February 3rd, 2026

Welcome to Term 2: A Message to Our School Community

Dear Blair Rd PS Families:

As we transition into the second term of the school year, we find ourselves in a season of growth, reflection, and community building. We are thrilled to continue our journey together, focusing on academic excellence, inclusivity, and the well-being of every student. Below are several updates regarding upcoming events, initiatives, and curriculum-related news for the months ahead.

Celebrating Black Brilliance Month February marks the beginning of Black Brilliance Month, an important time for our school to recognize the achievements and contributions of Black individuals throughout history and today. We are grateful to our Dismantling Anti-Black Racism team for launching the Black Student Alliance on February 1st, a space dedicated to fostering identity and leadership. Throughout the month, classes will be engaging with the Saidat Show resources, which offer vibrant and educational content designed to celebrate Black excellence. We look forward to seeing how these lessons inspire our students to champion equity and brilliance in their own lives.

Intentionality and Connection on Valentine’s Day Regarding Valentine’s Day on February 14th, our school approaches this day with a focus on education and relationship-building. We recognize that while many celebrate, this day is not observed by all, and our priority is to foster a space where every student feels a sense of belonging. Teachers may choose to explore the historical context of the day or engage students in art projects that enhance community morale. If your child is bringing in Valentines, please address them to “My Friend” rather than specific names to ensure privacy and inclusion. Additionally, any treats brought in must be pre-packaged and nut-free; these will be sent home in backpacks rather than consumed at school to respect the dietary and wellness preferences of all our families.

Indigenous Student Smudge Kits We are pleased to share that we are increasing our support for Indigenous students through the introduction of Student Smudge Kits. Following specialized training, staff members are collaborating to ensure that Indigenous students have the space and support to participate in smudging on site. This initiative is a step forward in our commitment to honoring Indigenous traditions and providing a culturally safe environment. If you are an Indigenous family and would like more information on how to access these kits or support this process, please connect with the office.

Health and Physical Education: Taekwondo and Skating We are excited to welcome the Top Level Taekwondo Academy to our school for a three-day workshop! This free program will combine physical skills with our curriculum expectations regarding learning skills and physical education, offering students a unique way to build confidence and discipline (this will take place early in March). In other athletic news, we would like to extend a massive thank you to Mr Kravalis and his team for organizing our upcoming Winter Fun Day; we are eagerly anticipating a day of joy and activity on February 5th. Please note that we are still awaiting confirmed dates for the regional skating races and will share those as soon as they become available.

Mathematical Growth and the TIMSS Assessment Our school has been selected by EQAO to participate in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). This prestigious assessment, involving over 60 countries, allows us to measure our educational systems against global standards. Our Grade 4 students will participate in this 90-minute testing window between March 11th and March 24th. The results help improve the teaching and learning of math and science worldwide, and we will provide more specific information to our Grade 4 families as the testing window approaches.

Environmental Stewardship: Our New Microforest In a wonderful win for our school’s ecological footprint, we have been approved for a “microforest” on our grounds! Recommended by our facilities team and approved by Sustainable Waterloo Region, this project will transform a portion of our outdoor space into a dense, biodiverse mini-ecosystem. This initiative ties perfectly into the outdoor learning opportunities our Eco Team is preparing for the spring. Planting is scheduled for late May, and we look forward to involving our students in this lasting legacy of environmental stewardship.

Supporting Religious Observances: Ramadan As we look ahead to the holy month of Ramadan, our school is committed to accommodating students who choose to fast. We are working to provide a quiet, supportive space in the library during lunch hours for these students. We aim to ensure that our school remains a respectful and comfortable environment for all students observing religious fasts or traditions. Further details on these accommodations will be shared with families shortly.

Academic Support: IEPs and Strong Start Continuity in student support remains a top priority for Term 2. Our staff is currently working on updated Individual Education Plans (IEPs) to ensure cohesive goals and expectations for our learners. Modified IEPs will go home on February 27th. Additionally, our School Council will be running the “Strong Start” literacy program for the remainder of the winter, beginning shortly after report cards are distributed. This program provides vital 1:1 support for early readers, and we are grateful to the volunteers who make this possible.

Human Development and Sexual Health Curriculum In the coming months, teachers will be delivering instruction related to the Human Development and Sexual Health expectations of the Ontario Curriculum. All exemption letters for this year have been updated. Should you choose to exempt your child from this specific instruction, please notify your classroom teacher as soon as possible. Please note that students who are exempted will remain in the classroom to work on an alternative activity or may be picked up by a parent; the office is not able to accommodate students during this instructional time.

I look forward to another wonderful term at Blair Rd PS,

Carolina Miranda, Principal