Good Afternoon Terry Fox Families and Caregivers, 

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 2025-2026 school year. I hope that your summer was filled with memorable moments in good company. I am looking forward to my third year as the proud Principal of Terry Fox. Once again we will endeavor to create meaningful and memorable experiences for all students as they navigate through their academic journey in good hands.

I would like to thank our custodial team, led by Jeff and Colleen for the work they did over the summer to ensure that the school is ready to welcome our students. Our office administrators, Linda and Marilyn, have also been hard at work this week to get things ready behind the scenes for a smooth entry next week.  

Over the past couple of days many educators have been in and out of the school preparing their spaces to create inclusive and optimal learning conditions for the students. We know that the transition back to school, while exciting, can be difficult as we all adjust to new routines. A great deal of time is spent in September on relationship building, and getting to know our students so that we can support them academically, socially, and emotionally.

Please see the message below for our start up information, more details will be communicated by your child’s teacher next week and available on our website. Should you have any questions, please contact our office team (613)837-3251, send me an email stacey.grenier@ocdsb.ca or refer to our Guide for Students and Families available here or on our website : 2025-2026 Guide for Students and Families

On behalf of the entire team at Terry Fox ES, we are so excited to welcome our  new students and reconnect  with those who are returning. We look forward to a fantastic year filled with rich learning opportunities, contagious school spirit, and your continued partnership.

Sincerely, 

Stacey Grenier 

Proud Principal Terry Fox ES

Be Kind- Be You- Be Here

Important Start up Information and Updates:

Office Hours : Our main office is open this week. Linda Mckinnon (Office Administrator) and Marilyn Webster (Office Administrative Assistant), will be happy to help you. Office hours are 8:30-3:00. 

Class Placements and First Day Routines:  Students will not receive communication from their teacher before the first day of school. When your child arrives on the first day of school, all staff will be outside to welcome them. All students will be greeted off the bus and at the yard boundary where our wonderful staff will guide them to their homeroom teacher. 

Supervision begins at 8:40am and our school day runs 8:55-3:25. 

Transportation and Vehicle Traffic: For students riding the school bus or a van, we remind you to check out the parent portal via OSTA for specific information regarding your child’s route. Access to the portal can be found via OSTA main website (www.ottawaschoolbus.ca). If you are dropping off your child by car, there is a loop at the front of the school.  Students riding bikes must wear a helmet and are encouraged to lock up their bike at one of the bike racks. 

Absent Reporting: To report an absence please follow the link to the SafeArrival site to set up an account.  https://www.ocdsb.ca/family-community-support/reporting-student-absences 

Nutrition Break: There are two recess/nutrition breaks throughout the day (10:55-11:40 and 1:40-2:25).  All students stay on school property for nutrition breaks. 

Allergy Awareness:  We are a NUT/PEANUT/SESAME FREE SCHOOL. Please do not send any nuts, peanut products, or sesame seeds in your child’s lunches. Any form of food sharing is not permitted.

Cell Phones and personal devices: As per the Ministry of Education, cell phone use is not permitted during the school day.  If your child needs to communicate with you, they can always call from the office. Please contact the office if you have messages to relay to your child(ren).  The school is not responsible for any loss or damage caused to personal devices. 2025-2026 Technology Expectations

School Supplies: In keeping with past practice, Terry Fox ES  will once again be asking for a voluntary student fee of $20 per student (or $50 flat with 3+ children in the family). These fees will be used to help fund activities such as guest speakers, buses for field trips and other activities or materials used to enhance the student learning and schooling experience. This voluntary fee will be collected in the coming weeks via School Cash Online. 

*Please note that as a school community, we will always ensure that all students can participate in events and have access to all materials regardless of the contribution of voluntary fees.*

The Education Foundation has also provided us with a small supply of backpacks/lunch bags for any family who might need one. If you need one please reach out to stacey.grenier@ocdsb.ca 

We do request that you please label all your child’s belongings including shoes/clothing so that we can return misplaced items to the owner. 

When planning footwear, we are asking caregivers to send a pair of indoor shoes with your child that are comfortable and appropriate for physical education activities. 

Important Forms: 

• Prescribed Medication Consent Form (For students who required medicine to be administered at school):  OCDSB 988 - handling of prescribed medication for students with non-life-threatening medical conditions

• Plan of Care  Form (For students with life threatening medical conditions) OCDSB 963 - Plan of Care for Students with Life-Threatening Medical Conditions 

• Technology Acceptable Use (Mandatory for all students) : Appropriate Use of Technology Agreement

• Media Permission (Mandatory for all students) OCDSB 021 - Media/School Website Permission Form 

• Terry Fox Emergency Closing: https://forms.gle/gmR6xa1xmc4tnSoe9

• Personal Technology Form: https://forms.gle/wXVYtxYp9kzUrsUD9 

Interested in volunteering this year?

We are encouraging all parents and caregivers to apply for volunteer screening through the Ottawa Network For Education (ONFE).

You can apply as a volunteer through the Volunteers in Education through (ONFE). Before you start, you will need two references, one of whom can be a family member. The application takes about 15 minutes, and there is no cost to you when “for volunteering” is checked off and it is good for 5 years!  The turnaround time for ONFE can take a couple of weeks to process. 

Completing this process now will ensure that you are prepared for volunteering opportunities early in the upcoming school year. 

Once your screening is complete the principal will receive an email indicating that you have completed the process and that you are ready to be a volunteer for any and all school related activities and outings. 

Save the Date!

September 2nd: First Day of School

September 5th: First Friday! (The first Friday of every month is dedicated to our school spirit day, all students and staff are invited to wear red and black) Interested in Terry Fox Spirit Wear? Visit My School Clothing and select Terry Fox ES from the drop down menu.

September 9th: First School Council Meeting (and elections) 6:45pm-8:00pm  

**Everyone is welcome to all School Council meetings! The Council election will take place on September 9th ( information about nominations/school elections will come shortly)

October 16th: Fall Open House / Meet the Staff Evening (Details to follow)