The land on which we gather is traditional unceded Omamiwininiwag (Algonquin) and Anishinabewaki territory, a place which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst nations. Today, this place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to gather on this land.
Principal's Message
We would like all families to attend the “Open House” (Meet the teacher) on Thursday, September 18th between 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. We are changing our format this year for our “Open House”. We ask parents to come with their children, anytime after 3:30 p.m. We will have some games and small activities set up outside for students, led by our fabulous teachers. We will also be selling some food items so that families can have their supper at the Open House. The evening starts outdoors, and then parents will have the time to visit the classrooms and the school. More information to come! Please save the date – September 18th; 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.SCHOOL FEES
We will be collecting school fees for 2025-2026 soon. Preferred method of payment is online. Parents who used this method last year will be able to use their existing account. Amounts are available on the parent portal.
A NOTE FROM OUR NEW COMMISSIONER
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I’m thrilled and honoured to be the new Commissioner for Greater Gatineau.
As a parent of three children who attended Greater Gatineau for many years, I’ve had the privilege of being part of this school community and understand how important it is to feel supported and heard. I’m here to represent you, to listen, and to help ensure our school continues to be a place where all students can thrive.
Whether you have questions, concerns, or ideas, I welcome your input and encourage you to reach out. Together, we can support educational initiatives and promote student success.
It’s a privilege to serve this community, and I look forward to working with you to support our children’s education and well-being
Isabelle Richard
Events at School
SCHEDULES
KINDERGARTEN TO GRADE 2
Buses Arrive | 7:45-8:00 |
Homeroom | 8:00-8:05 |
Period 1 | 8:05-8:55 |
Period 2 | 8:55-9:45 |
Recess | 9:45-10:05 |
Period 3 | 10:05-10:55 |
Period 4 | 10:55-11:45 |
Lunch -Eat 25 minutes -Play 25 minutes | 11:45-12:35 |
Period 5 | 12:35-1:25 |
Recess | 1:25-1:45 |
Period 6 | 1:45-2:35 |
Buses Depart | 2:35-2:45 |
GRADE 3 TO 6
Buses Arrive | 7:45-8:00 |
Homeroom | 8:00-8:05 |
Period 1 | 8:05-8:55 |
Period 2 | 8:55-9:45 |
Recess | 9:45-10:05 |
Period 3 | 10:05-10:55 |
Period 4 | 10:55-11:45 |
Lunch -Play 25 minutes -Eat 25 minutes | 11:45-12:35 |
Period 5 | 12:35-1:25 |
Recess | 1:25-1:45 |
Period 6 | 1:45-2:35 |
Buses Depart | 2:35-2:45 |
IMPORTANCE OF DAILY READING
We encourage every student in the school to read every night. Start the year off right by setting aside time where the TV, video games and computers are shut off and you have time to enjoy reading with your child. It will make a huge difference in the success they have at school.
VOLUNTEERING AT THE SCHOOL
If you would like to volunteer at the school, or for a field trip; you must provide a security background check to the school. Security background checks are good for 2 years.
If you would like to arrange for a background check please contact Amanda Wells at awells@wqsb.qc.ca to start the process. The Western Quebec School Board is paying the fee for this – we thank them for this service.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
We will hold assemblies for all students to review our emergency procedures at school: Fire Drill, Code Red, Lock-In, Tornado, Earthquake.
Teachers have been practicing with students and we will have school-wide practices as well.
TERRY FOX FUNDRAISER
We are excited to announce that our school will be proudly taking part in the 2025 Terry Fox School Run/Walk, scheduled to take place on Friday October 3rd. This event will support cancer research while also building incredible school spirit for our students. Let’s all show the great strength and resiliency of our school community by supporting one of our greatest Canadian heroes, Terry Fox.
Details to follow.
MONTHLY ASSEMBLY
Our next assembly will be on Friday, September 26th, where we will celebrate the students who have shown the chosen virtue throughout the month.
- 10:05 – Grade 5 + 6
- 10:55 – Kindergarten, Grade 1 + 2
- 12:35 – Grade 3 + 4
Please remember to wear your GG shirt for all of our monthly assemblies. This creates a sense of community at school. New students will receive their shirts soon. You can wear a regular purple or black shirt for now.
September is KINDNESS month. We hope to see students showing us how kind they can be. You can show this by being kind to others and yourself.
PEACE LEARNING CIRCLES AT HOME
MUTUAL RESPECT
What does it look like, sound like and feel like to respect others, yourself and things around you?
Talk about this with your family to set the tone for the school year.
APPRECIATIONS
Give compliments not put-downs to others. This applies at school and at home.
Share ways you can do this with your family.
ATTENTIVE LISTENING
Show people you are listening by stopping what you are doing and looking at them when they talk.
Listen to understand not to respond.
PARTICIPATION
Things are better when everyone participates. What does each person need in order to take part? Do you need to modify things in the environment or the activity itself?
NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
On Tuesday, September 30, our school will honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is an opportunity to reflect on the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools, to listen to and learn from Indigenous voices, and to commit to reconciliation in our own lives.
We invite everyone to wear an orange shirt on September 30th.
Breakfast Program - Snacks - Lunchtime Choices
BREAKFAST PROGRAM
We are pleased to bring you a breakfast program so that students can have access to wholesome food in a nourishing and comforting environment for a healthy start to the day. The program is designed specifically to comply with public health guidelines and will be operated in collaboration with Breakfast Club of Canada.
Each morning, an assortment of food items are delivered to each class, for all students to enjoy. If a child forgets their lunch one day, or needs additional snacks, we can provide this as well.
LITTERLESS LUNCHES
At Greater Gatineau our goal is “Litterless Lunches”. We will be asking children to bring their lunches in reusable containers as much as possible. Any wrappers or containers that they would normally throw away will be sent home with them. This is to encourage us all to be mindful of our impact on the environment.
The garbage resulting from one school lunch might not seem like much. Multiply it daily for an entire school population and that’s a lot! Litterless lunches that produce zero waste are now the goal of many educational institutions. Teaching children to value sustainability can go a long way to creating more eco-conscious adults. Minor switches, like using an insulated lunch bag vs. paper bag, or opting for reusable straws can help set us up for sustainable success. Eliminating excess waste also reduces the strain on our custodial staff and helps to keep the playground and school environment cleaner.
SUPPORT A CHILD BY PURCHASING A LUNCH
We have some students who could benefit from a lunch provided at school. If you would like to donate money for this cause, please send in an envelope marked “Student Lunch Donation” and send it to Amanda at the office.
GOOD FOOD CHOICES
The Greater Gatineau School staff encourages students to bring nutritious snacks and lunches. We want our students eating healthy food throughout the day. We encourage you to send snacks in reusable containers and to avoid heavily packaged prepared items. All staff will monitor snacks and lunches daily. Let’s make this a community effort.
Some suggestions for snacks:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Cheese and other dairy products
- 100% fruit juices and snacks
- Granola Bars (no chocolate coating)
- Healthy cereals
Foods to stay away from:
- Chocolate
- Candy
- Chips
- Processed fruit snacks and juices
- Soft drinks
Reminder that we are a nut free school. Please make sure that the products you choose respect this.
Some classes may receive more specific instructions regarding other items of concern.
MAZZOLA HOT MEAL PROGRAM
We offer our hot meal program on Mondays and Fridays. The meals are provided by Mazzola and delivered to the classes at lunch time.
Click the Mazzola link to order. Returning families will need to create a new account this year. Choose the “New Customer” option. Be sure to select Greater Gatineau when you create your account.
SUBWAY LUNCH PROGRAM
The first Subway Lunch Program begins on Wednesday, September 18th.
You can sign up for your child to receive a sandwich, juice box, and cookie combo each Wednesday.
Order forms are going home this week, please return them by September 11th.
SAY NO TO SINGLE USE PLASTIC
Here at Greater Gatineau, we would like to promote minimal waste with single use plastic.
We encourage everyone to bring a set of metal cutlery in their lunch box and a reusable water bottle daily.
SPECIAL STUDENT LUNCH – Provided thanks to our “President’s Choice” grant
Get ready for a tasty treat! This month our special meal for students will be “walking tacos” provided free to all students on the following days.
- September 23: Grade 1 + Mrs. Pare, and Grade 6
- September 25: Grade 2 and 4
- September 26: Kindergarten, Grade 3 and Grade 5
Home & School
We are always looking for new members to join us or ideas for upcoming events, please contact us via email or through our Facebook page.
We will continue to post on our Facebook page, if you haven’t done so already, please follow us to stay up to date on upcoming events.
We hold monthly meetings, please reach out to us via email if you would like to attend.
Daycare
We are still accepting registrations for our before and after school daycare program. If you would like more information either on PD days or to register your child, please call Jennifer at (819) 663-4842 X3 or e-mail jplaxton@wqsb.qc.ca.
The deadline to secure your spot at daycare is September 30th.
We have one PD day this month on Friday, September 19th. Registration is due September 12th to reserve a spot. PD days are open to all Greater Gatineau students, registration is needed for each day.
New families please sign up for @ggdaycare2 on the Remind app to get the notifications regarding PD days. Returning families can remain in their existing class as messages will be sent to both daycare classes.
Special Notes
MORNING DROP OFFS
If registered daycare parents are dropping off their children for morning daycare you must bring them through the school yard entrance of the school off Guillemette or Napoléon-Groulx between 6:45 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. You ring the bell at the daycare door located near the play structure with the purple slides, and wait until a staff member has responded.
If you are dropping off your child in the morning and are not registered in Daycare, you can bring your child to the side gate on Guillemette between 7:45 – 7:55 a.m. Staff members will greet the children when it is time for supervision to begin.
Supervision begins at 7:45 a.m. Children must remain in your care until then.
PICKING UP AFTER SCHOOL
If you are picking your child up anytime throughout the day, please do one of the following before 1:30 p.m.
-Call the school secretary Amanda Wells at 819-663-4842 ext. 1
-Send an e-mail to awells@wqsb.qc.ca and cc: jplaxton@wqsb.qc.ca if it changes anything for daycare.
It is very important that you communicate with the school before dropping in to pick up your child and please do not call us when you are on your way to the school.
Daily pick up will be at the side gate between 2:35 and 2:45. Staff members will greet the parents and send your children out to your car.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
It is extremely important that parents/guardians call the office if their child is going to be late or absent, it is very important that you report their attendance to Amanda Wells by contacting the school at (819) 663-4842 ext. 1 no later than 8:30 a.m.
It takes a lot of time to call parents, who have not reported an absence, so please help us out by calling the school. You can leave a message the night before as well.
GOVERNING BOARD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The Governing Board: A True Decision-Making Team. Bill 180 created a form of partnership between parents and the school staff and also recognizes that the school must maintain links with the community. The Governing Board makes important decisions regarding the school, and gives input to the School Board about their policies. The Governing Board meets approximately 5 times a year in the evening.
Elections for Governing Board will take place on September 18th following the open house. Please come to the meeting to run for a position, or to elect a parent member. We will also be nominating a parent for the school board special education advisory committee (SEAC). Any parent of a child with an IEP can put their name forward for this committee and one parent will be elected. The meeting will be at 6:30 p.m.
ANTI – BULLYING PROGRAM
Greater Gatineau staff members have been trained in anti-bullying initiatives, and we are committed to ensuring the safety and security of students at school.
If your child complains about an act of violence, or bullying at school, please contact us so that we can address the issue. Please check our website for more details.
SCHOOL RULES ABOUT BULLYING
- We Help
- We Include
- We Tell
- Don’t Bully
PEACE LEARNING CIRCLES
Our school follows the Peace Learning Circles program. The program is designed to create a safe and caring learning environment. The 4 pillars of the philosophy are:
- Mutual Respect
- Appreciations – No Put Downs
- Listening
- Participation
ELECTRONICS/PHONES/SMART WATCHES
These devices are NOT permitted at school, or on the school bus. Please ensure that your child does not bring an electronic device to school.
ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR PARENTS
Every year, our school holds a General Assembly for parents in September. At the meeting, parents in attendance elect their representatives to the school’s governing board and elect a representative to the school board’s Parent Committee, as well as an alternate in case the Parent Committee rep cannot be present at the meeting. There is also an opportunity for interested parents who are eligible, to submit their names to be considered as candidates on the Special Education Advisory Committee.
- Elections for Parent Representatives to Governing Board
On September 18th at 6:30 p.m., parents are invited to our parents’ General Assembly in the staff room to elect their representatives to the school’s governing board. Candidates will be elected from among the parents in attendance. The Governing Board is comprised of parents, teachers, support staff, the principal, and community representatives.
Parent members serve for two consecutive years. The purpose of the Governing Board is to make decisions about the aims and objectives for the school and to monitor how these are being achieved. This includes voting on policies, fundraisers, the school’s Code of Conduct, Anti-bullying and Anti-violence Plan, budget, school fees, school trips and other important items. The governing board also oversees the implementation of the school’s Educational Project and is consulted on a variety of topics by the school board.
There is a minimum of five meetings that must take place each year. Some schools organize governing board meetings to take place one evening per month. If you are interested in becoming part of this organization, please ensure that you attend the parents’ General Assembly. All parents who are present will be able to nominate themselves or another parent who is present, and then vote for the candidates of their choice to fill the vacant positions up for election this year.
- Elections for Representatives to Parent Committee
Once governing board parent representatives are elected, one of the parents (on governing board) will also be elected to represent our school on the school board’s Parent Committee. An alternate will also be elected. Only parents in attendance are permitted to vote.
- Special Education Advisory Committee
The Special Education Advisory Committee is an advisory committee on services for students requiring special education services in our schools. More detailed information on the mandate is available within the SEAC Internal Procedures document or can be found on the WQSB website https://westernquebec.ca/interested-in-joining-seac/ .
Parents who wish to take part in the school board’s Special Education Advisory Committee (S.E.A.C.) have an opportunity to submit their names for consideration during the parents’ General assembly. For those interested in being part of SEAC but cannot attend the Annual General Meeting, it is possible to submit their name electronically by accessing a short form available at the SEAC page (see link directly above).
Interested parents must have a child with an Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.). Selection of parents for this committee will be made later by the school board’s Parent Committee.
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SEAC)
The Special Education Advisory Committee, as mandated by the Education Act (s. 185) is an advisory committee on services for students with ministry exceptionalities and students with social maladjustments or learning disabilities. It provides recommendations to Council and to the Resource Allocation Committee for items outlined in the Education Act.
The mandate of the SEAC as outlined in the Education Act can be found on the WQSB website at the following link:
https://westernquebec.ca/about/governance/#seac
For information regarding special needs students please see our Special Needs Information Page and the link to the SEAC Overview.
If you would like to join SEAC see the SEAC – Parent Poster
CONNEXIONS
Connexions links the English-speaking community of the Outaouais to health and social services by:
- Fostering community links with public and community health and social services organizations.
- Providing information and referrals to community members.
- Actively supporting research and awareness on the needs of the community.
- Developing and delivering health promotion programs and activities.
- Promoting access through partnerships and representation.
Connections offers FREE workshops throughout the year. They range from Reducing Anxiety to Container Gardening for Seniors and Cooking for the Whole Family.
See all their upcoming workshops on their website here –Workshops
They are a great resource to our English-speaking community here in Gatineau. We have a permanent link to their website under “Principal’s Message” on the “Workshops” menu.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
On Tuesday, September 30, our school will honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is an opportunity to reflect on the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools, to listen to and learn from Indigenous voices, and to commit to reconciliation in our own lives.
Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee will provide age-appropriate activities and read-alouds for each grade level, ensuring every student engages in meaningful, respectful learning. In addition, all students will participate in a school-wide activity designed to foster empathy, understanding, and a shared commitment to reconciliation.
To continue these important conversations at home, here are some suggested resources:
What is a land acknowledgement?
We encourage families to read, watch, and discuss together. These moments at home help strengthen what students are learning in school and build a deeper understanding of the importance of reconciliation.
September 1 – Labour Day
Annual celebration of workers’ achievements, rooted in the labour movement’s campaign for fair working conditions and the eight-hour workday.
September 8 – International Literacy Day
Raises awareness of literacy as a fundamental human right and a foundation for lifelong learning and social development.
September 10 – Suicide Prevention Day
A day to raise awareness about suicide prevention, promote mental health support, and encourage open conversations to reduce stigma.
September 14 – September 20- Mennonite Heritage Week
Recognizes the contributions of Mennonite communities to Canada’s cultural, spiritual, and social fabric.
September 15 – International Dot Day
A global event inspired by Peter H. Reynolds’ book The Dot, encouraging creativity, courage, and self-expression.
September 15 – International Day of Democracy
Promotes democratic values, encouraging active participation and the strengthening of democratic institutions worldwide.
September 15–October 15 – Hispanic Heritage Month
Recognized primarily in the United States but increasingly acknowledged in Canada, this month celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of people whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
September 21 – International Day of Peace
Dedicated to global peace and non-violence, calling on nations and individuals to work together toward conflict resolution and harmony.
September 21–27 – Gender Equality Week
A time to promote equal rights and opportunities for people of all genders, highlighting progress made and work still needed.
September 22- Fall Equinox
The moment in autumn when day and night are approximately equal in length, marking the official start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere.
September 22- September 24 – Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish New Year, a time of reflection, prayer, and renewal
September 22 – September- 28 International Week of Deaf People
Celebrates the achievements and rights of Deaf communities worldwide, advocating for inclusivity and equal access to communication.
September 23 – Celebrate Bisexuality Day
Recognizes and supports the bisexual community, promoting acceptance, visibility, and understanding.
September 23 – International Day of Sign Language
Highlights the importance of sign languages in achieving the human rights of Deaf people and promotes linguistic and cultural diversity.
September 30 – Orange Shirt Day / National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Honours survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities, raising awareness about the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools on Indigenous peoples.