We completed another great week of school at Carson Grove! It was great to see how excited everyone was to participate in the Terry Fox assembly and walk.
Class Balancing
Each September, all class sizes are reviewed by the OCDSB. While we don’t expect an increase or decrease in the number of classes at this time, we have had a number of new students join the school and some of our classes are out of balance.
Next Steps…
In some cases, students will need to change classes. We commit to sharing any staffing changes and student class placement changes with families by Friday, September 29th with any new placements starting on Monday, October 2nd.
For classes where the class lists will change and students are moved to a new homeroom group, staff will carefully consider the learning and social needs of each student involved. As a family, your voice will also be considered. If you would like to provide input, please click here to share your thoughts before Tuesday, September 26th at 4pm.
Dental Screening at Carson Grove for Kindergarten, Grade 2, and Grade 4
On October 10th and 11th, dental hygienists from Ottawa Public Health will be coming to Carson Grove ES for all Kindergarten, grade 2, and grade 4 students. Please click here to view an information sheet about the free dental screening program.
Transportation Update
If you are at a bus stop where more than one Carson Grove bus stops, please always only put your child on their bus. For insurance and safety reasons, students are not allowed to ride on a different Carson Grove bus. Many of the buses are nearly full and placing extra students on the wrong bus is dangerous and cannot happen. Thank you for your support!
While we are hopeful that the buses will be running regularly now, it's still a good idea to sign up for updates about late buses and cancellations through OSTA's Parent Portal. Click here to access the portal. You can also check the route cancellations and delays yourself each morning by clicking here.
Dropping Off and Picking Up at School
When picking up or dropping off your child at bus times (before and after school), please do not enter the school parking lot. Instead, be sure to park across the street in the parking area and walk your child safely to the school property.
Rowan’s Law Day - September 27th
The last Wednesday of each September has been legislated as a day to raise awareness about concussion safety. Rowan’s Law was named for Rowan Stringer, a student at John McCrae Secondary School, who died in the spring of 2013. Rowan's Law Day raises awareness about concussions and concussion safety. To learn more about the OCDSB Concussion Management protocols, please click here. We will be looking at this important issue throughout the year as a part of our health and physical education programming.
Truth and Reconciliation Week, Orange Shirt Day, and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - September 30th, 2023 (Recognized in Schools on Sept. 29th)
Orange Shirt Day has been observed as a day of learning about the harmful and ongoing impacts of residential schools. In the spring of 2021, the federal government enacted legislation recognizing September 30th as a federal statutory holiday commemorating National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This action was in response to Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) Call to Action #80, which asked that the federal government collaborate with Indigenous peoples to establish a statutory holiday to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.
We recognize the importance of committing, as a school system, to engaging in learning activities in support of the TRC Calls to Action and commemoration of the ongoing impact of the residential school system.
In Ontario, schools will mark the day on September 29th as the 30th falls on a Saturday. Schools will remain open. Classes will be learning about this in age-appropriate ways as we recognize this important week and day at Carson Grove.