ÉRE Connection
Mid-May 2026 School Newsletter
Principals' Message
Hello ÉRE Families!
With just 25 school days remaining in the 2025/2026 school year, we are incredibly excited for a strong finish. As we head into the home stretch, please log into SchoolCash Online to ensure any outstanding balances are resolved before our upcoming year-end field trips.
Recent Highlights:
Grandparents Day (May 1): What a joy it was to welcome so many grandfriends to ÉRE for a beautiful day of sharing, stories, and soup!
Grade 4 Agricultural Field Trip (May 14): Our Grade 4 classes raved about their visits to four local farms. This long-standing Rocky Mountain House tradition showcased the incredible power of our community. Special thanks to our host farms (Terpsma Farm, Endeavor Equestrian, Adventure Holsteins, and Winchell Farm) and our organizers (Clearwater County and the Rocky Mountain House Agricultural Society).
Music Monday Recess Concert (May 4): Students celebrated Music Monday by taking the stage at recess to sing or play instruments. Thank you to everyone who shared their musical talents!
Wishing everyone all the right weather for growing gardens and crops - while also being extra sunny for every year-end field trip😀. Please reach out if you have any questions, ideas, or accolades to share.
With gratitude!
Tim Bowman Kim Simo
Principal Vice Principal
(403) 845-3541 (403) 845-3541
tim.bowman@wrsd.ca kim.simo@wrsd.ca
Join us for School Community Events
- May 25 @ 10:00 AM – Jump Rope for Heart: Our whole school will head outside for a 30-minute skip-a-thon to raise awareness and funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Visit Our Fundraising Page Here
- May 27 @ 2:00 PM – May School Assembly & Careers Day: Celebrating our monthly award winners alongside special student presentations.
- May 28 @ 5:30 PM – French Evening of Entertainment: Hosted by the Canadian Parents for French (CPF) at the Lou Soppit Centre. Enjoy a BBQ and Bake Sale starting at 5:30 PM, followed by performances from our talented French Immersion classes at 6:30 PM.
- June 1 @ 9:15 AM – The NED Show: A high-energy performance combining yo-yo tricks with powerful lessons on resilience. Families are welcome to attend. (Yo-yos will be available for purchase at the school office for 10 days following the show.)
- June 12 @ 9:30 AM - Indigenous Story Teller & Hoop Dancer Sandra Lamouche
Hot Lunch & Milk Program
- Deadline: All June orders are due May 20.
- Schedule: Hot lunch is available Mondays and Thursdays; milk (white or chocolate) is available daily.
- If you need to create a Hot Lunch account:
- Visit ere.hotlunches.net and click "Click Here to Register" (a new registration is required each school year).
- Enter Access Code: REHL
- Complete the form, add your children, and click "Orders."
- If you have any issues, please reach out to School Council Hot Lunch Coordinator: erehotlunches@gmail.com
🎤🎤 Music Monday Recess Concert 🎤🎤
Custom School Supplies 2026-2027
- Early Bird Deadline: Order by June 15 (extended!) to save $10 before prices increase.
- Details: Packages include all required supplies for next year plus 80 personalized name labels, delivered directly to the school in late August.
- Ordering is entirely optional. Families can source out their own 2026/2027 supplies if they wish.
- 🔗 Order Online Here
Pre-K & Kindergarten Registration Now Open!
Important Update for English Pre-K & Kindergarten: Due to enrollment numbers, we will be running a combined Pre-K and English Kindergarten class for the 2026/2027 school year. This allows us to guarantee the program runs while offering an excellent adult-to-child ratio.
Pre-K Schedule: Full days, Mondays & Wednesdays (updated as of May 15)
English Kindergarten Schedule: Full days, Mondays, Wednesdays, and scheduled Fridays.
French Immersion Kindergarten: Schedule remains full days on Mondays, Wednesdays, and scheduled Fridays, taught by a fully bilingual teacher.
Thinking about French Immersion? More information can be found here.
Cost:
- Pre-K - $110/month; subsidies available for qualifying students
- Kindergarten - No cost. Kindergarten is funded by Alberta Education
🐶🐱4/5K Bring your Pet to School🐶🐱
Year End Field Trips
We have a thrilling lineup of off-site learning opportunities scheduled for May and June.
Eng & Fr Kindergarten - Crimson Lake, June 10
1K - Crimson Lake, Date June 4
1/2B - West Central face painting, May 26, 2:00 pm
1/2B & 2S - Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, June 17
2/3F - Markerville, May 22
2/3F - Discovery Wildlife Park, Innisfail, June 4
3S - Markerville, May 29
4/5O & 5C - Rocky Historic Site Field Trip, June 16 & Wetlands Field Trip, June 11
Gr 4&5 - Calgary Field Trip, June 4, 6:30 am
5C & 5K - Tour of Pioneer School, May 21
5C - Fish Release, Twin Lakes, June 3
Note: Many classes are also finalizing local trips to the RMH Swimming Pool and Splash Park.
SPRAY PARK
June 11 - 1/2B, 11:45 am
June 12 - 1K, 1:15 pm
June 16 - PreK, 1:15 pm
June 17 - Eng & Fr Kindergarten, 1:15 pm
June 18 - 4/5O, 10:15 am
June 18 - 5C, 11:45 am
June 19 - 3/4S, 11:45 am
June 19 - 2S, 1:15 pm
Reminders for Parents:
Check SchoolCash Online: Please review your account frequently for updated trip fees.
Financial Support: If trip costs will present a financial strain for your family, please contact the front office. Generous community donations are available to ensure every child can participate.
Volunteers: If you plan to chaperone, please verify with the office that your Criminal Record Check is on file (valid for 3 years).
Celebrating our Parent Community!
Our school community thrives because of our exceptional parents. This month, we want to give a special shout-out to our School Council & Society:
PE Equipment Refresh: The School Society raised $5,300 through a successful Cash Raffle to purchase brand-new gym equipment!
Classroom Support: The Society generously gifted an extra $200 budget to every single homeroom teacher.
Library Upgrade: They purchased a new thermal binding machine to repair and extend the life of our library books.
Staff Appreciation: Thank you to the School Council for providing a beautiful lunch for our staff during Appreciation Week!
Get Involved: The School Council is currently looking to revitalize our Peace Garden and is gratefully accepting donations of soil, seeds, and perennials.
Transportation Fees 2026/2027
- There will be Transportation Fees for all students who ride a school bus in 2026/2027
- The Transportation Fee for Partially Funded students Gr 1-6 is $200 (before June 5), and $250 (after June 5).
- The Transportation Fee for Partially Funded Kindergarten students is $75 (before June 5), and $125 (after June 5).
- The Transportation Fee for Unfunded students is $500.
- Register for your Transportation spot through SchoolCash Online by making a $20 application deposit. Registration must be received by June 30 to ensure bus service starts with the beginning of the 2026/2027 school year.
A Partially Funded Transportation Student is Grade K-6 and resides 1.6km or further from the school.
An Unfunded Transportation Student resides closer than 1.6km, is PreK, requires more than one stop, or resides out of area.
This & That Quick Reminders
- CPF AGM June 8, 6:00 PM, Pioneer School: At the Canadian Parents for French Annual General Meeting, Elections for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, School Rep, General Director(s). All nominations can be emailed to CPF.rmh@gmail.com. To keep meeting on time, Nominees will not be accepted from the floor. Deadline for nominations is June 5th.
- Free Breakfast: Served every morning in the front foyer from 8:20 AM – 8:40 AM. All students are welcome!
- No Microwaves: There are no student microwaves available. Please send warm lunches in a pre-heated thermos.
- Student Absences: Please report absences via the Student Attendance Line at 1-855-756-2797 or through the School Messenger App.
- Agendas & Routines: Please use your child's agenda to communicate daily after-school plans and notes directly to the teacher.
- Spring Weather Gear: Spring means puddles! Please pack a spare set of dry clothes in your child’s backpack.
- School Photos: Lifetouch is offering 10% off spring orders using code S202610OFF (expires July 31, 2026).
- Mobile Device Policy: Personal mobile devices are not permitted during the school day (excepting pre-approved medical needs like glucose monitors). Contact the front office if you need to reach your child urgently.
- Connect with Us: Keep up with daily dates and celebrations on our School Website and our Facebook Page.
School Council
A huge thank you to our School Council for their amazing work around the school this year. Our school is truly better because of council initiatives.
Chairperson: Vanessa Watt
Vice Chair: Briana Leal Nadin
Secretary: Tiffany Hudey
Treasurer: Lori Kennedy
Hot Lunch Coordinators: Elaine Crebas, Vanessa Watt
Social Media: Elaine Crebas
- The first meeting of the fall is scheduled for Sept 10, 2026, 6:00 PM.
- The School Council & Society are important to a healthy school. The Council & Society coordinate enhancements at the school, advise the principal, assist with hot lunches, and coordinate some fundraising.
- School Council is looking at revitalizing the Peace Garden. Council is gladly accepting donations of soil, seeds, perennials, etc.
- The School Council & Society can be reached directly at: ereparentcouncil@gmail.com
Please write after-school plans in the student agenda.
Parking & Traffic
- Gentle Reminder: Please be extra conscientious about following traffic laws around the school. Authorities have been around the school more often lately issuing tickets for traffic infractions.
- Park only in designated spaces
- Slow to 30 km/h
- Only park in Accessible parking if you have the appropriate placard
- Do NOT stop to drop off in the middle of the street
- Do NOT U-Turn around the school
- There is often extra parking at the temporary parking lot next to the Cookie Jar Preschool if parking is difficult to locate.
- Thanks for the extra attention around the school to increase student safety.
ÉRE Staff Updates
Regular communication with your child's teacher is essential. Please reach out any time you have questions or information to share. Staff e-mails are firstname.lastname@wrsd.ca
- Farewell & Thank You: May 29 marks the conclusion of French Language Assistant Clemence Akadiri’s contract. We deeply value her incredible expertise and dedication to our French Immersion students this year!
- Welcome: A warm welcome to Haley Schuller, who joined our Educational Assistant team in April working with our Pre-K and English Kindergarten classes.
- Welcome Kate Leer & Joel Entz who have been admirably filling teacher leaves, respectively, in English Kindergarten & 3/4S.
- We are currently seeking a Grade 2/3 French Immersion Teacher for the upcoming school year. If you know an excellent candidate, please send them our way!
WRSD is hiring!
There may be a position for you at one of these Wild Rose Public School location:
- Teacher 2026/2027 - Pioneer PE, Pioneer Gr6, West Central Gr9, West Central Humanities, West Central Science, Rocky Christian Gr3, Rocky Christian Gr3-6, Caroline Humanities, Vision West Science
- Vice Principal 2026/2027 - Pioneer
- Connection Coach 2026/2027 - Part Time at Lochearn, Charlotte Small, West Central
- Junior Accountant - Division Office
- Caretaker - David Thompson, Casual Caretakers
- Indigenous Education - Lead, Facilitator
- Plumber - Plumber Serving all of WRSD
- Facility Operator - Facility Operator Serving all of WRSD
- We are also expanding our list for Substitute Teachers and Casual EAs. If interested, please submit your resume and cover letter to: ApplytobeaSubTeacher@wrsd.ca or ApplytobeaCasualEA@wrsd.ca.
April Student of the Month
PreK - Kazlynn A, Wyatt K
Kindergarten - Griffen G, Alex T, Jamie S, Galilee T, Abigail A, Eleanor L
Grade 1 - Gabriel D, Isaac T, Paxton S, Cianna G, Owen K, Devon T
Grade 2 - Brayson B, Ryker C, Aurora F, Decimus T
Grade 3 - Tahlia W, Dennis A, Winnie M, Tayla G, Kemarius R, Tavious R, River H
Grade 4 - DeAndre R, Waylon L, Anna H, Kamber K, Carter W, Dylan C
Grade 5 - Caleb A, Nicolas M, Anaya H, Addison R, Carson B
Music - Isaac T, Kal-El B
Congratulations Award Recipients!
Upcoming Dates
The NED Show, June 1, 9:15 am, ÉRE Families Welcome
Calendars for 2025-2026
If you are looking ahead, the 2026-2027 Calendar is now approved.
Handy Links
- ÉRE Parent Handbook - many of the most commonly asked questions
- ÉRE School Website - ecolerocky.wrsd.ca
- ÉRE Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ecolerockyelementary
In the Community - CPF AGM
In the Community - Kids Wellness Fair, May 29
In the Community - Online Tutoring
In The Community - School Promo Code for Airshow Tickets
In the Community - Chaos to Calm, May 27
In the Community - Yoga Games, May 20
In the Community - Autism Family Support, May 28
In the Community - Home Alone Course
In the Community - Chaos to Calm
Our Roots Run Deep
Our Roots Run Deep • Nos racines sont profondes
Email: rockyelem@wrsd.ca
Website: https://ecolerocky.wrsd.ca/
Location: 4703 50th Avenue, Rocky Mountain House, AB, Canada
Phone: 403-845-3541
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ecolerockyelementary/
Twitter: @EREPeace