GOOD AFTERNOON ACPS FAMILIES!!!
WELCOME TO WEEK 13 @ ACPS...
WEEKLY ATTACHMENTS
CLICK THIS LINK FOR WEEK 13 ATTACHMENTS
ACPS IS AN EARLY STARTING SCHOOL. 8:05 AM IS THE START OF PERIOD 1. LUNCH IS 11:55 AM - 12:55 PM
As your commitment to having your child learning in French, lessons are essential to continue to develop student reading, writing, and oral language development in French. Please ensure your child arrives in time to start Period 1 at 8:05 am every day. Supervision begins at 7:50 am. If your child is eligible for busing, please have them ride the bus to ensure they arrive at ACPS on time, ready to learn. If you drive them to school, supervision begins at 7:50 am, giving you 15 minutes before the start of instructional time. ACPS has always started at 8:05 am.
In addition to late arriving student, recently, WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM AROUND LUNCH TIME.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT LUNCH BEGINS AT 11:55 AM. WHEN STUDENTS RECEIVE THEIR LUNCH LATE, WE CANNOT SUPERVISE THEM, AND THEY WILL NEED TO EAT THEIR LUNCH WITH YOU IN THE CAR. TO AVOID THIS SITUATION, PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING ALTERNATIVES TO LATE DELIVERY:
Teach your child to make their own lunch the night before, and help them pack it in their bag before they leave for school in the morning.
Have your child make their lunch in the morning, and help them pack it in their bag before they leave for school in the morning.
If circumstances have you delivering lunch, YOU MUST DO SO BEFORE 11:55 am, AS WE DO NOT HAVE SUPERVISION INDOORS AFTER 12:15 PM, AND THEY WILL BE EATING LUNCH WITH YOU IN THE CAR. STUDENTS CANNOT EAT LUNCH IN THE OFFICE.
| Event | Time |
| SUPERVISION | 7:50 am – 8:05 am |
| PERIOD 1 | 8:05 – 9:05 am |
| PERIOD 2 | 9:05 am – 9:45 am |
| MORNING RECESS | 9:45 am – 10:15 am |
| PERIOD 3 | 10:15 am – 11:15 am |
| PERIOD 4 | 11:15 am – 11:55 am |
| LUNCH | 11:55 am – 12:55 pm |
| PERIOD 5 | 12:55 pm – 1:55 pm |
| PERIOD 6 | 1:55 pm – 2:35 pm |
| DISMISSAL | 2:35 pm |
HOW CAN YOU CONNECT WITH MME MCGRATH OR M. OTIS?
The best way to reach your Admin Team is via email – lori.mcgrath@yrdsb.ca and arin.otis@yrdsb.ca. If you email us directly, we will be able to respond to questions, or requests for meetings.
END OF DAY DISMISSAL AT ACPS
We've noticed lately that a few parents are walking directly into the active bus loop when picking up their children during dismissal. I know everyone is eager to get their kids home, but this creates a significant safety risk for both the students and staff.
To help keep our dismissal routine safe and predictable for everyone, READ THE FOLLOWING:
Bus Loop Safety: The bus loop is reserved strictly for our school buses and operations. For safety reasons, parents must use the designated pick-up area.
The Pick-Up Deadline: If a parent plans to pick up their child (rather than having them take the bus), they need to notify the main office no later than 2:30 PM. This way, it gives the staff enough time to communicate the change appropriately. Otherwise, the child will go home on their regular bus to ensure a safe and orderly dismissal.
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.
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.
TERRA COTTA COOKIES ARE BACK!!!
TERRA COTTA COOKIES ARE BACK until Dec. 2nd!!!! Choose from 12 delicious flavours. All products are nut-free, Halal, and Kosher. Vegan and gluten-free options also available.
How to purchase: 1) Order directly through the Terra Cotta Cookies Adrienne Clarkson PS Fundraising page: https://fundraising.terracottacookies.com/current-fundraisers/adrienneclarkson/ 2) Mark: Student name, School name, and Homeroom teacher name in your order (please share these details with friends and family who are ordering separately)
How to pick-up cookies:
Cookies will be delivered to the school on Dec 16th. You can pick up your order between 12:00-1:45pm on Tuesday December 16th. Any orders that are not picked up by 1:45pm will be sent home with students. This is a school council fundraiser! ACPS school council receives a portion of the sales which is then allocated to support school projects, programs, and purchases. E.g., purchasing classroom technology, contributing to cost of the maintenance and purchasing of sport equipment and musical instruments. SELLING BONUS: The classroom that sells the most cookies will get a 3lb cookie to share!!! Check our school council IG for periodic updates: @acps_school_council PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FLYER
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ACPS PHOTOS
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PHOTO RETAKE
This is a reminder we are coming back to your school on Thursday December 4, 2025 for photo retakes and absentee photos.
Optional Retake Process: In order to keep track of retake requests, it is always helpful to ask that Parents or Guardians requesting a retake to please send in a note as well as their original proof or they are welcome to make use of this retake permission printable form on our website. https://www.edgeimaging.ca/wp-content/uploads/Retake-permission-slip.pdf
WINTER COOKIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
Chocolate winter holiday cookies are on sale on School Cash Online until Tuesday, December 9 @noon while quantities last! Cookies will be delivered on Thursday, December 11. Proceeds go towards Grade 8 graduation. Thank you!
THE AFTER-SCHOOL SPORTS PROGRAM IS BACK!
We are thrilled to announce an after-school sports badminton program in partnership with TAC Sports for students in Grades 4–6! This 10-week program is all about skill development, teamwork, and fun while supporting school fundraising.
Program Details:
📅 Duration: 10 Weeks – Every Thursday from Jan 8th to March 12th
📍 Location: School Gym
🕒 Time: 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
💲 Cost: $240 + HST for ten 1-hour sessions
Access Code: ACPS2026
Registration Link: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/toronto-athletic-camps-tac-sports/api/Program/Detail?programId=xjvJ3Lx
Thanks for your support,
Adrienne Clarkson P.S. Parent Council
KWANZAA CELEBRATION - DECEMBER 4 @ BILL HOGARTH SS
Students, families and staff, please join us as we come together to celebrate Kwanzaa!
This special event will honour African heritage, unity and culture and will be a time to reflect on the seven principles of Kwanzaa, enjoy cultural traditions and foster community spirit.
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: Bill Hogarth S.S., Cafeteria. (100 Donald Sim Ave, Markham)
To assist us with planning the event, please register by December 1, 2025 using this registration link. Dinner will be provided.
Please see the flyer invitation or the www event link for more information and registration.
YRDSB HANUKKAH COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Rosedale Heights P.S.
Registration: Please register online if you wish to attend. To assist us with planning the event, please tell us the number of attendees, including yourself, who will be attending.
Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration that commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil lasting eight nights. It is a time for community, joy, light, and togetherness.
This event will highlight the traditions and significance of Hanukkah through interactive activities for all ages. Families will have the opportunity to enjoy cultural learning, crafts, music, and festivities that honour Jewish identity and community. Refreshments and treats connected to the holiday will be provided.
Join us as we come together to learn, celebrate, and share in the light of Hanukkah!
DISMANTLING ANTI-BLACK RACISM STRATEGY (DABRS)
Save the Date! The Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy Implementation Plan Team, is proud to announce the upcoming event for students, families and staff.
Growing Together - Planning for Success
Date: January 8, 2026
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: Newmarket High School (505 Pickering Cres., Newmarket)
The move to high school is a critical milestone, and we are committed to ensuring every student and family feels fully prepared and equipped for success.
We are excited to invite Black students and their families in Grades 6 through 10 to an upcoming event highlighting the opportunities available to support pathway planning, specialty programs, and the transition between elementary and secondary school.
This is a key opportunity for Black students and families to connect with educators, ask questions, and build a personalized roadmap for a successful and fulfilling secondary school experience.
More information and registration will be available shortly.
GRADE 1 FRENCH IMMERSION (FI) INFORMATION SESSIONS AND REGISTRATIONS
What is French Immersion?
- Provides opportunities for students to develop enhanced proficiency in French.
- Students receive instruction in French from teachers who are fluent in French.
- Begins in Grade 1 and is designed for children whose first language is not French.
- In Grades 1, 2 and 3, all subjects are taught in French. Starting in Grade 4, instructional time is shared equally between French and English.
- Program continues in secondary school.
- Secondary school students must earn at least 10 French Immersion credits to qualify for the French Immersion Certificate upon graduation.
Important Considerations
- Grade 1 is the only entry point into French immersion in YRDSB.
- Communication with parents/guardians is in English including, but not limited to, report cards, newsletters and parent-teacher interviews.
- For the first few months of Grade 1, children may not acquire skills identical to those learned by children in an English program as the focus is on learning in French.
- During the first few years of the FI program, students may not develop the same level of English proficiency as their peers in an English program, however children should acquire these skills by the end of Grade 8. Families are encouraged to continue to read to their children in their first language.
FI Accommodation Plan
YRDSB’s FI Accommodation Plan provides long-term consistency and equity of access to all students in York Region and will enable YRDSB to continue to offer the FI program to all who wish to enrol. The FI program is offered in Dual Track or Single-Track settings, in a variety of configurations. In order to meet community needs and optimize available space in our schools, a community's Grade 1-8 FI program may be provided over more than one school during the course of a student's FI education. Space requirements at some schools may mean that siblings are in different schools for primary dual track French Immersion programs due to differing grade structures. Like any of our schools across the Board, changes to school boundaries, and/or the accommodation model for the French Immersion program may need to be considered when new schools open, a school experiences enrolment growth, and program changes occur. This will allow flexibility in addressing community needs and the opportunity to use existing space in schools.
More information is available on the Board’s website. Please note: Some of the FI accommodation plans will require facility modifications or the development of new schools and will require short-term transition plans that might include overflow while we work toward the long-term vision. Overflow refers to situations in which the Board directs students to attend a school other than their community school or optional program for a specific period of time, as defined in Policy #108.
Information Sessions
This year, our Information session for Grade 1 entry into the French Immersion program will take place in French Immersion schools on January 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. Program locations and additional information is available on our website. If families are unable to attend the information session, they can hear about the French Immersion program on the Tune In YRDSB: French Immersion Podcast.
Registration
FI registration will begin on January 16, 2026. Parents or guardians of Year 2 Kindergarten students entering Grade 1 in 2026, and wishing to enrol in the FI Program, can email or call their home school office and indicate their intention to enrol. The home school will notify the French Immersion school, and the French Immersion school will contact families by phone or email to collect any necessary information. Families are asked to register by February 9, 2026. Registration during this period is not first come, first served.
Late Registrations
Late registrations are those submitted after February 9, 2026. Late registrations will be treated on a first-come, first-served basis and will be considered subsequent to registrations received during the registration period should overflow be necessary.
ACPS - RAPTORS 905 GAME - WEDNESDAY MARCH 4, 2026
SQUEAK, SQUEAK, SWISH!!! – March 4, 2026
ACPS Families, Students, and Staff are invited to a Raptors 905 school day games.
When: WEDNESDAY MARCH 4 @ 11 am vs. the Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Where: Paramount Centre in Mississauga.
Get your tickets today to avoid disappointment! (Max. 2 per family)
Primary-aged students (Grades 1-3) must be accompanied by an adult.
Ticket price includes busing to and from the venue, processing fees, along with a seat at the Arena. Each ticket costs $37
Order deadline is Monday December 15, 2025
SCHOOL COUNCIL LUNCH TIME @ ACPS
Hot lunches are officially back! Pizzaiolo is being offered on Wednesdays and Kome Shokudo is being offered on Fridays. Find the menu and more details on SchoolCashOnline. The parent council and school admin have strived this year to ensure the meat options are Halal-friendly (such as pork-free pepperoni for pizza), while continuing to offer vegetarian options, in order to be inclusive of all our school population. If your child has other dietary restrictions, and would still like to participate, reach out to our Hot Lunch council reps and they will work with you to try to accommodate.
The hot lunch is still looking for helpers to distribute food this year, especially with the combined lunch times of all grades, we need extra hands to ensure the food reaches the classrooms hot and fresh.
All proceeds go towards fundraising for the school, including athletics, trips, programs, events, instruments, books, and technology. If you have are interested in helping out or have questions regarding hot lunches, please contact our Hot Lunch council reps this year:
Zhen Wang - wangzhenmaggie@hotmail.com
ACPS SCHOOL COUNCIL – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, AND CHECK OUT INSTAGRAM!!!
ACPS School Council is bringing back hot lunches and are looking for volunteers to help with distributing lunch. As lunch times for all grades have been combined, we need more hands to ensure the lunches are distributed quickly. The popular pizza option will be moved to Wednesday, to help parents packing lunches break up the week, and the council is especially looking for help to make this happen. The other hot option will be moved to Friday.
The lunch partners are yet to be confirmed, be rest assured that the council is looking to ensure the food being delivered provides value without sacrificing quality.
All proceeds go towards fundraising for the school, including athletics, trips, programs, events, instruments, books, and technology. If you have are interested in helping out or have questions regarding hot lunches, please contact our Hot Lunch council reps this year:
Zhen Wang - wangzhenmaggie@hotmail.com
Stay up to date with all the exciting school council events—like pizza lunches, the year-end BBQ, and fundraisers—by following our official School Council Instagram (@acps_school_council)! Every activity helps us give back to the school community, including funding new and updated technologies for students to use.
ACPS CALENDAR
If you are looking to find school information and events, please click on this CALENDAR LINK and add to your favorites.
ON THE HORIZON
THURSDAY DECEMBER 4 - Photo Re-take Day
TUESDAY DECEMBER 16 - TERRA COTTA COOKIE FUNDRAISER PICK UP DAY
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 17 - Grade 1 Holiday Concert @ 1:30 pm
THURSDAY DECEMBER 18 - Grade 2 & 3 Holiday Concert @ 1:30 pm
FRIDAY DECEMBER 19 - Last school day of 2025.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 20 - SUNDAY JANUARY 4, 2026 - WINTER HOLIDAY BREAK. NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS OR STAFF
MONDAY JANUARY 5, 2026 - First school day of 2026 - CYCLE DAY 1
Have a Incredible Weekend😊
Merci,
Mr. Arin Otis
Principal
Adrienne Clarkson PS | 68 Queens College Drive | Richmond Hill, Ontario | L4B 1X3 | 905-709-3554
InspireLearning!
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