APPRECIATIONS, FAREWELLS AND WELCOMES
As we near the end of the school year, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude to our incredible Elder’s Mills community — our dedicated teachers, office staff, custodians, lunch assistants, support staff, School Council, students, and families. The care, collaboration, and commitment of each one of you is what drives the success of our school. It truly takes a village, and we are so thankful for all you do.
We would also like to extend heartfelt goodbyes to our Grade 8 graduates, as well as to the students and families who are moving or transitioning to new schools. Each of you has left a special mark on our community, and you will be greatly missed.
In addition, we want to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the staff members who will be leaving Elder’s Mills. Each of these individuals has made a lasting impact on our school community, and while we are saddened to see them go, we are also excited for the new opportunities they will embrace. They will certainly be missed, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.
Staff leaving the nest:
Mme Mondal
Mme Hill
M. Wong
Mme Massaro
Mme A. Wong
Mr. Zarrinmehr
Mme Parameswaran
Mme Merches
As we say goodbye to some familiar faces, we are also excited to welcome new team members to Elder’s Mills:
Mr. Meagher, incoming Vice-Principal
Ms. Jacob, incoming Child and Youth Worker
Please join us in warmly welcoming our new team members and in celebrating the contributions of those moving on. Elder’s Mills is stronger because of each and every one of you.
Student Showcase
It’s no secret that Elder’s Mills is home to incredible talent! This week, students and families were treated to a vibrant celebration of creativity and performance during our dress rehearsals and Spring Showcase.
A big thank you to the dedicated team of teachers who organized and supported the event, to our amazing student performers for their hard work and excellence, and to our families for showing up with your love and encouragement.
Way to go, Eagles — you made us proud!
Track and Field
What a showing at the Regionals this past week! Our Elder’s Mills athletes competed at an incredibly high level against students from across the YRDSB, with many achieving personal bests.
Earlier this month at the Area meet, EMPS earned pennants in the following divisions:
Tyke Girls (Grade 4)
Tyke Boys
Bantam Girls
Bantam Boys
Senior Girls (Grade 8)
Junior Overall
Intermediate Overall
The word is out: EMPS Eagles are the team to watch in Track and Field! Congratulations to our athletes, coaches, and supportive families — your dedication and teamwork make it all possible.
Soccer
Congratulations to both the Girls and Boys Soccer Teams for an outstanding season!
The girls played a series of strong, competitive games last week — meeting every challenge with determination and school spirit. Their coach, Mr. Gregoriou, shared how proud he was of the team's effort and growth.
The boys also had a fantastic tournament run, winning the championship and bringing home another pennant for Elder’s Mills!
Many players on both teams are in Grade 8 and have been playing together since Grade 6. As they prepare to graduate, we wish them all the best — and we’re excited to see what next year’s teams will bring.
Go Eagles!
EMPS Student recognized at the Educators for Tamil Students Success Annual awards (ETSS):
The Uukkamathu Kaividale Award of Excellence is being presented by the Educators for Tamil Students Success of YRDSB in partnership with Inclusive School and Community Services of YRDSB, Markham Tamil Organization, and Association of Sri Lankan Graduates of Canada. This award is intended to recognize, promote and support Tamil students’ success within York Region District Schools.
Haasanaa was nominated to receive an UUKKAMATHU KAIVIDALE Award of Excellence for Perseverance. Haasanaa has demonstrated perseverance since grade 7 in her academics. She has always had a strong will to achieve academically and has worked learning new study habits to ensure success. Felicitations Haasanaa!
Gardening Club:
The Gardening Club needs your support! We’ve worked hard on beautifying the front of the school. As you enter the front of the building you will see fresh plants, shrubs, mulch, and if you look closely, painted rocks. These rocks are the ‘signatures’ of the garden club, each belonging to a student who participated in this amazing project. We now need our community to support us in its maintenance. As we head into the summer, we are looking for help to keep the garden thriving. If you’re available to stop by and water over the summer months, please let the School Council know. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Hot Weather Action Plan:
We are looking forward to a successful week ahead as we finish the school year. Over the next few days, we are anticipating hot weather that may require our school to implement our Hot Weather protocols.
As with any weather conditions at school, we respond to the individual needs of their students and staff and prepare an appropriate action plan. Our hot weather action plan involves program modifications, air handling system modifications and reduced lighting and motor use as the main building is not yet equipped with air-conditioned spaces. The plan may incorporate some of the following strategies which can be found in the Board’s Extreme Hot and Cold Weather and UV Protection Guideline:
Encourage students and staff to make use of shady areas in the school yard such as under trees, besides the building and under umbrellas.
Keep blinds/curtains closed in classrooms directly exposed to sunlight and turn off any unnecessary lights.
For hot, humid weather relief in classrooms or portables, Board-approved fans may be used to provide air movement in the room. Some classes may have to be relocated to cooler areas such as gymnasiums or libraries to provide relief.
In addition, students are encouraged to wear loose, light clothing, which will help to reduce body heat through moisture evaporation. Students are also encouraged to bring a refillable water container and to drink water throughout the day to keep hydrated.
Staff members will continue to monitor students throughout the day, and will be rotating classes through cooler areas in our building, as well as encouraging students to take frequent water breaks.
We would like to assure you that the health and well-being of students and staff is our priority and all of our schools have established a local plan of action to support all those in our schools.
ACCESS REPORT CARDS IN THE FAMILY DASHBOARD WHEN AVAILABLE
As we reach the end of the school year, schools will be sharing student report cards by June 30 for elementary schools and July 10 for secondary schools. Report cards will be available in the Family Dashboard until July 30. You will receive an email when your child’s report card is available.
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.
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.
As we wrap up the school year, 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.
Applications Open for Board’s Parent, Family and Community Engagement Advisory Committee
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. The application deadline has been extended from June 11, 2025 to June 25, 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.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR STUDENT SAFE ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
As we break for the summer holidays, we would like to remind families to report any student absences, especially during the first week of school. We recognize some families may be on extended vacation, transfer schools or move out of the board area and ask that you contact the school to inform office staff during the last week of August or on the first day of school.
As per Board Policy and Procedures #665.0, Safe Arrivals and Departures – Elementary and Secondary Students, if your child’s absence is still not verified even after exhausting different steps to connect with the family, York Regional Police will be contacted and may be dispatched to your residence.
We remind parent(s)/guardian(s) to update the school with all emergency contact information when changes are made. Thank you for your cooperation in reporting student absences.
SUMMER INSTITUTE REGISTRATION
Looking for summer learning and fun activities for students entering Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8? Summer Institute offers academic, recreational and athletic programs and activities with intentional links to the Ontario Curriculum.
The program runs for six weeks during July and August. It is offered at nine school sites around York Region.
For more information on dates, programs and locations, please visit the Summer Institute webpage.
2025 - 2026 School Year Calendar
Follow the link above for details about next school year’s calendar.
Dates to note are highlighted here:
- First Day of School - Tuesday, September 2, 2025
- Last Day of School - Thursday, June 25, 2026
- Winter Break - Monday December 22, 2025 to Friday, January 2, 2026
- March Break - Monday, March 16, 2024 to Friday, March 20, 2026
Professional Activities and other holidays are available in the link.
P.A. Day Plan June 27, 2025 All Elementary Schools
- Length: Full Day – AM & PM
- Topic: Transition Planning and School Improvement Planning
- Entity Hosting: All Elementary Schools
- Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): School Administration and Board Based Personnel
- Description: School Teams will engage in School Improvement Planning, reflecting on the impact of strategies used during the year and their impact on student outcomes.
June 21st is National Indigenous People’s Day:
June 21 was declared National Indigenous Peoples Day in 1996 by then Governor General Romeo Leblanc. The day was chosen in consultation with some national organizations for Indigenous peoples including the Assembly of First Nations, and coincides with the summer solstice which is significant for some First Nations.
Examining the truths of Canada’s colonial past and present is important work and should continue to drive our examination of bias and what Canadian history has tried to deny for so long. The importance of June 21st, however, is to uplift and affirm Indigenous identities by including positive representations.
The 21st has become a day for celebration in many Indigenous communities. It is a day for
showing pride in their living cultures and to demonstrate a resurgence of ways of being,
thinking and speaking. Join us today in celebrating the diverse cultures of First Nations,
Métis and Inuit communities, the original people of Turtle Island.
On the Horizon….
June:
24 Graduation
26 Last day of Classes - Early Release 12:15p.m.
27 P.A. Day
We would like to wish students, staff and families a happy National Indigenous Peoples Day. On June 21st, we honour and celebrate the role of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in Canada. Please take a moment to recognize and learn more about the many languages, cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.