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School Newsletter

Sunningdale School Logo, A Yellow Stringray with a Blue Background

September Newsletter

Principal's Message 👩🏻‍🏫

November 2026

Sunningdale - Home of the Stingrays

Dear Families,

Happy Fall! We have a busy and exciting few weeks ahead at our school, and we are so grateful for your continued support and engagement in our school community. Here are a few important updates and reminders for the coming days:

🍁 Fall Food Drive: It's a wrap! A huge thank you to everyone who generously donated to our food drive and for helping our students understand the value of community care! 

🌲 Take Me Outside Week! Our students have loved spending extra time learning and playing in the fresh air. Ask your child about their favorite outdoor activity!

⏰ Reminder: Time Change This Weekend: Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour this coming weekend as Daylight Saving Time ends! Enjoy the extra hour of sleep, and we look forward to seeing everyone rested and on time on Monday morning.

📝 Grade 4 NGAT Testing Next Week: Next week, our Grade 4 students will be participating in the Naglieri General Ability Test (NGAT).

  • What is the NGAT? The NGAT is the updated assessment that replaces the CCAT (Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test). It is a non-verbal abilities test designed to assess problem-solving and reasoning skills.

  • How to Prepare: No studying or preparation is required! The best way to help your child feel confident is to ensure they get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in making our school a vibrant and caring place to learn! We look forward to a fabulous month of learning together!

Your Sunningdale Team

Inclement Weather Reminders: With winter weather arriving soon, families are encouraged to review the HDSB Inclement Weather Reminders to know how we communicate important updates about school closures and bus cancellations. If your child is bused to school, please ensure you know which transportation zone you are located in. Let’s stay connected and safe this snowy season!


Mark Your Calendars 🗓️

Oct 29 - School Dance & End of Fall Food Drive

Nov 2 - Grade 4 students completing NGAT assessment 

Nov 2 - School Council Meeting join us in person in the library or virtually using this link Google Meet Link 

Nov 3 - Photo Retake Day 

Nov 4 - Grade 6 students visit White Oaks SS

Nov 5 - Grade 7 & 8 Vaccination Clinic at Sunningdale

Nov 5 - White Oaks SS High School Information Night 6 pm to 8 pm. (For grade 7 & 8 students)

Nov 6 - Saidat Show Assemblies for Primary and Junior Intermediate Students 

Nov 11 - Remembrance Day Assembly

Nov 12 - Grade 6 Field Trip 

Nov 26 - Student led conferences

Nov 27 - Student led conferences - No School

Dec 3 - Winter Concert 

Dec 7 - School Council Sub Committee Mtg


School Life @ Sunningdale 🏫

Grade 8 Trip To Brock Youth University Reflection: What an incredible time our Grade 8s had at Brock Youth University! Throughout the day, students engaged in challenges and problem-solving activities in teams. They strengthened friendships, built lasting memories, anddeveloped important life skills such as collaboration, communication and leadership. Students stepped outside their comfort zones with new experiences like rock-climbing and the high-ropes course. Another highlight was singing campfire songs and roasting marshmallows. Between all the adventure and laughter, we even squeezed in time to watch part of a Brock Women’s Varsity Lacrosse game and witness meaningful Indigenous cultural ceremonies in recognition of Orange Shirt Day. We finished the day with a memorable buffet dinner. For us teachers, the most meaningful part was watching students work together and cheer one another on. That, and well watchingMrs. Angelucci conquer the rock-wall! After all the excitement of the day, we had to laugh when we heard that, for many students, the highlight of the whole trip was simply riding the bus with their friends!


Sunningdale School Spirit Wear 👕

No longer will you have to stare into the closet wondering, "What am I supposed to wear today?"

We have the ultimate solution: School Spirit Wear!

Throw on a cozy hoodie, pop on a t-shirt, and boom—instant outfit, zero morning debate, and maximum school pride. It’s practically a uniform, but way more comfortable.

Whether you're gearing up for Friday Spirit Days, repping your school at events, or just looking for an easy go-to option for those rushed weekday mornings - we have you covered.

Check out the website to place your order


Sunningdale Athletics 🏐

🏐 Girls Volleyball and Boys Volleyball: Girls and boys volleyball season is in full swing!!  Schedules are posted on the Phys ED board. Please remind your child to check it out.  The players are doing an amazing job and working hard as the season rolls on.  Games take place after school on Tuesday and Thursday.

🏈 Flag Football: Our flag football team took part in 2 tournaments this year playing great and representing our school with class!!  We are very proud of all our players!!

⚽️ Intramurals: Intramurals will be starting in the next week.


Music Notes 🎶

We are excited to share with our school community this year's Junior Intermediate Winter Concert, featuring performances by our talented Grade 8 Band and Junior/Intermediate Choir (Grades 4–8). 

Mark your calendars Thursday, December 3, 2026 6:00-7:00 PM.  All performers should arrive at 5:45 PM.  In order to respect capacity limits, there is a maximum two guests per performer

Primary choir has started. They will also be performing at a special daytime concert in December. Practice is every Monday first break.


Executive Functioning Services for Students Gr 7-12 🗒️

Grade 7-12 Learning Strategy Drop-in Sessions

These sessions are offered bi-monthly, after school (4-4:45pm). Topics include: time management, planning and organization, attention strategies, stress management, procrastination, study strategies and test-taking skills. Additionally, specific strategies for: note-taking, reading textbooks, and organizing ideas for writing. 

Students can join the Google meeting link with their HDSB emails at the time of the session at 4:00pm.  Session list (with meeting links) No registration is required


Mental Health Information Sessions 🧠

The Halton District School Board is hosting Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for parents/guardians this fall. 

The upcoming sessions include: 

  • “Just One More!” When Kids and Teens Can't Stop Wanting More – Thurs, Nov. 12 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. This session is virtual.

  • Caring for Grieving Children and Youth – Wed, Nov. 25 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. This session is virtual.

Learn more about the sessions available by visiting our Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions webpage and register by completing the registration form. When you register, you can also submit a question for the presenters.  Registration is required for these sessions as limited spots are available. 

 

Mental Health & Well-Being Resources: The mental health and well-being of our students and families is important. We encourage all families to view the HDSB’s Mental Health & Well-Being webpage which has information for parents/guardians and students on mental health, ways to support positive mental health and well-being and how to get additional support at school and in the community.


School Council Corner 🏫

Follow Sunningdale School Council on Instagram @sunningdalecouncil

School Council Meetings are held at 6:30 in the Sunningdale Library:

Next meeting Nov 2nd 

Upcoming Mtgs: 

Feb 1st 

Apr 5th 

June 7th

Please note that you may join the meeting virtually using the following Google Meet Link


Looking to Volunteer at Sunningdale 🙋🏼‍♂️

Make sure to get your Police Record Check completed.

The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. All volunteers must meet provincial requirements and under regulation O.Reg. 298/25, effective April 1, 2026 school boards are now required to collect a new Police Record Check (PRC) with Vulnerable Sector Check for volunteers, in the jurisdiction that they reside, every five (5) years before volunteering in schools.

Visit Volunteer in HDSB Schools for more information.


Halton Learning Foundation - Back to School Campaign 🚌

Help  00 HDSB Students Start School with Confidence

As students across our community head back to school, some will arrive without the basics they need: a backpack, school supplies, or even lunch. The Halton Learning Foundation (HLF), thanks to our generous community, is here to help.

HLF launched its Back-to-School campaign, with the help of our cheerful helper Carrie the Backpack, to help 400 HDSB students by September 30. Families are counting on this support, and HLF is asking our generous community to step in urgently so they can continue to say “YES” to every request for emergency support they receive.

Here's what one parent shared about what saying “YES” meant to her family:

Just wanted to say how grateful I am for this support. I’m a single mom, and because of your help, I’m able to get what my daughter needs for back-to-school and food, and I’m so unbelievably grateful for the support.

Make a gift for a student in need today: Donate Now

Together, we can give students not just supplies, but confidence, dignity, and hope.

Learn more about Carrie’s Back to School mission and how you can help at GoBack2School.ca.

FAQ

Parent Handbook



Pizza Days 2025-26 - Mark Your Calendars

Term 1 (9 weeks running Oct 3 - Dec 12): 

Opens:  Wed. Sept 3rd

Closes: Sun Sept 28th

 ****NO PIZZA ON FRI DEC 19th EARLY DISMISSAL DAY****  School Messenger Reminder set up to remind parents and to remind them to bring a lunch that day.  It is mentioned on the school calendar as well.

Term 2 (9 weeks running Jan 9 - Mar 13):

Opens: Mon Nov 24th

Closes: Sun Jan 4th

Term 3 (10 weeks running Mar 27 - June 19):

Opens Mon Jan 26th

Closes: Sun Mar 22nd

If your child has a Plan of Care, please remind them to bring their Epi Pen and/or puffer to the
office to be stored. A second one should be on them at all times.

Medical Forms for Students with Prevalent Medical Conditions

If your child has a prevalent life-threatening medical condition (e.g., anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes, seizures), the school must have a Plan of Care in place. 

Just a reminder to those parents who have a child with a prevalent medical condition and a Plan of Care was completed last year at Pineland to please return the HDSB ANNUAL REVIEW OF MEDICAL INFORMATION FORM 


Thank you for ensuring that any epipens, puffers, and essential medications are sent to school on or before the first day along with all of the appropriate completed forms. 

If your child has a NEW or CHANGE in medical diagnosis, please complete one of the following forms to initiate the process for your child’s revised Plan of Care with Mme Difelice:


All NEWLY prescribed medicines that students have to take at school MUST have the appropriate form completed and signed off by a Regulated Health Professional (medication dispensed by school personnel or self-administered by student). If the completed and signed forms are not brought in at the same time as the medication, we will not be allowed to administer the medication.  If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the office. 

Volunteers in Schools  2025-26

As you welcome (and welcome back) volunteers in your schools, please note:

  • All volunteers will have a Criminal Background Check which includes vulnerable sector screening. 

  • If there is a Criminal Background Check with vulnerable sector screening on file at the school, the volunteer is required to complete the Halton District School Board's Annual Offence Declaration for subsequent years.

  • The Halton Regional Police Service now has an online process for residents who require a police record check. Note: There are many online background check services (e.g., mybackcheck.com) on the internet. These services do not include vulnerable sector screening, a requirement for HDSB volunteering.  

  • For reference: HDSB Volunteer Application Form

 

Introducing the Aspen Family Portal: Access Student Info and Report Cards Online

We are pleased to share that the Halton District School Board (HDSB) is launching the Aspen Family Portal, a login-protected space where parents/guardians can access:

  • Student information: View demographics, contact details and real-time attendance records.

  • Report cards: Access your child’s report cards electronically through the portal. While this will eventually replace paper copies, families will continue to receive hard copies until the portal has been officially rolled out to all schools, unless a paper copy is specifically requested. Once your account is active, any report cards that become available in the Aspen Family Portal will remain accessible for future reference.

  • One-stop access to important links: Easily access important and useful HDSB-approved websites, eliminating the need to search for or save essential links.

Activate your Aspen Family Portal Account

The Aspen Family Portal is being launched to HDSB schools in phases. You are receiving this email because your child’s school is currently activating accounts. 

To activate your Aspen Family Portal account, you must have a valid email address on file with your child’s school. 

  • Some families may have created an Aspen account when registering their child for school. If you have already created an Aspen account, you do not need to activate a new one to access the Aspen Family Portal. 

  • If you did not create an Aspen account when registering your child for school, you can now activate your account using the email address on file at your child’s school (the same email address you use for SchoolMessenger). To activate your account, follow the instructions on the Aspen Family Portal webpage.

To learn more about the Aspen Family Portal, including instructions on how to activate your account, log in and find answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), visit the Aspen Family Portal webpage on the HDSB website (hdsb.ca).

Code of Conduct & Discriminatory & Harmful Language Protocol

The Halton District School Board is committed to a whole school approach to create safe, caring, equitable, and inclusive school environments through the adoption of a Code of Conduct which promotes respect, civility, responsibility and academic excellence, and sets clear standards of behaviour for all members of the school community. The goal is to create a positive school climate where every student, staff and member of the school community feels safe, included and accepted. The Board supports all students in developing healthy relationships, making good choices, continuing their learning and achieving success. The Code of Conduct is reviewed with students throughout the year including an assembly with our intermediate students to review the expectations. 

Shared are the links for review at home: HDSB Code of Conduct

Discriminatory & Harmful Language Protocol link


Reminders: If you are driving your children to school, please remember that there is no parking on school property 

Traffic Safety is very important for everyone! Walking and cycling is an option for getting to and from school. Please review traffic safety with your child or walk/cycle with them if possible. We do not have on site parking for parents and cars should NOT be entering the front or back parking lots, unless it is arranged for early pick up and is before 3:30pm. For safety our school parking spots are limited and for staff only. When picking up or dropping off your child(ren), cars are not to stop on Oxford Ave.

Bus Pick Up: Parents/guardians should be waiting at the bus stop with their younger children
and if the child is old enough to be there on their own, families should have a “back up plan” in the event the child misses the bus. The child should always know what this plan is. In winter if the bus is delayed the back up plan should indicate how long a child(ren) should wait and next steps if they feel they “missed the bus”. 

If there is an unexpected change to a student’s usual after school arrangement: parents
should write a note in the student’s agenda so that the teacher that is in the child’s classroom at
the end of the day can reference the agenda if there is any uncertainty. If a teacher is absent
that particular day, any email sent to the teacher would not be received.

Late arrival, early dismissal and full day absences: please report these prior to and up to
10 a.m. on the day of through the Student Attendance Portal (School Messenger). Emails are
not to be used to convey this important information.

Dropping off lunches and forgotten items during the school day: Please use the drop off
cart located outside of the front doors of the school. Please label items and ensure the student’s
name is clearly legible. If you know the class, please include that. Students will pick up their
item (which will have been brought inside to the indoor student pick up table) at the appropriate
break time.

Label student belongings: Please take a minute and label lunch bags, shoes, coats and
anything that may be misplaced at school. We donate so many unclaimed “lost and found”
items during the school year but if an item is labelled with the students’ name then these
valuable items can be reunited with the student.

At Sunningdale our school motto is, Be a Ray, lead the way! We believe that it is important to promote this statement within our broader community as well. We want to ensure all families have their basic needs met. Our Angel Fund helps to provide the financial resources to support these many needs including clothing, backpacks, field trips, grocery gift cards, etc. If you are interested in supporting our Angel Fund, you can donate through our school cash online.

If you are a family who requires this support, please reach out to us; contact our school Principal
bardellt@hdsb.ca or your child’s teacher. All requests are kept strictly confidential.

On behalf of our school community, we thank you in advance for making a difference!

Make a Donation

HDSB’s Fashion Forward; Open Houses held in March and April
Fashion Forward is an initiative that provides Halton District School Board students an opportunity to select
donated formal wear, at no cost, for their upcoming prom and graduation celebrations.

To browse for formal wear, students can attend one of the Fashion Forward Open Houses:
Tuesday, April 21 and Thursday, April 23 from 3:30 - 8 p.m at Rolling Meadows Public School (1522 Mountain
Grove, Burlington)

Students are required to bring student identification to the Open House they attend.

A more private shopping opportunity will be available from 3 - 3:30 p.m. during the Open Houses for
anyone who would benefit from it.

Free webinar series for parents/caregivers: Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health from School Mental Health Ontario

We are excited to share a valuable opportunity to support your child’s well-being.

School Mental Health Ontario is offering a free webinar series as part of the By Your Side Learning Hub,
designed to help parents and caregivers navigate important topics to children’s mental health.

This expert-led series will provide insights and practical strategies on:
  • balanced device use
  • vaping
  • body image
  • anxiety

The webinars will also include responses to questions submitted in advance, giving the opportunity to
ask questions and receive practical guidance.
Sessions run March to June

Register for free today!

We encourage all parents and caregivers to participate in this informative series.

Together, we can support the well-being of our children and communities

Sunningdale School Schedule
Transportation Information
Student Technology
Health & Safety Reminders
Anti Black Racism*
Coyote Awareness*
Public Health Info*