ICYMI: As winter continues to roll on, a reminder of our inclement weather procedures: https://www.ugdsb.ca/article/6033
Good morning Mustang Families,
It’s been a great last week of school before the holidays and we still have today and tomorrow to go! Thank you to our kindergarten families who attended the kindergarten holiday performance on Tuesday morning. Our youngest learners did a fantastic job spreading the joy this season brings. Thank you to our kindergarten team who made all of this possible. What a great team! We caroled in the gym on Wednesday and will do so again on Friday. We are thankful for our grade 4s who are singing O’Canada, for our choir, drama club, and band who will perform. Our intermediates are also looking forward to their dance on Friday afternoon.
There are just a couple of reminders as we head into the last day of school on Friday before the break:
December 20th is the last day of school before the winter holiday break. A reminder that there is no pizza day this week and milk sales and popcorn sales are finished as well. Pizza will resume January 10th, 17th, and 23rd for this current session.
January 6th: The first day back to school after the holiday break. The school day begins at 830am.
January 7th-31st : kindergarten registration is open. Please see our school website for more information and to register online. Please tell your neighbours as well.
Important Dates:
-December 20th, 2024: Carolling, attendance recognition, and club/class performances 9am-10am (students, staff , and invited club parents/ caregivers only)
-December 20th, 2024: Intermediate Dance-last block.
-FTP program starts for ⅘ to 8: January 8th, 15th, 22nd, and February 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th
-January 16th: ODSS guidance visits grade 8 students about course selection
-January 17th: PMPS Grad (Grade 8) Photo Day
-January 24th: PD Day (full day report card writing for teachers)
-January 27th to 30th: Curling materials at PMPS
-January 31st, 2025: Last day to apply for OOA and OOD to open schools.
Upcoming Spirit Days for December:
Fri. Dec. 20th - Red and Green day OR red, green, black day (Kwanzaa which begins on Dec. 26th)
IMPORTANT: Ability to Send Emails from School Messenger Coming to an End: Thank you to those families who read my weekly emails. I currently send those emails using School Messenger. The board will be ending its contract with School Messenger at the end of January. Please make sure that you check for my weekly updates by:
-Download 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 each Thursday
-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.
We’ll see everyone on Friday for our last day of learning.
From all of the staff at PMPS, we wish you a memory filled holiday season with your family and all the best in 2025. Merry Christmas, Happy Winter Solstice, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa to all who celebrate. We’ll see everyone back for learning on January 6th at 830am. Be safe and take care.
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal
Dear Mustang Families,
It’s been another good week here at PMPS. Our students are starting to get excited for the upcoming holidays. Our staff are striving to keep routines as consistent as possible as we continue to learn right up to the holidays. Please note the last day of school is Friday, December 20th, 2024. The first day back is January 6th, 2025.
We are thankful for all of our student leaders. From pizza days, milk sales, the craft fair, our daily announcements, our outdoor sign, office helping… our students do it all and we are appreciative of their leadership and service. This week we had a fun staff and student volleyball game to close out a great season of playing, and Mrs. Ellis displayed the beautiful art that she has been making with our students in grades kindergarten through grade 5. Our school hallways look beautiful. Clubs such as; games around the world, badminton, choir, drama, and art club continue as well.
IMPORTANT: Ability to Send Emails from School Messenger Coming to an End: Thank you to those families who read my weekly emails. I currently send those emails using School Messenger. The board will be ending its contract with School Messenger at the end of January. Please make sure that you check for my weekly updates by:
-Download 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 each Thursday
-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.
Important Note from School Council:On behalf of our school, the PMPS School Council would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the success that was this year’s Holiday Craft Fair!! It truly does take a village to bring this event together and there are so many of you who helped to make this year’s event our very best yet! To our parent and caregiver community, we are very grateful for your support - through your donations of baked goods, items for our silent auction and classroom baskets, and donations to our food drive, to your volunteering and attending/shopping/bidding on Saturday - we are humbled by our generous community. Thank you.
Granola Bars Recalled: Please note, all Made Good granola bars have been removed from our snack and breakfast program based on the recall.
Important Dates:
-December 17th, 2024: 9am Kindergarten holiday celebration (more details to follow)
-December 18th, 2024: Carolling & volunteer recognition at PMPS 9am-10am (students and staff only)
-December 20th, 2024: Carolling, attendance recognition, and club/class performances 9am-10am (students, staff , and invited club parents/ caregivers only)
-January 6th, 2025: First Day of School of 2025
-FTP program starts for ⅘ to 8: January 8th, 15th, 22nd, and February 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th
-January 16th: ODSS guidance visits grade 8 students about course selection
-January 17th: PMPS Grad (Grade 8) Photo Day
-January 24th: PD Day (full day report card writing for teachers)
-January 27th to 30th: Curling materials at PMPS
Upcoming Spirit Days November & December:
Friday, Dec. 13th - Dress as your favourite Disney, cartoon, or movie character
Monday. Dec. 16th - Silver and gold (Posada Navidenas - Mexican Christmas begins today)
Tuesday, Dec. 17th - Dress as a reindeer or snowman or your favourite holiday character
Wednesday, Dec. 18th - Festive hat and socks day
Thursday. Dec. 19th - Blue silver white (Hanukkah)
Fri. Dec. 20th - Red and Green day OR red, green, black day (Kwanzaa which begins on Dec. 26th)
Slips, Trips & Falls: Please make sure that your child(ren) and you are wearing appropriate footwear for our wintery weather. This helps prevent slips, trips, and falls inside and outside our school.
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. If a no bus day falls on a pizza day, we go ahead with our pizza day.
We have a great day of learning planned on Friday! After that, have a fantastic weekend!
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal
TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY!
Princess Margaret’s 28th annual Holiday Craft Fair is happening tomorrow!!! Our BIG event runs on Saturday, December 7th, from 9am - 3pm!!!
Come and enjoy a gym full of unique crafting Vendors, a Bake Sale, Face Painting, Kids Shopping room, Kid-Preneur Market, Cookie Decorating with our friends from Quest for Cakes Bakery, our school Book Fair, and an incredible Silent Auction!!! Take a break from holiday shopping in our cafe and enjoy a beverage from Mocha Berry too!
Our Student Council is also running a food drive, to support our school’s Snack and Breakfast Programs!
Our School Council would like to thank our school community for the tremendous support for our Bake Sale, Silent Auction donations including classroom baskets, and those of you who have volunteered your time for this special event. THANK YOU!
A few things to note:
* This event is our school’s biggest fundraiser of the year and a great one-stop shop for your gift-giving needs! Please note that all silent auction bids, Kidpreneur market, Kid's Shopping, and purchases made outside of the vendor craft market are mostly CASH ONLY. Several Vendors will also be CASH ONLY. Please plan accordingly.
* Our School Council members will be stationed in each room and will be at the main entrance doors, to answer any questions you may have. They should be easily identifiable by their BIG light-up necklaces!
* You can preview all of our Vendors on our social media pages. On Instagram, please see @princessmargaretps and on Facebook, please see PMPS School Council.
* With regards to the Kid's Shopping room, as the intention is for children to be able to purchase holiday gifts for their family and friends, this room is open for children ONLY to shop from 9am-1pm. AFTER 1pm, we will allow adults to shop as well. Thank you for your understanding.
We would like to thank you in advance for supporting our school and look forward to seeing you tomorrow!
Holiday Craft Fair Bake Sale Items: Please send in on Friday between 8am and 7pm. Please bring them to the office and we will store them for Saturday. If you cannot bring the items in on Friday, please make sure that we have them on Saturday morning at 730am. Thank you.
Dear Families,
Thank you for your patience as we set up our school book fair.
We now have everything set up and ready to go.
Students will have time throughout the day to visit the book fair and purchases can be made when Mrs. Coffey and/or Miss Shaw are present. We are able to do cash, debit or credit for purchases.
We are open for families to purchase books on Parent teacher interview night: Nov 28th, during the day on Nov 29th, and during the craft fair on Dec 7th. All other purchases can be done during your child’s library time.
Thanks for your understanding and your support. This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for our school library.
Mrs. Coffey and Miss Shaw
Reminder - Silent Auction Gift Basket Themes
for PMPS Holiday Craft Fair
Please support our silent auction at the Holiday Craft Fair
on Saturday, December 7.
If you are able to donate new items, please ensure
that they are sent into PMPS by Wednesday, November 27.
____________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Christie - Outdoor play
Ms. Legros - Vehicles
Ms. Szabo - Cats
Mrs. Pozniak - Squishy things
Mrs. Ditchburn - Sweet treats
Mrs. Corbett - Cozy night in
Mr. Westlake - Craft and art supplies
Mr. Fendley - Puzzles and games
Mrs. Hickey - Movie night
Mrs. Landry - Fidgets
Mrs. Mikulik - Sports
Mr. Robertson - Dogs
Ms. Shaw - Slime and Playdough
____________________________________________________________________
Thank you from the PMPS School Council
for all of your help and support for our students.
New Breakfast Program at PMPS (Info sent home to families): Our new Breakfast Program started this week! We are now providing breakfast to students who are hungry and do not have access to breakfast at home on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings, from 8am-8:25am, in the school library. NO sign up is required. Students will simply come into the front of the school and enter the library at 8:00am. Parents are welcome to escort them in and drop them off. Please do your best to arrive early so that your child has enough time to eat comfortably. We have volunteers helping the children to get their breakfast and sit at the tables to eat together. Breakfast food options may include: cereal, bagels, fruit, and yogurt. We also have orange juice and milk to drink. We would love to offer this program to students every weekday morning and only have Friday left to find volunteers for. If you are interested in volunteering to help, please contact me, Mrs. Papavasiliou (PapaV). Thank you.
Dear Parents/ Caregivers,
A further note about:
Parent/Guardian Teacher Interviews: Progress reports were shared with families on November 13th. I would like to invite all parents/ guardians in for an interview. Please read the following to learn more about interviews.
If parents/caregivers are using the link in the letter it is not loading. Please use this link instead: webapp.ugdsb.on.ca/pti/appointment/ .If you use the link below, it is working. This link was sent home in previous emails as well. I can’t explain why the link works in the email and typing it in does not. Sorry about that.
Online Signup for Parent-Teacher Interviews
The window to sign-up for an interview begins November 15th 8:30am and closes November 26th at 4pm. Please sign up for a parent-teacher meeting between these dates. Interview times are available either Thursday, November 28th from 3:00 - 7:00 PM and November 29th from 8:30 AM - 2:30PM. If a teacher is not available on the 28th, they will communicate alternate dates and times with you.
To sign up for a meeting:
1) Go to : www.ugdsb.on.ca/pti or use the UGConnect App - Parents
2) Enter your child’s OEN number (the OEN is on the progress report at the top) then their date of birth.
3) Select the teacher, day and time slot for your meeting
Important:
Once you have signed up for an interview, it will be assumed that a parent/guardian will be participating in person. Please email the teacher if a phone call is your preference. You may receive a call from the School/Unknown Caller.
If you need assistance, please contact Mrs. Mckenzie, our office coordinator at 519-941-3731 ext 221. Our staff look forward to meeting with you and talking about your child’s progress.
Thank you.
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal
New Breakfast Program at PMPS:
Our new Breakfast Program started this week! We are now providing breakfast to students who are hungry and do not have access to breakfast at home on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, from 8am-8:25am, in the school library. NO sign up is required. Students will simply come into the front of the school and enter the library at 8:00am. Parents are welcome to escort them in and drop them off. Please do your best to arrive early so that your child has enough time to eat comfortably. We have volunteers helping the children to get their breakfast and sit at the tables to eat together. Breakfast food options may include: cereal, bagels, fruit, and yogurt. We also have orange juice and milk to drink. We would love to offer this program to students every weekday morning. We are looking for more volunteers to make this happen. If you are interested in volunteering to help, please contact me, Mrs. Papavasiliou (PapaV). Thank you.
"It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” 🎼
Princess Margaret’s 28th annual Holiday Craft Fair is happening on Saturday, December 7th, from 9am - 3pm!!! 🛍️🎁
Come and enjoy a gym full of unique crafting vendors, a bake sale, face painting, kids shopping room, Kid-Preneur market, and an incredible silent auction!!! Take a break from holiday shopping in our cafe and enjoy a beverage from MochaBerry too!
🛍️🧸🎁🎨🧶🧤🍪🧁☕️
This is our school’s biggest fundraiser of the year and a great one-stop shop for your gift-giving needs!
See you on the first Saturday of December! 👀
Catch up with the latest student stories, events, and news
updates. It's everything Upper Grand DSB, in your pocket. If
you haven't already, download the app!
Download for Android https://aptg.ca/V7pmln
Download for iPhone https://aptg.ca/370LCh
The Upper Grand District School Board will begin exploring the possibility of expanding the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program in the district. Read more about it here: https://www.ugdsb.ca/article/5270
Attention Grade 7-12 families, important information about myBlueprint!
The myBlueprint Parent/Guardian Information Night is scheduled for November 6, from 7-8pm. It will be hosted by UGDSB and myBlueprint’s Brad Booker. This night will discuss how parents/guardians can get their own accounts, as well as some of the key tools they can use to support conversations with their child(ren). To sign up for this information night please visit: https://shorturl.at/euQZ8
MyBlueprint is a comprehensive digital Career/Life planning tool that can be accessed by students anytime, anywhere for personal inquiry, career exploration, post-secondary planning, goal setting, and financial planning, and documenting their learning to share with teachers, peers, parents, and/or future employers.
We are loving our new app! Access documents, news
updates, and even emergency notifications, right from
your pocket.
Download for Android https://aptg.ca/V7pmln
Download for iPhone https://aptg.ca/370LCh
A reminder that all UGDSB schools and offices will be closed on Monday October 14, 2024, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Have a great long weekend UG!
We're thrilled to announce the new app for Upper Grand
DSB! It's everything Upper Grand DSB, in your pocket.
Download for Android https://aptg.ca/V7pmln
Download for iPhone https://aptg.ca/370LCh
October 5 is World Teachers' Day! Thank you to all the dedicated UGDSB teachers the work they do day in and day out with Upper Grand students.
Don't forget that Pine River Institute's Centre for Family Initiatives Positive Parenting Webinar Series starts this October. Learn more about the October 24 webinar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_m4vil6M0S2KM3Oet8blBJg#/registration
The province has released the 2023-24 EQAO results, and the Upper Grand District School Board continues to make achievement gains in math and literacy, while continuing to outperform the provincial results. Check out the board website for more!
