achievement 🏆

Missing even a few days can disrupt a child's learning. Each day is part of a sequence, and a missed lesson can create a gap in their understanding that's difficult to bridge later. Consistent attendance ensures your child keeps up with the curriculum and is prepared for future lessons.

Social and Emotional Development 🫂

School is a place where children learn to interact with others. Regular attendance helps them build friendships, understand social cues, and develop the cooperation and communication skills they'll need throughout their lives. It also helps them feel connected to their school community, which can boost their confidence and sense of belonging.

Building Good Habits ✅

Attending school regularly teaches children the importance of punctuality and commitment—habits that will serve them well in high school, college, and the workplace. By making school a priority, you're helping your child build a strong work ethic.

If your child must be absent due to illness or a family emergency, please notify the school office via phone, or email at bachandj@etsb.qc.ca or taylorr@etsb.qc.ca For any unexcused absences, the office will contact you.

Together, we can ensure your child has the best possible opportunity to learn and thrive.

Picture Day: This year our Picture Day will be on September 15.

In order to help keep the school clean, all students are asked for 2 pairs of shoes. One for outdoors (recess/lunch) and one for indoors (P.E./class).

Students go outside for recess and lunch every day, rain or shine, unless they are participating in a supervised indoor activity. Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather.

For information on bus delays and cancellations, please visit the ETSB website. Students are only permitted to ride their assigned bus; bus drivers cannot accept extra students. For all transportation-related questions, please contact the ETSB Transportation Department.

Transportation Policy

More information about the Transportation Policy can be found here.

• The ADS Daycare starts at 7:00 until 7:55 am and resumes at 2:35 until 5:30. It is located beside the grade 5 classroom.

• If you have any questions don’t hesitate to speak with Karen Johnston johnstonk@edu.etsb.qc.ca.

• Daycare Morning Drop-Off: Please ring the bell at the main entrance, and a Daycare staff member will come down to open the door. Goodbyes should be done in the lobby before your child is escorted to the Daycare area by a Daycare staff.

• Daycare Afternoon Pick-Up: When you arrive, please ring the bell at the main entrance, and a Daycare staff member will respond through the speaker to let you know they are getting your child(ren) ready. They will then bring your child(ren) down to meet you in the lobby.

If you need to meet with a staff member, please contact them in advance to arrange a time. Additionally, if you need to access your child’s locker or cubby, a staff member will accompany you.

• Our cafeteria is open 3 days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday). We offer a variety of meals. The meal includes the main dish and a juice box. We use an online system for orders - https://etsb.h1.hotlunchonline.net/

• We do not have microwaves available for student use

• For questions - contact Ms. Taylor: taylorr@etsb.qc.ca

• Each morning, all students can grab a light snack in the school cafeteria during Active Homeroom

• Thank you to PC PC Power Full Minds

During the first week of school, your child will bring home a pink Emergency Medical Information Form. Please complete this form entirely and return it to school right away.

It's critical that we have this information on file, as it allows us to be prepared for any medical issues or illnesses that may arise. The form helps us understand your child's specific needs, including any medications they take.

Please be sure to provide accurate and up-to-date contact information. In an emergency, if we can't reach you, we will contact the emergency person listed on the form.

If your child needs to take any medication during school hours, you must also request a separate authorization form.

Office Hours: Our office hours are from 8:00 am -11:45 am then again from 12:35pm - 3:00pm

We have 2 Secretaries at ADS this year!

Jeannik Bachand - bachandj@etsb.qc.ca -Monday to Thursday

Rebecca Taylor - taylorr@etsb.qc.ca - Friday

Staying Connected: Our Digital Newsletter

To be more environmentally friendly, all newsletters and important information, like the cafeteria menu, will now be sent directly to the email address you provided during registration.

You can easily translate the newsletter with a single click using the new translation feature at the top of the email. You'll also find all newsletters and other information posted on our school website under the “Parent information” section.

For the most up-to-date information and frequent updates throughout the school year, we highly recommend liking our Facebook page!

Facebook: Follow up on Facebook!

Hello ADS families.

Message from your CLC Coordinator

I am super excited to be back as your CLC Coordinator this year!

What is a CLC Coordinator?
Great question! ADS is a community school. This means that once a week, I am in the school working on projects with community partners, creating links between families and local organizations, and bringing in speakers and activities that support our teachers, staff, and students’ learning.

I’m happy to already confirm some wonderful partnerships for this year:

• Buddy Bench

  No one plays alone at ADS!
  Our new Buddy Bench is a special place. If you sit on it, you’re telling others: “I’d like a friend to play with.” If you see someone sitting on it, you’re encouraged to invite them to join you. This way, no one has to feel alone at recess.

• Agir et Alimenter
  This organization will be coming to ADS throughout the year to teach our students about healthy eating, nutritious recipes, sustainable food practices, and food safety.

• Pen Pal Project with the Wales Home
  Our students will exchange letters with elders from the Wales Home, creating meaningful connections across generations.

• C.I.E.L – Centre pour l'intelligence émotionnelle en ligne
  Specialists from C.I.E.L will lead workshops for our Cycle 3 students on how to use the internet and gaming platforms in safe and healthy ways.

📌 Stay connected! Follow the CLC page for updates on community activities: CLC Facebook Page

I can’t wait to support this great school throughout the year!

Warmly,
Isabelle Lodge. CLC Coordinator

Partner Highlight:
👉 Ready, Set, Grow! — a program for parents of toddlers.

August

Aug. 22, 25, 26, 27: Ped Days

Aug. 26: Welcome day BBQ

Aug. 28: First day of school

September

Sept 1: Holiday

Sept 5: Richmond Fair

Sept 12: Terry Fox Run at 10:05 parents are welcome to join!

Sept 15: Picture Day

Sept. 19: Planning day - No school, Daycare open

Sept 25- 26: Brigade Alimentaire Activities for the whole school with Agir et Alimenter

Sept 29: Orange Shirt day assembly/activities - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Sept 30: Healthy Online Habits workshop for Grades 4-5-6 by C.I.E.L – Centre pour l'intelligence émotionnelle en ligne

October

Oct. 3: Staff vs Students Soccer

Oct 9: Pumpkin Spice Day

Oct. 10: Ped day - No school, Daycare open

Oct 13: Holiday

Oct 15: Interim Reports on Mozaik Parent Portal

Oct 17: Geordie Productions at School to perform

Oct 22: K4-K5 Vaccinations

Oct 31: Halloween

Important: School Fees & Payment Information

This is a breakdown of your child's consumable and supervision fees for the school year. Please note that fees for students in our daycare program are different; a separate, detailed invoice will be sent home for them.

We kindly request that you make your payment as soon as possible. You have two convenient options:

• Online Banking: Pay through your bank's online application.

• Check: Make the check payable to ADS Elementary School and be sure to include your child's name in the memo line.

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We understand that managing finances can be challenging. If you anticipate any difficulties with these payments, please contact Ms. Jeannik at the school. She can help you arrange a payment plan for the year.

Please be aware that any unpaid school fees will be forwarded to Dixon Collections.

School calendar: A school calendar (youth sector) was provided to parents last June. Here is the ADS version with the Day 1-5 indicated.

Email: palikj@etsb.qc.ca
Website: http://ads.etsb.qc.ca/
Location: 217 Water Street, Danville, Quebec J0A1A0
Phone: 819-839-2352
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADSelementaryschool