August 21, 2026
What’s Happening at Eardley?
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Welcome back to the 2026-2027 school year!
We are excited to welcome our students back to Eardley Elementary and are eagerly awaiting their arrival. As we prepare for the start of the school year, I would like to share some important information about the first days of school. For most students, classes will begin on August 27. If your child is entering Kindergarten, please note that there are separate instructions for you in the “Kindergarten Students Only” section of this letter. We also encourage you to visit our website, where you will find a wealth of helpful information about the upcoming school year, school procedures, important dates, and supply lists.
Who is my Child’s Teacher?
Your child’s teacher will contact you, most likely by email, the day before school begins. In this communication, teachers will let families know where they will be in the school yard on the first day of school. On the morning of August 27, teachers will have enlarged class lists displayed, and staff members will be available to help students and families locate the correct teacher and meeting area.
Please note that student placement and class assignments are dependent on enrollment and are final as reported in many communications already. As a result, class changes will not be possible.
Transportation
You will be able to retrieve your child’s bussing information from today, August 21 late afternoon until August 28 at 9:00am on the Mosaik Parent Portal. If you have questions regarding transportation, please contact our office agent, Ashley Kelly.
If your child is eligible for bus transportation but you plan to drop them off on the first day of school, please let their teacher know your child’s dismissal plans. This will help ensure a smooth and safe dismissal process on the first day.
Please note that supervision on the school yard begins at 7:45 a.m. Students cannot arrive before this time unless they are registered for the daycare.
Please be aware that between August 28 and September 11, requests related to:
- New student registrations
- Changes of address
- Changes to daycare services
will require a 10-day processing period.
Beginning September 14, the processing time for these requests will return to 3 school days.
School Schedule
7:00-7:45 Daycare for those who have registered
7:45-8:00 Supervision in the yard
8:00 Start of day bell
10:05-10:25 Recess
11:25-12:20 Lunch
1:20-1:40 Recess
2:40 Dismissal Bell
2:40-6:00 Daycare for those who have registered
Kindergarten Student Only
Students entering Kindergarten have been contacted by Ashley Kelly, our Office Agent. Ashley has provided you with:
- A scheduled 15-minute meeting time with your child’s teacher on August 27; and
- Information about your child’s staggered entry date:
- August 28 (and remain at home on August 31), or
- August 31 (and remain at home on August 28).
Ashley will also follow up with an email providing your child’s student identification number or permanent code, which will allow you to attach your child to the Mosaïk Parent Portal. Through the portal, you will be able to view your child’s transportation information, report cards, daycare invoices, and school fee statements.
Thursday, August 27– Families will attend a scheduled 15-minute classroom visit to meet the teacher and see the classroom. Please bring your child and their school supplies to this visit.
Friday, August 28– One half of the class will attend a full day of school. These students will remain at home on Monday, August 31.
Monday, August 31- The other half of the class will attend a full day of school. These students will remain at home on Friday, August 28.
Beginning Tuesday, September 1– all kindergarten students attend school each day.
What if my child is struggling on the first day?
If you or your child is upset on the first day, we understand. From our experience, a brief and positive goodbye is much better for your child. Once inside the school, students typically settle in quickly,
connect with their classmates and begin building relationships with the caring adults who will support them throughout the day. If your child is experiencing significant anxiety or difficulty separating, please speak with a staff member or contact the school office prior to the first day. We will work with you to develop an alternative plan to help make the transition as smooth and positive as possible.
Please note that, with the exception of scheduled Kindergarten visits, parents and guardians will not be permitted to enter the school building to escort their child to class. Staff members will be available to assist students and ensure they arrive safely at their classrooms.
School Supplies
School supply lists are available on our website. Teachers will contact you in the first weeks of school should classroom specific items be needed.
Back-to-School BBQ and Meet-the-Teacher Night
The Home and School Back-to-School BBQ will be on September 17. Stay tuned for more information. You will also have an opportunity to visit your child’s classroom and meet the teacher on that date. More info to come.
Parking Lot
The safety of our students, families, and staff is our top priority. As parking space is limited, we ask for your cooperation in helping ensure a safe and efficient arrival and dismissal process.
- Please use the designated crosswalks and remain with your child until they have safely reached the sidewalk or school yard.
- To ensure that staff can park and be available to welcome students, please park only in spaces designated for visitors.
- Parking is not permitted along the entrance and exit lanes of the parking lot.
- When possible, consider parking legally on a nearby street and walking your child to the school yard.
- To reduce congestion and improve traffic flow, please avoid gathering or lingering in the parking lot after drop-off.
- Spaces are limited. If the parking lot is full upon your arrival, please continue around the loop and try again rather than stopping in unauthorized areas.
- An accessible parking space is available for valid permit holders only. This is the first extra-large space as you pull into the main parking area (see picture below). Unauthorized use of this space is not permitted despite the amount of time it is occupied.
Thank you for helping us maintain a safe environment and allowing staff to focus their attention on supervising students during these busy times.
Communication
We will be using Mosaik the Parent Portal, which arrives as email. If you are speaking with someone who is not receiving the emails, please suggest they check their junk mail.
Cell Phones
In accordance with ministry directives and our school code of conduct, students should not have/use cell phones on school premises. We have experienced situations where students have used personal devices to call or text parents during the school day, which can create confusion and make it difficult for school staff to provide appropriate support. If your child contacts you directly by text or phone during the school day, please be aware that this is not permitted and does not follow school expectations. When parents respond to these messages or intervene directly, it unintentionally sends mixed messages to children about the importance of following school rules and procedures. We ask families to support us by reinforcing the expectation that concerns arising during the school day should be addressed through school staff. If a student needs to contact a parent or guardian, they should speak with their teacher or visit the Zen Den or office, where staff can assist them appropriately. Likewise, if you need to reach your child during the school day, please contact the school office and we will ensure that important messages are communicated promptly. By working together and following these procedures, we can help students develop independence, trust the adults who are supporting them at school, and maintain a focused, safe, and supportive learning environment for everyone.
School Fees
Families will be notified once school fees have been finalized and posted to their account. Payments can be made conveniently through your online banking institution.
If you need to make a cash payment, please contact Kim Teske, our Secretary, to make arrangements. Please note that exact change is required for all cash payments.
We understand that school fees can sometimes present financial challenges. If you would like to discuss a payment plan, please contact Kim as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Please note that outstanding balances that remain unpaid and for which no payment arrangements have been established are subject to the Board’s collection procedures and will be referred to a collection agency.
Rain or Shine Recess
Please send rain gear that can be kept at school for your child. At Eardley, we have a rain or shine recess policy, which means students go outside even when it is raining, unless there is a storm or exceptionally heavy rainfall. In cases of severe weather, students will remain indoors for recess. To ensure students can safely and comfortably participate in outdoor recess, it is essential that they come to school dressed appropriately for the weather. Families are asked to provide appropriate seasonal clothing, including rain gear, boots, warm outerwear, hats, and mittens when needed. Students who are dressed for the weather can fully enjoy the many benefits of outdoor play throughout the year
Research supports outdoor play in a variety of weather conditions, showing benefits for children’s physical health, mental well-being, resilience, and ability to focus and learn. Time spent outdoors in different weather conditions also encourages exploration, problem-solving, and an appreciation for the natural environment. Being outdoors does not cause illness. In fact, outdoor recess can help reduce the spread of germs that often occur when large groups remain indoors.
I wish you all a relaxing final few days before the school year begins. See you all soon!
Julia Horner
Principal
Eardley Elementary School