Brant Avenue Public School

The UGDSB has launched its new Sustainability & Climate Action Plan (2025–2030)! Over the next five years, we’ll be reducing our carbon footprint, conserving energy and water, expanding recycling and composting, and empowering students to lead in climate action. Together, we’re building healthier, greener schools and communities — today and for future generations. Learn more here: https://www.ugdsb.ca/page/sustainability-and-climate-action-plan

The UGDSB’s October Communications Newsletter is out! In this month's issue we have information about iWALK & iWHEEL Month, the UGDSB Family Portal, and more! We’re looking forward to a great month ahead! LINK: https://www.ugdsb.ca/page/communications-newsletter

Get to know the UGDSB’s Family Portal!
The UGDSB Family Portal puts your child’s school information in one secure place. See bus updates, IEPs, School Cash Online, reset students’ passwords, and more—anytime. It’s easy to use, with single sign-on for many tools (and we’re adding more). Get started: https://family.ugdsb.on.ca/. Need help? Please see this FAQ: https://www.ugdsb.ca/page/family-portal-faq

CHECK IT OUT! Orangeville & Area Job Fair

Join us at our Orangeville & Area Job Fair to explore supply opportunities as a Casual or Emergency Educational Assistant.

📍 Grant Evans Education Centre: 40 Amelia Street, Orangeville
🗓️ Wednesday, October 22, 2025
⏰ 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

✅ Take part in on-site interviews!

📲 Click the link below or scan the QR to sign up!
🔗 https://UGDSB_orangevillejobfair_EAEEA.eventbrite.ca

🙌 Be part of a team recognized as one of Canada’s Best Employers for Company Culture 2025!

POLICY UPDATES - At the September 23, 2025, Board meeting, the following updated policy was approved: Policy 111 - Use of School Board Resources for Elections. The following policy was released for public consultation: Policy 518 - Students with Life-Threatening Medical Conditions. To learn more and provide feedback, click here: https://www.ugdsb.ca/article/11294

UGDSB families of students in grades K-12+ with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorder are invited to access valuable resources and guidance through the upcoming virtual series, Creating Connection and Supporting Transitions. Learn more about the series here: https://www.ugdsb.ca/article/11159

📣 Calling all Casual EAs and Emergency EAs!

Looking for a flexible way to support students this school year? Join us at one of our upcoming UGDSB Job Fairs!

Guelph & Area: October 15, 2025, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM I Guelph Board Office
Orangeville & Area: October 22, 2025, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM I Grant Evans Education Centre

Meet our team, explore supply roles, and learn more about working with UGDSB.

📌 Additional details to follow soon!

Are you looking for important dates for this school year, such as PA Days and holidays? Check out the School Year Calendars posted on the UGDSB website: https://www.ugdsb.ca/page/school-year-calendars

The UGDSB’s September Communications Newsletter is out! In this month's issue we have information about registering for school, how to get school bus notifications, helpful links and resources on the UGDSB website, and more. We’re looking forward to a great month ahead!
LINK: https://www.ugdsb.ca/o/ugdsb/page/communications-newsletter

A reminder of some important dates next week. Monday Sept. 1 is a holiday, Tuesday Sept. 2 is a PA Day, and Wednesday Sept. 3 is the first day of school! We can't wait to see you!

A big thank you to the School Council for hosting an amazing community picnic! It was a lot of fun and raised nearly $1000 for student resources and events. Thursday is the last day of school for students and so Report Cards go home on Wednesday June 25th. We will send home paper copies and you can also view it online here: https://connect.edsembli.com/on/ugdsb/brant/portal/viewer/login/login.aspx?logintype=P We will be donating all lost and found clothing on the last day of school. All items will be donated to the Lost & Found at The Clothing Closet at New Life Church 400 Victoria Rd. N just south of Woodlawn. They provide FREE CLOTHING in a thrift store environment to families in the community. Congratulations on an amazing career go to Mr. Graham who is retiring this June. We are saying good-bye to Mrs. deBoer, Ms. Norris, and Mrs. Moyer, who are moving to other school communities in September, and Ms. Farquharson, who is heading back to school. Also a fond farewell to our long-term occasional staff Ms. Coulter, Mr. Hepburn, Ms. Stephen, Ms. Moddison, Ms. Mair, Mr. Dietrich, Ms. Barr, Ms. Free, Ms. Bell, and Ms. Jakupovski who are finishing their time at Brant Avenue at the end of June. It’s Pride Month! Here is a resource that might help you if your children have questions. Why do we talk about gender in elementary school? Children are already learning about it. Messages about gender are everywhere, and children receive very clear messages about the “rules” for boys and girls, as well as the consequences for violating them. By learning about the diversity of gender, children have an opportunity to explore a greater range of interests, ideas, and activities. For all children, the pressure of “doing gender correctly,” is greatly reduced, creating more space for them to discover new talents and interests. We reiterate that all people regardless of gender are free to express themselves how they choose and feel most comfortable. Boys can wear dresses and nail polish, and girls can wear sports jerseys and basketball sneakers. School is a place where children are taught to respect one another and to learn to work together regardless of their differences. Learning about gender diversity is part of that work. Creating a more tolerant, inclusive, and accepting school environment teaches all children to recognize and resist stereotypes. We teach children to stand up for others, to resist bullying, and to work together. Our expectation for all of our students is that they respect the privacy and physical boundaries of other students. If the behaviors of one student are making another student feel unsafe, that is an issue we take very seriously. Is something or someone behaving in a way that makes your child feel unsafe? Please let us know. We want to help, and your child deserves a safe place to learn. In the Upper Grand District School Board, identity-based harm and other forms of bullying can be reported using the online Identity Based Harm and/or Bullying Reporting Tool. The tool makes it easy for kids to reach out and let an adult in authority know when there’s a problem. Parents are also welcome to use the tool, either to report incidents they have witnessed themselves, or by passing on second-hand accounts from younger children. This tool can be easily found on the board’s website, school websites or on the UGCloud landing page for students. adapted from ‘Schools in Transition,’ by Gender Spectrum https://gender-spectrum.cdn.prismic.io/gender-spectrum%2F7c4c63b2-52f2-4cb0-a48f-dd049bf6962c_schools-in-transition-2015-min.pdf

Check out the latest update on the new South Guelph Secondary School boundary review process: https://www.ugdsb.ca/article/8654

INCLEMENT WEATHER: Community Use of Schools is cancelled at all UGDSB schools on Wednesday April 2, 2025.

The UGDSB will be sending out a test message to all families and staff this week. The test message will be sent on Wednesday March 19 at approximately 4pm. It will be sent to staff and families via text, email and phone. The message will clearly indicate that it is a test and no action is required. Thank you for your understanding.

Due to inclement weather, UGDSB schools and offices in Zones 2, 3, and 4 (Centre Wellington, North Wellington and Dufferin) are closed today to staff and students. Students are to shift to remote learning, where possible. Staff should not report to work in person, and should shift to remote working where possible. All buses and taxis are cancelled to those affected schools. Schools and offices in Zone 1 (Guelph) remain open today.

Hello Brant Ave Parents Tonight (March 4) is the Brant Avenue PS movie night. We will be screening The Lego Movie in the school gym at 5:30pm. All students are welcome to come accompanied by parents. Please bring - A blanket to sit on - Water bottle - Parent supervision for the student(s) from your household We will provide the popcorn. Hope to see you there, Your Parent Council

Tomorrow is Winter Play Day. Students will be participating in outdoor activities outside from 9:30- 10:55am. Please ensure your child is dressed warmly with snowpants and all other winter gear. A change of clothes might be a good idea also.

NOTICE: The UGDSB will be sending out a test message to all families and staff this week. The test message will be sent on Thursday February 27 at approximately 4:30pm. It will be sent to staff and families via text, email and phone. The message will clearly indicate that it is a test and no action is required. Recipients of the messages shouldn’t notice much difference from board-wide messages sent in the past, with the exception that recipients will now receive a text message, in addition to phone call and email. Recipients will have the option to opt out of receiving text messages. A reminder that the text message will come from the following shortcode: 277849. Thank you for your understanding.

Wear your pink shirt to stand up to bullying on Wednesday, February 26. Our school board has updated our notification platform. We now have the ability to text, email and voice call. When the school texts, it will come up as #277849 and the message will start BAPS: We may text to inform about minor injuries, late buses, or last minute news. Next week we will be having a Winter Play Day. Students will be placed in groups and rotate through different stations of outdoor winter activities. Exact date will be announced next week based on weather. Please ensure your child comes to school with warm winter clothing. Immunizations - Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) is required to collect and review immunization records for all students. If the parent/guardian fails to update missing information, the student may be suspended for up to 20 school days. Overdue notices have been mailed to parents/guardians of students who have incomplete immunization records on file with WDGPH. If you have received a letter, you have until March 14 to submit complete immunization records to WDGPH to avoid suspension. Please contact WDGPH with any questions.