Good evening Mustang Families,
Another great week here at PMPS! The curling team continues to do well, winning their first game this week and improving their play. Junior basketball has started for grades four through six as well, as well as intermediate basketball tryouts. Our primary students celebrated their 100th day at school! It’s hard to believe that we are over half way through our school year! It’s a great time to note all of the wonderful things that we have happening in our school some of which include: our grade 6-8 band, the beautiful artwork that is displayed all over our school, the outdoor learning in kindergarten, , the Family Transition Place programming, the student nutrition program (thank you to our wonderful volunteers who make this happen every day!), student leadership, the quality of instruction, the friendly nature of our students, the student work, the GSA: Welcoming Mustangs, our Equity Club that is learning about games around the world, ... the list goes on. Thank you for supporting our staff and the work we do here with your child(ren).
TONIGHT, Please check your child (ren)’s communication book/bag and/or backpack for their term one report card and IEP (if applicable) that was sent home today.
The board is switching its provider for how I send out mass emails/phone calls/text messages to staff and families. You shouldn’t notice much of a change with this switch, however there is a difference that I want to make sure you’re aware of. In the event that a text message is sent to a group (e.g. all parents/guardians at a school), the message will come from the following shortcode: 277849. I believe I have already sent one text and that was last week when the school was closed.
Report Cards & IEPS: As with Student Progress reports in the Fall, the UGDSB is continuing to use the online report card system for the 2024-25 school year. If you previously accessed our Electronic Report Card system this year, no action is required at this time for you to access your child(ren)’s term one report. Please note, we have also chosen to send home paper copies of the report card as well with each child. The online system has had several technical issues the last few days. If you cannot access reports online, please do not worry, you are not the only one and the board is working hard with the provider to correct the issues. Elementary reports should be available for parents to download from the Parent Portal on Wednesday the 12th if the errors are corrected. Sorry for this inconvenience. Please check your child’s backpack for the paper copy.
To access reports;
Please visit the UGDSB website at https://sites.google.com/ugcloud.ca/parenthelp/report-cards-parent-portal and see https://www.ugdsb.ca/parents/connected/ for further help in accessing and downloading student reports in the portal (if the links do not work, please try cut/copy/paste into your browser)
If your email address has changed, or you are new to our school board since the November progress reports, please contact your school office coordinator, Mrs. McKenzie at 519-941-3731 ext 221 or push 0.
IEPS (modified and alternative goals only) will be going home on the 12th as well. Please remember to read the IEP, keep it, but to send back the signed consultation page please.
As February continues, 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. Walking from classroom to classroom students are participating in read alouds, reading independently, writing poetry and biographies about black brilliance. Please ask your child all about it.
Parent/Guardian Webinar: Worry or Anxiety?: The next webinar in the Positive Parenting Webinar Series is coming up. On February 20, 2025, at 7pm, parents/guardians are invited to join the free webinar on Worry vs Anxiety. Discover what's normal and when it's time to seek additional support. Learn how to talk to your child about their emotions, while confidently navigating challenging situations. To register for the webinar, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_m4vil6M0S2KM3Oet8blBJg#/registration
Important Dates:
-FTP program continues for ⅘ to 8: February 19th, 26th, and March 7th (make up for school closure in January)
-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) Dress to be outside.
-February 26th: PINK SHIRT DAY
-February 26th: Grade 8 IPRCs with ODSS
-March 4th: Grade 6-8 skiing/snowboarding at Hockley Valley
Upcoming Spirit Days February:
-Friday, Feb. 14th: PINK, RED, WHITE Day! Wear pink, red, or white today to show your love of Valentine’s Day
-Friday, Feb. 21st: OLYMPIC OUTDOOR PLAYDAY! Dress as a sports player OR dress like a snowflake/snowperson
-Friday, Feb. 28th: Board Game day! Bring in your favourite board game and enjoy game stations in your classroom.
Don’t forget about our Mustang Spirit Cup awarded to the class with the highest participation each month.
Reminders:
Attention Parents/Caregivers Public Health Immunization Notices: Immunization notices have been sent for elementary students who do not have up-to-date immunization records. To get missing vaccines listed in the notice, you can book an appointment with your healthcare provider or with Public Health at wdgpublichealth.ca/appointments. To check or update your child's immunization record, visit immunizewdg.ca. Visit wdgpublichealth.ca/vaccination for more information about receiving a notice. Please note all inquiries and concerns go through Public Health. As a school we have no control over the immunization notices.
Parking lot reminders: Our parking lot is closed from 815am- 310pm everyday- all vehicles except for school buses and those with special needs parking permits, may not enter during this time . Please no parking in special needs parking without a permit, no stopping, no parking in the bus loop or no parking zones, do not block the exit from our parking lot by parking across the exit to the street and please be kind to staff who are helping to enforce these rules, including By Law who come out consistently but randomly.
Milk Sales: Our wonderful Student Council continues to sell milk. The milk costs $1.25 each. Milk sale profits support our Student Council.
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 and Friday for great learning days! A reminder that on Monday, there is no school as it is Family Day. Enjoy the long weekend! We’ll see everyone back on Tuesday.
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal