Middle School Newsfile

Dear Parents,

We would like to thank all of the parents for participating in their child's Showcase of Learning. We have enjoyed reading your feedback on the experience and hope that you enjoyed the opportunity to speak with your child about their learning. We apologize for the technical difficulties of the original link sent in the last Newsfile. If you have not yet been able to access the form, you can access it through this link. 

Tonight we will be holding our online information evening for our overnight and international excursions for the 2022-2023 school year. Join us at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom to learn more about registering your child for one of these experiences. 
Zoom Information: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88536527586, password: 923262

Discussions will focus on the following excursions: 

• Culture, History and Geography in Italy (Senior School)
• Ski excursion to Verbier, Switzerland (Senior School)
• Music excursion to Banff (Senior School)
• Exchange to United Kingdom (Grades 11 and 12)
• Adventure in Costa Rica (Grades 7, 8, 9)
• Leadership conferences (Middle and Senior School students)

Excursions will be dependent on numbers. For questions, contact Julia Hunt at jhunt@pickeringcollege.on.ca.

There will be a dress down day for Junior and Middle School students on Friday, May 13. Students will also have a tuck shop treat on the dress down day.

We are excited to welcome parents back into the school for Springfest during Arts Week at PC. Here is a sneak peek of what's in store: https://youtu.be/Inyi-lzTAtk 

Concerts will be held in Egan House on Wednesday, May 18. If you have not yet replied to the Permission Click RSVP for tickets, do so before Friday, May 13. Each family may have up to two guests attend. As per our policy, any visitors on campus must be fully vaccinated, wear a mask, and complete the screening tool. Note that screening and vaccine status will be verified 24 hours in advance of the concert. 

Springfest times:

Junior School Concert (K-5) - 9:00 a.m.

Middle School Concert (6-8) - 3:00 p.m.

Senior School Concert (9-12) - 7:00 p.m.

Some things to consider:

• Guests will be asked to arrive early to check in
• Parking will be available behind the school and in the Arena parking lot
• Remember to enter through the North driveway and exit the South driveway (the back of the school is a one-way route)
• Parents wishing to live stream the concert can go to this link: https://vimeo.com/event/2094462/747e2376a5 (the concert will not be recorded, just live streamed so it is important to watch at the correct time)

We would like to remind everyone that there will be no co-curricular activities on Thursday, May 19 and Friday, May 20 is a PD Day. Monday, May 23 is Victoria Day and there will be no classes. Classes will resume on Tuesday, May 24. The last day of co-curricular activities for the spring term is Thursday, May 26.

All Grade 8 students will write their mathematics exam on Friday, May 27 beginning at 9:00 a.m. This applies to students enrolled in both Grade 8 and Grade 9 mathematics. 

Sports Day will be held on Monday, May 30. 

We are looking forward to celebrating our Grade 8 class during their graduation events in June. Parents and guardians of Grade 8 students will receive an email invitation to these events that will require an RSVP. 

A reminder to Grade 8 parents to send in childhood photos of your child by the end of this week. These will be used in our Grade 8 Closing Ceremony slideshow. Photos should be sent to Ms. Jessica Ellis at jellis@pickeringcollege.on.ca. 

Hilltop Summer Discovery Camp Open House

Current and prospective families are welcome to attend Pickering College's Summer Camp Open House! Families will be introduced to our summer camp program, explore our PC outdoor campus, meet with our new Director of Summer Camp, and spend the afternoon participating in camp activities such as crafts, games, a campfire, and more.

Register online to drop by anytime on May 28 between 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. with the final campus tour starting at 2:30 p.m. Your child does not need to be currently enrolled in our summer day camps for you to join us at the open house. Feel free to share this invitation with your friends and neighbours. We look forward to seeing you for a Saturday afternoon full of sunshine and fun on our beautiful campus!

More information and register here: https://www.pickeringcollege.on.ca/academics/hilltop-summer-discovery-program/campus-day-camps-programs/summer-camp-open-house

Summer Math Program

For students entering Grades 9-11, our Math Bridge courses are online summer courses designed to give students extra confidence as they enter the next year of mathematics. These courses will review the material covered in their previous math year and preview important concepts in the grade to come. By revisiting important ideas and exploring upcoming material, students will deepen their understanding of key mathematical concepts and feel secure in their ability to be successful. Experienced online teachers will work with students in interactive live lessons once a week, and provide feedback on weekly independent work. 

https://www.pickeringcollege.on.ca/academics/enrichment-programs/summer-math-programs

Free Virtual Event: "The Good War"

Alumnus James Brown '69, past recipient of the Class of 1842 award for his service to the community, invites the PC community to attend an upcoming free virtual event with the author of "The Good War," Seth Klein. Join him on Monday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. to examine how Canadians can respond to the climate crisis and how employment concerns and climate change can be aligned. In addition to his passion for climate change, James has always passionately cared about people and his community and believes strongly that positive things happen when ordinary people believe that they can make a difference. This one-hour event includes a 20-minute Q&A, so feel free to bring forward any pressing questions you might have. Register online: https://calendar.kfpl.ca/event/6557346.  

Ukraine Sunflower Fundraiser

Through a student/parent led initiative, we will be selling yellow and blue crochet sunflower pins for $5.00. These sunflowers are being made by PC parents and students and the money raised will be given to the Red Cross for Ukraine support. Sunflowers can be purchased at reception or you can fill in an order request here and we will send one home with your child.

Sincerely,

Julie Clement
Director of Middle School

Dear Parents,

Although we have had some delightfully warm days, the weather continues to throw some curveballs from time to time. Please ensure your child comes to school with a rain jacket each day for recess, or at least until the April showers have passed. 

We would like to remind everyone that students are not permitted to use their cell phone throughout the day in Middle School. Cell phones are to be turned off and stored in the student's backpack. If you need to get a hold of your child in an emergency, please contact reception. Should your child need to call you, they must let their teacher know. 

As we move quickly into May, there are a number of exciting upcoming Middle School events. 

Middle School Public Speaking Tournament

Our annual Middle School Public Speaking Tournament will take place during the morning of Friday, April 29. The students will participate in this tournament virtually from home. Each  student will present their speeches to a panel of judges and a small group of their Middle School peers. The time and virtual meeting for each student has been added to their Microsoft Teams calendar. During the day when students are not presenting their speeches, they will be provided with asynchronous work, which they can find on Edsby.

Student Committee Elections

On Friday, April 29, we will be announcing the new Student Committee members for the 2022-2023 school year at a Full School Morning Meeting. Students are asked to join this meeting on Zoom. The link can be found on their Microsoft Teams calendar. Parents are also welcome to attend via  Zoom meeting. The passcode is 128368.

Middle School Showcase of Learning

Starting on Monday, May 2, students in the Middle School will have the week and weekend to present their Showcase of Learning to their parents. Please review the parent guide for this process. Be sure to complete the parent reflection form linked in the guide by Monday, May 9.

World Book Day

On Friday, May 6, Middle School will be celebrating World Book Day. Everyone is encouraged to bring their favourite book to school for a homeroom activity and dress up as their favourite book character. Students who are not dressing up are required to wear their school uniform. 

Tuck Shop and Dress Down Day

Middle School will have a dress down day and Tuck Shop treat on Friday, May 13. 

Springfest

We are excited to welcome parents back into the school for Springfest! Concerts will be held in Egan House on Wednesday, May 18. Each participating student may have up to two guests attend. As per our policy, any visitors on campus must be fully vaccinated, wear a mask, and complete the screening tool. 

You will receive two permission click documents, the first will be to RSVP for the event and the second will be a screening tool. Note that screening and vaccine status will be verified 24 hours in advance of the concert. 

Springfest times:

• Junior School Concert (K-5) - 9:00 a.m.
• Middle School Concert (6-8) - 3:00 p.m.
• Senior School Concert (9-12) - 7:00 p.m.

Some things to consider:

• Guests will be asked to arrive early to check in
• Parking will be available behind the school and in the Arena parking lot
• Remember to enter through the North driveway and exit the South driveway (the back of the school is a one-way route)
• Live stream login information will be provided to parents who are unable to attend in person

Overnight Excursions

We are equally excited to resume overnight and international excursions for the 2022-2023 school year. Join us on May 10 at 7:00 p.m. for an online information evening to learn more about the destinations, approximate costs, and timelines. 

Zoom Information:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88536527586, password: 923262

Discussions will focus on the following excursions: 

• Culture and Language in France and Italy (Senior School)
• Ski excursion to Verbier, Switzerland (Senior School)
• Music excursion to Banff (Senior School)
• Exchange to United Kingdom (Grades 11 and 12)
• Adventure in Costa Rica (Grades 7,8,9)
• Leadership conferences (Middle and Senior School students)
•  

Excursions will be dependent on numbers. For questions, contact Julia Hunt at jhunt@pickeringcollege.on.ca.

Reminder: Grade 8 Graduation Events 

Planning is in full swing for our Grade 8 graduation events! We want to remind our Grade 8 families of the following dates:

On Friday, June 10 at 5:30 p.m., graduates are invited to attend a semi-formal dinner and dance held at the school. 

On Wednesday, June 15 at 2:30 p.m., graduates and family members (maximum of four guests per Grade 8 graduate) are invited to celebrate the class of 2022 in a closing ceremony held in Egan House. A reception with refreshments will follow.

Students will not attend school on these dates as they will use the time during the afternoon to get ready for these events.

Thank you,

Julie Clement
Director of Middle School

Dear Parents,

This is a reminder that there will be no co-curricular activities on Thursday, April 14.  The school will also be closed on Friday, April 15 for Good Friday and Monday, April 18 for Easter Monday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, April 19.

Upcoming Events

In celebration of Earth Week, there will be a dress down day for Junior and Middle School students on Friday, April 22. Students are encouraged to wear blue, green, brown, or khaki in celebration of the colours we see in nature. Students will also have a special Earth Day Tuck Shop treat on April 22.

For this dress down day, our Grade 5 students have initiated a campaign to support the people of Ukraine through the Canadian Red Cross. We ask that students bring in their donation in a sealed envelope, which will be collected from the classes.

Springfest

We are thrilled to announce that our annual spring music concerts will once again be held on campus with a live audience. The students and music faculty are overjoyed to share these meaningful moments with our community.

Each participating student may have two guests attend their concert. As per our policy, any visitors on campus must be fully vaccinated, wear a mask, and complete the screening tool. Note that vaccine passports will be verified at the door prior to entry for on-campus events. Live stream login information will be provided to families in case someone is feeling unwell or is otherwise unable to attend in person.

Concerts will be held in Egan House on Wednesday, May 18. Guests will be asked to arrive early to complete the screening and vaccination verification.

Junior School Concert (K-5) - 9:00 a.m.

Middle School Concert (6-8) - 3:00 p.m.

Senior School Concert (9-12) - 7:00 p.m.

Grade 8 Celebrations

To celebrate the graduation of our Grade 8 class, we are excited to provide you with information about two June events.

On Friday, June 10 at 5:30 p.m., graduates are invited to attend a semi-formal dinner and dance held at the school. 

On Wednesday, June 15 at 2:30 p.m., graduates and family members (maximum of four guests per Grade 8 graduate) are invited to celebrate the class of 2022 in a ceremony held in Egan House. A reception with refreshments will follow.

More details about these events will be provided as the dates approach.

We Need Your Help!

TOP SECRET: During our Grade 8 Closing Ceremony, a slideshow is played and features baby and childhood photos of our graduates. Please send 5-6 photos of your child from various ages to Jessica Ellis at jellis@pickeringcollege.on.ca. The graduates do not know about this slideshow so please keep it top secret. 

Gift your Grade 8 Graduate with PC Jewelry

What better way to celebrate Grade 8 graduation from Pickering College than with a custom PC sterling silver graduation charm! Visit the Hilltop Shop Online Store to view or order your custom PC graduation charm and save 15 per cent on our entire custom jewelry collection when you order by May 31, 2022. The PC jewelry collection is carried in store and is available to order on the Hilltop Shop Online Store. If you are unable to access your account on the online store, email us at pcstores@pickeringcollege.on.ca (be sure to include the student's name) and we will provide you with your access information.

Middle School Trip to Canada's Wonderland

Our Middle School students will have a day of fun and adventure at Canada's Wonderland on Tuesday, June 14 to celebrate the end of the school year. You will receive a Permission Click form with information shortly. If you have any questions, email your child's homeroom teacher. 

Important Dates for the 2022-2023 School Year

As the 2022-2023 school year approaches, many of our important dates are now set. Click here to download and view these dates.

If your child is in boarding, the boarding travel dates for 2022-2023 are also available to assist you with planning your child's travel plans. Click here to download and review.

We would like to remind families that our school's attendance policy indicates that parents should arrange travel plans to occur during holiday breaks. This will limit your child's absence from school, ensure continuity in their learning, and allow them to fully engage in all of their program's collaborative experiences and social activities. For instances where this may not be possible, contact your child's division director in advance of your booking. 

Wishing you a restful long weekend with your family!

Julie Clement
Director of Middle School

Dear Parents,

Co-curricular Program

Our Middle School Co-curricular Program for the spring term begins today. If students do not wish to participate, they can opt-out of participating in co-curricular activities for the remainder of the school year. A parent must email the Director of Middle School, Julie Clement, at jclement@pickeringcollege.on.ca to confirm that their child will not be participating in an activity this term.

There will be no co-curricular activities on Thursday, April 14 and dismissal will be at 3:15 p.m.

Upcoming Events

Our Middle School Public Speaking Competition will be held virtually on Friday, April 29. In the morning, students will connect to Microsoft Teams from home to deliver their speeches. Asynchronous work will be posted for the afternoon classes as well as their Showcase of Learning preparation for the following week.

The Middle School Showcase of Learning will take place during the week of May 2 to May 6. More details and instructions will follow. 

Pickering College is thrilled to announce that Grade 11 students Shyam Subramanyam and Oscar Jiang have been granted a license to run a TEDxYouth event. With TEDx's motto of, "Ideas worth spreading," this platform will enable youth from different schools to spread messages to their communities and beyond with a direct focus on "Voicing the Foundation of the Future."

This hybrid event is scheduled for Wednesday, April 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. EST. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there are limited tickets available for in-person seating.  However, there is no limit to the amount of online tickets available. If you would like to purchase a ticket, please visit our website. 

For students entering Grades 9-11, our Math Bridge courses are online summer courses designed to give students extra confidence as they enter the next year of mathematics.  These courses will review the learning of their previous math year and preview important concepts for the grade to come. By revisiting important ideas and exploring upcoming material, students will deepen their understanding of key mathematical concepts and feel secure in their ability to be successful. Experienced online teachers will work with students in interactive live lessons once a week and provide feedback on weekly independent work.

For More information on Pickering College's summer math programming, visit our website.  

School Closures

School will be closed on Friday, April 15 for Good Friday and Monday, April 18 for  Easter Monday. Note that classes will resume on Tuesday, April 19.

Sincerely,

Julie Clement
Director of Middle School

Dear Parents,

Happy March 1!

We have now fully resumed in-person learning and are no longer offering synchronous online classes. If your child is absent, contact our attendance administrator (attendance@pickeringcollege.on.ca) and have your child check Edsby for their work. If they are not well enough to complete their tasks, indicate this in your email. Arrangements will be made for missed assessments to be completed immediately upon the student's return to school, either during their class period or co-curricular block. 

Our attendance policy can be viewed on our school website: https://www.pickeringcollege.on.ca/academics/policies/student-attendance-policy

PCA Saturday Free Skate

Saturday, March 5 will be the last PCA Saturday Free Skate for this year. Details and timing for the family free skate are available on the PCA Social Events webpage: https://www.pickeringcollege.on.ca/parents/pca-social-events

Pillar Week

Our Middle School students will participate in the Global Leadership Program Pillar Week from Monday, March 7 to Friday, March 11. This week-long program has the students focus intensively on a particular topic through collaborative group work. Grade 6 students explore social media and wellness, Grade 7 learns about traditional voices and skills, and Grade 8 becomes advocates for water issues. Students will be assessed on their process, products and daily engagement through the Global Leadership Program pillar competencies. There will be no co-curricular activities during Pillar Week.

Friday, March 11 is a dress-down day and tuck-shop day. There is no cost to dress down. 

The ice will be out of the arena when the students return from March Break.  We ask all students to take home their skates, helmets and hockey equipment by Friday, March 11. Additionally, lockers should be emptied of winter clothing. Our facilities staff will be doing a thorough cleaning over the break.  

Public Speaking tournament

We will be hosting our annual Public Speaking tournament on Friday, April 29. This event will be held online with students joining their speech meeting groups on Microsoft Teams from home to deliver their speeches to the judges in the morning. The afternoon will have students completing asynchronous work. 

Spring PCA events

 

The Pickering College Association (PCA) parent volunteers have planned several events and activities for the spring. We hope you will join us!

• PCA Book Club (Virtual)
  • Wednesday, March 2 at 7:00 p.m.
• PCA Cooks (Virtual)
  • Thursday, March 3 at 7:00 p.m.
• PCA Morning Social (Metropolis Mercantile + Cafe)
  • Thursday, March 10, 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., following drop off
• PCA Spring Luncheon (Save the date!)
  • Wednesday, May 11

For all event details and regular event updates visit the PCA Social Events webpage: https://www.pickeringcollege.on.ca/parents/pca-social-events
We look forward to welcoming you to a PCA event soon.

On behalf of the Middle School faculty and staff, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable March Break. The first day back to school is Monday, March 28.

Sincerely,

Julie Clement
Director of Middle School

Dear Parents,

Last week ended with a fantastic afternoon of Carnaval activities on Memorial Field. The students participated in many challenging games, enjoyed BeaverTails, and watched a performance featuring some incredible juggling! 

Reminders

Our Middle School students spend a great deal of time outdoors each day. Please ensure that your child comes to school dressed for the weather. Items include: winter boots, winter jacket, snow pants, toque, scarf and mittens. Students should also be bringing a reusable water bottle to school each day so that they can stay hydrated. 

Grade 8 graduation photo proofs were sent home yesterday with students. Orders can be placed directly online.

If your child has recently been vaccinated against COVID-19, please provide the Health Centre with proof of vaccination via email at healthcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca, or fax 1-905-895-1052 so we can add it to their Health Centre files.

Upcoming events

This Thursday, February 17, the students will enjoy a treat from the Tuck Shop. 

School closures

There will be no classes on Friday, February 18 to accommodate for the full school PD day, as well as on Monday, February 21 to accommodate for Family Day. The school and offices will be closed on those days. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 22.

Pink Shirt Day

Everyone at Pickering College has the right to feel safe and respected in the community, and ensuring positive relationships is central to creating this welcoming environment. To show our support of all students, and as a reminder to treat each other with respect and dignity, we will be joining students around the world in recognizing Pink Shirt Day on Wednesday, February 23. Pink Shirt Day was initiated in 2007 by two Grade 12 students in a small town in Nova Scotia. David Shepherd and Travis Price purchased 50 pink shirts and distributed them to other boys in their school in a show of solidarity for a bullied student. By the end of the week, almost every student was attending school in a pink shirt. This has led to the last Wednesday of February being Anti-bullying Day in Canada. This act of kindness also sparked an international movement, even drawing the attention of the United Nations through UNESCO which recognizes its own Anti-bullying Day on May 4. Remind your children to wear a pink shirt to school on Wednesday, February 23 to demonstrate their commitment to treating each other with dignity and respect. 

Pillar Week

Pillar Week will be held from Monday, March 7 to Friday, March 11. During this week, Middle School students will engage in collaborative projects that develop their pillar skills. There will be no co-curricular activities during Pillar Week. 

Lastly, we are pleased to release the most recent edition of the Creativity & Innovation newsletter, which features several students who are actively pursuing their own personal projects.

Read all about them here:

https://issuu.com/pickering_college/docs/ci_newsletter_spring2022finalsinglepages

Sincerely,

Julie Clement
Director of Middle School  

Dear Parents,

On Tuesday, February 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., our guidance counsellors are inviting parents and guardians of students currently in Grade 8 to join us for a virtual course selection workshop. This is a great opportunity to hear about the options available to our students as they enter Senior School. Here is the Zoom link to tonight's workshop for those wishing to attend: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83603118963
Passcode: 833995 

National Sweater Day

On Friday, February 4, Pickering College will be observing National Sweater Day. Small changes in our individual daily practices can result in huge changes on a global scale. By turning down the thermostat a few degrees and by wearing a sweater, we can save a significant amount of energy. All PC students are invited to wear a sweater of their choice over their PC uniform that day.

Graduation photos

Grade 8 graduation photos will take place on Friday, February 4. All students are required to wear their Business Casual uniforms, which includes the golf shirts with either the pants or skirt. For those participating in National Sweater Day, students will be asked to remove their sweater for their photo. Please ensure your child is present as there is no photo retake day scheduled. We would also love for your child to be included in our school composite graduation photo. There will be a $25 sitting fee charged to your account which also includes a composite photo for your child.
 

Co-curricular activities will resume on Tuesday, February 8

Co-curricular activities for our Middle School students will resume on Tuesday, February 8. The Ministry of Education Health and Safety measures for co-curricular activities indicate that indoor high-contact and high-intensity activities are temporarily paused and indoor sports should be limited to activities where masks can be worn safely. The U14 Girls' Volleyball and U14 Boys' Basketball will practice with a focus on developing skills without high contact. Other activities will be offered by grade. Information will be posted on Edsby later this week. Should you wish to opt-out your child from co-curricular activities at this time, email Jessica Ellis at jellis@pickeringcollege.on.ca. Students will be dismissed from co-curricular activities at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. 

As our first term has come to an end, report cards are now being prepared by teachers. Reports will go home with students on Tuesday, February 8. 

Winter Carnaval

We will be celebrating our annual Winter Carnaval on Friday, February 11. This event highlights the French language, Francophone culture, and celebrates the winter months of the year. There will be activities for Middle School students all afternoon as well as a special treat! Students should dress in their physical education uniform on this day.

Upcoming dress down day

We will have a Valentine's dress down day on Monday, February 14. Students are encouraged to dress in red, pink or white to show their Valentine's Day spirit. We will also have a Tuck Shop day on Thursday, February 17.

Sincerely,

Julie Clement
Director of Middle School 

Dear Parents,

We are looking forward to welcoming our Middle School students back in person on Thursday, January 20. 

This is a reminder that the REACH app survey must be completed before your child arrives at school. 

Students should be dropped off near Egan House and the Portables between 8:10 a.m. and 8:25 a.m. We ask that your child bring the following items to school each day:

• a three-layer medical mask plus a few extras in their backpack
• headphones that connect to their laptop
• outdoor winter clothing (winter jacket, snow pants, winter boots, hat, mittens and scarf)

Middle School students have recess three times a day and the cold does not stop us from going outside. It is important for them to be dressed properly for the weather.

Updates and changes

Our co-curricular activities are currently paused and dismissal will be at 3:15 p.m. We will provide an update on the re-introduction of co-curricular activities in the coming weeks. Our clubs will continue to meet virtually. 

We have had to make a few other modifications to meet the measures recommended by the Ministry of Education and Public Health. Grade 8 electives have been temporarily paused, and  instrument playing during music class is also on hold for the time being. Some classes will be instructed remotely as the need arises. We will be assessing and monitoring the situation in our school on an ongoing basis and further changes may need to be made to our routines and program over the coming days and weeks.

For families who have opted to not have their child return in person on Thursday,  instructions regarding the asynchronous learning program will be posted on Edsby in your child's homeroom group by Wednesday evening. They must check their Microsoft Teams calendar by 8:15 a.m. each morning for any live classes and teacher meetings. They will then use their in-person class schedule to organize their day and find their assignments posted to Edsby. Students should be in their school uniform and have Microsoft Teams open during their regularly scheduled class times. They are expected to attend all live classes and meetings posted on their calendar. Note that the asynchronous learning program is offered in two-week intervals. 

We know that this has been a challenging time for everyone. We appreciate the patience and support of our students and parents as we navigate the daily changes. We are grateful to have our students back in person and will do our best to keep them safe, healthy and learning. 

Reminders

On Monday, January 10 all families with children enrolled in JK to Grade 11 were sent re-enrolment information for the 2022-2023 school year. Thank you to all families that have already completed re-enrolment! If you have not yet done so, please note that the deadline to submit the signed contract is January 24, 2022. Completing re-enrolment by the deadline secures your child's space for next year and means you will be eligible for the re-enrolment discount. If you are not planning to re-enrol, we ask that you please notify the Admission Office at admission@pickeringcollege.on.ca.

For those parents with children in Grade 8 wishing to plan ahead, be advised that the Senior School will continue to operate on a semestered timetable for next year. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the ability of schools to offer in-person instruction and we have determined it advisable to continue with the current system. The semestered timetable provides for greater ease of transition between online and in-person learning and limits the number of courses impacted by such transitions at any one time. It also affords students the benefit of having to manage fewer courses in the online environment. Similar to this year in the Senior School, Grade 9 students will have their courses offered in two terms, each with their own midterm and final reports, along with a final assessment period.  

Upcoming events

We will be celebrating a Junior and Middle School Spirit Week from January 25 to January 28. Students will be given the opportunity to dress down with a special theme each day. Students not wishing to dress down must come to school dressed in their regular uniform.

• Tuesday, January 25 - Colour Day! Each class will decide which colour they would like to wear and the homeroom teacher will inform parents over Edsby.
• Wednesday, January 26 - Pajama Day! Students are encouraged to wear comfy pajamas. 
• Thursday, January 27 - Disney Day! Students are to dress as a character from Disney or Marvel. 
• Friday, January 28 - Sports Day! Students are to wear any merchandise/clothing from a sport or sports team.

On Tuesday, February 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., our guidance counsellors are inviting parents and guardians of students currently in Grade 8 to join us for a virtual course selection workshop. This is a great opportunity to hear about the options available to our students as they enter Senior School. Here is the Zoom link for those wishing to attend: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83603118963
Passcode: 833995

Grade 8  graduation photos will take place on Friday, February 4.  All students are required to wear their Business Casual uniforms, which includes the golf shirts with either pants or skirt. Please ensure your child is present as there is no photo retake day scheduled. We would also love for your child to be included in our school composite graduation photo. Please note that there will be a $25 sitting fee charged to your account which also includes a composite photo for your child. 

As our first term has come to an end, report cards are now being prepared by teachers. Report cards were originally scheduled to be sent home with students on Tuesday, February 1. With our switch to remote learning these past couple of weeks, we will now be sending report cards home with students on Tuesday, February 8. 

Lastly, the Hilltop Shop's semi-annual uniform sale is scheduled to begin on January 26 through to February 4, 2022. All academic uniform items, shoes and physical education uniform items will be 15 per cent off. The sale will also be offered online for curbside pick-up, classroom delivery(K-5) or student in-store pick-up. Students may shop in person on their own or, if an accompanying parent is required, an appointment must be made with the store – contact us at pcstores@pickeringcollege.on.ca or by phone at 905-895-1700 ext. 240. Any accompanying parent must show proof of double vaccination against COVID-19 for a minimum of 14 days prior to the appointment date and complete a COVID-19 screening prior to entering the school. 

Happy shopping!

Sincerely, 

Julie Clement
Director of Middle School

Dear Parents,

Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a relaxing and restful holiday with their family.

While we are unable to be welcoming our Middle School students back to in-person classes, we look forward to seeing their faces online. The online learning schedule for each grade is posted on Edsby in the student’s homeroom group. You can also find an updated virtual class schedule on our website. Students will find their synchronous classes and meetings posted on their calendar on Microsoft Teams or Outlook. Please review and discuss with your child the expectations for online learning so that they can have a successful online learning experience. Students are required to continue to respect the School’s Code of Conduct while learning online. 

Even though we are away from the school’s campus, parents must continue to complete the REACH survey for each of their children. This information is important for the school as we prepare for in-person classes. Please complete the survey each morning before your child logs into their first virtual class. 

If your child will be absent from online classes, parents must email attendance@pickeringcollege.on.ca.

It is important to keep your child’s medical record updated in our Health Centre. If your child received any recent vaccinations, please send a scan of their proof of immunization to healthcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca. 

In-person classes for Middle School are currently scheduled to resume the week of Monday, January 17. Students should arrive between 8:15 a.m. and 8:25 a.m. and will follow their regular in-person schedule. We will continue to keep you updated should changes occur. 

Upcoming in the Middle School

On Tuesday, February 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., our guidance counsellors are inviting parents and/or guardians of students currently in Grade 8 to join us for a virtual course selection workshop. This is a great opportunity to hear about the options available to our students as they enter Senior School. The Zoom link will be shared with parents in the February 1 Newsfile letter.

Sincerely,

Julie Clement
Director of Middle School 

Dear Parents,

Despite some continued challenges around the global pandemic, we have enjoyed a successful first half of the school year. It is nice to see students in person, participating in a wide array of co-curricular activities, studying and socializing in the Student Lounge, and engaging in the many student-led activities organized by the Youth Action Organization (YAO), the Green Team, the (JEDI) Club, as well as the Senior School Student Committee. It has also been lovely to hear the bands play together and to see such vibrant and creative art adorn our hallways.

Throughout the last two weeks, we have also been enjoying several holiday activities planned by members of the Senior School Student Committee. These 12 days of festivities have included a cookie decorating contest, holiday trivia, tree decorating, a festive sweater day, bring-your-own mug for hot chocolate, and a holiday headwear day. Yesterday, we enjoyed a skating party in the arena and today, we enjoyed some s'mores and hot chocolate by the campfire.

The holiday celebrations will continue throughout the week with a virtual Christmas Full School Morning Meeting on Thursday, December 16, at 9:45 a.m. Parents are welcome to attend via the Zoom Link, Meeting ID: 820 2419 5783, Passcode: 576739.

On Friday, December 17, Senior School students will have a holiday dress down day. All students are encouraged to come to school wearing festive holiday colours. Students will be dismissed early at 3:00 p.m.

Resuming competitive sports

We are looking forward to the resumption of competitive sports when we return to school in the new year but want to be sure that we are doing so in a manner that protects our community members and the members of communities against which we are competing. Please review the message from Mr. Sturrup, Head of School, from November 18 which provides specific details relating to vaccination requirements for the new year. In brief, all eligible Pickering College students 12 years of age and older must provide proof of full vaccination by January 3, 2022. This information will be collected by the Health Centre and will be kept confidential. After January 3, students who have not provided proof will be required to have rapid antigen testing a minimum of two times per week and will not be allowed to participate in co-curricular sports, be able to travel on trips, or engage in activities where proof of vaccination is required. We are still unable to host guests on campus so unfortunately, fans will not be able to attend games as spectators.

Important updates

The winter – Term 1 co-curricular activities will wrap up on Thursday, January 13 and to accommodate final exams in Senior School, there will be no co-curricular activities during the week of January 17 to 21. The winter – Term 2 co-curricular activities will begin on January 25.

We have a number of lost and found items including clothing, shoes, and water bottles that have accumulated since September. If your child is missing a belonging, let their divisional director know and we will look for it among the found items on display outside of Ms. Downer's office located in Rogers House. As always, it is recommended that you label all your children's clothing.

When we return from the break, we will have just over two weeks of classes prior to final exams for Semester One. Here is a link to the exam schedule, slated for Wednesday afternoon, January 19 and full days on Thursday, January 20 and Friday, January 21. There will be no classes on Monday, January 24, and Semester Two will begin on Tuesday, January 25. 

While we are hopeful that we will be able to return to in-person classes following the break, it would be prudent to prepare for the eventuality that we may have to transition to remote learning. While the provincial government is currently taking the position that schools will reopen in January, students should bring their learning resources and personal belongings home with them for the break in order to be best prepared should we need to shift to remote learning in the new year.

A reminder on re-enrolment

Re-enrolment information for the 2022-2023 school year will be sent to you early in the new year. Please note, the re-enrolment deposit is $3,000. You will access your re-enrolment contract and materials through the School Admin online portal, which is the same process as last year. The re-enrolment email will provide a link to access your secure portal account where you can log in to complete re-enrolment contracts. It is important to complete your re-enrolment in a timely manner as we currently have a wait pool in some grades. Completing re-enrolment by the deadline means you will be eligible for the re-enrolment discount.

The Senior School faculty would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family an enjoyable and relaxing holiday season and all the best for an excellent 2022. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.

Stay safe and be well.

Best regards,

Chris Schneider
Director of Senior School

Dear Parents,

As the holidays are just around the corner, the Junior/Middle School Student Committee has found many ways for our students to celebrate these last few days of school. Last week, we decorated our homeroom doors and Christmas trees, wrote letters to individuals at Southlake Regional Health Centre who are unable to go home this holiday season, and today is the start of our after school Christmas movie viewings. The spirit of the season is very much alive in Middle School! 

Upcoming events

There will be no co-curricular activities this week. Dismissal will be at 3:15 p.m. 

The Junior/Middle School Student Committee will be hosting holiday movie viewings for each grade throughout this week with Grade 6 on Tuesday, Grade 7 on Wednesday, and Grade 8 on Thursday. The viewing will be from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the cost to participate is $10 which includes the movie viewing and a Tuck Shop treat. Student accounts will be charged for those who participate and profits will be used to support our holiday gift card drive. Students may bring casual clothes to change into for this event. Following the event at 5:30 p.m., students can be picked up from the front entrance of the school (the pillars) via the front driveway.

On Wednesday, December 15, students will enjoy a holiday banquet at lunch time. The holiday celebrations will continue the following day on Thursday, December 16, with a virtual Christmas Full School Morning Meeting at 9:45 a.m. Parents are welcome to attend via the Zoom Link, Meeting ID: 820 2419 5783, Passcode: 576739.

Following the holiday banquet on December 15, students in Grade 7 will be visiting Blue & Silver Farm. As the forecast is calling for mild temperatures — and due to all the rain — students must wear waterproof boots and a warm, waterproof jacket in order to attend. Students not wearing the proper footwear or jacket will have to remain at the school. The students will return to school for 3:15 p.m. 

Note that on Friday, December 17, the Middle School will have a holiday dress down day. All students are encouraged to come to school wearing festive holiday colours. This dress down day will be free of charge. Students will also receive a special Tuck Shop treat on Friday!  

Important updates

We have a number of lost and found items including clothing, shoes, and water bottles that have accumulated since September. If your child is missing a belonging, let their divisional director know and we will look for it among the found items. As always, it is recommended that you label all of your children's clothing.

We would like to let you know that Mrs. MacDonald, our Middle School music teacher, has extended her maternity leave until the next school year. Mr. Jakin Lam will continue teaching our music program until the end of this school year.  

With the holiday break approaching and the uncertainty in the province regarding the pandemic, we have decided to be proactive in the event that we shift to remote learning upon returning from the break. Although it is not our school's intention and there is no indication from the Ministry of Education that schools will close after the holidays, we would rather our teachers and students be well prepared in the event that our situation changes. To this end, this week the students will bring home all essential learning resources such as workbooks and textbooks. If we do not switch to remote learning after the break then please ensure all materials are returned to school on the first day back.  

A reminder on re-enrolment

Re-enrolment information for the 2022-2023 school year will be sent to you early in the new year. Please note, the re-enrolment deposit is $3,000. You will access your re-enrolment contract and materials through the SchoolAdmin online portal, which is the same process as last year. The re-enrolment email will provide a link to access your secure portal account where you can log in to complete re-enrolment contracts. It is important to complete your re-enrolment in a timely manner as we currently have a wait pool in some grades. Completing re-enrolment by the deadline means you will be eligible for the re-enrolment discount.

On behalf of the Middle School faculty and staff, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a happy and relaxing holiday. We are grateful for all of your support as we continue to work together to give your children —  our students — the best possible learning experiences in these unprecedented times. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 4.

Sincerely, 

Julie Clement
Director of Middle School     

Dear Parents,

The holiday season is near! At this time of year, we ask the Middle School students to focus not only on their loved ones and friends, but also on the members of our community who find themselves in need. The members of the Middle School Youth Engagement Organization (YEO) have chosen to raise awareness around the needs of the women and families who seek support from two local organizations: Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers and Sandgate Women's Shelter of York Region Inc. Over the next few weeks, the students will learn more about the programs and support offered to members of our local community by these organizations. They will also learn about how they can help make a difference for families who seek support during this time of year. Since we are unable to accept the regular donations we normally would, we ask that Middle School students and families consider contributing gift cards, which will be used by these families this holiday season.

Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers supports young, single mothers and has been servicing the Newmarket and surrounding area for over 30 years. Rose of Sharon is currently helping hundreds of families in need. Sandgate Women's Shelter of York Region Inc. supports women and children who are in danger or crisis situations. During the holiday season last year, we were able to help many families who took refuge at Sandgate Women's Shelter and who later expressed gratitude for our assistance. This year, there may be an even greater need. In order for us to be able to distribute the cards prior to Christmas, we ask that gift cards be brought to homeroom classrooms by Friday, December 10.  We hope that contributing to these causes will help teach our children about the importance and value of helping others. We appreciate your participation. Please see below for a list of suggested gift cards for these charities:

Walmart

Shoppers Drug Mart

Rexall

No Frills

Superstore

Sobeys

Upcoming Reminders

Inclement Weather Policy

This is a reminder of our Inclement Weather Policy . If Pickering College implements the Inclement Weather Policy, parents will be notified by email and the school will be closed. There will be no supervision available at the school for day students and classes will be held virtually. On inclement weather days, parents and students should check Edsby for their online learning schedule and assignments for the day. Live classes will be held on Microsoft Teams following the schedule posted to Edsby.  

Grade 7 Farm Trip

Grade 7 will be heading to the farm right after lunch on Wednesday, December 15. Students are required to dress warmly (sweatpants and sweatshirt with warm socks) and have a winter jacket, snow pants, snow boots, winter hat, scarf and mittens. 

Holiday Break

Classes will end at 3:15 p.m. on Friday, December 17 for the winter break. Note that there will be no co-curricular activities in the week prior to the holidays. Students are expected to attend all classes leading up to the break. Any arrangements for early departures or late returns back to school need to be approved by the Director of Middle School. Students are responsible for any missed assessments and class work during this time. Students who are absent should check Edsby for their class work, which will be posted at the time as their class schedule. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 4.

Holiday Movie Day by Student Committee

Our student committee is in the process of planning a holiday movie day by grade level. These movie viewings would take place in the Meeting Room from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Please hold the following dates tentatively on your calendar:

Tuesday, December 14 - Grade 6

Wednesday, December 15 - Grade 7

Thursday, December 16 - Grade 8

Students can participate by making a donation which will be used to support our gift card collection. Further information will be posted on Edsby as the date approaches. 

Winter Clothing Reminder

With the temperatures dropping and snow having arrived, it is important for students to arrive at school dressed for the weather. Each student should bring their own hat and mittens. For those who wish to play in the snow, snow pants are required.

PC Shopping 

The Hilltop Shop's annual 12 days of holiday deals is about to begin just in time for holiday gifting! Every day from December 2 until December 17, the Hilltop Shop will be offering a daily deal (best prices of the year) on something new, up to 40 per cent off on some items, including our custom PC sterling silver jewelry, House hoodies and sweatpants, Christmas décor and so much more. Each daily deal will be offered for that one day only so be sure to log into the Hilltop Shop Online Store every day to see the deal of the day. Please contact The Hilltop Shop at pcstores@pickeringcollege.on.ca if you need assistance with your online store account or have any other questions about the 12 days of holiday deals. Remember, students can always shop in person!

Grade 12 Capstone Projects

Grade 12 students have been working intently on their Capstone Projects where they are taking action on an important issue. Some project outcomes include creating prototypes, visual art, computer applications, and educational programming. As part of her Capstone Project, Michaela Morra is looking for donations of iPhones, iPads, iPod shuffles, or ScanDisk MP3 players to download music playlists for those with dementia. Music therapy has been found to be helpful in improving the quality of life for those affected by this ailment. Contributions can be left in the decorated bin at reception from December 13 to December 17. Please make sure all previous content is deleted.  If a charger is available, this is appreciated as well.

Sincerely,

Julie Clement
Director of Middle School

Dear Parents,

Last week, our students participated in the annual Booker's Run which took place on our campus. Congratulations to everyone who took part in the run. A special congratulations goes out to our top Junior and Middle School winners.

Primary Boy: Thomas Ellis
Primary Girl: Dylan Cazeau
Junior Boy: Franc Jez
Junior Girl: Kayla Merrick
Intermediate Boy: Torrin Price
Intermediate Girls: Alexis Youell, Noelle Simpson and Mana Matsumoto.

Despite the couple days of warm November weather, it seems as though the colder weather may now be here to stay. Since our Middle School students spend a great deal of time outdoors during the school day, ensure your child has a warm winter coat, winter boots, and hat and mittens when they arrive at school every morning. For those students who wish to play in the snow at recess, a pair of snow pants will be required. Skating in physical education classes begins this week. Students must bring their own skates to school. 

A reminder that the Middle School co-curricular activity information can be found on Edsby.

Middle School students are quite impressionable and can be easily influenced by the things they see on social media. We wanted to bring your attention to a series of challenges that are being posted on TikTok, particularly directed towards encouraging inappropriate school behaviours. In some cases, students are being challenged to cause damage to school property. We encourage you to speak to your child about the harm this can cause the community and to ensure that they do not make poor judgement to follow these challenges. It is also a good idea to review with your child their online activity and the School's Code of Conduct. Behaviour that causes physical damage to the school property will not be tolerated and will require replacement of said damaged property, along with further restitution in the form of community service. 

Upcoming Reminders

On Friday, November 19, Grade 8 students will have the opportunity to experience what it is like to be a Grade 9 student. This is a day to give students a taste of the engaging programming and variety of choices available in the Senior School at PC. The students should arrive at school at the usual time for homeroom and will be dismissed as usual at the end of the day.  

Your child's interim reports will be sent home on Friday, November 19. Reviewing this report with your child will help to prepare them for the upcoming Student/Parent-Teacher Conferences.  

Dress down day

There will be a Junior and Middle School dress down day on Friday, November 19. The students will also have Tuck Shop that day.

Student/Parent-Teacher Conferences

Middle School Student/Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place on Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26. We are using a web-based program called "pickAtime," which allows you to schedule your interviews online. You should have already received an email including the website link, your child's Student ID code, and instructions for using "pickAtime." If you have not yet received this email, contact Jessica Ellis at jellis@pickeringcollege.on.ca. 

This is a reminder that there will be no in-person classes for our Middle School students on Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26 in order to accommodate the Student/Parent-Teacher Conferences. Instead, students will have asynchronous work during those days.

Cold and flu season is here

As much as we would like to have your children attend school, it's also important to keep them well. Over the course of the season, you may feel that your child has missed too much school and therefore you do not want them to miss anymore. However, children who arrive at school sick tend to not do as well and recovering from an illness could take much longer.

When sick, having your child rest at home will reduce the spread of illness to peers and staff. Parents are required to complete a daily screening for their child for symptoms of COVID-19. Follow the direction provided to you on the REACH app. Students who are unwell must stay home until they have been symptom free for 48 hours without the use of any medication. You might also want to consider a flu vaccine for your family to prevent influenza.

It is imperative that everyone do their part to stay as healthy as possible and that they stay home when unwell. If you have questions about your child, or if they are not well enough to attend school, contact your primary health care provider or call the Health Centre. You should have also received a communication last week regarding illness and COVID-19. Reviewing this message will help you determine the steps required when your child is not feeling well. 

Upcoming events and special dates

We are thrilled to welcome back in-person music at PC! Over the past couple of months, students have needed time to relearn how to play and sing together, manage their PPE in the music room and become comfortable with the safety protocols. This process is essential in creating a safe environment in which students feel comfortable. To ensure a higher level of learning and preparation, this year's Holiday Concert is now being planned as a Winter Concert to be held in February. Watch for more details as they become available in the new year. 

Join us for the Pickering College virtual Holiday Home Tour supporting Pickering College program enhancements, with ten percent of proceeds directed to The Food Bank of York Region. The event is being held virtually on Saturday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m. Visit our website to register. 

Once again, Pickering College's Food Services team is offering holiday baked goods. This year, they are offering hot chocolate kits and frozen cookie pucks for you to bake from your very own home. Submit your holiday order by November 30. 

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Julie Clement
Director of Middle School 

Dear Parents,

We had a wonderful end to the week on Friday with the celebration of Halloween in the usual Pickering College spirit. The students dressed in an array of costumes, walked in an outdoor parade, and participated in a number of activities and decorating contests with their homeroom groups. I hope your Halloween weekend was spooktacular!

This is a reminder that for any student not attending school for the day, arriving late, or dismissing early, a parent must email Ms. Saveria Volpe, our attendance administrator at attendance@pickeringcollege.on.ca. Your child's homeroom teacher should be copied on the email. Please send this email by 8:30 a.m. so that we can account for each of our students in the morning. Students who arrive late or leave early must enter and exit the building from Reception, through the pillars and towards the front driveway. They must sign-in or sign-out with Ms. Volpe. Middle School students are not permitted to arrive late or leave early from the back driveway. 

When a student is absent from school, they should check Edsby for their missing work. Through Edsby and Microsoft Teams, they can also message their teacher who will respond when they are available. 

We have been lucky to have had mild weather so far this year. It won't be long before we wake up to chilly temperatures and snow - winter is upon us! Students should be coming to school dressed for outdoor activities. Boots, mittens and a winter coat / hat will keep them warm and dry during recess, physical education and co-curricular activities. Be sure to check the forecast so they have everything they might need before they come to school in the morning. Students wanting to play in the snow during recess should also bring snow pants to school. Throwing snow or snowballs is not permitted at recess. 

In anticipation of the upcoming winter season, here is the school's Inclement Weather Policy.
 

Upcoming Reminders

Introduction to Senior School 

On Wednesday, November 3, families of our Middle School students are invited to learn more about our Senior School program at our virtual intro to Senior School evening beginning at 6:00 p.m. Information about the Global Leadership Program as well as preparing for the transition from Middle to Senior School will be discussed. Friends and neighbours who may be interested in a Pickering College education are also welcome to attend. 

Here is the Zoom link: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81524708801

Booker's Run & Co-curricular Activities

On November 9, our students in Middle School will be participating in the annual Booker's Run. This traditional cross country run, which started in 1980, was designed to make use of the school-owned farmland at a time of year when the sports program was in a transition period between fall and winter. The name came from a well-respected, straightforward math teacher named Keith McLaren. Since he was purported to do things by the book, "Booker" became his nickname. When the farm was sold in the mid 1980s, the run was switched to a less gruelling course around Fairy Lake. This year, students will be running a cross country course around our school campus in order to respect physical distancing from other non-PC groups. Students should wear their physical education uniform to school that day. We are asking parents to be extra cautious when driving onto and off the campus via the driveways on these dates after school. 

Please note the designated running days for each grade:

Monday, November 8 - Grades 9 and 10

Tuesday, November 9 - Grade 6 to 8

Wednesday, November 10 - Grade 11 and 12

Dismissal for Middle School students on the day of Booker's Run (November 9). will be at 4:30 p.m. Co-curricular activities are cancelled on Wednesday, November 11 and Thursday, November 12 so dismissal will be at 3:15 p.m on those days.

Remembrance Day

On Thursday, November 11, we will be having our virtual Remembrance Day Ceremony at 10:45 a.m. This observance commemorates the end of hostilities during World War I as well as the recognition of those Canadians who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the multitude of international peacekeeping missions to which Canadians have contributed across the globe. A viewing of the west wall in the Joseph McCulley Meeting Room illustrates the connection of PC alumni to the Canadian Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of freedom and those who fought to ensure a better world for us. All parents are invited to join us for this important occasion as we honour and remember the people who fought to make the world a better place. For those parents wishing to attend, please find the Zoom link below. 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86109364238

Meeting ID: 861 0936 4238

Passcode: 970617

P.D. Day and School Holiday

There will be no classes on Friday, November 12, which is a P.D. day as well as Monday, November 15, which is a school holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, November 16.

Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences

Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26. 

Conferences will take place on Thursday, November 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday, November 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There will be no classes for Middle School students on November 26 and 27 to accommodate the larger number of conference times needed. Students will have asynchronous work to do during the day.

On Thursday, November 11, you will receive an electronic letter outlining how to access our online scheduling software, "pickAtime." This system will allow you to book conferences with your child's teachers. The software, "pickAtime" will open on Tuesday, November 16 at midnight. Conferences will be 10 minutes long. 

The arena is opening in November!

Since the ice in our arena will be ready in mid-November, it's time to start planning for students to bring their skates and helmets to school for physical education classes. Starting the week of November 16, make sure your child has skates that fit properly, a CSA approved hockey helmet (unless your child has completed Stage 5 of the CanSkate Program), mittens and a hat. Hockey helmets are designed to help protect against head injuries occurring on ice, whether from a fall or collision. A bicycle helmet for example, is designed to protect against head injuries should a fall occur while riding a bicycle. It is important to ensure that when a skater is on the ice, they are protected with equipment designed for their sport or activity.                                                                            

Sincerely,

Julie Clement
Director of Middle School

Dear Parents,

We are now more than halfway through the month of October, and with that we are experiencing colder weather. Summer Dress ends on Friday, October 29, which means we will shift to the Modified Dress uniform. Students should wear their Pickering College navy crested sweater, golf shirt, grey dress pants or grey skirt. Students are no longer permitted to wear shorts as part of the uniform. Since we are outdoors for recess, physical education class and for our co-curricular activities — rain or shine — ensure that your child is properly dressed for the occasion. Middle School students should wear a warm and water repellent jacket to school each day. Some of our students are also bringing in an extra pair of old running shoes for running on the grass at recess. 

On Wednesday, October 20, there will be paving taking place on Bayview Avenue in front of the school between 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If you are dropping-off or picking-up your child during that time, you will still be able to access the PC campus, but your entrance of choice may be restricted. You should plan to allow for extra travel time as there will likely be significant traffic congestion.

On a positive note, what a successful Thanksgiving Food Drive at Pickering College! Our community is very grateful for all of the donations that we have received this year. The Youth Action Organization (YAO) is dedicated to fighting social injustices around York Region.  Every year, the Youth Action Organization (YAO) organizes a Thanksgiving Food Drive to raise money for our local Newmarket Food Pantry. The Newmarket Food Pantry feeds approximately 1100 clients each month with donations of canned foods, fresh vegetables, and other important supplements. It is an important necessity for people who are struggling financially to have access to food that is nutritious, fresh, and culturally appropriate. YAO hosted an annual dress down day where students brought in donations of $2 or more. This year, the PC community raised a whopping total of $4305.45, almost two times more than last year's total! Congratulations to Gold House who came in first place with a total donation of $1709.45. What a great way to support our local food bank! 

Effective Monday, October 18, 2021, York Region Public Health required students, parents and guardians to screen daily with the provincial COVID-19 school and childcare screening tool. Our REACH screening tool has been updated to reflect the provincial screening tool. It remains critical to screen your children for symptoms each day and test them when required to avoid bringing COVID-19 into the school. You must continue to follow the instructions on the screening tool and isolate and/or get tested, as directed. The provincial screening tool was updated on Friday October 1, 2021 to reiterate the need to stay home if you are sick with any COVID-19 symptoms. 

Mild symptoms 

Anyone experiencing symptoms, including mild symptoms not included in the provincial screening tool such as runny nose and sore throat should not attend school. If your child has mild symptoms not listed in the provincial screening tool, they can return to school once their symptoms have improved for 24 hours. If your child has symptoms listed in the screening tool or mild symptoms that are worsening, they require to have a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test to return to school or stay home for 10 days. 

Siblings and other children living in the same household 

To help reduce the chance of transmission within schools, York Region Public Health has specific instructions for children living in the same households, including:

If your unvaccinated child is identified as a close contact and is required to isolate (e.g. exposure in a classroom cohort), unvaccinated children living in the same household must NOT attend school or child care for the duration of the contact's isolation period; fully vaccinated children living in the same household can continue to attend school as long as they do not have symptoms listed on the screening tool 

If your fully vaccinated child is identified as a close contact (e.g. exposure in a classroom cohort), they are not required to isolate and can return to school as long as they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms; all children living in the same household can continue attending school or childcare as long as they do not have symptoms listed on the screening tool 

Thank you for all doing your part as we continue the effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

UN Day

We will be celebrating UN Day with a full school Morning Meeting starting at 9:45 a.m., on Thursday, October 21. Parents are welcome to attend this virtual meeting via the following Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86011290680

Meeting ID: 860 1129 0680

Passcode: 828053 

School Photos

Your child/children's school photos were sent home last week. Please note that the cost of the photos has already been covered by the school so there is no need to send money. Photo Retake Day will be Tuesday, October 26. If you require a retake, have your child return the original photos to their homeroom teacher by Photo Retake Day. The dress code for school photos is Modified Dress uniform.

Halloween

Pickering College will be celebrating Halloween with festivities on Friday, October 29. Students and staff are encouraged to wear a Halloween costume to school. Costume dress down is free so enjoy the spirit of Halloween and have some fun! When choosing a costume for your child, consider the fact that students will be in costume all day and considerations need to be taken into account to respect the hygiene, safety and distancing requirements that are currently in place. The following protocols will be in place:

• Students must wear their non-medical or medical mask but cannot wear a costume mask over top 
• Avoid costumes that take up excessive amount of space (example: inflatable costumes)

Thank you for planning with your child in advance. If students decide to not wear a costume on that day, they should be in Modified Dress. Students will still have physical education on that day and should have a costume that allows them to easily participate or that can be worn over their athletic uniform and removed for that class. On October 29, students will also receive a Halloween treat from the Tuck Shop.

A message from our school social worker, Ms. Sugar 

The York Hills Centre for Children, Youth and Families offers many free workshops for parents, including a series focused on raising teenagers. You can find a list of upcoming workshops on their website.

Sincerely,

Julie Clement
Director of Middle School

Dear Parents,

We have had an eventful first month of school and there is much to be thankful for as we approach the upcoming long weekend. 

As we are now in the autumn season, temperatures are getting colder. We have been getting outdoors as much as possible with our Middle School students and plan to do so throughout the school year. We will have recess rain or shine (with the exception of extreme weather). Please ensure that your child comes to school with appropriate attire for the weather. They should always have a jacket to protect themselves from the cold or rain (a school sweatshirt is not enough). Students are also reminded to wear their PC Athletic uniform on the days they have physical education. When not in their PC Athletic uniform, they should be wearing their Modified Dress uniform. A school sweater is permitted with Modified Dress but a PC sweatshirt is not. 

Beginning this week, Grade 7 and 8 will have access to the changerooms to change from their Modified Dress to the Athletic uniforms for co-curricular activities. For now, Grade 6 will continue to wear their PC Athletic uniform to school from Tuesday through Thursday for their co-curricular activities. Grade 6 will wear Modified Dress on Monday. 

Here is an overview of the uniform requirements for Grade 7 and 8:

Grade 7 will wear their PC Athletic uniform to school on Tuesday and Thursday. They will wear Modified Dress to school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Wednesday, they must bring their PC Athletic uniform to school and will change before co-curricular activities. 

Grade 8 will wear their PC Athletic uniform to school on Monday and Wednesday. They will wear Modified Dress to school on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. They must bring their PC Athletic uniform to school on Tuesday and Thursday and will  change before co-curricular activities. 

During our homeroom meeting yesterday, homeroom teachers reviewed the expectations and protocols for using the changerooms.

Last week was Orange Shirt Day, a day to educate and promote awareness about the residential school system and its impact on Indigenous children and their communities. Next week we will continue our education on Truth and Reconciliation by watching Mistatim, a digital reimagining of Red Sky Performance's acclaimed production, featuring music co-created by Toronto Symphony Orchestra musicians and Indigenous music creators.

This is a reminder that information about your child's classes, announcements and progress can all be found on Edsby. Don't forget to check this regularly to stay informed. If you are unsure of your login information, contact Mr. Gordon Chiu at it@pickeringcollege.on.ca. 

Every Thanksgiving, our school holds a food drive for the Newmarket Food Pantry to give back and make a difference in our community. The Newmarket Food Pantry feeds close to 1,550 people per month; 41 per cent of whom are people under the age of 18. However, due to safety considerations around COVID-19, the Newmarket Food Pantry is unable to accept food and as a result, donations have decreased significantly. In return, students are asked to bring in a $2 donation or more for their dress down day on Thursday, October 7, which will act as their contribution. Donations should be placed in envelopes with the student's name and House colour clearly labelled. House Points will be awarded to the House with the highest donations. With our monetary support, the pantry will be able to provide healthy food options by purchasing fresh produce, meat, and dairy. Let us all do our best and help our local community! 

The Business Office provides electronic statements on a monthly basis providing details of all charges and payments to your child's student account. The statements are sent from the studentbilling@pickeringcollege.on.ca email address so this address should be on your safe mailing list. If you are not receiving the e-statement(s), contact studentbilling@pickeringcollege.on.ca and confirm your preferred email address for billing purposes. You are reminded that your payment is due by the end of each month. 

With Halloween approaching, some important considerations need to be taken into account to respect the hygiene, safety and distancing requirements that are currently in place. Students will be permitted to wear a costume to school on Friday, October 29 however the following protocols will be in place:

• Students must wear their non-medical or medical mask but cannot wear a costume mask over top
• Avoid costumes that take up excessive amounts of space (example: inflatable costumes)

Thank you for planning with your child in advance. If they are not wearing a costume on that day, they should be in their Modified Dress uniform.

The Pickering College Golf Tournament was a great success, with golfers enjoying a spectacular day at the members only Lebovic Golf Club. Three cheers for Silver House tournament participants, donors and sponsors who have won a dress down day and ice-cream party for the current students in their House. Students must wear their Silver House t-shirt to show their Puma pride and to participate in the dress down day. The dress down day is scheduled for Friday, October 15 – there is no tuck shop with this dress down day. Congratulations to all on a great day and thank you for your support!

This is a reminder that the deadline for priority consideration of applicants who are siblings of current Pickering College students is October 30, 2021. Applications for siblings of current Pickering College students received on or before October 30, 2021 will be given priority consideration provided they have met the admission criteria and space permits. Some grades have very limited space and some grades will be at capacity based on complete re-enrolment; admissible sibling applicants for these grades will be made an offer of admission should space become available following re-enrolment in early 2022.

Upcoming Reminders

Thursday, October 7

• Dress down day for the Newmarket Food Pantry (minimum $2 donation)
• Regular dismissal at 3:15 p.m. for all students, no co-curricular activities

Friday, October 8 

• Full-school P.D. Day. Students do not attend school. 

Monday, October 11 

• Thanksgiving Day - School and offices closed. Classes will resume on Tuesday, October 12

On behalf of the Middle School faculty and staff, I wish you a restful long weekend full of gratitude and quality time with your children. 

Sincerely,

Julie Clement
Director of Middle School  

Dear Parents:

It was a pleasure to see so many of you during last week's curriculum night. If you were unable to attend, you will find a post on Edsby where you can access the slideshow and a recording of each grade's session. 

Keeping each other safe and healthy

Every day at school, we are reminding our students about the importance of properly wearing their face mask and sanitizing / washing their hands. We are proud of how our Middle School students are respecting the protocols in place this year. 

Dressing for the weather

Our Middle School students participate in many outdoor activities. Should their feet get wet during one of their outdoor activities, they are encouraged to bring an extra pair of socks to school every day. They should also have a rain jacket for days when rain is in the forecast. 
 

A Message from our Student Success Centre

Executive skills are the fundamental brain-based skills required to execute tasks: getting organized, planning, initiating work, staying on task, controlling impulses, regulating emotions, being adaptable and resilient – just about everything a child needs to negotiate the typical demands of childhood in school, at home, and with friends.

Once children reach Middle School, the demands on executive skills increase dramatically. This may be the first time they have multiple teachers, each with their own set of expectations regarding how work is to be formatted, notebooks are to be organized, and assignments are handed in. Demands on working memory, planning, organization, and time management increase accordingly.

At this stage in their lives, children are experiencing rapid brain development that is uneven and unpredictable. This means that more support, rather than less, is critical. It is tempting to pull back on supervision and homework monitoring at this age – in part because children are beginning to look for more independence and freedom from parental scrutiny. While some children's executive skill development allows for a high level of self-management, many are not there yet.

If your child falls into the "not there yet" category, here are a few things that you can do to support them:

• Help your child create an effective study space. This space should be located in a place free from distractions, have good lighting, a comfortable chair, and all necessary supplies close at hand. Ask your child to share with you more about what they have learned about this topic.
• Check in with your child daily about homework and review their agenda and/or notes posted on Edsby.
• Help keep in mind tests and long-term projects/assignments. For example, post due dates on a large calendar located in a prominent place in the house.
• Ask them how they plan to study for tests.

Much of the information shared with you comes from Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare - an excellent resource.

Questions or comments? Feel free to send me an email at plawson-cameron@pickeringcollege.on.ca. 

Penny Lawson-Cameron, Middle/Senior Learning Strategist
 

Upcoming Reminders 

Co-curricular activities begin this week. Grade 6 will participate in a daily activity within their cohort while Grades 7 and 8 will participate in an activity of their choosing from a list of options that are typically offered during our fall term.

Co-curricular activities are held after school on Tuesday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For the time being, students should wear their physical education uniform to school on these days. Protocols are in place to ensure the health and safety of the students. Students are asked to be mindful and respectful of these protocols. 

In addition, we are offering two virtual clubs (Art Club and Chess Club) on Mondays that students may join from home. These clubs begin at 3:45 p.m. and run for one hour. If your child is interested in joining these clubs and have not yet signed up with their homeroom teacher, please email Marc de la Bastide at mdelabastide@pickeringcollege.on.ca. 

Grade 7 students will be embarking on their first trip to the Blue & Silver Farm on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 29. As we will be walking through the farm and wooded areas, students should come to school wearing long pants, long socks, as well as a long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt. They should bring a hat, water bottle, change of shoes and rain gear (if the forecast calls for it). The students will be surveying and analyzing the biodiversity of the farm's ecosystem. They will depart the school shortly after lunch and return by 3:15 p.m. for co-curricular activities. Students are reminded to bring their physical education uniform to school that day so that they can change for their co-curricular activity.    

This is a reminder that Monday, September 27 is School Photo Day. Students should wear their Modified Dress Uniform.  They may wear their school blazer and tie if they wish to do so. 

On Thursday, September 30, Pickering College will be participating in Orange Shirt Day as a way to commemorate the experience of residential school survivors and to honour the difficult journey of healing that those survivors and their families are walking. As a global learning community, we wish to affirm our school's commitment to ensuring that everyone around us matters. That day, students are invited to participate by wearing orange with their regular school uniform. Students can show their support by wearing an orange shirt/sweater or simple accessories such as socks, ribbons or scarves. Students are reminded that this is not a spirit day, but an opportunity to raise awareness of the impact that the residential school system had on generations of Indigenous children. Our Junior and Middle School students have been actively participating in classroom activities to learn more about residential schools in a developmentally appropriate way. The National Truth and Reconciliation Day is not a statutory holiday in Ontario. We will be at school learning about the importance of this day.

In an effort to reduce the use of paper and to streamline the acknowledgement and consent process, Pickering College sends permission forms home electronically through the Permission Click online software platform. Please be sure to check your online spam or junk folders and keep an eye out for emails from notifications@permissionclick.com.

The Grade 6 class will be travelling to Kettleby Valley Camp on Monday, October 4. The class will be participating in a variety of activities that support the life systems and biodiversity science unit they are currently studying. Information regarding permission forms and trip details will be posted on Edsby this week. 

On Thursday, October 7, we will hold a dress down day to benefit the Newmarket Food Pantry. The Newmarket Food Pantry helps support almost 1,850 people per month who struggle from food insecurity. They have distributed over 500,000 pounds of food and have served close to 5,700 households. Due to the lasting economic implications of COVID-19, more people are struggling with food insecurity than ever before, which is why we need to step up and help our community. In support of this cause, The Youth Engagement Organization (YEO) is hosting an annual dress down day on Thursday October 7. Students are asked to bring in a minimum donation of $2.00 or more for their dress down day on Thursday, October 7. All donations are to be received in an envelope or Ziploc bag with the student's name and House colour clearly labelled. Through their donations, students will earn House points and support a good cause in their community. 

Thursday October 7 will also be our first Tuck Shop Day of the year. This year, Tuck Shop will run a little differently. A week before Tuck Shop, students will have the opportunity to choose two items from a pre-set list. On Tuck Shop Day, the students will receive their treats during the morning wellness break.  Due to COVID-19, we will no longer be accepting cash, instead, students' accounts will be charged a flat fee of $20.00 CAD in October to cover Tuck Shop costs for the entire year. If you do not want your child to participate in Tuck Shop, please email Jessica Ellis at jellis@pickeringcollege.on.ca. 

Last year, Sasha Au Yong '21 wrote and illustrated a children's storybook, Something's Different About Grandpa, for her winning Capstone Action Project in support of Parkinson Canada. The book is suitable for all ages and is a great way for adults to teach young children about Parkinson's Disease. Please consider buying a copy to support the cause. The price is $12.00 CAD and all proceeds go to Parkinson Canada, a registered charitable organization. The book can be purchased through the Hilltop Shop (reopens September 27). To reserve your copy, send an email to pcstores@pickeringcollege.on.ca.

PCA Restorative Yoga begins this Friday, September 24 at 9:30 a.m. Join us online as current parent, Patti Wietzes guides the class through a series of poses to relax and restore. Contact PCA Chair, Krystie Robinson-Vincent with any questions. No sign-up necessary – see you there!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83906675348?pwd=T0hsWUhFbW8wVSsvcVNQU1hzUWZCZz09
Meeting ID: 839 0667 5348
Passcode: 5U5qJ7

Sincerely,

Julie Clement
Director of Middle School 

 

 

 

 

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year! We are so excited to have our students back in the school. 

The Middle School Newsfile will be published every second Tuesday with information such as upcoming events, special instructions and Middle School information. 

As part of our COVID-19 Safety Plan, families are required to complete a daily screening of their child/children via the REACH application and must show this to the teacher on duty during drop-off. You are asked to complete this screening by 7:45 a.m. each day.

Grades 6 to 8 Drop-off and Pick-up 

Middle School students should arrive at school between 8:10 a.m. and 8:25 a.m. so that they are ready in their classroom when homeroom begins. Students will be dropped off via the back driveway between the portables and Egan House. Middle School students will only use Stairwell A (the south stairwell near Ms. Clement's office). Late students must be dropped off at the front and enter through the pillars of Roger's House to check-in at Reception. The door to Stairwell A will not be accessible as of 8:25 a.m. so please ensure that if you arrive at this time or later, your child is brought to the front entrance instead. 

Parents dropping off students at the back of the school are reminded that the back driveway is a one-way traffic flow, which means you must enter from the north driveway and exit from the south (arena) driveway. It is also very important to note that the exit has two lanes. The right lane is to be used only by vehicles turning right and the left lane is to be used only by vehicles turning left. This could cause potential problems if not followed. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions about the traffic flow, please do not hesitate to ask for further clarification.

Attendance is taken in the homeroom each morning. If your child will be absent, an email must be sent to our attendance administrator by 8:15 a.m. (attendance@pickeringcollege.on.ca) with the child's homeroom teacher copied. The email must indicate the reason for their absence.

Dismissal is at 3:15 p.m. every day during the first week of school (this week) and the first week of our academic classes (which begin on September 13). Middle School students will be dismissed at the same location as drop-off between the portables and Egan House. Parents should use the back driveway to pick-up their child. 

What to Bring and Wear to School

Each day, students should bring the following items to school in their backpacks:

• Laptop
• Headphones for laptop use
• Agenda
• Plastic bag or shoe bag with running shoes (if not in physical education uniform)
• A healthy snack for recess
• Water bottle
• A spare face mask

Cell phones may be brought to school but must be stored and turned off in the student's backpack once they enter the building and throughout the school day. 

Students are required to wear a mask to school every day. They are permitted to remove the mask only while eating lunch, as well as when they are outdoors if they are appropriately physically distanced and not near students from a different cohort. Students may use a lanyard, fanny pack or Ziploc bag to store their masks. It is strongly recommended that students bring a spare mask in their backpack each day. 

Learn to Learn Week

This first week of school will feature a series of collaborative and hands-on workshops as part of our Learn to Learn Week. Students will be setting up their learning space and technology, interacting in group challenges, getting a better understanding of the learning skills and work habits that will lead to their success, and spending time outdoors to promote their wellness. 

On Wednesday, students in Grades 6 and 8 should wear their Modified Dress uniform to school. Grade 7 should wear their PC physical education uniform and running shoes. 

On Thursday, Grade 7 students should wear their Modified Dress uniform while students in Grades 6 and 8 should wear their PC physical education uniform and running shoes.  

On Friday, we will hold our GLP Pillar Years launch. All Middle School students should arrive at school in their PC physical education uniform and running shoes for the afternoon activities. Remember to dress appropriately for the weather and bring sunscreen and a hat. PC sweatpants and a hoodie would be a good replacement for cooler temperatures and a rain jacket if the forecast calls for rain. 

Co-curricular Activities

Co-curricular activities will begin the week of September 20. Activities will run from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Tuesday to Thursday. On Mondays and Fridays, dismissal will be at 3:15 p.m. Dismissal/pick-up will continue to be located between the portables and Egan House, along the back driveway. Our programming will continue with some restrictions in place in order to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff are prioritized. Students in Grade 6 will participate in co-curricular activities as a cohort. Students in Grade 7 and 8 will have some choice in their activities and will be required to follow hygiene protocols. At this time, inter-school competitions and games are on hold. 

Upcoming Events 

 

Full School Morning Meeting on Thursday, September 9 - 9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 819 3960 3107

Passcode: 551392

We invite all parents to attend our Virtual Junior and Middle School Curriculum Evening on Thursday, September 16.  The program will start at 6:30 p.m. Here you will have the opportunity to meet the teachers of your child's grade and learn more about the academic program. Teachers will be posting the Zoom Webinar information on their Edsby pages closer to the event.

Monday, September 27 is School Photo Day. Students are not required to wear First Dress for photos but may choose to do so if they already have a tie and blazer. If they are not wearing their First Dress uniform, they should be wearing their Summer Dress uniform. 

School Contacts and Resources

We have a dedicated group of educators and staff who will support your child's learning and well-being this year. We are fortunate to have a school social worker and learning strategists that work with our Middle School team. 

School Social Worker - Ms. Danielle Sugar (dsugar@pickeringcollege.on.ca)

Junior School Learning Strategist (including Grade 6) - Ms. Stephanie Forgie (sforgie@pickeringcollege.on.ca) 

Middle and Senior School Learning Strategist - Ms. Penny Lawson-Cameron (plawson-cameron@pickeringcollege.on.ca)

Our IT team is just an email away for any of your technology questions. If you need help navigating the school's platforms or with your child's laptop, contact our team at IT@pickeringcollege.on.ca. 

Your child's homeroom teacher will be your primary contact in the school. They can be reached by email should you have any questions. 

We are looking forward to an amazing return to school for the 2021-2022 year and working with you to support your child's development and learning experience. 

Sincerely,

Julie Clement
Director of Middle School