September 2025 Newsletter
September, 2025
Welcome to the 2025-26 NDSC skating season!
From the NDSC Board
September is a busy month. Thank you to families for being patient with us as we adopted a new online registration system. Although there were a few hiccups, this year’s registration went well, and we look forward to continuing to use the online registration tool.
If you’re new to the Club, each month we send out a newsletter (with a few emails in between if needed). This newsletter is your one-stop for everything you need to know that month.
We also invite you (if you haven’t already), to join our Facebook Group for updates in real-time when needed.
We also share messages on a large whiteboard at the ice entrance. Board Members are typically at the arena Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and some Saturdays if you have any questions. We’d be happy to help.
Fundraising
Fundraising plays a critical role in ensuring we can run our skating programs. When you participate in a fundraising activity, your participation will be tracked against your Volunteer Bond (more on that later). We need all of you to roll up your sleeves and pitch in when you can. Every small action helps support the club and we thank you! For order forms, we do prefer in person forms to eliminate the possibility of an email being missed. Any Board Member can accept your form before or on the deadline.
🍗 This September we are holding our annual Elmira Chicken fundraiser (see form and flyer attached in your email). Orders are due by October 4, and the pick-up day is October 22. We will need help sorting chicken if anyone is interested in some volunteer hours, please let us know.
🎁Our second fundraiser is the Big Box Card fundraiser. A table will be set up for you to see the options available for large boxes of greeting cards in various themes. We will also need help sorting these orders if you are interested. Orders are due October 11 and pick up day is October 22. An order form is also attached to the email sent to you.
Payments must be made in FULL by the order deadline by cheque, cash or e-transfer (ndscpay@gmail.com) with description (e.g. “chicken order for skater Jane Doe.”)
Skating Schedule
The current skating schedule for all programs is listed on our website. Feel free to screenshot or print the schedule.
There are dates where there is no skating due to tournaments etc. at the arena. We will communicate those dates to families.
Off-ice training for STARSkate programs begins on September 29 and will continue every Monday. Indoor running shoes and a yoga mat are required. We have extra mats for skaters if needed. See the schedule for training times. We are pleased to welcome Madeline Jelsma from Tillsonburg to NDSC for off-ice training.
Theme days
Each month we will host a special theme day to have a little fun and recognize important events. September’s theme is the colour orange in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Show your support by wearing orange on September 29 for STARSkaters and October 1 for CanSkate. It can be anything (hair ties, mittens, a shirt, leg warmers etc.).
Dressing rooms
Please remember to check the TV screens in the lobby or in the arena to use the correct changeroom for your skater. Dressing rooms become very congested.
Program Assistants
Program Assistants are experienced skaters in the STARSkate program who help our PreCan and CanSkaters on the ice. Currently we have a good roster of skaters to help on Wednesdays but need extra PA support on Saturdays. This position must be a registered skater with a current Skate Canada number for insurance purposes. PA time can be counted towards high school volunteer hours. If your skater might want to help, please let us know. A mandatory training session will be held on September 24 at 4:45 p.m.
📅 Upcoming events and dates to remember
September 15: Skate Ontario opens survey for STARSkate 1-4 competition series.
September 22 (TBC): Special guest lessons for all STARSkate programs (more info to come).
September 24: Program Assistant Training (email with details sent)
September 27: PreCan and CanSkate programs begin!
September 29: Orange Shirt theme day (STARSkate)
September 29: Off-ice training begins for STARSkate (check your schedule).
October 1: Orange shirt theme day (CanSkate)
October 4: Elmira Chicken orders due
October 11: Big Box Card orders due
October 13: Thanksgiving, no skating
October 20: Test Day for STARSkate Session 2-3 (if applicable)
October 22: Chicken and Card pick up at the arena (and opportunity to help)
December 13: Santa Skate
TBD: STARSkate Fun Comp
TBD: Holiday showcase
March 28, 2026: CARNIVAL! Please save the date.
🏆 NDSC Skater Achievements
Congratulations to the following skaters on their achievements since our last newsletter.
CanSkate
Sarah B – Stage 5
Shae K – Stage 1
STARSkate
Megan D – Star 10 skills and Gold skills
Ruby G– Swing & Star 2 freeskate elements, Fiesta, Star 2 program
Lena G – Swing
Marley G – Fiesta, Star 2 freeskate elements
Lylah G – Baby blues, Star 2 skills, Star 2 freeskate elements
Ella K – Star 3&4 freeskate program & Star 4 freeskate elements, Star 6 skills
Annie M – European
Estelle M – Star 3 freeskate elements
Lizzie M – Rocker
Mia T – Fiesta
Please reach out with any questions or if there is a topic you’d like us to cover in the next newsletter.
NDSC Board