Winter Fun at Elder's Mills PS!
Snow day creations at recess! Mr. Meagher and Mme Korinis put forth a challenge and EMPS students did not disappoint. How many snow sculptures can we create during recesses today?
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.attendance@yrdsb.ca). Be sure to include the last day your child will be at school and your expected date of return.
Contact Information
We ask families to ensure the school office has the most up-to-date contact information. This is important in case of emergencies and to ensure you receive important school communications. If your contact information has changed, please contact the school office. This includes phone numbers, addresses and email addresses.
Being on Time Sets Students Up for Success
Arriving at school on time supports a calm start to the day and ensures students do not miss important learning. Punctuality is an essential life skill that prepares students for success at school and beyond.
Students may enter the building as early as 8:30 a.m.; however, being on time for school means being in class and ready to learn when the 8:45 a.m. bell rings.
Students who arrive at their classroom after 8:45 a.m.—even if they were dropped off earlier—are marked late (late bus arrivals are not counted as lates). This is recorded and reflected on report cards.
At EMPS, we have noticed a pattern, particularly among many of our Junior and Intermediate students, of lost instructional time due to difficulty using the morning entry period effectively. We ask families to reinforce the expectation that morning arrival time is for preparing for learning, not socializing or lingering in common areas. Staff on duty reinforce expectations that students arrive to class by 8:45 and encourage them to prepare for and move directly to class upon entry.
Supporting On-Time Arrival to Class
A consistent routine can make mornings less stressful for everyone:
- Set a reasonable and consistent bedtime
- Keep morning and evening schedules predictable
- Make getting ready for school an expected daily responsibility
- Prepare the night before: lay out clothes, pack lunches, and place backpacks by the door
- Create a simple morning routine your child can follow independently
- Limit morning distractions such as TV, phones, or games
- Use alarms or reminders for wake-up time and departure time—and build in a small buffer if mornings tend to run late
Thank you for your continued partnership in reinforcing habits that support student responsibility, readiness, and success.
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.
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:
Tuesdays - Chess Club
Wednesdays - Running Club
Thursdays - Creative Club
Fridays - Book Club, Girls Soccer Club, Yoga 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
Engagement Matters: Parent, Family and Community Engagement (PEAC) Advisory Committee Newsletter - Winter 2025
The Winter 2025 edition of ‘Engagement Matters’, a Parent, Family and Community Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC) newsletter is now available for viewing. Follow the link below:
Student School Transportation Pilot
This week, you received an email letting you know that starting January 5, we are introducing a student school transportation pilot. This means the board will be divided into two areas and school transportation (bus and taxi) may be canceled in all or part of the region. We encourage families to review this information and to confirm their bus stop and service area.
With winter weather already upon us, please remember that information about our severe weather procedures can be found on the Board website, as well as tips to stay safe and warm during the winter months.
Community Safety Village of York Region - Free March Break Camps
This year, the Community Safety Village will be offering a 2-day camp during March Break for students in grades 4, 5 or 6.
You may either choose March 16-17, OR March 18-19. You may only choose 1 of the options.
The theme of each 2-day camp will focus on Emergency Services in York Region such as our Police, Fire, and Paramedics.
Registration opens January 13.
Follow this link for information: Community Safety Village March Break Camps
On the Horizon...
December
14 - 22 Hanukkah
19 Last Day of Classes 2025
21 Pancha Ganapati
21 December Solstice
25 Christmas (Western)
26 Kwanzaa
22 - January 2 Winter Holiday Break
January
January is Tamil Heritage Month
1 New Year's Day
5 Classes resume
5 Birth of Guru Gobind Sing Ji (Sikh)
7 Christmas Day (Eastern Orthodox)
16 PA Day - No classes for students
