Important Dates:
- Jan. 19 – Feb. 6: Alberta Education Early Years Assessments for K-Gr. 3 students
- Jan. 20, 2026: Fun Lunch - Subway
- Jan. 29, 2026: School Council’s Family Board Game Night
- Jan. 30, 2026: Non-instructional Day, No School for Students
- Feb. 4, 2026: School Council Meeting
- Feb. 6, 2026: Fun Snack
- Feb. 12 & 13, 2026: Teachers' Convention, No School for Students
- Feb. 16, 2026: Family Day, No School for Students
- Feb. 20, 2026: Wonder Hour #3
- Feb. 24, 2026: Report Cards Viewable Online
- Feb. 25, 2026: Pink Shirt Day Assembly
- March 2026: Literacy Month
Dear Royal Oak School Families,
This past Friday, our school was buzzing with excitement as students took part in Wonder Hour #2! Once again, our learners had the opportunity to explore an activity of their choice—diving into areas that spark their curiosity and joy. One of the most special parts of Wonder Hour is the way it brings together students from kindergarten through grade 4, creating a vibrant mix of ages, ideas, and passions. Walking through the building, you could see older students supporting younger ones, new friendships forming, and authentic engagement in every corner. Whether they were building, creating, exploring, or problem‑solving, students were fully immersed in meaningful, hands‑on learning. Thank you to our staff for designing such thoughtful experiences and to our students for bringing their enthusiasm and creativity. We can’t wait for Wonder Hour #3!
Developing Independence: Carrying Their Own Backpack
We ask parents to please encourage your child to carry their own backpack to and from school. Managing personal belongings builds responsibility and independence. When this expectation is consistent, children develop confidence and ownership of their learning materials.
Alberta Education Early Years Assessments: This week teachers begin the winter round of mandated government assessments. All students in kindergarten to grade 3 will be completing assessments in literacy and numeracy from January 19- February 6. For more detailed information regarding these assessments, please see the information sheet titled Understanding Universal Screeners, attached to this message.
Staffing Update: We want to congratulate Heather Gibbs on being the successful candidate for the C-secretary position at Eric Harvie School. Her last day at ROS will be Thursday, January 22, 2026. She will be greatly missed on our Lunch Supervision team!
Kindergarten Registration: Kindergarten Registration for the 2026-27 school year begins January 12, 2026. For children to be eligible to register and attend kindergarten in September 2026 year, they must turn five years old on or before Dec. 31, 2026. When registering your child for school, there are several things you should consider. Our CBE Kindergarten Registration Guide can help answer many of your questions. Please be aware that registration is not first-come, first-served.
CBE 2026-2027 School Calendar: The 2026-2027 CBE instructional calendar has been approved and released. Please be aware that the first day of school is Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. Please access the calendar using this link.
Sincerely,
Michelle Ryskamp & Nadine Duque
Principal & Assistant Principal, Royal Oak School
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SCHOOL COUNCIL & FUNDRAISING SOCIETY NEWS – EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. INSTAGRAM
· Did you know Royal Oak School Council is on Instagram?
· Follow us @RoyalOakSchoolCouncil
· https://www.instagram.com/royaloakschoolcouncil/
2. FAMILY BOARD GAME NIGHT – January 29, 2026
· Mark your calendars for our upcoming Family Board Game Night. Bring the whole family and your favorite board game or puzzle and join your friends from ROS. Lots of prizes to be won.
· View the invitation here: game night flyer - v2.jpeg
· To attend this event, sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4FA9AE2CA5F94-61542833-family#/
· To make this event a success, we require the support of volunteers. If you are able to help, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4FA9AE2CA5F94-61571894-family#/
3. FUN LUNCHES AND FUN SNACKS (Healthy Hunger)
· Upcoming Fun lunch and snack dates:
o January 20 – Subway (fun lunch)
o February 6 – Pretzels (fun snack)
o February 24 – Panago (fun lunch)
o March 17 – Subway (fun lunch)
· If you have any questions, please contact our fun lunch coordinator via email at rosfunlunch@gmail.com
· Volunteers are needed for our fun lunch events, please sign up using the link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4FA9AE2CA5F94-61329907-winter#/
4. LITERACY MONTH
· March is literacy month at Royal Oak School. We are looking for interested parents to help us plan and support a month full of fun events to promote literacy and a love of reading for our students. Email roschoolcouncil@gmail.com if you are interested in joining our team.
· As part of literacy month, there will be a book drive (March 1-18). Start saving your new or gently used books and puzzles to donate. A used book sale will take place during the March parent teacher conferences.
5. Flipgive
· Did you know...? You can give money to the school just by doing your regular shopping through Flip Give!
· Download the app (FlipGive) or sign up online, join the team KWTVM3, and shop!
· Do you do your grocery shopping at Walmart? Pre-buy a gift card through the app and use it to buy your groceries, 1% goes back to the school. Dinner out or ordering Boston Pizza? Do it through the app, the school gets 6% of your purchase! Sobeys, Freshco, Apple, GAP, Starbucks, Tim Hortons, Indigo, the list is long!