ABPS Newsletter - 2026 01.pdf
Principal's Message
Greetings Ardagh Bluffs Families,
Happy New Year! We hope that you and your families have enjoyed the winter holiday and have had time to enjoy doing the things that re-energize you.
To begin, we would like to extend our gratitude to the entire Ardagh Bluffs Community for making our fourth annual Snow Much Fun Festival a huge success! This initiative was planned and led by our School Council with the support of staff, community and student volunteers. We would also like to express our appreciation to the community members, families and businesses that donated items for our silent auction and to families for their donations to the themed classroom baskets. We would like to thank our school community for coming out in large numbers to attend this event despite the date change due to wintery weather. We are finalizing the amount raised and will share that with the community when it is available. All funds raised will go directly towards clubs, teams, sports and extra-curricular activities at Ardagh. Way to go Bengals!
As we return to school, we will be holding a Safe School’s Assembly on January 8th for students in Grades 4 through 8 where we will remind students of our school’s code of conduct and the expectations we have of them. Reinforcing these messages helps to ensure a safe, welcoming and inclusive school environment for everyone.
On Wednesday, January 14th our School Council will be meeting in the library at 6:00 p.m. All parents and guardians are welcome to attend this meeting as we plan for the second half of the school year. Thursday, January 29th will be our Bring Back the Sun Spirit Day and staff and students are welcome to wear their summer items. Our School Council will also be hosting a Movie Night on that night. We’ll also look forward to Grilled Cheese Day on January 16th as well. As a reminder, Friday, January 30th is a Professional Activity Day and there will be no school for students on this date.
We would like to thank our entire school community for working together to foster such an inclusive, welcoming and supportive school environment.
We are looking forward to collaborating with you in 2026!
Wishing everyone a safe and learning filled month,
Ms. Robinson and Ms. Marjerrison
IMPORTANT DATES
Jan. 5: School Resumes
Jan. 8: Safe Schools Assembly (Gr.4-8)
Jan. 14: School Council Meeting (6:00)
Jan. 16: Grilled Cheese Day
Jan. 29: Spirit Day: Bring Back the Sun
Jan. 29: Movie Night Fundraiser
Jan. 30: P.A. Day
Feb. 6: Grilled Cheese Day
Feb. 11: Boston Pizza Fundraising Night
Feb. 13: Report Cards Sent Home
Feb. 13: Spirit Day: Red, White & Pink Day
Feb. 13: Valentine’s Day Dance/Fundraiser
Information and Updates from SCDSB
https://www.scdsb.on.ca/news/current_news/information_and_updates_january_2026
The proposed SCDSB 2026-27 school year calendar; Inclement weather and bus cancellation information reminder; Kindergarten registration for September 2026; High school information events for Grade 8 students; SCDSB families invited to explore math games and activities at Family Math Nights in February 2026; Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication on Student Devices; School playground structures are closed for the winter; Character recognition nominations; Interested in learning more about special education in the SCDSB?; Your child’s immunization record; January PA Days, and much, much more!
This month, the SCDSB is sharing information related to the below topics. To read this information, visit the SCDSB website.
● Provide your feedback on the proposed SCDSB 2026-27 school year calendar
● Inclement weather and bus cancellation information reminder
● Kindergarten registration for September 2026 is open!
● Is your child turning four in 2026? Get ready for Kindergarten with us!
● How is your infant, toddler, or preschool child developing?
● Licensed March Break school age child care programs
● Check out the SCDSB News video series
● High school information events for Grade 8 students
● SCDSB families invited to explore math games and activities at Family Math Nights in February 2026
● What is mental health? Introducing By Your Side resource
● Culminating Task Days and Feedback, Recovery, and Improvement Days (secondary)
● Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication on Student Devices
● School playground structures are closed for the winter
● Character recognition nominations
● Interested in learning more about special education in the SCDSB?
● New year, new math activities!
● Your child’s immunization record
● January PA Days
School Council Updates
Movie Night – January 29
Save the date for a cozy Family Movie Night on Thursday, January 29! The movie title will be announced soon.
Tickets & Pizza (Available early January on School Cash Online):
- Slice – $2.50 (Pepperoni or Cheese) - Large Pizza (8 slices) – $17.50 - Two Pizzas (16 slices) – $35.00
Gluten-free pizza available — please contact the school.
Admission: $2.50 (via School Cash Online or cash at the door) Doors Open: 6:00 PM | Showtime: 6:30 PM
Concession Stand (Cash Only)
- Candy & Glow Sticks – $0.50 each - Ring Pops & Water – $1.00 each - Popcorn & Hot Chocolate – $2.00 each
Come in comfy clothes and bring a blanket, pillow, and your parent or guardian. We can’t wait to see everyone there!
Principal of the Day Message
On December 16th, 2025, Ardagh Bluffs had two very special leaders in charge, Principal Tyler (Grade 5) and Principal Callie (Grade 4)! These two students earned the exciting opportunity to serve as Principals for the Day as a follow-up to our Terry Fox Run Assembly.
Tyler and Callie had a busy schedule! They helped to supervise the Kiss n’ Ride, made school-wide announcements, attended meetings, completed Health and Safety tasks, supported students during recess, helped run our practice lockdown drill, made presentations to our Grade 1 and 2 classes, and even helped organize bus students at the end of the day, all while keeping their walkie-talkies close in case they were needed. One of the highlights of their day was enjoying a special lunch with Ms. Robinson and Mr. Kirwan.
Both Tyler and Callie shared how proud they are to be part of the Ardagh Bluffs community. When asked what makes Ardagh Bluffs such a great school, Tyler said: “I like how nice the teachers and principals are at our school. Ardagh is a great school because it makes learning fun and we get to do a lot of special activities like Snow Much Fun!” He also added, “I like being a student at Ardagh because we get to do a lot of gym, which I enjoy.” Callie agreed, saying: “When you’re at Ardagh Bluffs P.S., you always feel safe and welcome. Being a student here is like being at home. When you’re in class, you feel welcome, safe, and respected.”
When asked what changes they would like to see, both had great ideas! Callie suggested adding more play equipment in the older kids’ yard, while Tyler hoped for more play equipment outside for recess. Callie also had a fun idea: “Each recess should be ten minutes…it’s cold out there!”
The best part of the day? Tyler loved being on duty for recess and doing the announcements, while Callie enjoyed going outside to be with all the kids (and teachers!).
Ms. Robinson and Mr. Kirwan were impressed with the professionalism and respect shown by these young leaders, stating: “We’re extremely fortunate to have a school full of wonderful, insightful, and thoughtful students. Placing students in leadership positions and providing them opportunities to gain experiences in different roles helps build our school community and gives everyone different insights that contribute to the overall success of our school.”
We look forward to continuing this Principal of the Day tradition each year!
Kiss N' Ride Guidelines
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.
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.