Good evening Mustang Families,
I trust that everyone who celebrated had a great Easter and a nice long weekend. I am hopeful the chilly temperatures and snow will soon be behind us and instead replaced with warmer weather and spring flowers.
In the next couple of weeks, we will start with our spring safety drills that are mandatory. This spring, we have to complete three fire drills, one lockdown drill, one evacuation drill and a tornado drill. Officer Amy will be invited to participate in the lockdown drill at our school. This helps the officer learn the layout of our school.
Congratulations to our first ever junior Robotics Team that represented PMPS at the Elementary Skills Canada competition this past Tuesday. Thank you to Mrs. Patel, our coach for acquiring the new robotics and working very hard with the club and team over the last few months. Our team worked well together, had amazing problem solving and communication skills, and just simply made us proud. Our badminton team played their first games on Wednesday after school and played well with great sportsmanship. They are looking forward to their tournament later in the month.
Climber & Playground Safety: Our Princess Margaret climbers will remain closed until the frost has fully left the ground. The pea gravel and wood chips will be rotated to ensure a loose and safe surface. When the climbers do open, students are reminded that running shoes must be worn. Crocs and sandals are not permitted on the climbers. Thank you so much for your cooperation and for reinforcing this message with your children.
Dogs on School Property: As the weather slowly starts to improve, please remember that dogs or other pets are not allowed on school property. Some of our students have a fear of dogs and other animals. Please wait with your dog or other pets off school property for your child(ren). Thank you for your support.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE: JK Orientation This email went home to all of our new JK students for next year. Please pass along to friends who may have missed it: Thank you for registering your child for junior kindergarten September 2026 at Princess Margaret Public School. We are excited to welcome them! Please see the attached link for important information on our Kindergarten Orientation that is coming up on May 20th, 2026 .We hope to see everyone then! 2026 Kindergarten Orientation Information
Thank you.
The PMPS Kindergarten Team
A friendly Reminder As Year End Trips Come Up: School Volunteers: The UGDSB updated their School Volunteers Policy (205) a couple of years ago now. If you are volunteering in our school or plan to in the future, it is important to note that the following is required: a volunteer application, a volunteer agreement, an interview, a reference check and a vulnerable sector check (VSC) /offense declaration. A VSC will be required for field trip supervisors, volunteer drivers, classroom volunteers working with students, volunteer coaches/advisors. Please note: all volunteer drivers will need to complete a 508-3 Transportation of Students in Privately Owned Vehicles, a signed volunteer agreement, and a VSC/ Offense Declaration. The school will be able to provide letters that parents/guardians can use to apply for a VSC. Please note if you completed this process and we have your information on file, you will only need to complete an offense declaration. Please stop in the office if you are interested or ask your child’s teacher. VSC are taking some time to complete lately- sometimes up to 6 weeks.
Professional Activity Day Description:
Information for Elementary and Secondary Parents/Guardians:
Date: April 24, 2026
Length: Full Day
Elementary/Secondary Topics AM: Tackling Racism (Upholding Human Rights, Anti-Black Racism , and Indigenous Racism)
Elementary/Secondary Topics PM: School Resource Officer Program, Literacy & Mathematics, AI Learning Modules
Entity Hosting: Upper Grand DSB
Description:
Elementary / Secondary Morning (150 mins):
Tackling Racism (Upholding Human Rights) (75 mins)
This session examines how racism operates across school systems and everyday interactions, grounded in Ontario’s human rights obligations. Participants will build practical skills to recognize, interrupt, and respond to racism, reinforcing their role in creating safe, inclusive, and accountable learning environments.
Tackling Indigenous Racism (75 mins)
This session explores the ongoing impacts of colonialism and Indigenous-specific racism in education. Grounded in human rights and reconciliation, participants will strengthen their ability to recognize and disrupt harmful practices while fostering respectful, culturally responsive relationships with Indigenous students and communities.
Elementary / Secondary Afternoon (150 mins)
School Resource Officer Program (10 mins)
This session will focus on understanding:
Supporting Children and Students Act 2025 and implications for school communities
Police / School Board Protocol
Emergency Procedures and Responses
Police & Community Partner Presentations in Schools
Laser Focus Literacy & Mathematics (70 mins)
Schools will engage in a focused block dedicated to Literacy and Mathematics aligned with their specific school improvement goals. Teams will use this time to analyze data, reflect on student needs, and plan targeted instructional strategies to support student achievement. Educators will draw on board-supported resources and professional learning (e.g., Let’s Go! UGDSB Learn modules, continuums, and assessment tools) to strengthen practice in both literacy and numeracy.
AI Learning Module (70 mins)
Staff will engage in a focused block dedicated to AI Literacy designed to navigate the evolving role of technology. Educators will explore an AI Literacy Module on the Let’s Go! UGDSB Learn site. Core concepts include: AI Fundamentals, Ethics and Human Rights, maintaining a Human-Centred Mindset, and the Art of Prompting, to build a foundational and critical understanding of AI. Learning will also include reviewing the UGDSB AI Literacy Guidelines, ensuring that AI use remains grounded in math comprehension, language skills, human rights, and sustainability. Teams will use this time to align AI applications with professional expectations, drawing on these resources to support innovative, ethical, and effective instructional strategies across all grade levels.
Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s):
Independent/Individual
Important Dates:
April:
-14th: Mayor Post to Hickey’s grade ⅚ class 9am (info sent home)
-24th: PD day-no school for all students
-21st: Badminton at PMPS 4-7pm
-21st: Grade 3 & 7 Swim to Survive
-22nd: OC appreciation day: Thank you to Mrs. Mckenzie for ensuring everyone is safe, for keeping our school running, and for all of the work that she does for our school nutrition program. She is kind, caring, funny, and dedicated.
22nd: Staff & Student Badminton Game
23rd:Shannon Paul, Indigenous Speaker (Szabo, Westlake, Patel) info to come home.
-24th: PD day (mental health & curriculum): No school for students
-27th: IPRCs full day
-28th: Island Lake Rowing Program Grades 6-8 (more info to come)
-28th: Grade 3 & 7 Swim to Survive
-30th: Scientists in the School: Szabo 9am
May:
-1st: Patel & Christie: Nature Journaling workshop am
-4th to 8th: Education & Mental Health Week
-5th: Empowerment Day-am Grade 7-8s
-5th: Grade 3 & 7 Swim to Survive
-5th: Primary Trip to Orangeville Theatre K-¾
-8th: Accessibility Presentation (Lauren Pires) K-3s: 120-150pm & 4-8s 2-230pm ( info already sent home)
-11th: Optimist Bike Roadeo
-12th: ODSS visit for grade 8s 9am
-14th: Special Olympics (rain date May 15th)
-15th: Bee Ambassador K-¾ (letter to go home)
-15th: EA & CYC appreciation day!
-19th: Victoria Day- No school for students and staff
-19th to 22nd: Rock Climbing at PMPS/ gym in use all week (permission forms will be sent out at the end of April)
-20th: JK Orientation for new students (see email sent)
-26th: Spring ⅞ Vaccination Clinic at PMPS
-28th & 29th: EQAO grades 3 & 6
June:
-1st & 2nd: EQAO continued grades 3& 6 ( EQAO make up 3rd & 4th)
-2nd: Family Fun Night 530-7pm
-4th: Compass Run @ PMPS- last block
-5th: PD Day: am curriculum & pm report card writing: no school for students
-9th & 10th: Intermediate Trip
-13th: Finale for Bike Roadeo: Alder Street
-17th: Grades ¾ (pm) & ⅘ (am) at Island Lake for Indigenous Learning
-22nd: PMPS Grade 8 Grad
-25th: Last day of School with students
-26th: PD day for staff (school improvement plans and transitions)
Upcoming Spirit Days:
-Friday, April 10th: Cascading Crackers!! Which classroom can bring in the most boxes of crackers to overflow Snacker the Cracker? Can you help your class cause a cascade of crackers???
-Wednesday, April 15th: Wordsearch Wednesday! Student council members will bring a wordsearch to each class with spring words to find.
-Wednesday, April 22nd: Earth Day (Dress like the world! Wear brown, blue, and green!)
-Friday, May 1st: Attitude of Gratitude day! Classes can create a sticky note door - writing things you are grateful for in your life. Stick the notes on your classroom door.
Reminders:
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!
https://dcafs.on.ca/services/child-youth-mental-health/talk-in-clinic/#:~:text=Talk%2DIn%20Clinic%20is%20open%20Wednesdays%20between%2012%3A30%20p.m.,to%20provide%20some%20basic%20information.
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.
Milk Sales: Our wonderful Student Council continues to sell milk. The milk costs $1.25
Thanks for taking the time to read through my weekly emails and your continued support. We’ll see everyone on Friday for another day of great learning before the weekend. If you celebrate Orthodox Easter, I wish you a joyous celebration this weekend.
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal