Gryphon Gazette: September 2026: Additional Information
September is always a busy month as we establish classroom expectations, learn new schedules, and create a strong sense of belonging within our school community. Our staff have been impressed by the positive start our students have made, and we appreciate the support families provide at home as everyone settles back into school routines.
This newsletter contains important information about upcoming events, school programs, and opportunities to get involved. We encourage you to take a few moments to review the updates and mark important dates on your calendar.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we are creating a positive and engaging learning environment where every student can thrive. We look forward to a fantastic year ahead.
Our Theme of the Year: BELIEVE!
This year, our school community will be focusing on a powerful word: BELIEVE.
At GREC, BELIEVE is more than just a word or a slogan. It represents the values and actions that help create a positive, inclusive, and successful learning environment for every member of our school community. Throughout the year, students and staff will explore what it means to BELIEVE in themselves, in one another, and in the potential of our school community.
BELIEVE is built around seven key principles:
- B – Belonging: Everyone deserves to feel welcomed, valued, and connected.
- E – Empathy: We seek to understand and care about the feelings and experiences of others.
- L – Learning: We embrace challenges, stay curious, and strive for personal growth.
- I – Integrity: We do what is right, even when no one is watching.
- E – Every Student: Every learner matters, and every learner can succeed.
- V – Voice: We encourage students to share their ideas, perspectives, and passions.
- E – Excellence: We strive to do our best in all that we do and celebrate growth along the way.
Throughout the year, these themes will be highlighted in classrooms, assemblies, announcements, school activities, and recognition programs. We will celebrate students who demonstrate these values and provide opportunities for everyone to reflect on how they can contribute to a caring, respectful, and thriving school community.
We encourage families to join us in this journey by discussing these concepts at home and helping students recognize the many ways they can demonstrate Belonging, Empathy, Learning, Integrity, Every Student, Voice, and Excellence in their daily lives.
Together, let's make this a year where we all BELIEVE in ourselves, in each other, and in what we can accomplish as a school community. GO GRYPHONS! 💙💚🦅
Parent Council
Information regarding Parent Council for the 2026-2027 school year has been emailed directly to student parent/guardian contacts. There are formal and informal ways to get involved in Parent Council, and we certainly hope to have as many people in the mix as possible. The school is part of a larger community, and having the voices of guardians and family members of students across all grades is an essential part of our success.
Parent Council meets monthly through a mix of in person and virtual meetings. Our first meeting is Monday, September 14th at 5:30pm in the GREC library.
Please review the email regarding Parent Council and reach out to the school by phone or email with any questions. We sincerely hope to see new faces join us!
MEET, EAT & GREET!
Student Medical Information
The Limestone District School Board plays an important role in supporting students with prevalent medical conditions to fully access school in a safe, accepting, and healthy learning environment that supports well-being. Prevalent medical conditions (anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes, and/or epilepsy) require a medical plan of care for school. These plans must be updated annually. All medical forms are accessible through the LDSB website, as well as at the bottom of each shared edition of the Gryphon Gazette (scroll to the bottom to find links to forms). Please email your child's completed medical forms to gredc@limestone.on.ca, or reach out to the main office with any questions.
A friendly reminder that we are a nut-free and scent-free school.
Please help us ensure that we are keeping all students and staff safe by ensuring that no products containing nuts or strong scents enter the school.
Secondary Assessment & Evaluation: A message from LDSB
Based on new Ministry of Education policy, Limestone District School Board is introducing changes to assessment and evaluation practices in secondary schools beginning this school year.
Previously, Grades 9 to 12 secondary school courses were evaluated based on 70% classroom learning and 30% final evaluations or exams.
What has changed?
- Most secondary school courses will include an exam, which will take place during the designated exam period.
- The new policy introduces separate evaluation structures for Grades 9 and 10 as well as Grades 11 and 12:
- Grades 9 and 10: 65% classroom learning, 20% mandatory final evaluation, and 15% attendance and participation.
- Grades 11 and 12: 65% classroom learning, 25% mandatory final evaluation, and 10% attendance and participation.
- Previously, attendance and participation were not included in students' overall grades. Under the new policy, attendance and participation will now account for a portion of the final grade:
- Grades 9 and 10: 15%
- Grades 11 and 12: 10%
To help families understand these changes, we have created the Limestone DSB Secondary Assessment and Evaluation: Family Guide. The guide explains how final grades are calculated, including classroom learning, mandatory final evaluations, and attendance and participation. It also outlines the different types of final evaluations students may complete based on their courses.
We encourage families to review the guide and discuss it with their student. We will continue to provide updates as we receive further information from the Ontario Ministry of Education.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting student success.
Talya McKenna
Superintendent of Curriculum and Program Services, Secondary Program and Student Success
Limestone District School Board
Volunteering - Vulnerable Sector Police Checks
Any parents or guardians wishing to volunteer at the school or on field trips MUST have a current (within 6 months) VALID police check with vulnerable sector. If you are considering taking part in any school-based activities with your child this year, it is best to be proactive and complete your police check as soon as possible, as they can take a number of weeks to be completed.
For those requesting police checks, please contact the school as we will provide you with a letter so that you can request the document free of charge.
Upcoming Dates
September 2026
- Sept 2 - First Day of School!
- Sept 3 - Grade 9 Orientation
- Sept 18 - Jr Boys Volleyball Tournament at NDSS
- Sept 23 - Eat Meet and Greet - 5-7pm
- Sept 25 - Sr Boys Volleyball Tournament at NDSS
- Sept 30 - Orange Shirt Day
- Oct 1 - Photo Day!
- Oct 5-9 - Safety Week
- Oct 7 - Secondary Northern Mental Health Symposium
- Oct 16 - Academic Awards
- Oct 21 - Grade 7 & 8 Immunizations
- Oct 26 - PA Day
- Oct 29 - Photo Retakes
School Year Calendars
Parent Council
Dear Parents & Guardians,
We invite you to join our Parent Council meetings (typically on the first Monday of each month), which will take place in the GREC Library or online via Zoom from 5:30-6:30pm.
The Parent Council is a group of parents, guardians, staff, and community members who work together to support and enhance our school environment. Through these meetings, we discuss important topics, share updates, and make decisions that shape our school community.
Your insights and ideas are invaluable to us. We believe that a range of perspectives strengthens our efforts, and we would love to see more voices represented. Whether you have suggestions, or questions, or simply want to listen in, your involvement makes a real difference!
Please consider joining us. We look forward to welcoming new and returning faces.
Prevalent Medical Conditions
Schools are required to have a plan of care on site for any student with a prevalent medical condition. If your student has a prevalent medical condition, please take the time to fill out the appropriate form below and return the form to the school to the attention of the main office, or by emailing completed forms to gredc@limestone.on.ca. Forms must be updated annually so that the school is aware of changes to plans.
If your student requires daily medications, these should NOT be carried in backpacks, but rather stored in the main office. If medications are to be administered by school staff, additional forms are required. Please reach out to the school if you have any questions, or to make arrangements for administration of medications.
- Asthma Plan of Care
- Anaphylaxis Plan of Care
- Epilepsy Plan of Care
- Diabetes Plan of Care
- Generic Plan of Care
Late Arrival? Early Dismissal?
As you can appreciate, the office can be very busy at the beginning and end of each day. We ask that you notify your student's teacher (Elementary; note, email) or the main office (Secondary) about changes to regular routines ahead of time wherever possible. If there are unforeseen changes, please notify the office before 1:30pm. This will allow us to relay the information to the classroom in a timely manner.
All doors of the school building remain locked during the school day. Please continue to buzz at the front door for pick ups and drop offs during the day.
Reporting a Student Absence
Reporting Absences: There are three options to use to report a student absence:
- use the SchoolMessenger App on your phone, select "Attendance", then "Report an Absence"
- use the SchoolMessenger website portal
- Call the main office of the school
