April 27-May 1st, 2026
AVPS Families, 🐊
Thank you for a busy week with lots of Gator spirit!
This week, we celebrated our incredible office administrator during Office Administrators’ Professional Week— a big thank you to Danielle Andrews for everything you do to keep us organized. We are so grateful!
Spirit Week, led by Student Council, brought amazing energy, creativity, and thoughtful messages about caring for our planet as we marked Earth Day, which included whole school composting! Thank-you – Merci School Council for organizing – we can’t wait to see what is next!
AVPS is a busy spot with so many opportunities coming for students, please mark your calendars with important dates listed below - Heritage Fair, Road Races, AVPS Track and Field days, basketball tournaments, and Discover Kindergarten (see date below). Grade 3 and 6 students will also begin EQAO later in May, with more information to come.
We’re also excited to share details and a save-the-date for our upcoming “Showcase Your Roots” evening—a special opportunity to celebrate the diversity and pride within our school community.
End of year celebrations have been scheduled! The grade 6 French Immersion farewell will take place on, June 17. Gade 8 graduation will take place on June 18. More details are coming soon!
Please see links to resources supporting mental health within this newsletter. Counselling support is available at the school. Please reach out to amstv@limestone.on.ca if you feel your child is in need. 💚💛
Excitement is growing, and students and staff are working hard preparing for the upcoming Fossils play planned for May 20 & 21st! More information will be shared with families as we get closer to the date.
Class Requests – 2026/2027
We are beginning to organize for the upcoming school year. This includes staffing, timetables and new registrations. Our planning also addresses next year’s class placements for students.
The creation of classes is a complex task that takes into account many factors. When determining placements for next year we consider learning and academic needs, behavioural and social needs, gender balance and class size. Our ultimate goal is to create balanced classrooms that maximize the potential for student learning.
We recognize that, in a few individual cases, there may be important reasons why a specific placement is requested. In these cases, please submit a written or emailed request directly to our office indicating the reasons for your request. The request should identify the optimal conditions for your child’s success but should not indicate a specific teacher request. We will do our best to accommodate your child’s needs but cannot guarantee specific placements. All written requests must be received no later than May 11.
Emails can be sent to amstv@limestone.on.ca
Thank you for being part of our amazing Gator community! 💚💛
If you have any questions, please reach out—we are here to support you.
Brigid Steele (P), Drew Boyce (VP) & The AVPS Gator Staff Team
AVPS Discover Kindergarten Event – Wednesday, May 27
More information to come!
Registration 2026-2027
Our Intention: To make a positive difference in the lives of every student, in every classroom, in every school.
AVPS Track and Field Days - April 27 & 29
Grades 3–4
On Monday, April 27, all students in Grades 3–4 will participate in the Atom AVPS Track and Field Day.
Grades 5–8
On Wednesday, April 29, all students in Grades 5–8 will participate in the Bantam/Senior AVPS Track and Field Day.
Students will spend the first two blocks of the day competing in events such as the 100m, 200m, and 400m sprints, as well as long jump and triple jump. All events will take place on the school yard during the school day.
Results will be recorded and used to help select the AVPS Track and Field Team, which will compete at the Invista Centre in early June.
Please ensure your child is prepared by wearing comfortable clothing and outdoor running shoes. Bringing sunscreen, a hat, and a water bottle is also recommended.
Thank you,
AVPS Track and Field Coaches
AVPS Connections
Student Supports 💚💛
In response to tragic events, students may experience a wide range of emotions, including sadness, confusion, worry, or questions about what they may be hearing from others. Students may react in different ways depending on their age, experiences, and how connected they feel to the situation. With time, reassurance, and support from caring adults, these reactions often ease.
We encourage families to keep lines of communication open at home, to invite questions, and to share reassurance as needed. If you have concerns about your student or would like support, please refer to the following resources:
Supporting Your Child’s Well-being
· Caring for yourself while caring for others: A parent’s guide to self-care
· By Your Side (parent/caregiver resources to support mental health learning)
· Kids Help Phone (Call 1-800-668-6868 or Text “Connect” to 686868)
If you are worried about your student’s immediate safety, or the safety of others, please seek urgent assistance by calling 9-1-1, your local mobile crisis service (613-354-7388), or by going to the nearest emergency department.
School Mental Health Ontario Resources
School Mental Health Ontario offers a variety of free resources for educators, students, and families. To stay updated with the latest information, resources, and research, families can visit the SMHO website. Simply scroll to the bottom of the page, click on "Connect with Us," and enter your contact information.
Resources from Public Health
Centre for Healthy Screen Use at the Canadian Paediatric Society.
Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt, Canada Research Chair in Youth Mental Health and Violence Prevention. You can access the podcast on the main page of the website: Healthy Teens Podcast: new episode on the impacts of cyberbullying.
This 30-minute podcast covers more than cyberbullying, speaks to the power of bystanders, and offers advice to families who learn that their student is being bullied or is bullying.
April is Autism Acceptance Month
Check out the opportunities for Gators below!!
A BIG Gator Thank-you & Merci for AVPS Staff for your hard work and time to bring these great opportunities to students! All information below is shared with student daily during announcements.
The AVPS Spring Running Club is in full swing. Thank you for reminding your athlete to bring their outdoor running shoes on practice days (Mondays and Wednesdays), regardless of what the weather is like in the morning. Often, the rain clears up by practice time and students must be wearing outdoor running shoes to participate in running practice.
Inclement Weather
In the event of inclement weather during practice time (pouring rain or thunder/lightning), we will not run outside. The grade 5-8 after school practice will continue indoors for those who need to wait for pickup at 4:00. In this case, we will move the pickup location to the front doors of the school. Please meet your athlete there at 4:00 to be signed out by a coach.
Road Races
For those students who consistently come to running practice, there is an opportunity to participate in local road races. Please check SchoolDay for information and a permission form for the upcoming Bayridge Road Race which will take place on Tuesday, April 28th, 2026.
We are also planning on attending the Napanee Hawk Run on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026. More information about this race will be on SchoolDay in the coming weeks.
Thank you,
Mme Bigelow, Mme MacKenzie, Mme Leppik and Mme Lecompte
Coming Up This Week
Day | What's happening at AVPS |
Monday, April 27 |
|
Tuesday, April 28 | · Tallack's Martial Arts Group |
Wednesday, April 29 | · Hot Lunch |
Thursday, April 30 | · Music Club Grade 3 |
Friday, May 1 | · Spirit Day – Gator Gear or Green & Gold! |
Upcoming Dates
April 2026
- 27 - AVPS Track & Field Day for students in grade 3&4
- 29 - AVPS Track & Field Day for students in grade 5-8
May 2026
· 14 – Scholastic Book Fair & AVPS Showcase Your Roots Family Event Evening – more information to come!
· 18 - Victoria Day Holiday
· 20 – Fossils Play
· 21 - Fossils Play
· 29 - PA Day No School for Students
June 2026
· 8 – Gator Fest 4-6 pm! More information to come!
· 17 – Tentative Grade 8 Graduation *NEW guidelines for all graduations (includes grade 6 farewell celebration – outside of school hours) We will share more information about these celebrations as we get closer to the date.
· 18 – Tentative Gr. 6 FI Farewell Celebration
· 24 – Term 2 Report Cards come home
· 25 – Last day of school for students
· 26 – PA Day
The Words Matter Campaign aims to reduce the incidence and impact of harmful and discriminatory language within our school community. 💚💛
🐊 This whole-school initiative includes activities engaging staff, students, and parents/caregivers.
As we know, it takes a team to make an impact. We are committed to providing students, educators, and families with the resources and support needed to maximize the impact of this work through Words Matter and the LDSB Equity Team.
The pocket guide for addressing harmful language below is being used at AVPS. We are sharing with families as a resource to support conversations at home.
TVO Kids It's My Party!
40 Books by Black Canadian Authors - CBC
Books by Black Canadian Authors
Looking for Gator Spirit Wear? Visit the AVPS E-Store
https://specialtytrophies.ca/amherstviewpublicschool/
AVPS Dominos Pizza Fundraiser
The Dominos Pizza fundraiser for AVPS is back!
Grab dinner for your family and support AVPS through this great fundraiser brought to you from the amazing School Advisory Council (SAC) at AVPS and Dominos Pizza!
Next Date May 20
Our Lost & Found is quickly filling up! 🧤👕🧢
If your child is missing any items, please encourage them to check the Lost & Found area as soon as possible. Families are also welcome to stop by and take a look.
AVPS School Advisory Council 2025-2026
📅 Next SAC Meeting
· Our next School Advisory Council meeting (SAC) will be held on April 22, 2026.
Join us in the school library or online everyone is welcome!
All meetings will be in person at 6:00 pm in the AVPS library and online, through MS Teams.
Everyone who is part of our Gator family is welcome to attend any of our meetings this year. Childcare will be provided. We look forward to hearing your voice!
🎨 Paint Night Fundraiser – Don’t Miss Out!
Join us for a fun and creative evening in support of our school! Paint Night is the perfect way to relax, connect, and create something beautiful.
Spots are limited, so be sure to register soon to secure your place! All proceeds go toward supporting school initiatives and activities for our students.
We can’t wait to see you there! 🖌️✨
🤝 Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers play an important role in making our school a welcoming and vibrant community. If you’re interested in getting involved, please click the link below to learn more every bit of support makes a difference.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5jeQ9p9T9N02tra3l9xL_80wMRrXCCxXC8CyPoS6YPtKwBQ/viewform
💬 Did You Know?
We have School Advisory Council Representatives for each division! If you have a question, concern, or aren’t sure who to ask, reach out to your division rep they’re here to help!
· Kindergarten: Kaileigh Babcock – kaileighbabcock@gmail.com
· Primary (Grades 1–3): Britta Flood – brittaflood@gmail.com
· Junior (Grades 4–8): Gelareh Monajemi – gelareh@goldtalentagency.com
For general inquiries, email us anytime at avpssac@outlook.com
Follow Us on Facebook
Amherstview Public School Advisory Council https://www.facebook.com/AVPSAC
Stay in the Loop!
Our SAC has created a handy calendar to make it easy to keep track of all school events, fundraisers, and important updates in one place. Check it regularly to stay up to date!
🍕🥪 Hot Lunch is Back!
Families can now enjoy two lunch days each week Wednesdays with Boston Pizza and Fridays with Subway.
Orders are placed through Lunch Box
How to Order - Quick Steps
1. Visit www.lunchboxorders.net
2. Click “Create an Account” follow the steps to register
3. Add your child(ren) to your profile, select city (Amherstview), including school, teacher, and grade (very important for correct delivery!).
4. Click a blue calendar date to view meal options and place orders
5. Pay securely online using: Visa / MasterCard / Discover / Debit Visa / Prepaid
Additional Resources
Free Access to IDELLO for the French as a Second Language Community
We are excited to share that Télévision française de l’Ontario (TFO) is offering free access to IDELLO for families in the French as a Second Language (FSL) community!
IDELLO is a rich online platform that offers virtual training, events, and resources designed to support French-language learning for educators, parents, and students. It is a great way to explore engaging content and strengthen language skills at home.
In recognition of Truth and Reconciliation Day, IDELLO also features a special resource collection for Grades 5 to 12. These materials help students learn about the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada and encourage thoughtful reflection on building a better future.
To request free access, families can contact TFO directly at support@idello.org.
Do not miss this opportunity to bring meaningful French-language learning and cultural reflection into your home!
Additional Resources
Ministry and Board Resources for Math and Literacy
There are many resources available designed to support your student’s learning in math and literacy, offering engaging activities that can make learning fun and effective for students and families. Visit Limestone’s Online Learning Resources and Tutoring webpage to learn more.
Free Access to IDELLO for the French as a Second Language Community
We are excited to share that Télévision française de l’Ontario (TFO) is offering free access to IDELLO for families in the French as a Second Language (FSL) community!
IDELLO is a rich online platform that offers virtual training, events, and resources designed to support French-language learning for educators, parents, and students. It is a great way to explore engaging content and strengthen language skills at home.
In recognition of Truth and Reconciliation Day, IDELLO also features a special resource collection for Grades 5 to 12. These materials help students learn about the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada and encourage thoughtful reflection on building a better future.
To request free access, families can contact TFO directly at support@idello.org.
Do not miss this opportunity to bring meaningful French-language learning and cultural reflection into your home!
