Aldergrove News, April 24, 2026

Message from Admin 

Dear Aldergrove Families,

I hope this message finds you and your families well. As we move through another busy and meaningful week, I’m pleased to share some of the highlights that reflect the care, collaboration, and community spirit that make our school such a special place.

Celebrating Our Office Staff

This week, we took time to celebrate Administrative Professionals Day, recognizing our wonderful office staff. They are often the first faces our students and families see each day, and their patience, organization, and kindness help keep our school running smoothly. We are deeply grateful for all that they do to support students, staff, and families alike.

Earth Day: Student‑Led Community Cleanup

In recognition of Earth Day, our Eco team, led by Ms. Hopper took the lead in organizing a community cleanup. This initiative was a wonderful example of student leadership in action, as well as a meaningful way to give back to our local environment. Through hands-on participation, students learned the importance of stewardship, responsibility, and caring for the world around them.

Badminton Exhibition Games

Our Badminton team competed in a series of exhibition games this week as part of their preparation for the upcoming Area tournament. These games provided valuable experience, allowing students to refine their skills, build confidence, and demonstrate teamwork and sportsmanship. We are proud of their dedication and hard work and wish them continued success as they move forward.

Fire Drill Practice

Safety remains a top priority at our school. This week, we practiced another fire drill to ensure that both students and staff are well prepared in the event of an emergency. While these drills are routine, they are an important part of maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for everyone.

Autism Awareness Month Celebration

To support our ongoing commitment to an inclusive and welcoming environment for all, we recognized Autism Awareness Month with a joyful bubble celebration during morning recess on Wednesday. This simple but meaningful activity encouraged conversations about acceptance, understanding, and celebrating our differences. It was heartwarming to see students coming together with smiles, laughter, and curiosity.

Theme of the Week

Building Community Through Care and Connection

Quote of the Week

“In diversity there is beauty, and there is strength.”
— Maya Angelou

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership. We appreciate the role you play in helping us create a positive, caring, and inclusive school community. We look forward to another great week ahead.

Warm regards,

Mr. Louca                         Mr. Pamayah

Principal                           Vice Principal

Notice To All Bus Families

This is just a reminder to all bus families, for information on bus routes, stop locations, bus times, late arrivals, registering a complaint, safety and general information, please visit the Student Transportation Services website (http://www.schoolbuscity.com/) or contact the York Region Student Transportation Services School Bus Information Line at 1-877-330-3001, accessible 24 hours a day.

To view all updates regarding late buses please visit the school bus city website at www.schoolbuscity.com and click on “Today’s Late Buses” or click here. In the Search field, search for “Aldergrove” or your bus number. 

Scooters and e-Bikes Prohibited on School Property

Students and parents should not be on motorized bikes or scooters on school property. Individuals should dismount and walk their scooter, bike and e-bike. Thank you for your attention to this safety matter.

Aldergrove Plays on June 4, 2026 3:30-6:30

1. Register for the Aldergrove Plays and badminton through google form.
2. Purchase food at schoolcashonline

Event: 3:30 to 6:30 pm

Location: Aldergrove P.S.

Food Availability:  4:00 to 6:00 pm

• Ice Cream Truck: Purchase on-site
• BBQ: Pre-order and Pre-purchase (Big Flames BBQ Food Truck) 

Register and purchase food today!

1. Register for the Aldergrove Plays and badminton through google form.
2. Purchase food at schoolcashonline

2026-2027 Kindergarten Registration

Bright Beginnings, Endless Possibilities

Kindergarten Registration Opens January 16, 2026

Is your child turning 4 or 5 in 2026? Or do you know someone who is? 

Mark your calendars and follow these simple steps. 

1. Find your home school. 

Use our school finder to find your home school - the school in your neighbourhood. 

2 .Register for Kindergarten. 

You can register online, in person, or by phone or email.

Visit www.yrdsb.ca/kindergarten to access the online registration portal or download the registration form. Once you have completed your application, the school will contact you to make an appointment to review and verify the required documents. 

3. Register early for Before and After Care 

All schools offer before and after-care programs. Check your school’s website or our before and after care directory for details. Contact providers early to secure your spot. 

4. Explore and Prepare for Kindergarten

Kindergarten is where big dreams start small. Learn how Kindergarten helps children develop the academic and social skills they need to thrive in Grade 1 and beyond. Our skilled and caring teams of certified teachers and early childhood educators work together to support every child in a welcoming, inclusive environment.

Ready to Begin?

Start your journey at www.yrdsb.ca/kindergarten.  

In the Library Learning Commons, April 20-24

This week, Ms. Cao’s Grade ¾ class came into the Makerspace to work on STEM projects utilizing forces, pulleys and gears. Grade 3 students were able to engage in a building task where they had to build a throne for Ms. Cao to sit on that would support her weight.  They were also allowed to build a race car out of popsicle sticks, elastics and hot glue to demonstrate kinetic and potential energy.  They tested their cars on various surfaces to check the effect of the friction of materials on the motion of their car.  Students also got to blend coding and robotics with building STEM and testing forces. They built a sled that a DASH robot could pull and test its strength and how it moves over different surfaces. Then, they had to attach another DASH robot to demonstrate a dual pulling force on the sled to see how durable it was. Students also had the opportunity to engage in some Eco-motivated STEM when they built a Bee Hotel using a tin can and rolled paper to encourage bees and other insects to find a safe place.  Lastly, students got to participate in an Egg drop challenge, ensuring they considered the effect of gravity on the structure they built and the weight of the egg inside. It proved difficult to keep the egg inside their structure to protect their egg buddy. 

Grade 4s engaged in building large-scale STEM projects with a Fairy Tale theme.  Some students were given a task themed around “The Three Little Pigs” and were asked to build a house that either rotated away from the Wolf, or was lifted up on pulleys away from the Wolf.  Another task was themed after “The Gingerbread Man,” where students had to build a boat that was attached to a pulley system to safely pull the Gingerbread Man across a body of water.  Another group were given a task themed after “Rapunzel,” where they had to design a system utilizing a pulley and gear system to lift a small bucket up to the top of Rapunzel’s tower to deliver her Uber Eats. Lastly, students were asked to build a dancing grandma utilizing gears to build a Grandma-bot that would fake out the Wolf from “Little Red Riding Hood” to make sure she wouldn’t get eaten again! 

Students in Kindergarten to Grade 2 learned about ways to help the Earth in honour of Earth day, and the impact that humans are having on the planet.  We focused on the importance of sorting their waste properly at school and at home to reduce landfill waste and increase items for recycling. 

Mental Health Awareness @ Aldergrove

Students from Grade 1-8 were asked to engage in Learning for Mental Health surrounding topics of Self Care, or Identifying Problems. The lessons were inspired by content from School Mental Health Ontario. If you would like access to the PDFs that coincide with the slides they were given, please follow the links below. 

Grade 1-5 - Self Care: https://smho-smso.ca/online-resources/self-care-101-for-students/

Grade 6-8 - No Problem too Big or Too Small: https://smho-smso.ca/online-resources/no-problem-too-big-or-too-small-student-help-seeking-resource/

Working with our Public Health Nurse, we have applied for a Grant to help support Mental Health in the school.  Along with SPIRIT, we will be making “Mental Health Toolkits” for Grade 3-6 that will include strategies for supporting daily well-being (e.g., breathing exercises, positive affirmations, etc), as well as some options for fidget to support focus. We hope that these toolkits will promote conversation and understanding of mental wellness needs throughout the day. 

SPIRIT team will also be supporting the start-up of a Board Game club for Grade 3-4 where students can sign up and come and play some games once or twice a week.  Students will learn the importance of communication, following rules, turn taking, and winning and losing well.  Our SPIRIT members will be bridging this learning with students providing supportive vocabulary and conversations.
 

Mental Health Workshop
Parents and Caregivers of Milliken Mills H.S. feeder schools are invited!

 Title : The Anxious Generation: Reclaiming Childhood, Community, and Connection 

 Date :  April 30, 2026

 Time: 5:15 pm - 7:30 pm 

 Location :  Milliken Mills High School ( 7522 Kennedy Road, Markham, Ontario) 

(Food and Resources will be provided) 

 Registration Link  (Information included on attached flyer) 

This evening will provide parents/caregivers with an opportunity to

• Participate in interactive student led activities aimed at building community and connection .
• Hear a bit about how youth mental health is impacted by screen time and social media.
• Ask questions to a panel comprised of Youth Facilitators from Youth SPEAK who will provide a lived experience context and suggestions for supporting your children at home.  The panel will also include the Manager of YRDSB Social Work Services who will speak about school based mental health services. 

Coming Up!

April

• Apr 27: Cricket for Grade 5-6

May 2026

• May 4: Women's Conference (Gr 7); Intermediate Badminton Areas
• May 6: Cricket for Grade 5-6
• May 7: Making a Difference Program
• May 8: Markham Concert Band Performance & Workshop (9:00 AM–11:30 AM).
• May 10: Mother’s Day.
• May 12: Making a Difference Program
• May 14: Aldergrove Show: Dreams 1:30 PM. Families invited
• May 15: Spirit Day: Count On Me (Wear numbers for Mental Health Month)
• May 18: Victoria Day (Holiday - No School).
• May 19: Immunization Clinic for Grade 7.
• May 20: Grade 6 EQAO Day 1; Gauss Contest for Grade 7&8
• May 21: Regionals Intermediate Badminton; Grade 6 EQAO Day 2.
• May 22: Grade 6 EQAO Catch-Up; Cricket for Grade 5-6
• May 25–26: Grade 3 EQAO (Days 1 & 2).
• May 27: Eid-ul-Adha (Significant Faith Day); Grade 3 EQAO Catch-Up.
• May 29: Grade 1 Field Trip to Space Center; Pride Flag Raising Ceremony (12:40 PM).

June 2026

• Jun 1: Ontario Day; Cricket for Grade 5-6;
• Jun 2: Junior Track and Field Day
• Jun 3: Intermediate Track and Field Day
• Jun 9: Grade 8 Grad Trip to Wonderland.
• Jun 12: Junior Badminton Areas.
• Jun 15: Junior Track and Field Areas (at Stouffville Arena).
• Jun 21: Father's Day & National Indigenous Peoples Day.
• Jun 25: Last Day of School for Students/ Early Dismissal &.PA Day
• Jun 26: PA Day