CLARKSON CONNECTION - WEEK 2 @ ACPS

Good Afternoon ACPS FAMILIES!  

WELCOME TO WEEK 2 @ ACPS.

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:

• ACPS Bike Bus
• ACPS Spirit Wear (SCHOOL CLOTHING)
• A FOLDER containing documents for families of students with medical needs

CLICK THIS LINK FOR WEEK 2 ATTACHMENTS

BIKE BUS @ ACPS

One of our ACPS Parents, CJ, has organized an ACPS BIKE BUS!!! If you and your child(ren) would like to join, and ride to ACPS, please check out THIS AWESOME FLYER for details.

TERRY FOX WALK/RUN @ ACPS

This year, ACPS students and staff will participate in the Terry Fox Walk/Run on Thursday September 25, 2025.  Please donate at this link: ACPS TERRY FOX DONATION LINK

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.

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

School Start-Up Forms

Dear parents/guardians,

Each year, we ask all parents/guardians to complete important forms. 

The forms can be found in the family dashboard at family.yrdsb.ca.  Click on the arrow by your child’s name, select the start-up forms button and choose your language.  Please follow these steps for each child. Forms will automatically populate with your child’s information through the Family Dashboard.

Learn more about how to create a Family Dashboard account if you do not have one. 

The forms are also available online at https://startupforms.yrdsb.ca.You will need your child’s student number.  Tips are available on the Board website. Translation is also available on the website. 

Frequently asked questions and additional information on how to complete the forms are available on the Board website under Family Resources (click on the “Need Help” link for Family Start-Up Forms. 

It is important that these forms are completed as soon as possible at the start of the school year. There are both mandatory and optional forms. The forms are to be completed for all students. Your child's school will access the information. Please complete a separate form for each child attending our schools. 

Secondary school students will also be asked to review important school and Board policies and to indicate that they have reviewed this information on forms sent to their student GAPPS account.

If you prefer to complete the forms on paper or have questions about the information in the forms, please contact your school office.

School Year Information

Families are also encouraged to review the online Guide to the School Year. 

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 

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.

***NEW THIS YEAR, PART DEUX!!! – MONTHLY MATH NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER Newsletter: 

Sparking Joy at Home in Math✅

Welcome families! We are excited to share that the Math Newsletters you will receive this year will have a focus on discovering the joy of math. This JOY of math is not just in the classroom, but right in your own home with a focus on making math come alive through everyday conversations and activities.

Each month, the newsletter will take a closer look at how you can spark JOY at home. We will explain the connection to the classroom, share a resource, and give you some ideas of what you can do at home. We hope that through family conversation, exploration, and connections, you will find the many opportunities to spark JOY and creativity of Math at home. 

We also invite you to explore our Problem of the Month that can be found here! Our Problem of the Month is designed to engage minds of all ages, encouraging collaboration and creative problem-solving. Each month, you'll find a new mathematical experience that will spark curiosity and foster a love for learning mathematics. 

Connecting it Back to the Classroom

Math is everywhere! From the moment we wake up to the time we go to bed, numbers, patterns, and problem-solving are a part of our daily lives. The Ontario Math Curriculum encourages students to see math as meaningful, practical, and connected to their lives. By exploring math in everyday moments—like counting change, measuring ingredients, estimating time, or solving puzzles together—families can support students to build confidence and joy in math. These real-life connections show that math isn’t just something we do in school—it’s something we use every day in creative and impactful ways.

Engaging in SPARKING JOY at Home

Sparking joy in math conversations at home is about building curiosity, confidence, and connection with mathematics. 

When you engage in Math Talk at home be sure to consider:

Ask Open-Ended Questions: Instead of asking "What's the answer?", try "How did you figure that out?" or "Can you think of another way to solve it?" This encourages thinking, not just memorization.

Focus on the "Why": Encourage your child to explain their thinking. Even if they get a wrong answer, understanding why they thought that way is invaluable for learning. "Tell me about your strategy."

Embrace Mistakes: Let your child know that mistakes are part of learning and a chance to explore new ideas. "That's an interesting way to think about it! Let's try another approach."

Try out some of the family activities at home with students: 

Calendar Count: 

• “What do you notice about today’s date? Is it even or odd? What patterns can you find in the numbers?
• Today is the 24th. What are all the ways you can make 24 using addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division?”
• You could start each day by looking at the date, weather, and counting days of school

Dice Games: 

• Roll two dice and see if you can get them to be equal
• Roll two dice. Create an equation using the numbers to get as close to 20 as possible. What operation(s) will you use? Can you do it another way?
• “What’s the highest score you can make in 5 rolls? What’s the lowest? What strategies work best?”

Geometry Around Us: 

• Go on a walk and spot 2D shapes in your home or neighbourhood.
• Find a structure made of 3D shapes. What shapes do you see? Why do you think the designer chose those shapes?
• Sort the shapes you see into categories: regular/irregular, symmetrical/not symmetrical, curved/straight edges. Can some belong in more than one category?

Math Puzzles: 

• A farmer has chickens and cows. You count 20 legs. How many of each animal could there be?
• I’m thinking of a number that’s greater than 20, less than 50, and divisible by both 4 and 6. What could it be? How do you know?”
• If a pattern continues like this: 2, 6, 12, 20, ___, ___, what are the next two numbers? What’s the rule

Would You Rather? Math Edition: 

• Would you rather earn $5 a day for 30 days or $2 the first day and double it each day?
• Would you rather split a large pizza into 6 slices or 8 slices if you’re sharing with two friends? Why?
• Would you rather walk 3 blocks to a store that gives you 20% off, or stay closer and pay full price for a $50 item? Explain your thinking.

By taking these small steps, you'll not only strengthen your child’s mathematical understanding but also ignite a lifelong love for learning. Over the course of the year we hope to provide supports and resources to help your family spark joy through math at home. We're excited to share more ideas next month!

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:

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

Have a BEAUTIFUL 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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