Week 14 @ EMPS - Friday, December 5, 2025

Winter Concert is here!!!

Please join us for our annual EMPS Winter Concert!

Date: Tuesday December 9th

Time: Doors Open at 6:00pm. Concert starts at 6:30pm and will end around 8:00pm

Location: Emily Carr Secondary School - 4901 Rutherford Road, Vaughan

Prepare yourself to be amazed by the many dedicated, hard-working and talented students at Elder’s Mills Public School!

The 1st-Half of our Concert will feature our Grade 5 Bucket Drumming Ensemble as well as Two Beginning Concert Bands - Red and Green Band.

After a brief intermission, the 2nd-Half of the Concert will feature our Intermediate Band - the Soaring Eagles Concert Band. As well as the newly formed EMPS Jazz Band!

Tickets are $5.00 and all proceeds go to our Music Department for new instruments, repairs, equipment and music. We thank you for supporting the EMPS Music Department and Music Education in our community!

Grade 5 - 8 families were invited to purchase their tickets on school cash online. All families are invited to attend. Call the school to inquire about ticket purchases.

The Emily Carr SS Music Program has been very generous with their support for this event. Their Music ambassadors will be helping our students with instruments, moving from stage to back stage, set up and more. We have an opportunity to support Emily Carr’s Music Program through snack and drink sales on the night of the Winter Concert. These will be available for cash purchase and funds raised will go to support Emily Carr’s Music program.

Winter Vacation Plans?

With the Winter Break coming up, if you anticipate an extended absence from school for your child, please notify the office in writing (email elders.mills.ps@yrdsb.ca). Be sure to include the last day your child will be at school and your expected date of return.

Weather and Recess:

All students are expected to go out for every recess, weather permitting. Students are to come to school ready for winter and prepared to be outdoors up to 15 minutes at morning recess and 40 minutes at lunch recess. Please support conversations with your child at home about wearing their coats, hats, gloves etc… when they go outside

Please make sure that your children are dressed properly for the weather. It is advisable for students to bring a change of clothes (extra pants and socks). A change is often necessary due to the wet and cold weather of the winter months. Students are asked to have a pair of indoor shoes at school so that they may change out of their outdoor shoes/boots prior to entering the classroom. Indoor shoes should be closed toe and closed heel and non-slip (no sandals/crocs/slip-on shoes). Label all articles of clothing. Boots, hats, mitts/gloves, scarves, and snow pants will help make recess an enjoyable time.

Bus Loop Safety:

The bus loop is reserved for our school buses and operations. For safety reasons, parents must use the Kiss'n'Ride area when dropping off or picking up any time during the instructional day.

The Pick-Up Deadline:

If a parent plans to pick up their child (rather than having them take the bus), they need to notify the main office no later than 2:30 PM. This way, it gives the staff enough time to communicate the change appropriately. Otherwise, the child will go home on their regular bus to ensure a safe and orderly dismissal.

Parents arriving to pick up their child between 3:00 - 3:15 will be re-directed to wait in the Kiss'n'Ride/School Parking Lot until regular dismissal time at 3:15 p.m.

School Council :

Our next School Council meeting is planned for Monday, March 2, 2026. All families are welcome to join School Council meetings.

Parent Connections: Coffee Chat Series

Thank you for coming out to the first of three in our Coffee Chat Series this past Thursday. The conversation was lively and the group exchanged ideas on building better morning routines and managing screen time. We look forward to the next session in the series coming up in the Spring.

Lunch Clubs Are Here:

Our School Council volunteers started lunch clubs this week! See the list of clubs offerings below:

Tuesdays - Chess Club

Thursdays - Creative Club

Fridays - Book Club

The clubs are open to all ages and students were encouraged to sign up to help us organize numbers.

Coming soon are:

Mondays -Yoga Club

Wednesdays - Running Club

Fridays- Girls Soccer Club

Students who signed up for Running, Yoga and Soccer received permission forms to complete and return prior to being able to participate.

We are a busy bunch at lunch!

Save the Date: PJs + Popcorn Movie Night

Get ready to grab the popcorn and throw on your PJs!

The School Council is rolling out the red carpet for a super fun Family Movie Night on Thursday, January 22, 2026!

Please mark your calendars for a cozy evening that your young movie stars won't want to miss! We're planning to invite some fantastic local community members and vendors to join the fun.

Full details on the movie, showtime, and ticket information will be coming your way soon.

We can't wait to see you there!

Stay Informed!

Please continue to read the weekly newsletter for up-to-date information related to SC Meetings, Lunch Clubs, and Events.

Interested in getting involved? Please email us at: elders.mills.ps@sc.yrdsb.ca

Support the Vaughan Food Bank!

Help support greater food security for families in our community. Elder’s Mills accepts donations for the Vaughan Food Bank. Drop off non-perishable items any time during school hours. We continue to accept donations year-round. See the flyer for December needs.

Information for Grade 8 Families:

This letter was sent to families via YRDSB Update this week. It is repeated here for you information.

Dear Families,

This letter provides important information about which secondary schools are open or closed to transfer requests for the 2026-2026 school year and the transfer process, including key dates.

Schools and Programs

Most students attend their home school - the school in their neighbourhood - where they’ll find caring staff, high-quality programs and opportunities to build skills for the future. As your child moves through their school years, there may be program options to explore, based on their interests and goals. No matter which YRDSB school or program your child attends, they will receive a great education in a safe, inclusive and supportive environment.

About Transfers

Each year, we work to make sure student enrolment and space needs are balanced in secondary schools. This includes ensuring that students accepted to transfer into courses/programs outside their home school can be accommodated without limiting opportunity for students who live locally.

The following schools will not be accepting new student transfer requests for the 2026-2027 school year:

Area	Schools closed to transfer
CEC Central	Aurora High School (for French Immersion), Bayview Secondary School, Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School, Richmond Hill High School
CEC East	Bill Hogarth Secondary School (for Regular Track), Bur Oak Secondary School, Markville Secondary School, Milliken Mills High School, Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School, Unionville High School
CEC North	Newmarket High School
CEC West	Hodan Nalayeh Secondary School (for French Immersion), Stephen Lewis Secondary School, Tommy Douglas Secondary School (for grades 10, 11 and 12)

The following schools will be open to new student transfer requests for the 2026-2027 school year:

Area	Schools open to transfer
CEC Central	Alexander Mackenzie High School, Aurora High School (only for Regular Track), King City Secondary School, Langstaff Secondary School, Richmond Green Secondary School
CEC East	Bill Hogarth Secondary School (only for French Immersion), Markham District High School, Middlefield Collegiate Institute
CEC North	Dr. John M. Denison Secondary School, Huron Heights Secondary School, Keswick High School, Sir William Mulock Secondary School, Stouffville District Secondary School, Sutton District High School
CEC West	Emily Carr Secondary School, Hodan Nalayeh Secondary School (only for Regular Track), Maple High School, Thornhill Secondary School, Thornlea Secondary School, Tommy Douglas Secondary School (for grade 9 only), Westmount Collegiate Institute, Woodbridge College

Transfer Process and Key Dates

By January 30, 2026: Submit your transfer request form:

YRDSB Grade 8 students. Request the form from your current elementary school. Email the completed form back to your elementary school.

YRDSB secondary school students. Request and email the completed form to your current secondary school.

Students new to YRDSB for Secondary School. Request the form from your YRDSB designated secondary home school (as indicated in school locator). Send the completed form and a registration form to the home secondary school.

Please note:

If you select “other” as the reason for request, your current or home school principal will contact you to discuss the request.
Where your signature is required, either an electronic signature or full name entered in the signature field will be accepted as a signature.

By February 9, 2026, students will be notified of the decision.

On February 12, 2026, YRDSB Grade 8 students will be mapped to their transfer school (if approved) and can begin submitting their courses in My Pathway Planner.

By February 20, 2026 by 4 p.m. course selections are due:

YRDSB Grade 8 students will complete course selection in My Pathway Planner.
YRDSB secondary school students and secondary school students new to YRDSB will complete course selection as indicated by the secondary school.

For more information:

For more information on attendance areas and student transfers, review the process outlined in Board Policy #108 Student Accommodation – Attendance Areas and Student Transfers.
If you have questions about the Transfer process please contact your home school.
For more information about secondary school in YRDSB, visit Experience Secondary School on our website.

Thank you.

In the Community:

YRDSB Hanukkah Community Celebration

In celebration of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, the Network for Educators Supporting Jewish Learners (NESJL) is excited to invite all YRDSB staff and their families to a joyful and inclusive community gathering.

Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Rosedale Heights P.S.

Registration: Please register online if you wish to attend. To assist us with planning the event, please tell us the number of attendees, including yourself, who will be attending.

Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration that commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil lasting eight nights. It is a time for community, joy, light, and togetherness.

This event will highlight the traditions and significance of Hanukkah through interactive activities for all ages. Families will have the opportunity to enjoy cultural learning, crafts, music, and festivities that honour Jewish identity and community. Refreshments and treats connected to the holiday will be provided.

Join us as we come together to learn, celebrate, and share in the light of Hanukkah!

For more information, please contact Inclusive School and Community Services (ISCS) at iscs@yrdsb.ca.

Understanding and Navigating the Education System:

Families of YRDSB Black Students Monthly Virtual Information Session on Monday, December 15, 2025, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Families, parents, and caregivers, please join us for our monthly virtual meeting, where families with Black children come together to learn about resources and upcoming programs for Black students in both elementary and secondary schools. Please see the flyer below for more information and the registration link.

Growing Together - Planning for Success

Save the Date! The Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy Implementation Plan Team, is proud to announce the upcoming event for students, families and staff.

Date: January 8, 2026

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Location: Newmarket High School (505 Pickering Cres., Newmarket)

The move to high school is a critical milestone, and we are committed to ensuring every student and family feels fully prepared and equipped for success.

We are excited to invite Black students and their families in Grades 6 through 10 to an upcoming event highlighting the opportunities available to support pathway planning, specialty programs, and the transition between elementary and secondary school.

This is a key opportunity for Black students and families to connect with educators, ask questions, and build a personalized roadmap for a successful and fulfilling secondary school experience.

More information and registration will be available shortly.

For any questions, please contact blackstudentexcellence@yrdsb.ca.

2026 Prime Minister's Award Nominations Open

Consider nominating an educator for a 2026 Prime Minister’s Award! Download your nomination package today. Submit your nomination electronically by January 14, 2026.

EMPS IS A FRAGRANCE AND SCENT-FREE ZONE

Staff, students and all other persons who are invited to or who work on Board property are asked to be considerate of those who are sensitive to fragrant chemicals by refraining from chemical-based scented products and replacing them with unscented alternatives. This will reduce the use of fragranced products in our environment.

We have staff and students at Elder’s Mills who have respiratory issues such as asthma, allergies and bronchitis. Their reactions to chemicals from scents and fragrances can be more frequent, uncomfortable and intensified when exposed to strong fragrances. Your attention and consideration of this is appreciated.

School Spirit Wear

The online store is open. Merchandise ordered will be delivered to the school every 3 weeks. All proceeds will fund school enhancements and programs. Shop online by following this link: https://stores.inksoft.com/eldersmills/shop/home