Gator Gazette Mar. 30 - Apr. 3, 2026

Week of March 30^th- April 3^rd, 2026

Families planning to move or students not returning in September

As we begin our planning for the 2026-2027 school year, we kindly ask you to inform the school office if your family has plans to move over the summer or if your children will not be returning in September for any reason. This information helps us to ensure a smooth transition for all students and to make necessary staffing arrangements for the upcoming academic year.  Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and helps us in planning effectively for the new school year. Thank you for your support.

April 8, 2026, is the International Day of Pink. The International Day of Pink is a day when communities across Canada and the world unite to celebrate diversity and raise awareness about the need to stop homophobia, transphobia, discrimination and all forms of bullying. On this annual day in April, individuals wear pink to show respect for diversity and to demonstrate support for learning and working environments that are safe and inclusive of people from all different backgrounds. 

BSA starting at PGPS

We are excited to announce the start of the Black Students Alliance (BSA) this upcoming spring. This group will be co-led by some of our staff members. Some possible goals for the BSA may include, to create an empowering and safe space where students can:

• Share their stories and experiences
• Celebrate their identity and culture
• Build meaningful relationships
• Grow academically, socially, and emotionally

We look forward to learning so much from our incredible students and we’re excited to build and grow together as we get to know each other better. 

Persian Heritage Month Events

Inclusive Schools and Community Services (ISCS), the Iranian/Afghan Educator Alliance (IAEA), and the OPC Persian/Iranian Admins Affinity Group will host Persian Heritage Month Events in March 2026. 

This year’s gatherings will feature cultural activities, student performances, light refreshments and an opportunity for students, families and staff to connect while acknowledging and honoring the rich history, culture and contributions of the Persian community.

• March 30, 2026, 5:30-7:30 p.m.,  Meadowbrook P.S., 233 Patterson St, Newmarket

Click here for more information. 

Sikh Heritage Month

In April, staff and students are encouraged to join Canadians in celebrating Sikh Canadians who have made and continue to make significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of Ontario and to Canada’s social, economic, political, and cultural fabric. Since the arrival of Sikh immigrants in the 19th century, Canada has become home to more than 500,000 Sikhs, making it the largest Sikh diaspora in the world. 

World Autism Month

The York Region District School Board (YRDSB) is officially launching World Autism Month alongside our community partners from Autism Ontario, a member of our Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC).

This campaign will launch on April 2, 2026. The purpose of Autism Ontario’s Celebrate the Spectrum campaign is to bring attention to the triumphs, contributions and experiences of people from the Autistic community. By fostering acceptance, we can build stronger and more inclusive communities and learning environments for students with Autism.

Elementary Tamil Student Conference 2026

Students in Grades 5 to 8 are invited to the Elementary Student Conference to participate in 4 learning workshops for Tamil Heritage. Please see our flyer for more details, or click on link. 

Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026 Time: 9:30 am – 2:30 pm Lunch Provided  Venue: Milliken Mills High School, 7522 Kennedy Rd, Markham, ON L3R 9S5

For further information,  families or the community can email Inclusive School and Community Services (ISCS) at iscs@yrdsb.ca.

Parent and Caregiver Mental Health Event

Join YRDSB for an evening dedicated to building emotional connections and supporting student well-being. This panel discussion, “How to Support Youth and Conversations about Mental Health at Home,” features youth with lived experience from YouthSpeak Charity, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Wendy Manel (CMHA), and YRDSB Mental Health Lead Patricia Marra-Stapleton.

When: April 16, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Registration starts at 6:00 PM) | Where: Westmount Collegiate Institute (1000 New Westminster Dr., Thornhill) | Who: All YRDSB elementary and secondary parents and caregivers.

Register here. Interpretation services will be available in select languages (details on the registration form).

Families Invited to Provide Input into YRDSB Budget

From March 24 to 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.

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Gator Gear & Mabel’s Labels

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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.

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Summer Learning Programs: 

Summer Institute | York Region District School Board York Region District School Board’s Summer Institute offers academic, recreational and athletic programs and activities with intentional links to the Ontario Curriculum for students entering Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8. Click here for the flyer. 

Elementary Summer School | York Region District School Board

The YRDSB offers a Grade 6, 7 & 8 Summer School program. This 15-day literacy and numeracy program is designed to reinforce the curriculum and is not an acceleration opportunity. Students must register in the program for their current school grade. For example, a grade 7 student would register for the grade 7 program as it reinforces grade 7 content.

Camp Black Brilliance-Registration is now open for The Centre for Black Student Excellence - Camp Black Brilliance Summer Program. 

Camp Black Brilliance will offer families the opportunity to get to know the Kindergarten program and have their children experience their introduction to schooling in a way that is culturally responsive and affirming of their identity, through experiential learning.

Register Today! The deadline is June 1, 2026. Please see our Camp-Black-Brilliance-Flyer and Camp Black Brilliance website for more information. For more information or questions, please contact blackstudentexcellence@yrdsb.ca.

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School Fundraiser: Domino’s 

Enjoy a Domino’s pizza for Family Pizza Night every Thursday and Friday until the end of the school year! 

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Click here for the Persian Translation.  Click here for the Russian Translation. Please email the school if you need the Gator Social translated into a different language. phoebe.gilman.ps@yrdsb.ca