PMPS Weekly Update March 7th, 2024
Good evening,
We want to wish everyone a terrific March Break. A reminder that there is no school from March 11th to 15th.. We will welcome everyone back on Monday, March 18th, 2024 at 830am.
Before we head into March Break though, our school will be having a ‘winter’ (more spring like)play day on Friday, March 8th. All students will be outside the first two blocks of the day. It is a good idea to have your children wear boots, slush pants, a warm hat, and to pack extra socks, in case they get wet. It’s going to be a lot of fun.
Thank you to our wonderful School Council who organized a clean up day here last Sunday. Our yard looks great! Thanks to our parents/caregivers who always do extra for us.
Our Twitter account is full of updates, please check it out: @margaret_ps . I update our website regularly as well: www.ugdsb.ca/PrincessMargaret/ . Our school council also posts to Instrgram @princessmargaretps. Please take a moment to have a look.
Ministry of Education Parent Resource Flyer: The Ministry of Education is pleased to inform you that the Parent’s Guide to Ontario’s Education System was launched today. This new resource will provide parents with helpful information that supports them to have a stronger role and actively participate in their children’s education. The guide covers a number of subjects such as knowing how their child is doing in school, learning about suspension and expulsion processes, attending a school council meeting or parent involvement committee meeting, and knowing about specialized supports to help all children succeed. This initiative is part of the government’s recent efforts to increase transparency and accountability in our school system. The full guide can be found at www.Ontario.ca/educationguide.
March Communications Newsletter: The March Communications Newsletter is out! This is the monthly public-facing newsletter from the communications department.
In this month’s issue we have information about:
- Draft School Year Calendar for 2024-25
- Project SEARCH opportunities for students with disabilities
- UGDSB policy updates
- And more!
https://www.ugdsb.ca/community/communications/communications-newsletter/
Ramadan Accommodations: Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is the holy month of fasting for Muslims. During Ramadan, many Muslims will fast (no food or water) from sunrise to sunset. Families often have a pre-dawn meal, suhur, to start the day and break their fast with a meal, iftar, at sunset. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on Sunday March 10, 2024, and end on Tuesday April 9th, 2024, depending on the sighting of the moon. The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid al-Fitr, a holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world.
Our school has a designated prayer space (room 102), we can provide lunch time accommodations, students will not be penalized for missing class or assignments while observing, and we can reduce expectations of physical activities, as well as playing instruments. Please let your child’s teacher know if they are observing Ramadan and what accommodations we can support them with.
Public Health & Immunizations: Official Suspension Orders for those students who are not up to date on their immunizations, were delivered to schools on March 5, 2024 informing parents/guardians of their child’s pending suspension to commence on March 20, 2024. All Suspension Orders were delivered to students.. If your child was away, the order will be given tomorrow. Please check your child(ren)’s backpack and agenda tonight. Public Health would have already reached out by phone call and letter as well.
Parents/guardians of students receiving the Suspension Orders are directed to make appointments with their Health Care Provider or Public Health.
NEW! Online appointment booking is now available for elementary students who are overdue for school immunizations. To book, visit wdgpublichealth.ca/appointments. Parents who have questions or are unable to book online are to contact the Client and Community Support Line: 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006. The deadline to have up-to-date immunization records on file with Public Health is March 15 (last day of March Break).
Visit wdgpublichealth.ca/vaccination for more information
Parents can report immunizations:
- Online: www.immunizewdg.ca using Ontario Health Card #. You can also view current, overdue and upcoming immunizations
- Email: Send a copy of your record to [email protected]
- Call: 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006
Once immunized, A WDGPH ‘Return to School Pass’ will be given to the parent of the child. This pass will help to speed up students returning to school. The Pass gives the student permission to return to school immediately instead of waiting to be removed from the suspension list which can take up to 48 hours.
Important Upcoming Dates:
-March 8th: PMPS Playdate (be prepared to be outside for physical activity)
-March 11th to 15th: Spring Break- No School
-March 27th: Grades 3-5 OPP Presentations (Letter will be coming home)
-March 28th: Grade 1-3 trip to Theatre Orangeville
-March 29th & April 1st: No School (Easter)
-April 2nd-3rd: Chef a L’Ecole Grades 4-8
-April 4th: Grades 6-8 OPP Presentations (Letter will be coming home)
-April 8th: PD Day (am math PD for staff & , pm mental health training for staff)
Upcoming Spirit Days for March:
| March 8, 2024 | School Wear or School Colours Day (Disney Day moved because of Play Day) |
| March 22, 2024 | World Water Day – Wear Blue |
| March 25, 2024 | In celebration of Holi
Wear bright colours for Holi (Hinduism) |
| March 28, 2024 | In celebration of Easter (March 31) – Wear pastel colours and complete an easter egg and bunny hunt. |
Reminders:
Parking lot reminders: Please no pets on school property, our parking lot is closed from 815am- 310pm everyday, no parking in special needs parking without a permit, no parking in the bus loop, no entering through the exit, and please be kind to staff who are helping to enforce these rules. In the last week we have had a few vehicles come through the parking lot the wrong way (enter through the exit).Thank you for your cooperation. You’ll now notice our new signage. Please take note. Have you seen the posters the grade 6s have added about idling?
Emergency Lunch and Recess Supervisors Needed Urgently: If you love working with wonderful children, who are enthusiastic, fun and engaging, Princess Margaret wants you as a Lunchroom/Yard Supervisor. We have an urgent need for supplies while our regular staff are away. We require individuals who are caring, energetic, and have the ability to ensure the safety and security of our students. The position requires a commitment of approximately 80 minutes per day (two 40 minute nutrition breaks: 20 minutes eating and 20 minutes outdoor recess time). This is a paid position, minimum wage per hour. Your responsibilities include: monitoring lunchrooms and outside recess. Our two nutrition breaks/ yard times are from 10:20- 11am and again from 12:30-1:10pm. Lunchroom supervisors are required to have a vulnerable sector criminal record background check. If you want to be part of a great school community with awesome students, please call me, Andrea Papavasiliou (Principal) at 519-941-3731 ext 223. Similarly, if you know someone who would be fantastic in this role, please pass this information along to them. Thank you.
Milk Sales: Our wonderful Student Council continues to sell milk. The milk costs $1.00 each. Milk sale profits support our Student Council.
We will see everyone on Friday for our play day.
Mrs. Andrea Papavasiliou, Principal
Categories: News