The Rideau Report
December 2023
December 2023 Newsletter
Bonjour Rideau Families,
It is hard to believe that we are almost in the last month of the year. In a little more than three weeks it will be the winter break. We know that at this time of year the students can be quite energized and we will do our best to keep routines in place to help with all the excitement December brings.
That being said, there will be a fun distraction this Friday with our annual Jingle Bell Walk/Run. Students are welcome to wear a festive hat for this occasion and to bring in a non-perishable food item. The Walk will start at 12:40 and will last 20 minutes or so.
Information for the Choices at 7, something grade 6 families need to think about, is shared below, please take a moment to read it.
A few years ago, our staff adopted a structured literacy approach to teaching reading. Soon after, the Ministry of Education changed the language curriculum to reflect this practice. Our staff continue to use research-based, effective tools to build students' vocabulary in FSL and to learn to read, but our learning journey does not stop there. We are also working hard on developing our students' numeracy skills. Helping children gain confidence in math is essential and to supplement what we do at school, I am sharing a great resource for parents: https://www.parentengagementmatters.ca/inspiring-your-child-to-learn-and-love-math
In the class, we make sure our long range plans and math lessons align with the curriculum and that there is a focus on math fluency. If your child's teacher does not assign specific math homework, practice math facts with them at home or skip counting by 2s, 5s, 10s, starting at random numbers, going up and going down. Building these types of skills will prove useful when working on math problems. Together, we can make a difference.
On December 13, students from grades 1 to 6 will go to the Grand Theatre to see the Franco-Ontarian music group LGS. This will be a great opportunity for students to see that French is a language that exists outside of school. Teachers have been provided with resources to prepare their class for this show. Feel free to look them up on Youtube (Le groupe LGS), they are very dynamic.
Upcoming
December 1 - Jingle Bell Walk/Run (bring a non-perishable food item) at 12:40
December 6 - Parent Council meeting at 6:30
December 13 - LGS Concert at the Grand Theatre for grades 1 to 6
December 22 - Last day of school
January 8 - First Day back
Thank you for your ongoing support of our school, our staff and our students. Rideau is an amazing school!
Valerie Arsenault
Principal
Choice at 7
LDSB Choices at 7 Message for Newsletters, Communicate, etc
Dear Parents/Guardians of Grade 6 and Grade 7 Students,
We would like to provide you with information about the Application Process for the LDSB Choices at 7 Programs for the 2024-25 School Year. You can find updated Choices at 7 Information on the Board website, www.limestone.on.ca under the Programming tab. Once there, you will learn about about the application process, dates for applying, FAQ’s, etc. for the following programs: Extended French Immersion, ATLAS, LEAP and Challenge. Questions regarding the programs can be emailed to the registrars at: choicesatseven@limestone.on.ca.
In addition, Choices at 7 Open Houses for the ATLAS, LEAP and Challenge Programs will be held at the schools in December. The Open Houses are an opportunity to learn more about the programs, the schools in which they are located, to ask questions, and to make decisions as to whether a program is an option for your child.
Please check the website for the appropriate Challenge site to apply to, based on your home address.
December 12, 2023 - Challenge Open House at Loughborough Public School, 6 pm
December 13, 2023 - Challenge Open House at Odessa Public School, 6 pm
December 14, 2023 - ATLAS, LEAP and Challenge Open House at Calvin Park Public School, 6 pm
Dates for the Open Houses for Extended French Immersion will be shared in the New Year on the Limestone District School Board website.
We look forward to supporting you through this process for the 2024-25 school year.
Parent Council
Next meeting -> December 6 at 6:30 in the staff room as well as on TEAMS
Baby sitting available
Our Website page has information about parent council as well as previous meeting minutes when they become available.
Chair - Jim Jodoin (jjodoin1@hotmail.ca)
Co-Chair - Sarah Phinney (tierney_sarah@hotmail.com)
Update
There is an ongoing effort to revise the roles and responsibilities of Parent Council member positions. The council is also exploring the feasibility of implementing the School Streets program at Rideau Public, which could have implications for student safety and transportation. A motion to reinstate the Breakfast Club will be presented at the next meeting on December 6, 2023.
Receiving communication
Rideau Public School
Email: ridea@limestone.on.ca
Website: https://rideaupublicschool.limestone.on.ca/
Location: 9 Dundas Street, Kingston, ON, Canada
Phone: (613) 546-5901
Twitter: @RideauPS_LDSB