Aldergrove Public School Community Newsletter, May 30, 2025, Volume 18

Message from Admin

May is ending in a big way with many exciting events and activities for scholars at Aldergrove. This week we had Track and Field with our grades 4-8 students participating in running, jumping and ball throw events. Our Grade 3 and Grade 6 students have started EQAO. Last Thursday, we had our last School Council Meeting of the year. Last night we had Aldergrove Eats and it was a delicious year-end celebration for our community. This morning, our school raised the Pride Flag in front of Aldergrove as a symbol of inclusion for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We know that June will continue to bring opportunities for scholars to learn, lead and grow, including Bike to School Week next week.

As we move toward ending this school year, we reflect on our growth and community as we look forward to starting again in September. Please let us know of any moving plans by using the form included in this newsletter. Likewise, if you know of new families joining our school please encourage them to contact the school office to register.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our scholars!

Ms. Jessa Mr. Pamayah

Principal Vice Principal

Aldergrove Calendar for the Month

June

Resources for Families

Guide to the School Year

Centre for Black Excellence

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

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

Term 2 Aldergrove Lunch Programs will continues!
Tuesday: Pizza Lunch, February 4-June 17.

Wednesday: Sushi Lunch, February 5-June 18.

Friday: Sub Lunch, February 6-June 19.

June 26, 2025 Early Release Day

All schools in the York Region District School Board are committed to improving student achievement and well-being. On Thursday, June 26, 2025 an early release day will take place to allow elementary staff to take part in meetings during the afternoon of that day. These meetings will allow for school staff to engage in culminating activities regarding the review and revision of the School’s Improvement Plan as well as year-end and transition activities that support student success.

As has been our practice in the past, students will attend school during the morning of Thursday, June 26, 2025 only. Students will be dismissed early that day at 12 pm. Arrangements will be made to ensure that students who are normally bused to and from school will receive transportation at this time. Families whose children attend after school child care should make appropriate arrangements to address this change in schedule.

Weather Preparation

Aldergrove scholars need to be comfortable throughout the school day and dress appropriately for the different weather they may experience at recess. The list below outlines some suggestions for Spring (April through June)

● sun hat

● closed toe shoes

● light jacket

● long pants

● shorts in hot weather

● rain boots,

● raincoat

● extra socks

Grade 3 & Grade 6 EQAO

Between May 28 and June 3, Grade 3 and Grade 6 scholars will be taking part in the provincial Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics, Primary Division (Grades 1–3) or Junior Division (Grades 4–6). These assessments, developed by Ontario teachers and assessment experts, are administered to all Grade 3 and Grade 6 scholars in Ontario’s publicly funded school system by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO).

In the fall, EQAO will share individual reports for all our scholars. Your child’s results are private and will give you an indication of their achievement in relation to Ontario’s provincial standard. The standard, or Level 3, represents the range from B– to B+. Meeting the standard means your child has a solid grasp of the required knowledge and skills, which is a good indication that they will be ready for the next grade. The results of the assessment do not affect your child’s grades or report card in any way.

For more information about EQAO and to view a sample test, visit EQAO’s website, www.eqao.com.

Bike Safety

Our Grade 4 Students will participate in a Bike Safety presentation by Markham Cycles on Thursday June 5, 2025. This will continue with a pop-up event for families to join afterschool that offers bike tune-ups. Next week is Bike to School Week.

Aldergrove Eats

We had a wonderful community celebration on Thursday, May 29, 2025 with Aldergrove Eats. With more than 100 families joining we had games, crafts and of course delicious foods. Students were excited to try delicacies from different cultures special to Aldergrove. Thank you to School Council for a fantastic event with lots of smiles, excitement and community connectivity.

June is Pride Month

June is Pride Month around the globe. It’s a time when people in the 2SLGBTQAI+ community (Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Asexual, Intersex and additional identities) recognize 2SLGBTQAI+ history and leaders in activism.

Pride Month is an opportunity for schools to embrace inclusion and celebrate diversity. It is the expectation of the York Region District School Board that staff are providing identity affirming 2SLGBTQAI+ education to ensure that students are learning about gender identity, cissexism, homophobia, diversity and inclusion. At Aldergrove, families will notice that the school will be coming together to understand, affirm and appreciate the important event of Pride Month.

June is National Indigenous History Month

In June, Canadians celebrate National Indigenous History Month to honour the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Canada. It is also an opportunity to recognize the strength of present-day Indigenous Peoples and communities.

The Canadian Government unanimously declared June as National Indigenous History Month in 2009 through a motion in the House of Commons. The month, which includes National Indigenous Peoples Day, is a perfect time to reflect upon the long relationship between the many different Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island and Canadians throughout history. For students and teachers, it is a good time to become better acquainted with the different First Peoples who share this land with us. June 21 was declared National Indigenous Peoples Day in 1996 by then Governor General Romeo Leblanc. The day was chosen in consultation with some national organizations for Indigenous Peoples including the Assembly of First Nations, and coincides with the summer solstice which is significant for some First Nations.

Staff and students are encouraged to join Ontarians and Canadians who will be coming together to understand, affirm and appreciate the important heritage of First Nation, Metis and Inuit people.

Filipino Heritage Month

The month of June is Filipino Heritage Month as proclaimed by the government of Ontario in 2021. Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 2021.

Ontario is home to over 337,000 people of Philippine origin. The Filipino Canadian community has made and continues to make significant contributions to the cultural, social, and political fabric. June is a significant month for the Filipino community. Every year on June 12th, the Filipino community around the world celebrates Philippines Independence Day.

National Indigenous History Month

The month of June is Filipino Heritage Month as proclaimed by the government of Ontario in 2021. Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 2021.

Portuguese History and Heritage Month

The month of June is Portuguese Heritage Month as proclaimed by the government of Ontario in 2001. Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

Canada is home to more than 480,000 Canadians of Portuguese descent, one of the largest Portuguese diasporas in the world. The Portuguese Canadian community has made and continues to make significant contributions to the cultural, social, and political fabric.

The month of June, particularly June 10th, holds significance for the Portuguese community. June 10 is the anniversary of the death of Luis de Camoes, a famous Portuguese poet who often wrote about the history of Portugal.

Italian Heritage Month

The month of June is Italian Heritage Month as proclaimed by the government of Ontario in 2010. Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 2010.

Ontario is home to more than 1,350,000 Italian Canadians. Since the 1880s, the Italian Canadian community has made and continues to make significant contributions to cultural, social, and political fabric.

2025-2026 School Year Calendars

The YRDSB 2025-2026 school year calendars have been approved by the Ministry. These calendars may be accessed on the YRDSB website at: https://www2.yrdsb.ca/school-year-calendar.