Dear DDS Families, 

Welcome to a new and exciting school year at Douglasdale School! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful summer with family and friends. 

We are delighted to welcome back our returning students, staff, and families, and extend a warm greeting to those joining DDS for the first time. Our dedicated staff have been busy preparing for a year filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and connection.  

At DDS, we are committed to creating a learning community where every student can thrive. Some highlights for the upcoming year include: 

• Teachers working in collaborative teams, providing whole-group and small-group evidence-based instruction. 
• Three exciting school-wide residencies: Alberta Lacrosse in September, Ball Hockey and Flag Football in April, and an African Drumming Residency with Garth Prince in June. 
• A variety of before school and lunchtime clubs for students to explore areas of personal interest and build friendships across grades. 

We value the strong partnership we share with you and recognize the important role you play in your child’s education. Together, we will make this year a meaningful and memorable one. You can expect a welcome email from your child’s teacher on Thursday, August 28th at 4:00 pm. Looking forward, we hope you will join us at our Open House on September 18, from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm, to connect with other DDS families, meet your child’s teacher(s), and explore learning spaces. 

A few reminders as we begin the year: 

• Regular updates from your child’s teacher and the office will be shared on Fridays to keep you informed of important dates, share highlights about what your child is learning at school, and keep you up to date with school news.  
• Our school website is updated regularly with key information, including: 
• School Calendar 
• General back to school information  
• Lunch hour information 
• Busing information 
• Staff directory 
• Student Health Plan is required for medication stored and/or administered at school. Please ensure the form is handed in to the office with the medication clearly labeled in a Ziploc bag. 

 For the first day of school meeting spot information, please see the map attached to this message. For any students taking the bus, we will be there to welcome them and help them connect with their teacher.  

School Map with assigned doors 2025 26

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. We look forward to a fantastic year of growth, learning, and memorable experiences at DDS! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. 

With appreciation, 
Heather McKay 
Principal, Douglasdale School