Gator Gazette Oct. 13 - 17, 2025

Week of October 13^th - October 17^th, 2025 

Gator Gear and Mabels Labels

We are offering Phoebe Gilman Gator gear (clothing with our school logo). Take a look at our online store to place an order. Select ship to school for free shipping. We have t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, hoodies, shorts, sweatpants, and winter hats. https://phoebegilman.topunistore.ca/. The online store closes on Oct. 17 and orders will be delivered in early November.

Oct. 16 is Spirit Day

Founded in 2010 by Canadian teen Brittany McMillan to honour youth lost ot suicide after bullying related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Each October, millions of people across North America wear purple, the colour of spirit on the pride flag, to support @SLGBTQIA+ youth and stand against bullying. 

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Reminder: Grade 7 Immunizations on October 21, 2025

Please click here for the YRPH memo regarding the upcoming scheduled immunization clinic at Phoebe Gilman Public School. 

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DATE CHANGE: Photo Day is now Thursday, October 23rd, 2025

Edge Imaging will be in the school on Tuesday, October 23^rd, for school picture day. 

Bring your smiles! Please click here for more information.

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Dress Up Day/Halloween on Thursday, Oct. 31

October 31 remains an instructional day. That means classrooms will not be hosting Halloween parties or parades. If your family celebrates Halloween and your child would like to wear their costume to school, please remember the following:

In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, it is important that costumes do not trivialize and devalue the lives of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

• Costumes should be respectful of others. Symbols or objects representative of a person’s culture or religious beliefs should not be worn as another person’s costume, nor should costumes that caricature social identities through stereotyping.
• Connections made to Hallowe’en should not overemphasize the scary aspects
• Students may also choose to wear fall/autumn colours (brown, red, orange, etc.)

Please do not send:

• Candy/food items to share
• Full costume face masks, no Halloween masks, are to be worn
• Toy and/or replica weapons
• Long or restrictive costumes that can lead to trips and falls
• Costumes that require adult assistance to take on/off for washroom use
• Students must be able to wear running shoes and outdoor clothing as per usual

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

Every Thursday and Friday from October through 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. 

Big Box of Cards Fundraiser Is Back!

We’re thrilled to kick off another round of our Big Box of Cards Fundraiser! This year, we’re offering four great options: the All Occasion Cards Box, All Birthday Cards Box, and Holiday Box for $35 each, and the Big Box of Candles for $40.

You can take a closer look at the boxes using the links below: 

• 💝 Main Product Video
• 🕯️ Big Box of Candles
• 🎁 Holiday Box
• 🔍 All Boxes – Close-up View

Each box is filled with beautiful, high-quality cards (or candles) that are perfect for any occasion, and every purchase helps support our school’s programs and activities.

Please help us spread the word! Share the fundraiser with your friends, family, and neighbours, and place their orders through School Cash Online. 

All orders and payments should be made by the end of the day on November 2, 2025. 

Thank you for your continued support and for helping make this campaign a success! 

Parent/Caregiver Workshop Supporting Students of Chinese Heritage

The YRDSB Community Care Team School Social Worker supporting the Chinese Heritage Community is pleased to offer this virtual event for parents and caregivers, aimed at fostering connection, supporting mental health, and promoting healing.

The session is offered for any parent/guardian of students of Chinese Heritage. Parents, caregivers and students are invited to join this workshop and engage in meaningful conversations that will help students thrive at school. Tips on ways to help strengthen family relationships and emotional well-being will be shared. This will be a free virtual event. 

Presentation: Keep the Door Open: Integrating a Compassionate Approach to Foster Effective Communication

• Oct 28th, 2025 at 6:00 pm-7:00 pm Mandarin Session: Registration for Mandarin Session 
• Oct 28th, 2025 at 7:00 pm-8:00 pm Cantonese Session: Registration for Cantonese Session 

Please email charmaine.tong@yrdsb.ca if you have any questions or difficulties accessing the registration link. Thank you.

Islamic Heritage Month Celebrations

YRDSB students, staff and families are invited to join the York Region District School Board in celebrating Islamic Heritage Month this October! Together, we’ll honour the cultural and historical contributions of Muslims to society.

Locations and Dates

• North Area: Dr. J.M. Denison S.S., 135 Bristol Rd, Newmarket, ON L3Y 8J7 | Date: October 21, 2025, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

• East Area: Markham Gateway P.S., 30 Fonda Rd, Markham, ON L3S 3X3 | Date: October 23, 2025, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

• Central Area: Crosby Heights P.S., 190 Neal Dr, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3K8 | Date: October 28, 2025, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

• West Area: Stephen Lewis S.S., 555 Autumn Hill Blvd., Thornhill, ON, L4J 8X2 | Date: October 30, 2025, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

 Please register for any or all of the events with the registration link.

The Black Foundation of Community Networks 

The Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN), in collaboration with York Region District School Board (YRDSB), invites Black students and their families to a free online workshop on how to search, prepare, and apply for scholarships and bursaries. If you are in Grade 8 or high school, this workshop is especially for YOU! 

Join us on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with your families online.

Please register directly at bit.ly/BFCNWorkshopNovember11. For any questions or concerns, please see the BFCN website for the flyer or email info@bfcn.ca.

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