Council Updates

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2021-2022 School Council Election Results

Thank you to all RPPS parents and guardians who attended the School Council meeting and elections last night!

A reminder that all parents/guardians of children attending RPPS are welcome to attend Council meetings. 

The next meeting is set for Tuesday, October 12, 7:00 PM (Virtual Meeting) - Watch your email for an invitation from Principal Mace! 

The following parents/guardians have been elected to serve on RPPS School Council for the 2021-2022 school year:

Chair - Varvara Chernogorskaya
Co/Vice-Chair - Vacant
Past-Chair - Kristen Healy
Past-Chair - Sarah Jane Estabrooks
Secretary - Kate Raspopow
Treasurer - Michelle Sinclair
OCASC Representative - Hart Shouldice
Volunteer Coordinator - Marion Siekierski
Book Fair Chair - Joni Hamlin
Member at Large: 100th anniversary Co-Chair - Todd Lamont
Member at Large: 100th anniversary Co-Chair - Crystal Holly Amado
Member at Large: Grade 6 Committee Chair - Angie Wagner
Member at Large - Ewa Pyman

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Questions, comments or concerns?
Email our Chair at [email protected]
Would you like to get involved?
Email our Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected]
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair
Parent Resource Library
Check us out on Facebook


Volunteer Opportunity!

The Book Fair Standing Committee is looking for community minded individuals with a flair for event coordination who are interested in assuming the role of chair, or co-chair of the Book Fair at Rockcliffe Park Public School.

Since 1961, Book Fair at Rockcliffe Park Public School has been a mainstay in our community calendar, bringing people together from across the city to share in a love of reading. It also serves as our school’s largest fundraising event, allowing the RPPS School Council to enrich our children’s learning experience as well as supporting other schools within our community.

Chair/co-chair duties include:

  • lead Book Fair Standing Committee meetings four times a year (Sept., Oct., Dec. and spring)

  • liaise with Book Fair Team Leads to ensure teams are running smoothly

  • coordinate with the principal and chief custodian

  • organize and oversee Book Fair set-up

  • open and close the book sale

  • attend monthly School Council meetings (Sept-June)

New chair/co-chair candidates will inherit a detailed critical path, and access to the extensive knowledge and experience of previous chairs and committee team leads.

This school year Covid-19 restrictions forced Book Fair’s cancellation.  The status for next school year’s event remains uncertain.  This is an ideal opportunity for new chair/co-chair candidates to really take some time getting comfortable in the role.

If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, email our volunteer coordinator – Shannon Shamsuzzoha at [email protected].




April Fundraising Campaign!

Dear RPPS school community,

This school year, we were not able to hold our beloved RPPS Book Fair due to Covid-19 restrictions. The Book Fair is our school’s largest fundraising event & it generates funds that allow us to provide our kids with enriching opportunities as well as support other schools within our community.

This month, RPPS School Council is selling RPPS Spirit Wear to raise funds for these important initiatives. Spirit Wear can be purchased from the secure RPPS School Council web store:

 Fundraiser Page

Donations are also still being accepted.

Campaign Update:

Over the course of this campaign, we hope to raise $12000. Thanks to you, we have currently raised $5945 and are on track to achieve our goal! 

Our amazing administration is supporting our efforts by stepping up to a challenge for each goal we reach:

  • If we raise $3000 then Mme Mace will run around the track wearing a superhero cape!

  • If we raise $6000 then Mme Mace will sing a song to the students over the PA system!

  • If we raise $9000 then Mme Mace will dress up as a snowman for the day!

  • If we raise $12000 then Mme Mace will dye part of her hair blue!

Thank you for your ongoing support,

RPPS School Council


RPPS @ 100 - Logo Competition

Purpose:

To design a simple logo celebrating 100 years of RPPS in 2022. It should make reference to or be inspired by the students, teachers, school spirit, its location in Rockcliffe Park and/or its history.

Rules:

The logo must be original and not contain photographs, or use stock images/ graphics that are already available on the internet. The logo will be used in combination with the current dragon RPPS Logo, and submissions can incorporate it as well. Any alphanumeric symbols must be in Bebas Neue style.

The design must lend itself to be replicated on a small scale, be applicable to web and print media, black/white + colour reproductions. Designs can be created digitally or by hand. We ask that designers retain the original piece in case their submission is chosen so that we can have the highest resolution design and or scan.

One entry per person. Contest is open to all. Submissions and Deadline Submission to be sent to [email protected] / send a JPG or PDF file (no bigger than 2Mb)

Shortlisting and Judging:

Lindsay Craig will compile the submissions for the 100th Anniversary Executive committee to be shortlisted to five submissions. The shortlist will then pass to the RPPS School Council who will vote along with two members of RPPS staff. (Vote date dependant April Council Meeting).

The three grade six classes at RPPS will also be allotted one vote each per class.

The winning submission from each grade six class will get one vote towards the winning submission.

Prizes:

First $100 (gift card) * Second $50 (gift card)* Third $25 (gift card)

Conditions:

By submitting an entry, the participant grants an irrevocable, unlimited and free licence for RPPS to use the logo as described for non commercial and commercial purposes.

Questions, Comments, Concerns?

Email our Co-Chairs: [email protected]
Stay Connected - Join our Facebook Group!


A Tale of Two Years

SCHOOL COUNCIL FUNDS 2019-2020

Pie Graph 2019-20.png

The 2019-2020 school year began with a labour dispute and was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Council activities raised just over $80,000.  Book Fair remained the largest source of revenue for council, followed by Spirit Store sales.  What does council do with these funds?  So many things that benefit students, the school and the wider community, including:

·         School enrichments:

  • improved sound & lighting for the gymnasium stage

  • field maintenance

  • portable soccer goal posts

·         Curriculum enhancements:

  • School-wide and classroom workshops

  • classroom enrichment

  • sports equipment, tournament, and transportation fees 

  • library books, reading resources and classroom libraries

  • Subsidized field trips to Forest School

·         Community building:

  • Grade 6 end-of-year leaving ceremony

  • award literacy grants to other Ottawa-area schools

  • provide a subsidy fund for students in need


SCHOOL COUNCIL FUNDS 2020-2021

Pie Graph 2020-21.png

This school year, council’s budget is comprised mostly of retained funds from last year’s fundraising efforts (approximately $31,000.00). 

What has Council done with funds this year (2020-21)?

·         School enrichments:

  • Staff appreciation gifts

  • COVID-19 supports (masks for faculty & students, safe outdoor play supplies)

  • Field maintenance

  • Vegetable garden restoration

·         Curriculum enhancements:

  • New classroom technology and supplies (reading resources, robotics etc.)

  • Learning support supplies and activities

  • Speaker events for Parent and Student Learning

    • How to Talk to your Kids About Racism

    • Virtual Science Night

·         Community building:

  • Organize family outdoor activities (scavenger hunt, bird feeders)

  • Provide subsidy fund for students in need.

  • Award literacy grants to other Ottawa-area schools.

  • Grade 6 end-of-year leaving ceremony.

Questions, Comments, Concerns?

Email our Co-Chairs: [email protected]

Stay Connected - Join our Facebook Group!


Seminar: How to talk with your child about racism

Many thanks to Destine Lord for the excellent virtual seminar “How to talk with your child about racism” which was held March 18, 2021. Below is a list of the resources mentioned throughout the evening’s discussion.

Books:

Videos:

Links:

Questions, Comments, Concerns?

Stay Connected - Join our Facebook Group!


2020-2021 Council Election Results

Thank you to all RPPS parents and guardians who joined us for the School Council meeting and elections last night.  We had a strong turnout.  A reminder that all parents are welcome to attend every Council meeting, whether you are in an elected position or not.  We need you to take part in committee and other project work throughout the year, especially with the school's 100th anniversary approaching!  The next meeting is set for Tuesday, November 10 - mark your calendar. 

I would like to announce the 2020-2021 School Council members for Rockcliffe Park PS this year:

Co-chair - Sarah Jane Estabrooks
Co-chair - Kristen Healy
Past-chair - Dave Mackie
Secretary - Laura Charlton
Treasurer - Michelle Sinclair
OCASC Representative - Crystal Holly Amado
Volunteer Coordinator - Shannon Shamsuzzoha
Book Fair Chair - Bill Salminen
Members at Large: 100th anniversary Chair - Andrew Elliott
Members at Large: Grade 6 Committee Chair - Todd Lamont
Members at Large - Heather Watts
Members at Large - Ewa Pyman
Members at Large - Annabelle Giroux

Questions, comments or concerns?
Email our Chair at [email protected]
Would you like to get involved?
Email our Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected]
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair
Parent Resource Library
Check us out on Facebook


Council Elections

Would you like to be part of the warm, caring, supportive RPPS School Council?   The nomination period is now open:

  • Nomination deadline: Friday, 9 October

  • Elections: Tuesday, 13 October (19:00) via GoogleMeet

The COVID-19 pandemic provides a unique opportunity to reimagine how the 2020-2021 school council can make a difference in our children’s education.  There has never been a better time to step up and get involved.

Through volunteer recruitment, fundraising, lobbying and program coordination, School Council works to inform and engage the school community with the goal of enhancing and enriching our children’s learning environment.

Positions: Voting members of Council include: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Past Chair, Volunteer Coordinator, OCASC Representative, Book Fair Chair, Grade 6 Committee Chair, and Members at Large (5 positions).  For a description of the positions please see this file.

Non-voting (appointed) council positions include Principal, Teaching Staff, Non-Teaching Staff and Community Representatives.  Representative positions must not be held by parents/guardians of children attending RPPS or virtual schools.  

In-Person versus OCV parents on Council: A person is qualified to be a parent member of the RPPS School Council if he or she is a parent of a student at RPPS, including those whose children are currently attending the virtual school (OCV). If the parent is employed by the OCDSB, but not at the school, he or she must highlight his or her employment within the nomination form. An OCDSB employee cannot be the chair or co-chair of a school council. 

For parents whose children are attending an OCV school, they shall be eligible to seek election to a position on the RPPS School Council, where an insufficient number of In-Person parents have put their names forward for election.

Nomination forms: Email a completed Parent Candidate Nomination Form or Parent Candidate Self-Nomination Form  (including a brief bio with either form) to [email protected], cc'd to the Principal ([email protected]) by Friday, October 9.   

If you would like more information about School Council and how you can get involved, please contact the election committed at [email protected]

We look forward to meeting you!

Sincerely,

The School Council Elections Committee

Questions, comments or concerns?
Email our Chair at [email protected]
Would you like to get involved?
Email our Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected]
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair
Parent Resource Library
Check us out on Facebook


From Worried to Well:

Supporting Your Child at Home and at School

Recent surveys of young people indicate that they are feeling increasingly disconnected, frustrated, and worried as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Many are eager to return to the classroom, yet anxious about what school will be like. How can we, as parents and educators of the students at the Ottawa Carleton District School Board, best support our children, and ourselves, as students return to school? Dr. David Tranter discussed critical strategies to promote student well-being, and your own well-being, during the COVID-19 pandemic at an OCDSB webinar held on August 24th, 2020.

The slide deck for Dr. Tranter’s presentation is available at the following link.

Dr. Tranter’s presentation is available for viewing at the following link.


Confirming Attendance At School - September 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians & Students,

We are looking forward to welcoming students and staff safely back to school beginning on September 3rd. 

Families must decide whether students will attend school In Person or will attend school via Remote Learning. 

Attending School In Person 

The Ministry of Education has determined that in person attendance at school will be as follows:

  • Elementary students will attend school five days per week, with enhanced health and safety protocols in place. Students will remain in one classroom with the same group of students all day, including lunch and recess.

Remote Learning

Students who participate in Remote Learning will be assigned to a class, and will receive instruction at home using technology. This will be a combination of live online instruction (synchronous) and posted instruction/learning activities and materials (asynchronous). Remote learning will cover required curriculum expectations. Student learning will involve a similar amount of time to what students would usually spend in the classroom learning and doing independent work. The expectation of students engaging in remote learning will be that they are online and present for scheduled instructional times. 

FAMILY DECISION 

Families must decide if their child(ren) will attend school In Person or by Remote Learning. This is necessary to plan for September. All parents must complete the Confirmation of Attendance form using the link below by August 14, 2020.  

We recognize the challenges of making this decision. Please take a few minutes to watch our Return to School video in English or Arabic and read the Frequently Asked Questions below. We also encourage you to visit our website to learn more about our comprehensive Return to School Plan. This week, we will provide additional information to support your decision making. Watch for updates from OCDSB and/or your child’s school.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

To help you with this important decision, we have developed a series of FAQs (listed below) related to remote learning.  

What safety precautions will be in place for In Person learning?

A number of safety measures will be in place to support student safety including, but not limited to self-screening before school, cohorting of students, restricted access to school buildings, hand hygiene, physical distancing, respiratory etiquette, designated desk/workspaces, mandatory masks for students in grades 4-12, mandatory masks and face shields for all school staff, reduced number of student/teacher contacts, optimizing outdoor learning, and use of virtual assemblies, virtual field trips and where possible, virtual clubs or activities.

How many students will be in my child’s classroom?

In elementary school (Kindergarten to Grade 8) students will be with their class in one classroom all day. The majority of OCDSB elementary classes are below 30 students. Class sizes are capped as follows:

  • Kindergarten: OCDSB average class size is 25; the maximum class size is 29 students per class, wherever possible the class may be divided into 2 groups;

  • Grades 1, 2, 3: OCDSB average class size is 19; 90% of classes have 20 or fewer students; 10% of classes have up to 23 students; 

  • Grades 4, 5, 6: OCDSB average class size is 24.5; there is no maximum class size, but most are below 30;

  • Grades 7, 8: OCDSB average class size is 24.5; there is no maximum class size, but most are below 30;

COVID-19 Monitoring

Staff and students are asked to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and stay home if they are feeling unwell. Anyone who tests positive may not return to school until they are cleared according to public health guidance. Schools must ensure records of classes, including seating charts, bus cohorts, and daily records of any approved visitors to the school, including occasional teachers, itinerant staff and custodians are maintained and readily available to be provided to public health authorities for contact tracing purposes.

What if my child attends school In Person and someone tests positive for Covid-19?

Provincial guidance is being provided on case management and contact tracing, as well as outbreak protocols. In the situation where there is a positive case in a school, we will be working with Ottawa Public Health. They will investigate the specific situation, identifying close contacts. Ottawa Public Health could then direct some or all students in a class or in a school to stay at home. In this situation, we would transition to remote learning for that group of students until they can return to school.  

Will Remote Learning be like a regular school day? 

Remote learning will not be the same as in-person learning, but it will be scheduled in a predictable manner and involve daily learning. Using technology, students will learn from home through a combination of live online instruction (synchronous) and posted instruction/learning activities and materials (asynchronous). 

  • Remote Learning will involve a similar amount of time to what students would usually spend in the classroom learning and doing independent work. 

  • Student assessment and evaluation will be ongoing and student attendance/participation will be tracked.  

  • The expectation of students engaging in remote learning will be that they are online and present.  

Will my child be able to participate in learning with students and teachers from their home school if they do Remote Learning?

Based on the information currently available, we know that students engaging in remote learning will be able to engage with other students online at certain times. We are planning for this to involve students and teachers from their own school. Subject to further Ministry direction, or if the number of students participating in Remote Learning is very high, we may be required to create virtual classrooms. If so, students across the District in similar grades could form a “class” and be assigned to a teacher who will deliver online instruction.

Will students be able to switch between In Person and Remote Learning?

We understand that family realities can change and will do our best to support students and families in the best way possible. Based on the direction from the Ministry, we think there may be designated points where a requested change can be implemented. The timing of requests for change will have to be considered relative to assessment periods, semesters, class size, and available staff. We are working with the Ministry to better understand how to support change requests.

Why do I need to decide by August 14th if my child is going to be learning remotely from home?

To plan for the successful return to school on September 3rd, we need to know how many students will be opting for Remote Learning. This could require adjustments to class assignments, staffing, and if necessary, some teachers could be assigned to provide remote learning for students at home.   

  • The opportunity for switching between In Person and Remote learning will be dependent on an appropriate class placement being available. This may be at the end of an instructional period (i.e. each term at the elementary level and each quadmester at the secondary level). Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis for students that have special circumstances.

Will technology be provided for my child?

  • If students do not have access to technology, it can be provided for students who are learning remotely.

  • Families will receive more information in the coming weeks on how to request technology.

How will the unique needs of my child be addressed?

Staff in every school will spend time preparing for differentiated supports for vulnerable students. A school-wide approach will be taken to identifying, understanding and addressing the disproportionate impact of remote learning on underserved and/or vulnerable students. These students will be prioritized for higher access to daily schooling and interventions etc. When differentiating support, staff will consider special education needs, including individual education plans and placement in specialized program classes, mental health and well-being, impact of poverty, Indigenous, Black and racialized students, International students and English as a second language and English Literacy Development.


Ministry Extends School Closures for Rest of School Year

Dear OCDSB Families,

Today, the Education Minister announced that schools will remain closed until the end of the school year. While we would love to connect with students in person, the health and safety of students and staff remains our highest priority. 

Today's announcement included references to a new provincial summer learning program.  We do not have any details about that, but will share more information with parents when we learn more. The announcement also indicated that provincial guidelines for safely reopening schools in September would be made available before the end of June 2020.  

The OCDSB Learn at Home program will continue for the balance of the school year. Students are encouraged to participate in these activities to expand learning and improve marks.  If your child has questions or is experiencing any challenges with participation, please speak with the teacher.  

We know that there are many questions about the balance of the school year, end of year transitions, celebrations and collecting student belongings.  We are working to answer your questions and will be in touch soon.  

Thank you very much for your patience and support.

Sincerely

Camille Williams-Taylor

Director of Education


New Ontario Learn at Home Resources

Dear RPPS Families:

Today, the Minister of Education announced the first phase of Learn at Home and Apprendre à la maison, a new online portal to support learning at home while schools are closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The learning resources are tied to the Ontario curriculum, focus on math and literacy and are available in both English and French. 

  • Elementary Students - Elementary resources are designed to help young students learn at home with interactive activities that encourage participation through entertaining and stimulating digital content.

  • Secondary Students - High school content was designed with a focus on STEM courses and ensures core competencies and skills are reinforced. The high school resources include access to course content for students who take the initiative to refresh and extend their learning.”

  • Parents, Guardians or Caregivers - Information and resources for parents and guardians to support their child’s learning at home.

The Minister advised that the “Learn At Home initiative does not replace what students have been learning at school, but these at-home activities offer quick and easy access to some of Ontario’s best online kindergarten to grade 12 learning resources and will help to mitigate “learning loss” during this period of uncertainty.” The OCDSB is developing a list of complementary learning resources which will be available early next week.  The Ministry has also indicated that work is underway with education partners and stakeholders to develop a plan for scaling and building additional online learning programs.

Many parents have asked about the possible extension of the closure period and/or the extension of the school year.  At this time, the Ministry has not made any commitments to closure beyond April 5th but has indicated that a decision to extend the closure period would be based on direction from health authorities.  

We know that not all OCDSB students have access to a computer or wifi.  We are working with the Ministry to consider strategies which could make technology available to students where needed.

You can access the Learn At Home resources on the Ministry, through the OCDSB website and in the OCDSB Student Portal.

This is a very fluid situation and we appreciate your patience and support as we work through these issues.  We will continue to provide more information as it becomes available.

Thanks very much.

Camille Williams-Taylor

Director of Education/Secretary of the Board

QUICK FACTS FROM THE MINISTRY

  • TVO Kids offers educational programming throughout the day for school-aged children. Check out their broadcast schedule here to know what is on and when.

  • Bilingual materials on Learn at Home will continue to be added on a regular basis to provide new and compelling content throughout this period. Other learning programs, such as Ontario’s Virtual Learning Environment, are being further developed to provide enhanced learning options.

  • Mathify provides real-time homework help led by OCT educators for students between grades 6-10, six days a week, including weekdays from 9AM ET – 9PM ET. The Government worked in concert with TVO to expand Mathify beyond the existing grades 7-10, to now include grade six.

  • Eurêka! is another online learning support program that helps students in French language schools from grades 1 to 12 with their school work and their learning.

  • The Ministry of Education is working with TVO and TFO to roll-out robust education programming on their broadcast channels, with a phased-in approach commencing next week. This iterative process will ensure that Ontario students and families have additional mediums available for engaging with high-quality, made-in-Ontario education resources that support a continuity of learning for students.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For more about :
School Council:
http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Library: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/
Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RPPSCouncil/


OCDSB Communications - COVID-19 Update

Dear RPPS Families:

I hope you are well and managing these challenging times.  I wanted to share the most recent information from the Ministry of Education about school related issues.

As you know, all schools remain closed until April 5th, 2020.  There are many questions about what happens after that date.  The Ministry of Education has advised that they are developing plans, which include guidance for staff, students and families on how to manage re-entry to school.  This also includes preparing for a possible extended closure if that is necessary based on public health advice.  We will continue to keep you updated on this.

EQAO Assessments

All EQAO assessments will be cancelled for the remainder of this school year.  This includes the grades 3, 6 and grade 9 assessments as well as the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).   For students who are graduating in the 2019-20 school year, the literacy graduation requirement as set out in Ontario Schools, Kindergarten to Grade 12: Policy and Program Requirements, 2016 will be waived.  Students who are not graduating this school year will have the opportunity to write the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) in the upcoming 2020-21 school year.

Continuity of Learning

In the next week, we anticipate additional information from the Ministry about online learning resources. District staff are also compiling an inventory of learning resources that families could use to support learning while students are at home.  We know you have many questions and we appreciate your patience as we work with District staff and the Ministry to address them.

We are aware that families have additional questions.  We continue to work with our partners to get the information families are requesting.  We know that this is a stressful time for families.  We are committed to developing resources to help.  Here are some online resources that address anxiety relating to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

We will provide updates on a regular basis as new information becomes available.  Please stay well and practice the guidance of Ottawa Public Health in terms of social distancing and self-isolation as required.

Kindest regards,
Camille Williams-Taylor
Director of Education/Secretary to the Board

 Frequently Asked Questions

For specific personal health-related questions or concerns, visit Ottawa Public Health: ottawapublichealth.ca/coronavirus


Where can I get the latest information?

Please visit these sources for the latest official updates and health guidance on COVID-19. 

Ottawa Public Health

Ontario Ministry of Health

Public Health Agency of Canada


I have questions about a specific closure or cancellation

For questions about OCDSB closures or cancellations, visit our Closures and Cancellations page. If you have a question that is not on the list, please email: [email protected]


Will the school year be extended into the summer months?

The decision to extend the school year would be made by the Ministry of Education and, at this time, we have not received this direction.


Will students be at risk of not graduating?

We are making every effort to minimize the effects of the closure on students and to ensure continuity. Once we receive more information from the Ministry of Education, we will share it with students and families. 


Will EQAO and OSSLT assessments continue?

All EQAO Assessments have been cancelled for this school year. This includes students in grades 3, 6 and grade 9, along with the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).

If students are graduating this year, the Government of Ontario has announced that they do not need to complete the OSSLT requirement to graduate. Students who are not graduating this year can write their OSSLT next school year.


What resources are available for families to deal with anxiety?

We know that this is a stressful time for families.  We are committed to developing resources to help. Here are some online resources that address anxiety relating to Coronavirus (COVID-19)


I’m a student. Is there someone I can speak to about stress or anxiety?

The Kids Help Phone is available if you need to speak to someone 24/7 from anywhere in Canada, via phonetext or online chat

The service is available to youth across Canada dealing with any issue, big or small. All conversations are confidential.


I’m an adult. Is there someone I can speak to about stress or anxiety?

It's OK to not be OK. Please know that help is available and we encourage you to reach out to Distress Centre of Ottawa to connect with someone at 613-238-3311 or visit: https://www.dcottawa.on.ca/.


How can I receive the latest updates from the OCDSB?

Important updates from the OCDSB will be emailed to parents and students. We will also add latest updates to our social media accounts and COVID-19 webpage.


For more about :
School Council:
http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Library: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/
Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RPPSCouncil/


Labour Dispute - Questions and Answers

At the February 2020 Ottawa-Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC) General Assembly meeting, representatives from over 30 OCDSB (Ottawa Carleton District School Board) parent councils came out to talk with the local bargaining units of the OSSTF (Ontario Secondary Schools Teachers Federation)—this union represents the Secondary Schools, as well as the custodial staff, office support workers, occasional teachers, special ed teachers, psychologists, speech therapists, and educational assistants for the Secondary Schools and Elementary Schools—and the OC-EFTO (Ottawa Carleton branch of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario). Two OCDSB trustees were also in attendance as observers.

The discussion was balanced, courteous, and very honest and frank. For more information about the labour dispute, including a list of questions and answers (Recap of the OCASC Meeting of 20 February 2020), and what you can do: https://ocasc.ca/information-shared-by-osstf-and-oc- efto/

For more about :
School Council:
http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Library: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/
Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RPPSCouncil/


School Council Elections!

School Council elections were held September 17, 2019 in the RPPS Library.  

Congratulations and Welcome to our new and returning School Council members for 2019-2020:

Chair: Sara Silvestri
Vice-chair: Varvara Chernogorskaya
Secretary: Laura Charlton
Treasurer: David Tucker 
Past chair: David Mackie
Volunteer Coordinator: Annabelle Bibeau
OCASC Representative: Natalie Runoff
Book Fair Chair: Christina Leadlay
Grade 6 Committee Chair: Candace Amis / Eric Grenon
Community Representative: VACANT
Members at Large: Giang Pham, Eric Grenon, Mireille Boulos
Teacher Representative: Heather Gordon
Non-teaching Representative: VACANT

Questions, comments or concerns? 

Email Sara Silvestri (Chair) at [email protected]

Would you like to get involved? 

Email Annabelle Bibeau (Volunteer Coordinator) at [email protected]

For more about
School Council:
http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Library: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/
Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RPPSCouncil/


RPPS Community BBQ

THURSDAY, JUNE 20 FROM 3 PM TO 5:30 PM

The Rockcliffe Park Public School Council would like to invite all RPPS students, teachers, staff and their families to a free BBQ to celebrate our community spirit. There will be music and activities for the kids both on and off the sports field, along with BBQ fare (hamburgers, hotdogs, veggie burgers, lemonade, freezies and watermelon) prepared by your School Council and some of Council's awesome volunteers. 

Unlike previous years, we are not taking preorders and you will simply order your grill food on-site at the welcome tent.  Students will only be served in the company of a parent or guardian. 

Please note that parents are responsible for their child(ren) as supervision will not be provided by council or staff. 

This is a great opportunity to catch up with friends, meet new people, and celebrate another great year at RPPS.

Questions, comments or concerns? 

Email Dave Mackie (Chair) at [email protected]

Would you like to get involved? 

Email Sara Silvestri (Volunteer Coordinator) at [email protected]

For more about
School Council:
http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Library: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/
Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RPPSCouncil/


School Council Funds - 2018-2019

School Council Funds - 2018-2019

School Council Funds - 2018-2019

With help from parents, students, school staff and dedicated community members, the annual Book Fair at Rockcliffe Park Public School was once again a great success!  After expenses, Book Fair 2018 raised $44,000. 

RPPS School Council manages all funds raised by Book Fair.

As the chart shows, Book Fair remains by far the largest source of revenue. What does Council do with these funds? So many things that benefit students, including:

  • purchasing supplies and activities for literacy programming

  • hosting annual Author & Illustrator Workshops and Grandparents’ Reading Day

  • purchasing new classroom technology

  • awarding $5,000 in grants to other Ottawa-area schools

  • funding an educational field trip and an educational workshop for each RPPS class

  • providing a year-end trip for the Grade 6 class

  • creating a subsidy fund for students in need

  • school enrichments such as gardens, soccer field maintenance, a new kindergarten yard, etc., and

  • many other projects that enhance the students’ educational and social experience at RPPS

It takes more than 4,000 volunteer hours to make Book Fair happen each year. 

That works out to about 10 hours per RPPS family!

How can you help?

Join the Book Fair team as:

  • Book Fair Co-Chair – work closely with the Chair in order to assume that lead role for Book Fair 2020

  • Book Donation Team Lead – coordinate donation pickups and manage the Book Bin team

  • Book Bin Team Member – help empty donation bins, and sort and pack books (March to October)

  • General Help – assist with occasional Book Fair tasks throughout the year—even for an hour or two

Volunteer for School Council:

  • Consider volunteering for school council, or for one of the many activities council provides throughout the school year.  The time you share enriches the school community and the lives of our children.


Questions, comments or concerns? 

Email Dave Mackie (Chair) at [email protected]

Would you like to get involved? 

Email Sara Silvestri (Volunteer Coordinator) at [email protected]

For more about
School Council:
http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Library: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/
Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RPPSCouncil/


Spirit Shop Open (for a limited time!)

Dear RPPS families,

With Spirit Week fast approaching, the RPPS School Council is once again selling RPPS Swag! 

Join your entire school community with pride. This year, we offer t-shirts, hoodies, shorts, joggers, caps, toques, and, of course, the very popular Class of 2018 t-shirt featuring the signatures of all the graduating students!  (A must-have for the Grade 6 trip!) 

Keeping our kids comfort in mind, we made sure we have mesh shorts and heavy-blend joggers that would be perfect for student activities and sporting events. Compliment the cool look with a zip-up or pull-up hoodie, and they’re ready to go!

There is also something for every adult. If you want to be the coolest mom/dad/grandparent/friend at any RPPS event, there are adult sizes available for all items.

To order your RPPS Spirit Clothing, please visit the RPPS Spirit Shop on our school website at www.rockcliffeparkps.com/shop and place your orders THIS WEEK before Sunday, February 3rd, 2019 in hope to have all items delivered by mid-February.

This is your one-stop shop for budget-friendly spirit wear. We have kept the prices as low as possible. Any proceeds will go towards RPPS events and programming.

Support your school in a fashionable way!


Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Strategic Plan 2019-2023 - Consultation

The OCDSB is setting priorities for the next four years and in inviting parents and guardians in the community to participate.  

You can participate any time between November 21st and December 12th, and are invited to visit more than once to read the thoughts of other parents and guardians.

Contributions will not be edited, participants will remain anonymous.

To get started, just click on the link below, review and approve the terms of use, then click “Continue”. You do not have to sign in or create a login.

Click here to share your thoughts.

If you need assistance and/or access to technology to participate you can contact:

  • Your Child’s School - Speak to Rebecca Shields about using a computer at school and/or receiving assistance from the MLO;

  • The OCDSB by email at [email protected] or by phone at 613-596-8211 extension 8402.

Your input will help us – together we can Build a Brighter Future @ OCDSB.


School Board Trustee All Candidate's Forum

Mark Your Calendars!  School Board Trustee All Candidate's Forum - October 16, 2018 @ 7:30PM

The civic election is set to take place on October 22nd, 2018. In addition to mayor and councillors, up for election are candidates for trustees of the 12 zones that comprise the OCDSB. Rockcliffe Park Public School is located in Zone 6 - Rideau-Rockcliffe / Alta Vista. There are 3 candidates standing for election as our school board trustee: 

Marty Carr

Tanya Dasilva

Chris Ellis (incumbent)

The RPPS School Council is hosting all three School Board Trustee candidates on Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 at 7:30PM in the Rockcliffe Park Public School library (350 Buena Vista Road). This is an excellent opportunity for community members to hear from the candidates who would represent our interests at the board through the next four years.

*** Please note that there is a separate Municipal Candidates Forum on Monday, October 15 at 7:30PM taking place in the Queen Juliana Hall (gymnasium) at RPPS. Candidates for mayor and councillor (Ward 13) will be participating in this event. ***



School Council Update - Election Announcement

Dear RPPS Families,

The following parents/guardians have been elected to serve on RPPS School Council for the 2018-2019 school year:

Chair - Dave Mackie
Vice-Chair - Hazem Abu-Dalfa
Past Chair - Imbaw Storer
Treasurer - Nicole White
Secretary - Varvara Chernogorskaya
Book Fair Chair - Christina Leadlay
Volunteer Coordinator - Sara Silvestri
OCASC Representative - Christian Denter
Member at Large - Eric Grenon
Member at Large - Mireille Boulos
Member at Large - Laura Charlton
Member at Large - David Tucker
Member at Large - Candace Amis

Thanks to everyone who participated!

This message was sent to you by your RPPS School Council:

Questions, comments or concerns?  Email Dave Mackie (Chair) at [email protected]
Would you like to get involved?  Email Sara Silvestri (Volunteer Coordinator) at [email protected]
For more about
School Council:
http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Library: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/


School Council Update - September 13, 2018

Dear RPPS Families,

Welcome Back!  I hope everyone is getting settled into the new school year after a very enjoyable summer!

September is always a busy time, and I want to take a few moments to let you know what council activities are coming up over the next few weeks. 

  • Milk and Pizza sales are currently underway, orders can be place through our spirit shop which can be found here.  You have until September 20th to get your order in.

  • Elections for the 2018-2019 School Council will take place on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 6:30 in the school library.  All RPPS families are welcome! If you wish to run for a position on School Council, complete a nomination, or self-nomination, complete the form found here, and return to Jennifer in the RPPS office.

  • Registration for the student directory will begin soon.  An announcement will be made here and through the Friday Updates.  This year, the directory will be provided free of charge to participating families.

  • The Mazzola Hot Lunch Program will begin Monday, September 24th.  Order forms are available here.  Forms must be submitted by September 20th.  Online orders can be placed at www.mazzola.ca

  • The first regular meeting of the 2018-2019 School Council will be held on Tuesday, October 9th, 2018 at 7:00 PM in the school library.  All RPPS Families are welcome!

  • The RPPS School Council is hosting an all candidates forum for Trustees in Zone 6 – Rideau-Rockcliffe / Alta-Vista on Tuesday, October 16th at 7:30 PM in the school library.  This is a great opportunity to meet the candidates, one of whom will serve as our trustee for the next four years.

Book Fair 2018

If you would like to get in on the action for this year’s book fair, the Book Fair Standing Committee is looking to fill the following positions:

  • Co-chair

  • Volunteer coordinator

  • Book Bin team lead

Book Fair is looking for successors for:

  • Sponsorship team lead

  • Communications team lead

 This message was sent to you by your RPPS School Council:

Questions, comments or concerns?  Email Dave Mackie (Chair) at [email protected]
Would you like to get involved?  Email our Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected]
For more about
School Council:
http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Library: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/


School Council Update - January 18, 2018

Dear RPPS families,

It has been a busy start to the 2018 school year!  Please take a moment to read through the following updates.

Pizza & Milk:

The second session of RPPS School Council’s Milk & Pizza Program is open to registration! Session dates are Monday, February 5th, 2018 to Thursday, June 28th, 2018.  The Milk Program is available Monday through Friday, or Friday only.  The Pizza program is available on the following Fridays:

February 2nd, 9th, 15th, 23rd  

March 2nd, 9th, 23rd, 29th  

April 6th, 13th, 20th, 26th

May 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th  

June 1st, 7th, 15th, 22nd (No pizza on last day of school)

To register for this session please visit http://rockcliffeparkps.com/shop and place your orders by Monday, January 29th, 2018.  

If you have any questions or if you prefer to pay by cash or cheque please email [email protected] to request a paper form.

Spirit Merchandise:

RPPS Spirit merchandise is available for purchase on the RPPS Spirit Shop on the school website: www.rockcliffeparkps.com/shop

Items for sale include: t-shirts, hoodies, sweat pants, baseball shirts, toques for all ages, and the Class of 2018 t-shirt which features the signatures of all graduating students!  (A must-have for the Grade 6 trip!)

Adult sizes are available for all tops. Size samples for some of the items for sale will be available outside the school office.

Please place your orders by Monday, January 22, 2018. All items will be delivered in time for Spirit Week in mid-February.

Council Meeting:

The first council meeting of 2018 took place on Tuesday, January 9th in the school library.  The approved agenda and draft minutes are available at: https://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/2017-2018-meeting-documentation/

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 13th at 7:00 PM in the school library.  All parents and guardians of children attending RPPS are welcome to attend.

If there is something you would like to bring to council for discussion, please feel free to email me at the address provided below.

Hope to see you there!


This message was sent to you by your RPPS School Council:
Questions, comments or concerns?  Email Dave Mackie (Chair) at [email protected]
Would you like to get involved?  Email Melissa Bulmer (Volunteer Coordinator) at [email protected]
For more about School Council: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Library: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/


School Council Update - December 8, 2017

Dear RPPS Families,

It has been a busy start to the 2017-2018 school year!  Please take a moment to read through the following updates.

Rockcliffe Rink Project:

In development for years, the Rockcliffe Rink Project (a.k.a. "The Sports Pad") could be close to being a reality. This project, lead by the Rockcliffe Hosers and supported by the City, will see a permanent sports pad and associated pavilion built on the City land where the temporary rink is installed each year. This new sports pad will serve as a rink in the winter (not chilled) and as a play surface for other sports the rest of the year. The pavilion will provide a space to put on skates, washrooms, and will be a comfortable place to gather in general. For more on the project please visit this link: https://www.therockcliffehosers.com/

This is an exciting project for the community, especially for area youth, and given the proximity to RPPS, School Council is working closely with the Hosers and the other stakeholders to work out the details. Of note, the project will require the full City lot on which a portion of the soccer field and track are located. Additionally, the planned location of the pavilion has created concerns for the school regarding increased activity near the school during school hours, and line of sight supervision considerations if the school is to continue to use the City property for recess and other outdoor activity.

How we address these concerns, and how we might relocate and resize the field, and track (if the track can be kept) fully onto school property is being discussed in a working group consisting of representatives from the School Board, School Staff, School Council, the Hosers, the Rockcliffe Park Residents Association, and Rockcliffe Park - Lindenlea Soccer. While there are issues to work out, there are also opportunities, such as using backfill from the project to improve the grade and drainage of the field, or possibly adding lighting at the back of the school. Of course of greatest benefit, we hope to have the new facility available to RPPS students during the school day.

The Hosers are looking at Summer 2018 for the start of construction and School Council will keep the school community informed as the project develops. For questions or concerns, you can contact Dave Mackie, School Council Chair, at [email protected] or Principal Sioufi Guarna at [email protected]. We will also be discussing the rink project at School Council meetings throughout the year, or you may contact the Rockcliffe Hosers directly at [email protected].

School Council Meeting - December 12th, 2017 - 7:00 PM - School Library

Please join us for the last School Council meeting before the holiday break. The meeting will be held Tuesday, December 12 at 7:00 PM in the library.  Topics to be discussed: Rink Project, Student Wellness Workshops, Spirit Clothing Drive among others. 

The agenda is available at this link: http://bit.ly/2kc9KHE

Book Fair 2017:

Thank you to RPPS’s principal, staff, custodial team, Book Fair Standing Committee, School Council, families and volunteers for helping make Book Fair a tremendous success this year.  This year's annual fundraiser raised over $50,000 for Rockcliffe Park Public School.

If you would like to get in on the action for next year, the Book Fair Standing Committee is looking to fill the following vacancies:

●      Book Donation Team Lead

●      Secretary

●      Volunteer Coordinator

Contact [email protected] for more information!
 

This message was sent to you by your RPPS School Council:
Questions, comments or concerns?  Email Dave Mackie (Chair) at [email protected]
Would you like to get involved?  Email Melissa Bulmer (Volunteer Coordinator) at [email protected]
For more about School Council: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Library: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/


School Council Update - March 13, 2017

Dear RPPS Families,

Here's a brief update from the RPPS School Council for you.

March Council Meeting:

The March School Council meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 21 as our regular 2nd Tuesday of the Month date would have occurred during March break. Additionally, we will start the meeting a bit earlier at 6:30pm in order to accommodate those that wish to attend the all All Candidate's Meeting (regarding the Ottawa-Vanier Federal by-election) scheduled for 7:30PM in the Queen Juliana Hall at RPPS.

Dance-a-thon:

This year, School Council handed over much of the responsibility of running the Dance-a-thon to the RPPS Fair Club and they did an amazing job. Over $7,000 was raised and this amount will be split between the Phoebe Rose Rocks Foundation & The Education Foundation of Ottawa. We thank the Fair Club for taking the lead of this event and congratulate them on its success.

Book Fair:

Planning for Book Fair 2017 (Nov 3-5) continues as those tens of thousands of books don't arrive all at once. We would love to sign up more volunteers for this most important fundraiser of the year. If you can help in any way, please email Christina Leadlay, our Book Fair Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected].

Spring Events:

Council will be organizing several events for the spring as well. Expect to hear more about Authors' Workshops, Grandparents' Reading Day and the great School BBQ. And new this year, we are planning a school trip to the Ottawa Children's Festival!

Parent Resource Lending Library:

A couple of years ago, School Council established a Parent Resource Lending Library with funding from an Ontario Parents Reaching Out Grant. Helene Duquette, the RPPS Librarian, would love to help you borrow a book. Please email her at [email protected] for more information.

Have a great break!

This message was sent to you by your RPPS School Council:
Questions, comments or concerns? Would you like to get involved? Email Imbaw Storer (Chair) at [email protected].
For more about School Council: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Lending Library and Subsidy Policy: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/


School Council Update - February 8, 2017

Dear RPPS Families,

It has been a busy start to 2017 for School Council. Please take a moment to read through the following updates.

Elementary School Program Framework (ESPF):

In response to the 1.5 classes per program target in the proposed ESPF, at our December meeting, RPPS School Council approved a motion supporting continued dual track programs (both English and EFI) at RPPS. Additionally, at the January meeting, RPPS School Council approved sending a delegation to the January 24th, OCDSB Committee of the Whole meeting to directly voice support for continued dual track programming at RPPS. In response to all the feedback provided to the OCDSB, including much feedback from the RPPS community, many changes were made to the proposed ESPF including the removal of the specific 1.5 classes per program target. Wording was still included indicating student numbers would be a factor in determining program viability; however, that number may be different for different schools. If you are interested in the final policy, it can be found at the following link: http://www.ocdsb.ca/ab-ocdsb/p-n-p/Policies%20and%20Procedures/P%20139%20CUR%20Program%20Delivery%20Structures%20at%20Elementary%20Schools.pdf

Dance-A-Thon:

Don't forget to send your Dance-A-Thon pledges in by this Friday, February 10th. The 4th Annual RPPS Dance-A-Thon is brought to you by the RPPS Fair Club and School Council and will be held, Tuesday, February 14th. Proceeds will be donated to the Phoebe Rose Rocks Foundation & The Education Foundation of Ottawa.

Book Fair Volunteers Needed:

The 2017 edition of the Rockcliffe Park Book Fair will be November 3-5. As this is early in the next school year, much of the planning is occurring right now and we could really use your help in making this amazing event happen for our school community. If you can lend a hand, please email us at [email protected] and let us know.

February & March Council Meetings:

The February Council meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, February 13 to accommodate those with Valentine's Day plans on the 14th. The meeting will still be held in the School Library at 7:00 PM. The March meeting will also be rescheduled as the regular date falls during March break. We will let you know the final date when it has been decided. Agendas and Minutes can be found at this link: https://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/2016-2017-meeting-documentation/

We thank you for your time and look forward to seeing you at a Council meeting or event in the near future.

This message was sent to you by your RPPS School Council:
Questions, comments or concerns? Would you like to get involved? Email Imbaw Storer (Chair) at [email protected].
For more about School Council: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Lending Library and Subsidy Policy: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/


Elementary School Program Framework & RPPS

Dear RPPS Families,

I wanted to update you on the discussion we had at the most recent Council meeting regarding the proposed Elementary School Program Framework (ESPF).

Several parents of students in the English program attended and expressed concern regarding the possibility of the English Program being eliminated at RPPS if the ESPF, with it's program enrolment targets, is adopted. I was able to pass on information I have received from the School Board indicating that if the ESPF is adopted, at some point, elimination of the RPPS English Program is a real possibility given our current English Program enrolment numbers.

At the end of our discussion, Council approved a motion that "recognizes Council’s support for a continued dual track program at RPPS". We intend to express this support to School Board staff and Trustees prior to the January 31, 2017 vote on the ESPF.

Information on the ESPF can be found at this link: http://www.ocdsb.ca/sch/as/Elementary%20School%20Program%20Framework/Pages/default.aspx

While the ESPF survey is now closed, individuals may still email comments directly to [email protected] by December 21st. You may also send your comments to our School Board Trustee Chris Ellis at [email protected].

Please feel free to contact me at my email below if you have any questions or concerns.

Best regards,

Imbaw Storer

Chair, RPPS School Council

[email protected]


RPPS School Council Meeting, Tuesday, December 13 @ 7PM in the library

Dear RPPS Families,

Please join us for the last School Council meeting before the holiday break. The meeting will be held Tuesday, December 13 at 7:00PM in the library. The agenda is available at this link: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/2016-2017-meeting-documentation/

We will be discussing the proposed Elementary School Program Framework at the meeting. As mentioned in the Council update sent to you last week, this framework, if adopted, could greatly affect programs at RPPS. Framework information and the related feedback survey, which is open until December 13th, are available at the following links:

http://www.ocdsb.ca/sch/as/Elementary%20School%20Program%20Framework/Pages/default.aspx

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ESPF_Consultation

We encourage you to learn about the framework, participate in the survey, and then come to the Council meeting and share your thoughts with us.

This message was sent to you by your RPPS School Council:
Questions, comments or concerns? Would you like to get involved? Email Imbaw Storer (Chair) at [email protected].
For more about School Council: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Lending Library and Subsidy Policy: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/


School Council Update - December 2, 2016

Dear RPPS Families,

Please take a moment to read through our latest update.

Elementary School Program Framework Consultation:

You were sent an email from the school last week asking you to review the proposed framework and participate in a related survey. Please note that this framework could greatly affect RPPS in the future. The framework "aims to provide for at least one-and-a-half classes per grade, per program". Currently, RPPS does not meet this standard in the English Program. At this time, it is not known how or when the framework might affect the English Program at RPPS. It is possible the English Program could be eliminated at RPPS. As well, the framework proposes to consolidate schools into K-8 and 7-12 schools. How this would affect the grade 7/8 options for RPPS graduates is also unknown. Please let the OCDSB know your thoughts on the proposal by completing the survey, available until December 13, at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ESPF_Consultation

Book Fair:

The 55th Rockcliffe Park Book Fair at RPPS was another great success and Council would like to recognize and thank outgoing Book Fair Chair Joni Hamlin, outgoing Volunteer Coordinator Inge Vander Horst, the Book Fair Committee and all the volunteers that make the event happen. It cannot be emphasized enough how important Book Fair is to helping Council do what we do for the school. Please consider contributing to the effort by volunteering some time. Planning for Book Fair 2017 starts early so if you can help send an email to [email protected] and let Book Fair know.

Kindergarten Yard Opening:

Quite a few of you turned out November 4 for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new kindergarten yard. We thank City Councillor Tobi Nussbaum and School Board Trustee Chris Ellis for joining us. It was a lovely fall day that was perfect for playing in a playground. We also must thank the JK and SK students that participated in the ceremony and then showed all the adults around!

December Council Meeting:

The next RPPS School Council meeting will be December 13 at 7:00 PM in the RPPS Library. Please join us to hear about what's happening at the school. Discussing the proposed Elementary School Program Framework will be one of the first items on the agenda.

This message was sent to you by your RPPS School Council:
Questions, comments or concerns? Would you like to get involved? Email Imbaw Storer (Chair) at [email protected].
For more about School Council: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Lending Library and Subsidy Policy: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/


School Council Update - October 31, 2016

Dear RPPS Families,

Here is the latest update from your RPPS School Council.

Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: Coming this Friday - Sunday, November 4, 5 & 6, it's our own Rockcliffe Park Book Fair held in the Queen Juliana Hall (big gym). Brought to you by our amazing Book Fair Committee, don't miss the biggest event of the school year. Used books (tens of thousands), games, puzzles, LPs and more! Hot food, baked goods and a craft corner for the kids. Please spread the word to your friends and neighbours. For more information visit http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/.

Eastern Secondary Review: On Monday, October 24, close to 30 people from our school community met with OCDSB Trustee Chris Ellis and Superintendent Pino Buffone to discuss the Eastern Secondary Review and related issues. We thank both Trustee Ellis and Superintendent Buffone for making themselves available and we thank those of you that were able to join us for your participation. For those that are interested, there are still ways to contribute to the discussion:

1) Eastern Secondary Review Public Meeting - November 1, 2016 - 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Rideau HS

Please note that there is an Open House from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. on both dates which will include displays and exhibits and staff will be available for questions. The formal part of the meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.

2) You can also sign up for and participate in the Star Phase of the ThoughtExchange: https://tsr017.thoughtexchange.ca/ocdsb/TS/app/signup?to=5653b3280eb74b8eb85f129054bbf6d5

Kindergarten Yard Opening Ceremony: On November 14 @ 11:15 AM, we will be holding a short ceremony to formally open the new Kindergarten Yard and thank those that supported its creation. Additional details to follow.

School Council Newsletter: Did you know that the district issues a weekly school council newsletter filled with information and events. If you are interested in subscribing to the newsletter follow this link: http://www.ocdsb.ca/par/sc/info-n-updates/Pages/default.aspx

Next Council Meeting: Tuesday, November 8 @ 7:00 PM in the library.

This message was sent to you by your RPPS School Council:

Questions, comments or concerns? Would you like to get involved? Email Imbaw Storer (Chair) at [email protected].
For more about School Council: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Lending Library and Subsidy Policy: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/


OCDSB Trustee Chris Ellis Meeting Tonight 7pm

Dear RPPS Families,

One final reminder that tonight OCDSB Trustee Chris Ellis will be holding a meeting at RPPS to discuss the Eastern Secondary Review. Superintendent Pino Buffone will also be present. The meeting will be held in the school library at 7PM. More information is available at this link: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/meetings/ocdsb-trustee-chris-ellis-rpps

As this is a topic of concern to not only current RPPS families, the meeting is open to the greater community.

Don't miss this opportunity to share your thoughts with both a School Board Trustee and a senior staff member.

This message was sent to you by your RPPS School Council:
Questions, comments or concerns? Would you like to get involved? Email Imbaw Storer (Chair) at [email protected].
For more about School Council: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Lending Library and Subsidy Policy: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/


School Council Update - October 21, 2016

Dear RPPS Families,

Please take a moment to read through this brief update from your RPPS School Council.

Important Reminder: OCDSB Trustee Chris Ellis will be at RPPS on Monday, October 24 at 7PM to discuss the Eastern Secondary Review. Superintendent Pino Buffone of district staff will be in attendance as well. The meeting will be held in the library. More details can be found at the following link: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/meetings/ocdsb-trustee-chris-ellis-rpps

Budget & Annual Report: At the October meeting, School Council approved the Budget for the 2016/17 school year and the Annual Report for the 2015/16 year. Both of these documents can be found on the SchoolCouncil page of the website (right sidebar): http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/

Subsidy Policy: Created last year and funded again by Council this year, a subsidy policy is in place to promote equal access to fee-based special programs and extra-curricular activities at RPPS. Please do not hesitate to talk to Principal Shari Brodie or your child's teacher if you have questions about this policy. More information on the policy can be found on our Parent Resources page: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/

Parent Resource Lending Library: Also created last year, through this library RPPS parents are able to check out books from the RPPS library that cover a wide range of challenges that a child might face. Information on the Parent Resource Lending Library and how to check out books is also available on the Parent Resources page: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/

Next Council Meeting November 8, 2016: Hope to see you there!

Have a great weekend!

This message was sent to you by your RPPS School Council
Questions, comments or concerns? Would you like to get involved? Email Imbaw Storer (Chair) at [email protected].
For more about School Council: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Lending Library and Subsidy Policy: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/


OCDSB Trustee Chris Ellis at RPPS, Oct. 24@7pm

Dear RPPS Families,

Please take a moment to read this important message as it relates to an opportunity for you to provide input into the future schooling of your children.

OCDSB Trustee Chris Ellis will be at RPPS on Monday, October 24 at 7:00 PM in the school library and he would like to hear from you. Trustee Ellis represents OCDSB Zone 6 which includes Rockcliffe Park, New Edinburgh and Lindenlea. The focus of the discussion will be the Eastern Secondary Review in which OCDSB staff proposes to close Rideau HS and direct students from the Rideau HS area to Gloucester HS.

Visit this link for more information on the review: http://www.ocdsb.ca/sch/as/Multi-Year%20Student%20Learning%20and%20Pupil%20Accommodation%20Planning/eastern/Pages/default.aspx

Trustee Ellis has made his position clear in that he does not wish to see Rideau HS close and he would like to see if there is a means to keep it open. Here is Trustee Ellis' statement from his website:

"Rideau HS Should Remain Open
I've been asked what my position on the recommendation to close Rideau HS is.
I believe that it is in the best interest of students and the community to keep Rideau HS open and will do my best to make that case.
Failing to keep Rideau HS open I do not believe that sending all the Rideau area students to Gloucester HS is the best solution. I will be making the case that at least some of the students be redirected to Lisgar HS"


At this time none of the neighbourhoods that feed into RPPS are involved in the review as they fall into the Lisgar Collegiate Institute catchment, however it is not known if our area could be brought into this review or would be part of future reviews.

RPPS School Council believes that our parents should have as much opportunity to provide input into the education of our children as possible and we thank Trustee Ellis for meeting with us. Please attend if you wish to have your voice heard and as this affects both past and future students of RPPS please let your neighbours know about the event as well.

We will continue to inform our school community about these important issues. Here is Trustee Ellis' contact information if you wish to contact him directly with questions or concerns:
phone - 613.818.7350
email - [email protected]
website - http://www.schoolzone6.org/

This message was sent to you by your RPPS School Council
Questions, comments or concerns? Would you like to get involved? Email Imbaw Storer (Chair) at [email protected].
For more about School Council: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Library: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/


School Council Meeting, Oct. 11th 7pm

Dear RPPS Parents/Guardians,

Please join us for the first regular monthly Council meeting of the school year next Tuesday, October 11 at 7PM in the school library. At this meeting we will discuss and approve a Council budget for the year among other items.

You can find agendas and minutes for the Council meetings at this link: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/2016-2017-meeting-documentation/

We also wanted to let you know that the following parents/guardians have been elected to serve on the Council for the 2016-17 school year:

Chair - Imbaw Storer
Vice Chair - Candace Amis
Past Chair - Caroline Matt
Treasurer - Nicole White
Secretary - Kristi Squires
Volunteer Coordinator - Jane Hooker
Book Fair Chair - Joni Hamlin
OCASC Rep - David Mackie

Members at Large:
Linda Lee
Hacene Oukacine
Eric Grenon
Laura Charlton
Roxan Clark

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Council at any time by emailing the Chair at the email address below.

The RPPS School Council
Questions, comments or concerns? Would you like to get involved? Email Imbaw Storer (Chair) at [email protected].
For more about School Council: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council/
Rockcliffe Park Book Fair: http://rockcliffeparkbookfair.com/
Parent Resource Library: http://www.rockcliffeparkps.com/parent-resources/


Reminder School Council elections tonight 7:00pm

Dear RPPS Parents/Guardians,

I wanted to send you one final reminder that tonight is the night of School Council Elections. They will be held in the School Library at 7:00PM.

In addition to the positive impact you will have on the lives of all the RPPS children, joining School Council is one of the best ways to learn about your own child's education. Also, for all the parents/guardians that are new to RPPS, getting involved is a great way to immediately start meeting other families.

So don't miss this opportunity and stop by the school library tonight (child care will be provided for school aged children).

Sincerely,

Imbaw Storer
Chair, RPPS School Council
[email protected]
613-581-5785


RPPS News - Ordering Milk, Pizza and Hot Lunches

Dear RPPS Families,

Welcome to the 2016/2017 school year! Your RPPS School Council is already hard at work to contribute to your child's experience here at RPPS (and make your life easier!). Please read the following information on the School Directory, Milk and Pizza programs, Mazzola lunches and School Council elections carefully. Deadlines to order are coming up fast!

The RPPS School Directory
Every year, the RPPS School Council publishes a student directory booklet so you can get in touch with other families in the school. It's great for birthday parties, Valentine's Day, and play dates! It also includes important dates in the upcoming school year and other useful information.To be included in the Directory and to pre-order your copy ($5), please visit our RPPS School Council website at rockcliffeparkps.com/directory. Your information must be submitted by Friday, September 16. For more information, please email [email protected].

Milk and Pizza
Once again the RPPS School Council will be offering a Milk and Pizza Programs. Milk is offered Monday through Friday or Friday only to go along with the Pizza Program, which delivers pizza every Friday except for PD days/holidays, for those weeks the pizza will be on Thursday. The first session starts October 3. To order for this session please visit rockcliffeparkps.com/shop by Wednesday, September 28 and place your orders there. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].


NEW! Mazzola Lunches twice a week
Starting Monday, September 19, Mazzola Lunches will deliver delicious and nutritious lunches on Mondays and Wednesdays (see info sheet attached). For more information on menus and to place your orders go to mazzola.ca. Please note that this program is administered by Mazzola directly and we cannot track who orders what and when. We strongly encourage you to place your orders online. Paper forms can go missing and then children get sad. First orders are due Wednesday, September 14.

RPPS School Council Executive Elections
At the center of connection between students and the administration is the RPPS School Council Executive. Every parent is a member of this school council by virtue of having a child in the school. The School Council Executive is an elected body with a membership of 15 parent volunteers. This year’s council executive will be elected on Tuesday, September 27th.

You are invited to attend this meeting, at 7pm in the RPPS Library (childcare will be provided). If you are interested in joining the RPPS School Council Executive you are invited to submit a nomination form and stand for election. This is not a very formal process and you can submit your nomination form at the meeting.

To learn more about Council and print a nomination form visit our website rockcliffeparkps.com/school-council1/ .



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