Get to know the UGDSB’s Family Portal
Upper Grand District School Board
September 30, 2025
This fall we are launching the UGDSB Family Portal to all families in the board. Some families may already have access to the Family Portal as it was soft-launched last year.
The UGDSB Family Portal puts your child’s school information in one secure place. See bus updates, IEPs, School Cash Online, and more—anytime. It’s easy to use, with single sign-on for many tools (and we’re adding more).
https://family.ugdsb.on.ca/
Need help? Please see this FAQ or contact your school office for support.
The UGDSB Family Portal puts your child’s school information in one secure place. See bus updates, IEPs, School Cash Online, reset students’ passwords, and more—anytime. It’s easy to use, with single sign-on for many tools (and we’re adding more). Get started: https://family.ugdsb.on.ca/. Need help? Please see this FAQ: https://www.ugdsb.ca/page/family-portal-faq
Join us at our Orangeville & Area Job Fair to explore supply opportunities as a Casual or Emergency Educational Assistant.
📍 Grant Evans Education Centre: 40 Amelia Street, Orangeville
🗓️ Wednesday, October 22, 2025
⏰ 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
✅ Take part in on-site interviews!
📲 Click the link below or scan the QR to sign up!
🔗 https://UGDSB_orangevillejobfair_EAEEA.eventbrite.ca
🙌 Be part of a team recognized as one of Canada’s Best Employers for Company Culture 2025!
I wanted to send out another reminder about our school parking lots:
-Please do not park in our front bus loop at any time. This includes our families who use the YMCA before and after school. Although we have limited bus students, we still have a couple of buses that carry students on them. It is also a fire route and blocks staff who need to park in the five parking spots in front of the school.
-The front parking lot is closed, except for those who have an accessibility permit. Do not park in the front parking lot, as children and parents walk through the parking lot and are not expecting cars to pull out.
-Parking is available on the road and the train station (go bus) is another alternative.
On Friday, we had a parent who briefly parked in the fire route and ran into the school to pick up their child. During that very short time, the ByLaw Officer came by and quickly issued a $125 ticket. I want to ensure that all families know this for safety and also because of the high cost of the ticket.
Thanks to your attention to this matter.
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal
Dear Mustang Families,
Thank you. What a wonderful feeling it was to have our families back in our building to see what a great start students have been off to.I sensed how excited families were to start another school year. Thanks for coming and supporting your student(s). Didn’t the student work look great? Thanks to our parents/caregivers who were able to attend our first school council meeting of the year last week. Minutes from that meeting are at the bottom of this update.
We’ve had a busy week here at PMPS. The junior and intermediate soccer teams represented our school with #MustangProud. The choir has started as well. Thank you to all of our families who were able to donate to our Terry Fox run. We are excited to continue to honour Terry’s legacy. Thanks to Mrs. Landry’s class who made daily announcements encouraging us to donate and educating us about Terry. They did a tremendous job.
On another note, please continue to address your student concerns with teachers first, before coming to the office to discuss. Teachers are ready to help and spend the majority of the day with your child(ren). Thank you. All requests for Child and Youth Worker support (Tania) must also go through the classroom teacher.
Our PMPS Bullying Prevention Plan & Safe, Equitable and Inclusive School strategy has been updated. You can review it here: https://www.ugdsb.ca/o/pmps/page/resources. Thank you the parents, community members, staff, and student who helped review the plan.
If you have not already done so, please take some time to review the email I sent home last night about scooter safety. It is also posted on our live feed on our school website too. https://www.ugdsb.ca/PrincessMargaret/ Grade ⅞ families, please also be sure to review the email I sent home about the use of cellphones. Thank you to everyone for taking the time to review these important emails.
Please note Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day is on Sunday, September 28, 2025. Flags will be lowered at the end of day on Friday, September 26th, and raised on Monday morning to mark Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day. Our flag will also be lowered on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation onTuesday, September 30, 2025.
UGDSB Family Portal: This fall, the UGDSB is launching the UGDSB Family Portal to all families across the board. The Family Portal puts bus updates, report cards and more in one secure place for families. Many tools use single sign-on and more are being added. The portal is equipped with language translation. Information about the Family Portal will be sent out centrally to all families starting next week.
Our First School Council fundraiser: Quest for Cakes Donuts! Council will be selling a dozen donuts for $15, once again. This time, they are decorated like pumpkins and all one flavour. The fundraiser will begin on October 1st through to the 15th. The pick-up will be on October 29th at pick-up time. Lots more information to come.
Spirit Wear: Spirit wear can be ordered at any time during the year now. Please visit http://princessmargaret.deco-apparel.com/
Equity Update: I want to remind everyone of the Identity Based Harm button found on every school's website and on the main UGDSB webpage. The Report Identity-Based Harm and/or Bullying tool gives students and parents 24/7 access for reporting. You can also speak to your child’s teacher and/or me concerning any harm as well.
Mobile / Recording Devices : Please see this reminder from UGDSB’s Responsible Use of Digital Resources and note how it aligns with the revisions to the Code of Conduct last year related to the use of cellular devices: The UGDSB recognizes the critical role that parents play in educating their children on the appropriate use of mobile devices and in monitoring the use of these devices as today’s responsible digital citizens. This partnership of parents and schools is essential in achieving success in ensuring appropriate use of technology. Some tools available on mobile devices allow them to be used by parents as tracking devices to monitor a child’s activities and locations throughout the day. It is important to note that while some of these applications may serve legitimate purposes they can also be used in an intrusive manner. The privacy, safety and dignity of others could be violated by the inappropriate use of audio and video recording devices. Mobile devices may not be used to record audio or video while on school or board premises. Mobile devices may be used for recording purposes for instructional use only with teacher approval.
We’ll see everyone for another day of learning on Friday. Have a wonderful weekend after a full day of learning tomorrow.
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal
Late this afternoon I received the following email from the Town of Orangeville Crossing Guards Supervisor. I think it is important to pass along to all of your families, so you can review this critical information with your child(ren). Teachers will be reviewing with their students tomorrow as well.
Thank you. Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal
“Good afternoon,
I would like to introduce myself. I am the Supervisor, Crossing Guards for the Town of Orangeville. I am reaching out to ask for your assistance in helping to educate students and parents about the use of electric scooters. We are finding more students are riding E-Scooters to school. Unfortunately many are not wearing helmets and not following the rules of the road. Yesterday, there was an incident with one of your students on Bythia where the student was almost hit by a car, as the student was travelling in the middle of the road and not paying attention to vehicles. They did not have a helmet on. Here are the requirements for e-scooters:
Device Requirements
Wheels & Motor: Must have two wheels and an electric motor no more than 500 watts.
Speed: Maximum speed of 24 km/h on a level surface.
Braking System: Must have a braking system capable of stopping the scooter within 9 metres at 24 km/h.
Safety Features: Requires a standing platform, a handlebar, a horn or bell, at least one white front light, one red rear light, and reflective material on the sides.
Maintenance: The e-scooter and all its components must be kept in good working order.
Modifications: Motor modifications that increase power or speed are not allowed.
Rider Requirements
Age: You must be at least 16 years old to operate an e-scooter.
Helmet: You must wear a helmet if you are under 18.
Standing: You must always stand while riding.
Passengers & Cargo: You are not permitted to carry passengers or cargo.
Rules of the Road: E-scooter operators must follow the rules of the road as outlined in Ontario's Highway Traffic Act (HTA).
Where You Can Ride
E-scooters are permitted on public roadways in municipalities that have opted into the provincial e-scooter pilot program and have passed a by-law to allow them.
You cannot operate an e-scooter on controlled access highways (such as the 400-series highways).
Always check with your local municipality for their specific e-scooter policies, as they may have further restrictions on where e-scooters can be ridden.
Penalties
Violating e-scooter rules can result in significant fines under the Highway Traffic Act, ranging from $250 to $2,500.
The crossing guards are most concerned about the students safety when riding E-Scooters and just would hate to watch a student get hurt.
Thank you very much for your support.
T. Elrick
Supervisor, Crossing Guards, Town of Orangeville”
Hello Grade ⅞ Parents/Caregivers,
It is hard to believe that next week is October already. Time is flying by. For the most part, we had a great start in the intermediate division. I like to address issues early with students and their families knowing that together, we can address them and see an improvement in behaviour and therefore learning. Cellphones are a problem this school year.
As previously communicated, all cellphones and smart watches must be turned off and placed in the tech box in their classroom. This has been a practice at PMPS for the last two years and last year the Ministry of Education made it mandatory. The following comes directly from our school and board code of conduct, policies and procedures 213 in regards to cellphones:
“not use personal mobile devices during instructional time except under the following circumstances:
○ for educational purposes, as directed by an educator
○ for health and medical purpose
○ to support special education needs
Students in Grades 7-12
Personal mobile devices must be stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode during instructional time, except when their use is explicitly permitted by the educator.”
You can access the complete code of conduct again at: https://www.ugdsb.ca/o/pmps/page/pmps-school-code-of-conduct
Teachers remind all students at the start of the day to store their phone in our tech lock box. Some students are telling their teachers that they do not have their phones, but are using them at their backpack hook in the hall, at recess, and in the bathroom. Lately, some students are stuffing them down their pants to hide their cellphones from staff. If students are found hiding their phones or using them, there will be consequences for not following the direction that has been clearly communicated several times this school year. Not following staff direction or being dishonest with staff is a breach of our school code of conduct.
If a child needs to contact his or her parent/caregiver, they will be given a phone pass and can use the phone in the office. Please do not call or text your child during the school day. We need parent and caregiver support to keep students engaged in learning and to protect them from the problems cellphones can cause (eg., social media conflict, taking pictures and videos that violate student and staff confidentiality…). .
Students are also reminded that cellphone use is not permitted outside before and after school. Several students have been uncooperative with our morning and afternoon staff. If students need to use their phone, they are asked to do so once off school property.
Teachers will be reviewing this information once again with students. If you could also follow up with your child, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your support.
Andrea Papavasilou, Principal
Reminder: Please see the attached information for dental screenings for JK/SK/Grade 2 students, as well as anyone else who wishes to have one. Please see the attached information for opt in and opt out information. Dental Screenings are happening at PMPS on September 30th. Thank you.
Opt In/ Opt Out Info for Dental Screenings
Dear Grade Seven Families,
Please see below for details about your school’s upcoming Grade 7 vaccine clinic.
The clinic at your school is scheduled for November 25th, 2025 .
Thank you.
Public Health
Important Information Grade 7 Vaccine Clinic
Tonight is the night!
Meet the Teacher is tonight (September 18th, 2025) from 5:30-7:00pm. It is also our first meeting of the year for school council from 6pm-7pm. Please check us out and consider joining.
This is not an interview evening, but an opportunity to take a stroll through your child’s classroom and meet their teacher. If you require a meeting, please schedule one with your child’s teacher at a later date.
I want to remind everyone that parking is limited as our back parking lot is closed due to construction. Please walk, wheel, or bike, park at the train station (Go Bus) or neighbouring streets where parking is allowed.
We look forward to meeting everyone tonight.
Andrea Papavasiliou
Principal
Dear Mustang Families,
We can’t wait to welcome families back on our Meet the Teacher night TOMORROW, Thursday, September 18th from 530-7pm. Come out to see your child(ren)’s classrooms and meet with their teachers briefly. Please note, this is not an interview night, but a brief opportunity to meet the teachers and visit the classroom environment. If you need a longer conversation, please let the teacher know and they’ll be happy to give you a call or arrange a meeting. Thank you in advance. Please note our first school council meeting of the year is also scheduled on the 18th from 6-7pm. Please stop by to see what we are all about.
This week, we completed all of our drills for the fall. We had all of the students and staff out of the building safely in 1 minute and 31 seconds. That’s awesome for over 330 people.
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.
Important Upcoming Dates:
-Our Meet the Teacher evening is September 18th, 2025 5:30-7:00pm.
-Our first school council meeting of the year is also September 18th from 6-7pm. Please drop by during Meet the Teacher night to see what school council is all about!
-September 19th, 2025: Picture day: Individual pictures (class pictures at a later date)
-Our annual Terry Fox Run will be held on Friday, September 26th from 130-230pm in the last learning block. Please donate through School Cash Online if you are able.
-Friday, September 24th, 2025: Please wear purple to raise awareness about Rowan’s Law: Concussion awareness
-September 25th, 2025: Intermediate Trip to Island Lake
-September 29th, 2025: Grade 7 Fire Safety Presentation (letter is coming home to families)
-September 30th, 2025: Public Health Dental Screenings JK/SK/ Grade 2 (letter emailed home today)
-Wear orange on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
-September 30th, 2025: Grade ⅚ trip to Island Lake for a Truth and Reconciliation concert (teacher is sending home information soon).
-October 2nd, 2025: Superintendent visit to Princess Margaret. Mrs. Heaslip has retired and our new superintendent is Mr. Viveiros.
-October 2nd, 2025: Cross Country Meet (grades 1-8, information to come home soon for participating students)
-October 5th, 2025: World Teachers Day
-October 6th, 2025: Anti Black Racism Workshop GET REAL Grades 4-8 (letter coming home with more details)
-October 13th, 2025: No school, Happy Thanksgiving if you celebrate
-October 15th, 2025: Grade 8 trip to Career Day
-October 16th, 2025: All IEPs go home (Individual Education Plans)
-October 21st, 2025: ECE (Early Childhood Educator) Appreciation Day.
-October 21st, 2025: Public Health Fluoride Treatment- all grades (info will be sent home)
-October 22nd-23rd, 2025: Grade 3 CCAT Testing (letter coming home to families by the 26th of September)
Personal Items Brought to School: Students and parents/caregivers are reminded that if they choose to bring valuable personal items to school, the school board will not cover loss or damage.
If You Move During the School Year: If you and your family move through the school year, please let Mrs. Mckenzie know. It is important to always have updated contact information for each child. Moving also means that your child will go to his or her home school (the area where they moved). This helps avoid overstaffing or understaffing a building and larger reorganizations. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Parent Resources:
Dufferin Parent Support Network: Please check out https://www.dpsn.ca/ for free parenting workshops. The Dufferin 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/
We’ll see everyone for another day of learning on Thursday and Friday. Have a wonderful weekend after a full day of learning tomorrow.
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal
Looking for a flexible way to support students this school year? Join us at one of our upcoming UGDSB Job Fairs!
Guelph & Area: October 15, 2025, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM I Guelph Board Office
Orangeville & Area: October 22, 2025, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM I Grant Evans Education Centre
Meet our team, explore supply roles, and learn more about working with UGDSB.
📌 Additional details to follow soon!
Our construction work continues at PMPS. We are receiving a major Enbridge gas pressure upgrade. Contractors need access outside in the back parking lot. We will have concrete trucks, a vac truck etc. This means that our back parking lot will be closed Wednesday, September 17th and Thursday, September 18th from Townline to all students, staff, and families.
I know this is not ideal, but closing the parking lot is essential for student and staff safety. This upgrade will improve services to our building and is needed.
I encourage families to walk, wheel, or bike to school, to park at the town train station (Go Bus), in parking zones on our side streets, and/or to carpool where possible. Our front parking lot is closed to families as our buses need access and staff need parking as well.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal
Spirit Wear: Spirit wear can be ordered at any time during the year now. Please visit http://princessmargaret.deco-apparel.com/.
Dear Mustang Families,
We have had another successful week here at Princess Margaret. Children and staff are fully in the swing of being back at school. We can’t wait to welcome families back on our Meet the Teacher night on September 18th from 530-7pm. Mark your calendars!
This week, sports teams started back up here at PMPS. Cross country running started on Monday and both junior and intermediate soccer are going too. Gardening club started as well and students were busy cleaning up our gardens from over the summer. Our student leaders are already busy doing announcements for us in the morning. Pizza and milk sales will start soon, as well as spirit days. Our grade 7/8 student council elections were held on Thursday. I am so proud of the students as they prepared speeches and presented them to their peers. Peers voted in the executive for the 2025-2026 school year and the winners will be announced on Friday. It was a busy week at PMPS!
This week, we started with our safety drills that are mandatory. This fall, we have to complete three fire drills and one lockdown drill. I have invited Officer Amy to participate in the lockdown drill at our school. This helps the officer learn the layout of our school.
Please note, we had no changes to our school’s organization this year. Our staffing and class placements are set for the 2025/2026 school year.
Firefighters’ National Memorial Day – Sunday, September 14, 2025: Our flag will be lowered at the end of day on Friday, September 12th, and we will raise it on Monday morning to mark Firefighters’ National Memorial Day, which is on Sunday, September 14, 2025.
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.
Reminder; Procedure for Dropped Lunches: If you are dropping off a lunch, there is now be a lunch drop off table in the front foyer (an antique student desk).. Simply label your child’s lunch with their name and leave it there for pick up. Please let your child know that their lunch will be dropped off in the morning. The same procedure is for food service deliveries as well. Please let the driver know to label the lunch and please let your child know it will be dropped off in the morning. We are hoping this limits interruptions to student learning. Thank you.
Important Upcoming Dates:
-Our Meet the Teacher evening is September 18th, 2025 5:30-7:00pm.
-Our first school council meeting of the year is also September 18th from 6-7pm. Please drop by during Meet the Teacher night to see what school council is all about!
-September 19th, 2025: Picture day: Individual pictures (class pictures at a later date)
-Our annual Terry Fox Run will be held on Friday, September 26th from 130-230pm in the last learning block. Please donate through School Cash Online if you are able.
-September 24th, 2025: Intermediate Trip to Island Lake
-Friday, September 24th, 2025: Please wear purple to raise awareness about Rowan’s Law: Concussion awareness
-September 29th, 2025: Grade 7 Fire Safety Presentation (letter is coming home to families)
-September 30th, 2025: Public Health Dental Screenings JK/SK? Grade 2 (letter emailed home today)
-Wear orange on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
If You Move During the School Year: If you and your family move through the school year, please let Mrs. Mckenzie know. It is important to always have updated contact information for each child. Moving also means that your child will go to his or her home school (the area where they moved). This helps avoid overstaffing or understaffing a building and larger reorganizations. If you have any questions, please contact us.
We’ll see everyone for another day of learning on Friday. Have a wonderful weekend after a full day of learning tomorrow.
Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal
Please read your email for a copy of the the Public Health Prescreening Letter
Public Health is excited to return to PMPS for the dental screening on September 30th, 2025 to screen children in JK, SK, grade 2 and others as appropriate.
If you wish to opt out or opt in to complete the Opt-In, Opt-Out form by using the QR code on the parent letter (which is attached to this email).
Thank you.