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From the Raptor's Perch, 7 March

New Upstairs Mural

March Break is upon us. This is a time to take a break, regroup and refresh. We wish all families a wonderful March Break and we look forward to seeing our students back on Monday, March 17th. If you are away longer please make sure to let your student’s teacher know.

Phones are starting to be a bigger problem for some of our students. It is March now, and the expectations have not changed. Please take some time to remind your students about the phone expectations. Phones, and other devices, are to be off and out of sight during the school day, including recess, nutrition break and getting on the school bus.

School Cash online https://www.schoolcashonline.com/ is now open for Pizza and Popcorn purchases for April, May, and June. This will be the last time to order for the 2024-2025 school year. If you have any questions regarding your order please contact the school before March 20, 2025 and we will be happy to assist you. We are here to help! If this creates a financial strain on your family, please reach out to your child's homeroom teacher. Thank you for supporting our school fundraiser!

During this month of Ramadan we have had many students request to pray Dhuhr.  In order to support this request, we are looking for a volunteer parent or parents who are available to supervise students wishing to pray.  If you are available to assist, please let us know.  You do not have to be available for each day.  If you can help out with one day a week, we would be grateful for your help. Our aim is to have a schedule of participating supervisors and the prayer time for when we return after the March break on Monday March 17th.  Adult siblings 25 or over are also welcome to supervise prayer. Thank you in advance for your help.

Subject: Help Name Our New Riverside South Secondary School!

Hi Everyone!

Exciting news! We're getting ready to open our brand new high school in Riverside South in September 2025! It will welcome students in grades 7-10, with these options:

  • Grades 7 & 8: English with Core French, Early French Immersion, and Middle French Immersion!
  • Grade 9 & 10: English and French Immersion

While the school is currently using the name ‘Riverside South’, we need your help to find its permanent name! We want a name that truly reflects our community and what makes this school special.

We'd love for you to share your creative ideas through our quick online survey. Students, parents, caregivers, staff, and community members are all welcome to participate!

Thinking about a great name? Here are some things to consider:

  • Does it reflect the school's programs?
  • Does it connect to the local environment (like plants, animals, or geographical features)?
  • Does it reflect the significance to Indigenous peoples and the location of the school on traditional unceded Algonquin homelands?
  • Does it relate to a nearby street, road, or community?
  • Does it honour a significant Canadian event or achievement?
  • Is it unique and different from other school names in Ottawa?

Want to get even more involved? We're also forming a naming committee that will meet virtually after school. If you're interested in joining, please let us know on the survey form. While we'd love to have everyone, space on the committee might be limited.

Ready to share your ideas? Just click the link below to take the survey! Please submit your suggestions by 4:00 p.m. on March 5, 2025. We can't wait to hear your ideas!

Name Suggestion Form

 

Learning, Growing and Connecting Together

The OCDSB Early Learning Department is pleased to announce that an EarlyON Child and Family Centre will soon open at Vimy Ridge PS. We invite families from the Vimy Ridge school community to visit the centre and meet the Program Facilitator from March 24-26/25. Regular programming with general public access will follow.

OCDSB EarlyON Child & Family Centres offer free, high-quality drop-in programs 

for Ontario families and caregivers with children from birth to 6 years old. 

They're welcoming places that offer a range of services and resources where you can:

  • Learn and play with your child
  • Speak with early childhood professionals
  • Access information, resources, and referrals
  • Meet other families in your community
  • Become familiar with school routines

When:  Monday- Friday 9:30-1:00 pm on school days 

Where: Room 107

Planning Your Visit:

  • To support safe arrival policies at the school, please arrive no earlier than 9:30 am.
  • Stroller parking will be designated outside of the main school entrance
  • Please buzz in at the main school doors, an office team member will let you in
  • Wednesdays will be reserved for parents/guardians and their children aged 0-6

For more information, contact us at: 

Email: earlyon@ocdsb.ca

Website: www.ocdsb.ca

Family Resources: https://sites.google.com/ocdsb.ca/earlyon/home

Have a wonderful and restful March Break!

Sandra Walker, Andrew Thorp and Jannah Campbell

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Respect for all. For the past few years we have focused on learning about the impact of hateful speech and racist comments. We appreciate your support in this continued learning. Unfortunately, examples of this type of conduct are easy to find on social media outlets. Racist, homophobic and hate language is not acceptable at school. Vimy Ridge is proud of our diversity, and wants to celebrate each and every individual. We are grateful for all your support. 

After School Coding Club. Wize Computing is taking registration for their Spring session - Register here for Modding in Minecraft ages 6 plus. Starts on 17th March to 26 May 2025 on Mondays from 3.45 pm to 4.45 pm. WIZE Academy at 613-415 8844

Breakfast Program. Our Breakfast program is now serving over 70 students each school day! Children who walk are welcome to come to the servery starting at 8:45. If your child is on a bus they can come when they get to school. We are looking for volunteers to help with the Breakfast program. Please email andrew.thorp@ocdsb.ca if you are able to help.

 No Food Sharing. A reminder that Vimy Ridge has a “no food sharing” policy in our classes. We have too many allergies at Vimy Ridge for this to be done safely. Sharing candy, treats and other snacks also presents an equity issue between students. Please remind your students to eat the food provided by their family and not to share with other students in class.

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