Good Morning Arbour Vista families,
Welcome to the May edition of our school newsletter!
Faith Days During May
Acknowledging and celebrating days of faith is an important aspect of many religious traditions and cultures. Different faiths have their own holy days, festivals, and observances that hold significance for their followers. During the month of May, please see the days that will be acknowledged and celebrated by some members of our school community. Please note that there is diversity within faith communities and that no one list can represent all faith traditions or observances.
*Please note that we acknowledge Asian Heritage Month, Canadian Jewish Heritage Month, Polish Heritage Month, Better Speech and Hearing Month, Red Dress Day Honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Mental Health Week, International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, National Access Ability Week and other significant dates during the Month of May. These are not included on the chart above, as they are not days of faith/religious holidays.
Kindergarten Orientation
Our Kindergarten Team is preparing for an Orientation Event on May 21th, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm for our new Kindergarten parents
Volunteers in the School
Volunteers significantly enhance the quality of our school experiences, yet prioritizing safety remains paramount. Therefore, we require all volunteers to undergo police reference checks to ensure the well-being of our students. Their presence is instrumental in maintaining appropriate student-to-supervisor ratios and facilitating the smooth operation of school excursions. As we anticipate upcoming activities that may necessitate volunteer assistance, now is the perfect time to make sure your volunteer check is up to date.
Please look to the school calendar for upcoming dates and events.
https://www.ugdsb.ca/arbourvista/
Cookie Fundraiser
We’re kicking off a Cookie Dough Drop Fundraiser to help offset the cost of the Grade 8 Year-End Trip! Choose from a variety of delicious flavors, including vegan and gluten-free options, and stock up on ready-to-bake cookie dough the whole family will love. Order pick up will be May 21st between 2:00 and 5:00 pm.
Campaign Dates: April 23 – May 7
Order Online: All orders are to be placed through School Cash Online.
Your support helps make this special trip more affordable for our students. Thank you for your generosity—happy baking!
Class Building for 2026-2027 School Year
The planning process for the 2026-2027 school has started. Over the next couple of months, staff will spend many hours developing class lists based on a detailed set of criteria. We take this process very seriously and do our best to plan for the success of all of our students at Arbour Vista.
The planning process takes the following into account.
learning partners
ability groups – learning groups
needs of students
friendships
separating some students due to relationship issues depending on the number of classrooms
balance of gender/non-binary
behavioural needs/ dynamics between students
combined classrooms are not streamed (for example, a 2/3 split is not high achieving grade 2’s and low achieving grade 3’s)
We will not be taking any class placement requests for September 2026. If your child has an exceptional circumstance that is not covered above and requires consideration when doing class placements, please email me directly at shashana.hare@ugdsb.on.ca prior to May 5th, 2026.
Please mark your calendar for an Arbour Vista event!
We are pleased to welcome Women in Crisis to Arbour Vista for a powerful and informative presentation on online safety and human trafficking critical topics for today’s families.
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Evening Schedule:
5:30 – 6:00 pm | Light refreshments
6:00 – 7:00 pm | Presentation: Staying Safe Online
7:00 – 7:30 pm | School Council Meeting
Planning to attend? Please register.
Parent/Caregiver Event May 6, 2026
Understanding Youth Today - Substance and Screen Use
This May, more than 10 local community partners are coming together to host an unforgettable event for parents and caregivers. On May 6, 2026, parents and caregivers are invited to attend the Understanding Youth Today: Substance and Screen Use event. Please share the event poster with parents and caregivers in your school community as registration is required. Registration details are provided directly on the poster.
Have a great week!