CLARKSON CONNECTION - WEEK 1 @ ACPS

Good Afternoon ACPS Families!  

THIS IS THE FIRST OF 40 WEEKLY EMAILS I WILL SEND VIA INFORM, AND POST ON EDSBY TOO. 

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year at Adrienne Clarkson Public School (ACPS)!  

Every week (usually Friday), I will send an email (it comes from adrienne.clarkson.ps@yrdsb.ca) to our ACPS families with important ACPS and when applicable, YRDSB information. The same information will also be posted on EDSBY.

My email address if you need to connect directly is arin.otis@yrdsb.ca, and Mme McGrath’s email address is lori.mcgrath@yrdsb.ca 

We have had 4 great days back at school this week.  We have over 550 students here at ACPS and more than 40 staff too! 

On behalf of all ACPS staff, we want to wish you and your children, a spectacular, successful, and awesome 2025-2026 school year.

This week’s version of the weekly email is full of more information than you’ll usually receive.  Please take the time to review the following items:

WEEKLY ATTACHMENTS

Each week, you will be able to click on a link to access all documents you may require.  In the link below, please find the following key information:

• A full year, 5-day cycle calendar
• A flyer and order form from Kids’ Kitchen lunch program
• Back to school letters, including from the Minister of Education
• A FOLDER containing documents for families of students with medical needs

CLICK THIS LINK FOR WEEK 1 ATTACHMENTS

ALLERGY MANAGEMENT AT ACPS

A reminder that our school is peanut and nut free.  This means that lunches cannot contain peanuts or nut products.  Additionally, if your child has an Epi-pen, or medical needs, please complete the required paperwork as soon as possible, and return it to Mme Irving in the office.

START UP PACKAGE AND FORMS

ACPS Start-up forms have been sent to your Parent Dashboard earlier this week.  We ask that all forms are returned by Friday September 19.  If you have any issues completing the forms, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher, or send an email to adrienne.clarkson.ps@yrdsb.ca 

ACPS CALENDAR

Please visit our website to view our full Calendar.

MORNING DROP-OFF; AFTERNOON PICK-UP

If you drive your child (ren) to ACPS, please be reminded that the bus loop at the front of the school is closed to car traffic between 7:45 – 8:05 am, and 2:35 – 2:55 pm. This is to allow our buses to arrive and unload students safely.  If you drive to ACPS, please use the kiss n’ ride loop near the east doors. We ask that you drop off your children on the passenger side closest to the school, where staff on duty will direct them to the back tarmac. PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE KISS N’ RIDE LOOP. We also ask that you do not park in the parking lot unless you have an appointment in the school.  This will ensure your children are dropped off safely, and our staff are able to park in a spot and make it to class on time.

Please be reminded that ACPS is in a residential community, and blocking driveways is prohibited, and unkind to our community members.  If your child (ren) is eligible for busing, this is the best way to get them safely to school.

If you drive to ACPS for morning drop-off, or pick up for afternoon dismissal, consider these suggestions: 

• Establish a general spot to drop-off and pick-up.  This will develop routine, and will help alleviate stress for both parents/guardians, and of course, your children.
• If you do drive to ACPS, please remember to follow all posted signage.  
• ACPS is a no-idling zone, so please follow the rules of the Kiss n’ Ride.

LUNCH TIME @ ACPS

Lunch at ACPS is from 11:55 am – 12:55 pm. 11:55 – 12:15 is for eating, 12:15-12:55 is outdoor recess.

***NEW THIS YEAR. If you are delivering a lunch to your child, please use the drop off table and coolers to the left of the main doors.  This ensures that our office team can focus on the needs of the school. Additionally, we cannot accept Skip the Dishes, Door Dash, or Uber Eats. Please review this with your child(ren).

Now is a great time to build in routine with your child(ren) of making lunch the night before to pack in their backpack the following morning.  Also, a reminder to send spoons or forks if needed, as we cannot supply these from the office.

Lastly, paid school lunch programs (i.e., Kids Kitchen, Pizza, Subs, Burritos, etc.) will be available for purchase over the coming weeks. More information will be shared via SCHOOL CASH ONLINE.

ACPS TIMETABLE

The following times are in effect for the 2025-2026 school year.  Morning recess includes 10 minutes for snack, and 20 minutes outdoors, while Lunch includes 20 minutes to eat, and 40 minutes outdoors:

ACPS MEET THE TEACHER/CURRICULUM NIGHT – HOLD THE DATE

Our ACPS Meet the Teacher/Curriculum night is scheduled for Thursday September 25, 2025.  There will be multiple sessions available for you to attend, which is particularly important if you have 2 or more children attending ACPS.  More details will be shared with you in future editions of the Clarkson Connection.

WELCOME BACK MESSAGE FROM OUR SCHOOL COUNCIL CHAIRS:

On behalf of the School Council, we would like to extend a warm welcome to our new and returning students and their families! We hope you had a wonderful summer filled with joyful and memorable moments. The ACPS School Council is dedicated to supporting our students, school and community. We do this by subsidizing school events and programs that enrich the student experience. To make this possible, we organize a variety of fundraising initiatives throughout the school year.

As the new school year begins, we look forward to building on the strong relationships we have within our ACPS community. Our goal is to continue fostering a positive, inclusive and engaging environment for our students. We encourage everyone in our ACPS family to stay connected, share your ideas, and get involved—your voices matter and make a difference!

Stay tuned for more updates! We will soon be recruiting new parent volunteers to support upcoming council events and activities! Wishing everyone a fantastic start to the school year!

Sherry and Lisa

MESSAGE FROM OUR TRUSTEE – SEPTEMBER 2025

Welcome back to school to all of our new and returning students and families. This is an exciting time, filled with new beginnings and new opportunities for learning, growth and connection. We look forward to another great school year together.

As a school board trustee, I have the privilege of representing our community. Trustees play an important role in shaping the direction of public education in York Region by setting the budget and policies, establishing priorities through our Multi-Year Strategic Plan and communicating with families. I look forward to connecting with many of you at school and Board events over the coming months and encourage you to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. I will also continue to share important updates through these quarterly messages. 

I also encourage you to stay connected with your child’s school. Your voice matters and we truly value the important partnership we share with families. In addition to school communications, you can stay connected by following the school board on social media, visiting our newsroom, listening to our Board podcast and exploring the Board website and refreshed school websites for information and updates. 

We recognize this is a time of transition - whether your child is starting a new school, taking the school bus for the first time, or getting to know a new teacher, these early weeks can bring excitement and questions. Our caring and dedicated staff are here to support students and families every step of the way. We also understand that some students may be requesting timetable changes, and transportation services may still be finalizing routes. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time, and want to assure you that we are working to support a smooth start for all.

We remain committed to delivering high-quality, inclusive public education that supports the success and well-being of every student. Our Multi-Year Strategic Plan guides our work and reflects our priorities: student achievement, mental health and well-being, human rights and inclusive education.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in education. I wish your family a wonderful start to the school year. 

Cindy Liang, Trustee, Richmond Hill Wards 3, 5 and 6 

ON THE HORIZON…

1. Monday September 8 – Kids Kitchen begins today
2. Friday September 19 – POWLEY DAY
3. Tuesday September 23, Wednesday September 24 – Rosh Hashanah
4. Thursday September 25 – ACPS TERRY FOX RUN; ACPS MEET THE TEACHER/CURRICULUM NIGHT – More information will be shared, La Journée de la Francophonie Ontariennes
5. Friday September 26 – PA DAY, NO CLASSES AT ACPS
6. Monday September 30 – Orange Shirt Day; National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 

Have an AWESOME weekend😊 

Merci,

Mr. Arin Otis

Principal

Adrienne Clarkson PS | 68 Queens College Drive | Richmond Hill, Ontario | L4B 1X3 | 905-709-3554

arin.otis@yrdsb.ca

InspireLearning!

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