We hope that 2025 is off to a great start for families in the Aldergrove community. The first week back has allowed scholars to reacquaint themselves with rules and expectations at the school. Scholars are remembering to dress according to the weather each day. They are interacting with each other in positive ways. The new year is a great time to reset and focus on goals. Our focus at Aldergrove is to create identity affirming spaces where scholars, staff and families feel like they matter and belong so that all students are supported to achieve academic excellence and well being.
We acknowledge the Tamil celebration of Thai Pongal and hope that our Tamil families have a happy celebration on January 14.
As we approach the end of Term One, we remain committed to our learning goals for the year. We remind all parents of the importance of being involved in their child’s school life and supporting them in setting achievable and attainable goals. We look forward to working together on these goals in partnership over the next few months. Both teachers and the administration look forward to your continued partnership.
Ms. Jessa, Principal
Mr. Pamayah, Vice Principal
Resources for Families
Student Mental Health and Addiction Newsletter
Triple P Positive Parenting Seminars
School Schedule
Safe Arrivals: Please be on time for school. If your child is late or will be absent, please inform the school office or use EDSBY to share this information.
| 8:15 a.m. | Staff on duty outside |
|---|---|
| 8:25 a.m. | Entry bell |
| 8:30 a.m. | Learning block |
| 10:10-10:40 a.m. | Recess |
| 10:40 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. | Learning block |
| 12:20-1:20 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:20-3:00 p.m. | Learning block |
| 3:00 p.m. | Dismissal |
Elementary School Dental Screening Program
York Region Public Health has resumed the dental screening program in schools. Public health staff will begin visiting Aldergrove on January 13 and 14 2025. A letter was sent home to the grade participating before the winter break.
Cold Weather is Here
This is a reminder that all scholars are expected to go outside for recess. Please ensure that your child/ren are dressed appropriately for winter weather. A change of clothes would be helpful for primary children should they get wet during the day. Please make sure all clothing items are labelled with your child’s name. Our “Lost and Found” bin gets filled up quickly and belongings often go unclaimed. Please make sure your child has a pair of indoor shoes for school.
Students and families should use extra caution on icy and snow-covered pathways and parking lots. To limit your exposure to foot injury hazards and potential slip and fall injuries:
- When getting in and out of a vehicle, always keep at least one hand on the handle or grab bar so you can catch yourself if you start to slip.
- Scan your pathway for obstructions or slippery conditions
- Use extra caution of icy and snow-covered pathways. Don’t hurry when conditions are likely to be slippery.
- Take short steps instead of longer strides.
- Point your feet outward (penguin style).
- Make wide turns rather than sharp turns.
- Do not carry parcels that will obstruct your vision.
- Go around areas that are marked, cordoned off or appear to be dangerous. Do not take shortcuts over snow piles. Always use cleared pathways.
- Keep one hand free so that you can use handrails on stairs including wooden portable stairs.
Breakfast Club
Breakfast club is open everyday at 8 AM in the staffroom. Please have your children enter through the front door and follow the signs to the staffroom. All scholars are welcome to attend. Note: Breakfast Club opens at 8 a.m. sharp. Early drop off is not available.
Aldergrove Lunch Programs
Aldergrove is providing following lunch programs:
| Tuesday | Pizza lunch until January 28 |
| Wednesday | Sushi lunch until January 29 |
| Thursday | Sub lunch until January 30 |
| Friday | Lunch Lady. |
Thank you for your support. Funds raised support subsidizing field trips, Scientists in the School workshops, Author visits and much more!
Term 2 Aldergrove Lunch Programs will start soon!
You can purchase these lunch programs by going to schoolcashonline.
| Tuesday | Pizza Lunch, February 4-June 17 |
| Wednesday | Sushi Lunch, February 5-June 19 |
| Friday | Sub Lunch, February 7-June 19 |
Bus Loop Safety
Drivers must not park and leave their vehicle in the “Kiss-and-Ride” or Bus Loop as it can be unsafe for arrival and dismissal. The Staff Parking Lot is closed and should not be used.
- Immediately drop off/pick up passengers
- NO sitting and waiting for your child
- NO leaving your vehicle
- No Parking and Fire Route signs override any ‘kiss and rides’ or any instruction from non-city officials
- Please drive slowly as you enter the school. Safety is a priority
YRDSB Family Dashboard
YRDSB is excited to launch our new Family Dashboard. The dashboard will give you secure one-stop access to information and applications related to your child’s education. It is designed to make it easier for families to engage with their child’s education. In this first phase, the dashboard will include secure access to report cards when they are distributed and links to useful information for parents/guardians.
Learn how to set up your account.
Tamil Heritage Month
On October 5, 2016, Motion M-24 was passed by the Federal Parliament, officially proclaiming January as Tamil Heritage Month in Canada. Tamil Heritage Month aims to celebrate the diversity of the Tamil language and its literature, and highlight Tamil Canadians’ vibrant traditions, history, arts, and cultures. In addition, it seeks to recognize the significant contributions of Tamil Canadians in key areas of social, cultural, economic, and political spheres. One community-based theme for 2025 is Tamil Heritage Month: Celebrating Tamil Arts and Artists. Also, of significance is January 14, 2025. According to the Tamil calendar, January 14, 2025, begins the month of “Thai.” On this day, people of Tamil heritage celebrate Thai Pongal, the Tamil harvest festival. Thai Pongal is the most important and widely celebrated festival amongst Tamils around the globe. Thai Pongal is a time to give thanks for the previous year’s blessings and a time to look forward to the new year. The staff and scholars of Aldergrove P.S. look forward to recognizing Tamil Heritage Month with our Tamil community.
Upcoming Registrations
Is your child turning 4 or 5 in 2025? Mark your calendars. Kindergarten registration opens January 17. We are excited to welcome your little learners into our classrooms and to the YRDSB community.
What to Expect in Kindergarten
Our Kindergarten programs are caring and welcoming where children learn through exploration, play and inquiry. Your child will engage in activities that support early literacy, math, critical thinking, social skills and much more. Visit www.yrdsb.ca/Kindergarten to hear from students and educators and to learn more about our program, routines, registration and more. We look forward to welcoming our new students and families to the school.
French Immersion (FI) registration will begin January 17, 2025, and as such, we wanted to take this opportunity to share updated information. FI Information Night will take place on January 16, 2025, at 7 p.m. Please visit the FSL page for more information about the information night and FI registration.
What is French Immersion?
- Provides opportunities for students to develop enhanced proficiency in French.
- Students receive instruction in French from teachers who are fluent in French.
- Begins in Grade 1 and is designed for children whose first language is not French.
- In Grades 1, 2 and 3, all subjects are taught in French. Starting in Grade 4, instructional time is shared equally between French and English.
- Program continues in secondary school.
- Secondary school students must earn at least 10 French Immersion credits to qualify for the French Immersion Certificate upon graduation. Important Considerations
- Grade 1 is the only entry point into French immersion in YRDSB.
- Communication with parents/guardians is in English including, but not limited to, report cards, newsletters and parent-teacher interviews.
- For the first few months of Grade 1, children may not acquire skills identical to those learned by children in an English program as the focus is on learning in French.
- During the first few years of the FI program, students may not develop the same level of English proficiency as their peers in an English program, however children should acquire these skills by the end of Grade 8.Families are encouraged to continue to read to their children in their first language.
FI Accommodation Plan
YRDSB’s FI Accommodation Plan provides long-term consistency and equity of access to all students in York Region and will enable YRDSB to continue to offer the FI program to all who wish to enrol. The FI program is offered in Dual Track or Single Track settings, in a variety of configurations. In order to meet community needs and optimize available space in our schools, a community's Grade 1-8 FI program may be provided over more than one school during the course of a student's FI education. Space requirements at some schools may mean that siblings are in different schools for primary dual track French Immersion programs due to differing grade structures. Like any of our schools across the Board, changes to school boundaries, and/or the accommodation model for the French Immersion program may need to be considered when new schools open, a school experiences enrolment growth, and program changes occur. This will allow flexibility in addressing community needs and the opportunity to use existing space in schools. More information is available on the Board’s website. Please note: Some of the FI accommodation plans will require facility modifications or the development of new schools and will require short-term transition plans that might include overflow while we work toward the long-term vision. Overflow refers to situations in which the Board directs students to attend a school other than their community school or optional program for a specific period of time, as defined in Policy #108.
Information Sessions
This year, our Information session for Grade 1 entry into the French Immersion program will take place in French Immersion schools on January 16, 2025 at 7 p.m.. Program locations and additional information is available on our website. If families are unable to attend the information session, they can hear about the French Immersion program on the Tune In YRDSB: French Immersion Podcast.
Registration
FI registration will begin on January 17, 2025. Parents or guardians of Year 2 Kindergarten students entering Grade 1 in 2024, and wishing to enrol in the FI Program, can email or call their home school office and indicate their intention to enrol. The home school will notify the French Immersion school, and the French Immersion school will contact families by phone or email to collect any necessary information. Families are asked to register by February 10, 2025. Registration during this period is not first come, first served.
Late Registrations
Late registrations are those submitted after February 10, 2025. Late registrations will be treated on a first-come, first-served basis and will be considered subsequent to registrations received during the registration period should overflow be necessary.
Upcoming Events
See our calendar for upcoming events. See the calendarCommunity Information
Community Action Program for Children - Markham
- Virtual & In-Person Programs Families with Children Ages 0-6 Years of Age
- Through this program, students can engage in various cultural activities, including drumming, cultural games, attending field trips, listening and guest speakers. The program encourages students to delve into their racial and cultural identity, boost their self-esteem, develop critical thinking skills, engage in self-reflection, build teamwork, and contribute to a stronger community. The program alternates between online and in-person each week. Along with providing tutoring and homework assistance for registered students. Additionally, we offer programs designed for parents to foster their active participation. Join us on a transformative journey and become a vital part of our community.