A Message from Mr. Leang & Ms. Pollishuke

Dear Aurora Grove Community,

As we come to the end of the 2022-2023 school year, we want to take this opportunity to reflect on the wonderful year we had at Aurora Grove. It has been a pleasure getting to know and work with the students, parents, families and staff of Aurora Grove.

We would like to thank all of the students for their hard work and dedication they showed at school.  We wish them good luck in their next grade and look forward to seeing them in September.

We would like to say goodbye to our Grade 8 Graduating Class and their families who have supported the Aurora Grove Community all these years.  You will be missed, but we are confident that each and everyone of our Grade 8’s will have a bright and exciting future!  Congratulations! 

We would like to thank all the amazing educators in this building. This includes teachers, support staff, office staff, caretakers and lunch assistants. These individuals spend their days teaching, planning, caring and dedicating their time to our students. 

We are saying goodbye to the following staff and wishing them well on their new endeavours. We are sad to see you go; however, this is not goodbye...just see you later. 

Heartfelt well wishes go out to Ms. Brown, Ms. Choy, Ms. Ebenbauer, Ms. Hargitai, Ms. Hamel, Ms. Lombardi, Ms. Nugent, Mr. O'Reilly, Mr. Rath, Ms. Rankin, and Ms. Valkanas. Also, congratulations to Ms. Desouza! She will be moving on from teaching as she will be retiring at the end of June. 

We want to thank each and everyone of you for your commitment and dedication to our students and school community. You have had a positive impact on students, staff, and families and have made a difference in the lives of others. Thank you for your service to our Aurora Grove Community. Wishing you well and good luck.

We would like to wish the entire Aurora Grove Community a safe and happy summer vacation filled with laughter, adventures and memories. We will continue our journey in September!

As a reminder, students will be dismissed tomorrow at 12:00PM. Arrangements will be made to ensure that students who normally take the bus to and from school will receive transportation at this time.  Parents/guardians whose children attend after school child care should make appropriate arrangements to address this change in schedule.

Ken Leang & Kim Pollishuke

Here is a little taste of what we all did at Aurora Grove this year:

AFFIRMING IDENTITY

• Lunar New Year celebration with the community

• Nowruz book reading for the whole school

• Haft Seen in the display case

• Strength chain for Autism Awareness month

• Announcements for all diamond day holidays

• Tour for Humanity school bus came to AGPS so students from grades 5-8 could learn about the Holocaust and anti-semitism

• GSA available for Grade 4-8

• Pride Assembly and Flag Raising

• Hosted and organized the first whole school Progress Pride Flag raising ceremony and Pride assembly

• Made 'All Access Bathrooms' known and available to ALL staff and students, creating a more safe and inclusive school environment

• Raised money through cookie sales for the Canadian Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity

• Organized Pink Shirt Day, International Day against homophobia and transphobia, International Day of Pink, 2SLGBTQ+ History Month and Pride month awareness initiatives (including visible posters and weekly announcements)

• Identity Poems

• Remembrance Day assembly that reflected many different identities

• Orange Shirt Day at the Willow Tree 

INNOVATIVE LEARNING

• Solar system talk shows

• Literature museums

• Literature circles

• Food truck designs

• Designed our ideal classroom

• French presentations

• Created a cardboard castle and learned about knights/kings/queens

• Celebrated 100th day by bringing in 100 items from home and displaying them in the hallway

• Created a cardboard boat and tested things that float and sink

• Created a solar system display and a rocket ship that students could play and learn in. 

• Made sticker stories with stickers donated by parents

• Pen pals with seniors from Kingsway Place

• Collaborated with DogTales to create adoption posters & many dogs were adopted

• Followed a nest of robin's eggs until the fledgling birds flew away - thanks to a parent who sent in updates and pictures to share with the class

• Maintained a classroom instagram that created fun conversations with students and parents

• Classroom planting

• Gauss math test

• Class garden (near Kinder Pen)

THE ARTS

• Winter Concert

• Played the ukulele

• Started a school band

• Sprint Arts Showcase

ATHLETICS

• Cross Country

• Regionals - 1st place in 100m dash

• Ran a Volleyball Club

• Track and Field for grades 4-8

• Basketball teams

• Volleyball teams

GUEST SPEAKERS & PERFORMANCES

• Guest Speaker from the Center for Gender and Sexual Identity came to AGPS so students from grades 5-8 could learn about gender and sexual identity

• Paul Davis spoke to grades 3-8 about social media and online safety

• No Fun Allowed Musical Presentation

• Dog Tales

FUNDRAISERS

• Guess the lego in the jar contest

• 4 movie nights

• 2 school dances

• Cookie sales for graduation

• Hot lunch program

• Popcorn sales

• Cookie sales for the Canadian Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity

FIELD TRIPS

• McMichael Canadian Art Gallery

• Ripley Aquarium Virtual Field Trip

• The Around The Bend Farm

• Grade 8 overnight trip to Brock University

• Community walks in the forest and outdoor exploration in the rocks/sand pit

• Movie Theater trip

SCHOOL EVENTS

• Primary Play Day

• Community Night

• Discover Kindergarten

• Safe School Assemblies

• Grade 8 Graduation

• Welcome to Aurora Grove

• Paul Davis spoke to our community about social media and online safety

• Affirming Identity talk at School Council meeting

CROSS-GRADE COLLABORATIONS

• Reading Buddies

• Trips to the Willow Tree

• Play Leaders

• Student SIP Talks

• Trivia Team

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

• School Council elections

• School Council

• Student Ambassador program

• Play Leader program with grade 3 & 4 and kindergarten students

Primary Play Day

The Primary Division participated in Play Day on June 23rd. They enjoyed a variety of outdoor games such as soccer relay, bean bag toss, and parachute games. Students did a fantastic job working together, encouraging their team mates and demonstrating positive school spirit. 

We would like to thank the grade 5 and 6 volunteers who ran the games and events for the primary students. 

    

 

June 30th - Early Release Day

All schools in the York Region District School Board are committed to improving student achievement and well-being.  On Friday, June 30, 2023 an early release day will take place to allow elementary teachers and support staff to take part in meetings during the afternoon of that day.  These meetings will allow for school staff to engage in culminating activities regarding the review and revision of the School’s Improvement Plan as well as year-end and transition activities that support student success.  

 

As has been our practice in the past, students will attend school during the morning of Friday, June 30, 2023 only.  Students will be dismissed early that day at 12:00PM.  

Arrangements will be made to ensure that students who are normally bused to and from school will receive transportation at this time.  

Parents/guardians whose children attend after school child care should make appropriate arrangements to address this change in schedule.

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school.

We Discovered Kindergarten!!

This past Thursday, Aurora Grove PS welcomed our incoming Year 1 (JK) students at our Discover Kindergaten event. Staff from Kindergarten to grade 8 took part both in the planning and running of the evening. 

Seeing all the kids faces moving through the classrooms, engaging in the creative and hands-on activities was wonderful. 

We were also very proud of our Student Ambassadors who greeted families in many different languages, guided families around the school and even kicked off the evening by welcoming everyone and introducing the Principal and Vice Principal. 

It's events like this that demonstrate that Aurora Grove PS is a true community!

  

 

  

  
  

Indigenous Languages and International Languages – Elementary Language Programs

The York Region District School Board offers language learning to elementary students in grade SK to grade 8 (and language credit courses to secondary students in grades 9 to 12).

Online registration is now open and available on the Elementary Program web page. The elementary program will be offered in-person and remotely.

• In-person learning will offered Tuesday to Friday evenings, and Saturday morning.
• Remote learning will be offered Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Teachers will use Google Classroom to provide both synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities.

Please see the linked flyer for more information.

IB Program Info Session For Students Entering Grade 8

The International Baccalaureate (IB) aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end, the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. 

Students in York Region have the opportunity to earn the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in addition to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma at the following schools: 

• Alexander Mackenzie High School 
• Bayview Secondary School 
• Dr. G. W. Williams Secondary School Maple High School 
• Milliken Mills High School 

To learn more about the IB programme, students who will be starting Grade 8 in September 2023 and their parents/guardians are invited to attend an International Baccalaureate Programme information session on Thursday, October 12 at one of the schools listed above.

Yearbook Order - LAST CHANCE

Good afternoon Aurora Grove Families,

It appears that many families didn't order a Yearbook on School Cash Online back in April/May.

We have arranged an opportunity for a LAST CHANCE order to be placed tomorrow.

The Yearbook will be a Cash Only purchase of $20 and monies must be received in the School Office no later than 9:00am tomorrow, Wednesday, June 21st.

Yearbooks will be available for pick up during the first week of July. Once the order is placed we will have a definite date and time for pick up.

Spring Arts Showcase

Congratulations to all the students who worked very hard over the past couple months during recess to get their songs ready for performance. It was a fantastic night filled with music and wonderful art for our friends and family highlighting the incredible talent here at Aurora Grove!

   

    

 

Discover Kindergarten - This THURSDAY!

To the families of our new Year 1 (JK) and Year 2 (SK) students,

This Thursday, June 22nd is our Discover Kindergarten event!

You don't want to miss this great opportunity to see the school, learn about the kindergarten program, and meet some of our incredible Aurora Grove Public School team members!

We're really excited to meet you and welcome you into the Aurora Grove family.

We hope to see you on Thursday at 5pm!

Please spread the word to any families who are thinking of registering for kindergarten!

Feel free to come a bit early at 4:45pm to get some helpful information about the school including:

• before and after care
• signing up for Edsby (our family communication app)
• the school bus
• the hot lunch program
• and of course ... our Community Update Blog!

Amaya James - 10 Year Old Author!

On Friday, June 16th, students from grades 1 to 6 had the unique opportunity to hear from Amaya James, a 10 year old published author! Amaya read her book, Afro No!, and answered students' thoughtful questions. Students were inspired by Amaya's dedication to her art, her writing, and her passion for speaking with kids both younger and older about her experiences.

We look forward to reading Amaya's next book and hopefully she can visit Aurora Grove again!

 

   

We are officially a Healthy School!

We are proud to share that York Region Public Health has recognized Aurora Grove PS for excellence in our work to create a healthier learning environment.  

Some of the school initiatives that earned us this achievement include:

• Our full school healthy snack program 
• Our students who sort and deliver the snacks to classrooms
• Our new Play Leader program with the grade 3 and 4 students to encourage regular active and positive play with our kindergarten classes 

Invitation from Oscar Peterson’s School Council

This year, Oscar Peterson’s School Council PRO (Parents Reaching Out) Grant topic is related to Supporting our Children & Youth in developing the critical Social, Emotional, and Learning (SEL) skills needed to contribute to a positive quality of life and functioning well at home, in school and in the community. 

We’re excited to have Christina Furtado, MACP, RP (Qualifying), Mental Health and Wellness Specialist join us on Monday, June 12 at 7:00pm at Oscar Peterson Public School, in Stouffville. We think this seminar will be of great benefit to all parents, guardians and those who interact with children and youth. 

We would like to extend an invitation to YOU and your school community on Monday, June 12 at 7:00pm. Please take a look at the attached flyer for more information, as we do request pre-registration, simply to have an idea of how many people will be joining us.

The link for you to register is on the flyer and linked here: https://tinyurl.com/OPspeaker for ease.

**Childcare is provided as long as you pre-register with your child’s information.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,
Oscar Peterson School Council 

GIRLS INC. of York Region Summer Camp

Girls Inc. of York Region offers a fun and unique, 6-week long, summer camp experience for ages 5-13. Each week follows a different theme with a variety of activities, crafts, games and more. Each week also includes a field trip. Trip locations are to be determined and will vary each week.

Summer Camp Locations: 

• Regency Acres Public School 123 Murray Dr, Aurora, ON L4G 2C7 
• Poplar Bank Public School 400 Woodspring Ave, Newmarket, ON L3X 2X1

Call: 905-830-0776 for more information. 

To register, please email registration@girlsincyork.org or visit our website www.girlsincyork.org.

Girls Incorporated of York Region is a non-profit youth organization that is dedicated to empowering all individuals who identify as female, to seek the highest quality of life possible. We actively strive to enhance confidence and self-esteem in our participants while giving them the skills and tools they need in order to be empowered, productive and contributing members of society.

 

2023-2024 School Year Calendar

The dates for the 2023-2024 school year have received formal approval from the Minstry of Education. 

• Tuesday, September 5, 2023 - the first day of school for students
• Thursday, June 27, 2024 - the last day of school for students

Please visit the board's website to see all the school holidays and Professional Activity Days (PA Days) for the 2023-2024 school year.

Remember to click on the tab that says "Upcoming 2023-2024 School Year".

Pride Month Flag Raising Ceremony

June is designated as Pride month. Pride is a celebration of diversity within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It is about reinforcing equal rights for all people to live a life that is authentic and true to who you are without shame. On June 1st we raised the Progressive Pride flag at Aurora Grove PS to show that we stand for equal rights. We hope people feel proud of who they are and understand that at AGPS we all belong and we all matter. We affirm all identities in our community. We raised the flag in show of support of allyship and respect for human rights.

Library Books - Due June 19

As we prepare for the end of the school year, we have let students know that all library books should be returned by June 19th. We ask that you kindly check at home to see if your child has any outstanding library books.