Aurora Grove Spirit Wear is here!

We are excited to announce that Aurora Grove Spirit Wear is now available to order!

Check out the Online Shop.

Orders must be in by November 19th at 11:59pm. 

Late orders will not be accepted.

All orders will be shipped to the school in December before the winter break.

Dressing For Cold Weather

A reminder to families that as the weather continues to shift to colder temperatures, please be sure to dress your children to stay warm.

Please be sure to send with your child:

• indoor shoes (if they don’t already have)
• hat, mittens, scarves
• boots, warm coat, snow pants
• a change of clothes (socks, shirt & pants) are also recommended for our younger students

Holocaust Education Week & Antisemitism

The week of November 1st to 9th marks the annual Holocaust Education Week. 

The Holocaust was the systemic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jewish people by the Nazi regime and its allies, and it’s critical that we not allow this cruel chapter of modern history to fade from memory. During Holocaust Education Week, we also want to acknowledge that people of colour, the Romas, people with physical disabilities, and those who identify as 2SLGBTQI+, among others, were targeted and murdered by the Nazis. As one means of working towards a world free of intolerance, racism, discrimination, and hatred, educators are encouraged to discuss the Holocaust and the many people who put their lives on the line in the face of antisemitism and other forms of hate.

Holocaust Education re-humanizes those who experienced and continue to experience the impact of the Holocaust. By giving voice to the victims and survivors, we can ensure historical contexts are not trivialized. For programs taking place within the community, see Toronto Holocaust Museum’s Neuberger HEW website. 

Learning about the Holocaust in classrooms, schools, and workplaces across the YRDSB is critical to countering antisemitism and other forms of hate. On November 7, our grade 6 students will hear from Dori Ekstein, as she shares the story of her mother, a Holocaust survivor. Then on November 14, Dori will visit Aurora Grove again and share her father’s story, also a Holocaust survivor, with our grade 7 and 8 students. We encourage you to ask your children about what they learned. 

Safety For All Students, Families, & Staff in our Parking Lot

Morning Drop Off - Kiss N’ Ride

We are happy to share that the morning Kiss N’ Ride drop off is still going smoothly. Cars are driving up all the way to the top of the loop and letting their children out of their vehicles. Thank you!

Afternoon Pick-Up

There is no parking anywhere along the fire route at any point during the day, including pick-up and drop-off time. That includes all parts of the parking lot that are marked with yellow lines. Please see the diagram below. Do not stop or park in any of the areas highlighted in yellow. This causes a significant safety concern for pedestrians and flow of traffic.

We have been notified by Town of Aurora By-law officers that they will be ticketing vehicles for this violation. The school is not responsible for any fines incurred for illegally parked vehicles.

 The only vehicles that are permitted to temporarily stop there are school buses and taxis. All other vehicles should be parked in a designated parking spot or along the north side of Stone Road. 

Students are NOT to cross through the parking lot without adult supervision. If you are parked in the parking lot, please meet your child at their exit door so you may accompany them through the parking lot. 

Families of older students could consider meeting at a location within a short walking distance to the school:

• Primeau Drive (behind the school field)

• Crows Nest Gate (across from Holy Spirit Elementary School)

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Lunch Program: The December Package coming soon...

It's almost time to order your next package of lunches. The first lunch program package ends November 30th. The next package will only be for the month of Decemer. Since orders are purchased as a package, refunds cannot be issued due to student absences. 

Please note: Orders will be due on Friday, November 17th at 1:00pm. 

Starting Monday, Nov 6, you will 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.

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

NOTE: We will open up orders for January - March break in December.

Keep The Door Open - Understand Your Child's Inner World (offered in Mandarin & Cantonese)

This session will share tips on ways that lead your child to open their inner world and take care of their emotional wellbeing under the influence of both traditional Chinese culture and Western culture. There will be opportunities for families to connect with staff from the Hong Fook Mental Health Association as well as members of the Community Care Social Work Team supporting students and families of Chinese Heritage and to gather more information about their specific supports. Please join us for an evening talk about positive mental health strategies and engage in a chance to ask general questions (registration link for language specific sessions are in the flyer below.

Please click the little arrow in the top right corner of the PDF to open it so you can more easily read the information. 

Happy Halloween!

For those who celebrated it, we hope you had a Happy Halloween! 

Staff and students enjoyed wearing their costumes to school yesterday. Check out some of the creative costumes!

  

  

 

  

 

  

November's Mental Health Newsletter - Stress & Resilience

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. 

November's Mental Health Newsletter for families and caregivers has a focus on "Stress & Resilience." Vist the board's Mental Health webpage for more information.

Picture Re-Take Day - Nov 2 (tomorrow!)

Was your child absent for picture day? 

Thursday, Nov 2nd is picture re-take day. 

Book Tasting Menu

Last week and this week students are being invited into the library for a "taste test". Junior and Intermediate students have the opportunity to explore a selection of new fiction books. The goal is to get their opinions about which books to order for the library and what types of books the students like. After each taste test, students fill out a menu indicating their opinions. 

Next, the library will introduce non-fiction books into menu!

    

    

     

 

Grade 7 & 8 Immunizations - Nov. 13, 2023

York Region Public Health is coming to AGPS to provide free immunizations (Hepatitis B, HPV & Meningococcal vaccines) for our grade 7  & 8 students. 

Parents must submit an electronic consent form. 

For more information about the school immunization clinics or eligibility for vaccines please call York Region Public Health at 1-877-464-9675 or visit york.ca/immunization.

As well, for more information, please read the detailed information document provided by York Region Public Health.

Holocaust Education Week - YRDSB Podcast Episode

This summer several York Region District School Board educators were invited to Yad Vashem in Israel to engage in learning about the Holocaust. This week, during Holocaust Education Week (November 1-9), some of those educators speak with representatives from Yad Vashem on the podcast.

Listen to the latest episode of Tune In YRDSB as they discuss:

• the importance of Holocaust education in Canadian schools

• resources available to support Holocaust education

• the shared responsibility of combating antisemitism

• and more.

Join:

• Aneta Fishman, Principal of Anne Frank P.S.
• Yoni Berrous, Educator from Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Israel
• Josh Hacker, Associate Director of the Canadian Society of Yad Vashem
• Tracey McKinley, Teacher, Keswick H.S.

Fall Dance Reminder

Message from our newly elected Student Council:

Hey AGPS!

We are getting excited for our very first dance of the year! 

Our Fall Dance will be happening on Tuesday, October 31st. 

Students from grades 1 to 8 can bring their money for the dance to their teacher tomorrow, Monday, or Tuesday. 

Grades 1-6: $2

Grade 7-8: $4

Kindergarten: Free 

Glow sticks will be on sale at the dance for $1.

9:00 - 9:40 Kindergartens

9:45 - 10:30 Grades 1 & 2

11:10 - 12:00 Grades 3 & 4

12:00 - 12:50 Grades 5 & 6

1:50 - 3:20 Grades 7 & 8