Friday, June 6th, 2025

Just a reminder that tomorrow is a PD Day, so there is no school for students.

Students in Grades 4-6 participated in the Junior Track and Field day on Monday. It was a perfect day for it! Not too hot, but nice and sunny! A huge thank you to Mme. Ward for all the time and effort organizing and preparing the events. The Track and Field team will be announced early next week! Mme. Faulkner and Ms. Dorinda will be taking the team and heading to the Terry Fox Track and Field Center on June 16th for the Regional Track and Field Meet.

It was lovely to see some of our volunteers at our Volunteer Breakfast this morning. Your support of our school is so appreciated!

Just a reminder that our YEAR END FAMILY PICNIC is just around the corner! Please join us on June 17th for our annual year end Family Picnic! Bring a blanket, chairs, a picnic (or buy dinner from the food trucks that will be onsite) and spend some time celebrating the end of the year with family and friends! The festivities will start at 4:30!

Most of our clubs and sports are winding up for the year. I wanted to take a moment to thank our staff who have volunteered their time to organize and run the sports, clubs and special events that they have throughout this year. There have been so many different activities and special events for students to participate in. Cross country, soccer, basketball, borden ball, track and field, chess club, dance club, drawing/colouring club, coding club, singing club, Marathon Club, Terry Fox, Jump Rope for Heart, Food Drive, Girls at Bat, Grade 6 Leadership Team, Track and Field Day, Imagine a Canada. These opportunities allow students to build skills and meet new friends. All of these are activities that are voluntary for teachers, and add to an already busy day. 

CELEBRATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY

PRIDE MONTH: Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate diversity, learn about the achievements and histories of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, acknowledge the many challenges 2SLGBTQ+ communities continue to face, and to reaffirm our support for all identities and stand together against discrimination. Pride Month is celebrated internationally in June, in commemoration of the Stonewall Riots that took place in June 1969. For more information on how the OCDSB and ALC are supporting students in the 2SLGBTQ+ community, please visit the OCDSB website.

National Indigenous History Month: June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It's a time to honour the stories, achievements and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to impact the evolving Canada.

The House of Commons designated June as National Aboriginal History Month in 2009. The name was changed to National Indigenous History Month in 2017.

JUNE 6- PD DAY (no school for students)

JUNE 16- JUNIOR BOARD TRACK AND FIELD MEET- rain or shine

JUNE 17- FAMILY PICNIC @4:30pm

JUNE 24- GRADE 6 LEAVING CEREMONY @10am

Friday, May 30th, 2025

And just like that, we are in June!

Monday is our Junior Track and Field Day. Students in Grades 4-6 will be outside for most of the day, so please ensure they have a water bottle, snacks and sunscreen. Hats are also recommended.

Thursday is our Volunteer Breakfast. All volunteers should have received an invitation from Ms. Trish or their child’s homeroom teacher. This is an opportunity for us to thank you for your time and contributions to our school community. So many of the things we do would not be possible without your support and commitment of time

We know that in June the weather does start to warm up and that means classrooms also start to warm up. We encourage students to bring a water bottle to school to help stay cool. We also try to maintain as much consistency and structure in our days as we can as we know it helps ease the transition into summer, but we also want to celebrate the end of our time together, so we try to find a good balance.

Staffing update: One of the difficult parts of June is saying goodbye to staff who are moving onto new adventures. We recently learned that Ms. Doxsee will be heading to Earl of March Intermediate School as their Vice Principal. We will be welcoming Danny Shalom as our new Vice Principal. Danny will be visiting on Tuesday of next week to get a lay of the land here at ALC.

Announcements are made each morning reminding students of meeting times and locations for clubs and sports. Please encourage your child to listen to the announcements. Most staff also post reminders in their classrooms about the days events that are relevant for their students.

Grade 6 Leadership Team

Singing Club- Thursdays

Chess Club- grade 5 and 6

CELEBRATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY

PRIDE MONTH: Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate diversity, learn about the achievements and histories of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, acknowledge the many challenges 2SLGBTQ+ communities continue to face, and to reaffirm our support for all identities and stand together against discrimination. Pride Month is celebrated internationally in June, in commemoration of the Stonewall Riots that took place in June 1969. For more information on how the OCDSB and ALC are supporting students in the 2SLGBTQ+ community, please visit the OCDSB website.

National Indigenous History Month: June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It's a time to honour the stories, achievements and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to impact the evolving Canada.

The House of Commons designated June as National Aboriginal History Month in 2009. The name was changed to National Indigenous History Month in 2017.

JUNE 2- JR. TRACK AND FIELD DAY

JUNE 3- FRIDAY SCHEDULE

JUNE 6- PD DAY (no school for students)

JUNE 16- BOARD TRACK AND FIELD MEET- rain or shine

JUNE 17- FAMILY PICNIC

JUNE 24- GRADE 6 LEAVING CEREMONY @10am

Friday May 23, 2025

Thank you to Tara- Lee and Melissa for all their work in our Gardens on Tuesday! It is a huge undertaking and we appreciate the time and effort you are putting in!

On Saturday, Mme. Renee, Mme. Kearns and Mme. Evans will be taking the Marathon Club down to run the final leg of their marathons! 

Two of our amazing students, Lily and Addison travelled to Winnipeg to present at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation's Honouring Ceremony this today! They shared our Imagine a Canada project's fundraising status and our overall goals with the Centre and other grant recipients. So proud of them!!! 

YEAR END FAMILY PICNIC- Please join us on June 17th for our annual year end Family Picnic! Bring a blanket, chairs, a picnic (or buy dinner from the food trucks that will be onsite) and spend some time celebrating the end of the year with family and friends!

BY YOUR SIDE: Leading Mentally Healthy Schools has put together a comprehensive resource for parents and caregivers. You can sign up to receive their newsletter which offers a wide variety of tools, strategies and information to support the mental health of your child!

KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE: We are excited to welcome all incoming Kindergarten students to our Open House on Wednesday May 28 from 5:30-6:30. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

SCHOOL VOLUNTARY FEES REPORT: Below is the breakdown on how we spent our Voluntary Fees that were collected in September.

Total collected: $3 860

-$1100 Blues in the Schools

-$2100 to offset 1 bus/grade level for field trips

$600- set aside for a presenter we had booked for June but who had to postpone until September due to illness.

Leaves us with $60 remaining.

Announcements are made each morning reminding students of meeting times and locations for clubs and sports. Please encourage your child to listen to the announcements. Most staff also post reminders in their classrooms about the days events that are relevant for their students.

• Coding

• Grade 6 Leadership Team

• Singing Club- Thursdays

• Marathon Club

• Chess Club- grade 5 and 6

MAY 26-30 EQAO GRADE 6

MAY 28- KINDER OPEN HOUSE 5:30pm 

JUNE 2- JR. TRACK AND FIELD DAY

JUNE 3- FRIDAY SCHEDULE

JUNE 6- PD DAY (no school for students)

JUNE 17- FAMILY PICNIC

JUNE 24- GRADE 6 LEAVING CEREMONY

Friday May 16, 2025

We had an amazing afternoon with ALL of our students outside running, playing and jumping in the sunshine! Thank you to Mme. Roberts for once again organizing Jump Rope for Heart! A huge shout out to our Fabulous Grade 6 Leaders! They truly did an outstanding job running the  stations and leading their groups around. Our community raised $5 126 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Amazing efforts!

JUNIOR TRACK AND FIELD: June 2 (rain date June 3) On June 2 we will be holding our Jr. Track and Field Day. Results from this day will create our Track and Field Team for the Board Meet later in June. Top 2 finishers will qualify for the Board Meet. If students qualify in more than 2 events, we will ask them to select the 2 events they want to do so we can give more students the opportunity to attend the meet.

UNPLUGGED CANADA:  This site has some interesting information and resources for families around technology use/impacts for children. https://unpluggedcanada.com/

SCHOOL COUNCIL: Our next School Council Meeting is on May 21th at 7:00 in the gym. All are welcome to attend.

GARDENS: Tuesday May 20th 345pm on will be the garden clean up and prep day. Volunteers would be greatly appreciated for some light garden clean up and spreading of mulch. Please drop off any mulch (natural colour) or manure donations any time Tuesday. Any support is greatly appreciated.

KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE: We are excited to welcome all incoming Kindergarten students to our Open House on Wednesday May 28 from 5:30-6:30. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

CLUBS

Announcements are made each morning reminding students of meeting times and locations for clubs and sports. Please encourage your child to listen to the announcements. Most staff also post reminders in their classrooms about the days events that are relevant for their students.

• Coding
• Grade 6 Leadership Team
• Singing Club- Thursdays
• Marathon Club
• Chess Club- grade 5 and 6

CELEBRATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY:

Asian Heritage Month As May approaches, we look forward to a special opportunity to celebrate the richness and diversity within our community and across Canada. May is recognized nationally as Asian Heritage Month and South Asian Heritage Month.

This month provides a focused opportunity to learn about the incredibly diverse cultures, histories, and traditions that span the continent of Asia and the South Asian subcontinent. We especially want to highlight the countless individual contributions made by people from these communities. From pioneering innovations and artistic achievements to leadership in business and community service, Asian and South Asian Canadians have been, and continue to be, integral in shaping Canada into the culturally diverse, compassionate, and prosperous nation we know today, right here in Ottawa and across the country.

Canadian Jewish Heritage Month: This May, we join the country in recognizing Canadian Jewish Heritage Month. This is an important time dedicated to celebrating the significant contributions and rich heritage of Jewish Canadians.

This month, we highlight the many individual contributions Jewish Canadians have made throughout our history and continue to make today. In fields ranging from science and the arts to law, education, and community building, Jewish Canadians have played a vital role in shaping Canada into the culturally diverse, compassionate, and prosperous country we experience, both nationally and right here in Ottawa. Their stories often include journeys of resilience, adaptation, and deep commitment to community values.

IMPORTANT DATES

MAY 19- STATUTORY HOLIDAY- (no school for students)

MAY 20-23 EQAO GRADE 3

MAY 26-30 EQAO GRADE 6

MAY 28- KINDER OPEN HOUSE

JUNE 6- PD DAY (no school for students)

JUNE 24- GRADE 6 LEAVING CEREMONY

NOTE:  According to the OCDSB Policy Religious Holy Days, no major assessments or school events will be planned on these Holy Days.  DATES TO BE AVOIDED, DATES OF OBSERVATION

ALC  INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Attendance: if your child will be absent, please call the school at 613 831 3434 or email us at: alcabsence@ocdsb.ca

Friday, May 2, 2025

As always, we have lots happening in the Spring at ALC!

Kindergarten Open House: We are excited to welcome all incoming Kindergarten students to our Open House on Wednesday May 28 from 5:30-6:30. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Imagine a Canada- Hockey Equipment Drive: Our first week of collecting used equipment has been a huge success! Stay tuned, because we have 2 more weeks between now and the end of August before we send the donations to various communities for the upcoming hockey season!

Art Show: Students are busy working on their art projects to showcase at our Annual Art Show. May 7th families are invited to come and see all of the amazing art students have been creating throughout the year! The Art Show will run from 4:30-6:00. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Art Show Canteen: Grade 6 students will be fundraising to offset the costs of their Year-End Field Trip. Please consider bringing cash to enjoy a beverage or a light snack during the Art Show. Thanks in advance for supporting their efforts. 

Jump Rope For Heart 2025: ALC has participated in Jump Rope For Heart for over 24 years! During this time, the ALC community has raised a generous amount of close to $300 000 in donations for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Our goal this year is to raise $3000 or more for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. 

Please join our school community in helping Heart & Stroke save lives by jump-starting your fundraising. 

Here’s how: 

• Visit jumpropeforheart.ca and click “Register”.  

• Search for our school’s name or copy and paste the school link below to register right from our school page! 

• https://jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca/87451    

• Help your child set up their own fundraising page online and let your friends and family members know they can also donate online by sharing the above link.

Our JRFH Event at ALC will take place on Friday, May 16th for JK-grade 6 students. Let's see what we can do to make a difference in the lives of others!

Gardens: As we prepare our gardens for the spring, we are looking for donations of mulch and manure. Donations can be dropped off at the school or brought to the clean up event. We are looking at a mid-May garden clean up date, and will share the exact date/time ASAP

Grade 6 parents: Please mark your calendars! Mrs. Heard and Ms. Vaillancourt from Maplewood S.S. will be holding 2 very important instrument testing nights on Wednesday May 14th and Thursday May 15th in the Maplewood Gym from 5:30-7:00.  This opportunity will allow your child to test out 4 different instruments in order to help them prepare for instrumental music next year at Maplewood.  We look forward to seeing everyone on either of the nights.

Announcements are made each morning reminding students of meeting times and locations for clubs and sports. Please encourage your child to listen to the announcements. Most staff also post reminders in their classrooms about the days events that are relevant for their students.

• Coding

• Grade 6 Leadership Team

• Creative Colourists- for students in Grades 1-3

• Jr. Girls and Boys Basketball 

• Marathon Club

• Chess Club- grade 5 and 6

CELEBRATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY:

Asian Heritage Month As May approaches, we look forward to a special opportunity to celebrate the richness and diversity within our community and across Canada. May is recognized nationally as Asian Heritage Month and South Asian Heritage Month.

This month provides a focused opportunity to learn about the incredibly diverse cultures, histories, and traditions that span the continent of Asia and the South Asian subcontinent. We especially want to highlight the countless individual contributions made by people from these communities. From pioneering innovations and artistic achievements to leadership in business and community service, Asian and South Asian Canadians have been, and continue to be, integral in shaping Canada into the culturally diverse, compassionate, and prosperous nation we know today, right here in Ottawa and across the country.

Canadian Jewish Heritage Month: This May, we join the country in recognizing Canadian Jewish Heritage Month. This is an important time dedicated to celebrating the significant contributions and rich heritage of Jewish Canadians.

This month, we highlight the many individual contributions Jewish Canadians have made throughout our history and continue to make today. In fields ranging from science and the arts to law, education, and community building, Jewish Canadians have played a vital role in shaping Canada into the culturally diverse, compassionate, and prosperous country we experience, both nationally and right here in Ottawa. Their stories often include journeys of resilience, adaptation, and deep commitment to community values.

MAY 7-ART SHOW 4:30-5:30pm

MAY 14 AND 15- MUSIC NIGHT AT MAPLEWOOD FOR INCOMING GRADE 7 STUDENTS

MAY 16- JUMP ROPE FOR HEART

MAY 19- STATUTORY HOLIDAY- (no school for students)

MAY 28- KINDER OPEN HOUSE  5:30-6:30pm

JUNE 6- PD DAY (no school for students)

JUNE 24- GRADE 6 LEAVING CEREMONY @ 10am

Friday, April 25th, 2025

Federal Election: On Monday, ALC will once again be a polling station for the federal election. Voters will be able to access the school through the side doors and only have access to the gym. Elections Canada is providing a security guard and staff to ensure that nobody moves into other areas of the building.

The National Day of Mourning, held annually in Canada on April 28, is dedicated to remembering workers who have lost their lives or suffered illness or injury on the job or as a result of a work-related incident.  Workplace health and safety and the prevention of work-related deaths and injuries remains an important issue across Canada. In honour of the National Day of Mourning, national flags will be half-staffed on all federal and provincial government buildings.  All Ottawa-Carleton District School Board flags will also be half-staffed as a sign of respect.

Are you moving? As we continue to plan for next year, we are asking that families who may be moving from ALC next year to please let us know, as it helps us with our planning for next year. Please send Mrs. Walker a quick email to let her know. tina.walker@ocdsb.ca

Grade 6 parents: Please mark your calendars! Mrs. Heard and Ms. Vaillancourt from Maplewood S.S. will be holding 2 very important instrument testing nights on Wednesday May 14th and Thursday May 15th in the Maplewood Gym from 5:30-7:00.  This opportunity will allow your child to test out 4 different instruments in order to help them prepare for instrumental music next year at Maplewood.  We look forward to seeing everyone on either of the nights.

Grade 6 T-shirts/Hoodies: Grade 6 students who ordered T-shirts/Hoodies received those today.

Art Show- Students are busy working on their art projects to showcase at our Annual Art Show. May 7th families are invited to come and see all of the amazing art students have been creating throughout the year! The Art Show will run from 4:30-6:00. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Imagine a Canada- Hockey Equipment Drive: Don’t forget that we have our first collection week next week for used hockey gear that will be donated to Indigenous Communities throughout Canada. The student team has set up collection boxes in the rotunda, so please start bringing in any gear you may have sitting at home that is no longer being used! 

Announcements are made each morning reminding students of meeting times and locations for clubs and sports. Please encourage your child to listen to the announcements. Most staff also post reminders in their classrooms about the days events that are relevant for their students.

• Coding

• Dance Club- Primary Club

• Grade 6 Leadership Team

• Creative Colourists- for students in Grades 1-3

• Jr. Girls and Boys Basketball 

• Marathon Club

MAY 7-ART SHOW

MAY 14 AND 15- MUSIC NIGHT AT MAPLEWOOD FOR INCOMING GRADE 7 STUDENTS

MAY 19- STATUTORY HOLIDAY- (no school for students)

JUNE 6- PD DAY (no school for students)

JUNE 24- GRADE 6 LEAVING CEREMONY

Thursday, April 17th, 2025

As we head into the long weekend, we hope everyone has some time to rest and recharge! Hopefully spring decides to arrive permanently soon!

Students are busy working on their art projects to show case at our Annual Art Show. May 7th families are invited to come and see all of the amazing art students have been creating throughout the year! The Art Show will run from 4:30-6:00. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Imagine a Canada- Hockey Equipment Drive: Don’t forget that we have our first collection week next week for used hockey gear that will be donated to Indigenous Communities throughout Canada. The student team has set up collection boxes in the rotunda, so please start bringing in any gear you may have sitting at home that is no longer being used! 

We have set our dates for EQAO this year for students in Grades 3 and 6. Our Grade 6 students will be writing from May 20-23, 2025 and Grade 3 students will be writing from May 26-30. Attached are 2 documents to help parents support students writing EQAO.

Council will be looking for volunteers to help out with the gardens once the weather becomes a little more consistent. More information will be coming on that soon!

April’s resources have been added to the BUILDING THE BRIDGE. These resources support learning at home in all subject areas.

CELEBRATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY

SIKH HERITAGE MONTH: April marks the beginning of Sikh Heritage Month. April was specifically chosen to honour this month due to its importance for Sikhs. In April, Sikhs around the the world celebrate Vaisakhi, which marks the formalization of the Khalsa and the Sikh articles of faith. The core root values of Khalsa are Kindness, Justice, Courage, Determination, and Strength.

Sikh Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate our students about the rich culture, traditions and contributions of Sikh Canadians past and present. 

AUTISM AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE MONTH: Autism Acceptance Month celebrates and honors the experiences and identities of Autistic individuals. It emphasizes understanding, inclusion, and support, moving beyond awareness towards meaningful acceptance.

PASSOVER: Passover begins at sundown on April 12, and ends at sundown on April 20. Known as Pesach in Hebrew, it is celebrated by Jews every year and commemorates the anniversary of the miraculous Exodus from slavery in Egypt, as told in the Torah. On the first two nights of Passover, Jewish families hold a Seder meal, which centers around telling the story of the Exodus and includes many important traditions like drinking four cups of wine, dipping veggies into saltwater, asking the Four Questions (Mah Nishtanah), eating matzah (a cracker-like unleavened flatbread), and singing songs.

EASTER: Easter also called Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD It is the culmination of the Passion of Jesus, preceded by Lent (or Great Lent), a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. Easter celebrations also include the arrival of the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny (also called the Easter Rabbit or Easter Hare) is a folkloric figure and symbol of Easter, depicted as a rabbit—sometimes dressed with clothes—bringing Easter eggs. Originating among German Lutherans, the "Easter Hare" originally played the role of a judge, evaluating whether children were good or disobedient in behavior at the start of the season of Eastertide, similar to the "naughty or nice" list made by Santa Claus. As part of the legend, the creature carries colored eggs in its basket, as well as candy, and sometimes toys, to the homes of children.

CLUBS

Announcements are made each morning reminding students of meeting times and locations for clubs and sports. Please encourage your child to listen to the announcements. Most staff also post reminders in their classrooms about the days events that are relevant for their students.

• Coding
• Dance Club- Primary Club
• Grade 6 Leadership Team
• Creative Colourists- for students in Grades 1-3
• Jr. Girls and Boys Basketball 
• Marathon Club

My apologies for the second message this evening.

Jump Rope For Heart 2025

Our school is excited to participate once again in Jump Rope for Heart this year! Students will discover fun ways to get active, practice healthy habits and learn about helping others while raising money to beat heart disease and stroke. Next week, we will have a JRFH Kick Off Event for students in JK-grade 6 to let them know all about this upcoming event!

ALC has participated in Jump Rope For Heart for over 24 years! During this time, the ALC community has raised a generous amount of close to $300 000 in donations for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Our goal this year is to raise $3000 or more for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. 

Please join our school community in helping Heart & Stroke save lives by jump-starting your fundraising. 

Here’s how: 

• Visit jumpropeforheart.ca and click “Register”.  
• Search for our school’s name or copy and paste the school link below to register right from our school page! 
• https://jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca/87451    
• Help your child set up their own fundraising page online and let your friends and family members know they can also donate online by sharing the above link.

Our JRFH Event at ALC will take place on Friday, May 16th for JK-grade 6 students. Let's see what we can do to make a difference in the lives of others!

APRIL 9- FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT

APRIL 16- SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING

APRIL 18- GOOD FRIDAY (no school for students)

APRIL 21- EASTER MONDAY (no school for students)

APRIL 22- MONDAY SCHEDULE

MAY 7-ART SHOW

MAY 19- STATUTORY HOLIDAY- (no school for students)

JUNE 6- PD DAY (no school for students)

JUNE 24- GRADE 6 LEAVING CEREMONY

NOTE:  According to the OCDSB Policy Religious Holy Days, no major assessments or school events will be planned on these Holy Days.  DATES TO BE AVOIDED, DATES OF OBSERVATION

ALC  INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Attendance: if your child will be absent, please call the school at 613 831 3434 or email us at: alcabsence@ocdsb.ca

A. LORNE CASSIDY WEBSITE

BUILDING THE BRIDGE

APRIL 11th, 2025

You may have heard about the excitement at school on Wednesday as the winning song from Manie Musicale was revealed! Minimum Ca! Was the big winner! It was so amazing to see all the students getting excited about Francophone culture and music! https://www.maniemusicale.info/

Thank you to all the families who joined us for our first Family Literacy Night! We would love to hear your feedback on the evening so we can make our next event even better!

Grade 6 parents: Please mark your calendars! Mrs. Heard and Ms. Vaillancourt from Maplewood S.S. will be holding 2 very important instrument testing nights on Wednesday May 14th and Thursday May 15th in the Maplewood Gym from 5:30-7:00.  This opportunity will allow your child to test out 4 different instruments in order to help them prepare for instrumental music next year at Maplewood.  We look forward to seeing everyone on either of the nights.

CELEBRATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY

SIKH HERITAGE MONTH: April marks the beginning of Sikh Heritage Month. April was specifically chosen to honour this month due to its importance for Sikhs. In April, Sikhs around the the world celebrate Vaisakhi, which marks the formalization of the Khalsa and the Sikh articles of faith. The core root values of Khalsa are Kindness, Justice, Courage, Determination, and Strength. Sikh Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate our students about the rich culture, traditions and contributions of Sikh Canadians past and present. 

AUTISM AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE MONTH: Autism Acceptance Month celebrates and honors the experiences and identities of Autistic individuals. It emphasizes understanding, inclusion, and support, moving beyond awareness towards meaningful acceptance.

PASSOVER: Passover begins at sundown on April 12, and ends at sundown on April 20. Known as Pesach in Hebrew, it is celebrated by Jews every year and commemorates the anniversary of the miraculous Exodus from slavery in Egypt, as told in the Torah. On the first two nights of Passover, Jewish families hold a Seder meal, which centers around telling the story of the Exodus and includes many important traditions like drinking four cups of wine, dipping veggies into saltwater, asking the Four Questions (Mah Nishtanah), eating matzah (a cracker-like unleavened flatbread), and singing songs.

Announcements are made each morning reminding students of meeting times and locations for clubs and sports. Please encourage your child to listen to the announcements. Most staff also post reminders in their classrooms about the days events that are relevant for their students.

• Coding

• Dance Club- Primary Club

• Grade 6 Leadership Team

• Creative Colourists- for students in Grades 1-3

• Jr. Girls and Boys Basketball 

• Marathon Club

APRIL 9- FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT

APRIL 16- SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING

APRIL 18- GOOD FRIDAY (no school for students)

APRIL 21- EASTER MONDAY (no school for students)

APRIL 22- MONDAY SCHEDULE

MAY 7- ART SHOW 4:30pm-6:00pm

MAY 19- STATUTORY HOLIDAY- (no school for students)

JUNE 6- PD DAY (no school for students)

JUNE 24- GRADE 6 LEAVING CEREMONY @ 10am

APRIL 4, 2025

We wanted to thank Mr. Lynch for supporting our school community while Ms. Trish was away. Trish is back at work (and is so happy to be back with students), but will sometimes need to be away from the school. As usual, she is always available by email if needed!

As we head into Spring, we often find coats, mitts, hats etc… outside. Is is always much easier to get them to their owners if they are labelled. Please take a moment to label your child’s belongings to ensure they get home!

FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT: Thank you to all of our families who have signed up for the Family Literacy Night! We are excited to be able to move forward with the event, however we are going to adjust the timing slightly due to the lower numbers. We will be running the event from 5:30-6:30. Ideally families will arrive at 5:30 and move through all of the stations, but we understand if you need to come later and join in!

CARLETON HEIGHTS RAINBOOT DRIVE: Just a reminder we are still collecting rain boots for students at Carleton Heights until next Friday.

FALL PHOTOS: We have received proofs for all fall photos. I you would like a copy of the proofs for your child’s rally photos (if you missed the fall order), please have them come to the office to pick them up.

ELEMENTARY PROGRAM REVIEW: This week the District shared a revised proposal for the Elementary Program Review. The District is asking for feedback on the revised proposal from families. You can find the details here.

CELEBRATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY

SIKH HERITAGE MONTH: April marks the beginning of Sikh Heritage Month. April was specifically chosen to honour this month due to its importance for Sikhs. In April, Sikhs around the the world celebrate Vaisakhi, which marks the formalization of the Khalsa and the Sikh articles of faith. The core root values of Khalsa are Kindness, Justice, Courage, Determination, and Strength.

Sikh Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate our students about the rich culture, traditions and contributions of Sikh Canadians past and present. 

AUTISM AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE MONTH: Autism Acceptance Month celebrates and honors the experiences and identities of Autistic individuals. It emphasizes understanding, inclusion, and support, moving beyond awareness towards meaningful acceptance.

PASSOVER: Passover begins at sundown on April 12, and ends at sundown on April 20. Known as Pesach in Hebrew, it is celebrated by Jews every year and commemorates the anniversary of the miraculous Exodus from slavery in Egypt, as told in the Torah. On the first two nights of Passover, Jewish families hold a Seder meal, which centers around telling the story of the Exodus and includes many important traditions like drinking four cups of wine, dipping veggies into saltwater, asking the Four Questions (Mah Nishtanah), eating matzah (a cracker-like unleavened flatbread), and singing songs.

CLUBS: Announcements are made each morning reminding students of meeting times and locations for clubs and sports. Please encourage your child to listen to the announcements. Most staff also post reminders in their classrooms about the days events that are relevant for their students.

• Coding
• Dance Club- Primary Club
• Grade 6 Leadership Team
• Creative Colourists- for students in Grades 1-3
• Jr. Girls and Boys Basketball 
• Marathon Club

IMPORTANT DATES  A.Lorne Cassidy Calendar

APRIL 9- FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT

APRIL 16- SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING

APRIL 18- GOOD FRIDAY (school closed)

APRIL 21- EASTER MONDAY (school closed)

APRIL 22- MONDAY SCHEDULE

MAY 7- ART SHOW 4:30pm-6:00pm

MAY 19- STATUTORY HOLIDAY- (school closed)

JUNE 6- PD DAY (no school for students)

JUNE 24- GRADE 6 LEAVING CEREMONY  @10AM 

NOTE:  According to the OCDSB Policy Religious Holy Days, no major assessments or school events will be planned on these Holy Days.  DATES TO BE AVOIDED, DATES OF OBSERVATION

ALC  INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Attendance: if your child will be absent, please call the school at 613 831 3434 or email us at: alcabsence@ocdsb.ca

A. LORNE CASSIDY WEBSITE

BUILDING THE BRIDGE

MARCH 27, 2025

Don’t forget tomorrow is a PD Day, so there is no school for students. There is also limited access to the school, as all staff are participating in various learning opportunities being offered at different sites across the District.

Recently, several of our students have undertaken some really great entrepreneurial endeavours, and selling them at school. While we do not want to discourage their creativity and industry, selling items at school presents several challenges. To support them, we will come up with a plan to give them an opportunity to sell their creations at a school event this spring where parents can be present and be aware of what children are purchasing. We thank you for your understanding.

Grade 6 Hoodie/T-shirt orders: In case you missed the email sent to Grade 6 families earlier today, Grade 6 Hoodie and T-shrt information was sent directly to families of Grade 6 students. If you did not receive the message, please let Trish know and she will send you the details directly.

PURDY’S FUNDRAISER: Want to know the most DELICIOUS way to support us? Order Purdys chocolates from our School Council Fundraiser! 

From now until  April 1, (pick up will be April 16 and 17 at the school),

you can order Purdys treats from our fundraiser by joining our campaign and browsing the tastiest selection of chocolates online. What you’ll need to order:

1. Go to our fundraising website:  https://fundraising.purdys.com/1497310-128719
2. Enter your email address and Click “Join Campaign” 
3. Click “Shop Online” Click “Use Marketplace” to see what’s available! Place your order, pay online (make sure your payment has gone through) and we will let you know when it’s ready to be picked up from the school at the end of March. It will be in time for Easter.                            

Any questions please email sc-alornecassidyes@ocdsb.ca 

Happy chocolating and thank you for your ongoing support!

Hockey Equipment Drive: Mme Devine along with some grade 5 and 6 students, have recently received a grant from The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. This grant will allow this group to collect used hockey equipment and send them to Indigenous communities in other parts of the country. 

If your child has outgrown any of their hockey equipment, please drop it off in the foyer from 9am-4pm during the following weeks: 

April 28 - May2

June 16 - June 20

August 25 - August 29

A special thanks to Addison Mason and Lily Dubois, who contributed to the grant application by sharing what reconciliation means to them. Bravo et Merci!

CLASS PLACEMENTS: It is hard to believe, but very soon we will be looking at creating our classes for next year. Each Spring, our teachers work hard to place students in their classes for the upcoming school year.  There are several factors that must be considered. If you have thoughts on class placements, please complete this Google Form by April 1, 2025. Specific teacher requests or grade structure of classes (straight grade vs. combined grades) will not be considered, but if there is information that you feel teachers should consider (friends, strengths, needs) when placing students, please include it in the form.. All information will be considered, but we are not able to make any guarantees. Please note that information coming in after April 1st may not be able to be included in the decision making process, as once classes are made, making changes becomes very difficult. 

ALC FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT: We are going to be holding our Family Literacy Night on April 9th, 2025 from 5:30-7:30. This drop in event will give families the opportunity to engage in a variety of Literacy Activities that focus on developing fundamental literacy skills in a fun and engaging way! If you think you might be joining us, please take a moment to complete this Google Form so we know how many families we might be expecting! We hope to see you there!

Human Development and Sexual Health Units: You can choose to have your child(ren) exempted from instruction related to Human Development and Sexual Health expectations by completing and returning an exemption form (electronic form or PDF form) for each child. Requests for exemption made by phone, or exemption forms or written requests that do not have a parental name and email will not be accepted.

The exemption form must be returned before the first day of instruction shared by the teacher for your child to be excluded from instruction related to the Human Development and Sexual Health expectations in strand D of 

You will receive an acknowledgement by email immediately upon submitting your request. Your principal's email address will be included in the email. Do not hesitate to contact Ms. Trish (tricia.eddy@ocdsb.ca) if you have any questions or concerns.

CLUBS

Announcements are made each morning reminding students of meeting times and locations for clubs and sports. Please encourage your child to listen to the announcements. Most staff also post reminders in their classrooms about the days events that are relevant for their students.

• Coding
• Dance Club- Primary Club starting after March Break
• Grade 6 Leadership Team
• Creative Colourists- for students in Grades 1-3
• Jr. Girls and Boys Basketball coming soon!

IMPORTANT DATES

MARCH 27- GMS OPEN HOUSE

MARCH 28- PD DAY (no school for students)

APRIL 9- FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT

APRIL 16- SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING

APRIL 18- GOOD FRIDAY (no school for students)

APRIL 21- EASTER MONDAY (no school for students)

APRIL 22- MONDAY SCHEDULE

MAY 19- STATUTORY HOLIDAY- (no school for students)

JUNE 6- PD DAY (no school for students)

JUNE 24- GRADE 6 LEAVING CEREMONY

NOTE:  According to the OCDSB Policy Religious Holy Days, no major assessments or school events will be planned on these Holy Days.  DATES TO BE AVOIDED, DATES OF OBSERVATION

ALC  INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Attendance: if your child will be absent, please call the school at 613 831 3434 or email us at: alcabsence@ocdsb.ca

A.LORNE CASSIDY WEBSITE

BUILDING THE BRIDGE

MARCH 21

Hopefully the first week back after the break has been a good one for everyone. Currently, Trish is away from the school on a medical leave, so Andrew Lynch is covering in her place. If you have urgent concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to him for assistance (andrew.lynch@ocdsb.ca). Trish is still able to access emails and respond to questions, but responses might be delayed.

Maplewood SS Grade 7 Information Night - Wednesday, April 2, 2025: All Grade 6 students and their families are welcome to attend a Grade 7 Information Night at Maplewood Secondary School on Wednesday, April 2, from 6:30-8:00 pm.

Please join us for a brief presentation in the Gym at 6:30 pm, followed by a tour of key locations in the school.

Everyone is welcome to join us and learn all about the Intermediate Program at Maplewood. See you there!

CLASS PLACEMENTS: It is hard to believe, but very soon we will be looking at creating our classes for next year. Each Spring, our teachers work hard to place students in their classes for the upcoming school year.  There are several factors that must be considered. If you have thoughts on class placements, please complete this Google Form by April 1, 2025. Specific teacher requests or grade structure of classes (straight grade vs. combined grades) will not be considered, but if there is information that you feel teachers should consider (friends, strengths, needs) when placing students, please include it in the form.. All information will be considered, but we are not able to make any guarantees. Please note that information coming in after April 1st may not be able to be included in the decision making process, as once classes are made, making changes becomes very difficult. 

HOT LUNCHES SPRING ORDER: Just a reminder that lunch ordering is now open for Spring orders!  Please log in and order your lunches before the deadline of March 23rd (Sunday) at midnight.  alc.hotlunches.net is the site to place orders.  Please do your order on a full screen and not on your phone as it is difficult to see all the options.

ALC FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT: We are going to be holding our Family Literacy Night on April 9th, 2025 from 5:30-7:30. This drop in event will give families the opportunity to engage in a variety of Literacy Activities that focus on developing fundamental literacy skills in a fun and engaging way! If you think you might be joining us, please take a moment to complete this Google Form so we know how many families we might be expecting! We hope to see you there!

CLUBS

• Coding
• Dance Club- Primary Club starting after March Break
• Grade 6 Leadership Team
• Doodle Time- for students in Grades 4-6
• Creative Colourists- for students in Grades 1-3
• Jr. Girls and Boys Basketball coming after March Break

OCDSB Speaker SeriesThe OCDSB hosts free virtual Speaker Series sessions where parents and caregivers can hear from experts and discover strategies to support their children’s learning and well-being. Check out our next two sessions:
 Navigating the Challenges of School Refusal and AvoidanceWhen children struggle with school attendance, the impact can be felt across the whole family. We’re hosting a webinar with the non-profit organization Pleo, alongside OCDSB social workers who also serve as attendance counsellors. Together, they will share strategies and insights to help you navigate these challenges while maintaining a healthy relationship with your child. The session will explore ways to address anxiety, build partnerships with your child’s school and foster a supportive home environment.Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.Format: Zoom Webinar. Register nowDecolonizing Autism: A Nehiyaw (Plains Cree) PerspectiveWe are welcoming Dr. Grant Bruno for a virtual session exploring how to better support Indigenous families with Autistic children by incorporating Indigenous perspectives and knowledge. This session will explore the significance of Indigenous culture and connection in building healthy environments. Attendees will learn practical strategies for integrating holistic models into Western education, informed by Dr. Bruno’s research.Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.Format: Zoom Webinar. Register now.

IMPORTANT DATES

MARCH 27- GMS OPEN HOUSE

MARCH 28- PD DAY (no school for students)

APRIL 9- FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT

APRIL 16- SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING

APRIL 18- GOOD FRIDAY (no school for students)