February 2026

Principal Message

As we wrap up Term 1, please note that Report Cards will be coming home on February 17th and will capture the learning from September to February.  Our staff has spent the first term assessing and evaluating our students and focused on both Math Monitoring and Literacy Monitoring.  For Math Monitoring, we have focused on multiplicative thinking across all grades and staff have tracked students using Alex Lawson's continuum of Numeracy Development to not only track student thinking, but also pinpoint next steps in learning along the continuum.  In Literacy, we have been tracking students reading levels, using a phonics based approach to learning to read.  Staff use multiple assessment tools including phonological awareness surveys, PM benchmarks and Benchmark Assessment Systems to pinpoint reading levels and next steps for each student in their classroom to inform next steps for teaching.  

Should you have any questions about your child's progress in Math and Literacy, or any other subject, please don't hesitate to reach out to our staff who can share your child's progress in more detail, as needed.  We will continue to monitor students who are not at grade level and provide tier 2 interventions in the classroom, and possibly tier 3 interventions outside of the classroom, when required.  Should an intervention outside the classroom be necessary, we would always work with parents and inform them of our plans of support.  Throughout term one, we are very proud of our students and their consistent high overall achievement in our classrooms.

Please take the time to read all about everything happening in our school this month. Have a Fantastic February!

Mr. G. Donaldson

Principal

John T. Tuck P.S.

Kindergarten Drop Off - No Kiss & Ride

This is a reminder that the Kiss & Ride area is for Grades 1-6 students only.  For Kindergarten students, please use the bus, walk, or park on a side street and walk your little one to the back to have an adult to adult hand-off in the Kindergarten area. We do not have staff at Kiss & Ride who take students to the Kindergarten classrooms.  Also a reminder for those who are in Grades 1-6 and choose to use the Kiss & Ride area, that all adults are to remain in their car to ensure safety.

Spirit Days - Mark your Calendars

We had a great day bringing our stuffed animals to school this month, and we look forward to our next set of spirit days in February - we have two!  Mark your calendars on February 12th for a Gators Spirit Day, where we ask students and staff to wear Gladys Speers PS branded clothing, or red and black.  On February 25th, it is Pink Shirt day, inspired by  two Grade 12 students from Berwick, Nova Scotia, when David Shepherd and Travis Price decided to take a stand after witnessing a Grade 9 student being bullied for wearing a pink polo shirt to school.  We wear Pink on February 25th to show that our students stand up to bullying.

 
X-Movement

We’re excited to welcome X Movement to our school from February 17th to February 20th, where students will take part in an engaging, high-energy experience focused on movement, teamwork, and personal growth. Through interactive activities, students will be encouraged to challenge themselves, build confidence, and develop positive habits that support both physical and mental well-being. We’re looking forward to a fun and inspiring visit!

Dance-a-thon

A reminder that Dance-a-thon pledge envelopes are due by February 4th.  Students will also be able to refuel and light up the fun at our Dance-a-Thon Snack Bar and Glow Merch table!  See below for details, and we ask that you send your child with smaller bills, or loonies and toonies to be able to purchase these items during the dance.  Change will be limited for larger bills:

SNACK BAR: A variety of candy & chips will be available for $2 each, along with a banana chocolate chip loaf for $2 and Mott’s Fruitsations -  2 for $1, and finally drinks for $2.

GLOW Merch:  Rock a Neon Green Headband ($4), light up the moves with an LED Bracelet ($5), pop and play with a Glow Sensory POP Tube ($3), or grab a few glowing 8” Glow Sticks - with links - ($1 each) to complete your dance look.

All proceeds support the previously mentioned outdoor activities improvement project for the kids. Parent Council thanks you for your support!

Olympic Assembly

We are excited to welcome Canadian Olympic athlete Mark Oldershaw to our school on February 12th. Mark Oldershaw is a former Team Canada Olympian and bronze-medal-winning kayaker who competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He will talk with students about his journey to the Olympic Games and how dedication, perseverance, and goal-setting helped him achieve his goals. Through an age-appropriate and interactive presentation, Mark will share his experiences as an Olympic athlete and highlight the importance of resilience, teamwork, and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. This inspiring, real-world experience will encourage students to set personal goals, stay active, and understand that there are many pathways to success.

Gladys Speers Stickers

In each student's report card envelope later this month, we will be putting in two Gladys Speers PS stickers.  These stickers were created by Steven Bian, an HDSB High School student, and donated to the school as he starts a business making UV Transfer 3D Stickers.  We hope you enjoy the stickers and helps you brand things like water bottles, personal technology, or other items from home our students wish to adorn with the Gladys Speers logo.  Thank you, Steven!

Kindergarten Registration

Do you have a child starting school in September 2026? Registration is underway for Kindergarten in the HDSB! The HDSB’s Kindergarten program provides children with a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success by developing curiosity, problem-solving and early literacy and math skills in a welcoming environment.   Parents/guardians can register online or in-person. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/8wnn9uv9 

Out of Area Transfer Requests (2026-2027) - Elementary Schools

Students looking to attend a school other than their home school can do so by completing an Out of Area Transfer Request Application. Applications are being accepted from Jan. 5 - Feb. 27, 2026 and can be submitted to your home school. Please note that not all schools are open for transfer requests. For a list of open schools and to obtain a copy of the application, visit the HDSB website: https://www.hdsb.ca/schools/transfer-schools-within-the-hdsb/