School Spirit Week!
Hello EMPS families! We are excited to present a spirit week from the 15th to the 19th. Each day will consist of a new, fun activity. Down below you will find a list of all the spirit days with a small, brief explanation.
Monday, Dec 15 - Funky Hair and Wacky Hat Day! ( Come to school with fun new hairstyles or a cool, wacky hat! Show off your personality in a cool new look!
Tuesday, Dec 16 - Matching Day/Spirit Day! (Match colours or outfits with friends, or show school spirit by wearing red, yellow and white!)
Wednesday, Dec 17 - Cozy Sweater Day! (Wear something warm and cosy to get in the holiday spirit!)
Thursday, Dec 18 - Character Day! (Dress up as your favourite character from a book, movie, or TV show, or as someone you idolise!)
Friday, Dec 19 - Pajama Day! (Come to school in festive or cozy pajamas to show you're ready for the holidays!)
Mia P and Nia R, Student Advisory Council
The Winter Concert
Felicitations! To all performers at Wednesday’s Winter Concert Event!
Un grand, gros merci to the staff who supported the event!
Thank you to the Music department and Caretaking team at Emily Carr SS for their support!
Thank you to our families for your participation and ongoing support!
What a fantastic event. The event raised just under $2000 for the Music Program.
Merci beaucoup!
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.
Medication at School: 
Parents are advised to inform the office if their child needs to be taking any medication during the school day. This includes pain medication, allergy medication. The medication must be brought to the office upon arrival to school, labeled with the students name and in original packaging. A Self-Administration of medication form will need to be completed and submitted together with the medication. Copies of the form can be requested from the office or found at the link.
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.
Lunch Clubs Are Here:
Our School Council volunteers started lunch clubs this week! See the list of clubs offerings below:
Monday (this week only) - Yoga Club
Tuesdays - Chess Club
Wednesdays - Running Club
Thursdays - Creative Club
Fridays - Book Club and Girls Soccer Club
The clubs are open to all ages and students were encouraged to sign up to help us organize numbers.
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
Please visit the school council pages on the school website information about School Council activities: EMPS School Council pages
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.
In the Community:
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.
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
On the Horizon...
December
December is Christian Heritage Month
14 - 22 Hanukkah
16 Las Posadas
19 Last Day of Classes 2025
21 Pancha Ganapati
21 December Solstice
25 Christmas
26 Kwanzaa
22 - January 2 Winter Holiday Break
January
January is Tamil Heritage Month
5 Classes resume
5 Birth of Guru Gobind Sing Ji (Sikh)
