Week 23 @ EMPS - Friday, February 20, 2026

PINK SHIRT DAY

February 25, 2026, marks Pink Shirt Day, a globally recognized initiative that promotes anti‑bullying and encourages upstanding behaviour. It serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up against all forms of hate and discrimination. On Wednesday, February 25, we encourage all students, staff, and community members to wear PINK to promote anti-bullying.

Term 1 Report Cards

Electronic copies of report cards will be distributed electronically to families/caregivers and available on the Family Dashboard. New! Only Grade 4-8 students will receive student report cards via their GAPPS accounts.

Access Report Cards in the Family Dashboard When Available

Schools will be sharing student report cards for all students Kindergarten to Grade 12 in the Family Dashboard. You will receive an email when your child’s report card is available. Report cards are available now and will be accessible for the next 30 days.

For families who do not yet have a Family Dashboard account, you can sign up for an account at any time at family.yrdsb.ca. You can find information on how to create an account on the Board website or in this instructional video.
For families who have a Family Dashboard account, but have forgotten their password: from the login screen, select “forgot password” to create a new password.

The Family Dashboard gives parents/guardians secure one-stop access to information and applications related to your child’s education. It is designed to make it easier for families to engage with their child’s education.

Please note, you can still request a printed copy of your child’s report card if you prefer by contacting your child’s school.

Updated Contact Information

We also want to remind families that it’s important that the school has updated contact information for students and parents/guardians, including home address, phone numbers, email address and emergency contacts. This will ensure that the school can contact families in case of emergency, and also that you continue to receive important communications and updates from the school. Please contact the school directly with any changes.

EQAO INFORMATION

Webinar for Parents and Guardians

EQAO Math Night for Parents and Guardians
(February 24, 2026, 6:00 PM)
Join us for a free live webinar where EQAO staff will discuss math questions that Ontario students encounter when they participate in Ontario’s large-scale assessments. These assessments are taken by all Ontario students in Grades 3, 6 and 9. During the webinar, EQAO staff will show how these math questions help assess the skills students are learning in their math classes. Staff will also share valuable insights from EQAO research into assessment results, which can help parents and guardians support their children’s math learning.

A Shared Commitment to Respectful Communication

Our school values strong, respectful partnerships between students, staff, families, and our wider community. We recognize that questions and concerns may arise, and we are committed to listening and working together to support student learning and well-being.

We kindly remind all members of our school community that interactions with school staff, whether in person, by phone, or in writing, are expected to reflect the York Region District School Board’s Code of Conduct. This includes communicating in a civil, respectful, and professional manner, even during times of disagreement or frustration.

Our staff are dedicated professionals who work collaboratively to ensure a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for all students. Respectful communication helps us address concerns more effectively and maintain a positive working and learning environment for everyone.

We appreciate your cooperation and continued partnership as we uphold these shared expectations.

Families planning to move or students not returning in September

As we begin our planning for the 2025-2026 school year, we kindly ask you to inform the school office if your family has plans to move over the summer, or if your children will not be returning in September for any reason. This information helps us to ensure a smooth transition for all students and to make necessary staffing arrangements for the upcoming academic year.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and helps us in planning effectively for the new school year. Thank you for your support.

Yearbook

Staff and students are collaborating to create a 64-page, full-colour yearbook filled with highlights and memories from the school year. Yearbooks are $32.00 and are now available for purchase through School Cash Online.

Yearbook Photos - Consent

Yearbooks chronicle the activities of the school and student body. They are produced for sale (hard copy or digital) to students and the school community. School yearbooks may be placed in the school library in hardcopy or electronic format.

Class photos, photos of your child's participation in school clubs, activities and events, work products by your child, and your child's achievements may be published in the yearbook along with their grade and full name.

Please complete and submit this form if you DO NOT CONSENT to your child's photo and/or name being published in the yearbook. Complete a separate form for each child. Submit by March 27, 2026.

Student Personal Information Consent Form

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

School Council

Visit the School Council pages on the website for upcoming dates and events: https://eldersmills-ps.yrdsb.ca/school-council

The next School Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 2, 2026. All parents/guardians are invited to attend. Meetings are hosted in the school staffroom and remotely via meet link. We look forward to seeing you!

Renewed Computer Technology Program

Dear Families,

As part of a partnership between YRDSB and Renewed Computer Technology (RCT), families with children enrolled in our Board have the opportunity to purchase quality refurbished computers at a reduced cost. Applicants must live in Ontario, have a student enrolled at YRDSB and either receive government assistance payments or qualify as a limited income earner under the limited income cut-off standards*.

Below is a limited income grid for your reference.

Family size	Annual income*
2 people	$30,286
3 people	$37,234
4 people	$45,206
5 people	$51,272
6 people	$57,286
7 people +	$64,381

This year, there are different packages available for purchase. Please reference the online application page for the current available package offerings. Please note that there are three options for delivery.

If you would like for the computer to be delivered directly to your home, there is RCT OTR Order Form a $25 charge for laptops and a $35 charge for desktops. Families who choose this delivery option will have their order shipped when it is ready, roughly 3 weeks from date of order.
If you would like the device shipped to your child’s school there is a $20 delivery charge. If you choose this shipping option, the computer will be delivered to your child's school in March after the end of the promotion period. Please indicate the name of the school on the form when selecting this option.
You may choose to pick up the computer from the RCT Mississauga Warehouse, for free, located at 945 Meyerside Drive, Mississauga. Families who choose this option will have their order ready for pick up roughly 3 weeks after the date of order.

Parents and legal guardians may apply for one computer per student, with a limit of two per household. Please see below for a full list of device specifications.

If you are interested in applying, please complete an online application at https://www.jotform.com/210054491659255 using the group code on the attached program flyer. The application period is from January 15, 2025 – February 27, 2025.

Please note - There are sections in the RCT Online Application that are no longer applicable:

Requirement of Proof or Documentation of Income
Requirement to participate in training prior to receiving your computer/laptop

The Section on Course of Study can pertain to elementary or secondary. If you do not have access to a computer or the Internet, please contact the administration team at your school for assistance.

For inquiries related to the RCT application process, devices and delivery, please contact Hafza Arshad (harshad@rcto.ca) and for inquiries related to support from YRDSB, please contact Yvonne Kelly (yvonne.kelly@yrdsb.ca)

For more information, including complete application and payment instructions, please refer to the attached program flyer and checklist.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

ELDER'S MILLS IS A SCENT-FREE/FRAGRANCE FREE LEARNING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT.

Community Safety Village Summer Camp Information

Dear Families of Students in Grades 3 to 7, On Monday, March 23rd, the Community Safety Village will be opening registration for their free summer camps programs.

Click here: https://csv.simplybook.me/v2/#page/summer-camp-information

International Women's Day- March 8

International Women's Day has been recognized for over a century, with the first IWD gathering of over a million people in 1911. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on member states to proclaim a day for women's rights and gender parity. Following the United Nations' lead, Canada declared March 8 as International Women's Day. To achieve a gender equal world, it is essential to notice and name the existing inequality and examine and challenge unconscious biases and harmful gender-based stereotypes through collective and reciprocal action. The International Women's Day 2026 campaign exemplifies this commitment through the theme of Give to Gain.