Welcome Back PMPS Mustang Families!
It is hard to believe that August is almost over. We hope everyone had a safe and happy summer! We are excited to start the 2025/2026 school year.
Staff have been working hard to get the building ready for our students. PMPS once again had lots of work completed over the summer which included new lighting throughout the entire school, a new HVAC system to ensure we continue to have great heating and air conditioning, and new boilers. Thank you to the board and outside contractors who did this work over the summer.
This work is continuing into the last week of August and we are asking our families to avoid coming in before the start of school unless they have a scheduled meeting or visit. Staff are gaining access to the school later than usual, so they are working even harder in a shortened period of time to prepare the building for students. If in doubt, please contact our school office and we’ll be able to help. Thanks for your continued understanding.
Elementary registration for new families is still happening for anyone who is new to our area and who did not register prior to the end of the 24/25 school year. This happens on Tuesday, August 26th from 1pm to 4pm. The school will not be open to new registration until this time due to construction.
First Day of School:
Our first day of school for all students Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 is Wednesday, September 3rd at 830am. The day after Labour day, Tuesday September 2nd is a PD day this school year. There is no school for any student on Tuesday this school year. To our new JK families, please note all JKs start on Wednesday, September 3rd. There is no staggered entry in the UGDSB, all students start on the same day and same time.
Below you will find some additional information that might be helpful as we return next week. More information will be coming home the first few days of school.
What to Expect of the First Day:
Students will meet on their regular hard top areas (i.e., Kindergarten., Primary, Junior or Intermediate) at 830am. Teachers will have lists and staff will be there to greet and ensure all students get to the right spots. To help with this, grade signs will be posted. Students will gather at their grade signs, and staff will tell students what class line to join. Please see the attached map for where grade signs will be located. Grade Sign Map Once teachers have their full class, they will make their way into the school and then classroom.
Updated School/Board Code of Conduct:
Our School Code of contact for students, staff, and families was sent out by email in early July. It is posted on our school website: https://www.ugdsb.ca/o/pmps/page/pmps-school-code-of-conduct. The code of conduct will be explained to each student in grades 4-8 in a developmentally appropriate way by their classroom teacher during the first days of school.
Before & After School Supervision:
A reminder that our school day begins at 8:30am and dismissal is at 2:50pm. The back tarmac is supervised at 820am and the kindergarten yard at 815am. Supervision starts at 820am in the primary, junior, and intermediate yard in the morning. Please do not have children arrive to school any earlier than 820am in the morning. Please note that we have limited supervision after school and all students must be picked up or be able to walk home when they are dismissed at 250pm. Students are encouraged to leave immediately after school if not staying with a caregiver.
Whole School Recess & Lunch:
All students eat and go out for recess at the same time. Please note that lunch for all students is between 1040am and 11am and again at 1250-110pm. If you are delivering food to the school please have it to the school a few minutes before each eating time. If your child is receiving a delivery from Uber Eats etc. please ensure that they know it is coming and that they come to the desk in front of the library to pick it up. Sometimes drivers simply drop it without alerting office staff and it can lead to great confusion since the delivery is not labeled. If parents/caregivers drop off food, we are asking that they drop it off at the same desk outside the office and label it.
Classroom Assignments and Organizations:
Each year, we begin with the staffing that was allocated in June. As in past years, our actual numbers are reviewed following the first days of school. This means students may begin their first day in one class, yet find themselves being reassigned to another class when our enrollment has been reviewed.. If this happens, we will communicate with families. If you have moved over the summer, please call into the office (519-941-3731 ext 221) so we can make those changes to our class lists before the first day of school.
Drop off and Pick up:
A reminder to all our families, that the front parking lot in front of the school is closed and is a walking area only. We encourage our families to walk or park on the adjacent streets to create a safer area for our students. There is no parking in our bus loop at any time. It is also a fire rote.
Dogs & Other Animals on School Property:
When dropping off and picking up kids, please remember that dogs and other animals must be leashed and kept on the sidewalk of our property. This is the expectation for all dogs (no matter the size or age). Some students have allergies, a fear, and there is the potential that someone could be scratched or bitten.
Communication:
At any time, if you have questions or concerns about what is happening at school, please reach out to your child’s teacher. It is far better to communicate early rather than grow frustrated. Often, a quick phone call or email can help to clarify situations as they arise. Please make sure you continue to refer to our website often, and update your email address with the front office if it has changed.
The Upper Grand DSB is continuing to use a parent communication tool for smartphones. The UGConnect app, provides parents with a simple interface with information including news, calendars and social media feeds. The Upper Grand Mobile App is available for free at either the Google Play Store or at iTunes. Use the search term “Upper Grand” to find the app. Please make sure the office has an email address for your family, as we send weekly updates via email. Our Princess Margaret website is https://www.ugdsb.ca/PrincessMargaret/ and our Twitter/ X page is: @margaret_ps . Our school council also has a Facebook page and an Instagram page: @princessmargaretps.
Information about our upcoming PD Day:
Date: September 2, 2025 Length: Full Day
Elementary & Secondary AM Topics:
Mentally Healthy Return to School
UDL - Literacy & Math
Tackling Racism
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Elementary & Secondary PM Topics:
UGDSB School Staff Policy & Procedures Overview and Keeping Students Safe
Student-Well Being, School Safety and Violence Prevention
Entity Hosting: Upper Grand DSB
Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Independent/Individual
Elementary & Secondary Description:
Elementary and Secondary staff will build a strong foundation for the year by engaging in professional learning that prioritizes a mentally healthy return to school for all students. They will deepen their understanding of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), with a particular emphasis on strategies that support literacy and mathematics. Teachers will use UDL to identify and challenge racism, reflecting on their own practices and implementing strategies that foster equitable and inclusive classrooms. In addition, they will explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help teachers streamline their own professional learning. In the afternoon staff will review various policies and information related to health, safety, student well-being, and keeping students safe.
Students with Life-Threatening Medical Conditions:
UGDSB Policy 518: Students with Life-Threatening Medical Conditions, outlines the roles and responsibilities for all in the educational community to support students with possible life-threatening medical conditions. The prevalent medical conditions covered under this policy are Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Diabetes and Epilepsy/Seizure Disorders. If your child has one of these, or any other life-threatening medical condition, please visit: www.ugdsb.ca/board/policy (and look for Policy 518) or contact the school as soon as possible. We will work with you to develop a Plan of Care to support your child. Mrs. Mckenzie will be sending out paperwork to update current plans during the first week of the school.
Life-Threatening Allergies:
We have children in our school with potential life-threatening allergies (called anaphylaxis) to various foods and other materials. Anaphylaxis is a medical condition that can cause death within minutes. At PMPS these food allergies include: peanuts and tree nuts. In recent years, anaphylaxis has increased dramatically among students. Although this may not affect your child’s class directly, we are letting you know so that you are aware that we aim to create an allergy safe environment at our school. Please do not send peanut or tree nut items to school in your child’s lunch. Our school has procedures in place for the prevention and management of anaphylactic reactions. If your child has health concerns of any kind, please tell your child’s teacher and the office and we will take the necessary health protection steps. Thank you for your understanding in ensuring an allergy-safe environment for all of our students.
Spirit Wear:
Spirit wear can be ordered at any time during the year now. Please visit http://princessmargaret.deco-apparel.com/.
We look forward to welcoming back our students and having a wonderful school year full of fun and learning! Enjoy this final week of summer and we’ll see everyone back on Wednesday, September 3rd, at 830am.
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal