Rideau Public School
Weekly Memo April 20-24
Bonjour Rideau Families,
On last week's PA Day, staff attended a workshop on how adverse childhood experiences affect students and their learning and the important role one caring adult can play in a child's life. We were with staff from other schools in the KSS and LCVI families of schools. As we serve similar communities, it was nice to be around colleagues with shared experiences.
On Wednesday, many students will participate in the annual Pitch-in campaign which consist of a spring cleaning of our school yard and neighbouring area. Classes will be out and about doing their part to make the school's surrounding a clean space to enjoy.
For grade 6 students who would like a retake of their grad picture, Edge is offering an opportunity:
Edge Imaging's Pop-Up Kingston grad photography event is happening soon, so sign up today! Capture 10 poses in a sash and gown (provided), including a variety of backgrounds. Receive your photo proof with codes directly mailed to home to purchase your photos. All photos include Premium Retouching. Sit fee is $40 to be photographed. Feel free to bring a prop!
- Date: April 25th, 2026 from 9:00AM to 4:00PM *appointment times may vary by date
- Location: Queen's Edge Imaging Portrait Studio (across from the AMS Media Centre)
- Address: 87 Union St. John Deutsch University Centre, 2nd Floor (Room 231), Kingston, ON
- Note: If the school has already approved the composite or submitted their yearbook, there could be a chance that we are unable to add you in.Sign up here to register for your photos! Once you click through the disclaimer, select BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT then type in your school code: RDX
This year, the grade 6 Celebration will be on Monday June 22 at 4:30 in the gym. It is a simple gathering where students receive their certificate and share a celebratory cake.
For students going on to Vanier next year, students will go for a visit in June some time in June. The date has not been shared with us yet.
Save the Dates:
May 9 - PopCycle Sale
May 12 - Kindergarten Social (A Parent Council Event)
May 21 - Kindergarten Open House
June 10 - Yead-end Family BBQ
June 22 - Grade 6 Celebration 4:30
This week:
April 20 - Road Race practice
April 21 - Ridvan
April 22 - Rea Swim to Survive; Pitch-in Kingston, Road Race practice
Upcoming:
April 27 - Road Race practice
April 28 - Bayridge Road Race
April 29 - Rea Swim to Survive, School Assembly
May 1 - Class Photos, Wesak
May 4 - Girls Basketball tournament
May 5 - PAC meeting
May 6 - LCVI Road Race
May 9 - PopCycle
May 15 - School Track and Field at Invista
May 18 - Victoria Day (no school)
Have a great week!
Valerie Arsenault
Principal
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten Registration Open! If you have a child ready to start kindergarten next year, find more information about registration HERE. Our Open House will be May 21 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. Registered families will receive an invitation by mail.
Parent Council Corner
It is never too late to begin attending meetings!
Our next meeting is Tuesday May 5 at 3:45 pm
This is our year-end School Council Official Report 24 25 from 2024-2025.
Here are the minutes for Parent Council Meeting February, 2026.
The next meeting this year will be:
June 2, at 3:45
To reach out to parent council, email Rebecca at welfarerebecca@yahoo.ca.
Information & Events
SPRING BLING Student Craft Sale - Call for Submissions
Does your Rideau student like making bracelets, keychains, bookmarks and other little crafts? Would they like to make, market and sell their own creations?
Well get your mini makers’ minds in gear and get creative!! Rideau Public is looking to host the SPRING BLING Student Spring Craft Sale on June 10th and we want YOU to join our table of student artisans!! Help support our school, learn finance & business skills and have the opportunity to make your own $$ too!
Submissions are open to all Rideau Public students, from JK- Grade 6.
Interested in participating? Please fill out this form to sign up: https://forms.gle/rJtCXM3UVsydSDSE9
PopCycle Used Clothing Sale
Rideau is hosting a second hand clothing swap to help keep items circulating locally in the Kingston community. Good for your wallet, good for the planet! See info, posters, and links below for details!
DONATE
May 7/8 , 8:00am-5:30pm
Clean clothing (sz 0-14), Books, and Tiny toys (smaller than your fist)
Drop off donations @ Rideau Public School (look for signs near Toronto St entrance)
Rideau students can bring small bags to school with them!
Can't make it to drop off? Schedule a porch pick up for your donations here
SHOP
Sat May 9 , 9am-1pm
All sales are pay what you can. All $$ goes to the school
Pre-loved kids clothing 0-14 & Books
Rideau Public School Gym
Open to everyone, help us spread the word in the Kingston Community (through your socials, word of mouth, parent group chats, day cares, hockey teams, dance groups etc, etc!)
Have neighbours, friends or co-workers with items kicking around (don’t we all?)? Consider organizing a mini clothing drive to bundle items for efficient pick ups!
Sample text:
“I’m collecting items for PopCycle, a local initiative that finds great homes for pre-loved things. If you have clean, gently loved kids’ clothing (sz 0-14) or books to pass along, send them my way before May 8 and I’ll add them to my bundle.”
Volunteers needed
May 8: Sorting
We need help! May 8 anytime between 2:30-until it's done (~8pm)! Come for 15 min or come for 5 hours. Pop in for a few minutes before or after pick up, with or without kiddos! Every little bit helps!
Fun fact: The kids who came to help last year had a great time, bring your kids so they can be a part of this event that supports our community and the environment.
May 9: Take down
Swing by the school at 2pm to pick up a few boxes of leftover items to donation locations
Our Parent Council is recruiting volunteers for Bingo!
- Rideau Public School is now a registered charity for bingo fundraising at Community Spirit Gaming Centre at 900 Montreal Street.
- Volunteer shifts are two hours long and are various times including during the day, evening, and weekends.
- Duties are very light: mostly greeting people, walking around the bingo hall, and getting a runner's attention if someone gets a bingo.
- Shifts are very lucrative: each two-hour shift earns about $600 for our library renovations, kindergarten yard shade, and many other initiatives for students.
- There are currently only two shifts a month so the time commitment is low. However, volunteers must be reliable and punctual.
If you are up for joining their crew of bingo volunteers, please fill out this form and someone will be in touch with you!
Parking at School
Hot Lunch Orders
2025-2026 LDSB School Year Calendar
A PDF version of the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar is available online.
Nut-Free School
Thank you for packing nut-free snacks! Please communicate with teachers before sending any treats in for your student's class.
