CLARKSON CONNECTION - WEEK 27 @ ACPS

Good Morning ACPS FAMILIELS!

WELCOME TO WEEK 27 @ ACPS...

WEEKLY ATTACHMENTS

CLICK THIS LINK FOR WEEK 27 ATTACHMENTS

ACPS SPRING CONCERT

We are thrilled to announce the return of the ACPS Spring Concert! This event is a great way to celebrate the incredible creativity and hard work of our students.

Like last year, the showcase will feature our talented school band and orchestra, along with a variety of individual and group acts. We invite students in Grades 4–8 to audition and share their musical, dance, or artistic skills. Whether your child wants to perform a solo or team up with friends, this is a wonderful opportunity for them to express themselves in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Important Dates for Your Calendar

Audition Week: Monday, April 13 – Friday, April 17

Held during snack and lunch recesses.

Dress Rehearsal (Student Performance): Wednesday, May 27

Parent Performance: Thursday, May 28 (Periods 5–6)

We look forward to seeing you in the audience! Specific timing and entry details will follow closer to the date.

Please review the PDF for more specific details regarding audition sign-ups and performance requirements.

FAMILIES INVITED TO PROVIDE INPUT INTO YRDSB BUDGET

From March 24-April 17, YRDSB is inviting families to share their input in the annual budget consultation.  Your feedback will help inform budget decisions for the 2026-2027 school year.How to Participate:

Complete the online survey (translated into 17 languages)

Join the virtual consultation on April 13, 2026 at 7 p.m.  Details are available on the YRDSB website.

 Your voice matters.  Please take a few minutes to participate and help shape next year's budget.  Questions about YRDSB's budget process can be directed to budget@yrdsb.ca.

PARENT, FAMILY and COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PEAC)

Engagement Matters – Spring Edition

Read the latest newsletter from the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC). This edition covers the latest on artificial intelligence. You’ll also find information about the latest Board policies under review. PEAC works to support, encourage and enhance parent engagement at the Board level to improve student achievement and well-being.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY OR YOM HASHOAH

Holocaust Memorial Day or Yom HaShoah will begin on the evening of April 13, 2026, and end on the evening of April 14, 2026. This is a day set aside to remember the horrors of the Holocaust, and in particular, the murder of 6 million Jews by the Nazi Regime. While Yom HaShoah was born out of a desire to honor the 6 000 000 Jewish lives lost, it has grown into a solemn commemoration of resistance and struggle for human dignity in the face of unspeakable Nazi cruelty. Intentionally, the date aligns with the historic Warsaw Ghetto uprising, which saw thousands of Jews fight back against Nazi oppressors and their collaborators.

Please visit the Toronto Holocaust Museum’s site for more information about: Yom  Hashoah  V'Hagvurah  2026  |  Community  Commemoration.

Sikh Heritage Month Event

Inclusive Schools and Community Services (ISCS) and Sikh Educators Voice Alliance (SEVA) will be hosting a Sikh Heritage Month Event. 

This year, we will be honouring the contributions of the Sikh community in Canada, as well as Sikh culture, history, and identity.

Join us for a lively evening celebrating Sikh Heritage Month, featuring educational displays, music, and community connection.

All families, students, and staff are all welcome! Please register by April 20, 2026.

Students who would like to participate in the Sikh Heritage Month event by showcasing their talents on stage, hosting an activity booth, or volunteering their time for community service hours, are encouraged to complete the registration form.

VAISAKHI - APRIL 14, 2026

Vaisakhi is celebrated in April every year. Vaisakhi is celebrated in different parts of India and all around the world.

For Sikhs, Vaisakhi celebrates the birth of the Panth Khalsa order (the Order of the Pure Ones) established by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. It is at this time that Guru Gobind Singh gave the Khalsa order the five distinct symbols of purity and courage which would make Sikhs identifiable: the Kesh (unshorn hair); Kangha (the wooden comb); Karra (the iron bracelet); Kirpan (the sword) and Kachera (underclothing). By abolishing the caste system and promoting gender equality within the Khalsa, Guru Gobind Singh challenged prevailing social norms, fostering a community based on principles of egalitarianism and fairness, in a historical context where caste and gender discrimination were prevalent. Establishing the Khalsa not only symbolized the commitment to the ideal of equality, it also inspired Sikhs to champion the cause of human rights, instilling a sense of duty to stand against oppression and promote justice for all.

Some of the ways that this day is traditionally honoured include visiting a place of worship (Gurdwaras), and partaking in vegetarian meals in the langar (the community kitchen), listening to kirtan (hymns and prayers sung using instruments) and receiving the sacred karah parshad (a sweet pudding-like food). Sikhs also mark this occasion by participating in nagar kirtans (religious processions) and gatka demonstrations (Sikh form of martial arts) throughout the month, where participants are encouraged to adorn themselves in traditional clothing and dastaars (turbans) of navy blue, black, white and saffron. We extend good wishes to all staff, students and members of the Sikh and Indian communities who will be celebrating Vaisakhi.

Please view this YRDSB Media video, which features student perspectives on the celebration of Vaisakhi. 

UPDATE OF DATE AND LOCATION OF THE RANGLA VIRSA MELA SIKH HERITAGE MONTH EVENT

The original memo dated January 29, 2026 giving details and participation registration for the Rangla Virsa Mela event has changed to the following:

Sikh Heritage Month 

Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026

Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Location: Emily Carr Secondary School, 4901 Rutherford Rd, Vaughan, ON L4H 3C2

All students, families, staff, and community members are welcome to attend. 

WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY

World Autism Awareness Day. Next Thursday, April 2, YRDSB will recognize World Autism Awareness Day. This day helps us learn about autism, celebrate neurodiversity, and show support for autistic people in our school and around the world.  We encourage everyone to wear a blue shirt on Thursday, April 2nd as a sign of inclusion, understanding, and kindness. Let’s come together as a community to show that ACPS values and supports all learners.

IMAGINE CINEMAS ADMIT ONE PASS FUNDRAISER 

Imagine Cinemas Admit One Pass Fundraiser

We’re happy to hear that everyone had a spectacular March Break but all that fun seems to have disrupted a few things so we’ll be extending our Imagine Cinemas Admit One Pass Fundraiser to Sunday night March 29th.

The blockbuster movie season is starting with Super Mario Galaxy opening for Easter weekend!

ACPS has partnered with Imagine Cinemas with theatres on both our southern (Promenade Mall) and northern school borders (Yonge & Elgin Mills) to distribute Admit One passes.

These printed non-expiring certificates can be used for either students or adults and purchased via Cash Online bringing both fundraising and savings to our school community.

ACPS Price $9.50 that can be used for:

Regular Student Admission valued at $11.29 including HST

Regular Adult Admission valued at $14.68 including HST

Be prepared for your children to watch Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Mandalorian and Grogu, or have a date night for The Odyssey.

Please note that Admit One passes aren’t supported by advanced online booking but the current seat availability can be viewed before presenting the certificates upon arrival at the theatre.

Thanks for your support,

ACPS Council

The blockbuster movie season starts this spring with Super Mario Galaxy opening on Easter weekend!

ACPS has partnered with Imagine Cinemas with theatres on both our southern  (Promenade Mall) and northern school borders (Yonge & Elgin Mills) to distribute Admit One passes on sale up to Sunday March 22nd.

These printed non-expiring certificates can be used for either students or adults and purchased via School Cash Online bringing savings to our school community.

ACPS Price $9.50

Regular Student Admission $11.29 including HST

Regular Adult Admission $14.68 including HST

Be prepared for your children to watch live-action Moana, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Toy Story 5 or have a date night for The Odyssey.

Please note that Admit One passes aren’t supported by advanced online booking but the current seat availability can be viewed before presenting the certificates upon arrival at the theatre.

Thanks for your support,

ACPS School Council

GRADE 7 & 8 MATH

Attention all Grade 7 and Grade 8 students,

If you are interested in writing the Gauss math contest, please join the Gauss Google Classroom (hosted by Mr. Thornton and Mr. Rudland) https://classroom.google.com/c/ODQ3ODM1MTQ5MTg2?cjc=o52vd7e7.

We will meet every Tuesday beginning April 7 at lunch (11:55am-12:55pm) in the library to do some practice questions from previous contests, and you will write the test on Tuesday May 19^th at lunch.

You must join the Google Classroom in order to write the test, as we will use the GC to determine how many tests to order.

Merci!

MONTHLY MATH NEWSLETTER: APRIL

Sparking Joy through Problem Solving

Welcome families! This month, we're focusing on problem solving. Math is about figuring things out, strategizing, and finding creative solutions. From deciding the best route to the park to figuring out how to share snacks fairly, we are always solving problems using our mathematical thinking and reasoning.

Connecting it Back to the Classroom

Problem Solving is involved in all areas of learning. When working through solving problems students are encouraged to understand what the problem is asking, create a plan, carry out the plan, and reflect. This approach helps students develop critical thinking skills,  opportunities to engage in productive struggle, and overall flexibility. It prepares students for mathematical challenges, and for real-world situations where the path to a solution isn't always so obvious.

Engaging in Problem-Solving Conversations at Home

Your home is a natural learning opportunity to engage in problem-solving! Here are some ways to encourage these conversations:

Ask Open-Ended Questions: Instead of always providing guilded solutions, ask: "How could we figure this out?" "What's the challenge here?" "What ideas do you have?"

Encourage Brainstorming: There's usually more than one way to solve a problem. Explore different strategies and see which one works best for the situation.

Allow for Trial and Error: It's okay if the first solution doesn't work! Learning from mistakes is a powerful part of the problem-solving process.

Focus on the Process, Not Just the Answer: Praise effort, persistence, and thinking, even if the final answer isn't perfect. "I love how you thought through that!"

Model Your Own Thinking: Talk aloud as you solve everyday problems (e.g., "I need to figure out how many snacks to buy for the party. There will be 5 kids, and I want each to have 2 snacks. So, that's 5 groups of 2...").

Real-World Examples:

Planning a Trip: "How much time do we need to leave to get to Grandma's house on time, considering traffic?" , “ we want to stay on budget with the trip, what are possibel things we can do to stay within our family budget?” (Estimating, time management, financial literacy)

Organizing a Space: "How can we arrange these toys so they all fit in this bin?", “How do we pack the trunk tomake sure we can fit everything in?” (Spatial reasoning, optimization)

Sharing Fairly: "We have 10 cookies and 3 people. How can we share them equally?", “ We need to cut this cake for all the participants, what is the best way to cut the cake?” (Division, fractions)

Planting a Garden: “What is the total area of the garden? How much area is dedicated to each type of plant? How much soil is needed?, “ How can we have the smae amount of space but have less fencing for the garden to save some money? ( Spatial Sense, Measurement)

A Fantastic Resource for Families: Figure This! (NCTM)

For engaging problem-solving challenges, check out Figure This! from NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. This online resource provides math problems in real-world scenarios, providing opportunities for families to think together.

At home, choose a challenge together, and read over and discuss the problem. Work together to brainstorm strategies as you work towards a solution. After working through the problem, take some time to reflect on the approach and discuss the reasoning behind the strategies you selected. The goal is to explore the thinking process, not just arrive at the "right" answer.

By making problem-solving a regular part of your family conversations and activities, you'll be creating thinkers who are confident mathematicians. Happy problem-solving!

SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAMS IN YRDSB

The York Region District School Board will be pleased to offer a variety of summer learning programs for elementary students in summer 2026.  

We were happy to provide the following:

Camp Black Brilliance

For children of Black families entering Junior or Senior Kindergarten in September 2026​.

Register by June 1, 2026.

Elementary Summer School

For students in Grades 6, 7 and 8; designed to reinforce the curriculum.

Registration opens Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

Y2 LEGACY

For students in Grade 8. A Black-centred approach to leadership, innovation and excellence. This program provided an opportunity for students to earn a high school credit.

Registration opens Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

Grade 8 Reach Ahead

For Grade 8 students entering Grade 9 in the Fall.  This program provided an opportunity for students to earn a high school credit.

Registration opens Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

Summer Institute

For students in Kindergarten to Grade 8. The program included academics, recreational and athletic activities. 

Registration opens Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

PLANNING FOR 2026-2027

Here are a few key dates for you as you plan for the 2026-2027 school year:

ADRIENNE CLARKSON SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR IS AVAILABLE AGAIN!!!

Please click the link below to order ACPS School Spirit wear:

ACPS SPIRIT WEAR ORDER FORM

ON THE HORIZON

WEDNESDAY APRIL 1 - Passover begins at Sundown

THURSDAY APRIL 2 - DIAMOND DAY - Passover

FRIDAY APRIL 3 - GOOD FRIDAY - ACPS closed

SUNDAY APRIL 5 - EASTER 

MONDAY APRIL 6 - EASTER MONDAY - ACPS closed

TUESDAY APRIL 7 - School Council Meeting @ 7 pm

WEDNESDAY APRIL 8 - International Day of Pink

THURSDAY APRIL 9 - GRADE 8 GRAD PHOTOS @ ACPS

FRIDAY APRIL 10 - DIAMOND DAY - Holy Friday

TUESDAY APRIL 14 - DIAMOND DAY - Vaisakhi

TUESDAY APRIL 21 - DIAMOND DAY - Ridvan

THURSDAY APRIL 23 - Area Basketball Tournament @ Doncrest for Junior Girls

FRIDAY APRIL 24 - Area Basketball Tournament @ Doncrest for Junior Boys

FRIDAY MAY 1 - Jump Rope for Heart @ ACPS

Have a wonderful 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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