Dear Mustang Families,
It’s been a great week here at PMPS. Students and staff participated in their first spirit day with funky socks and tomorrow is dress in fall colours day! Thanks to our student council for organizing these fun days. Students continue to participate in a number of activities and sports teams including flag football, junior volleyball, and volleyball. If we look back to the start of September, it is clear that students are settled in and making good progress. We’re proud of everyone’s efforts.
Our NEW Princess Margaret website is: https://uppergranddsbon.sites.thrillshare.ca/o/pmps. Our Twitter/ X page is: @margaret_ps . Our school council also has a Facebook page and an Instagram page: @princessmargaretps. Make sure your UGDSB mobile app is up to date! Download the new mobile app - it’s everything Upper Grand in your pocket. For the latest updates, please sign up for notifications! Download for Android https://aptg.ca/V7pmln Download for iPhone https://aptg.ca/370LCh . Staying connected during the school year is key.
IEPS Home on October 16th: Another reminder that if your child has an IEP, that a copy of it will be coming home on the 16th. There is a letter that is accompanying the IEP which explains more.
Back by popular demand, PMPS School Council is excited to present this year's first fundraiser: Terra Cotta Cookies!
Terra Cotta cookies come in 12 different flavour options, in boxes of 40 pre-made/pre-portioned frozen cookie dough drops, that can go straight from the freezer to the oven!! These cookies are an easy way to bake delicious cookies to share with your friends and family! The 12 cookie flavours are all peanut and nut-free and include 2 gluten-free choices and a vegan option! Starting tomorrow, October 11th, you can start selling cookies to your family and friends using a fundraising webpage exclusively for our school: https://fundraising.terracottacookies.com/current-fundraisers/princessmargaretps/ No paper forms required! Every box of cookies sold raises funds for PMPS! Thanks to your support, this was our biggest fundraiser of the year last year. And if you don’t like cookies, this is a great way to contribute towards our Holiday Craft Fair Bake sale, coming up on December 7th! The class that sells the most cookies will be awarded a giant 3 lb cookie on the day our cookies are delivered! All orders must be placed on our webpage by 4pm on Friday, November 1st. If you have family and friends placing orders on your behalf, please ensure they know the name of our school AND your child's teacher's name, for the order screen. This helps cookie distribution run smoothly. The cookie dough boxes will be available for pick-up in the school library from 3pm-5pm on Monday, November 18th. Thank you for supporting our school!
HALLOWEEN: Many schools celebrate Halloween with costume dress up and/or black and orange. Halloween is a day that is not observed by all students or staff. With this, it is considered a choice to participate as are all spirit days. Alternate and supportive accommodations are provided for students if school events take place (e.g. parade). Please reach out to your child(ren)’s teacher to speak more about accommodations.
Costumes: It is our responsibility to ensure that all school community members (e.g., students, staff, parents in our building…) avoid using identities and cultures as costumes. This includes appropriative costumes/cultural stereotypes (i.e. cultural garments), black/brown face, transphobic costumes (i.e. man dressed as a woman), body-shaming and objectifying costumes, and costumes that joke about situations that have caused harm (i.e. COVID pandemic). Such costumes perpetuate stereotypes and can cause harm that can further marginalize and oppress community members. We also ask that violent, scary, and bloody costumes are also not worn, as these costumes scare some students. All props and accessories stay at home as well, so they are not lost. If costumes violate the above criteria, students will be asked to remove their costume and parents/guardians will be notified. Thanks for helping to make our school a safe and inclusive environment for all. Teachers will provide more guidance about the details around Halloween (e.g. when costumes should be worn etc).
Information for Elementary Parents/Guardians:
Date: October 25, 2024
Length: Full Day
Elementary Topics:
Mathematics
Mental Health
Progress Reporting
Entity Hosting: Upper Grand DSB
Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Independent/Individual
Description:
Morning (75 minutes) - Mathematics and Mental Health: Overall, the professional development resources that will be provided help teachers implement a comprehensive, differentiated math program with a focus on small group instruction, data-driven decision-making, and independent practice tools. Staff will also learn about trauma informed classroom practices.
Afternoon (150 min): Progress Reports as per Collective Agreements.
Milks Sales: Milk sales continue and cost $1.25 for this school year. Students require cash to purchase.
Emergency Lunch and Recess Supervisors Still Needed: If you love working with wonderful children, who are enthusiastic, fun and engaging, Princess Margaret wants you as a Lunchroom/Yard Supervisor. We have an urgent need for supplies while our regular staff are away. We are currently hiring for this position for the 2024/2025 school year. We require individuals who are caring, energetic, and have the ability to ensure the safety and security of our students. The position requires a commitment of approximately 80 minutes per day (two 40 minute nutrition breaks: 20 minutes eating and 20 minutes outdoor recess time). This is a paid position, minimum wage per hour. Your responsibilities include: monitoring lunchrooms and outside recess. Our two nutrition breaks/ yard times are from 10:20- 11am and again from 12:30-1:10pm. Lunchroom supervisors are required to have a criminal record background check. If you want to be part of a great school community with wonderful students, please call Principal, Andrea Papavasiliou at 519-941-3731 ext 223. Similarly, if you know someone who would be fantastic in this role, please pass this information along to them. Thank you.
IWalk/IWheel Month: The UGDSB is celebrating iWALK/iWHEEL month this October. As part of this month, students, parents/guardians are encouraged to walk, wheel or roll to and from school throughout the month, where able. IWALK/iWHEEL month is an international event that encourages students to be active on their journey between home and school. Participating in iWALK/iWHEEL month can allow students and parents/guardians to be good role models, all students and families to work together to plan a walking or riding route, make new friends by looking for a walking buddy and learn about the rules of the road and pedestrian safety. If you’re unable to walk, wheel or roll to school because of distance, you can always park a block or two away and walk or wheel the rest of the distance. If you’re a bus student, you can always get active during recess or after school.
Safety Reminders (We’re still having trouble with the following):
-Please do not park in our front bus loop at any time. This includes our families who use the YMCA before and after school. Although we have limited bus students, we still have a couple of buses that carry students on them.
-The front parking lot is closed, except for those who have an accessibility permit. Do not park in the front parking lot, as children and parents walk through the parking lot and are not expecting cars to pull out. We had a few moments this week when children were not expecting parents to be using the parking lot.
Important Upcoming Dates:
-Monday, October 14th, 2024: Thanksgiving for those who celebrate. No School.
-Wednesday, October 16th, 2024: All IEPs are sent home with students who have an IEP.
-October 28th to October 30th, 2024 (new dates): Grade 3 CCAT Testing (information and consent forms were sent home in mid September)
-Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024: Office Coordinator Appreciation DayL Thank you to Mrs. Mckenzie who helps to run our school and takes care of all of us. Thank you for always being kind and caring to our students and their families.
-Thursday, October 24th, 2024: Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day: Thank you to Mrs. Bradford and Mrs. Taylor who work with our youngest students. We appreciate you both.
Friday, October 25th, 2024: PD Day: No school for students. Teachers are working on math professional development and mental health training in the morning, and writing progress reports in the afternoon.
Upcoming Spirit Days:
October 11th: Fall colours
October 18th: Sparkle and shine
October 24th: School colours
October 31st: Orange and Black or costumes (more details will be coming home)
Reminders:
New Procedure for Dropped Lunches: If you are dropping off a lunch, there will now be a lunch drop off table in the front foyer. Simply label your child’s lunch with their name and leave it there for pick up. Please let your child know that their lunch will be dropped off in the morning. The same procedure is for food service deliveries as well. Please let the driver know to label the lunch and please let your child know it will be dropped off in the morning. We are hoping this limits interruptions to student learning. Thank you.
Parent Resources:
Dufferin Parent Support Network: Please check out https://www.dpsn.ca/ for free parenting workshops. The Dufferin Parenting Support Network is a great organization of parents supporting parents.
DCAFS Behaviour Solutions: DCAFS offers a wide range of services designed to meet the unique needs of each child and family. They believe that every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential, and they are committed to helping them do just that. If you're looking for support for your family within a safe and welcoming community, look no further than DCAFS! Please see the link for some different workshops and events: https://behavioursolutions.dcafs.on.ca/events/
We have a great day of learning on Friday planned. After Friday, I wish everyone a beautiful long weekend. If you recognize and celebrate Thanksgiving, I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday. I’ll see everyone back on Tuesday at 830am for another fantastic week of learning.
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal
SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – Princess Margaret Public School
October 3rd, 2024
In attendance: Andrea Papavasiliou, Meghann C., Billie Jo R., Emily Y., Rebecca L., Ida C., Sabrina F., Justine O, Raquel, Lindsay F., Brittani S., Vienna R., Emily M., Tracey M., Megan S., and Raine O. from Student Council.
Regrets: Tracy P., Dave W., Ashley H., Arlene E.
1. Land Acknowledgement & Anti-Racism Statement
2. Principal's Report (Andrea’s full report is copied after the Minutes)
o EQAO results - Grade 3 results slipped a bit (but we had made gains the previous year); Grade 6 results were stronger
o Math facilitators are coming in, with particular support for grade 3
o Attendance improvement efforts continue (e.g. letters home, CYC letter, etc.)
o Screenings are underway for primary reading and math
o CCAT testing is coming this fall
o Director’s and Superintendent’s visit today – tour of gardens, Director remarked on how calm and welcoming the building is, and was pleased with EQAO results, displays on walls, artwork, courtyard ideas, etc.
o Lots of opportunities for student involvement - flag football, cross country, sledge hockey, wheelchair basketball in March, choir, etc.
3. Teacher's Report (Meghann)
o Described her role as liaising between School Council and staff, and vice versa
o Outdoor education ideas
o The outdoor classroom would cost over $100,000
o Instead, let’s explore the potential of the outdoor courtyard space, as a K-3 outdoor maker space, accessible year-round, making available to all grades = inclusivity. Slowly build up outdoor education elements, in courtyard and at designated outdoor learning site (near garden).
4. School Council Business (Emily M.)
o Terra Cotta frozen cookies fundraiser
§ Fundraising dates: We will open campaign on Friday, Oct. 11th (families can share over Thanksgiving weekend) and run it until Friday, Nov. 1st
§ Distribution would be mid-November – Terra Cotta to provide date
§ Emily M. will liaise with TC and get fundraising pages and advertising set up
o Vote on supporting Sledge Hockey
§ Emily M. moved to support school with $1,187.04 for ice time costs, Billie Jo seconded, vote was majority in favour of supporting.
5. Student Council report from Student Council President, Raine Orr
§ Lots of upcoming spirit days
6. Holiday Craft Fair (Billie Jo)
o Friday night setup on December 6 – many volunteers will be needed!
o Student Council will help – Tracey has volunteers already! Lots of helpers - 40 kids attended the first meeting, and they know they need to have family permission to help with the Holiday Craft fair. They will sell popcorn and water bottles.
o One colour of ticketing for face painting and Kids’ Only Shopping.
o Kids’ Only Shopping – School Council can provide a $250 budget.
o KidPreneurs’ Room - Need more space for vendors (add a 2nd room?). On the application, form add: A check box for whether they’ll need 1 or 2 desks; When would you like to set up: Friday night or at 7 a.m. on Saturday? KidPreneurs’ market will run from 9:00 - 12:00pm.
o Café - Tracey will contact Mochaberry about setting up urns of coffee and hot chocolate,
o Signage - We have 68 signs and 32 stands. Will purchase more stands.
o We need more signage for the KidPreneur room – to be printed.
o Advertising - Emily M. has applied for the Town permit and will bring a map on Nov. 7 so we can ALL leave with signage to put up after Remembrance Day.
o Silent Auction - Helpers needed for December 2 and 3 (making baskets, cataloguing items, etc.); We have lots of cellophane; Need to purchase some wicker baskets.
o Assigning additional roles:
§ Brittani will oversee the parking volunteers
§ Megan will print name tags for Student Council volunteers on Avery labels
o Vendors Market - Tables are almost sold out. 5 remain. Emily M. will push again on socials.
o Food Drive for PMPS Nutrition Program this year - Ms. Hickey’s class will organize. PMPS now needs to organize 20% of the school’s program.
o Book Fair - Andrea will confirm
Next meeting: Thursday, November 7th at 6pm. Additional meeting (in November only, for Holiday Craft Fair planning ONLY) will be on Thursday, November 21st at 6pm.
Please make a note that on December 2nd and 3rd, we will need from as many of you as possible to put together the baskets for the silent auction and to catalogue those items. Please ask other parents if anyone can help. Heavy hands make light work!
Principal’s Report:
EQAO Results for the 23/24 School Year:
GRADE 3 EQAO RESULTS:
EQAO | 23/24 | 22/23 | Difference |
Math | 50% | 64% | 14% |
Reading | 69% | 68% | 1% |
Writing | 50% | 55% | 5% |
GRADE 6 EQAO RESULTS:
EQAO | 23/24 | 22/23 | Difference |
Math | 58% | 25% | 33% |
Reading | 83% | 66% | 17% |
Writing | 89% | 79% | 10% |
· Staff are currently working on completing diagnostics (reading and math) and will have time at October and November staff meetings to input data into a board tool, so student achievement can be tracked and next steps determined
· Teachers K-2 are working hard on Acadience early reading screeners, grade 3s have completed the math screener and grade 1s are working on the math screener this week.
· We continue to be identified as a math priority school and the focus will be working with the grade 3s this school year.
· Staff are working in Professional Learning Teams to examine data and determine what professional development will best benefit their teaching and achievement for students.
· In the next couple of weeks, grade 3 students will be writing the CCAT tests. These tests determine strengths of our students, and help to identify whether a student is gifted.
Director & Superintendent Visit: Our Director was happy to be back at PMPS. He remarked again how when you enter our building it feels calm and welcoming. He noted all of the beautiful artwork, the welcoming hub spaces, the outdoor learning, and the math and literacy up on the walls. He was happy with EQAO scores, noting the gains over the last two years. He couldn’t stop taking pictures and he wanted it noted to all staff that he can see how hard everyone is working to provide the best to our students. He is requesting that we send art and our band to the system leader’s meeting in February. He was happy to hear that we talk about the multiyear plan and our academic goals at school council. He is also interested to see how the courtyard develops and loves the ideas so far with Council’s support.
Garden Renew & Refresh: Thank you to board staff and outside contractors who helped us renew and refresh our front gardens. We removed invasive species, stopped roots that were damaging the brick, and planted native plants, shrubs, and bulbs. The company The Ground Guys even donated some of the plants and shrubs. It looks great!
Lots of Way to Get Involved at PMPS: Students continue to have lots to get involved in at our school. Flag football is in full swing, as well as garden club and choir. Junior and intermediate soccer, as well as cross country running just wrapped up.
Discussion of Sledge Hockey: This opportunity is available for each grade 4-8. Coaching and equipment are provided. We need to pay for ice time at Tony Rose, which comes to a total of: $1,187.04. We are asking the School Council to help. This opportunity not only helps our students be active but teaches them about accessibility through hands-on experience.
Wheelchair basketball is also on it’s way to PMPS: I was also able to secure the wheelchair basketball program for our school this year for March 19th to March 26th, 2025. We are loaned the wheelchairs for one week and it comes with resources for instruction as well as a pre recorded presentation from Patrick Anderson, the world’s best wheelchair basketball athlete!
Important Upcoming Dates:
October 5th, 2024: World Teachers Day! We are thankful for our teaching staff and appreciate all that they do.
October 9th, 2024: Grade 8s travel to the Orangeville Agricultural Centre for Career Pathways presentation (more details were sent home to grade 8 families).
Monday, October 14th, 2024: Thanksgiving for those who celebrate. No School.
Wednesday, October 16th, 2024: All IEPs are sent home with students who have an IEP.
October 22nd and 23rd, 2024: Sledge Hockey for grades 4-8.
October 22nd to October 24th, 2024: Grade 3 CCAT Testing (information and consent forms were sent home in mid September).
Thursday, October 24th, 2024: Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day: Thank you to Mrs. Bradford and Mrs. Taylor who work with our youngest students. We appreciate you both.
Friday, October 25th, 2024: PD Day: No school for students. Teachers are working on math professional development and mental health training in the morning, and writing progress reports in the afternoon.
Upcoming Spirit Days:
October 4th: Funky sock day
October 11th: Fall colours
October 18th: Sparkle and shine
October 24th: School colours
October 31st: Orange and Black or costumes (more details will be coming home)