Good evening Mustang Families,
As February begins next week, we are recognizing Black Heritage, Black Brilliance, and Black Futures month here at our school. We are learning about influential black role models on our daily announcements, during classroom activities, and through school displays. We are proudly flying the Pan African flag for the month of February to recognize this month. We’d also like to share with our school community our board’s equity statement as well:
Anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism is deeply rooted in our country, society, institutions and our history, and much work needs to be done to address this systemic racism. As an educational community we have a responsibility to identify and describe racism and oppression and then work to dismantle it. The Upper Grand District School Board is committed to disrupting systemic racism and oppression in all of its forms. We will implement ongoing mandatory anti-racism and anti-oppression training for all staff, review our protocols and policies, including our hiring practices, and be fully transparent and accountable to all Upper Grand students, staff, families, and stakeholders in an ongoing manner.
Thank you for your enthusiasm and support- this work is important year round, not just in February.
A note that pizza day is tomorrow (when we have a PD day on Friday we shift to Thursday).
Important: Are you confirmed to be moving for the 25/26 school year? Staffing for the 25/26 school year has already begun believe it or not. Having accurate enrollment numbers of students, means that I can staff the school accordingly. The same can be said for the school that your child will be attending when they leave PMPS. If you know that your family is moving from now to September 2025, can you please let myself or Mrs. Mckenzie know by emailing us, calling the office, or coming in to speak to one of us? Thank you in advance.
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 it is important that all children who are eligible enroll, so we have accurate enrollment information for September and plan accordingly. Thank you in advance.
-FTP program starts for ⅘ to 8: January 29th, February 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th
-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 3rd: Jr/Int Speeches ‘Speak off’
-February 4th: Grade 6-8 skiing/snowboarding at Hockley Valley
-February 6th: OPP parent presentation 6-7pm (see below for more details)
-February 12th: report cards and IEPs go home
-February 12th grade ⅞ Metis Presentations (virtual)
-February 17th: Family Day, No School
-February 19th: Dental Screening JK/SK, grade 2, 4,and 7
-February 21st: Winter Play day (1st and 2nd block)
-February 26th: PINK SHIRT DAY
-February 26th: Grade 8 IPRCs with ODSS 830-1140am
-March 4th: Grade 6-8 skiing/snowboarding at Hockley Valley
Upcoming Spirit Days January
-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.
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.
Stay Connected! Thank you to those families who read my weekly emails. The pilot program has started for our new email system.
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 Thursday for another great learning day! A reminder that Friday is a PD Day and that means no school for students. We’ll see everyone back on Monday at 830am.
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal