Rideau Public School
Weekly Memo May 4-8
Bonjour Rideau Families,
I hope everyone is enjoying this sunny weekend.
For students in grades 3 - 6, Track and Field is Friday May 15. The permission form for it and the pizza order are both in School Day, one under Event, the other under Product.
The Kinder Parent Committee is hosting a get together on May 12, see the information below.
There is a second round of Rideau Spirit Wear order on the go. You can order until May 11 at 10:00 am on this site: rhinoswear.ca
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. We know that since the pandemic, people, including students, are more anxious and need to consciously take care of their mental health. This is something our teachers practice daily with children in various ways to foster a sense of calm and belonging. See the information below for family resources.
The Limestone District School Board has launch its family survey. Please see information below.
Once again we are creating a Yearbook to capture this year's activities and memories. If you wish to order one, follow these instructions:
- Go to Edge Imaging | Order Online
- Under Yearbooks, type your school’s name and click submit.
- Pick your package and fill out your information and payment details.
- Click submit & pay.
Save the Dates:
May 9 - PopCycle Sale
May 12 - Kindergarten Social (A Parent Council Event)
May 21 - Kindergarten Open House
May 29 - PA Day
June 10 - Yead-end Family BBQ
June 22 - Grade 6 Celebration 4:30
This week:
May 4 - Basketball tournament, Road Race Practice
May 5 - PAC meeting
May 6 - LCVI Road Race
May 7 - Some classes to Gould Lake
May 9 - PopCycle
Upcoming:
May 13 and 14 - Grade 2 classes to Gymnastics
May 15 - School Track and Field at Invista
May 18 - Victoria Day (no school)
May 21 - Kindergarten Open House
May 21 and 22 - Indigenous Workshop for grade 3 classes
May 22 - Shavuot
May 27 - Eid-al-Adha
May 29 - PA Day (no school)
June 2 - PAC meeting
June 4 - Track and Field Regionals
There are several community events and opportunities for families coming up. Look at the posters below for more information.
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
Kindergarten Social
Come join the fun at our Kindergarten Social on May 12 from 4:00–5:30 PM in the school gymnasium!
This is a wonderful chance to meet other kindergarten families, make new connections, and feel part of our vibrant school community. Kids can enjoy games, hands-on art activities, and tasty healthy snacks, while families explore booths from local community partners and discover helpful resources.
Be sure to stop by the Parent Council table to say hello, ask questions, and learn how to get involved - we’d love to meet you!
We can’t wait to welcome you for an afternoon of fun, connection, and community!
In attendance:
-Maltby Centre
-Kingston Public Library
-BGC Stem & Robotics
-EARLYOn
-Food Sharing Project
-Public Health
-Community Living Kingston
Mental Health Week, led by the Canadian Mental Health Association, will be recognized from May 4-10, with this year’s national theme being “Come together, Canada – Stronger Connections. Better Mental Health.”
This theme highlights the importance of meaningful social connection as a protective factor for mental well‑being. Research consistently shows that fostering a sense of belonging can enhance resilience, reduce stress, and support overall health across all age groups.
We invite families to join us in recognizing Mental Health Week by taking moments at home to connect, whether through conversation, shared activities, or simply checking in with one another. Together, we can help create a community where all students feel safe, supported, and connected.
Here are some related resources from School Mental Health Ontario that you may find useful:
- https://smho-smso.ca/parents-and-caregivers/
- https://smho-smso.ca/online-resources/info-sheet-helping-your-child-manage-digital-technology/
- https://smho-smso.ca/online-resources/easy-and-fun-mental-health-activities-for-home/
The Limestone District School Board’s Family Engagement and Climate Survey is now live and we invite families to share their experiences with their student’s school and with the school board.
Your feedback helps Limestone understand what is working well and where we can improve, and supports welcoming, safe, and supportive school communities.
The survey is open from April 30 to May 11 and is available online. Paper copies are also available at your school’s administrative office.
Access the Family Engagement and Climate Survey online.
Participation is voluntary and anonymous. You may skip any questions you choose, and no identifying information is collected.
Thank you for sharing your voice and helping strengthen Limestone schools and school communities.
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.
