Principal's Message
Welcome to Shipyard Elementary - Home of the Sharks!
Welcome to a new and exciting school year at Shipyard! We are thrilled to have your child join us and are committed to providing an enriching and supportive learning environment. Our dedicated team of educators is eager to partner with you in fostering your child's growth, both academically and personally. We believe that strong collaboration between home and school is key to student success, and we encourage open communication and involvement throughout the year. Please take the time to read the following information and the information found within the links.
Who is my child's teacher?
Before the start of the school year, your child’s teacher will contact you via email to welcome you and provide additional information before the first day of school on Thursday, September 3rd.
Bell Times:
8:30 - Opening Bell
10:15 - Recess
11:30 - 12:15 Lunch 1 - NEW
12:15 - 1:00 Lunch 2 - NEW
2:15 - Dismissal
Morning Supervision begins each day at 8:00 am. Students are not to arrive before this time unless traveling on a CBVRCE bus.
First Day of School Information
All grade P-5 students are to proceed directly to the playground area until the bell sounds at 8:30 am. Primary Parents may choose to remain at the front of the building with their child until the opening bell.
Pre-Primary students will proceed to their outdoor space and be met by Pre-Primary staff.
When the bell sounds, Primary parents and their children will meet at the main entrance of the school and be met by the Primary classroom teachers. All other students will proceed to their designated line-up space and be met by their teacher.
Only Parents of Pre-Primary and Primary students will be allowed to enter the building. To avoid overcrowding in the classroom, we ask that only one parent/guardian enter the classroom. Parents can only stay for a short time to assist with getting school supplies to the classroom. For the privacy and safety of students, photos inside the school are not permitted.
Dismissal Procedure:
Bus Students (including after-school pickup programs): Staff will lead students to their buses in an orderly manner.
Walkers and Car Riders: Students will dismiss once buses leave and be led outside by a staff member.
Primary - 3 (including Mr. Ryan’s 3-4 class) will exit through the main doors.
Pre-Primary and grades 4 and 5 students will exit through the Pre-Primary exit doors.
Health Park After School Students will proceed to their assigned area.
Parents are kindly asked to stay outside and maintain distance from the exit doors during the dismissal process to ensure a safe and orderly exit for all students. Thank you for your cooperation!
Breakfast Program: 8:05am - 8:25am (Start Day To Be Determined)
This is available each morning to all students in grades P-5. Shipyard and Community volunteers are needed to prepare and serve breakfast items such as cereal, bagels, yogurt, and milk. Each year we seek volunteers to help. Please contact the school if you would like to volunteer via email shipyard@gnspes.ca and include your name, contact information, and days you are available.
Nova Scotia School Lunch Program:
Start date:
Lunches at Shipyard Elementary will begin on Tuesday, September 8.
Key dates for the first ordering cycle:
Ordering opens: Friday, August 28
Ordering closes: Wednesday, September 2, at noon
Registering and ordering:
All lunches must be ordered through the online ordering system. To get started, visit www.NSLunch.ca and click “Order Now.”
Returning users can sign in using their existing account.
New users will need to create an account and provide:
GNSPES account information for students, or My NS Account information for parents and guardians
The student’s name, exactly as it appears in PowerSchool
The student’s PowerSchool ID
Make sure the student name is entered exactly as it appears in PowerSchool so the account can connect properly. If you receive a mismatch error, confirm that your student information is entered correctly. You will only be able to place an order three times with a mismatch error.
More information, including instructions on how to create a diner account, is available at www.NSLunch.ca.
STUDENTS MUST BRING A LUNCH ON THE FIRST AND SECOND DAYS OF SCHOOL.
**Recess Snacks**
Recess takes place every day at 10:15 a.m. Students are expected to bring a snack from home, as the cafeteria does not sell snacks during this time. If a child forgets their snack, our friends at the Salvation Army provide a limited number of snack items. However, please note that these donated snacks are not intended for daily use.
Shipyard is a peanut-free and shellfish-free school, so please ensure these items are not sent with your children.
There are no microwaves at Shipyard therefore, hot meal options have to be purchased or sent in a thermos.
Important Websites
Transportation: CBVRCE School Bus Website
Busing Information Phone: 902-562-4595
Email: transportation@cbvrce.ca
Bus Planner Web
• The BusPlanner Web platform allows families to access their child(ren)’s bus
information online, including route number, pickup/drop-off times and locations.
• Families who sign up for this service will receive email and push notifications that are
specific to their child(ren)’s bus route(s).
• To register, visit: cbvrce.mybusplanner.ca click on Parent Portal, and create an account.
Bus Planner Delays App
• The Bus Planner Delays app sends families push notifications that are specific to their
child(ren)’s bus route(s).
• It is free to download and allows users to select which route(s) they would like to receive
notifications for. Download links: (Apple App Store) (Google Play Store)
• CLICK HERE to watch an instructional video on using Bus Planner Delays
Students who are eligible for bus transportation will be given a Bus Tag that will be secured to their book bag and used to scan on and off the bus.
Returning students can use their bus tag from the previous school year. Students new to Shipyard will be given a bus tag within the first couple of weeks. In the meantime, they will still be permitted to ride the bus.
Scent-Free School:
We have several staff and students who have significant allergic reactions to scented products (perfumes, fragrances, colognes, etc.). Please help keep our people safe and comfortable by refraining from wearing scented products when in our building.
Attendance:
Students are expected to attend school each day and on time unless they are feeling unwell. Students must arrive on time. Arriving late is a major disruption to classmates who are already on task. As well, it removes the opportunity for students to socialize before the opening bell. Please ensure your children arrive by 8:25 am.
Reporting a Student Absent: Parents/Guardians must report all absences (full, half, or part of the day) by doing one of the following:
Toll-Free Number - Call 1-833-673-8243
Go to https://go.schoolmessenger.ca/#/home and select Sign
Download the SchoolMessenger app for Android and iOS devices and sign up using your PowerSchool username (full email address). Please note that you must download the app that has the blue logo (not yellow).
Water Bottles - Only water can be drunk in the classrooms.
Students must have a reusable water bottle with a lid (preferably insulated and non-sweating). There are two bottle-filling stations in the school. These are not drinking fountains. Please label this bottle with your child’s first and last name. This bottle should be taken home daily for cleaning and disinfection. Take time before the start of school to have your child practice opening and closing the lids and filling their bottles. This will help reduce spills and wet floors!
Supply Lists - These lists were sent out with the June Report Cards and are also posted on the school website: Shipyard Student Supply Lists
Make sure to opt in to receive school and CBVRCE alerts via texts. Simply text Y to 978338.
School Photos: Scott MacIntyre Photo - September 15, 2026
Looking forward to seeing you on the first day of school - Thursday, Sept. 3rd.