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 2024/2025 school year. Staff have been working hard to get the building ready for our students. You’ll notice our brand new entrance, parking lots, and play tarmacs. Thank you to the board and outside contractors who did this work over the summer. Thanks to the board and our own School Council for helping us get all new tarmac line games for our students as well.
Our first day of school for all students Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 is Wednesday, September 4th at 830am. The day after Labour day, Tuesday September 3rd 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 4th. 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). 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:
You may recall that on April 28, 2024, as part of its “back-to-basics” plan, the province revised Policy/Program Memorandum 128 (PPM 128), which strengthens the Provincial Code of Conduct’s restrictions on the use of personal mobile devices in schools. This revised PPM also included language prohibiting possession and use of vaping and smoking products. These changes are intended to take effect September 1, 2024.
As a result, Policy and Procedures 213, CODE OF CONDUCT has been updated accordingly and can be found at the following link on the board’s policy page: https://www.ugdsb.ca/board/policy/policy-213-code-of-conduct/
As part of these updates, it is required that all schools update their School Code of Conduct accordingly. The new code of conduct is currently posted on our school website and can also be found in the following link. 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. . PMPS School Code of Conduct * New
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 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 team. 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 office at lunch time to pick it up. Sometimes drivers simply drop it without altering office staff and it can lead to great confusion since the delivery is not labelled.
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 route.
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.
Our Princess Margaret website is https://www.ugdsb.ca/PrincessMargaret/ and our Twitter/ X page is: @margaret_ps . Please note you don’t need to have a Twitter/X account, it can be viewed on our website instead. Our school council also has a Facebook page and an Instagram page: @princessmargaretps.
Information about our upcoming PD Day:
Date: September 3, 2024 Length: Full Day
Elementary Topics:
● Literacy K-8 (AM)
● UGDSB School Staff Policy & Procedures Overview, and Student-Well Being,
School Safety and Violence (PM)
Entity Hosting: Upper Grand DSB
Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Independent/Individual
Description:
Elementary staff will spend the morning focusing on literacy, including structured literacy and targeted instruction, as well as focusing on a mentally healthy return to school. In the afternoon staff will review various policies related to health, safety and student well-being.
Spirit Wear:
Spirit wear can be ordered at any time during the year now. Please visit http://princessmargaret.deco-apparel.com/. This is also posted at the top of our school website as well.
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 4th at 830am.
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal