Creating Identity Affirming Spaces Together

A goal for the AGPS staff this year is to continue creating identity affirming spaces for all our students and families. 

One of the ways we’d hope to accomplish this goal is to engage in school learning about, and acknowledge in some way, as many significant faith days in and beyond our community as possible.

Below are the days the YRDSB has identified as significant faith days and additional faith days that are observed by families in our district. If you observe any of these holidays and would like to help the school learn about and acknowledge them, please reach out to the main office. 

Ways that families have offered support in the past include:

• Sharing personal stories with staff about holidays to help us write meaningful announcements for students

• Reading picture books to classes

• Giving teachers ideas for activities we can do with students to learn about traditions, culture, and holidays

• Volunteering to run an activity for classes

Significant Faith Days 2023-2024
Date	Faith Day	Faith
June 29, 2023	Eid-ul-Adha 1  2	Islam
September 16-17, 2023	Rosh Hashanah 2	Judaism
September 25, 2023	Yom Kippur 2	Judaism
November 12, 2023	Diwali	Hinduism
December 25, 2023	Christmas	Christianity (Western)
January 7, 2024	Christmas	Christianity (Eastern)
February 10, 2024	Lunar New Year	Buddhism
April 23, 2024	Pesach/Passover 2	Judaism
March 29, 2024	Good Friday	Christianity (Western)
April 14, 2024	Vaisakhi	Sikhism
May 3, 2024	Holy Friday	Christianity (Eastern)
April 20, 2024	Ridvan	Baha’i
April 10, 2024	Eid-ul-Fitr1  2	Islam
June 17, 2024	Eid-ul-Adha 1  2	Islam

Date	Faith Day | Celebration	Faith
July 28, 2023	Ashura 1 2	Islam
Sept 30-Oct 6, 2023	Sukkot 2	Judaism
October 6-7, 2023	Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah 2	Judaism
November 1, 2023	All Saints’ Day	Christianity (Western)
November 27, 2023	Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji	Sikhism
January 5, 2024	Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji	Sikhism
February 14, 2024	Ash Wednesday	Christianity (Western)
March 23, 2024	Purim 2	Judaism
March 25, 2024	Holi	Hinduism
March 20, 2024	Naw-Ruz	Baha’i
March 21, 2024	Nowruz (Ismaili) 1 2	Islam
March 21, 2024	Nowruz (New Year’s Day)	Zoroastrianism
March 11- April 9, 2024	Ramadan 1 2	Islam
April 23-April 30, 2024	Pesach/Passover 2 3	Judaism
April 20-May 1, 2024	Ridvan	Baha’i
May 23, 2024	Wesak	Buddhism
June 12 - 13, 2024	Shavuot 2	Judaism
June 21, 2024	National Indigenous Peoples Day	Indigenous

Once again, if you observe any of these holidays and would like to help the school learn about and acknowledge them, please reach out to the main office. 

We look forward to working together to create identity affirming spaces for all our students and families!

aurora.grove.ps@yrdsb.ca

905-727-4435

Volunteer in our Library

Hello Grove community!

We are looking for a few community members who would be interested in volunteering in our school library. 

If you are looking for a way to support our school and have some time during the week to volunteer, please email or call the school office. 

Thank you!

aurora.grove.ps@yrdsb.ca

905-727-4435

Bus Safety Reminder

Due to the safety of our students, caregivers of students in Grade 1 and Kindergarten MUST be received at the door of the bus when exiting. 

Kindergarten and Grade 1 students are NOT to be crossing the street without a caregiver, even if the school bus safety lights are flashing.  Please be aware that these are bus safety procedures.

Please remind children to:

• stay seated and facing forward while the bus is moving
• keep their arms and belongings inside the bus at all times
• avoid shouting
• basketballs and any loose item must be kept in a bag

Thank you for helping us keep our buses safe for our students.

School Council - October 18

Being active in the Aurora Grove School Council is an excellent way for you to get more involved in your child's education and meet fellow parents. 

Parent voice is important to us. School Council serves as an opportunity for the school to share details on the things happening in the building, but it also allows parents to provide input into some decisions that the Principal, Vice-Principal, and staff are making. It provides a chance for parents to ask questions and to support the school with community engagement, events, and fundraising. 

You do not need to officially 'join' the Council as a voting member to attend - everyone is welcome! If you are interested in a voting position, please complete the School Council Candidate Nomination Form. You can also contact the school office for more information.

If you just want to come and listen to the discussion, please do! 

Our first meeting will be Wednesday, October 18 at 6:00pm in the library.

We hope to see you there!

For more information on YRDSB School Councils, please visit the YRDSB website.

Lost & Found? Mabel's Labels To The Rescue!

We all know how frustrating it can be when children come home missing a water bottle, a glove, a hat, a sweatshirt, a jacket, and more!

We encourage families to label all clothing items as well as water bottles and lunch boxes. 

Aurora Grove PS has partnered with Mabel's Labels. Visit the Support A Fundraiser page on their website, search for Aurora Grove Public School, and a portion of the proceeds from any labels purchased are returned to the school. 

Although Mabel's Labels look great and they are easy to use, a simple Sharpie marker works just as well! Whatever you choose to use, a label on clothing and items means they are more likely to be returned if lost.

How to order

1. Visit campaigns.mabelslabels.com.
2. Search for Aurora Grove Public School. 
3. Click "LET'S GET SHOPPING".
4. Order your labels. 

Community Night - Thank You For a Great Evening!

Yesterday, the Aurora Grove community came together for a wonderful evening. 

We ate BBQ, enjoyed ice cream, shopped at the Book Fair and met our teachers and families. 

Thank you for helping make the Grove a true community!

Have You Ordered Your Fall Lunch Package Yet?

Lunch Options:

• Mondays: Teriyaki Chicken/Tofu, Veggies & Rice from Kookjae Sushi
  

• Tuesdays & Thursdays: Pizza from Toppers Pizza
  

• Wednesdays: Sushi from Kookjae Sushi
  

• 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 are due on October 6th at 12:00pm. 

We realize this is a tight timeline but it’s necessary to give the providers information.

You can find each option in SchoolCash Online.

Do you need help with SchoolCash Online? Please ask the office for details on how to setup your account.

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

Community Night Reminder - This Wednesday!

We are so excited to welcome families back to school for Community Night on Wednesday, October 4th.

The BBQ will begin at 5:00pm at the back of the school on the tarmac. Feel free to come a bit early to pick up your food tickets.

If you placed an order on SchoolCash Online for your BBQ dinner, tickets will be distributed at the gate when you arrive. You'll take your ticket(s) to the BBQ buffet and exchange them for your meal.

It's picnic style so feel free to bring a blanket so you can comfortably sit on the grass and eat.

Remember that the King Kone Ice Cream truck will also be there. They accept cash only.

While you are enjoying meeting new friends and catching with old ones, please visit the Info Station for details on:

• AGPS swag
• the new lunch program
• SchoolCash Online
• the Community Update blog
• Mabel's Labels School Fundraiser

See you there!!!

Date: Wednesday, October 4th

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

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

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

Book Fair: 3:30pm - 7:00pm

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

Scholastic Book Fair Oct 2-6

This week our library will be running a Scholastic Book Fair. Excitement has been growing as students have been coming to the library to see what books and other fun things the book fair has to offer.

The Scholastic Book Fair is a chance for our community to come together to celebrate not only the joy of reading, but also the joy of giving back. Money raised from the Book Fair allows us to purchase new books and materials for all of our students to enjoy.

The Fair will be open all week for students to visit and purchase during recess and lunch.  We will be having a Sneak Peek after school on Monday, October 2nd from 3:30-5:00.  The Fair will also be open from 3:30 onward on Community Night (Wednesday, October 4th). 

Hope to see you there!

GIVE: Get Involved. Volunteer In Education!

Do you want to develop skills to support school communities? Research shows that parent and community engagement increases student achievement, well-being and success. 

Register for the GIVE program (Get Involved. Volunteer In Education) and learn more about:

• the role of the volunteer
• transferable skills
• communication skills
• human rights
• and more...

This course will  also help you:

• build confidence
• meet new people
• contribute to student and parent engagement
• and more...

This free information session is organized by the York Region District School Board in partnership with Catholic Community Services of York Region. 

REGISTER for GIVE 

Islamic Heritage Month

October is Islamic Heritage Month. The Government of Canada first declared the month of October as Canadian Islamic History Month in 2007. In 2016, Ontario passed the Islamic Heritage Month Act to recognize, celebrate and affirm the significant contributions that Muslims continue to make as part of the vibrant social, economic, political and cultural fabric of this province.

This year’s Islamic Heritage Month theme is Imagining Muslim Futures. Students, families, community members, and staff of all identities are invited to join the Alliance of Educators for Muslim Students (AEMS) at the Islamic Heritage Month Launch at Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School on Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There will be speakers, workshops and various student activities. For more details, including how to register, please see the linked flyer.

• IHM Launch Event:     https://forms.gle/uqUSxgRDgCvTJAwT6
• Basketball Workshop:  https://forms.gle/FtQKzfbMNizpJWwL7
• Art Workshop:              https://forms.gle/W9Xix2bmSjjVM6FZ9