Mark Your Calendars:
· Feb. 26, 2025: Pink Shirt Day - Wear a pink shirt or your favorite shirt
· Feb. 28, 2025: No School for Students – Non-Instructional Day
· Mar. 3, 4, & 6 2025: Grade 1 Field Trips to The Calgary Zoo
· Mar. 3, 2025: Used Book Drive begins
· Mar. 3 -16, 2025: Read-a-Thon
· Mar. 5, 2025: Fun Lunch - Subway
· Mar. 6, 2025: 1:30pm Lockdown Drill
· Mar. 6, 2025: Royal Oak School - Library Night at Crowfoot Library
· Mar. 10, 2025: School Council Meeting at 6:30pm - Online
· Mar. 19, 2025: Snack Day & Dress as your Favorite Book Character Day
· Mar. 20 & 21, 2025: Student-led School Conferences
· Mar. 20 & 21, 2025: School Council Used Book Sale
· Mar. 22 - 30, 2025: Spring Break
· Mar. 31, 2025: Back to School
Dear Royal Oak School Families,
We are so thankful that the weather finally turned, and we were able to get our students outside this week to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Students have also been enjoying their sessions with Alien Inline Skating, either learning new skills or refining their skating technique. Many thanks to all the volunteers who have come out to help students get equipment on and off and simply provide encouragement and support. We look forward to the upcoming second week of this PE residency.
Pink Shirt Day: On Wednesday, February 26, we celebrate Pink Shirt Day in various ways throughout the school. We will gather online for a schoolwide read aloud of the picture book “One” written by Kathryn Otoshi. Our three new Royal Oak School Pillars of Care will also be introduced to our students. These include - taking care of myself, taking care of each other, and taking care of our place. In the coming weeks as we learn more about these, please ask your child to tell you about what these pillars of care look like at Royal Oak School.
Throughout the week, classes will also be discussing the importance of kindness, belonging, and a common understanding of bullying. This CBE Bullying framework was also shared with parents at the February School Council meeting. We would like to share it once again, in an effort to develop a shared understanding of bullying, and the difference between conflict, rude, mean/ aggressive, and bullying behaviors. At school, we work hard to help students understand the difference between these types of social interactions and how to best respond in each instance. We stress the importance of using our words to ask others to stop unexpected behaviours, to walk away, and / or get the support of an adult to help solve the issue. We appreciate parent support in developing positive problem solving and social skills.
| Conflict | Rude | Mean/ Aggressive | Bullying |
Intention | No intention to cause harm, both sides want to have their needs met and work things out to solve the problem. | Varies, may indicate attempt to communicate needs, achieve goals. | Cause harm, fear or distress. May also be used to communicate feelings/ needs.
| Cause harm, fear or distress. Gain power/ control over the target. Gain prestige or popularity. |
Frequency | Occasional to ongoing, depending upon the relationship. | Occasional to ongoing, Does not follow a pattern. | Occasional to ongoing, Does not follow a pattern | Repeated and ongoing. |
Description | A disagreement that both parties can work together to solve. Interactions can be positive or negative. | Impulsive behavior, apparent selfishness, thoughtlessness, or poor manners. | Impulsive behavior, angry or aggressive outburst, Directed at certain individual(s). | Planned, deliberate actions. Targeting of specific individual(s). May be verbal, physical, social/ relational, cyber/ digital. |
School Facilities and Upcoming CUPE Labour Action:
Please be aware that the CBE is prioritizing in-person learning. All CBE schools and buildings will remain open, and classes will continue. However, a strike will have an impact on schools and operations. We are committed to ensuring schools remain a place where students, staff and families feel valued, supported and safe. CUPE Local 40 members are an important part of our school communities. We value the contributions of all employees who support student success, and we respect the bargaining process.
Lost and Found: Our lost and found continues to grow! If your child is missing an item of clothing, please pop into the school. We also kindly remind you to label your child’s belongings with your child’s name, so that when items go missing and are found, they are easier to return to their rightful owner. Please note that after Friday, March 7, these items will be collected and donated to charity in order to clear up our school’s front vestibule.
Sincerely,
Michelle Ryskamp
Principal, Royal Oak School
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SCHOOL COUNCIL & FUNDRAISING SOCIETY NEWS – EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
· ROYAL OAK, YOU ROCK! We had 51 volunteers show up to support students with the Alien Inline residency in the first 4 days – WOW! We are so grateful for how this community comes together. Thank you!
· Book Drive begins on March 3! Donate new or gently used children’s books and puzzles by bringing them to the office or sending them with your child. These will be available for purchase at a Used Book Sale during March Conferences with proceeds going directly back into Royal Oak School.
· Stay tuned to the Royal Oak School Parents Group | Facebook and your students backpack for more information.
· Did you know there are 37 primary languages spoken within our ROS community?! Readers of all languages are needed to read to classrooms of eager students during Literacy Month this March. Email ROSVolunteers@gmail.com to sign up as a classroom reader.
· Spring Dance is coming in April 2025! Pizza, glow sticks, tattoos and more…we are looking for new parents to be part of the planning committee for this community building event. Email ROSVolunteers@gmail.com to get involved.
· Parking and traffic safety complaints – A reminder that complaints should be submitted via this link: Traffic service requests. The more people report violations, the more likely authorities will be out to monitor and enforce traffic laws around our school community.
Mark Your Calendars!
1. EVERY SCHOOL DAY until March 12: Alien Inline! Take a look at the sign up to see where you can help – Kinders and Grade 1’s are especially needing some extra support! ROS Volunteers: 2025 Alien Inline Skating
2. March 3 to 16: Read-a-Thon! All ROS students are encouraged to set reading goals, collect pledges, READ (or listen to audiobooks!), and get entered to win prizes. Information will come home next week so please keep an eye out and, of course, READ!
3. March 5: Subway Fun Lunch (11-12pm)! EIGHT parent volunteers needed to sort and hand out sandwich orders. Sign up here: ROS Volunteers: Winter 2025 Fun Lunch & Snack.
4. Place your students order by February 28 at Healthy Hunger
5. Next Fun Snack: Tim Horton’s on March 19
6. March 6: ROS Library Night at Crowfoot Library (8665 Nose Hill Drive NW) from 6 to 7.30pm! Join us for a FREE event that includes story time, crafts, a scavenger hunt, and more.
7. March 10: School Council & Fundraising Society Meeting @ 6.30pm. Click over to the School Council - Royal Oak School page to check out the minutes and future agendas (when posted).
8. Coming Soon! March 20 and 21 – Second Annual Used Book Sale and a Staff Appreciation Potluck at Student Led Conferences