January 2026
Hello Gryphon Families,
The new year has definitely brought with it some weather that has kept us on our toes! As we wrap up the term/semester this month, staff and students have done their best to remain flexible and adjust to the challenges imposed by Mother Nature. Frequent days with bus cancellations have created a need to re-examine short- and long-range plans - in particular in secondary classes as students work to show demonstration of all overall course expectations before exams. As always, teachers will continue to be vigilant to ensure that students have the greatest opportunity for success.
The arrival of February will bring with it a new term for elementary students, a new semester for secondary students, and some new initiatives and opportunities for students. We continue to look forward to seeing the growth in our students.
Secondary Examinations
A reminder that Secondary Examinations for Semester 1 begin TOMORROW - Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Evaluation/Exam Schedule:
- Students in grades 9 -12 will be writing their exams during the exam schedule, January 22nd – 28th
- Students who are not writing an exam should be studying at home unless they have made specific arrangements to receive help from a teacher. These arrangements need to be made in advance as most teachers are supervising an exam or have other supervision duties during the examination period.
- Students who need extra help before their exams should see their teachers during the review days for permission to attend afternoon sessions and should sign up in the main office.
- All exams will be written in the morning, and students should make arrangements to be picked up afterward or sign up for the early bus in the main office. Other culminating activities and oral exams/interviews will be scheduled by the teacher.
Inclement Weather:
The January Summative/Exam timetable has been created and includes a day to account for potential inclement weather and bus cancellations. If buses are cancelled due to inclement weather, exams scheduled on that day will be rescheduled to the next exam day. Subsequent exams in the exam schedule will also be rescheduled to the next exam day. For example, if buses are cancelled on Friday, January 23rd, Friday’s exams will be held on Monday, January 26th. Monday’s exams would be held on Tuesday, January 27th, and Tuesday’s exams would be held on Wednesday, January 28th.
Schools will communicate with families through email and LDSB website, if the exam schedule needs to be adjusted due to inclement weather and bus cancellations. It will be important for families to watch for communication in the event of inclement weather. Students are expected to be present and available to write exams and finish assessments during the entire exam period, from January 22nd through January 28th.
Absences:
- Students Under Eighteen Years of Age: If you are ill on the day of an exam, your parent or guardian must contact the school at 343-283-0500 before 8:30 a.m. to arrange an alternate time for you to write the exam.
- Students Eighteen Years of Age or Older: You must contact the school before 8:30 a.m. if you are ill on the day of an exam to arrange an alternate time for you to write an exam.
- All students, please remember that vacation planning, regular scheduled appointments and work schedules do not constitute emergencies and may cause you to lose the opportunity to demonstrate your learning on an exam.
Busing:
- During exam days, two buses will depart the school at 11:30 a.m. using the late bus routes (one South bus and one North bus). Regular busses will also run on their normal routes at 2:40 p.m.
- Students who require the early bus must sign up in the front office before the start of the exam period. If no one signs up, the bus will not run.
- Students are not permitted in the school in the afternoon unless previously arranged and supervised by a teacher.
Exam Procedure:
- Students must arrive at the examination room by 8:25 am; all exams start at 8:30 am unless otherwise individually scheduled.
- Students are expected to be on time and to bring all necessary materials to each exam (including textbooks to be returned to teachers).
- Cell phones are not allowed in exam rooms.
- Students must remain in the exam for a minimum of one hour.
- Students who have finished their exams must go directly to the Resource Centre, cafeteria, GLC, or a prearranged location in the school.
Student Success Procedure:
- For students who have not submitted work, there will be designated student success days for students to complete outstanding assessments. Mr. Donatelli will connect with students and families as needed.
Algonquin Language Learning
Kwey kakina
With the support of the Indigenous Education team, we are happy to offer the opportunity for students across all grades at GREC to take part in learning Algonquin language. Lessons will take place one day per week (Fridays) during the regular school day.
If you have interest in your student taking part in Algonquin language lessons, please reach out to the school. We are happy to provide each interested student - no matter the grade - with an opportunity to learn individually or with their peers.
LDSB Student Trustee
Student trustees play a crucial role in giving students a voice in the decisions that shape the
Limestone District School Board. As a student trustee, you will have the opportunity to represent the
student body and advocate for your peers. You’ll attend board meetings, provide input on important
issues, and ensure the student perspective is heard.
This role offers incredible benefits:
- Gain leadership skills that will serve you for life.
- Amplify student voice and impact across the district.
- Build connections with students, staff, and leaders.
- Be an advocate for student voice and change in education.
- Attend conferences in Toronto, connecting with student leaders from across Ontario.
- Bursary at the end of the school year
If you are going to be a senior student in the 2026-2027 passionate about student government and
want to make a difference, this position may be for you! The application process is straightforward,
and your school’s Student Council, staff advisors, and current student trustees are here to help you
along the way.
Applications opened December 1, 2025, and close January 29, 2026.
To learn more and submit your application, visit the Student Trustee webpage.
Don’t miss your chance to be a voice for students across the Limestone District School Board!
Scent Awareness
Another reminder that our school is a SCENT AWARE space, and that scented products should not be utilized before entering the school.
Looking for some scent-free alternatives to add to your products used at home? The following products can be found at Canadian Tire and are the same cost - if not lower cost - than the alternative scented products!
Inclement Weather Routines
Communication related to these days will always be sent out in the morning to the emails of guardians and family members who are subscribed to email communication. For the most up-to-date information, families should consider following Tri-Board on social media, as well as registering for bus status alerts through the TriBoard Student Portal.
Families are remined that any students dropped off at school on inclement weather days need to be picked up by the end of the day as well. Please plan your route to ensure you can safely make it to the school by the end of the school day. Additionally, a reminder that the yard does not open for supervision in the morning until 8:05am. Students should not be dropped off at the school earlier than 8:05am.
Parking & Student Pick Up - Safety Update
Thank you to GREC families and friends for being diligent with following the no parking signs on Road 38. This has helped a great deal with safety: easing the congestion near the entrance of the school, and also improving sightlines for vehicles in transit on Road 38. Out of interest of continuing to increase an eye to safety, we would also ask that folks not park on the far side of Road 38, as cars here create traffic challenges for vehicles and pedestrians.
Parents and guardians who are picking up their student are encouraged to keep regular bus transportation routines as much as possible in order to reduce the number of vehicles coming to the school at the end of the day. For those who must pick up their student, please ensure that you are staying clear of no parking zones. Please do not park in front of the school on Road 38. If you choose not to park in the school lot and wait for buses to depart, there is additional parking available at the ball diamond and rink, as well as along Dickson Crescent. These places also provide sidewalks for students to safely make their way there.
Secondary Attendance Incentive Program
Attendance is pivotal to student success. Beyond achievements in grades, regular school attendance provides numerous benefits, including improved academic achievement and better social-emotional development. Consistent attendance helps students build crucial skills, form positive relationships, increase their confidence, and stay on track to graduate. It also develops a sense of reliability that is valuable for future employment.
Understanding the benefits of positive attendance, we are excited to continue our Attendance Incentive Program for secondary students for which we have already distributed prizes to lucky - and dedicated! - winners. We will continue tracking attendance in 2 week periods as we start semester two. Any students who arrive on time daily, and attend all classes without absences for the two week period, will have a chance to win a gift card from stores of interest including Amazon, Best Buy, Sport Chek, Sephora, and more! In addition, other incentives will also exist for students with improved attendance habits.
As a special addition: keep an eye out for the "Gryph" coins! Coins will be given individually to students for hard work, positive attendance and positive character. Students can use these coins later in the semester as a currency for fun!
Looking forward to celebrating Gryphons for good habits and being great humans!
Reminder: School Phone Number Change
A reminder to families that in the spring, the school phone system changed, and with it, the phone number for the school. The new phone number for GREC is: 343-283-0500.
Skills Competitions
Elementary and Secondary students in grades 4 to 12 are eligible to compete in the LDSB and Ontario Skills Competitions in the spring each year. At GREC, we would love to see students get involved in a variety of skills. Click here for more information about LDSB Skills.
The Limestone Skills Competition is the lead-up to the Skills Ontario events that happen in early May each year. The gold medal winners from the Limestone event may be offered the opportunity to represent the LDSB at the Ontario Skills Competition.
The Skills Ontario Competition offers a unique opportunity for top students to demonstrate that they are the best in their field. Over three days, student competitors impress their educators, family, friends, and prospective employers. Winners are awarded with Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals and the opportunity to compete at the Skills Canada National Competition. From there, competitors could be headed to the WorldSkills Competition.
We already have a number of students across elementary and secondary grades who have shown interest and started preparing for the Skills Competitions. Students who are interested can speak with their classroom or subject-specific teachers to find out more! Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the event!
Black History Month
Each year, Black History Month honours the experiences, achievements and enduring contributions of Black communities in Canada, while deepening our collective understanding of their history and impact on Canadian society. The theme this year is, “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.” This theme celebrates three decades of Black History Month in Canada and recognizes the enduring legacy of Black Canadians, whose leadership, creativity, innovation and resilience have shaped our past, continue to influence our present, and will inspire future generations.
Messages from Student Council:
There will be a Bake Sale on Wednesday, February 11th, 2026 during secondary lunch and afternoon elementary nutrition break. Proceeds will be put towards supporting future Student Council activities and events.
Spirit Week!!
Messages from Public Health:
Upcoming Dates
January 2026
- 5 - Back to school!
- 22-28 - Secondary Exams
- 30 - PA Day - No school for students
February 2026
- 4 - Immunization Clinic
- 9-13 - Spirit Week!
- 11 - Bake Sale
- 12 - Elementary basketball at NAEC
- 25 - Dental Screening (JK, SK, Gr 2, Gr 7)
- 25-26 - Grade 12 Graduation Photos
- 13 - Term 1 Report Cards Go Home
- 16 - Family Day Holiday
March 2026
- 2 - Grade 8 Graduation Photos
- 16-20 - March Break
April 2026
- 3 - Good Friday Holiday
- 6 - Easter Monday Holiday
- 17 - PA Day - No school for students
May 2026
- 18 - Victoria Day Holiday
- 29 - PA Day - No School for students
June 2026
- 9 - Athletic Banquet - 5:00pm
- 16-17 - Grade 12 Final Summative Evaluations & Exams
- 18-24 - Semester 2 Final Examinations
- 23 - Grade 8 Graduation - 6:30pm
- 24 - Kindergarten Celebration - 1:30pm
- 24 - Final Elementary Reports Home
- 25 - Grade 12 Graduation - 11am
- 25 - Last day of school
School Year Calendars
Parent Council
Dear Parents & Guardians,
We invite you to join our first Parent Council meeting 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. 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
