Dear Families,
We hope everyone who celebrated had a wonderful Thanksgiving long weekend filled with opportunities to relax, connect with loved ones, and reflect on the many things for which we are grateful. While it was a shorter school week, it was certainly a busy and productive one at Aldergrove!
With fall now in full swing, we have been enjoying some beautiful weather, although temperatures remain unseasonably warm for this time of year. As we know, Ontario weather can change quickly, especially during the fall months. We encourage families to have students come prepared by dressing in layers so they can remain comfortable throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors.
A Change in Leadership
As we look ahead to next week, we would like to share an important staffing update with our school community.
Beginning Monday, Ms. Yadollahi will be transitioning to a new school community. Although her time at Aldergrove was brief, she made a meaningful impact through her dedication, care, and commitment to our students, staff, and families. We are grateful for the positive relationships she built and the many contributions she made during her time with us. On behalf of the entire Aldergrove community, we thank Ms. Yadollahi for her service and wish her continued success and happiness in her new role.
At the same time, we are excited to welcome Ms. Radhika Bhatt as our new Vice-Principal. Ms. Bhatt brings a wealth of experience, enthusiasm, and a strong commitment to student success and well-being. We look forward to introducing her to our community and know that she will be a wonderful addition to the Aldergrove team. Please join us in extending a warm Aldergrove welcome to Ms. Bhatt as she begins her journey with us.
Photo retake day- Monday November 16 2026
For any students who missed photo day or needs a retake, can do so on Monday November 16th 2026.
Learning Through Athletics
Our Intermediate Boys' and Girls' Volleyball Teams have been hard at work preparing for their upcoming area tournaments. This week, both teams participated in exhibition games, providing valuable opportunities to develop their skills and gain experience in a competitive setting.
School sports offer so much more than athletic development. Through participation, students learn important life skills such as teamwork, perseverance, leadership, communication, and resilience. Athletics provide students with opportunities to challenge themselves, support one another, and build a strong sense of belonging within the school community.
As we continue exploring our guiding question this year, our athletic programs remind us that individual actions contribute to something much larger. Whether encouraging a teammate, demonstrating good sportsmanship, or working together toward a common goal, students learn that their choices and contributions help shape the culture and success of our school community.
Looking Ahead
Grade 7 Immunization Clinic
Our Grade 7 Immunization Clinic will take place on Friday. Families with a Grade 7 student are reminded to complete and submit all required permission forms as soon as possible to ensure a smooth process.
Cross Country Regionals
The cross country season continues on Friday with the Regional Meet at Bruce's Mill. We are proud of the commitment and effort shown by all of our runners throughout the season. Cross country requires determination, perseverance, and personal goal-setting, and it has been wonderful to see students challenge themselves and grow through their participation. We wish our Aldergrove representative a great experience at Regionals and thank all of our student athletes for an excellent season.
Parking Lot Reminder
A gentle but important reminder that parent and guardian vehicles are not permitted in the school parking lot during student drop-off and pick-up times.
To help maintain a safe environment for all students, we ask that families park off school property and walk onto the school grounds when meeting their child. We also ask that all riders dismount bicycles, e-bikes, and scooters upon entering school property.
These expectations are in place to prioritize student safety during our busiest times of the day. We appreciate your cooperation and support in helping us keep Aldergrove a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Warm regards,
Mr. Louca Ms. Yadollahi
Principal Vice-Principal
Theme of the Week
Every Action Matters
Quote of the Week
"We rise by lifting others."
– Robert Ingersoll
This week's quote reminds us that a strong school community is built when we support, encourage, and care for one another. Small actions can make a big difference in helping everyone feel that they belong.
Library Update - Oct 12-16
Are you looking for ways to have you child listen to books or read books online? Here are some choices:
Listen to popular children’s stories from youtube links here:
https://storylineonline.net/library/
Online books to read together or listen to. Some are available in translated versions:
https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/
Stories with different themes and characters:
Many stories that also practice phonics:
https://teach.starfall.com/books
Books available in different languages:
https://worldstories.org.uk/?fbclid=IwAR1GFoYchkRj4DuCkEH2ID0SJXzCaZvLLd3nm-UAV_I0cjhv8yldIi2Q3Fg
Books you can listen to and read:
https://www.storybookscanada.ca/
Several different levelled books:
https://www.wilbooks.com/free-online-books-guided-reading-level-a
Always remember to check our Markham Public Library!!
Mental Health Resources Update
Our SPIRIT team is working hard on presentations for Grade 4-5 and Grade 7-8.
Grade 4-5 will be learning about Mental Health and self-regulation. Classes will receive a Mental Health toolkit that has different tools and supplies that students can access within the classroom to support self-regulation. These kits were purchased using grant money from York Region Public Health and a Wellness grant from YRDSB.
Grade 7-8 will be learning about Mental health and self-advocacy. Classes will hear information about caring for themselves, recognizing when they need help, knowing who to talk to and what community partners that they can reach out to. They will learn about things like Kids Help Phone that they can contact if they are in need of someone to talk to or text with.
I would also like to take this opportunity to share some mental health family supports that you can investigate from School Mental Health Ontario. There are topics like navigating technology, and stress and anxiety management. There are also webinars you can sign up for and an option for signing up for their newsletter for news and updates. Please visit the link below for more information:
https://smho-smso.ca/parents-and-caregivers/