Important Dates:
· 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
· May 22, 2026: 1:30-2:30pm Open House for NEW 2026-2027 Grade 1-4 students
· May 26, 2026: Grade 3 Field Trip to Glenbow Ranch
· May 27, 2026: Little Red Reading House Van Visit to Kindergarten classes
· May 28, 2026: Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day
· June 2, 2026: Fun Lunch
· June 3, 2026: School Council Meeting at 6:30pm
· June 5, 2026: Sports Day
· June 12, 2026: Volunteer Appreciation Tea 11:15-12:30
· June 19, 2026: Wonder Hour #6 11:15-12:15
Dear Royal Oak School Families,
As we head into another exciting week at ROS, we would like to remind families that there will be no school on Monday, May 18 as we celebrate the Victoria Day long weekend. We hope everyone enjoys the extra time with family and friends and finds opportunities to rest, recharge, and enjoy some time outdoors!
WD Pratt & ROS School Council Pancake Breakfast: On Tuesday, May 19th, William D. Pratt School and Royal Oak School Councils are hosting a Pancake Breakfast! We are happy to have the Calgary Stampede Caravan Committee coming to do the cooking. Our set up will begin at 6am with pancakes being served from 7:30am to 8:30am. We expect to be cleaned up and done by 9:30am, or shortly thereafter. The breakfast will take place at the basketball court located between the two schools along Royal Birkdale Drive. As a member of these communities, you are invited to attend the breakfast with your family…for FREE! In case of rain, the breakfast will be moved to William D. Pratt’s auxiliary gym (accessible from the back of the school). All children in Grade 6 and under must be supervised by a parent/ guardian. Please bring a picnic blanket or lawn chairs as seating is limited. Thank you in advance to all of the volunteers helping make this special event possible.
ROS 2nd Annual Day of Design: On Thursday, May 14th, Grade 1–4 students were immersed in designing, creating, prototyping, engineering, building, and making, as design thinking came to life across the entire school. This year’s Day of Design was intentionally connected to our school-wide inquiry question: How do we live and learn well together? Students explored this question in diverse and meaningful ways, with each class approaching their designs through the lens of their curriculum and learning goals. The day began with a strong focus on imagining, planning, designing, and building. Classrooms were filled with energy as students collaborated, tested ideas, and worked through challenges. In the afternoon, the school community came together to share learning, visit other classrooms, and reflect on both the design process and the thinking behind their creations. As we reflect on the day, we are incredibly proud of the creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation demonstrated by our students. The Day of Design highlighted the power of hands-on, inquiry-based learning and provided a meaningful opportunity for students to learn with and from one another.
Yellow School Bus Registration Deadline is June 14: Families are now able to apply for yellow school bus service for the 2026-27 school year. Registration must be received by the deadline to ensure students are added to routes for the first day of classes next year. Learn more about service levels and proposed fees.
Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day on May 28th: We’re excited to celebrate Walk, Bike & Roll Day on May 28th! This is a wonderful opportunity to promote healthy, active living while reducing traffic around our school. We encourage all students to travel to school in an active way—whether that’s walking, biking, scootering, rollerblading, or skateboarding. A reminder that if you are rolling to school to wear a helmet. Students bringing wheels can rest assured that they will be stored securely in the gym for the day. Please note that drop-off and pick-up for all grades will take place at the back compound/gym doors to support a safe and smooth flow of students and equipment. Students are reminded to take their helmets with them to store in their classrooms for the day. To make this event a success, we are still in need of many volunteers. If you’re available to help, we would greatly appreciate your support in creating a fun and safe experience for all students. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4FA9AE2CA5F94-63800713-walk#/
Sports Day is coming! Our annual Sports Day is Friday June 5th from 10:30 –12:00. We are once again looking for an enthusiastic group of volunteers to help run games and activities on this exciting day! Mark your calendars and come out and play! We need volunteers to help with setup, running stations, take down and distributing treats to students afterwards. Please consider volunteering your time for this fun event: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4FA9AE2CA5F94-63801524-sports#/
Class List Planning for 2026-27: In the upcoming weeks, we will begin the thoughtful process of creating class lists for the 2026-27 school year. Please know that significant time, collaboration, and careful consideration go into this process each year. As teachers and the administrative team work together to build classes, we strive to create balanced learning environments that support the success and well-being of all students. A variety of factors are considered, including students’ learning needs, social and emotional dynamics, gender balance, and overall classroom complexity. Due to the possibility of staffing changes that can occur in June, classes are not initially formed around specific teachers. Instead, our focus is on creating well-balanced classrooms that best support the range of student needs across the grade level. Teacher assignments are finalized once staffing is confirmed. Our goal is to create classes where all students can learn, grow, and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Because of the many factors involved in this process, the many students in our school, changes in student enrollment over the summer months, and possible staffing changes, class placements are not shared with families until late August. Should you feel there is a particular educational situation the school is not already aware of regarding your child’s placement for next year, please contact your child’s current teacher so this can be noted.
School Instagram Account: Follow us on our Instagram account, royaloakschoolcbe to find out more about the amazing things happening at Royal Oak School.
Sincerely,
Michelle Ryskamp & Nadine Duque
Principal & Assistant Principal, Royal Oak School
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SCHOOL COUNCIL & FUNDRAISING SOCIETY NEWS – EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. PANCAKE BREAKFAST – May 19
· All staff, students and families from William D. Pratt and Royal Oak School are welcome and encouraged to attend this event for a FREE Pancake Breakfast.
· Pancakes will be served from 7:30-8:30 am. All children must be supervised.
· This event requires volunteers to run smoothly. If you can help, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EAAA929AAF5C43-63029282-2026
2. VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
· We are so grateful to all the volunteers that filled 54 volunteer spots in April!! This month included field trips, class photo day and a fun lunch.
· A special thanks to the volunteers who washed, chopped and delivered fresh fruit to all the classrooms for our third and final Fresh Fruit Friday of the year!!
· Congratulations to our two Volunteers of the Month for April, Alysha O and Sunhwa Lee!
o Alysha has helped with so many events this year, like the Terry Fox Run, Fun Lunches, and Nature Play. We are so thankful for the time she has spent contributing to our school community!
o Sunhwa has a daughter in Grade 1 and has contributed her time to several fun lunches and snacks this year. Sunhwa says that "at Royal Oak School, the teachers, office staff, and students all greet me warmly, and the positive, energetic atmosphere makes it a wonderful place to be. When I volunteer, I also receive that positive energy, which makes me feel happy."
3. UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
· May and June are busy months at Royal Oak School, with lots of opportunities to volunteer. Below are some of the events that will require volunteer support:
o May 19 - Pancake Breakfast (volunteer link listed above)
o May 28 – Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day: ROS Volunteers: Walk, Bike, & Roll to School Day
o June 2 – Subway Fun Lunch: ROS Volunteers: Spring 2026 Fun Lunch & Snack
o June 5 – Sports Day (signup available next week): ROS Volunteers: Sports Day 2026
o June 11 – Saucy Bread Company Fun snack: ROS Volunteers: Spring 2026 Fun Lunch & Snack
4. TREASURER POSITION
· The Fundraising Society is looking for a Treasurer to start September 2026.
· Training will be provided!
· If you like spreadsheets, organization, and want to support Council efforts but don't have a lot of time, this might be the job for you!
· Please email roschoolcouncil@gmail.com for further information.
5. NATURE PLAY PRESENTATION
· On May 28, 2026, you are invited for an evening to celebrate the end of our Nature Play residency.
· Come to hear more from the Nature Play team about how important play in the outdoors is for our children's learning and development. The evening will begin at 6:30 pm with a presentation in the school gym followed by time outside together.
6. 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!
· There are some great bonuses for Victoria Day!