Dear Severn Families,

The end of the school year is quickly approaching! So much is happening here at Severn. Please see below!

Leaving Severn

If your child will not be returning to Severn next year, please let the school office know. We are currently trying to organize class numbers and staffing for next year.

Severn is hosting a Spring Concert on Friday! 

The Primary Choir and Junior Choir will be performing a few pieces that they have been working on, including some music that the Junior Choir worked on in a mass choir workshop with 10 other schools. All Severn families are welcome to attend. Doors open at 10:15am on Friday, May 16th, and the concert begins at 10:30am.

Kindergarten Parent Information Night - May 22,  5:30-6:30pm 

Kindergarten Parent Information Night is a chance for parents to meet and ask questions of the kindergarten team here at Severn Avenue. At this point we have not assigned students to teachers for next year. You will be able to find out your child’s teacher closer to the beginning of September 2025. Parents will be shown a slideshow and will get to see the classrooms. REKSAP Centres for Early Learning will also be there to answer questions regarding before- and after-school care.

Later in June we will have a Meet-and-Greet. It will be an opportunity for new kinder students and parents to meet with other students currently in kinder and the kinder staff. 

Jump Rope for Heart @ Severn

May 14 we will kick off Jump Rope for Heart - a fundraiser that teaches our students the importance of giving back and encourages them to learn the EASY healthy habits, so they understand the importance of staying active, eating well and taking care of their heart and brain health.

The funds our school raises will help support important heart and brain research funded by Heart & Stroke. Let's work together as a school community and show how generous we can be! Our Event Date is scheduled for June 13. Register online today: https://jumpropeforheart.crowdchange.ca/85731.

EQAO - June 2 to June 5

All grade 3 and 6 students at Severn will be taking part in EQAO Provincial Testing between June 2 and June 5. There will be a make-up day on June 9 for any students who have not completed the assessment. The EQAO test consists of Math Modules and Language Modules. The assessment will be completed on our school computers.

Please take a moment to visit the EQAO website at www.eqao.com to learn more about the test, and previous years results. 

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:

May 19 - Victoria Day- no school

May 30- Black and White theme day at Severn

June 1 - OSTA Variable Transportation (new) and OSTA Opt Out

June 6 -  PA Day - no school for students

June 11- Rock the Arts Puppet Show for whole school

June 27 - last day of school/ Rainbow theme day at Severn

June 30 - OSTA Variable Transportation (renew) 

OSTA's Variable Transportation

OSTA's Variable Transportation (joint custody) forms for the 2025-2026 school year are now available on our website. Variable Transportation is when OSTA provides transportation services to students who have a joint custody arrangement and whose two homes meet all eligibility requirements. 

For new applications, the deadline is June 1 to ensure transportation can begin on the first day of school in September.

For joint custody renewals, the deadline is June 30. Joint custody renewals must be done every year. Our convenient fillable renewal form is to be completed by one parent, providing there are no changes to the existing schedule.

OSTA Opt Out

Ottawa Student Transportation (OSTA) has implemented an annual opt-out process to enhance bus routing and transportation planning. 

Parents/caregivers who will not require school bus transportation for their eligible child(ren) are asked to complete an electronic opt-out form. This form confirms that a seat will not be needed for the 2025-2025 school year. This proactive approach allows OSTA to optimize transportation routing and loading, enhancing the planning and delivery of services.

Key information

• Automatic renewal: Transportation service continues in the subsequent school year unless parents/caregivers opt-out or decline. 
• Deadline: To cancel transportation for the following school year, submit an opt-out form by June 1.
• Default enrollment: No response assumes continued transportation need.
• Reinstatement: Requests for reinstated service can be made anytime via OSTA's Transportation Issues Form; approval is subject to eligibility and availability, with processing up to 3 business days.

The opt-out form is now available on OSTA’s website. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2025.