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August 25. 2025
Hello Gator Families,
It is hard to believe that summer has come and gone and the start of another school year is quickly approaching. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Principal of Gladys Speers. I have heard nothing but positive things about this school community and I am looking forward to partnering with each of you. I welcome all of our students and their families to the 2025-26 school year. I am looking forward to a great year here at Gladys Speers, working with you and your child(ren) throughout the year.
The first day of school is quickly approaching and we are looking forward to welcoming our students both new and returning! I have included some important information for your consideration as we prepare for opening day.
Communication & Social Media
We will continue to send home editions of the “Gator Gazette” electronically. At this time, we have not decided if this newsletter will be weekly or monthly. Valuable information may also be found on our updated website at gla.hdsb.ca. Also, Please follow us on our new Instagram page @gladysspeers! We will use this as an additional tool to communicate with our parent community about what is happening at the school, as well as celebrate the great things happening at our school.
Class Placements
Class placement emails will go out to families over the Labour day weekend. If for any reason you did not receive one, we will have staff available on the blacktop with class lists on Wednesday morning.
Our staff has worked extremely hard to create a balance within our classes between gender, social groupings, and academic ability. Our Staff has spent a great deal of time working on class placements and classes are created to optimize student learning. This is a collaborative process requiring the input of sending and receiving teachers as well as the previous school administration. In the event that you or your child are not initially pleased with the class placement, we respectfully ask that you resist the temptation to call or e-mail school staff to request a change. We believe we have created classrooms where our students can be successful in building new friendships while building on past peer relationships. Our staff will not be considering any changes to our classrooms at this time, however, we are committed to helping each student transition into their new grade. Usually after the first few days students settle in, make new friends, and are excited to be part of their class.
Class rosters for the 2025-26 school year will only be revised if we are forced to go through a September reorganization. This news would be communicated to all parents during the second week of school. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
First Day Procedures
The first day of school is Wednesday, September 3, 2025. The blacktop is only for Kindergarten parents to line up with their little ones and send them in through the Kindy gate. Primary and Junior parents/guardians are asked to walk across the blacktop/ field to drop off your child(ren). Staff will be available on the blacktop to greet our students. We kindly ask families to keep your pets at home during the business of the first day. After the first day we know that many parents find the walk to and from school to be a good time to also walk the family pet. If this is the case, please keep your pet on the grass areas and do not bring your pet onto the blacktop, as some students are allergic and/or fearful. It is also difficult to predict an animal’s behaviour when confronted with a large group of excited children.
Kindergarten Drop-Off:
Parents/guardians will drop off their child(ren) at the Kindergarten gate, and educators will direct each child to their appropriate door. Parents are then asked to head off and start their day. Staff will help to make your child(ren) feel as comfortable as possible, and our students typically settle in quickly.
Kindergarten Pick-Up:
Parents/Guardians will approach the gate and wait their turn as they receive a hand-to-hand exchange. An educator at the gate will assist with the transition.
Primary/Junior Drop-Off:
Students in grades 1-6 will meet their teachers on the blacktop (staff will have signs). Once your child(ren) has connected with their teacher, we ask that you kindly head off to start your day. Junior students (Grades 4-6) will meet outside of Door #10, and Primary students (Grades 1-3) will meet outside Door #5.
Primary/Junior Pick-Up:
Parents/Guardians that are picking up are asked to make their way to the blacktop at the rear of the school. Adults will be available to assist your child in locating you if they do not see you. No pick-ups will be done from the front of the school or the main office. Ensure your child is aware of your end of day plans and routines to help limit confusion.
Transportation
Bus information is now available at https://www.haltonbus.ca. Please log in and review your students' information. If your student has been allocated a bus stop and you will not be using it for the year, OR if your child is attending a daycare program before and after school, please complete this form ASAP so that we can have the proper information for your child(ren) at the school. As you can imagine, the first few days are very busy in our office so the more information we have before that day the better organized we can all be. Please also ensure that your child knows which bus they are on - we will colour code them to ensure our youngest students can get on the right bus. Students on Afternoon Route #242 will be on the “Green” Bus, and students on Afternoon Route #244 will be on the “Red” bus.
Parking
Accessible parking is available at the front of the school. Permits are required to use these spots. Our parking lot is reserved for staff and for essential visitors to our school who will be staying at the school for some time. Please arrange drop off/pick up with your child either on a side street adjacent to the school, but we encourage walking to/from school and using the school bus if eligible. As a reminder, please follow signage that indicates no stopping or no parking (i.e., you can stop, but must remain in your car). Our students can enter and exit our school grounds through the sides and back of the school, but must stay out of the parking lot for safety. We also ask that our walking parents and students do not cross through our parking lot as they head to the back of the school for entry and pick up.
Kiss & Ride
If it is essential that you drive your child(ren) to school for drop off in our kiss & ride area, please ensure you only enter on the west side of the school, following the one-way signage. As you pull up, please ensure you come all the way to the end of the kiss & ride area. Do not get out of your car, but have your children exit the car only on the side closest to the building to ensure they are not exiting your car into the laneway. Please note that this area is used for our school buses and if you are behind the bus, please be patient and do not pass the bus (or other cars) in the kiss & ride areas. These expectations are essential to ensure the safety of our students.
Volunteering at Gladys Speers
If you are looking to volunteer with the school as opportunities arise, you will require a Vulnerable Sector Check from the Halton Regional Police Services. Details can be found here. If you already have a police check on file from last year, you are required to fill out this volunteer declaration form and hand it into the office, or your child’s classroom teacher.
Outdoor Learning
Your child(ren) will be spending A LOT of time learning and playing outdoors. They will be outside in all types of weather when it is safe to do so. We ask that you ensure your child has appropriate footwear and clothing on a daily basis. Note: We will be going outside even when it is misting or snowing. Additionally, most of our physical education classes take place outside.
School Cash Online
Please remember we are a cashless school and use School Cash Online for field trips, food programs, etc. If you have yet to sign up for School Cash Online you can do so now at https://hdsb.schoolcashonline.com. If you have any problems registering please let us know. JK students (and those new to the HDSB) will not be able to register just yet. We will send more information in the coming days as school begins.
School Messenger
We will continue to use the student absence reporting system called School Messenger - https://www.schoolmessenger.com. This system will be used for student absences as well as receiving all messages and phone calls from your child’s school. If you are not already signed up for this, please click here for more information.
If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions throughout the year, or would simply like to say hello, please feel free to reach out at any time. I am always happy to chat and meet our families. Thank you in advance for your support as we begin this new school year. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back. GO GATORS!
Mr. G. Donaldson
Principal
Gladys Speers PS
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