Good evening Mustang Families,
Another great week of learning here at Princess Margaret! It was a little shorter than we anticipated. Mother Nature certainly showed her force this week! All students enjoyed having the curling program here this week. It is our intention to try and purchase our own set going forward, if the budget allows it. Junior and intermediate students are working hard on their speeches with our ‘speak off’ happening on Monday, February 3rd to determine who will represent us at the Legion and The Lions Club. Our grade 6-8 students will also be enjoying their first trip to Hockley to ski or snowboard early next week. Many clubs and sports continue at PMPS including: badminton, curling, junior basketball, intermediate basketball, games club, drama club and a few more. Thanks to our dedicated staff who provide these opportunities to our students.
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.
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 continues for ⅘ to 8: February 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, and March 7th (make up for school closure in January)
-January 27th to 30th: Curling materials at PMPS: Each class will have a couple of opportunities to use the equipment
-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 31st: Division colours ( JK/K, Gr 1,2,and 3: red, grade 4,5,and 6: Blue, grade 7& 8: black, staff: Tye Dye)
Grade 8 Grad Wear: The PMPS Grad Site is now live! https://pmpsgrads.deco-apparel.com/
Scent Aware: All students, staff, and visitors please refrain from wearing perfumes, colognes etc. while coming to PMPS. We have students and staff who are triggered by strong scents and some have severe allergic reactions or asthma attacks as a result. Thank you for your understanding.
Parents/Caregivers in School During Day: A reminder to all of our families that all visitors to our building must check in with the office. Parents, caregivers, and siblings are not allowed to go down school hallways during the school day. Although your child knows you are a safe adult, not all school staff and students do. Thank you for your cooperation.
Winter Wheel and Walk Month/Day: Winter Walk and Wheel Day (February 5, 2025) is an annual celebration across Ontario that encourages students to be active throughout their school day in the wintertime. Schools can celebrate on Winter Walk and Wheel Day and throughout the month of February. Wheeling or walking to school contributes to reduced vehicular traffic, reduced noise and air pollution; improved levels of physical activity; improved student cognitive development and brain health; improved student memory, attention in class and academic performance.
Reminders:
Fluoride Varnish will be offered to all students at our school by Public Health on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.Parents/Guardians need to register their children here: https://survey.wdgpublichealth.ca/surveys/?s=48TARLMKPYFP88XF if they would like them to receive fluoride varnish. A second application of fluoride varnish will be offered on June 17, 2025.
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. Please note if a pizza day falls on a no bus day, pizza day will go ahead. More information can be found on the board’s website about inclement weather and procedures: https://www.ugdsb.ca/schools/inclement-weather-procedures/
Emergency Food Programs: The Dufferin & Area Food Access Guide lists many local emergency and community food programs serving Dufferin residents.The Dufferin & Area Food Access Guide lists many local emergency and community food programs serving Dufferin residents. Download it here: https://hillsofheadwaterscollaborative.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dufferin-Food-Access-Guide-2024-11-x-8.5-in.pdf
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.
Milk Sales: Our wonderful Student Council continues to sell milk. The milk costs $1.25 each. Milk sale profits support our Student Council.
Don’t miss out!!! 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.
Stay Connected! Thank you to those families who read my weekly emails.
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 website once 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.
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