Good evening Mustang Families,
It’s been another good week here at PMPS. Our junior and intermediate students continue to learn from the Family Transition Place presentations, students in grade 6/7 snowshoed while embracing winter weather, our kindergartens ar building snow structures with 3D frozen shapes in our STEM courtyard, our curling team had their first practice at the Orangeville Curling Club, and our junior/intermediates have started speech writing. Our grade 6-8 band continues to use their instruments and are making great progress. PMPS is a great place to learn and have fun!
Important Dates:
-January 7th-31st : 2025/2026 kindergarten registration is open for children born in 2021. Please see our school website for more information and to register online. Please tell your neighbours as well.
-FTP program starts for ⅘ to 8: January 8th, 15th, 22nd, and February 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th
-January 17th: PMPS Grad (Grade 8) Photo Day
-January 24th: PD Day (full day report card writing for teachers)- no school for students.
-January 27th to 30th: Curling materials at PMPS: Each class will have a couple of opportunities to use the equipment
-January 28th: Intermediate Year End Trip Meeting 630-730pm (more information coming from teachers)
-January 31st, 2025: Last day to apply for OOA and OOD to open schools.
-February 6th, 2025: OPP Online Safety Presentation at PMPS 6-7pm (information below)
-February 12th, 2025: Reports go home/ IEPs (modified and alternative goals also goes home)
-February 14th, 2025: Winter play date (more details coming soon)
Upcoming Spirit Days January:
-January 17th: Dress like a tourist (fanny packs, hat, sunglasses etc)
-January 23rd: Dress like your favourite animal
-January 31st: Division colours ( JK/K, Gr 1,2,and 3: red, grade 4,5,and 6: Blue, grade 7& 8: black, staff: Tye Dye)
Milk Sales: Our wonderful Student Council continues to sell milk. The milk costs $1.25 each. Milk sale profits support our Student Council.
OPP Presentation for Parents/Caregivers in Person at Princess Margaret PS February 6th, 2025 at 6pm with Officer Amy-Lynn Pitton: I am pleased to share that our OPP community engagement officer will be coming to Princess Margaret on February 6th at 6pm to host a one-hour parent/caregiver information evening about how to keep your child(ren) safe online from bullying and predators. The officer will also take questions. All parents/caregivers are welcome to attend from PMPS, CMES, PEPS, PCPS, and ILPS . Children are not welcome to attend at the request of the officer, because of the subject matter. Please RSVP by email to: princessmargaret.ps@ugdsb.on.ca by February 3rd at 3pm with the number of parents/caregivers attending, so we can plan accordingly. Thank you.
SUPPORTING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT: UPCOMING WEBINAR ON SCHOOL AVOIDANCE: The Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB), in collaboration with the Wellington Catholic District School Board and Pine River Institute, is inviting families to join a vital conversation about school avoidance. As more youth face challenges staying engaged in school, this free webinar will explore what motivates students to attend and offer actionable strategies for parents and caregivers to help.
Event Details:
Topic: School Avoidance - What Motivates Kids to Attend and How Can Parents Help?
When: Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Online (details provided upon registration)
This session is part of Pine River Institute's Positive Parenting Webinar Series and will provide insights and practical tools to support students in overcoming school avoidance and fostering a love for learning. Mark your calendars and join us in creating a supportive environment for student success. Parents and guardians can register here.
Professional Activity Day Description: January 24, 2025
Information for Elementary Parents/Guardians
Length: Full Day
Elementary Topics:
Term 1 Report Cards Description:
(225 minutes) - Term 1 Reports as per Collective Agreements.
IMPORTANT: Ability to Send Emails from School Messenger Coming to an End: Thank you to those families who read my weekly emails. The pilot program has started for our new email system. Earlier this week you should have received an email about free jackets/ snow pants etc. If not, please make sure you have an email address on file with us by checking in with Mrs. Mckenzie.
You can also check for my weekly updates by:
-Downloading 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
-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.
As a reminder we are still in need of Emergency Lunch and Recess Supervisors. 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 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 vulnerable sector criminal record background check. If you want to be part of a great school community with awesome students, please call me, Andrea Papavasiliou (Principal) 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.
Parent Resources:
Parent Support Network: Please check out www.parentsupportnetwork.ca for free parenting workshops. The 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.
Stay warm and take care. We’ll see everyone on Friday for another great learning day!
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal