CLARKSON CONNECTION - WEEK 34 @ ACPS

Good morning ACPS Families!

WELCOME TO WEEK 34 @ ACPS

WEEKLY ATTACHMENTS

This week is packed full of new attachments for your review, including:

• NEW***VOLUNTEERS NEED FOR FUN FAIR
• New Sushi Lunch Option
• Yearbooks are on sale on SchoolCashOnline
• Summer Camp opportunities
• Kids Kitchen for May
• And Many, Many more!!!

CLICK THIS LINK FOR WEEK 34 ATTACHMENTS

ANNUAL TEACHER & STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCH

Dear ACPS Families,

ACPS School Council will be hosting our Annual Teacher & Staff Appreciation Lunch on Thursday, May 21, 2026, to recognize and thank our wonderful school staff for all they do. We welcome donations of food, drinks, desserts, or other items to help make this event special.

We are also looking for parent volunteers to help with setup, organization, and serving on the day of the event. If you are interested in volunteering, please let us know.

To donate or volunteer, please contact us at: acpsstaffappreciationlunch2026@gmail.com

Thank you for your continued support of our school community.

📣 ACPS ANNUAL BBQ CARNIVAL – PARENT VOLUNTEER CALL-OUT 📣

Dear Parents,

The ACPS Annual BBQ Carnival will be held on June 4th! To help make this event a fun and successful experience for all students and families, the School Council is looking for many parent volunteers to support the event.

Volunteer shifts are divided into the following time slots:

🕐 Shift 1: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

🕑 Shift 2: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

🕒 Full-Day Shift: 1:00 PM – 8:30 PM

✅ You may choose one shift

✅ Or sign up for both evening shifts

✅ Full-day volunteers are especially appreciated

Whether you can help for a couple of hours or for the full event, your support makes a huge difference and helps create a wonderful experience for our students and school community.

Thank you so much for your continued support! ❤️

Below is link for sign up form

ACPS VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP 

ACPS SILENT AUCTION 2026

This year’s ACPS Silent Auction will run from Friday May 15th @ 6 pm to Sunday May 31st @ 6 pm. Starting bids are at 25% retail value providing a great opportunity for both school fundraising and community savings!

We are using a new website platform to handle the auction with payment to be brought in during pickup at the ACPS Fun Fair BBQ on Thursday June 4^th.

Feel free to preview and join in at:

 https://www.32auctions.com/ACPS2026

ACPS SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS

This year’s ACPS Silent Auction fundraiser is around the corner so donations from our school community are welcome.

Previous donors from our school community include: DeRUCCI Furniture & Mattress, Golf it Up, Skin Pro Wellness Clinic, Kung Fu Tea, Monos, & Thornhill Market Florist.

Thanks for your generosity,

ACPS School Council

SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS - School BBQ/Funfair  - June 4, 2026 - Time: 5-8pm

The School Council is requesting donations of cardboard boxes (large or small) for an activity station at the upcoming School Council organized BBQ.  If you have any cardboard boxes please send it to school with your child and we will store it for the event.  Thank you for your cooperation with this.

The School Council is also looking for grade 7, 8 and high school student volunteers for the event.  If your child is able to volunteer at this event, please email acpsfunfair@gmail.com

It's time to celebrate another wonderful school year and all our achievements! Please join us for a night of fun at the Adrienne Clarkson Annual BBQ on Thursday, June 4th 5:30-8pm. Delicious BBQ, pizza, Persian foods, ice cream, bubble tea and desserts are on the menu. There will be Carnival Games, DJ, face painting and many fun activities, all for FREE! Make sure to pre-order your yummy food and treats online for big savings. Onsite cash food purchase is available but costs more and quantities are limited. School cash online orders are due by Sunday May 24. Online orders start today!!!

Place your orders starting May 1 on School Cash Online.

Place your orders starting May 1 on School Cash Online.

LUNCHBOX ORDERING @ ACPS 

Sushi Thursday’s with Ren Sushi - You need to Log into School Cash Online first, then select the Orange “ORDER NOW” button at the top, which will redirect you to another link for “LUNCH BOX.”

Here you will need to create an account and add your child’s name. Then follow the prompts to select the class. Finally follow the prompts to place the order.

*The orders can be placed on a weekly basis or you may select to do a month at a time. Just ensure that you have the order placed before Sunday evening of the following week.

See the RED ARROW on the School Cash Online page, click ORDER NOW

NEWS FROM YORK REGION PUBLIC HEALTH (YRPH)

• Great resources to share with parents Building Healthy Kids with York Region | York Region
• Get excited about Healthy Schools! Subscribe to our e-Newsletter

EQAO INFORMATION

Webinars for Parents and Guardians

• EQAO Math Session for Parents and Guardians of Grade 9 Students 
  (May 20, 2026, 12:00 PM)
  This session will focus on how EQAO assesses Grade 9 students’ math learning through a look at questions from the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics. Participants will learn how assessment questions help assess the skills students are learning in their mathematics class. Staff will also highlight valuable insights and resources that can help parents and guardians support their child’s learning.
• EQAO Literacy Session for Families: Focus on Reading 
  (June 3, 2026, 6:00 PM)
  This session will explain how EQAO assesses students’ reading skills at key stages of their education. EQAO staff will discuss reading samples and questions from the literacy components of the primary- and junior-division assessments and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test. Participants will learn how these reading passages and questions help assess the skills students are learning in class. Staff will also highlight valuable insights and resources that can help parents and guardians support their child’s learning.
• Screen Time & Academic Achievement on EQAO Assessments
  (June 9, 2026, 6:00 PM)
  EQAO is pleased to welcome the TARGet Kids! Research Team (www.targetkids.ca) as they present their work examining the relationship between children’s screen time and other health behaviours and academic achievement over time on EQAO's large-scale assessments of reading, writing and mathematics. Team members from EQAO and TARGet Kids! will answer participants’ questions about this important research. Live English to French translation will be available to participants.
• EQAO Literacy Session for Families: Focus on Writing
  (June 11, 2026, 12:00 PM)
  This session will explain how EQAO assesses students’ writing skills at key stages of their education. EQAO staff will discuss writing prompts and questions from the reading components of the primary- and junior-division assessments and from the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test. Participants will hear how these prompts and questions help assess the skills students are learning in class. Staff will also highlight valuable insights and resources that can help parents and guardians support their child’s learning. 

MONTHLY MATH NEWSLETTERS

May Newsletter: Sparking Joy through Outdoor Math Adventures

Welcome, families! As the weather gets warmer let's take our math conversations outside! This month, we're exploring Math in the Outdoors and discovering how the natural world around us is filled with rich mathematical opportunities. From counting pebbles to measuring shadows, bringing math outdoors makes learning hands-on, engaging, and incredibly joyful.

Connecting it Back to the Classroom

Using math to directly observe and interact with nature can help students to understand concepts in measurement, spatial sense, number sense and patterning; all concepts they are exploring in the classroom. Students can engage with the math at home and outdoors by estimating the height of trees, measuring the perimeter of a garden using standard and non-standard units of measurement, finding patterns they see in nature, within buildings structures, or having them identify properties of shapes (edges, vertices, diameters, circumferences) in natural objects. Students can even collect and organize data about observed animals, plant types, or weather patterns, and then display that information in a graph or table

Engaging in Outdoor Math Conversations at Home

The great outdoors is your ready-made math classroom! Here’s how to spark meaningful math conversations:

• Counting Collections:
  • Ask your child to collect a certain number of natural items (e.g., "Find 10 smooth stones," "How many dandelions can you count in this patch?"). Practice skip counting by 1s, 2s, or 5s.
  • Sort or organize some found in nature items in different ways
• Measurement Adventures:
  • "How many steps from the front door to the big tree?"
  • "Can you find a stick that is double the length of your shoe?",
  • “Can you determine the distance around the tree?”
• Geometry in Nature:
  • Challenge students to find different shapes in nature (e.g., circular spiderwebs, shapes in leaves, rectangular brick patterns, archways in buildings).
  • “Can you find an object with a line of symmetry?”
  • “Where might you find some examples of parallel lines and perpendicular lines in your surroundings?”
  • “ What angles might you see in the branches of the trees?”
• Pattern Detective:
  • “What patterns can you see on this bug’s wings or this flower?
  • Looking for repeating or growing patterns in plants, or even the arrangement of seeds in a pinecone. Challenge students to determine what might come next in the pattern.
  • Can you find a pattern in the way the tree branches grow? Describe the pattern using numbers or a rule
• Estimation Games:
  • Look at larger numbers and ask ,“How many leaves do you think are on that branch?"
  • “Estimate how long it will take us to walk around the block." ,
  • How many trees might there be in the forest?”

A Fantastic Resource for Families: Canadian Outdoor Learning Resources

(https://treebee.ca/)

This website helps students (and adults!) learn about trees in Canada through interactive tools and games. You can use it to identify different types of local trees, review diagrams on how to help forests grow, or use the interactive map to help you find the trees you are interested in. You can also access this website: https://www.york.ca/environment/forests/outdoor-education   to learn more about outdoor education in York Region and download printable nature‑based activities that are ideal for family nature walks. 

By embracing math in the outdoors, you'll be fostering mathematically curious and capable thinkers who appreciate the beauty and order of our natural world.

Happy outdoor math adventures!

MAY CELEBRATES JEWISH, POLISH, DUTCH, ASIAN AND SOUTH ASIAN, AND ARMENIAN HERITAGE MONTHS

JEWISH HERITAGE MONTH

Canadian Jewish Heritage Month was given Royal Assent in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on April 24, 2012 and in the Senate of Canada on March 29, 2018. As we approach the month of May, staff and students are encouraged to engage in opportunities that celebrate and affirm Jewish histories and the achievements of the Jewish community.

Canada is home to the fourth largest Jewish population in the world. There are close to 400,000 Jewish residents in Canada, and almost half of that number resides in Ontario. Jewish immigrants in Canada can be traced as far back as 1760. Jewish Canadians have proudly contributed to Canadian heritage in all of its facets, including the military, the arts, government, business, academia, law, medicine, culture, and sports. Throughout the month of May, we celebrate the contributions Jewish Canadians make in communities across the country.

Join Inclusive Schools and Community Services (ISCS) as we come together to celebrate Jewish Heritage Month. This year’s gathering will feature light refreshments, activities, and an opportunity for students, families and staff to connect while acknowledging and honouring the rich history, culture and contributions of the Jewish community. All students, families, and staff are welcome to attend.

Date: May 19, 2026 

Time: 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Location: Brownridge P.S., 65 Brownridge Dr., Thornhill, ON L4J 7R8

Please see our flyer and register by May 16, 2026. To ensure the safety and comfort of all attendees, attendance will be capped. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and will be closed once we reach capacity. 

Student Opportunities (Performers & Volunteers)

YRDSB students are invited to sign up to showcase talents in music, dance, poetry, or cultural presentations. Students are also invited to volunteer and earn community involvement hours. Please register to perform or volunteer by May 13, 2026.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

POLISH HERITAGE MONTH

The month of May is Polish Heritage Month. Polish Heritage Month was given Royal Assent in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 2021. 

Ontario is home to more than 523,000 people of Polish heritage. Polish Canadians have lived in Ontario since the 19th century and, over the years, have and continue to make significant contributions to Ontario’s cultural, social, and political landscape.

May 3rd is an important day for Polish People as it commemorates the 1791 Constitution, which is a symbol of Poland’s aspiration for freedom, democracy and independence. This is one of the most important Polish holidays, and many parades and festivities take place in May.

DUTCH HERITAGE MONTH

The month of May is Dutch Heritage Month. Dutch Heritage Month was given Royal Assent in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 2011. 

Ontario is home to about 500,000 Dutch Canadians. Since the early 1800s, the Dutch Canadian community has made and continues to make significant contributions to the cultural, social, and political fabric.

May holds historical significance for those with Dutch heritage. On May 5, 1945, the Canadian forces played an important role in the liberation of the Netherlands from World War II. The Netherlands celebrates independence and liberty, along with the heroic efforts of the Canadian forces, with a national, annual holiday known as Liberation Day on May 5.

ASIAN AND SOUTH ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH

Asian and South Asian Heritage month, takes place annually in May.  

As May approaches, the YRDSB takes pride in recognizing Asian and South Asian Heritage Month.  This month provides a vital opportunity to explore, understand, and affirm the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Canadians of Asian descent. The provincial government designated May as South Asian Heritage Month in 2001 and as Asian Heritage Month in 2005.  

As part of an unwavering commitment to creating inclusive learning and working environments, throughout the year, it is important to design meaningful opportunities to learn more about the social, ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity and histories of Canadians of Asian descent and honour their ongoing contributions to Canada.

Considerations on engaging in Culturally Relevant and Responsive teaching and learning about Asian identities include:

• recognizing the diversity of Asian and South Asian heritages and histories
• disrupting notions of Asian identity as a monolith
• valuing, affirming and celebrating the many achievements and accomplishments of Canadians of Asian and South Asian descent
• recognizing and disrupting anti-Asian racism 

ARMENIAN HERITAGE MONTH

The month of May is Armenian Heritage Month. Armenian Heritage Month was given Royal Assent in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 2022 through Bill 105 Act to proclaim the month of May as Armenian Heritage Month. 

Ontario is home to more than 100,000 people of Armenian heritage. Armenians began migrating to Canada in the 1880s. Approximately 37 Armenians came to Ontario in 1892, and 100 more settled in the province in 1895. After the Hamidian massacres of the mid-1890s, Armenian families began settling in greater numbers in Ontario. Decades later, approximately 2,000 survivors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide -  mostly women and children - came to Canada as refugees.

May is a significant month for the Armenian community. May 28, 1918, is widely celebrated by Armenian people around the world as the day Armenians regained sovereignty over their historical territory. The 1918 Armenian Declaration of Independence is a symbol of Armenians’ aspiration for freedom, democracy and independence. May 28th is one of the most important Armenian holidays, and many parades and festivities take place during the month of May.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM YRDSB: E-SCOOTERS/E-BIKES

Dear Families,

YRDSB continues to encourage families to use safe transportation to and from school. We encourage students to use active school travel whenever possible. Active travel refers to any form of human-powered transportation, including walking, cycling, rollerblading, skateboarding, and scootering.

School Property

Students using any transportation device, whether electronic or not-electronic, must dismount before arriving on school property. This includes all sidewalks, pathways, and walkways on school grounds. Please note that the school is not responsible for lost or damaged equipment.

Provincial Regulations

These modes of travel offer many physical, mental, and community benefits. Please visit the Ontario website for a full list of regulations. Every cyclist under 18 must wear a properly fitting bike helmet. Some students may also choose to use electronically assisted devices, such as e‑scooters or e‑bikes. In Ontario, you must be 16 or older to ride an e-scooter or e-bike. When riding e‑scooters or e‑bikes, it is important that students follow all applicable municipal regulations to ensure their safety and the safety of others.

Municipal Regulations

Before riding any device, it is important for students and families to be aware of the regulations set by their local municipality. These may include minimum age requirements for operating electric devices, helmet laws, and other safety guidelines.

Respectful Riding

Pedestrians always have the right of way. Students are expected to ride with caution by slowing down, using a bell when approaching others, and passing on the left. Wearing reflective clothing is encouraged to increase visibility and promote safer travel.

For more information, parents are encouraged to visit:

www.yrp.ca/bikesafety 

https://www.ontario.ca/page/bicycle-safety

https://www.ontario.ca/page/riding-e-bike#section-0

Thank you for your cooperation.

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

• 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.

YORK REGION SUMMER PROGRAMS 2026

York Region offers subsidies for recreation programs, day camps and youth overnight camps. Recreation programs and day camp subsidies provide children from families with low income the ability to take part in programs offered by the municipal recreation departments. The youth overnight camp funding helps eligible youth ages 12 to 17 attend an approved overnight camp.

Available Subsidies for:

• Positive Leisure Activities for Youth (PLAY)
• Summer day camp funding
• Youth overnight camp funding

York Region does not guarantee space in programs or camps. Please visit the York Region website for registration and information or call Access York at 1-877-464-9675 or https://www.york.ca/support/financial-assistance/recreation-subsidies

PLANNING FOR 2026-2027

Dear Families

The YRDSB 2026-2027 school year calendars have been approved by the Ministry. These calendars may be accessed on the YRDSB website at: 

2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR

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

1. MONDAY MAY 18 - VICTORIA DAY - ACPS is closed
2. TUESDAY MAY 19 - EQAO (GRADE 6) begins today. Gauss Math Contest
3. WEDNESDAY MAY 20 - ACPS Intermediate Track and Field Day
4. THURSDAY MAY 21 - ACPS SCHOOL COUNCIL TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCHEOON. Grade 7 Vaccinations
5. TUESDAY MAY 26 - EQAO (GRADE 3) begins today
6. WEDNESDAY MAY 27 - Dress Rehearsal for Spring Concert
7. THURSDAY MAY 28 - Parent performance for Spring Concert
8. FRIDAY MAY 29 - Grade 8s visit Thornlea SS
9. MONDAY JUNE 1 - THURSDAY JUNE 4 - X Movement is at ACPS
10. THURSDAY JUNE 4 - ANNUAL ACPS FUN FAIR
11. FRIDAY JUNE 5 - PA DAY; no classes for students today
12. MONDAY JUNE 8, TUESDAY JUNE 9 - Grade 8 Grad Trip
13. TUESDAY JUNE 9 - FINAL SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING @ 7PM
14. THURSDAY JUNE 18 - GRADE 8 GRADUATION @ RICHMOND HILL COUNTRY CLUB
15. THURSDAY JUNE 25 - LAST DAY OF THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR FOR STUDENTS
16. FRIDAY JUNE 26 - PA DAY; no classes for students today 

Have an Exemplary Long 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!

This electronic mail transmission and any related attachments may contain privileged or confidential information intended solely for the individual(s) named above and could be subject to provisions contained in the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.   If you are not the intended recipient, any copying, distribution, disclosure or use of this transmission or any information contained therein is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this communication in error, please contact me immediately and kindly delete the electronic mail transmission and any related information.  Thank you.