***NEW*** In anticipation of the 2025-2026 school year, referrals for children born in 2021 will be accepted at First Words if the child has a referral date (completed package received at Intake) before April 1st, 2025. Referrals after this date will not be accepted.

Children born in 2021 and referred in early 2025 will receive a speech and language assessment and possibly a short intervention block at First Words in the summer of 2025.

PLEASE READ THIS COMMUNICATION FOR ALL THE DETAILS ABOUT THE FIRST WORDS PROGRAM

January 16, 2025

Dear Parents/Guardians:

As the weather has changed and the snow and slippery conditions and low visibility days have arrived, we want to remind you of the importance of safe driving practices around the school, especially during drop-off and pick-up times. Please be mindful of students crossing the road at the crosswalks and adhere to all traffic signs and speed limits.  In the winter months, we know how unpredictable the weather and road conditions can be.  Please move slowly in the area where the students cross and be aware of those surroundings.  

In particular, we ask that you do not let your children out of the car on the sidewalk driving into the Minto parking lot from Kilbirnie where other cars are waiting to enter the parking lot. This creates a hazardous situation for your child and other students. Recognizing the crosswalk is in line with the gate to enter and exit the schoolyard, please be extra vigilant in that area.  Student safety is of the utmost importance.

Additionally, we would like to remind parents that last minute front office pick ups should not happen after 3:15 pm unless there is an emergency.  Our buses are beginning to arrive and it can be difficult to have the students come to the office at that point due to end of day routines.  Kindly email cecilia@ocsb.ca ahead of time for early pickups or absences.  Please note our bus lane is closed to all vehicles between 3:15 and 3:45 - no entry or exit is permitted during this time.

Your cooperation in following these guidelines ensures the safety of all our students. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Jody Prevost

Principal

November 6, 2024

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Now that the school year is well underway, we want to remind you of the importance of safe driving practices around the school, especially during drop-off and pick-up times. Please be mindful of students crossing the road at the crosswalks and adhere to all traffic signs and speed limits. With the winter months approaching, this is incredibly important.  

In particular, we ask that you do not let your children out of the car on the sidewalk driving into the Minto parking lot where other cars are waiting to enter the parking lot. This creates a hazardous situation for your child and other students. Recognizing the crosswalk is right at the gate to enter and exit the schoolyard, please be extra vigilant in that area.  Student safety is of utmost importance.

Your cooperation in following these guidelines ensures the safety of all our students. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Jody Prevost

Principal

CSPA January 2025 Newsletter

February 3rd - The Evolution of Inclusion with Shelley Moore, Ph.D - free of charge, sign up required

STEMquest (www.stemquest.ca)is a local, family-owned business based in Orleans, Ottawa. We offer hands-on, interactive STEM education experiences for children, focusing on fostering curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Our programs include after-school activities, birthday parties, school outings, and community robotics workshops. Through our robotics sessions, children get first-hand experience in controlling and programming robots, giving them a deeper understanding of technology in a fun and engaging way. 

STEMQUEST BROCHURE

Letter from Vera Etches, Medical Officer of Health September 2024

Here are some important reminders about respiratory illness season, fall vaccines, and routine vaccines. Also available in French.

Letter from Celia El-Sayegh, RN, BSCN School Board Liaison Nurse, Immunization and School Partnerships Branch, Ottawa Public Health November 18, 2024

As we head into the colder months, we want to support our schools and community in staying healthy and reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses. To assist with this, we’re sharing a key messages document, “Reducing the Spread of Respiratory Illness”.

Dental Screening

Has your child missed the school dental screening?  Community Dental Screenings are held over the summer at Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs.  The calendar poster is attached is attached to this link. 

Dental screenings and fluoride varnish applications are free for all ages.  Registered dental hygienists can also support clients with the Healthy Smiles Ontario and Ontario Seniors Dental Care Plan enrollments. 

For the full list of programs/services, schedule and locations of Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs, please visit: www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca/NeighbourhoodHub

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Barrhaven STEM Learning Centre:  is an after-school supplemental education service that parents trust and students love in Barrhaven. We offer after-school classes in Math, English, French and sciences for kindergarten to Grade 12 students. We successfully helped a number of students gain admittance into an IB program in the last few years and they let us know that our courses provided excellent training.

BARRHAVEN STEM FLYER

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Community Services for Families in Need

Hello,

Here is this week's bulletin; https://saintandrewparish.ca/wp-content/uploads/pdf/bulletin.pdf

Have a good weekend.

Janice

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION for Fall 2025 Registration Form

Communion for School Age Children - information about dates for Sacraments

CONFIRMATION 

Scan the QR codes in the link below to access resources to support children’s mental health

SMH-ON Resources