School Newsletter-March 2026

• March 8: International Women’s Day
• March 13: Elementary/Junior High/Middle School Assessment & Evaluation Day (no classes - ele/JH/middle only)
• March 16-20: March Break
• March 21: World Down Syndrome Day
• March 21: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
• March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility 

Today we recognize International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to build awareness, empathy, and respect among students of all backgrounds. The United Nations established this day in 1966 to call for a global commitment to ending racial discrimination in all its forms. 

By learning about the impacts of discrimination and celebrating diversity, children gain social skills and knowledge to be inclusive both within school and home community.  Families are our students first educators and  through your continuous conversation valuing equity and the elimination of racism, we will continue our shared goal of a society where racism no longer exist.

World Down Syndrome Day, celebrated each year on March 21, gives us the chance to recognize those with Down syndrome and the awesome contributions they make to our school communities. It’s an opportunity for families, students, and staff to strengthen inclusion, acceptance, and belonging. By celebrating differences and promoting understanding, our schools help create welcoming environments where every child feels valued and supported.

On this day, many schools encourage students and staff to wear mismatched socks as a colourful symbol of diversity and solidarity. Activities such as assemblies, classroom discussions, and creative projects highlight the abilities of individuals with Down syndrome, fostering empathy and friendship throughout the school. These efforts ensure that everyone has a voice and a place in our communities, reinforcing the importance of respect and kindness.

March is celebrated across Canada as Nutrition Month, a perfect opportunity for families to focus on building healthy eating habits together. Nutrition Month allows us to explore sustainable eating patterns, food literacy, and learning about the benefits of balance and variety in everyday meals. By highlighting the connection between nutrition and long-term health, Nutrition Month empowers everyone to build habits that benefit both individuals and the planet.

Use Nutrition Month as a reminder to take advantage of the Nova Scotia School Lunch Program! With nutritious, balanced meals prepared daily, the program ensures students have the energy and focus they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond. The School Lunch Program is designed to provide accessible, affordable, and appealing meals that feature a variety of foods from all food groups, following Canada’s Food Guide. By participating, families can help their children develop lifelong healthy habits while making mornings a little less hectic. 

Together, we can make small changes that lead to healthier futures for our families and communities.

Have you considered opening your home to an international student?

HRCE’s International Services welcomes students from all over the world who would like to attend schools in our region. Hosting a student in your home can be an enriching and rewarding experience. We’re looking for warm and caring families like yours to provide them with a home away from home.

Hosting an international student is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that gives your family the opportunity to bring the world home. For students, it's a way to learn about the Canadian way of life.

As a host, your family would be matched with a student who will attend your neighbourhood school and participate in your daily routines.

What you can expect:  

• Host families receive a tax-free monthly stipend to help cover hosting expenses ($875)
• Students stay for periods of three to 10 months
• Ongoing support is provided by an experienced Homestay Coordinator
• You will learn about and communicate with your student before their arrival

Learn more here or contact:

HRCE International Services
(902) 464-2000 ext. 2548
hostastudent@hrce.ca

Please share this message with anyone who may be interested.

Thank you! Gracias. Merci. Xie-Xie. Danke. Arigato. Grazie. Obrigado. Kamsa-Hamnida. Kawp-Kun-Ka. Shukran. Teşekkür Ederim.

HRCE International Services

Did you know? HRCE takes great care when making the decision to alter the regular operations of schools and school buses in the event of severe or inclement weather.  

It is HRCE’s goal to communicate any changes to the regular operations of schools and/or buses as close to 6:00 a.m. as possible. A 6:00 a.m. announcement could be: 

• All schools are delayed in opening by two hours and bus pickups are delayed by two hours; or 
• All schools are open, but some or all busses are not operating for the day; or
• Some schools (either individually or by family) are closed for the day; or
• All schools are closed for the day.  

If weather deteriorates, or is forecasted to worsen throughout the morning, an 11:00 a.m. announcement could be: 

• Bussed students will be picked up two hours earlier than their regular dismissal time; and
• Walking students will be dismissed at their regularly scheduled lunch hour.  
   

How will I find out? 

• By email to the addresses in PowerSchool
• By text message, if you have opted-in. If you aren’t sure if you have opted-in, text Y to the following number: 978338
• On the HRCE website  

• On Instagram 

  It’s important to always have a plan in place for childcare in the event of any cancellation. Please remember: As a parent or guardian you always have the choice of whether or not to send your child to school. 

For more information on how HRCE manages during inclement weather, visit hrce.ca/families/cancellations. 

As we move into the winter months, we want to share how decisions are made when a school experiences a power outage. 

Our priority is always to keep schools open safely when possible. A power outage does not automatically mean classes are cancelled – even if it happens during the school day. The decision depends on when power is expected to be restored. 

Here’s what happens: 

• When a school loses power, HRCE's Operations Team contacts Nova Scotia Power to gather available details on the cause and an estimated restoration time.
• Once we have this information, we consider:
• Before school starts: Have buses begun their routes? If so, we wait until students arrive before making a decision. If classes are cancelled, elementary families will be contacted before dismissal.
• During the school day: How close is dismissal? What is the temperature in the building? Does the school rely on power for water or septic systems? These factors, among others, help us decide whether to stay open or close. Often, power returns faster than we could safely send students home. 

If classes are cancelled: 

• HRCE will notify families by email and text.
• Families of elementary students will also receive a phone call before dismissal. 

Deciding to close schools during a power outage is never simple, but safety is always our top priority. We understand that cancellations can be inconvenient, and our goal is to keep students learning in class whenever possible. 

More information about school cancellations for any reason can be found here.