Important Dates:
· May 5, 2026: Grade 1 Field trip to the Zoo for Conservation Champions
· May 6, 2026: Hats on for Mental Health Day & School Council AGM at 6:30pm
· May 7, 2026: Grade 4 Visit to WD Pratt and WD Pratt Open House
· May 8, 2026: Wonder Hour 9:30-10:30, Fresh Fruit Friday, Grade 1 Celebration of Learning 11:30-12:30
· May 11, 2026: Earth Rangers Assemblies in AM
· May 12, 2026: Fun Lunch
· May 14, 2026: ROS 2nd Annual Day of Design
· May 15, 2026: Professional Learning Day – No school for students
· May 18, 2026: Victoria Day – No school for students
· May 19, 2026: WD Pratt and ROS School Council hosted Pancake Breakfast
· May 21, 2026: Kindergarten Orientation for new 2026-27 students 5:30 – 6:30pm
Dear Royal Oak School Families,
We are so excited to see the arrival of May and all the growth it will bring in our gardens, in nature and in our students’ learning. Royal Oak School continues to be a vibrant place of growth, connection, and care, and we are grateful for the ongoing support from our community. We look forward to another week filled with meaningful learning opportunities, where students are encouraged to take risks, build their skills, and celebrate their successes.
Our staff had a meaningful and engaging professional learning day this past Friday, focused on deepening our understanding of Indigenous pedagogy. This important work strengthens our ability to support the learning and well-being of all students, while continuing to move our school community forward in our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. As part of our 2025–26 Truth and Reconciliation focus, we are intentionally working to build a deeper connection to the land on which our school is situated. To support this, we are excited to launch our first Signs of Spring Hunt. We invite families to spend time outdoors, noticing and appreciating the changes that come with the season. Whether it’s the first crocus pushing through the soil, budding trees, or returning birds, we encourage you to take photos and share these moments with us. We look forward to creating a vibrant bulletin board in the school that celebrates the arrival of spring (finally!) and highlights the beauty of the natural environment that surrounds our communities. Thank you for helping us bring this learning to life in a meaningful and connected way. Please email these photos to our school email address: royaloak@cbe.ab.ca
What an amazing turnout at the School Council Spring Dance on Thursday evening! It was wonderful to see families and students come together to share laughs, music, and meaningful connections. Events like this remind us how strong our school community is and how valuable it is to create spaces where everyone feels welcome and connected. Thank you to our dedicated School Council and all the volunteers who made this joyful evening possible!
This past week was Support Staff Appreciation Week, with students, staff and families sharing their appreciation in a variety of ways. We are very fortunate at ROS to have an amazing group of staff who support students and teachers each day. Our Educational Assistants work alongside students to support emotional regulation, safety, and learning. Our Office Staff ensure students’ safety through attendance and managing day-to-day operations while our Facility Operator and Cleaners ensure our school looks fantastic. Our Library Assistant ensures books are ready for borrowing and our Lunchroom Supervisors monitor students outside and provide supervision to all students who stay for lunch. All support staff contribute to the safe and welcoming environment, that is Royal Oak School. We are so grateful for each one of them.
Spring-Time Safety Reminders: With the nicer weather forecasted in the coming weeks, we would like to share a couple of reminders with our Royal Oak School families to ensure that we keep everyone safe and sound. We would like to remind our families that scooters, bikes and skateboards are not to be ridden on the school sidewalk that runs around our school building. We ask that students, parents and siblings dismount and walk all scooters, bikes and skateboards through this area as well as when crossing the street at our crosswalks.
Bike and Scooter Storage: A reminder that when riding bikes or scooters to school, these are to be locked up on our bike racks at either the front or back of the school. Please note that this is at your own risk. We are unable to accommodate the storage of scooters inside the school building.
Grade 4’s Tour to WD Pratt School: On Thursday, May 7, our Grade 4 students attended a tour at WD Pratt School. They are also hosting an Open House that same evening, inviting families to the school to help with the transition to middle school. Please note that if your grade 4 child will be automatically designated and registered at WD Pratt School, unless you have notified the school that your child will be attending a different school for the 2026-27 school year.
Volunteer Appreciation Tea – Save the Date: Royal Oak School staff and students would like to invite our valued volunteers for a Volunteer Appreciation Tea on Friday, June 12, 2026, from 11:15-12:30. Mark your calendars and watch for more information coming from our classroom teachers. Students and staff want to show their gratitude and celebrate the positive impact our volunteers have had on our school this year.
Grade 4 Year End Farewell- Save the Date: If you are the parent of a grade 4 student, please mark your calendars as we will be holding a Grade 4 Farewell Assembly on Wednesday, June 24th in the morning. The exact time is still to be decided. We will be able to welcome two family members per grade 4 student to attend this event. More information to follow later in May.
Registration for My 1st Ride is Now Open: On May 23 & 24, the CBE and its partners will host the My 1st Ride bus orientation program. This free event is designed to familiarize first-time school bus riders and their families with the experience of taking the yellow bus to and from school. Families are encouraged to register to secure a spot.
Sincerely,
Michelle Ryskamp & Nadine Duque
Principal & Assistant Principal, Royal Oak School