Good afternoon Mustang Families,
Happy first day of Spring! I hope everyone had a great March break. It is certainly nice to have everyone back learning. Our curling team finished their season this week with their good play at the Orangeville curling club Bonspiel. We’re very proud of their accomplishments as they finished well overall. Our amazing basketball teams are also starting their first games soon. Go Mustangs go! We also welcomed the wheelchair basketball program to our school this week. It’s great to see the kids trying this incredibly challenging sport and learning about equity in sport. Grades K-3 also learned about fire safety from Firefighter Kelly this week. Lots going on at our wonderful school!
A reminder that it is a good idea to keep a close eye on the weather, so students know what to wear in the morning. Another good idea is to pack an extra pair of pants and socks in childrens’ backpacks as the snow melts and we have a return to mud. This avoids us having to call home for a pant or sock request during the day.
Our School Council met on March 6th. Please see the minutes at the end of this email. Our next meeting is on April 3rd at 6pm in the school library. New members are always welcome. The School Council has supported us in many different ways this school year so far. They can do this because of our community’s support through fundraisers. Thank you for your continued support. Please read below for all of the ways that the Council has supported us this school year which includes:
Council Insurance $151.20
Sledge Hockey $1187.00
Courtyard Equipment $2146.08
Equity Club games $189.80
Food Bank donation, in honour of Quest for Cakes, x5 turkey dinners $390
Family Transition Place for 2025 - grades 5-8, x8 sessions each class $1890.00
Grades 7&8 year end trip to Niagara $2000.00
Get Real Movement presentations on Anti Black Racism $791.00
Accessibility Swing for primary playground $1600.00
Get Real Movement presentations on 2SLGBTQ+1A (in May) $800
Curling equipment x2 sets $1500.00
Ice time contribution for our curling team and supplies $500
15 sets of xs snowshoes $765.00
STEM equipment for kindergartens $180.00
DPA (Daily Physical Activity) & Recess equipment for 13 classes $3380.00
Please remember to stay connected in the following ways:
-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 https://uppergranddsbon.sites.thrillshare.ca/o/pmps.
-Our Twitter/ X page is: @margaret_ps, we also have a Facebook and Instagram page.
-your phone messages and text messages
Important Dates:
-March 19th to 25th: Wheelchair basketball program at PMPS for all students
-March 25th: Public Health Fluoride Varnish number one (sign up online if interested, all grades)
Upcoming Spirit Days February:
March 28th: World Water Appreciation : Dress in blue or as your favourite water creature (in honour of World Water day Mar. 22 and Earth day Mar. 29
Don’t forget about our Mustang Spirit Cup!!
Congratulations to Mr. Westlake’s class for winning the spirit cup for the month of January.
Professional Activity Day Description:
April 4, 2025 Information for Parents/Guardians:
Date: April 4, 2025 Length: Full Day
Elementary Topics AM: Mental Health and Well-being and Mathematics
Elementary Topics PM: Mathematics, Guidance and Career Education
Entity Hosting: Upper Grand DSB
Description: Elementary
Morning (150 mins):
Mental Health and Well-being (75 minutes). The day will begin with a guided discussion about mental health in schools, including the history of current best practices for how educators and mental health clinicians can work together in our system.
Curriculum Implementation (75 minutes) focused on Mathematics. Teachers will explore math routines, fractions, manipulatives, problem solving and EQAO preparation.
Afternoon (150 mins)
Curriculum Implementation focused on:
Mathematics - Teachers will explore math routines, fractions, manipulatives, problem solving and EQAO preparation.
Guidance and career education. Elementary teachers will explore their role in student skill development and career exploration.
Reminders:
Ramadan: As we celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, we want to extend our best wishes to all students and families observing this important time. Ramadan is a special period of reflection, prayer, and fasting for many in our school community, and we recognize its significance. To support our students who are fasting and engaging in daily prayer, we want to remind everyone that we do have a prayer space in our school, in room 102. This space is available for students who wish to participate in prayer in a quiet and respectful environment. If your child will be utilizing the prayer space and/or needs other accommodations due to feasting etc., please let your child’s teacher know so we can ensure they know where the prayer space is located and provide the needed accommodations. Happy Ramadan or Ramadan Mubarak.
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. Thank you for your patience as the snow is making things even more difficult.
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.
Thanks for taking the time to read through my weekly emails and your continued support. We’ll see everyone Friday for another day of learning before the weekend.
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal
School Council Meeting Minutes – March 6th, 2025
In attendance: Andrea Papavasilliou, Meghann C., Emily Y., Emily M., Ida C., Rebecca L., Sabrina F., Vienna R., Billie Jo R., Lindsey F., Ashley A., Justine O., Kiri K., Tracy P., Sarah C., Brittani S.
Regrets: Racquel, Meghan S.
Meeting was held virtually in light of school closure
1. Land Acknowledgement & Anti-Racism Statement
2. Principal’s Report from Andrea (highlights below, full report follows Minutes)
Ø UGDSB MYP (multi-year plan): 4 goals of identifying learning gaps, intervening with learning gaps, monitoring attendance, and intervening with attendance.
· PMPS is working hard on attendance by working with data.
· They are also focusing on primary reading groups in preparation for EQAO.
· Our school will have a math and a reading facilitator.
· Math screenings happened in grades 1 and 3.
Ø Upcoming events and celebrations: Ramadan, wheelchair basketball, spirit days, etc.
3. Teacher’s Report from Meghann Christie
Ø Thank you for the financial support for the outdoor learning centre, snowshoes, Family Transition Place presentations, STEM toys, etc. We can provide our students with rich experiences because of the work of School Council.
Ø Outdoor play day was a big success. Intermediate leaders did a great job. We hope to have another in June.
Ø The curling team represented PMPS with pride.
Ø Upcoming sports: basketball, track and field, etc.
Ø Parking at the school continues to be a challenge, especially with snowbanks impacting space; PMPS encourages the community to follow the parking rules and to be respectful to staff who are trying to ensure safety for students; concerned community members are also allowed to contact Town of Orangeville bylaw dept.
4. Donut fundraiser - logistics / planning: Emily M.
Ø We will sell clamshells of 12 regular-sized donuts from Quest for Cakes for $15. Flavours are chocolate dip, celebration vanilla dip, and maple dip. Peanut free and Kosher Dairy product.
Ø Suggested dates: Sales will begin on Friday, March 28th, for a one-month period. Sales will close Friday, April 25th with Mother’s Day weekend delivery as the final sales push. Delivery and distribution would be May 8 or 9. Emily M. will need helpers for distribution on that date. Volunteers – Vienna and Emily Y.
Ø Emily M. will work with Jodi to set this up on School Cash on Line early in the week of March 24th.
5. Other - Financial Support for our School: Emily M.
Ø We have been revisiting what initiatives we hope to support at PMPS. A full-sized outdoor classroom is very expensive. In addition to budling materials from approved vendors, maintenance and repairs will be costly. Instead of pursuing that goal, we would like to support outdoor education initiatives in other ways and have sought feedback from PMPS staff. We would like to support the following expenditures (approx. $6,150):
· A full class set of kindergarten-sized snowshoes (half this year, and half next year). 15 pairs of XS snowshoes will cost $765 from our approved vendor.
· A full set of curling equipment will cost approx. $1500 and a $500 donation towards ice time costs.
· More DPA (Daily Physical Activity) equipment for all students (13 classes). This includes new large and small basketballs, soccer balls, 6-pack of frisbees, 6-pack of rubber balls, 12-pack of hula hoops, 12-pack of scoops and balls, and footballs. Last year, Andrea purchased volleyballs, football belts, hockey sticks, badminton nets, pickle ball sets, hand pumps, and 13 bags for each classroom’s equipment. Those items do not need to be re-purchased this year. These new items will cost approx. $3,380 for 13 sets from approved vendors.
· Reminder - we need to reserve $10,000 in the School Council account for playground repairs.
· Ten eligible council members have voted to approve the above noted expenditures = majority.
· Council has already approved STEM toys for Kindergarteners ($180), an accessibility swing (approx. $1,600) and $2,000 toward the grade 7/8 year-end trip to Niagara – majority vote held via e-mail.
· PMPS was awarded the annual $500 Grant Memorandum from Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) and the $1,000 Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grant from PIC! Get Real presentations in May will be supported with this funding.
6. Volunteers Needed - Breakfast Program: Emily Y.
Ø Volunteers are needed for Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting around 7:50 for service from 8:00 - 8:25, and a bit of cleanup afterwards.
Ø Thank you to the School Council members with the Vulnerable Sector Check and the grade 8 student who volunteered for this tonight! Emily M. will e-mail to coordinate.
7. Garbage Clean-up: Emily Y.
Ø Council would like to lead a garbage clean-up on school grounds, including the surrounding outside perimeter-area.
Ø Possible dates: Saturday, April 5 or Sunday, 6. In advance of student’s (likely) garbage pick-up on Earth Day in April).
Ø Emily M. to post on social media. Info will be shared in Andrea’s e-mails, closer to the event date. Emily M. will supply all garbage and recycling bags.
8. Other items of business:
o Confirmed everyone sent thank-you cards for donations to Holiday Craft Fair’s silent auction.
o Thank you to all who came out to our Brainstorming Session on February 20th. And to our School Council social night, Bowling on Broadway!
o Theatre Orangeville would love for PMPS to visit them on a field trip. Theatre Orangeville is invited to call Andrea to discuss.
o Space is available in our vegetable garden – see Emily M.
o Please continue to support our X, Instagram, and Facebook posts!
o Family Fun Night - we can plan this in more detail at April's meeting. Event will take place on Tuesday, June 3rd, from 5-7pm. School Council will host a used book fundraiser.
Next meeting: Thursday, April 3rd at 6pm in School Library.
Principal’s Report: PMPS School Council
Thursday, March 6th, 2025
Land Acknowledgement:
Princess Margaret Public School is situated on the ancestral, treaty and title lands of the
Anishinaabek Ojibwe Nation, specifically the Michi Saagig of the Credit land. This
Nation holds legal and specific rights in their respective territories. This area has been and continues to be home for Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous peoples.
My commitment this evening: to continue to alert staff to Indigenous learning opportunities such as the Metis Kitchen, French program for grade 6s and to advocate and connect our Indigenous students to support services (grade 8s to grad coaches who help with the transition to high school, Indigenous social workers and CYCs for example) , and deliver professional development to staff. In February, Colinda Clyne, Principal of Indigenous came to talk to staff to review our board policies about Indigenous learning.
Board’s Equity Statement:
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.
Let’s Go Multi Year Plan:
Identify Learning Gaps
Intervene to address learning gaps
Monitor attendance
Intervene to address attendance concerns
2 Week Moves continue during quartile 3(there are 4 quartiles in the school year)
Our Outcomes Continue to Be:
Complete 'deep drive in attendance' using the new admin dashboard
Review primary SERT groups with focus on Tier 3 and examine preparation for EQAO
Work with grade three teachers and math facilitator to target areas of growth.
Review Dashboard and laserfocus for grade 3 students
Review and share with teachers EMA data for this cycle. (math screener for grade 1s and 3s)
Huge growth from EMA Screener #1:
Grade 1: 29% of gr 1 students passed the screener and are approaching proficiency or have proficient skills: Now it's 66%. That is an increase of 37% (EMA 1 to EMA 3).
Ramadan: As we celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, we want to extend our best wishes to all students and families observing this important time. Ramadan is a special period of reflection, prayer, and fasting for many in our school community, and we recognize its significance. To support our students who are fasting and engaging in daily prayer, we want to remind everyone that we do have a prayer space in our school, in room 102. This space is available for students who wish to participate in prayer in a quiet and respectful environment. If your child will be utilizing the prayer space and/or needs other accommodations due to feasting etc., please let your child’s teacher know so we can ensure they know where the prayer space is located and provide the needed accommodations. Happy Ramadan or Ramadan Mubarak.
Important Dates:
-March 7th: Live Free Day: Please consider making a donation through School CashOnline. Donations are open all year long and we appreciate your support.
-March 10th to March 14th: March Break, No School for Students
-March 17th to 19th: Primary Orangeville Fire Presentations (information sent home)
-March 18th: Curling Bonspiel for all curling members
-March 19th to 25th: Wheelchair basketball program at PMPS for all students
-March 20th: Grade 6 Classes, Metis Kitchen Party Presentation ( French)- letter coming home with more information from Mr. Navarro.
-March 25th: Public Health Fluoride Varnish number one (sign up online if interested, all grades)
Upcoming Spirit Days February:
March 7th: Wear your blue, purple, or school spirit wear for Mustang Spirit Day
March 17th: Wear gold and green and other accessories for St. Patrick’s Day
March 28th: World Water Appreciation : Dress in blue or as your favourite water creature (in honour of World Water day Mar. 22 and Earth day Mar. 29