News From the Tiger’s Den - April 13th to 17th

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Posted on 2026-04-13 11:44:39.918 +0000 UTC

Dear Tiger Families,

2026April13 Last Friday, we concluded the week with our April Success assembly. There was lots to celebrate this month. Mrs. Dafoe and Mrs. Grant's Kindergarten classroom performed a song that they had been learning in music class with Mrs. Bush. They enjoyed shaking their egg shakers to the music and by the end of the song the audience was clapping and singing along. Ella D., Ronzy E., and Grace R. were celebrated with Sunshine Awards. This group of students took it upon themselves to clean up our school yard when the snow melted. We are very proud of their environmental stewardship. There were a record number of "Tigers in the Spotlight" this month. Stripes was thrilled to celebrate 15 students with the award this month. These students were nominated by school staff because of their work ethic, goal setting, empathy and/or their determination to do hard things even when they think no one is watching. Congratulations to Abigail G., Kinzy E., Kash S., Taylee B., Iris T., Cohen A., Aria C-S., Innila E., Oliver M., North C., Coltyn H., Lilyalex S., Ajay R., Quentin W., and Ruby F. WAY TO GO TIGERS!

The School Council is hosting Nature Night on Tuesday, April 14th from 5 pm to 7 pm in collaboration with Gould Lake Outdoor Centre. There will be an opportunity to participate in workshops, plant your own plants and make your own trail mix. This is a free event that is being sponsored by a Parent Reaching Out Grant.

In other School Council news, reminder that Wednesday is the last day to order pepperoni sticks. The minutes of the last School Council Meeting are also included below.

As always, please reach out to us if you have questions or need support.

Take care,

K. Esford, Principal

2026April17

2026April16

School Council Meeting Minutes

Meeting Date: March 24, 2026

Time: 6:30- 7:30

Location: Odessa Public School Library

1. Welcome and Introductions

Chairperson’s welcome

Attendance:

- Caregivers Present: Stacey Waldram, Katie Ramoutar, Rachel Moser, Courtney Sauve; Hailey DaCosta, Lindsay Kerr, Erin Truesdell, Courtnie Storms

- Staff Present: Courtney Bush, Krista Esford

- Guests: No Guests

2. Principal’s Report

-Have been holding success assembly each month, kids are really understanding our school’s goals around literacy, wellbeing and math

-We were aiming to get 50% of kids to at or above reading- currently at the mid point we are 43% at or above their required reading level. This is 18 kids moving up in their reading level/fluency.

- We are meeting with all teachers and giving them a chance to dig into the data and create support/challenge plans for kids who are doing well, and create progress plans to support those who are approaching or below their reading level. This will help us reach our goal of 50%.

-Math – working on number fluency. Targeting 15 mins of daily number fluency for all classes. Supporting kids to be good problem solvers and good understanding of numbers. Educators are learning new strategies to build knowledge and skills and understanding of math.

-PA day in April will focus on mathematics.

- Bingo and games at lunch has ended for grades 3-6. Bingo will be run for grade 2 kids starting this month.

-Road race starts soon, Races are end of April and in May. Students will get a prize for running 10km.

-Basketball girls has started, boys tryouts are this week.

Indigo grant was entirely spent- almost $11,000 worth of books for classrooms and the library.

-Stripes is the new name of our tiger mascot

-Sounds abound- new music resources like xylophones have come to the school.

3. Treasurer’s Report

Krista to confirm winter day transfer - $150

Brave money still has not been taken out- Krista to confirm

Community Grant accepted and is in review! Might have to go to a pitch meeting. Confirming the date for receiving the grant (May vs June).

4. Committee Reports

PRO Grant – April 14th confirmed with Gould Lake visiting the school. Archery, music, touch table. Planting seeds (this is where the money would go to). Coincides with Earth Day. We can do an easy registration, to get a sense of numbers.

- Send out form this week to the community. See how many parents and kids would want to come.

- 5-7pm

- Will decide on drop in, or sign up activities based on the numbers of rsvps

- Have some food and drink available- build your own trail mix bar

- Courtney and Krista to volunteer, a couple of parent council volunteers needed.

- Purchase paper pot makers from lee valley

- Seeds for vegetables and flowers

Hallinda’s

- Start fundraiser this week leave open for 2-3 weeks.

Fun Fair

- Decision made to skip vendors this year.

- Next Month’s meeting will focus on fun fair planning. Expect to have confirmation of grant by then.