Good Morning Arbour Vista families,
Welcome to the May edition of our school newsletter!
Faith Days During May
Acknowledging and celebrating days of faith is an important aspect of many religious traditions and cultures. Different faiths have their own holy days, festivals, and observances that hold significance for their followers. During the month of May, please see the days that will be acknowledged and celebrated by some members of our school community. Please note that there is diversity within faith communities and that no one list can represent all faith traditions or observances.
Date | Celebration | Faith/Religion |
May 1 | Beltane | Wicca |
May 2 | Twelfth Day of Ridván | Bahá’í |
May 12 | Wesak | Buddhism |
May 23 | Declaration of the Báb | Bahá’í |
May 28 | Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh | Bahá’í |
*Please note that we acknowledge Asian Heritage Month, Canadian Jewish Heritage Month, Polish Heritage Month, Better Speech and Hearing Month, Red Dress Day Honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Mental Health Week, International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, National Access Ability Week and other significant dates during the Month of May. These are not included on the chart above, as they are not days of faith/religious holidays.
Curiosity Cube
Students in Grades 5-8, will be participating with their respective teachers and classmates for a 30 minute session with the Curiosity Cube on Wednesday May 7, 2025.
The Curiosity Cube is a retrofitted shipping container that has been transformed into a mobile science lab, is equipped with the latest technology and provides a learning environment that allows children to experience the fun and wonders of science through hands-on science experiments. This year's theme is Artificial Intelligence.
The Cube is a new experience for EAV, but has been visiting different schools across Ontario since 2018.
For more information, please visit www.thecuriositycube.com
Elections Today
Today our school will be used as polling stations for the federal election. This means voters will be coming in and out of the schools to cast their ballots.
Please rest assured that student safety is our top priority. Classes will continue as normal, and Elections Canada will have extra staff at all schools for security. The extra staff will be present at the entrances and in the hallways to ensure that people go directly in and out of the polling area and nowhere else in the school.
We also see this as a great educational opportunity for students to learn about elections and the electoral process. It’s a chance for them to learn how voting works and why every voice matters.
If families have any questions or concerns, they are asked to contact their school office. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Junior Kindergarten
Our Kindergarten Team is preparing for an Orientation Event on May 20th, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm for our new Junior Kindergarten parents.
Volunteers in the School
Volunteers significantly enhance the quality of our school experiences, yet prioritizing safety remains paramount. Therefore, we require all volunteers to undergo police reference checks to ensure the well-being of our students. Their presence is instrumental in maintaining appropriate student-to-supervisor ratios and facilitating the smooth operation of school excursions. As we anticipate upcoming activities that may necessitate volunteer assistance, now is the perfect time to make sure your volunteer check is up to date.
Please look to the school calendar for upcoming dates and events.
https://www.ugdsb.ca/arbourvista/
REMINDERS:
Cookie Fundraiser
We’re kicking off a Cookie Dough Drop Fundraiser to help offset the cost of the Grade 8 Year-End Trip! Choose from a variety of delicious flavors, including vegan and gluten-free options, and stock up on ready-to-bake cookie dough the whole family will love. Order pick up will be May 14th.
Campaign Dates: April 9 – April 30
Order Online: All orders are to be placed through CashOnline
Your support helps make this special trip more affordable for our students. Thank you for your generosity—happy baking!
Class Building for 2025-2026 School Year
The planning process for the 2025-2026 school has started. Over the next couple of months, staff will spend many hours developing class lists based on a detailed set of criteria. We take this process very seriously and do our best to plan for the success of all of our students at Arbour Vista.
The planning process takes the following into account.
learning partners
ability groups – learning groups
needs of students
friendships
separating some students due to relationship issues depending on the number of classrooms
balance of gender/non-binary
behavioural needs/ dynamics between students
combined classrooms are not streamed (for example, a 2/3 split is not high achieving grade 2’s and low achieving grade 3’s)
We will not be taking any class placement requests for September 2025. If your child has an exceptional circumstance that is not covered above and requires consideration when doing class placements, please email me directly at shashana.hare@ugdsb.on.ca prior to May 5th, 2025.
Parent Guest Speaker Event/In-Person Council Event
Arbour Vista is excited to welcome Michael Jacques, author of Can’t Read, Can’t Write, Here’s My Book and I Belong: Can I Play?, on May 6th during Mental Health and Education Week (May 5–9). In addition to his visit with students, Michael will stay for a special presentation for adults, where he will share his life experiences to highlight the power of belonging. Diagnosed with autism and an intellectual disability at a young age, Michael's story is both inspiring and impactful.
Please RSVP if you plan on attending this event.
Have a great week!
Mme. Hare