Community Night Reminder

We are getting closer to our Community Night on Wednesday, October 4th.

Have you ordered your BBQ dinner yet?

Please remember that BBQ items will only be available by pre-order on SchoolCash Online. There will not be any extra BBQ items to purchase on Community Night so make sure to order ahead of time on SchoolCash Online. 

BBQ Orders Due Date: September 30, 2023

Ice Cream will be available for purchase on site. The King Kone Ice Cream truck accepts cash only.

See you there!!!

*Tickets for food ordered on SchoolCash Online will be distributed at the gate on Community Night.

Date: Wednesday, October 4th

BBQ: 5:00pm - 6:00pm (feel free to come a bit early to pick up your food ticket)

Meet The Teachers: 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Ice Cream: 5:00pm - 7:00pm

NOTE: ​​We anticipate that parking will be limited so please plan on using side streets.

A portion of the proceeds from the evening will go back to the school to support field trips, school events, guest speakers, and more.

Photo Day - Thursday, Oct. 5

 

Spotlight - Ms. Chan's & Ms. MacRae's classes

Ms. Chan and Ms. MacRae's class both created murals to be displayed at the The Markham Fair Grounds. The Markham Fair Grounds hosts an Art Exhibit yearly that displays artwork created by students across the York Region District School Board. The theme for the Grade 3 and 4's this year was, "On a Field Trip". Ms. MacRae​'s class' mural included places that their class could visit this year and Ms. Chan's class' mural is an illustration of a field trip to the jungle.

The AGPS Lunch Program is Back!

Thank you for your patience as we ironed out all the details for this year’s lunch program. It’s back and it’s better than ever.

You asked and we heard you! 

Last year we heard from community members that there is a desire for more variety in the types of lunches offered and that we add in additional days of the week.

We are piloting a 5-day a week lunch program throughout October and November. A portion of the proceeds from the lunch program will go back to the school to support field trips, school events, guest speakers, and more.

Mondays: Teriyaki Chicken & Rice or Teriyaki Tofu & Rice from Kookjae Sushi

Tuesdays: Pizza from Toppers Pizza

Wednesdays: Maki Rolls from Kookjae Sushi

Thursdays: Pizza from Toppers Pizza

Fridays: Subs from Subway

*NEW THIS YEAR*

Rather than ordering week to week, we are asking families to order a package of lunches. The first package will take us from October through to the end of November. Since orders are purchased as a package, refunds cannot be issued due to student absences. 

Please note: Orders will be due on October 6th at 12:00pm. 

You will find each option in SchoolCash Online soon.

Please get your order in before the deadline as orders after this date will not be accepted. There will be no refunds.  

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (also known as Orange Shirt Day) takes place each year on September 30th. It is important to note that for many Indigenous Peoples, this is a day of mourning and a time to remember the children lost at residential schools across Canada. When we wear our orange shirts, we demonstrate support and commitment to honouring the Educational changes in the TRC and to honouring those lost. We also recognize the ongoing discoveries, intergenerational trauma and the children currently being removed from their homes even today. It is important to share about the past and the trauma inflicted on Indigenous peoples, but it is also important to recognize that Indigenous languages, cultures, ceremonies and families are being revitalized because of the resilience of the FNMI people. This Friday, we will demonstrate that we at Aurora Grove are allies and supporters for building understanding and making change, by raising our "Every Child Matters" flag as a symbol of commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. As well, on Sept. 29th, our classes will engage in some learning at our "Orange Shirt Day" assembly about what Truth and Reconciliation means, and how we can educate ourselves and others about the resilience of Indigenous peoples. Visit the Orange Shirt Day website to learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

October's Mental Health Newsletter - Gratitude

Mental health and well-being are a priority for the York Region District School Board. We have a Mental Health and Addictions Strategy that sets out actions to foster mental health and well-being. Our approach to mental health focuses on promoting positive health and well-being, and providing a tiered approach to supporting students. 

October's Mental Health Newsletter for families and caregivers has a focus on "Gratitude." Vist the board's Mental Health webpage for more information.

Thank You Community - Kiss N' Ride

The school would like to thank our community for the last week and a half of drop-off in the Kiss N’ Ride.

Cars have been driving all the way up to the top of the Kiss N’ Ride loop and letting their children out of the right side of their vehicles. We have been able to unload 8 cars at a time! It’s been a much faster and safer morning drop-off experience for everyone. It’s a wonderful way to start the morning. 

We are very grateful. Thank you Aurora Grove community!! Let’s keep it up!

Safe and Caring Schools

Last week, students participated in our Safe and Caring Schools Assemblies. The Safe and Caring School presentations are designed to underscore behaviour expectations as we create a caring, safe, and inclusive school environment. As families are critical partners, please continue discussions at home about school safety by asking your child what they learned in the presentation. The topics included:

• racism and types of discrimination
• progressive discipline
• standing up for each other and including methods of reporting incidents of racism, discrimination and bullying

We also reviewed with students school routines including:

• bus safety
• recess play areas
• lunch time procedures
• cell phone & food delivery service policies

Thank you for helping us create a caring, safe, and inclusive school community.

Spotlight - Grade 6 & Grade 2 Classroom Buddies

We love seeing students across divisions working together! This week, Ms. Currie's grade 6 class partnered with Ms. Payne's grade 2 class in the library to read some books. 

Community Night BBQ & Meet The Teacher - OCTOBER 4

We are very excited to welcome back all our students and their families to our Community Night on Wednesday, October 4th. This year we will have a BBQ outside from 5pm - 6pm and families can pre-order food for dinner on SchoolCash Online (coming soon). Parents are welcome to bring a blanket and picnic on the field.

What would dinner be without dessert though? An ice cream truck will be here selling yummy treats for you after dinner.

Then at 6pm, everyone is invited inside to meet their teachers.

BBQ items will only be available by pre-order on SchoolCash Online (coming soon). There will not be any extra BBQ items to purchase on Community Night so make sure to purchase your order ahead of time on SchoolCash Online. 

BBQ Orders Due Date: September 30, 2023

Orders after this date will not be accepted.

Ice Cream will be available for purchase on site. The King Kone Ice Cream truck accepts cash only.

See you there!!!

Date: Wednesday, October 4th

BBQ: 5:00pm - 6:00pm

Meet The Teachers: 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Ice Cream: 5:00pm - 7:00pm

NOTE: ​​We anticipate that parking will be limited so please plan on using side streets or, if possible, consider walking to school.

A portion of the proceeds from the evening will go back to the school to support field trips, school events, guest speakers, and more.

Safety Week

The York Region School Board is committed to ensuring the safety of students, staff, building occupants and visitors in the event of an emergency situation. As such, during Safety Week (September 25 to 29, 2023) and throughout the school year, schools in our Board practise various safety drills including Fire Drills, Lockdown Drills, Hold and Secure Drills and the newly established Bomb Threat Drill. It is critical that all members of our school community become familiar with emergency protocols as they are designed to keep all of us safe at school. Please refer to Board Policy #669.0 for more information about Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Management.

Practising drills may create some anxiety for some students. If you are concerned about how these situations might impact the mental health and well-being of your child, please contact school administrators, as we have school mental health professionals available to support your child.

General Supports for Emotional Well-Being:

• 310-COPE: 905-310-COPE (2673) or 1-855-310-COPE (2673) - available 24/7
• KidsHelpPhone: 1-800-668-6868, text 686868 - available 24/7, https://kidshelpphone.ca/
• Mental Health Helpline: 1-866-531-2600 - available 24/7
• York Hills Help Phone Line: 905-503-9561 Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. for children and
• youth (0-18 years) and their parents, caregivers or adult supporters. Visit www.yorkhills.ca for more information.
• Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/
• Black Youth Helpline: https://blackyouth.ca/
• Naseeha Helpline: https://naseeha.org/
• 2SLGBTQ+ Youthline: https://www.youthline.ca/

Terry Fox Walk/Run

 Dear Parents/Caregivers:

We are ready again to proudly support Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope at Aurora Grove Public School.  Our goal is to raise funds for cancer research. Let’s all use Terry’s message of hope and strength to inspire us during these challenging times. The date for our school event will be Thursday, September 21st, 2023. Our rain date will be Wednesday, September 27th, 2023.

It is our priority to maintain the safety of students and staff while supporting this wonderful cause. To help support safety measures in all schools, the Terry Fox Foundation has created an online fundraising page for our school, Aurora Grove’s Terry Fox.

How to Support our Terry Fox Run at Aurora Grove Public School

1) Donate online at: https://schools.terryfox.ca/33632/donate

·       Click the link above to donate or search for our school name at terryfox.org

·       There is no minimum donation - every dollar counts!

·       Receipts are issued immediately to donors by email

 2) Sending in a Loonie/Toonie during the week of Monday, September 18th until Thursday, September 21st, 2023.

3) Engage at home to learn more about Terry Fox at “Kids’ Corner” 

• Welcome to Kids’ Corner where you can explore, discover and learn everything you can about Terry using these fun resources. Fun for the classroom or even at home with your family – great for all ages!
• Share some of the fun and creative ways you learned about Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope.

4) Wear Black and Teal or your Aurora Grove clothing on Thursday, September 21st, 2023.

We are very excited to be a part of this year’s Terry Fox event.  This is our opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those suffering from, or impacted by, cancer - as well as build school spirit. We hope you will join us as our school community works together in the fight against cancer. Thank you in advance for your support!

Stay safe, stay strong and let’s support Terry!

Aurora Grove Staff

Spotlight - Kindergarten

The kindergarten students and staff were delighted to discover that the seeds they planted in the spring grew and grew over the summer!

Just look at our wonderful flowers.

School Start-Up Forms

At the start of each school year, schools share with families a package of information about the school. We also ask families to complete some important forms. These forms are now available online.

Please complete and submit these online School Start-Up Forms through your child's YRDSB Google account.

You can access your child's YRDSB Google account via a web browser. For best results, use a computer rather than a mobile phone.

The username is your child's YRDSB student number. If they don't remember it from last year or if they are new to YRDSB, your child will receive their login information from the school soon. If you or your child do not know the password to log into their Google account, please contact your child's teacher.

Frequently asked questions and additional information on how to complete the forms are available on the Board website under Family Resources (click on the "Need Help" link for Family Start-Up Forms.

It is important that these forms are completed as soon as possible at the start of the school year. There are both mandatory and optional forms.

Please complete a separate form for each child attending a YRDSB school.

If you prefer to complete the forms on paper or have questions about the information in the forms, please contact the school office.

Important Reminders for Entry and Dismissal

We've had a great start to the school year and we're so glad to see all our returning and new students' smiles every day!

A few important reminders to keep all our students safe:

• School begins at 9:00am with supervision beginning at 8:45am. We kindly remind families that all students should be dropped off no earlier than 8:45am. 

• As always, we encourage our families and their child(ren) to walk to school or park lawfully on one of the nearby streets and walk to school. 

• When parking on the north side of Stone Road, please ensure that you are parked legally.
• Do not park directly next to the bus loop.
• Do not block private driveways, parking lot entrances, or bus stops.

• As well, please avoid parking in front of community members' driveways.

• Cars should never drive through the designated bus loop between Aurora Grove and Holy Spirit during the school day (8:30am - 4:00pm).

• When dropping your child(ren) off in the Kiss N' Ride, we kindly ask that families drive all the way up to the top of the loop to allow for the maximum number of cars to unload at a time.
• When one car stops early, it creates a traffic jam that leads all the way out to Stone Road.
• It also creates a dangerous environment if children are let out of cars where a teacher is not supervising.
• The Kiss N' Ride is a designated fire loop and drivers should not leave their car while in this loop. If families would like to walk their children to their door, they must first park their vehicle legally and then accompany their child to the school.
• Families cannot park their car in the Kiss N' Ride and walk their child to a door. When possible, children must exit their vehicle independently. If families need to help their children out of their vehicle, once they are on the sidewalk, teachers will supervise them as they walk into the building. Families should return to their vehicles and exit the loop following the cars in front of them.
• Please understand that all families have schedules to keep and driving up to the top of the Kiss N' Ride loop is the best and safest way for everyone to drop off their children and continue on with their day.

• When picking up your child(ren) at dismissal, cars should not park in the Kiss N' Ride loop. It is a designated space for school transportation vehicles.
• Families are welcome to park in the parking lot or park lawfully on one of the nearby streets and walk to school.

• By-law officers frequently visit our school and will ticket all vehicles that are parked illegally (fire routes, blocking entrances, bus stops and driveways). The school is not responsible for illegally parked vehicles.

• Finally, please follow the instructions of the staff on duty in the Kiss N' Ride. They are there to ensure student and family safety and a positive start to the school day for everyone.

We thank you in advance for following these entry and dismissal guidelines. 

Indigenous Languages and International Languages Program

 

Lunches & Hot Lunch Program

 

Packed Lunches
Please make sure to pack your child’s lunch and a reusable water bottle in their backpack each morning.

We strive to be an allergen safe school. There are a number of students who have anaphylactic allergies. Please be aware of food that may contain allergens such as tree nuts, peanuts, soy, and shellfish, etc.

Please connect with your child’s teacher if you have any questions.

Food Delivery Services (new this year)
If you choose to send lunch via a food delivery service (e.g. Uber Eats), parents must call the school ahead of time, each time, so that we are prepared to welcome in the delivery person. Without advance notice, the delivery service will be turned away.

Students are not allowed to order from a food delivery service.

Hot Lunches Program Coming Soon...

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we will be putting a pause on using the LunchBox program. Please stay tuned for details about our hot lunch program.

Edsby

If you’re new to the York Region District School Board or have not yet set up an Edsby account, you will receive an email invitation to do so. Invitations are unique for each person. Please do not share your invitation with a spouse or a friend.

Edsby is a digital tool that allows families to communicate with the school in various ways, including:

• Reporting student absences

• Scheduling Parent-Teacher interviews (in November)

• Communicating with teachers (if that is their chosen method of communication with families) 

If you require any assistance with setting up your account, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office.

Introducing...The Aurora Grove Team

Hello Aurora Grove community!

It's day 2 at the Grove and we would like to introduce you to our school staff. 

Kindergarten Team:
K12-1  Ms. Baumann & Ms. Walkley
K12-2 Ms. Fraser & Ms. Panina
K12-3 Ms. Meglio & Ms. Summerville
K12-4 Ms. Meyers & Ms. Donkin
K12-5 Ms. Di Cristofaro & Ms. Drodge

Primary Team:
GR1-1 Ms. Jeffery
GR1-2 Ms. Wolf
GR1-3 Ms. Breedon
GR 2-1 Ms. Aikins
GR 2-2 Ms. Tarrant
GR 2-3 Ms. Nugent
GR 2-4 Ms. Payne
GR 3-1 Ms. Chan
GR 3-2 Ms. Georgacopoulos

Junior Team:
GR 3/4-1 Ms. Serbu
GR 4-1 Ms. Rubino
GR 4-2 Ms. MacRae
GR4/5-1 Ms. Beal-Nacevski
GR5-1 Mr. Zunker
Community Class: Mr. O'Reilly

Intermediate Team:
GR 6-1 Ms. Currie
GR 6-2 Ms. Muzzo
GR 7-1 Mr. Macdonald
GR7/8-1 Ms. Blom
GR 8-1 Mr. Cuello

Itinerant Teachers:

French: Mme. Dekkema, Mme. Koros
Music: Mr. Nicolaou
Kindergarten & Primary: Ms. Kuk, Ms. Ko, Mme. Koros, Mme. Dekkema
MLL & Primary: Ms. Merchant
Teacher Librarian: Ms. Morgan

Educational Assistants:
Ms. Fortin, Ms. Li, Ms. Palermo, Ms. Patrick, Ms. Robinson, Ms. Stockman, Ms. Vasilos

Caretakers:
Mr. Adolphus, Ms. Baber, Mr. Diamond

Office Staff:
Ms. Hayworth, Ms. Lawrence, Ms. Tsukada

Administration:
Mr. Leang, Ms. Pollishuke

Message From Our Trustee: Melanie Wright

Dear families, 

It is my pleasure to welcome all new and returning families to school for the 2023-2024 school year. I hope everyone had a wonderful summer and wish you a positive start to the new school year. I know it can be a time of transition for many, and am grateful for the dedication and professionalism of our school staff for all that they do to support students as they start the new school year, and create a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment in our schools.

The education of your children is a partnership, and we recognize that you are our most important partner when it comes to your child’s education. As a family member, there are many ways you can engage in your child’s learning, from speaking with your child about school and connecting with school staff to volunteering or becoming involved with the school council. You know your child best and we place great value on the relationship we have with families. I look forward to connecting with you throughout the school year. 

As your school trustee, it is my role to advocate for quality public education in York Region, and to ensure that our students remain at the centre of all of our decision making. The Board of Trustees has many responsibilities, including making policy and budget decisions, and communicating with the public. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns, and I will continue to keep you updated throughout the year on what is happening in the board. You can also visit our newsroom, listen to our podcast and connect with us on social media to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the board. 

This year, we are pleased to welcome our new Director of Education Bill Cober, who took on the role on August 1 this year. He brings nearly 30 years of experience in public education in York Region, a commitment to student achievement and well-being, and a strategic and collaborative approach. 

Later in the year, we will be undertaking a comprehensive strategic plan review. One of our roles as a board is to set the Multi-Year Strategic Plan that establishes our priorities and guides our direction as a school board. We will be reviewing that plan this year, and engaging with communities is a priority for us. Your input will be important and I look forward to sharing more information with you on this in the future. 

I wish you all a great start to the school year and a happy, safe and successful year ahead. 

Melanie Wright

Trustee, Aurora and Whitchurch-Stouffville

 

Welcome back to school Aurora Grove!

Dear Aurora Grove PS community,

We sincerely hope you had a fantastic summer and that you are looking forward to returning to school rested and ready to learn. As a staff, we are excited to welcome both our new and returning students back to Aurora Grove PS for the 2023-2024 school year.

Class Placement Information:

To welcome learners, we shared class placement information with families (Kindergarten to Grade 8) on the afternoon of Friday, September 1 via email. 

We recognize that the first day of school brings a lot of change to our students’ lives. Children feel our energy and enthusiasm and will react and respond in a similar way

their parents do. The best way to support your child is to be positive and let them know that they need to give their class placement time and get to know their new teacher and classmates. Remain positive and supportive and the first week will go smoothly. 

Here are a few tips for a successful transition back to school:

• Encourage your child to be optimistic and excited about a new class and teacher
• Remind your child that their placement is an opportunity to meet a new friend
• Speak positively about school and a new school year

We know that straight grade classes are preferred. However, split classes are necessary based on our current enrollment at Aurora Grove P.S. Teachers and

staff have spent a considerable amount of time placing students with strategic learning partners and placing students where they will be most successful.

First Day of School Procedures:

Grades 1 to 8

• Please meet at the back of the school and find your teacher and class
• Teachers will bring students into the school as a class

Senior Kindergarten (Year 2)

• Students in K12-1 (Baumann) and K12-4 (Meyers) should meet in the kindergarten Yard on Stone Road
• Students in K12-2 (Fraser), K12-3 (Meglio) and K12-5 (Di Cristofaro), please meet in the Kindergarten Yard beside the parking lot
• Teachers will bring students into the school as a class

Junior Kindergarten (Year 1)

• The procedure for Junior Kindergarten students is a supported entry model that differs from the rest of the grades
• Specific information about the first day of school for Junior Kindergarten families will be sent in a separate email later this week

Kiss N’ Ride (morning drop-off):

It is extremely congested in our parking lot. Please follow the instructions of staff on duty. If you are driving your child to school, please make sure to use the school’s designated Kiss N’ Ride loop located in the school’s parking lot. The Kiss N’ Ride area is marked with yellow lines. Please pull up to the top of the Kiss N’ Ride loop (close to the cross walk if possible) to allow more cars to enter the parking lot.  

If families would like to bring their child to the back of the school, please park in designated areas on Stone Road or in a designated parking spot in the parking lot. 

*There is no parking or stopping on the south side of Stone Road. There is also no parking in the Kiss N’ Ride loop. This is for the safety of all community members.

Students Who Take The Bus:

Kindergarten to grade 2 students will be given a bus tag with their bus number and bus pick-up and drop-off locations on the first day of school. Bussing for SK to grade 8 students will begin on Tuesday, September 5th (the first day of school). Bussing for JK students will begin on Wednesday, September 6th. The bus tags will be attached to their backpacks.  Please do not remove them. Parents can check school bus times, locations, and late reports using School Bus City. 

School Times:

8:45am - 9:00am Free entry into the school - Students may enter the school/portables as teachers will be supervising inside. There will be no outdoor supervision. 

08:45am      Free Entry (students may enter the school building)

09:00am      School Begins

10:40am      Recess (30 minutes)

12:50pm      Lunch & Afternoon Recess (60 minutes)

03:30pm      Dismissal

Early Pickup:

If you require to pick up your child before the end of the day (i.e. dentist/doctor appointment), we ask that you do so before 3:00pm. Please report it in Edsby or contact the office and let your child's classroom teacher know.

End of Day Dismissal:

Teachers will walk their students down to their assignment exit doors. Please ensure that your child is aware of how they will be going home (i.e. meeting a caregiver, walking home, being bussed, etc...).

Before and After Care (Kids’ Club):

Students attending Kids’ Club will start on their first full day of school

• Grades 1 - 8 students will begin Kids’ Club on Tuesday Sept. 5

• Year Two students will begin Kids’ Club on Tuesday, Sept. 5

• Year One students will begin Kids’ Club on Wednesday, Sept. 6

Before and After School care is operated by an independent third party. Information about Kids' Club and how to sign up can be found at https://www.ypce.com/aurora-grove-kids-club/.

Kindergarten: 

We are so excited to welcome our new kindergarten families to AGPS and we can't wait to see our SK's again! Information regarding supported entry for Junior Kindergarten students was sent to families in a separate communication on Friday, September 1st.

Health and Safety:

At this time, we ask families to visit York Region Public Health to access the most current measures in keeping our school and community safe. Please continue to monitor your child for symptoms and ensure they stay home if they are not well.

Medical Forms:

If your child is required to take medication while at school, please fill out the forms that were given to you at the end of the school year upon registration. If you do not have the necessary medical forms, please contact the school.

Edsby:

Edsby is our school attendance program. If your child previously attended AGPS, please contiue to use Edsby to report any absences or lates. If your child is new to the school, you will be sent an invitation to sign up for an Edsby account.

Guide To The School Year:

The York Region District School Board updated its Guide to the School Year over the summer. It includes information about:

• who to contact if you have a question or concern 

• busing

• homework

• parental engagement

• health and safety

• board policies and procedures

Helpful information:

• Aurora Grove Public School YRDSB website 

• 2023-2024 School Year Calendar

• Covid-19 Screen Tool

• YRDSB SchoolCash Online

• Ontario Curriculum

• Online Student Tools

• Family Resources

• AGPS Community Update Blog (please subscribe!)

Looking forward to a great school year!

Ken Leang Kim Pollishuke

Principal Vice Principal