What's Happening @ EMPS!
Going on vacation? Please report your absence!
March Break is almost here! If you are planning a vacation and know that you will not be returning to school by Monday, March 23, please remember to submit your child’s absence through EDSBY or email the school’s attendance email at: elders.mills.ps.attendance@yrdsb.ca. 
When the school cannot confirm a child’s absence, we follow our Safe arrival procedures and this may include reaching out to York Regional Police to help locate and ensure the safety of your child. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
Are you moving?
Is your family planning a move? If your child is currently attending Elder’s Mills and you know that they will be changing schools for September, please let our office team know as soon as possible. This information will support our planning for September. Please send an email to elders.mill.ps@yrdsb.ca. Thank you.
Dismissal Safety Reminder
Student safety during dismissal is a priority for our school community. We ask families to help ensure that pick-up routines support a safe and orderly environment for everyone.
Students should not walk or run through the parking lot to meet a parent or caregiver. The parking lot is an active area with vehicles moving in and out, and crossing between cars creates a safety risk.
If you are picking up your child by vehicle, please pull up to the designated pick-up area in the Kiss'n'Ride so your child can enter your vehicle safely from the curb.
Families who park along the road may meet their child there. Students may use the sidewalk along the parking lot to walk safely to meet a parent or caregiver who has parked on Rota. Wherever possible parents and caregivers are encouraged to come to the Kiss'n'Ride area to meet their child and walk together to their parked vehicle.
Thank you for helping us maintain a safe dismissal for all students.
EQAO Webinars for Families - March:
- Focus on Writing (March 25, 2026, 12:00 PM)
Join us for a free live webinar about how EQAO assesses students’ writing skills at key stages of their education. EQAO staff will discuss writing prompts and questions from the primary- and junior-division assessments and from the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test. Participants will hear how these prompts and questions help assess the skills students are learning in class. Staff will also highlight valuable insights and resources that can help parents and guardians support their child’s learning.
- EQAO Literacy Session for Families: Focus on Reading
(March 31, 2026, 6:00 PM)
Join us for a free live webinar about how EQAO assesses students’ reading skills at key stages of their education. EQAO staff will discuss reading samples and questions from the primary and junior assessments and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test. Participants will hear how these reading passages and questions help assess the skills students are learning in class. Staff will also highlight valuable insights and resources that can help parents and guardians support their child’s learning.
School Council
Visit the School Council pages on the website for upcoming dates and events: https://eldersmills-ps.yrdsb.ca/school-council
The School Council invites you to get involved. Please reach out if you are interested in volunteering to support the upcoming Spring Fair event planned for May 21, 2026. Email School Council at elders.mills.ps@sc.yrdsb.ca
The next School Council meeting this Monday, June 1, 2026. Hope to see you there!
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
ELDER'S MILLS IS A SCENT-FREE/FRAGRANCE FREE LEARNING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
In 2026, International Women’s Day (IWD) marks an extraordinary milestone: 115 years of collective action, advocacy, and progress toward gender equality.
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.
What began in the early 20th century as a movement demanding fair wages, safer working conditions, and the right to vote has grown into a global day of recognition, reflection, and renewed commitment.
Daylight Saving Time – Spring Forward
Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend across Ontario. On Sunday, clocks move forward by one hour.
Please remember to set your clocks ahead before going to bed on Saturday night. The time change can take a few days for children to adjust to, so an earlier bedtime on Sunday evening can help support a smooth start to the week.
March
March is Hellenic Heritage Month, Persian Heritage Month, Bangladeshi Heritage Month
Character Trait - Perseverance
8 International Women's Day
10 Soaring Eagles @ Music Festival
10 Intermediate Boys @ Regional Tournament
12 EMPS Eco Fair Showcase
16 - 20 March Break
17 Irish Heritage Day
20 Eid-U-Fitr
21 Naw-Ruz/Nowruz
21 World Down Syndrome Day
26 Term 1 Celebration Assembly
27 School Spirit Dance
27 Earth Hour
