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 have many activities going on this month, so please pay close attention to all of the items in this month’s newsletter. A big appreciation goes out to our staff for providing such great activities and events for students.
Teacher/Staff appreciation week is coming up; so if you have a word of thanks to give to a staff member, I know it would be very meaningful. A thank-you also goes out to our Home and School Parents, for organizing such wonderful events for our students.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
If you know someone who has a child starting kindergarten in the fall (5 years old by September 30th), or would like to be on the list to be selected for a spot in our new K4 program, please ask them to start the registration process.
It can take several weeks to get your child’s eligibility to attend English school. Contact Amanda Wells at awells@wqsb.qc.ca to get the paperwork.
Then you must come to the school on February 9th or 10th between 8am-12pm and 1pm-3pm to complete the registration process.
Events at School
BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT GREATER GATINEAU
This February, our school is recognizing Black History Month through meaningful, age-appropriate learning experiences. Students are learning about important Black individuals and moments in history, while focusing on values such as respect, inclusion, and kindness.
As a school community, we are creating a collaborative Black History timeline, with each class contributing learning through reading, discussion, art, and reflection. Together, these pieces will form a shared display that celebrates diverse voices and helps students understand the importance of equity and belonging.
DENTAL HYGIENIST
The dental hygienist will be at school to do screenings for grade 2 students on Tuesday, February 3rd.
EYE EXAMS FOR KINDERGARTEN
Our kindergarten students will be offered free eye tests, done by optometrists, to screen for vision problems. This will occur on February 13th this year.
In young children, 80 percent of learning happens visually; it is therefore important to uncover any vision problems, which can often go unnoticed.
LAC BEAUCHAMP TRIP – WINTER FUN DAY
Greater Gatineau School will hold our Winter Fun Days at Lac Beauchamp. The outing will include a mixture of cross country skiing, snowshoeing, skating (if the lake is frozen) and tubing. The Centre provides the tubes for the tubing, cross-country skis, and snowshoes.
Thursday, February 5th – Kindergarten, Grade 1+2
Friday, February 6th – Grade 3 to 6
QUINZEE BUILDING
As part of our outdoor education programming Grade 5 classes will be building snow shelters in a nearby park. Students will take a short hike from the school to the park.
This is a hands-on study where the students will learn how to build a Quinzee (snow shelter) and other winter skills to use in the outdoors.
- Everson + Courtney – February 16th
- Schultz + Langlois – February 17th
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI EVENT
On February 19th, the Greater Gatineau Cross Country Ski Team will be traveling to Papineauville to participate in a Mini Ski Marathon. With the support of teachers, Ms. McKean and Mr. Everson, skiers will complete a 6 km classic ski loop. With participation from both English and French schools across the region this will be a exciting winter event with a festive vibe.
GRADE 4 VACCINATIONS
On February 25th students in grade 4 will receive one dose of hepatitis A and B vaccine (Twinrix Junior®) and one dose of HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9®).
Nurses from the CLSC will be at the school in the morning to administer the vaccines.
B-BOYISM WORKSHOP
Bboyizm’s dancers transmit their passion and respect for the history and art of B-Boying, educating students on the roots and different techniques of Breakdancing. On February 27th our grade 4 students get this unique chance to learn B-Boying and Hip-hop culture in a safe way, from dedicated professionals.
BASKETBALL
Ms. Given and M. Lemaire are proud and excited to be coaching the basketball teams this year. They have been practicing together, learning new skills, improving their game, and learning the importance of good sportsmanship.
We are grateful to have this group of student athletes representing GGS at the tournament on Friday, February 27th at Symmes/D’Arcy!
STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK
Monday, February 9th to Friday, February 13th, is Staff Appreciation Week. Students are asked to remember to appreciate their teachers and staff at Greater Gatineau School.
Feel free to send a email or a card to appreciate a teacher, daycare educator, classroom aide, technician, secretary or custodian.
100th DAY OF SCHOOL
Monday, February 16th we will be celebrating the 100th day of school.
Kindergarten and Cycle 1 teachers will be doing activities with their students to mark this day.
SPECIAL STUDENT LUNCH – Provided thanks to our “President’s Choice” grant
This month our special meal for students will be Chicken Fried Rice provided free to all students. Meal is Halal.
- Tuesday, February 17th: Grade 2 and Grade 4
- Thursday, February 19th: Kindergarten, Grade 3 and 5
- Friday, February 20th: Grade 1 + 1/2, and Grade 6
MAZZOLA MEALS
We will continue to offer meals on Mondays and Fridays.
Mazzola February and March Menu
Place your orders online at mazzola.skoolfood.com
MONTHLY ASSEMBLY
Our next assembly will be on Thursday, February 26th, where we will celebrate the students who have shown the chosen virtue throughout the month.
Please remember to wear your Greater Gatineau Gear for all of our monthly assemblies. This creates a sense of community at school.
Grade 3 + 4 at 10:05
Grade 5 + 6 at 10.55
Kindergarten + Grade 1-2 at 12:35
February is CARING month. We hope to see students making an effort to be caring towards one another. 
PEACE LEARNING CIRCLES AT HOME
“Now I Am” is a game to explore our feelings and recognizing those feelings in others.
- Whisper a feeling or emotion into a participant’s ear
- have them act out that feeling or emotion without using words
- other participants try to guess the feeling
- talk about the nonverbal cues we can see in others so we know how they are feeling
- talk about a time that you experienced that feeling or emotion
Some examples of feelings;
● fear ● nervousness ● frustration ● itchiness ● tired ● stubborn ● surprise ● embarrassed ● love ● anger ● happiness ● hope ● uncomfortable
Home & School
Happy New Year! We hope you are as excited as we are about our upcoming events and fundraisers.
Our next event will be a Sweetheart Dance on Friday February 13th from 6:30pm – 8pm. Come out and enjoy an amazing night of dancing! Share great memories with friends you love.
For our next fundraiser we are partnering with Mitchell Soup Company, this fundraiser will run from February 3rd to February 23rd. All orders must be placed on the online store. New this year, there are a wide variety of spices being offered along with soups. See information on the Mitchell’s Soup Fundraiser flyer or place your orders using this link.
Staff Appreciation Week this year is February 9th to February 13th. On behalf of all students, H&S will be showing our appreciation each day with treats and surprises. Encourage your child to show their appreciation to a staff member who has made a difference in their lives with a card or a simple thank you.
Our Annual General Meeting will be held on May 11th at 6:00pm, at this meeting we will be voting a new executive council, all positions are open for election. If you would like to join us, please contact us via email.
Positions Open
◊ President ◊ Vice President ◊ Treasurer ◊ Secretary ◊ Communications Prime ◊
We will continue to post on our Facebook page and on Instagram , if you haven’t done so already please follow us to stay up to date on upcoming events.
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.
The next Home & School meeting will be on Monday, February 2nd at 6:00pm. We hold our meetings virtually, please reach out to us via email if you would like to attend.
Daycare
We have three PD days in February. Monday, February 9th, Tuesday, February 10th, and Monday, February 23rd are open to all Greater Gatineau students who register before the deadline.
- February 9 – Activities at school – $15.20
- February 10 – Tubing at Domain de l’Ange Gardien – $30.20
- February 23 – Activities at school – $15.20
Please sign up for @ggdaycare2 on the Remind app to get the notifications regarding PD days.
Should you have any questions about our program or to register for the PD days please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer by phone at (819) 663-4842 x3 or e-mail jplaxton@wqsb.qc.ca
Special Notes
BUS SAFETY CAMPAIGN
The Bus Safety Campaign is centered on instilling crucial safety practices among students. It underscores the privilege of busing and the collective responsibility to uphold a safe environment. Key objectives include educating students on proper boarding and disembarking procedures, fostering respectful behaviour onboard, and emphasizing the significance of driver cooperation.
WINTERLUDE 2026
The annual Winterlude festival is from January 30th to February 16th this year.
Celebrate Canadian winter fun at this epic festival which takes place in the Ottawa-Gatineau region during the first three weekends of February.
During Winterlude, you can marvel at beautiful ice sculptures, skate on the world-famous Rideau Canal Skateway (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and play till you drop in a gigantic snow playground called Snowflake Kingdom.
Many other Winterlude activities—indoors and outdoors—highlight Canada’s cultural and artistic diversity. Urban sites, museums and special events present special seasonal programming as well as opportunities to connect with Indigenous culture. Most festival activities are free!
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
The Kindergarten registration will be held at Greater Gatineau on February 9th and 10th this year 8am-12pm and 1pm-3pm each day.
Your child must be turning 5 years old before September 30, 2026 to register and attend Kindergarten.
Please email Amanda at awells@wqsb.qc.ca with any questions.
To register you will require
- Certificate of eligibility of the child, parent or sibling declared eligible
- Child’s long form birth certificate with the names of both parents
- Canadian Citizenship for parent who will render the child eligible
- Quebec drivers licence, lease/deed and utility bill
- Child’s last report card if applicable
If you have a child who will be attending kindergarten next year, or know someone who has a child who will attend, you can prepare yourself in advance.
K4 AT GREATER GATINEAU
We are hoping to that we can open two 4 year old kindergarten classes. The School Board has put in the request to have these classes. If our request is granted by the Ministry; and if we have enough registrations, we will be able to open one or two 4 year old kindergarten classes.
The maximum class size for a 4 year old kindergarten class is 17 students. If we are awarded two classes, then the maximum number of students we can have will be 34 students. If we have more than 34 applications, then there will be a draw to determine the 34 spots.
Registration is similar to the regular kindergarten registration and you will require all the same documents. Your child needs to be 4 years old by September 30th in order to register for 4 year old kindergarten.
We will only know in May or June if our 4 year old kindergarten classes are granted by the Ministry of Education.
If we are approved to have the classes, and we have more than 34 students registered, then there will be a draw to determine which students will receive a spot in our 4 year old kindergarten program.
FREE PARENT WORKSHOP – February 11
SPARE CLOTHING NEEDED
Do you have some extra pants that your children have grown out of? We would love to have them here at school as our spare supply can always use a boost.
Often when children get wet outside or from a spill, they do not have a change of clothes here at school. We would like to be able to provide them a change of clothes.
Please consider donating 1 pair of clean and gently used pants to the school. All sizes welcome!
Free Online Tutoring – Learn Quebec
Students are eligible for free online tutoring. You simply need to register and use your child’s WQSB email and password to log in. Please take advantage of this great opportunity if your child is in need of some extra assistance. For more information; please visit: learnquebec.ca/en/home
FREE ACCESS TO EBOOKS AND AUDIOBOOKS FOR QUEBEC RESIDENTS
All Quebec residents are eligible for a free virtual membership to Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BANQ), the provincial library of Quebec. See link BANQ Ebooks and Audiobooks for details.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Cultural Traditions/Observances/Holidays
Black History Month
Celebrated every February to honor the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians throughout history. It highlights their role in shaping Canada while also raising awareness about the struggles they faced, including slavery and racism. It’s a time to learn, reflect, and celebrate Black culture and heritage.
World Hijab Day – February 1
A day to promote understanding of the hijab and encourage women to experience wearing it as an act of solidarity with Muslim women.
Groundhog Day – February 2
A fun tradition in North America where a groundhog predicts the coming of spring based on whether it sees its shadow.
World Cancer Day – February 4
World Cancer Day is a global day to raise awareness about cancer, promote prevention and early detection, and show support for individuals and families affected by cancer.
Rosa Parks Day – February 4
Honors civil rights icon Rosa Parks for her courage and activism in challenging racial segregation.
World Read Aloud Day – February 4
World Read Aloud Day is a day when people around the world read together to celebrate the joy and importance of reading.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science – February 11
This day advocates for gender equality in science, aiming for full participation by women and girls. This global observance highlights the importance of their inclusive engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), recognizing their empowerment as crucial for achieving international goals.
Have a Heart Day – February 14
A Canadian movement advocating for equity and fairness for Indigenous children, especially in healthcare, education, and child welfare.
Valentine’s Day – February 14
A global celebration dedicated to expressing love, kindness, and appreciation for others.
National Flag Day – February 15
At the stroke of noon on February 15, 1965, Canada’s red and white maple leaf flag was raised for the very first time on Parliament Hill. This day celebrates our flag, a symbol of national identity and pride.
Parinirvana Day – February 15
A Buddhist holiday commemorating the death and final enlightenment of the Buddha, often observed with meditation and prayer. Parinirvana Day is also known as Nirvana Day.
Family Day – February 16
A Canadian holiday, in New Brunswick, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan and in British Columbia, dedicated to spending quality time with loved ones, often with family-oriented activities.
Random Acts of Kindness Week – February 14 – 20
A time to encourage people to be kind to others through small, thoughtful actions.
Lunar New Year – February 17
Lunar New Year is a celebration that marks the start of a new year based on the moon calendar, celebrated in many cultures with family gatherings, food, and traditions for good luck.
Random Acts of Kindness Day – February 17
Focuses on doing at least one kind thing for someone else. It shows students that kindness doesn’t have to be big or planned, it can happen anytime, anywhere.
Lunar New Year – February 17
Lunar New Year is a cultural celebration observed in many Asian communities, marking the beginning of the new year based on the lunar calendar.
Losar – February 18
Losar is the Tibetan New Year, a special celebration that welcomes a new year with family, food, and traditions of kindness and good luck.
Ramadan – February 18 – March 19
The holy month in Islam marked by fasting from dawn to sunset, prayer, reflection, and acts of charity.
World Day of Social Justice – February 20
Focuses on promoting fair treatment and equality for all, addressing issues like poverty, gender inequality and human rights.
International Mother Language Day – February 21
A day to promote linguistic and cultural diversity globally. This observance emphasizes preserving and protecting languages, fostering awareness of their value in education, cultural expression, and the economy.
Pink Shirt Day – February 25
Pink Shirt Day began when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed for wearing pink. People now wear pink to show support for kindness, inclusion and acceptance.