South Branch Elementary School - UCDSB

🚌 School transportation information for the 2026–27 school year is just a click or call away!

Beginning today, STEO has updated its Transportation Information resource to help families get ready for September. The guide includes information on:

✅ Transportation eligibility tools
✅ The Parent Portal
✅ Bus Stop Finder
✅ Notifications and apps
✅ Opting out of transportation
✅ Shared custody transportation processes
✅ Important dates and timelines
✅ Transportation service level updates and available supports

Whether you're looking for your child's bus information or answers to common transportation questions, this resource can help.

🔗 Find the Transportation Information resource on our Parents/Guardians Letters page: https://ow.ly/bTnE50Ztz6i

Email [email protected] with any questions.

A huge Thank you to Carmel Coleman for volunteering her time to run our Dance Club. Their performance at the talent show yesterday was fantastic, as were all of the acts. South Branch has Got Talent!!!!

🐾 Wishing a Happy Retirement to Five Incredible South Branch Tigers! 🐾

Endings are always tough, but they also give us a chance to celebrate the amazing people who have shaped our school community. This year, South Branch Elementary is bidding a very fond, bittersweet farewell to five legendary educators who are retiring.

To say they will be missed by our Tigers is a massive understatement. Together, they represent decades of patience, inspiration, creativity, and love.

Join us in celebrating and thanking:

Mr. Stone: For being a rock for our junior grades. Thank you for guiding our older students through crucial years with leadership, humor, and dedication, helping them build the confidence to take on the world.

Mme. Niska: Because of your vision and hard work, our French Immersion program became possible when it was first brought to the school, leaving a lasting legacy that will benefit South Branch students for generations to come. Merci pour tout.

Mrs. Bryan: For being a gentle, welcoming guide in our primary and kindergarten classrooms. Thank you for making school a safe, joyful, and exciting place for our youngest Tigers as they took their very first steps into learning.

Mrs. Matheson: For your incredible dedication to our primary students. Your classroom has been a place of wonder, foundational learning, and endless encouragement. You’ve sparked a lifelong love of learning in so many.

Mrs. O’Connor: For filling our hallways and hearts with music. Thank you for giving our students a voice, teaching them the joy of rhythm and melody, and bringing our school community together through song.

To all five of you: thank you for the countless late nights, the endless patience, and the profound impact you have had on our Tigers’ learning and lives. You have left permanent paw prints on our hearts! 💛 💙

Please join us in wishing Mr. Stone, Mme. Niska, Mrs. Bryan, Mrs. Matheson, and Mrs. O’Connor the absolute best as they turn the page to their next exciting chapter! 🎉 ✨

🐯 Wishing a Fond Farewell to Our Administration Team! 🐾

Along with our retiring teachers, the end of the school year brings another big transition for South Branch. We are saying goodbye to our administrative team, Mrs. Snider and Mrs. Valiant, who are both transferring to new schools this fall.

It is always hard to lose the leaders who keep our school running smoothly, and both of these wonderful women will be missed in our main office.

Mrs. Snider: Thank you for your steady stewardship as our Principal. Your structured leadership and diligent behind-the-scenes work have kept South Branch running smoothly and efficiently. We have deeply valued your calm, professional approach to managing our school community and ensuring our Tigers had a stable environment to learn and grow. We will miss your guidance in the office and wish you immense success as you take on your new role at Merrickville Public School.

To Mrs. Valiant: Thank you for your tireless dedication as our Vice Principal. Your exceptional work ethic and hands-on approach have left a wonderful mark on South Branch. From supporting our staff to being a constant source of encouragement for our students, you have poured your heart into our school. We are so grateful for your collaborative spirit and wish you the absolute best at Brockville Collegiate Institute.

Thank you both for your leadership, your care, and everything you’ve given to South Branch. You will both be missed, and we wish you a fantastic start this September! 💛 💙

🐾 Farewell to Our Retiring South Branch Tigers! 🐾
As the school year comes to a close, we celebrate not just the end of another wonderful year—but the incredible careers of five cherished members of our South Branch family.

Carrie Bryan, Alana Niska, Dave Stone, Chantal Matheson, and Joanne O’Connor—thank you for the many years of tireless work, care, and dedication you have given to our students, staff, and community. Your passion has helped shape South Branch Elementary into the special place it is today, and your impact will be felt for years to come.
While it’s hard to say goodbye, we are so excited for you as you begin this new chapter—your well-earned retirement adventure!

On behalf of the entire South Branch community: thank you, congratulations, and best wishes for all that lies ahead! 💛🎉

We made it! Talent show this morning. School-wide Pizza Day today—thank you School Council! Yearbooks/autograph signing this afternoon!

🌟 Celebrating Our Grade 6 Award Winners 🌟
We are proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of our Grade 6 students at South Branch! These awards highlight the character, dedication, and spirit that make our Tiger community so special. 🐯💛
🏅 Sportsmanship (Ted Cooper Award)
Tate McIntyre, Korey Brown
🌟 Character Always
Aleah Ryan, Xander Elmore
💛 Annie MacNillage Award (Caring, Compassion, and Good Character)
Audrey Durst, Victor Turner
🏆 Principal’s Awards
Ghislaine Monga, Hudson Parent
🇫🇷 French Immersion Award
Scarlett Hawken
📖 Core French Award
Rebekah Jaison
❤️ Heart of an Athlete
Hudson Ouellette

Congratulations to all of our award recipients! Your leadership, kindness, perseverance, and school spirit inspire us all. We are so proud of each of you and the positive example you set for our South Branch community. 🌟👏

Grade 6 Leaving Ceremony Celebration 🌟
South Branch Staff and families are so proud of our incredible Grade 6 students! Today, at our Leaving Ceremony—thoughtfully planned and organized by our Grade 6 students themselves—we celebrated their many accomplishments, growth, and the wonderful memories they’ve created along the way.

Whether they have been Tigers for all 8 years or joined our South Branch community more recently, each and every one of them has made a lasting impact. We are so fortunate to have had these students as part of our school family. 🐯💛

A special thank you to our honoured guests—MP Michael Barrett, Mayor Nancy Peckford, North Grenville, Trustee Lisa Swan, Councillor Debbie Wilson and Angie Ross—for joining us and helping make the celebration even more meaningful.

We are also grateful to Mr. Webster, Mme Aswin, Mr. Cole, Mme Blackburn, our dedicated staff, and our amazing volunteers for making this day truly special.

Here are just a few photos to get us started 🙂
Did you capture a great moment? We’d love to see it—please send your photos our way!