Gator Gazette Dec. 8 - 12, 2025

Week of December 8^th - December 12^th, 2025 

Illuminate PGPS~ Volunteers Needed 

Please save the date for our Illuminate PGPS night on January 21, 5:30-7:00. This family event is a celebration of our school community. Join us for a Family Fashion Show, some food sampling and other fun activities representing the various holidays, celebrations, traditions and cultures of our students and families. We are looking for parent volunteers to decorate tables and create displays for the countries/holidays being represented. If you’re interested in sharing your culture with us, we invite you to sign up to volunteer for this amazing event. Please click here to sign up. Additional details to come. 

Holiday Heroes

Thank you to everyone who participated by donating toys to the YRP Holiday Heroes campaign! We collected approximately 20 boxes of toys and nonperishable food items for our community!

French Immersion Information for Year 2 (SK) Families

French Immersion (FI) registration will begin on January 16, 2026, and as such, we wanted to take this opportunity to share updated information. FI Information Night will take place on January 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. at Clearmeadow P.S. Grade 1 FI students from Phoebe Gilman will attend Clearmeadow P.S. Transportation is provided. 

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 the school office and indicate their intention to enrol. Our 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 09, 2026.  Registration during this period is not first-come, first-served.

More information can be found on the Board’s website.

Dressing for the Weather

With the weather now changing and temperatures dropping, please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for outdoor learning and play. Students are outside for at least 1 hour every day (morning and lunch recesses and outdoor learning time), so please consider sending your child with layers so that they won't be cold when outdoors. Students should also have a pair of indoor shoes to be worn in school.

Winter Weather Reminders

As winter weather approaches, we want to share a few important reminders.

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.

Coats for Kids

FREE! Winter clothing for children and adults in need. Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. from October 11, 2025 - January 31, 2026 at the Quaker Meeting House (17030 Yonge Street, Newmarket). For more information, contact The Newmarket Lion’s Club at 905-252-3203.

Due to high demand, clothing will only be given to those who are present. Please bring all family members who need clothing!

YRDSB Hanukkah Community Celebration

In celebration of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, the Network for Educators Supporting Jewish Learners (NESJL) is excited to invite all YRDSB students, staff, and families to a joyful and inclusive community gathering.

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! For more information, please contact Inclusive School and Community Services (ISCS) at iscs@yrdsb.ca.

Understanding and Navigating the Education System - Families of YRDSB Black Students Monthly Virtual Information Session on Monday, December 15, 2025, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Families, parents, and caregivers, please join us for our monthly virtual meeting, where families with Black children come together to learn about resources and upcoming programs for Black students in both elementary and secondary schools.  Please see our flyer for more information and the registration link.

For further information, please email the Centre for Black Student Excellence (CBSE) at blackstudentexcellence@yrdsb.ca.

Christian Heritage Month

In December 2024, the Trustees of the York Region District School Board amended the Recognition of Heritage/Significant Months/Days list to include Christian Heritage Month in December. 

December is a significant month for Christians, as it commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25. This date is significant for many Christians, as it represents the incarnation of God in human form. Many Christians observe Advent, four weeks leading up to Christmas, during which they engage in spiritual reflection on themes such as hope, peace, joy, and love. It is important to note that Christianity comprises various denominations, and Christmas is recognized and celebrated in diverse ways across the Christian community.

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Enjoy a Family Pizza Night and support Phoebe Gilman Public School! 🍕

Every Thursday and Friday in December, order one of the Domino’s specials shown on the flyer and use the code provided. For each order, $5 will be contributed directly back to our school. Thank you for supporting our school community!

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Cold and Flu Season

As we enter cold and flu season, we want to share a couple of reminders on good hand hygiene and coughing/sneezing etiquette.