Dear Mustang Families,
What a day it was back at school! Students were excited to be back and eager to learn and make new friends. Routines are quickly being established and students are settling into the rhythm of a new school year already. It was a calm start up and I am very proud of the students and staff. Thanks for all that you are doing to support this transition back to school. I am sure many kids will be tired tonight.
Our school looks great with all new entry doors. Our train playground was also removed, as it was not safe for student use and the cost to repair it was too expensive. It has been a busy few years with lots of building improvements. Thanks to all of the school, board, and outside contractors who worked hard over the summer to make this happen.
Each week, I will send a short email update about news at Princess Margaret Public School. 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. Staying connected during the school year is key.
Welcome Back Information Package & Important Forms That Need to Be Returned:
The following forms were sent home tonight in white and require a signature. Please return ALL of these forms as soon as possible:
-Student Verification form – please make necessary changes to the information on this form, sign and date
-Consent to Share Personal Information; newsletters/media/UGDSB websites/social media- please indicate your consent, sign and date
-Walking Trip form - please sign and date
*Please read all of the information in the package as there is plenty of important information. Coloured sheets do not need to be returned.
Life Threatening Plans/ Plans of Care:
If your child has a life threatening plan of care, asthma plan, or needs medication, please see the new paperwork that was sent home tonight. All plans need to be resubmitted due to a change at the Ministry level. Any questions, please just call our office. We are here to help. Thank you in advance.
Drop & Go:
We know it can be tough, but once staff are out and on duty, please give your child a big hug and leave them with us. Staying behind or saying a long goodbye is often hard on our little ones who have trouble separating from you (their favourite people). A quick goodbye is often best and if your child is upset, we are able to calm them more quickly when parents and caregivers do not linger. Please know that we will communicate with you if this is not the case. Thanks for your trust. Please also note that we ask parents and caregivers to stay off the yards at pick up and drop off.
Proper footwear: Today, we noticed that many students wore sandals, Uggs, and Crocs while playing on the fields today outside and on the playgrounds. Please be aware that students must wear properly fitted running shoes to participate in sports and physical activities, both indoors and outdoors, as well as to use playground equipment. Uggs, Crocs, sandals, and other similar footwear do not meet the safety requirements that staff are required to follow.Appropriate footwear helps prevent injuries and ensures that all students can participate safely in school activities. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Important Upcoming Dates:
-Our first School Council Meeting will be Thursday, September 24th, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the library.
-Our Meet the Teacher evening is also September 24th, 2026 5:30-7:00pm. Please drop by the School Council meeting while you are here to check out Council is all about.
-Picture day is September 28th, 2026. Individual student pictures will be taken on the 28th. Class photos and individual retakes will be taken on October 28th, 2026.
-Our annual Terry Fox Run will be held on Friday, September 25th, 2025 from 130-230pm in the last learning block. More information to come.
Attendance/ Lates/ All Visitors:
If your child is not going to be at school, please call our school office and report the absence on our attendance line. Please also do this if your child is going to be late. If you are coming into the school, please check in with the office after being buzzed in. All visitors must check in with the office and are not permitted to walk the hallways. Although your own child knows you, other students do not. Strangers in the building can be unsettling for our students. Thanks for your understanding.
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 kindie yard at 815am. Supervision starts at 820am in the primary, junior, and intermediate yard in the morning. Please do not have children arrive at 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.
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.
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 route. We had many parents/caregivers entering the parking lot this school year. Please note we have three buses and two vans dropping off children and picking them up at the end of the day. Our parking lot is too small to accommodate parent/caregiver traffic.
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. Staff will be reaching out to families tonight- please check your child’s backpack. Here is a useful guide that will help: Family School Contact Guide Infographic.pdf
Have a wonderful school week. It’s going to be a great year!
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal