Principal Message - Sept 12th, 2025
Sept. 15, 2025
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We had another great week last week. The current weather forecast is calling for great weather this week which is great because we’ll hold a fire drill this Friday, September 19th at 9:25 am. We typically hold three fire drills in the first couple months of school. We announce the first fire drill to everyone. The next drill will be a surprise to students and the third drill will be a surprise to all staff including the office staff and principal.
Richmond Fair
Many of our students have a history of participating in the Richmond Fair. If your child will be away for the fair please remember to enter their absence into the OCDSB’s SafeArrival student absence management system.
If you will be signing your child(ren) out during the day, we kindly ask that you do this at the start of first or second recess (9:55 am or 12:20 pm) so that they are able to leave during a natural transition in our schedule. If your child will be signed out by another parent/guardian to attend the fair, please email the school with the details at goulbournms@ocdsbc.ca
GMS School Parent Council Lunch programs
Lunch program ordering starts today through School Cash Online. Please see attached infographics for specific information such as dates and costs associated with the program. Thank you in advance for supporting our School Council!
School Council is a great way to get involved in our school community, connect with other families and support the learning and well-being of our students. Whether you are new to GMS or returning for another year, we invite you to consider joining us in shaping and supporting the wonderful experiences that make our school thrive.
First GMS School Parent Council Meeting
Date: Tuesday, September 16th, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: GMS Library (with a virtual option available for those who can't attend in person)
Everyone is welcome - whether you’d like to take an active role on council or simply attend to learn more. Your ideas, voice and support make a difference in our little school. We will also be holding elections that evening.
We look forward to seeing you there and working together to make this a great year for our students!
- Megan Townsend & Victoria Marton co-chairs Goulbourn Middle School Parent Council
Photo Days
For reference, please see Photo Days for this year below,
-Fall Photo Day- Sept. 22, 2025
-Fall Retake Day- Oct. 29, 2025 (including class group photos)
Meet-the-Staff-Night
Our Meet-the-Staff Session will be held on Thursday, September 25th from 4:30-6:30 pm. We encourage you to come meet your child’s educators on this date. This will give us the opportunity to meet your child(ren)'s teacher and learn about what to expect for the year. It also gives us the opportunity to learn more about your child(ren). If you have information about your child(ren) that you want to share, we ask that you provide the teacher a note or an email so that we can maintain your child's privacy during the event.
Drop off & Pickup
At GMS we are working hard to keep everyone safe. If you are dropping off your child in the morning or picking them up at the end of the day, please wait for busses and vans to clear and for a staff member to direct you to come into the school property once it is safe to do so.
Please note that the speed limit on Huntley Road near the school is 60 km/h. Students cannot be dropped off or picked up from Huntley Road. Thank you in advance for helping us keep our students safe.
Aerosol sprays
Aerosol sprays are not permitted because of the safety related impacts. Some examples include: deodorant, bug spray, and sunscreen
Student Accident Insurance
Creating a caring and safe environment for our students is our top priority. Unfortunately, despite all reasonable precautions being taken, accidents can still happen. Some injuries may result in medical, dental or other expenses that are not covered by provincial health care or employer group plans and caregivers become responsible for these expenses.
The OCDSB does not provide student accident insurance and encourages all caregivers to consider purchasing accident insurance or student accident insurance for incidents that may not be covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) or any additional medical plans they have.
Student accident insurance is available for purchase, on a voluntary basis. Caregivers may apply online at insuremykids.com or call 1-800-463-5437. The accident insurance coverage options range from $17.00/year to $33.00/year. All plans provide 24/7 coverage and a variety of important accident benefits (benefit limits differ based on plan selected). If you have any questions, please call Jones DesLauriers Ottawa (formerly Binks Insurance Brokers) directly at 613-226-1350.
Electronic Forms that Need to Be Completed
Please complete the following electronic forms to assist us with a smooth startup:
Media/School Website Permission Form
Appropriate Use of Technology Form
Student Medical Concerns
The OCDSB Plan of Care form is used to share information with the school regarding a variety of life-threatening medical conditions such as anaphylactic allergies, diabetes, seizures, asthma, and other conditions. This information is collected annually. If your child has any medical condition, we ask that you please complete the electronic form attached below at your earliest convenience, so that we may provide appropriate care at school.
Reporting a student’s absence
SafeArrival is OCDSB's student absence management system. This SchoolMessenger system allows parents/guardians to use a mobile app, a website, or an interactive toll-free phone line to report a student’s absence in advance. It enhances student safety, verifies absences in a timely manner, and improves notification time with parents and caregivers.
Instructions on using the Safe Arrival system can be found here
OPH Immunization Clinic
Ottawa Public Health will be holding their first immunization clinic at GMS on Tuesday, October 7th, 2025.
If you have any questions regarding the immunizations, you can visit www.ParentingInOttawa.ca/
Upcoming Events:
-
Tuesday, September 16th @ 6:30 pm School Council Meeting
-
September 17th (6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.): OCDSB Speaker Series – Executive Function Skills: Why They Matter for Mental Wellness, and How to Support Them with Dr. Michael Cheng
-
Tuesday, September 19th, Fire Drill @ 9:25 am.
-
Fall Photo Day- Sept. 22, 2025
-
Thursday, September 25th from 4:30-6:30 pm - Meet the Staff NIght
-
Oct. 29, 2025 (including class group photos) - Fall Retake Day
Resources:
-
2025-2026 Elementary School Year Calendars
Mental Health in Action: Tip sheets, videos, community and crisis resources, and more.