Good Afternoon Families!
WELCOME TO WEEK 15 @ ACPS...
WEEKLY ATTACHMENTS
CLICK THIS LINK FOR WEEK 15 ATTACHMENTS
IT'S PRIMARY AND WIND BAND CONCERT TIME!!!
We will be hosting the Primary (+Wind Band) Winter Concert on Wednesday, December 17th and Thursday, December 18th at 1:30 PM. Please see the flyer for more information. If you have any questions, reach out to your child's homeroom teacher.
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.
ECO SCHOOL NEWS
We would like to congratulate the Eco Team for placing 5th this year in the Tree Competition! Great work!
ECOTEAM NEWS
The ACPS Eco Team is participating in the Kidney Clothes drive once again this year, just in time for the holidays! We will be collecting everything from used textiles, clothing, and shoes to toys, books and kitchenware. Please bring in your gently used items before December 18th. There is a collection bin in the front foyer of the school. Please see the FLYER for more information!
TORONTO MARLIES SCHOOL DAY GAME - FIELD TRIP OPPORTUNITY
Please fill out this form to help us gauge interest in a school-wide field trip to watch the Toronto Marlies play at Coca-Cola Coliseum (downtown Toronto) on April 8th (10:45am start time).
Based on responses, we will decide whether or not to open ticket sales for this event in the first two weeks of January.
https://forms.gle/CnnJzJSFBRPFbCTT7
WINTER WEATHER
With winter weather here, we want to share a few important reminders.
Dress for the weather
Students should come dressed appropriately for the weather and for outdoor play. Students can stay warm by wearing layers of loose-fitting clothing, a hat, scarf, jackets, snow pants and mittens or gloves. Students may also want to bring extra pants and socks in case they get wet.
Recess
If students are well enough to come to school, they are expected to go outside for recess. Our students benefit from spending time outside and being active. We monitor weather conditions throughout the day. If there are extreme weather conditions, we may consider a shortened or indoor recess.
Bus or School Cancellations
When an extreme cold or inclement weather day is declared, school transportation (including buses and taxis) is cancelled in the morning and afternoon. Schools will remain open. Please notify the school if your child will not be attending school on those days. Students will not be penalized for missing school on these days.
There may be rare instances when emergency weather events occur, and we need to close all schools and Board locations. Please take the time to make plans in the event of an emergency school closure. Information about transportation cancellations and Board closures will be shared through local media, board and school websites and on X @YRDSB.
Our process for extreme cold, inclement weather and emergency weather days is outlined in the board’s Severe Weather policy.
TERRA COTTA COOKIE FUNDRAISER
The Terra Cotta Cookies fundraiser is now closed and fundraising was a SUCCESS!! Another consecutive record sales year! A BIG THANK YOU to everyone in the ACPS community for purchasing, spreading the word, and sending out reminders. Parents, staff, and students all worked together and we raised $1,354 for our ACPS community!!!!! 👏👏👏
Cookie orders will be available for pick-up from the school in the Great Hall on Tuesday December 16th between 12:00-1:45pm. Orders not picked up during that time will be sent home with students.
A large 3lb cookie will be given to the class that raised the most amount. Stay tuned for information on which class will receive the cookie!
School council fundraisers such as Terra Cotta Cookies and the Dave & Buster’s play cards along with specific programs such as pizza lunch raise money for school activities and resources. Field trips, purchasing classroom technology, maintaining musical instruments & sporting equipment, and repairs are some examples of how funds are allocated.
Please follow the ACPS school council Instagram account for up-to-date information on programs and fundraisers through the year: @acps_school_council
ACPS DAVE & BUSTER’S GAMING POWER CARD SALE
If you’re interested in a stocking stuffer or family entertainment during the holidays – we have just what you’re looking for! Dave & Buster’s gaming Power Cards with $20 worth of credits will be sold for $15 on cash online up to December 15th. Each Power Card sale generates fundraising for our school. The Power Cards do not have an expiry date so can be used for an outing of irresistible fun at any time.
Thanks for your support,
Adrienne Clarkson P.S. School Council
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. School Council
THE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM HAS BEEN EXPANDED!
We now have an after-school drawing & cartooning program in partnership with Creative Kids Club for students in Grades 1–3! This 8-week program will have our young artists explore drawing & cartooning as they develop their own unique style while supporting school fundraising.
Program Details:
📅 Duration: 8 Weeks – Every Thursday from Jan 22nd to March 12th
📍 Location: School Library
🕒 Time: 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
💲 Cost: $240 + HST for 8 1-hour sessions
Creative Kids Club Website: https://creativekidsclub.ca/
Registration Link: https://creativekidsclub.ca/register
Thanks for your support,
Thanks for your support,
Adrienne Clarkson P.S. School Council
LUNCHTIME ENGINEERING PROGRAM - GRADES 1, 2, 3
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
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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.
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
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 Warm and Cozy 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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