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For your convenience, we've provided the content from our December newsletter in plain text below.
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Greetings Ardagh Bluffs’ Families,
November was another busy and active month filled with various activities and much learning! On November 11th, we commemorated Remembrance Day with student-led assemblies and learned together about our past and current realities. November was also the month where we recognized Bullying Prevention and Intervention Week. During this week leadership team students created posters to display around the school, promoting kindness. As a school, we continue to engage in bullying prevention and intervention on an ongoing basis through the work of our Safe and Inclusive Learning Spaces Team.
December brings with it a multitude of winter festivities that weave together the rich tapestry of cultural traditions within our diverse school community. From Hanukkah and Christmas to Kwanzaa, this month provides an opportunity for our students to learn about and appreciate the various customs and rituals that make each winter celebration unique. Our classrooms are alive with discussions, art projects, and presentations that showcase the beauty of cultural diversity, fostering understanding and unity among our students.
This year, our Grade 6 students are hosting a “Holiday Treasures” sale where they will be selling donated items to raise money to offset the cost of their annual field trip. This will take place on Friday, December 12th. This month we are looking forward to our Winter Sing Alongs at the end of the month.
We also eagerly look forward to our SNOW MUCH FUN FESTIVAL, which is being hosted by the School Council in collaboration with school staff on Wednesday, December 10th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. This family friendly, fun event will serve as our most significant fundraiser to support extra-curricular sports, teams and clubs here at Ardagh Bluffs Public School. Thank you to all the families who have donated items to the silent auction. We hope to see you there!
The Ardagh Bluffs School Council is a dedicated group of parents and guardians who support various initiatives at the school. In addition, the Council is available if parents/guardians would like support addressing any concerns with the school. Please reach out to the School Council directly at [email protected] to connect with the co-chairs about how they can best support you.
We hope that everyone has a wonderful winter break and that everyone is able to enjoy time with their family and friends during the two week vacation period that runs from Monday, December 22nd to Friday, January 2nd.
We’re looking forward to another wonderful month of learning at Ardagh Bluffs Public School!
Wishing everyone a safe and learning filled month,
Ms. Robinson and Mr. Kirwan
SCHOOL COUNCIL UPDATE
SNOW MUCH FUN FESTIVAL
We hope you’ll join us for the 4th Annual Snow Much Fun Festival at Ardagh Bluffs P.S. on Wednesday, December 10 from 5:00pm-7:00pm! ❄️
This family event will include:
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Pizza (pre-order on School Cash Online; limited amount for cash purchase)
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Foodiez Food Truck
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Silent Auction (including Class Gift Baskets & Decorated Boards!)
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Vote for Class Decorated Board Challenge
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Face Painting $2
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Karaoke
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Wintertainment
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Make an Ornament
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Spin the Dreidel Game
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Make a Kwanzaa Bracelet
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Make Reindeer Food
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Henna Designs on Hand $2-$5
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Hot Chocolate $2, Popcorn $2, Candy 50¢ to $1
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Photos with Santa
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Mirror Photo Booth $2
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Portraits by Student Artists $2-$5
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Celebrations Around the World Storytimes
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...and more!
Admission is free.
All proceeds from the event will support extracurricular activities at Ardagh, including clubs and teams.
Thank you for supporting our school!!
Ardagh Bluffs School Council and Administration Team
SCHOOL COUNCIL FUNDRAISING UPDATES
Halloween Dance-a-Thon
The annual Halloween Dance-a-Thon was a lively and engaging event enjoyed by students across all grades. With enthusiastic participation and generous support from families, we raised $1,887.36!
These funds will support school athletics, essential school needs, DEI initiatives, and school improvements.
Movie Night
We hosted our first movie night of the year, and the turnout was great. Through this event, we raised $433.10. Proceeds will go toward school technology and supporting school enhancements.
Bradford Greenhouse Poinsettia Fundraiser
Our poinsettia fundraiser has officially wrapped up, and with your help, we raised $527.38.These funds will contribute to schoolyard improvements and technology.
Poinsettia pickup: December 1 from 3:30–4:20 pm after school.
Please note that poinsettias cannot be sent home with students on the bus.
Thank you to all families, students, and staff for your continued support
HOLIDAY TREASURES SALE
It’s time to start thinking about your holiday shopping. The grade six students at Ardagh Bluffs are organizing a “sale” that the students attend to purchase gifts for their families.
Here’s how it works:
New and gently used items are donated from our community and sorted by Grade six volunteers. Once all the items are sorted and organized, older students then help the younger ones shop for and wrap their gifts.
To assist us, we are asking for donated, gently used items. We are also looking for donations of wrapping paper and/or gently used gift bags so that we can wrap these special surprises. Donations may be dropped off at the school from December 9th to 11th during the school day and the sale will be December 12th. Your child is welcome to bring the items with them to school.
We would appreciate it if you would begin thinking of items you may have to donate to the sale. This is a well-loved event in many school communities, so clean out your closets and declutter in time for the holidays and send us the treasures you find to help this be a successful and fun event for our students! Remember, whatever you send in will be someone’s present!
Please do not send the following items:
For the December 12th sale, parents/guardians are welcome to send in small amounts of money in a clearly labeled bag so that their children can purchase a gift for their family members.
Thank you for your support!
The Grade Six Staff and Students
SNOW REMOVAL
Please note that the sidewalk that resides between the SEEDS parking lot and the fence at the back of our school property will not be maintained this winter as there is no safe location to pile the snow from this area. We have been notified that a safe walkway will be cleared on the school side of the SEEDs parking lot and we will continue to have access to the Intermediate Gate that enters the school yard
INTERMEDIATE GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Intermediate Girls Basketball team had a successful season this year. They finished second in their division and first in the Zone tournament, earning them a spot at Regionals to compete with 2 other teams to see who will go to Counties. Regardless of what the outcome will be, the girls have all improved so much, worked hard and had a fun season. Well done!
INTERMEDIATE BOYS BASKETBALL TRYOUTS
Tryouts for Intermediate Boys Basketball will be taking place during nutrition breaks in December at Ardagh Bluffs.
We encourage all interested students to participate and showcase their skills. Parents and guardians are reminded to review the Ophea safety requirements ahead of tryouts to stay informed about any associated risks and help ensure a safe and positive experience for all.
The SCDSB does not provide accident insurance coverage for student injuries that occur on school premises, at board-sponsored events, or during school extracurricular activities (e.g., athletics, clubs). Students may not participate in these activities without having extended health and dental coverage or student insurance coverage.
We are excited to offer this opportunity for students to get involved, build team spirit, and showcase their talents. Go Bengals!
INFORMATION AND UPDATES FROM THE SCDSB
Information and updates from the SCDSB:
This month, the SCDSB is sharing information related to the following topics:
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There’s ‘snow-place’ like school! Attendance matters
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Provide your feedback on the proposed SCDSB 2026-27 school year calendar
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High school information events for Grade 8 students
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Registration for Grade 1 French Immersion this December
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Support your child(ren) in learning math
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SCDSB families invited to explore math games and activities at Family Math Nights in February 2026
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Subscribe to Kindergarten Connections!
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Check out the SCDSB News video series
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Licensed Winter Break school-age child care programs
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Holiday markets
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SCDSB offers free Self-Reg Parenting Course – registration now open!
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Culminating Task Days and Feedback, Recovery, and Improvement Days (secondary)
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School playground structures are closed for the winter
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Winter safety reminder
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Reminder about sledding safety at school
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Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication on Student Devices
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YouthReach
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Stay healthy this school year!
To read this information, visit the SCDSB website
Kiss N’ Ride Guidelines
Ardagh Bluffs has one Kiss n’ Ride, which is located off Summerset Drive.
Our Kiss n’ Ride is a busy place. We are very fortunate that we have a long kiss n’ ride that can hold many vehicles at once to unload students, as well as a second lane to keep traffic flowing.
It takes a collective effort from everyone to ensure we have a safe and efficient Kiss n’ Ride. Please remember the following guidelines when using our Kiss n’ Ride:
MOVE FORWARD!
PULL UP AS FAR AS POSSIBLE to either the end of the kiss n’ ride zone if no one is in front of you, or to the vehicle that’s stopped in front of you. Don’t leave large spaces between you and the vehicle in front of you. We can unload many students at one time if all the vehicles move forward before stopping.
If you’re waiting for your child, and a vehicle leaves in front of you, please pull up so additional vehicles can enter the Kiss n’ Ride. Don’t leave empty spaces in front of you if you’re just waiting.
NO PARKING - STOPPING ZONE ONLY. The kiss n’ ride is designed for a quick drop off or pick up area. Please transition children in or out of your vehicle in a timely manner to ensure our kiss n’ ride remains efficient. Ideally, parents/guardians should not exit vehicles. If you must get out to support your child(ren) exiting the vehicle, please do so in a timely manner. If it will take you more than a minute to unload your child(ren), please park elsewhere and walk your child to the school yard.
STUDENTS EXIT CURBSIDE. Students should only exit their vehicle on the curbside of the vehicle while in the kiss n’ ride. We have a second lane where traffic is flowing, which could cause a safety risk for students exiting on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
LEFT LANE IS FOR THROUGH TRAFFIC. Please leave the left lane of our kiss n’ ride open for through traffic. Never stop to load or unload students in the left lane as that can be extremely dangerous.
NEVER LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE UNATTENDED. Vehicles are not to be left unattended at any time while in our kiss n’ ride. If you are intending to watch your child in the school yard after you drop them off, please park your vehicle elsewhere. At the end of the day, we ask that you remain in, or beside, your vehicle while you wait for the dismissal bell to ring. Please instruct your child(ren) to proceed directly to your vehicle after the bell so you can depart the Kiss n’ Ride and let other vehicles enter.
SLOW SPEED. Please don’t speed into, or drive fast out of, the Kiss n’ Ride zone. We have many students/families in the vicinity that depend on drivers being diligent and aware of their surroundings at all times. As a driver, you must be able to stop your vehicle within inches. Please go at a speed that will allow you to do so.
PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE. At peak times (9:10 - 9:20 am and 3:30 - 3:50 pm) our Kiss N’ Ride is a very busy place. It may take you some time in line, but please know that everyone will eventually make their way to the drop off/pick up area. Please instruct your child(ren) to wait by the Kiss n’ Ride fence until you can make your way into the Kiss n’ Ride.
PEDESTRIANS USE RAINBOW CROSSWALK: Students and Parents/Guardians are asked to use our rainbow crosswalk any time you are walking to, or from, our main parking lot. Please don’t cross our Kiss N’ Ride where vehicles are dropping off students - this is extremely dangerous as we have vehicles moving through this area and not expecting pedestrians to be walking across our kiss n’ ride lanes.
Parking Lot - Wright Drive
Ardagh has a secondary parking lot that is located off Wright Drive. This parking lot is designated primarily for Staff parking and for SEEDS Daycare.
This is NOT designed to be a Kiss n’ Ride. We only have one Kiss n’ Ride and that is located off Summerset Drive.
Due to safety concerns for students and parents/guardians who are walking in this area, this parking lot will be closed to unauthorized vehicles. There will be pylons positioned at the entrance to remind drivers that this is a restricted area.
Parents/Guardians who are dropping off or picking up a child from SEEDS daycare are still permitted to use this parking lot as long as you have a valid parking pass that you will display on your vehicle dashboard.
Parents who need to drive their child to and from school are asked to follow the City of Barrie parking and stopping by-laws in and around our school and side streets. Click Here for the map that was provided by the City of Barrie to help us understand the parking restrictions on city streets around the school.
Kindergarten Students using Summerset Drive Kiss N’ Ride
Morning Drop Off: If Kindergarten students are being dropped off using the Summerset Drive Kiss N’ Ride, we will have an older student or adult walk them to the Kindergarten Yard. Please inform a staff member upon your arrival that your child will need to be accompanied to the Kindergarten Yard.
Afternoon Pick Up: At the end of the day, if you are going to be picking up your Kindergarten student at the Summerset Drive Kiss N’ Ride, one of the staff members will walk your child over to the Kiss n’ Ride shortly after the bell. Please inform your child’s educators if you would like this to be arranged.
If Kindergarten students have older siblings in our school that would like to pick them up at the end of the day and walk them over to the Summerset Kiss n Ride for pick up, they are more than welcome to retrieve their sibling after the bell.