Ryley School Newsletter

A Message from the Principal

What a wonderful start to the new school year! It has been a busy and productive first month,

and it's been a true pleasure to see our students and staff settle back into the rhythm of school

life. The energy in the hallways and classrooms is a testament to the hard work and dedication of

everyone in our school community.

I'd like to extend a warm welcome to our new School Council members: Chair Terra Penner,

Vice Chair Alysha Dietz, and Secretary Cassandra Freeman. We are so grateful for their

willingness to volunteer their time and expertise to support our school. Your commitment is

invaluable, and we look forward to working together to make this a great year for all our

students.

It's been exciting to see our students jump right into a variety of activities. Our Grades 4-9

students participated in the cross-country running meet in New Norway demonstrating great

sportsmanship and determination. The volleyball season is also in full swing, and it's been

fantastic to cheer on our teams at their first two home games.

As we reflect on September, it’s important to acknowledge the valuable learning opportunities

that have taken place both inside and outside the classroom. We had some exciting field trips

that provided excellent real-world learning opportunities. Our junior high students went to

Cooking Lake to participate in the forest program, an experience that connected their classroom

learning to the natural world. Meanwhile, our Kindergarten and Grade 1-2 students visited the

firehall, where they learned about fire safety and met the people who serve our community.

We had meaningful participation in Orange Shirt Day, a powerful occasion for our students to

learn about the history and legacy of residential schools. This was followed by our annual Terry

Fox Run, where our school community came together to support a cause that is close to so many

hearts. These events are not just activities; they are opportunities for our students to develop

empathy, resilience, and a sense of community.

Thank you to all our parents and guardians for your continued support. It is a privilege to partner

with you in your children’s education.

Sincerely,

💖Mrs. Schaade

Principal

Ryley School

For September our Core Characteristic was Sportsmanship. Here we have the students that were selected by their teachers as exemplifying this trait for the month.

Our field program took students into the beautiful mixed-wood forests and wetlands of Cooking Lake. The land here was shaped long ago by glaciers, creating a unique hilly landscape called “knob and kettle” terrain.

Cooking Lake has a rich history of forestry, farming, and pasture land. It is also home to wildlife such as lynx, foxes, mink, muskrats, elk, deer, moose, wolves, coyotes, and even black bears. The surrounding wetlands provide excellent habitats and are an important resting place for many migratory birds.

In addition to its natural beauty, Cooking Lake was once part of the historic Carlton Trail, the main travel route from the Red River Colony to Edmonton in the 1800s.

This field trip was sponsored by Inside Education.

The K-2 classes are learning about places in their community and fire safety. On Thursday, September 25th, the classes went to the Ryley Fire Department to learn about firefighters, fire trucks, and firefighter equipment. The students really enjoyed spraying the fire hoses and sitting in the fire truck!

The volleyball season is off to an energetic start! This year, the girls’ program has grown to include two teams, with one development squad made up of six eager Grade 6 players.

The girls showed determination in their opening matches against Daysland and Tofield, fighting hard to come back in both games. While they fell short on the scoreboard, their teamwork and perseverance stood out and promise good things ahead.

The boys’ team also hit the court with intensity, battling Tofield in a close and competitive game. Despite the loss, the boys demonstrated grit and strong play, setting the stage for an exciting season to come.

With two girls’ teams and a motivated boys’ squad, there is plenty of talent and enthusiasm in the gym this year. Coaches and players alike are looking forward to steady improvement, fierce competition, and a season full of growth and success. Special thank you to our coaches, Mr. Bennion and Mrs. Radley, for dedicating their time this season.

Spartan Tough Race Tests Runners in Muddy Conditions

The annual Spartan Tough Cross Country Race in New Norway lived up to its name this year, with runners battling through hills, slick trails, and plenty of mud. The challenging course pushed athletes to dig deep and show true determination as they worked their way to the finish line.

Ryley School’s own Liam ran an outstanding race, powering through the difficult conditions to place 9th overall against a strong field of competitors. Congratulations to Liam on this impressive achievement!

A sincere THANK-YOU to everyone who donated to Ryley School's annual Terry Fox Run. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Terry Fox Run and together we raised $870 for cancer research! Forty-five years ago, Terry showed us what effort, courage, determination, and hope can achieve. Today, millions continue Terry's journey, step by step, stride by stride, coast to coast to coast. Your contributions to cancer research make a lasting impact and help to achieve what Terry started.

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Battle River School Division has an emphasis on safe and caring schools. Part of providing a safe learning environment is helping students and staff be prepared for an emergency.

Our school holds six fire drills each year and we will also be holding two lockdown drills – one in October and another in the spring.

A lockdown is when all the students and staff are tucked into their classrooms (or another safe, lockable area of the school) to avoid an intruder inside the building. This is not a situation we expect our schools to encounter but, just like a fire drill, practicing will help us all be better prepared if such an incident does occur.

When we hold our lockdown drill, discussions will also take place with students in a calm, sensitive, age-appropriate way, so as not to generate anxiety or fear. If you’d like to speak to your children ahead of time, to provide additional reassurance that they are safe at school and drills are what we do so we are prepared ‘just in case’, we would welcome your support.

During a lockdown drill, the outside doors of the school will also be locked. If you should arrive at the school during the brief time our drill is taking place (either this month or in the spring) you will see a sign letting you know why you can’t get in.

It is possible we will have police officers present for the drill, as well as representatives of the school division. Their role is to help us evaluate our preparedness and suggest any changes we might make in future drills.

Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact us at 780-663-3682.

Dear Parents,

Friends of Ryley School Society is happy to announce the beginning of our annual soup fundraiser with Sherwood Park Soups which are produced locally in Holden! Orders must be submitted to the school no later than October 15th.

As a thank you to students for helping us with this fundraiser, we have decided to provide a pizza lunch to the home room who sells the most soups!

Thank you so much for your continued support!

Friends of Ryley School Society

E-transfer email: treasurer@friendsofryley.org Inquiries: Text to Selina Hellekson 780-781-1655 or reach out to Friends of Ryley School Society Facebook Page.

*Note that the end date may change depending on the outcome of the teacher strike. Future communications will come via school messenger and the FORSS Facebook page.

You can order Ryley Rebel wear here anytime.

The office is open regular school days (normally Monday to Thursday) from 8:15am to 3:45pm. If you call outside of these hours, please leave a message.