Princess Margaret Public School

Tomorrow, April 9th, is the International Day of Pink. This is an annual event where people wear pink to show their support for anti-bullying and promote inclusivity, particularly for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The day aims to raise awareness about the negative impacts of bullying and discrimination, and to foster a culture of respect and understanding. We encourage students to wear pink shirts, paint their nails pink, wear pink accessories etc. their support tomorrow. On a different note, popcorn sales will continue on Thursday for $2.00 per bag.

Please see the attached photo for some great workshops offered by the Parenting Support Network- all are free!

Good evening Mustang Families, I am sending this week’s email out a little earlier, so that I can remind everyone of the PD day that is this Friday, April 4th. This means no school for students on Friday. Today, we raised the Autism Awareness flag in recognition of World Autism Awareness day. The flag will remain flying for the month as the Town of Orangeville proclaimed April as Autism Awareness month. It was a wonderful experience to gather as a school and recognize the month. News from Our Welcoming Mustangs Student Group: On International Day of Pink, April 9th join us in showing solidarity and standing up against bullying and discrimination! We invite anybody and everybody to speak out against gender stereotypes, 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination and bullying. Show your support by wearing pink and painting your nails pink! School Council Donut Fundraiser: Have you heard?! School Council is selling delicious donuts with our local Quest for Cakes Bakery! We will be sending a colour flyer home with students later this week, so you can see them for yourself! We are selling packs of 12 small donuts, featuring 3 flavours: chocolate dip, celebration vanilla dip (with sprinkles) and maple dip. These donuts are nut free, Kosher dairy, and the full ingredients will be listed on each pack. This fundraiser is live NOW through School Cash On-Line and and will run until Thursday, April 24th. The donuts will be available for pick-up at the end of the school day on Friday, May 9th. School Council fundraisers help to support our school with things like important student programs, sporting events and gym equipment, and outdoor education materials, to name a few. Thank you for your support! After school games: We are asking that only siblings of players stay for the after school games that are hosted by our school. Our gym space is limited and we want parents who have left work, made special plans etc. to be able to come into the gym and watch their child play. Intermediates and former PMPS students are not to enter the gym unless they have a sibling playing. This also assists our coaches who are often refereeing and coaching. Monitoring the behaviour of non players is hard to do on top of the refereeing and coaching as well. Thanks for supporting our parents who want to be able to come into the gym to see their child play and our coaches. Important Dates: School Council Donut Fundraiser: Friday, March 28th to Thursday, April 24th. Pick up May 9th- more details to come. Thank you for your support. -April 3rd: Custodial and Maintenance Appreciation Day: Thanks Mrs. Barclay and her team for all that they do for PMPS and the same goes to our hardworking maintenance staff! -April 3rd: 6pm School Council (New members are always welcome) -April 4th: PD day: No School for students -April 9th: International Day of Pink: Wear pink and if possible, wear pink nail polish ( see message above) -April 10th: basketball tournament at PMPS (Mr. Navarro is organizing) -April 10th: FTP grade 7 Human Trafficking Presentation (letter coming home) -April 11th: Grade 8 Grad retakes at PMPS (please let your child’s teacher know if they need a retake) -April 11th: Officer Amy; presentations to grades 1 to 3 (letters going home) -April 15th: Kindergarten Town of Orangeville library visits (more information to come) -April 15th: Intermediate basketball tournament at ODSS(more information to come) -April 18th- 21st: Easter weekend for those who celebrate -April 22nd: Earth Day Assembly ((Mrs Ellis is organizing) -April 23rd: OC Appreciation day! Thank you for all that you do Mrs. Mckenzie! -April 25th: CMHA presentations: grades ⅞ (letters going home) -May 2nd: GET Real Presentation at PMPS (grades 4-8) (letters going home) -May 5th to May 9th: Education Week and Mental Health Week -May 9th: Whole group grade 8 visit to ODSS (more information to come) -May 13th: Bike Roadeo at PMPS (more information to come) -May 13th, 20th, and 27th: Grade 3 and Grade 7 Swim to Survive program(more information to come) -May 14th: Special Olympics, Board Wide Event (more information to come) * See your email or website for a complete list of dates for May and June. Upcoming Spirit Days March & April: -April 11th: Wild and Creative Outfit Day!(Wear wild and creative hats, socks, and clothing!) -April 17th: Easter Colours and Accessories! (Wear pastel colours and accessories!) -April 22nd: Earth Day (Dress like the world! Wear brown, blue, and green!) Earth Day Challenges!!! - Walk with your division around the school. - Learn with the lights off. - Outdoor Learning (Spend as much time learning outside as possible). Thanks for taking the time to read through my weekly emails and your continued support. We’ll see everyone Thursday for another day of learning before the PD Day and the weekend. Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal

INCLEMENT WEATHER: Community Use of Schools is cancelled at all UGDSB schools on Wednesday April 2, 2025.

School Council Donut Fundraiser: Have you heard?! School Council is selling delicious donuts with our local Quest for Cakes Bakery! We will be sending a colour flyer home with students later this week, so you can see them for yourself! We are selling packs of 12 small donuts, featuring 3 flavours: chocolate dip, celebration vanilla dip (with sprinkles) and maple dip. These donuts are nut free, Kosher dairy, and the full ingredients will be listed on each pack. This fundraiser is live NOW through School Cash On-Line and and will run until Thursday, April 24th. The donuts will be available for pick-up at the end of the school day on Friday, May 9th. School Council fundraisers help to support our school with things like important student programs, sporting events and gym equipment, and outdoor education materials, to name a few. Thank you for your support!

ODSS is hosting a Dress and Suit Drive to help students find affordable formal wear for Grade 8 grad, prom and summer weddings. We are looking for formal wear donations - especially suits and dress pants in sizes for grade 8 grads. Donations of dresses, suits, dress shirts, shoes, jewelery and ties are greatly appreciated and can be brought to the front office of ODSS Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm. Join us on May 1st from 4 pm to 7 pm and shop incredible deals - suits and dresses for $10, shirts and shoes for $5 and accessories for just $2. This event is open to the entire community so let's come together to support our students and make prom unforgettable. ODSS

Popcorn sales continue this week on Tuesday and Thursday to support our grade 7/8 year end trip. The cost per bag is $2.00. Thank you for your support. The Grade 7/8s

Good afternoon Mustang Families, It was a great week here at PMPS. Students enjoyed our wheelchair basketball program and learned about what a tough and fun sport it really is, while also learning about accessibility. We have many presentations and special programming over the next few months happening at PMPS. Since school seems to fly by once spring comes, I have done my best to list some of these things down below. Thank you to our staff who work hard to bring different opportunities to our school for our students. School Council Donut Fundraiser: School Council is running a new fundraiser with our local Quest for Cakes Bakery! We are selling packs of 12 small donuts, featuring 3 flavours: chocolate dip, celebration vanilla dip (with sprinkles) and maple dip. There are 4 of each flavour per pack. These donuts are nut free, Kosher dairy, and the full ingredients will be listed on each pack. This fundraiser will launch on Friday, March 28th, and will run until Thursday, April 24th, through School Cash On-Line. The donuts will be available for pick-up at the school the week of May 9th - details confirming pick-up will be shared before that week. School Council fundraisers help to support our school with things like important student programs, sporting events and equipment, and outdoor education materials, to name a few. Thank you for your support! Popcorn Sales Today & Tomorrow: Our grade 7/8s are selling popcorn for their year end trip for $2.00 today and tomorrow until they sell out. All students are welcome to purchase. Thanks for your support. Winter or Spring? One day it is warm, the next frigid. A reminder that it is a good idea to keep a close eye on the weather, so students know what to wear in the morning. Another good idea is to pack an extra pair of pants and socks in children' s backpacks as the snow melts and we have a return to mud. This avoids us having to call home for a pant or sock request during the day. Important Dates: School Council Donut Fundraiser: Friday, March 28th to Thursday, April 24th. Pick up May 9th- more details to come. Thank you for your support. -April 3rd: Custodial and Maintenance Appreciation Day: Thanks Mrs. Barclay and her team for all that they do for PMPS and the same goes to our hardworking maintenance staff! -April 3rd: 6pm School Council (New members are always welcome) -April 4th: PD day: No School for students -April 10th: basketball tournament at PMPS (Mr. Navarro is organizing) -April 10th: FTP grade 7 Human Trafficking Presentation (letter coming home) -April 11th: Grade 8 Grad retakes at PMPS (please let your child’s teacher know if they need a retake) -April 11th: Officer Amy; presentations to grades 1 to 3 (letters going home) -April 15th: Kindergarten Town of Orangeville library visits (more information to come) -April 15th: Intermediate basketball tournament at ODSS(more information to come) -April 18th- 21st: Easter weekend for those who celebrate -April 22nd: Earth Day Assembly ((Mrs Ellis is organizing) -April 23rd: OC Appreciation day! Thank you for all that you do Mrs. Mckenzie! -April 25th: CMHA presentations: grades ⅞ (letters going home) -May 2nd: GET Real Presentation at PMPS (grades 4-8) (letters going home) -May 5th to May 9th: Education Week and Mental Health Week -May 9th: Whole group grade 8 visit to ODSS (more information to come) -May 13th: Bike Roadeo at PMPS (more information to come) -May 13th, 20th, and 27th: Grade 3 and Grade 7 Swim to Survive program(more information to come) -May 14th: Special Olympics, Board Wide Event (more information to come) -May 15th: Chess tournament at CMES -May 16th: EA & CYC Appreciation Day: We have the best team at PMPS hands down! Thanks for all that you do! -May 16th: Jump Rope Kick Off Event!(more information to come) -May 19th: Victoria Day, no school -May 20th: Grade ⅘ & ⅚ in Library from 115-215pm: Moccasin Identifier Program -May 22nd: Catch up vaccination at PMPS(more information to come) -May 22nd: Kindergarten Officer Amy presentations (letter coming home) -May 21st to June 3rd: EQAO at PMPS grades 3 and 6: All students need to be at school well rested and ready to go! Our students will do great! (more information to come) Upcoming Spirit Days March & April: -March 28th: World Water Appreciation : Dress in blue or as your favourite water creature (in honour of World Water day Mar. 22 and Earth day Mar. 29 -April 2nd: Autism Awareness Day: Wear Purple -April 11th: Wild and Creative Outfit Day!(Wear wild and creative hats, socks, and clothing!) -April 17th: Easter Colours and Accessories! (Wear pastel colours and accessories!) -April 22nd: Earth Day (Dress like the world! Wear brown, blue, and green!) Earth Day Challenges!!! - Walk with your division around the school. - Learn with the lights off. - Outdoor Learning (Spend as much time learning outside as possible). We'll see everyone for another great day of learning on Friday. Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal

School Council Donut Fundraiser: School Council is running a new fundraiser with our local Quest for Cakes Bakery! We are selling packs of 12 small donuts, featuring 3 flavours: chocolate dip, celebration vanilla dip (with sprinkles) and maple dip. There are 4 of each flavour per pack. These donuts are nut free, Kosher dairy, and the full ingredients will be listed on each pack. This fundraiser will launch on Friday, March 28th, and will run until Thursday, April 24th, through School Cash On-Line. The donuts will be available for pick-up at the school the week of May 9th - details confirming pick-up will be shared before that week. School Council fundraisers help to support our school with things like important student programs, sporting events and equipment, and outdoor education materials, to name a few. Thank you for your support!

Good afternoon Mustang Families, Happy first day of Spring! I hope everyone had a great March break. It is certainly nice to have everyone back learning. Our curling team finished their season this week with their good play at the Orangeville curling club Bonspiel. We’re very proud of their accomplishments as they finished well overall. Our amazing basketball teams are also starting their first games soon. Go Mustangs go! We also welcomed the wheelchair basketball program to our school this week. It’s great to see the kids trying this incredibly challenging sport and learning about equity in sport. Grades K-3 also learned about fire safety from Firefighter Kelly this week. Lots going on at our wonderful school! A reminder that it is a good idea to keep a close eye on the weather, so students know what to wear in the morning. Another good idea is to pack an extra pair of pants and socks in childrens’ backpacks as the snow melts and we have a return to mud. This avoids us having to call home for a pant or sock request during the day. Our School Council met on March 6th. Please see the minutes at the end of this email. Our next meeting is on April 3rd at 6pm in the school library. New members are always welcome. The School Council has supported us in many different ways this school year so far. They can do this because of our community’s support through fundraisers. Thank you for your continued support. Please read below for all of the ways that the Council has supported us this school year which includes: Council Insurance $151.20 Sledge Hockey $1187.00 Courtyard Equipment $2146.08 Equity Club games $189.80 Food Bank donation, in honour of Quest for Cakes, x5 turkey dinners $390 Family Transition Place for 2025 - grades 5-8, x8 sessions each class $1890.00 Grades 7&8 year end trip to Niagara $2000.00 Get Real Movement presentations on Anti Black Racism $791.00 Accessibility Swing for primary playground $1600.00 Get Real Movement presentations on 2SLGBTQ+1A (in May) $800 Curling equipment x2 sets $1500.00 Ice time contribution for our curling team and supplies $500 15 sets of xs snowshoes $765.00 STEM equipment for kindergartens $180.00 DPA (Daily Physical Activity) & Recess equipment for 13 classes $3380.00 Please remember to stay connected in the following ways: -Downloading the new mobile app - it’s everything Upper Grand in your pocket. For the latest updates, please sign up for notifications! Download for Android https://aptg.ca/V7pmln Download for iPhone https://aptg.ca/370LCh . -checking our NEW Princess Margaret website once https://uppergranddsbon.sites.thrillshare.ca/o/pmps. -Our Twitter/ X page is: @margaret_ps, we also have a Facebook and Instagram page. -your phone messages and text messages Important Dates: -March 19th to 25th: Wheelchair basketball program at PMPS for all students -March 25th: Public Health Fluoride Varnish number one (sign up online if interested, all grades) Upcoming Spirit Days February: March 28th: World Water Appreciation : Dress in blue or as your favourite water creature (in honour of World Water day Mar. 22 and Earth day Mar. 29 Don’t forget about our Mustang Spirit Cup!! Congratulations to Mr. Westlake’s class for winning the spirit cup for the month of January. Professional Activity Day Description: April 4, 2025 Information for Parents/Guardians: Date: April 4, 2025 Length: Full Day Elementary Topics AM: Mental Health and Well-being and Mathematics Elementary Topics PM: Mathematics, Guidance and Career Education Entity Hosting: Upper Grand DSB Description: Elementary Morning (150 mins): Mental Health and Well-being (75 minutes). The day will begin with a guided discussion about mental health in schools, including the history of current best practices for how educators and mental health clinicians can work together in our system. Curriculum Implementation (75 minutes) focused on Mathematics. Teachers will explore math routines, fractions, manipulatives, problem solving and EQAO preparation. Afternoon (150 mins) Curriculum Implementation focused on: Mathematics - Teachers will explore math routines, fractions, manipulatives, problem solving and EQAO preparation. Guidance and career education. Elementary teachers will explore their role in student skill development and career exploration. Thanks for taking the time to read through my weekly emails and your continued support. We’ll see everyone Friday for another day of learning before the weekend. Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal *School Council minutes can be read on our school website, under the News section and this week's update.

The UGDSB will be sending out a test message to all families and staff this week. The test message will be sent on Wednesday March 19 at approximately 4pm. It will be sent to staff and families via text, email and phone. The message will clearly indicate that it is a test and no action is required. Thank you for your understanding.

Good afternoon Mustang Families, I would like to apologize for some delays in communication about the school closure this morning. I try to get messages out quickly but with alerts and emails going to over 40,000 people in the UGDSB, the system gets slowed down. Please make sure you are checking the following as it is posted on various platforms: : -Downloading the new mobile app - it’s everything Upper Grand in your pocket. For the latest updates, please sign up for notifications! Download for Android https://aptg.ca/V7pmln Download for iPhone https://aptg.ca/370LCh . -checking our NEW Princess Margaret website once https://uppergranddsbon.sites.thrillshare.ca/o/pmps. -Our Twitter/ X page is: @margaret_ps -your phone messages and text messages We want to wish everyone a terrific March Break. A reminder that there is no school from March 10th to 14th. We will welcome everyone back on Monday, March 17th 2024 at 830am. We have one great day of learning on March 7th before we head into the break. A reminder that tomorrow is Live Free: Live Free Day, March 7th/25: Did you know that 1 in 4 children is at risk for food insecurity? March 7th is Live Free Day! Please remember to donate online through School CashOnline. Thank you to everyone who has donated all year long. We have raised about $1250 this school year for our breakfast and snack food program through online donations. Each month we spend approximately $1000 to $2500 on food for our students. Thank you for your support. The Orangeville Foodbank, Compass Church, Tweedsmuir Church, and President Choice are big contributors to our good program. Refund: Grade 6/7/8 Hockley Valley Trip: Grade 6/7/8 Parents and Caregivers, a refund is coming your way for half of the ski/snowboard trip. You’ll remember that originally we were supposed to visit Hockley twice, but only made it once due to inclement weather and bus cancellations. This refund may still take a few days but Mrs. Mckenzie is working hard on it. Thanks for your patience and understanding. Important Dates: -March 6th: School Council meeting 6-7pm ***now online*** . New members are always welcome! Email andrea.papavasiliou@ugdsb.on.ca -March 7th: Live Free Day: Please consider making a donation through School CashOnline. Donations are open all year long and we appreciate your support. -March 10th to March 14th: March Break, No School for Students -March 17th to 19th: Primary Orangeville Fire Presentations (information sent home) -March 18th: Curling Bonspiel for all curling members -March 19th to 25th: Wheelchair basketball program at PMPS for all students -March 20th: Grade 6 Classes, Metis Kitchen Party Presentation ( French)- letter coming home with more information from Mr. Navarro. -March 25th: Public Health Fluoride Varnish number one (sign up online if interested, all grades) Upcoming Spirit Days February: March 7th: Wear your blue, purple, or school spirit wear for Mustang Spirit Day March 17th: Wear gold and green and other accessories for St. Patrick’s Day March 28th: World Water Appreciation : Dress in blue or as your favourite water creature (in honour of World Water day Mar. 22 and Earth day Mar. 29 Don’t forget about our Mustang Spirit Cup!! Congratulations to Mr. Westlake’s class for winning the spirit cup for the month of January. March Communications Newsletter The March Communications Newsletter is out! In this month's issue we have information about: Co-regulation and Declarative Language The 2025-26 Student Trustees Self Advocacy And more! You can view the newsletter here: https://www.ugdsb.ca/page/communications-newsletter Reminders: Ramadan: As we celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, we want to extend our best wishes to all students and families observing this important time. Ramadan is a special period of reflection, prayer, and fasting for many in our school community, and we recognize its significance. To support our students who are fasting and engaging in daily prayer, we want to remind everyone that we do have a prayer space in our school, in room 102. This space is available for students who wish to participate in prayer in a quiet and respectful environment. If your child will be utilizing the prayer space and/or needs other accommodations due to feasting etc., please let your child’s teacher know so we can ensure they know where the prayer space is located and provide the needed accommodations. Happy Ramadan or Ramadan Mubarak. Thanks for taking the time to read through my weekly emails and your continued support. We’ll see everyone Friday for another day of learning before the March Break. I hope everyone has a great break. Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal

Our school council meeting for this evening has shifted to online from 6-7pm. Our co-chairs will be sending out the link to anyone who is on the council email list. If you are new, please email andrea.papavasiliou@ugdsb.on.ca for tonight's link. Thank you.

Good Morning Families of Junior Sideline Basketball Players, Due to the school closure today, the junior sideline basketball tournament will be cancelled for this evening, Thursday, March 6th. Hopefully a new date will be communicated after the break.

Due to inclement weather, UGDSB schools and offices in Zones 2, 3, and 4 (Centre Wellington, North Wellington and Dufferin) are closed today to staff and students. Students are to shift to remote learning, where possible. Staff should not report to work in person, and should shift to remote working where possible. All buses and taxis are cancelled to those affected schools. Schools and offices in Zone 1 (Guelph) remain open today.

Good Morning Families of Junior Sideline Basketball Players, Due to the bus cancellation today, the junior sideline basketball tournament will be moved from Tuesday evening to Thursday, March 6th after school. Thank you for your understanding. Andrea Papavasiliou

The grade 6/7/8 ski/snowboard/snowshoe trip is cancelled for today due to buses not running in Dufferin County. We will work to try and reschedule but this may be challenging as Hockley Valley is only open to March 16th. If we cannot reschedule, we will issue refunds. More information to come. Thank you for your understanding. Andrea Papavasiliou.

Dear Mustang Families, An important heads up for Tuesday morning. Today, the large front window in the office is being replaced. This is necessary work due to the large crack in it. This is a big job as you can probably imagine. Our Office Coordinator, Mrs. Mckenzie’s desk needs to be dismantled for the window to be replaced. This will be challenging for Mrs. Mckenzie to do her work as she normally does. Her desk will be dismantled for most of the day. The window company should be here around 9am tomorrow and the work will take place for most of the morning. The desk then needs to be reassembled. Please be patient with us during this time. Everything might take us longer to complete. Please avoid the office if you can. You can call the office or email us as an alternative to coming in. jodi.mckenzie@ugdsb.on.ca Thank you for your understanding. Andrea Papavasiliou- Principal

Good evening Mustang Families, Thanks for supporting our Pink Shirt Day! It was incredible to walk around and see all of the pink in support of anti bullying and raising awareness about bullying. As I visited classrooms this week, I heard many great conversations about anti-bullying and strategies about what to do if you are experiencing it or witnessing it. As a school, we have worked hard on being allies and upstanders. We still have lots of work to do, but I am proud of the work we have done this school year and the programs and presentations we are providing in classrooms about many different subjects including character building, self regulation, being an upstander instead of a bystander, and bullying. . Our Child and Youth Worker, Tania has been a driving force behind all of this hard work. As we approach the holy month of Ramadan, we want to extend our best wishes to all students and families observing this important time. Ramadan is a special period of reflection, prayer, and fasting for many in our school community, and we recognize its significance. To support our students who are fasting and engaging in daily prayer, we want to remind everyone that we do have a prayer space in our school, in room 102. This space is available for students who wish to participate in prayer in a quiet and respectful environment. If your child will be utilizing the prayer space and/or needs other accommodations due to feasting etc., please let your child’s teacher know so we can ensure they know where the prayer space is located and provide the needed accommodations. Happy Ramadan or Ramadan Mubarak. Rescheduled Outdoor Playday: We have rescheduled our postponed playday from Friday, February 21st to this upcoming Friday, February 28th at PMPS during 1st and 2nd block. All students will be outside for the 1st and 2nd block. Please have your child(ren) come to school dressed for the weather. Extra mitts and socks are always a great idea. Volunteer Needed for our School's Breakfast Program: We are looking to fill a volunteer position with our school's breakfast program. This program is so important for our students, as full tummies help to fuel learning! We need assistance on Monday mornings at 8am to about 830am. All food is already at the school, in the office kitchen, and our volunteers prepare the breakfast options for our students in the library and help to clean up as school begins. There will be another volunteer present to assist who is familiar with the process. This commitment would run for the remainder of the school year. If you are interested in helping out, please call the office for more information. Thank you. Live Free Day, March 7th/25: Did you know that 1 in 4 children is at risk for food insecurity? March 7th is Live Free Day! Please remember to donate online through School CashOnline. Thank you to everyone who has donated all year long. We have raised about $1250 this school year for our breakfast and snack food program through online donations. Each month we spend approximately $1500 to $2500 on food for our students. Thank you for your support. Important Dates: -FTP program continues for ⅘ to 8: March 7th (make up for school closure in January) -February 28th: Winter Play day (1st and 2nd block) Dress to be outside. -March 4th: Grade 6-8 skiing/snowboarding at Hockley Valley -March 4th: Junior Sideline Basketball Tournament for team members -March 6th: School Council meeting 6-7pm. New members are always welcome! -March 7th: Live Free Day: Please consider making a donation through School CashOnline. Donations are open all year long and we appreciate your support. -March 10th to March 14th: March Break, No School for Students -March 18th: Curling Bonspiel for all curling members -March 19th to 25th: Wheelchair basketball program at PMPS for all students -March 20th: Grade 6 Classes, Metis Kitchen Party Presentation ( French)- letter coming home with more information from Mr. Navarro. -March 25th: Public Health Fluoride Varnish number one (sign up online if interested, all grades) Upcoming Spirit Days February: -Friday, Feb. 28th: Board Game day! Bring in your favourite board game and enjoy game stations in your classroom. Don’t forget about our Mustang Spirit Cup awarded to the class with the highest participation each month. We'll see everyone for another great day of learning on Friday. Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal

NOTICE: The UGDSB will be sending out a test message to all families and staff this week. The test message will be sent on Thursday February 27 at approximately 4:30pm. It will be sent to staff and families via text, email and phone. The message will clearly indicate that it is a test and no action is required. Recipients of the messages shouldn’t notice much difference from board-wide messages sent in the past, with the exception that recipients will now receive a text message, in addition to phone call and email. Recipients will have the option to opt out of receiving text messages. A reminder that the text message will come from the following shortcode: 277849. Thank you for your understanding.