• Nov. 3, 2025: Wear blue in honor of the Toronto Blue Jays and our ROS colours 
  • Nov. 5, 2025: 6:30pm School Council Meeting in school staff room 
  • Nov. 7, 2025: 11:00 Remembrance Day Assembly - for staff and students only 
  • Nov. 8 –12, 2025: Fall Break –No School for students 
  • Nov. 17, 2025: Lockdown drill @ 9:15am 
  • Nov. 19, 2025: Student Photo Day 
  • Nov. 21, 2025: Fresh Fruit Friday provided by our School Council 
  • Nov. 27 & 28, 2025: Scholastic Book Fair 
  • Nov. 27 & 28, 2025: School Conferences (Thursday 4:00-8:00, Friday 8:00 –1:00) 

Dear Royal Oak School Families, 

It is with a deep sense of gratitude that I thank our teachers for returning to their classrooms on Wednesday and once again welcoming students with such care, professionalism, and dedication—particularly following a difficult conclusion to their job action. 

I also want to extend my appreciation to our support staff for their commitment over the past several weeks. Your continued presence at school, engagement in professional learning, and teamwork have ensured that our school was ready to welcome the return of our students. 

To our families, thank you for your patience, understanding, and support throughout the strike. Your encouragement and care for both our staff and students have meant so much during this challenging time. 

Our shared commitment to a strong and well-resourced public education system endures, and I am hopeful that, in time, we will see meaningful improvements to the conditions that support both teaching and learning. 

As we return to regular routines after the three-week interruption, our focus remains on meeting students where they are at and supporting their continued growth. Our teachers are taking time to reconnect with learners, assess current understanding, and adjust instruction to ensure each child feels confident and supported as we move forward together. Learning is a journey, and we are committed to making sure every student feels seen, valued, and ready to re-engage in meaningful learning experiences. 

Daylight Savings Time is Sunday, November 2nd at 2:00am! Don’t forget to turn your clocks back an hour. 

Staffing Update: Our new Assistant Principal, Nadine Duque, will officially be joining our staff after the fall break on Thursday, November 13, 2025. Nadine comes to us from Thorncliffe School where she has served as Assistant Principal for the past seven years. With over 20 years of experience in the CBE, including at Deer Run, Taradale, and Hugh A. Bennett schools, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Ms. Duque is passionate about building strong relationships, creating a welcoming environment for all learners, and fostering inquiry-based learning.  In the interim, our Learning Leaders – Jackie Bates, Barb Hogan, Kristy Moore and Heather Sigurdson will be helping in the office with administrative duties and student services support.  

Picture Day- New Date: On Wednesday, November 19th, Royal Oak School students will have their individual photos taken. For these events to go smoothly, we are asking for volunteer assistance! Picture Retake Day is scheduled for Monday, December 8th. ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST HAVE A VALID POLICE CLEARANCE initiated through the CBE/ROS (contact Leah Milne at ljmilne@cbe.ab.ca) and submitted their ANNUAL VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION FORM (confidentiality form) via myCBE/PowerSchool (Student and Parent / Legal Guardian Sign In (cbe.ab.ca)).   Volunteers will bring classes to the gym according to the schedule provided by the school, help students form line ups, check hair and wardrobe for anything that might need to be cleaned up before each students picture and help calm student nerves by providing words of encouragement or having them practice their smiles. Please sign-up using this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4FA9AE2CA5F94-58909518-picture#/   

Remembrance Day: This week, we commemorate Remembrance Day during our school assembly on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 11:00 am. At this solemn event, we stop to remember the sacrifices of the past and honour those who fought for our country so that we have a brighter future. Due to the limited seating capacity in our gym, this event will only be for students and staff. 

Fall Break: A reminder that the CBE will move forward with the Fall Break as planned. There is no school for students from Saturday, November 8th to Wednesday, November 12th. We look forward to seeing students back at school on Thursday, November 13th, 2025. 

Sincerely, 

Michelle Ryskamp 

Principal, Royal Oak School 

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SCHOOL COUNCIL & FUNDRAISING SOCIETY NEWS – EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS 

  1. School Council & Fundraising Society Meeting – Wednesday, November 5 @ 6.30pm