Dear Mustang Families,
It’s been another good week here at PMPS. Our students are starting to get excited for the upcoming holidays. Our staff are striving to keep routines as consistent as possible as we continue to learn right up to the holidays. Please note the last day of school is Friday, December 20th, 2024. The first day back is January 6th, 2025.
We are thankful for all of our student leaders. From pizza days, milk sales, the craft fair, our daily announcements, our outdoor sign, office helping… our students do it all and we are appreciative of their leadership and service. This week we had a fun staff and student volleyball game to close out a great season of playing, and Mrs. Ellis displayed the beautiful art that she has been making with our students in grades kindergarten through grade 5. Our school hallways look beautiful. Clubs such as; games around the world, badminton, choir, drama, and art club continue as well.
IMPORTANT: Ability to Send Emails from School Messenger Coming to an End: Thank you to those families who read my weekly emails. I currently send those emails using School Messenger. The board will be ending its contract with School Messenger at the end of January. Please make sure that you check for my weekly updates by:
-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 .
-checking our NEW Princess Margaret websiteonce per week: https://uppergranddsbon.sites.thrillshare.ca/o/pmps.
-Our Twitter/ X page is: @margaret_ps each Thursday
-Our school council also has a Facebook page and an Instagram page: @princessmargaretps.
Staying connected during the school year is key. I, along with a volunteer, work hard to update our social media pages and school website each week.
Important Note from School Council:On behalf of our school, the PMPS School Council would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the success that was this year’s Holiday Craft Fair!! It truly does take a village to bring this event together and there are so many of you who helped to make this year’s event our very best yet! To our parent and caregiver community, we are very grateful for your support - through your donations of baked goods, items for our silent auction and classroom baskets, and donations to our food drive, to your volunteering and attending/shopping/bidding on Saturday - we are humbled by our generous community. Thank you.
Granola Bars Recalled: Please note, all Made Good granola bars have been removed from our snack and breakfast program based on the recall.
Important Dates:
-December 17th, 2024: 9am Kindergarten holiday celebration (more details to follow)
-December 18th, 2024: Carolling & volunteer recognition at PMPS 9am-10am (students and staff only)
-December 20th, 2024: Carolling, attendance recognition, and club/class performances 9am-10am (students, staff , and invited club parents/ caregivers only)
-January 6th, 2025: First Day of School of 2025
-FTP program starts for ⅘ to 8: January 8th, 15th, 22nd, and February 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th
-January 16th: ODSS guidance visits grade 8 students about course selection
-January 17th: PMPS Grad (Grade 8) Photo Day
-January 24th: PD Day (full day report card writing for teachers)
-January 27th to 30th: Curling materials at PMPS
Upcoming Spirit Days December:
Friday, Dec. 13th - Dress as your favourite Disney, cartoon, or movie character
Monday. Dec. 16th - Silver and gold (Posada Navidenas - Mexican Christmas begins today)
Tuesday, Dec. 17th - Dress as a reindeer or snowman or your favourite holiday character
Wednesday, Dec. 18th - Festive hat and socks day
Thursday. Dec. 19th - Blue silver white (Hanukkah)
Fri. Dec. 20th - Red and Green day OR red, green, black day (Kwanzaa which begins on Dec. 26th)
Slips, Trips & Falls: Please make sure that your child(ren) and you are wearing appropriate footwear for our wintery weather. This helps prevent slips, trips, and falls inside and outside our school.
No Bus Days: We Are Open for Learning! A reminder that on no bus days, we are here for learning. A very small percentage of our students are bussed, so teachers carry on with a normal learning day. Our school is open for all who can safely make it here. If your child (ren) will not be attending school, you need to call in their absence please. This helps Mrs. Mckenize with her safe arrival procedures in a timely manner. Thank you for your help with this. If a no bus day falls on a pizza day, we go ahead with our pizza day.
Reminders:
Absent? Calling your child(ren) in: When calling our attendance line please make sure to leave a message in a loud and clear voice, with your name and the name of your child, their grade, teacher’s name, and reason for absence. Please remember to call each late and absence in, as this helps our OC, Mrs. Mckenzie perform safe arrivals quickly. It is important that she accounts for all of our students and their safety as soon as possible in the morning. Thank you.
Grade ⅞ Popcorn Sales: Every Tuesday and Thursday until school holidays. $2.00 per bag - multiple flavours! The profits are going towards grade 8 graduation and a possible year end trip.
New Breakfast Program at PMPS: We are now providing breakfast to students who are hungry and do not have access to breakfast at home on ALL Weekday mornings, from 8am-8:25am, in the school library. NO sign up is required.
Milk Sales: Student Council continues to sell milk, Monday to Friday 1st break only for $1.25. Milk sale profits support our Student Council.
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/
DCAFS Walk In, Talk In Clinic: Open to Everyone!
Talk-In Clinic is your primary gateway to essential mental health support. Talk-In Clinic is open Wednesdays between 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (last appointment at 5:30 p.m.). Please come as early as possible to ensure an appointment. If you prefer, you can call ahead at 519-941-1530 to provide some basic information. This is support for children, youth, and families.
We have a great day of learning planned on Friday! After that, have a fantastic weekend!
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal