September 26th, 2025

Dear Blair Road Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to our first monthly newsletter! It’s hard to believe how quickly the first few weeks of school have flown by. This is an exciting new format that will allow us to look back at the past month with a broader vision and share important community updates with you. I am hoping to write you on the last Friday of every month.

Looking Back on a Great Start

We’ve had a truly wonderful start to the year. Although the ongoing parking lot construction has made things a bit rocky at times, I want to sincerely thank all of our staff and you, our parents, for your incredible patience and grace. Everyone has pulled together to ensure that student dismissal remains safe and organized. The good news is the parking lot is looking amazing and is scheduled to be fully open in approximately two weeks! We have also gained 24 new trees at the back of our school, making our boundary lines ever more clear!

For a comprehensive report on everything that happened in September, including detailed discussions and decisions, please be sure to review the School Council links with the meeting agendas and minutes (the last meeting was held yesterday, and minutes will be uploaded soon).

Celebrating Our Community

We have a fabulous staff this year, blending experience with fresh perspectives. We’re proud to have staff members who have been with us for over 20 years alongside many new faces, including educators who hail from countries like Cuba, Colombia, Guyana, and Brazil. This mix allows our Blair Road students to experience a rich combination of tradition and cultural innovation right here within their school community.

I am also beaming with pride over the success of our Terry Fox Run today, which was wonderfully led by Mr. Bolton! Thanks to the hard work of our students and staff, we have raised over $8000 for the Terry Fox Foundation to date. What an amazing accomplishment!

Important Expectations and Safety Reminders

To ensure the safety and smooth operation of our school, I need to set out some clear expectations and boundaries for our shared space.

  • Dogs on School Property: While we know dog lovers enjoy a walk with their pets, for the safety of all our children, we must insist that no dogs are allowed on school property whenever students are present (during school hours). Tragically, there have been instances in Waterloo Region where children have been hurt by animals. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our grounds safe. Please remember that the City property (Heise Park playground near Bismark) is not school property, and you are welcome to walk your leashed dog there. We also appreciate you continuing the practice of “stooping and scooping” to keep the surrounding areas clean.
  • Parking Lot Rules: Please remember that parking is not permitted in the school lot during bell times (drop-off and pick-up). Spots are primarily reserved for staff, and we must be mindful of the high traffic volume, especially while construction wraps up and students need to walk through the lot to board buses.
  • Student Entry: The main door is not the student line-up entrance. The main door is for late students only, as they must sign in at the office upon arrival. Please walk your child to their appropriate classroom line-up location.
  • Communication with Teachers: We value the partnership between home and school! To ensure our teachers can focus on preparing for and teaching our students, please do not drop in to discuss your child’s progress in the morning. Our detailed communication protocol is in the school handbook, but the best way to connect is to book an appointment or reach out to your child’s teacher via email.
  • Parent/Visitor Access to the School Building: For the safety of all students, all parents/visitors must sign in when entering the school building. If you are picking up your child, please come to the main office. Ms. Haughton, our Head Secretary, will be happy to assist you in the sign-in process and ensure your child meets you in the office.
  • School Bus Transportation: A common misunderstanding is that schools are responsible for school buses or transportation issues. While we work in partnership, all bus concerns and questions must be addressed directly to Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR). Please use their contact list here:
  • Bus Safety Protocol: A critical safety reminder: parents are not allowed on school buses at any time. Only educators are permitted on school buses to ensure student safety. If you have a concern, please address it directly with the bus driver from the ground. More information on parent responsibilities is available on the STSWR website:

Upcoming Dates

  • Monday, September 30th: Orange Shirt Day (A day to recognize and remember the residential school experience of many Indigenous children who were taken away from their families).
  • Wednesday, October 1st: Fall Picture Day

Finally, a reminder to ensure you are signed up for all school communications! Please sign up for notifications from our school website and School Day, and check our calendar regularly, as we share most of our event information there.

Thank you again for your wonderful support. We are looking forward to a fantastic month ahead!

Warmly,

Carolina Pereira Miranda
Principal, Blair Rd Public School

“A Learning Adventure – Powered by Curiosity, Rooted in Community”