Week 34 @ EMPS - Friday, May 16, 2025

Soaring Eagles at Music Fest Canada: 

CONGRATULATIONS!!! To the Soaring Eagles Concert Band for their performance and participation in Music Fest on Tuesday, May 13! 

The Band earned Silver in their category.   “A silver standard signifies that an ensemble is demonstrating an exceedingly high standard of musical performance in their age group. “ The band was judged by four adjudicators and competed against 100s of entries across Canada for a spot in this competition. 

Thank you to Mr. Mellor and to the teachers, staff, School Council and families who offered their time and support in making this event a success. 


Book Fair @ EMPS! 

We’re excited to announce that our Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school from Monday, May 26, to Friday, May 30!

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to discover new books and fuel their love of reading. This year, we are pleased to invite families to join us for a special Book Fair Family Night on Thursday, May 29, and to participate in the Family Event Door Prize. Come and explore the fair with your child—it’s a great way to connect and share the joy of reading together!

To help make purchases smoother, we are aiming for a cashless Book Fair this year. Here are a few important notes:

  • We encourage students to create a wish list before buying, to help them plan their selections.
  • If you do send cash, please place the exact amount in a labeled envelope.
  • All purchases can be made using a wireless payment machine. We accept:
    • Debit and Credit Cards
  • Tap (including Apple Pay)
  • Mydoh

Thank you for supporting our school and helping to promote literacy in our community. We look forward to seeing you at the Book Fair!


Track and Field! 

On Wednesday, May 28, the Junior and Intermediate Students at Elder’s Mills will be participating in the school Track and Field Day. In case of rain, the event will take place the following day. All events will take place on school grounds. 

Track and Field provides all student-athletes an opportunity to be involved with a team while improving and excelling at an individual event.  ALL students in grades 4 - 8 will be participating in 2 Track and 2 Field events of their choice on this day.  These activities are tied in with the Physical Education program and students are expected to participate.  We encourage them to try different events to see what they enjoy and to try something new.  

In school, we run the following events:

Track events

Field Events

  1. 100M dash
  2. 200M dash
  3. 400M dash
  4. 800M run
  5. 1500M dash (Intermediate students only)
  1. Standing Long Jump
  2. Running Long Jump
  3. Triple Jump
  4. Precision Throw
  5. Ball Throw (Grades 4&5)
  6. Shot Put (Grades 6-8)

 

Students will be outdoors for the entire day, from 8:45 to 3:15.  They will be expected to follow a schedule, remain with their group, arrive at their chosen event on time, and to compete with their best effort. Students are also expected to dress appropriately for physical activity, with proper running shoes and clothing (shorts and T-shirt).   Please ensure your child comes to school wearing sunscreen.  Students will also need to be prepared for the day with a water bottle,  a hat and sunscreen (so that your child may re-apply as needed).  

We are looking forward to a great day of community building with our Eagles! 


Book Buzz Reading Challenge is underway! 

On Thursday, May 16th, we ‘dropped everything and read’ to kick off the event.  For every book a student reads, they can "buzz" about it by completing a short blurb on a bookmark. The class that reads the most books (measured by the number of completed bookmarks) will win funds to purchase even more books for their classroom library!

We invite you to support this exciting initiative at home by encouraging daily reading with your child. Please ensure they bring a book (or books) to read at school or have borrowed books from our school library or the public library. Reading is encouraged in both English and French, and at home, in any language your family enjoys!


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 voluntarily refraining from chemical-based scented products and replacing them with unscented alternatives. This will reduce the use of fragranced products in our environment. No Fragances poster

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 in warmer weather.  Your attention and consideration of this is appreciated.   


 

Delivery Services at Lunch Time 

We are experiencing a high volume of deliveries for student lunches from services such as Uber Eats or Skip the Dishes. While we recognize the convenience these services provide, we are asking for your cooperation in reserving their use for emergencies only (e.g. student dropped their lunch and a caregiver can’t get to the school for a replacement).  


 

Are you moving? 

Please let us know if you are planning to move.  This information helps us immensely when planning for next year.  Please notify the school office as soon as possible by sending an email to elders.mills.ps@yrdsb.ca 


 

Planning an extended absence or vacation? 

Please let the school know by sending an email to elders.mill.ps@yrdsb.ca.  Families must communicate extended absences in writing.  


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 


Hot Lunches: 

The Lunchbox program is live through: https://www.schoolcashonline.com.   Orders can be placed by Sunday of each week. You may order one week at a time or several weeks all together; there are many options! 


SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS! 

Upcoming Events to Watch For:

  • Spring Fair:
    • Thursday, May 29, 2025 - Details coming soon!
  • School Council Meeting:
    • June 12th, 2025 - details will be shared as the date approaches 

If you wish to connect with School Council, please email elders.mills.ps@sc.yrdsb.ca


 

In the YRDSB

Applications for Parent, Family and Community Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC): 

York Region District School Board is accepting applications for membership on the Board’s Parent, Family and Community Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC). PEAC supports parent and family engagement at the Board level in order to improve student achievement and well-being. Applications are due June 11, 2025. 

 

Interested parent and family applicants are invited to learn more about the role of PEAC, eligibility and how to apply by visiting the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC) webpage. 


2025 - 2026 School Year Calendar: 

The YRDSB 2025-2026 school year calendars have been approved by the Ministry. These calendars may be accessed on the YRDSB website at: https://www2.yrdsb.ca/school-year-calendar.


In the Community: 

I

 


On the Horizon…. 

May: 

Character Trait - Responsibility 

Asian/South Asian Heritage Month 

Jewish Heritage Month 

Armenian Heritage Month 

Dutch Heritage Month 

Polish Heritage Month 

 

15  - 30 Book Buzz Reading Challenge! 

19 Victoria Day - School Closed 

22 Badminton Tournament 

26 - 30 Spring Book Fair 

26 Gr 2 Scientists in the School 

27 Gr 8 Trip 

28 EMPS Track and Field Day 

29 Gr 2 Trip 

29 Spring Fair 

30 Gr 2 Scientists in the School