Welcome back, RTA families!
We are so excited to begin a new school year and look forward to welcoming many new students to our RTA community, while reconnecting with our returning students after the summer break. There is always a special energy that comes with the start of a new school year, and we can’t wait to have our hallways and classrooms full once again.
Our school office will reopen on Wednesday, August 26 from 9:00 AM–3:00 PM. Teachers also return on Wednesday and will spend all three days in meetings, professional learning, planning, and preparing classrooms for the year ahead. School officially begins on Monday, August 31.
Students will receive an email from their homeroom teacher on Thursday, August 27 at 4:00 PM. This email will let students know who their homeroom teacher is, where they should meet on the first day of school, and provide their teacher’s contact information.
Please note that class placements have been carefully developed with many factors in mind, including student learning needs, classroom dynamics, programming, and overall class balance. As a result, we will not be considering requests for class changes or moves. We appreciate families supporting their child in beginning the year with an open mind and giving them the opportunity to settle into their new classroom, connect with their teacher, and build relationships with classmates.
Our regular Week at a Glance communication will resume this Friday. More information will be shared in the coming days and weeks regarding upcoming events, School Council, athletics, spirit wear, and other opportunities for students and families to get involved in our school community.
As always, we would also like to remind families that RTA remains a PMD-free building. Cell phones, smart watches, AirPods, gaming devices, and other personal mobile devices are not permitted during the school day. More detailed information can be found in the attached document.
There is lots to look forward to, and we are excited to welcome everyone back. Enjoy these final days of summer, and we’ll see you on Monday!
Volunteer Clearance:
Please contact Ms. Moses at rtalderman@cbe.ab.ca if you have any questions regarding the Volunteer process.
School Supplies:
· Grades 5 & 6: Basic school supplies are provided by the school – including paper, pencils, erasers, duotangs, binders, etc.
· Grades 7-9: Students need to bring their own supplies to school. On the first day of school, students are encouraged to only bring essential supplies (pen, pencil, paper, pencil crayons and erasers). Once students have settled into the classroom, subject specific teachers will share the specific requirements.
See the following link on the RTA Website - Back to school supplies – for more information.
Busing and Parking:
· Staff Parking Lot: As most RTA students are bused to school, please help us create a safe and secure school by ensuring that you are parked in a designated area – ie. Along Acadia Dr. SE. Families may not enter or park in the staff parking lot.
· Transportation: All busing information is located on your child’s PowerSchool account (BUSSING TAB). Please ensure that your child knows which bus they are assigned to prior to the first day of school. If you have any questions or concerns regarding busing, please contact Busing & Transportation - Calgary Board of Education
RTA LUNCH:
· Allergies: As students eat lunch in the classrooms, and as many of our students have dangerous food allergies, we kindly ask that families pack nut-free lunches.
· Personal Mobile Devices: Cellphones, smartwatches, and gaming devices are not permitted inside the building during school hours.
· Lunchtime Clubs: aside from athletics, most clubs will start up in October.
Grade 5 & 6 LUNCH:
· First Half: Students play outside. As we do live in Calgary, please make sure that your child is dressed for all types of weather!
· Second Half: Students eat lunch inside their designated HR classes.
Grade 7-9 LUNCH:
· First Half: Students eat lunch inside their designated HR classes.
· Second Half: Students play outside.
· Off Campus: On their Off Campus days, students in grade 7-9 may go off campus (to convenience store across the road, or to the pizza place or Tim Hortons on Southland Drive – if they are quick walkers). Students should not be loitering in the community, nor may they hang out at the Willow Park Community Centre (which has programs and a day care during school hours). For the most part, outside supervisors should be able to see the students, always ensuring safety. Moreover, please note, Off Campus is not intended to be a time where students purchase copious amounts of candy and two energy drinks. :)
· Off Campus Schedule: Monday-Wednesday – Grade 8 and Grade 9s AND Thursday – Grade 7s
Kind regards,
Brenda Lewis