Good evening Mustang Families,
I am sending this week’s email out a little earlier, so that I can remind everyone of the PD day that is this Friday, April 4th. This means no school for students on Friday.
Today, we raised the Autism Awareness flag in recognition of World Autism Awareness day. The flag will remain flying for the month as the Town of Orangeville proclaimed April as Autism Awareness month. It was a wonderful experience to gather as a school and recognize the month.
News from Our Welcoming Mustangs Student Group: On International Day of Pink, April 9th join us in showing solidarity and standing up against bullying and discrimination! We invite anybody and everybody to speak out against gender stereotypes, 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination and bullying. Show your support by wearing pink and painting your nails pink!
School Council Donut Fundraiser: Have you heard?! School Council is selling delicious donuts with our local Quest for Cakes Bakery! We will be sending a colour flyer home with students later this week, so you can see them for yourself! We are selling packs of 12 small donuts, featuring 3 flavours: chocolate dip, celebration vanilla dip (with sprinkles) and maple dip. These donuts are nut free, Kosher dairy, and the full ingredients will be listed on each pack. This fundraiser is live NOW through School Cash On-Line and and will run until Thursday, April 24th. The donuts will be available for pick-up at the end of the school day on Friday, May 9th. School Council fundraisers help to support our school with things like important student programs, sporting events and gym equipment, and outdoor education materials, to name a few. Thank you for your support!
After school games: We are asking that only siblings of players stay for the after school games that are hosted by our school. Our gym space is limited and we want parents who have left work, made special plans etc. to be able to come into the gym and watch their child play. Intermediates and former PMPS students are not to enter the gym unless they have a sibling playing. This also assists our coaches who are often refereeing and coaching. Monitoring the behaviour of non players is hard to do on top of the refereeing and coaching as well. Thanks for supporting our parents who want to be able to come into the gym to see their child play and our coaches.
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:
School Council Donut Fundraiser: Friday, March 28th to Thursday, April 24th. Pick up May 9th- more details to come. Thank you for your support.
-April 3rd: Custodial and Maintenance Appreciation Day: Thanks Mrs. Barclay and her team for all that they do for PMPS and the same goes to our hardworking maintenance staff!
-April 3rd: 6pm School Council (New members are always welcome)
-April 4th: PD day: No School for students
-April 9th: International Day of Pink: Wear pink and if possible, wear pink nail polish ( see message above)
-April 10th: basketball tournament at PMPS (Mr. Navarro is organizing)
-April 10th: FTP grade 7 Human Trafficking Presentation (letter coming home)
-April 11th: Grade 8 Grad retakes at PMPS (please let your child’s teacher know if they need a retake)
-April 11th: Officer Amy; presentations to grades 1 to 3 (letters going home)
-April 15th: Kindergarten Town of Orangeville library visits (more information to come)
-April 15th: Intermediate basketball tournament at ODSS(more information to come)
-April 18th- 21st: Easter weekend for those who celebrate
-April 22nd: Earth Day Assembly ((Mrs Ellis is organizing)
-April 23rd: OC Appreciation day! Thank you for all that you do Mrs. Mckenzie!
-April 25th: CMHA presentations: grades ⅞ (letters going home)
-May 2nd: GET Real Presentation at PMPS (grades 4-8) (letters going home)
-May 5th to May 9th: Education Week and Mental Health Week
-May 9th: Whole group grade 8 visit to ODSS (more information to come)
-May 13th: Bike Roadeo at PMPS (more information to come)
-May 13th, 20th, and 27th: Grade 3 and Grade 7 Swim to Survive program(more information to come)
-May 14th: Special Olympics, Board Wide Event (more information to come)
-May 15th: Chess tournament at CMES
-May 16th: EA & CYC Appreciation Day: We have the best team at PMPS hands down! Thanks for all that you do!
-May 16th: Jump Rope Kick Off Event!(more information to come)
-May 19th: Victoria Day, no school
-May 20th: Grade ⅘ & ⅚ in Library from 115-215pm: Moccasin Identifier Program
-May 22nd: Catch up vaccination at PMPS(more information to come)
-May 22nd: Kindergarten Officer Amy presentations (letter coming home)
-May 21st to June 3rd: EQAO at PMPS grades 3 and 6: All students need to be at school well rested and ready to go! Our students will do great! (more information to come)
-May 28th: Intermediate track and field standards day
-June 2nd: Bursting with Pride School Event & Flag Raising
-June 3rd: Arts Night and Family Fun Night 5-7pm(more information to come)
-June 5th: Grade 8 Intermediate Trip to Niagara Falls
-June 6th: PD day-No school for students (more information to come)
-June 9th: Compass Run at School(more information to come)
-June 13th: Jump Rope Event
-June 16th: Healthy SchoolS School Wide Play Day (morning two blocks)
-June 17th: JK Orientation-9-12pm approximately (more info to go home)
-June 19th: Track and Field Board event (more information to come)
-June 23rd: PMPS Grad!!! (more information to come)
-June 25th: Public Health Fluoride Varnish #2 (more information to come)
-June 25th: Intermediate walk to Island Lake
June 26th: Term 2 report cards go home & Last day with students
June 26th: Last Day morning assembly, intermediate bbq and dance
June 27th: PD day: No school for students
Upcoming Spirit Days March & April:
-April 11th: Wild and Creative Outfit Day!(Wear wild and creative hats,
socks, and clothing!)
-April 17th: Easter Colours and Accessories! (Wear pastel colours and accessories!)
-April 22nd: Earth Day (Dress like the world! Wear brown, blue, and green!)
Earth Day Challenges!!!
- Walk with your division around the school.
- Learn with the lights off.
- Outdoor Learning (Spend as much time learning outside as possible).
Reminders:
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.
Popcorn Sales Tomorrow: Our grade 7/8s are selling popcorn for their year end trip for $2.00 today and tomorrow until they sell out. All students are welcome to purchase. Thanks for your support.
Winter or Spring? One day it is warm, the next frigid. 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 children' s 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.
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 Thursday for another day of learning before the PD DAy and the weekend.
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal