To all our families and staff celebrating today and this weekend, we wish you a wonderful holiday with family and friend. May it be filled with love, happiness and health. Happy Tamil New Year! Happy Vaisakhi! Happy Easter!
From the Office
Another wonderful week has passed by at Wilshire. May exciting learning experiences to share:
- Over the last week, all our students have been focusing the incredible differences that make us all special. Check out the beautiful bulletin boards with the creative artwork and writing from our students
- The Library has changed focus and now contains spaces for students to explore Earth Day, the environment and how to be an incredible eco-friendly citizen of the world.
- Primary students working together at recess to find items in nature and build the most amazing home for some of the worms in our backyard
- Junior and Intermediate students participated in mental health workshops over the last two weeks to build strategies and skills in resolving conflict, working through emotions, understanding how actions and works can impact other people, the importance of self-awareness and the value in asking for help from a friend or adult. We are thankful for partnerships with Yorkhills Centre for Children, Youth and Families
The Arts at Wilshire!
Wilshire ES is thrilled to have Playocity and Raising Artists over the next few weeks. Our Kindergarten to Gr. 4/5 students will be learning about the value and fun of dance while our Gr. 5/6 to Gr. 7/8 students will be working with professional artists to explore their creativity. Please check your email and School Cash Online for more information. The work and learning from these sessions will be highlighted at a family evening of celebration, Spring Spectacular: Arts Night on Thursday, April 27th. More information to come!
Summer Institute
Looking for summer learning and fun activities for students entering Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8? Summer Institute offers academic, recreational and athletic programs and activities with intentional links to the Ontario Curriculum. The program runs for five weeks during July and August. It is offered at 10 school sites around York Region. For more information on dates, programs and locations, please visit the Summer Institute webpage on www.yrdsb.ca. Registration opens March 29, 2023 at 4:00pm. Families can register online.
Emergency Prepareness
The York Region District School Board’s priority is to provide and maintain safe and healthy environments for all students and staff. Over the next three months, we will be practicing emergency drills including: Fire Drill, Lockdown Drill, and Hold and Secure.
- Fire Drills are completed to ensure a safe and thorough evacuation in the event of a fire. Attendance is taken outside to ensure each student and staff is accounted for.
- A Lockdown is called in response to an intruder in the building. During a Lockdown, hallways are cleared, classroom doors are locked and students hide out of view from doorways and windows.
- A Hold and Secure is called when there is potential danger in the area outside of the school. This can include severe weather or police activity nearby. During a Hold and Secure, external doors remain locked and no one is allowed in or out of the building. We close any blinds and carry on our day as usual inside.
Please note that in the event of a Fire Drill, Lockdown, or Hold and Secure, you will not be able to pick up your child – a note will be on the school door if we are in the middle of practicing one of these drills.
On The Horizon
- Friday, April 7 – Good Friday (no school)
- Monday, April 10 – Easter Monday (no school)
- Wednesday, April 12 – International Day of Pink! (Wear PINK)
- Friday, April 14 – Holy Friday (Eastern), Vaisakhi, Tamil New Year
- Monday, April 17 – Scientists in the School for Kindergarten
- Friday, April 21 – Eid-ul-Fitr, Ridvan
- Saturday, April 22 – Earth Day
- Thursday, April 27 – Wilshire Spring Spectacular (Art Night!)
Have a Wonderful Long Weekend!
As we head into the long weekend, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our families a restful long weekend! To all of our families who observe Passover or Easter we wish you a very happy celebration of freedom. May love and hope fill your homes as you spend time with families. For those honouring the month of Ramadan, we wish that you continue to remain safe and healthy during your time of fasting, prayer and reflection.
Families who will be away with family are encouraged to enter the absence in EDSBY so our safe arrival procedure will not interrupt your time with family.
From the Office
What a wonderful week of learning for our Wilshire students! A few highlights:
- Our junior students all went to the Science Centre on Wednesday, exploring their curiosities and making some great connections to learning they have been doing in their classes. Many students shared that the IMAX theatre was their favourite part.
- Wilshire ES also welcomed Yorkhills to our our junior and intermediate classes for workshops on mental health (“Making a Difference” and “Mental Health Strategies for Me!”)
- Kindergarten to Grade 8 students had their final week of March Math Madness in the Library. Puzzles, problem solving, coding, building and maze making. Many classes also enjoyed some great conversations around one of our newest books in our collection, “The Hockey Jersey” by Jael Richardson and Eva Perron.
Please make note of the following important updates:
Lunch Extracurricular Programs: Registration is open for our Spring Lunch Extracurricular Programs. Please see the flyers that were shared on Monday through email.
- Young Rembrandts – Tuesdays, Grades 1 – 5
- Mad Science – Wednesdays, Grades 1 – 6
- Latin Hip-Hop – Thursdays, Grades 1 – 6
Active April is Here! Celebrate the changing season by challenging your family to use the prompts on our April Action for Happiness Calendar. This month is all about being active.
Summer Institute: Looking for summer learning and fun activities for students entering Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8? Summer Institute offers academic, recreational and athletic programs and activities with intentional links to the Ontario Curriculum.
The program runs for five weeks during July and August. It is offered at 10 school sites around York Region.
For more information on dates, programs and locations, please visit the Summer Institute webpage on www.yrdsb.ca. Registration opens March 29, 2023 at 4:00pm. Families can register online.
2023 – 2024 School Year Calendar
The proposed YRDSB 2023-2024 school year calendars have been sent to the Ministry for review and approval. These calendars may be accessed on the YRDSB website at:
https://www2.yrdsb.ca/school-year-calendar
Please note: Calendars are not official until they receive formal Ministry approval which is expected in late May 2023
On the Horizon
- Monday, April 3 – Wear red and show your support of Autism Awareness
- Wednesday, April 5 – Passover Eve (erev Passover) begins at sundown
- Thursday, April 6 – Passover (if your child will be absent, please add to EDSBY)
- Friday, April 7 – Good Friday (no school)
- Monday, April 10 – Easter Monday (no school)
- Friday, April 14 – Holy Friday (Eastern), Vaisakhi
- Friday, April 21 – Eid-ul-Fitr, Ridvan
- Saturday, April 22 – Earth Day
- Thursday, April 27 – Wilshire Spring Spectacular (more information to follow)
From the Office
What a fabulous week following March Break. Over 160 Wilshire community members joined us for our Wilshire Games Night on Thursday evening. Thank you to our School Council for organizing such a great night of fun and connection, our caretaking team for setting up and cleaning up after all the excitement and to Ms. Byrne and Ms. Rosenbaum for helping out throughout the evening. Smiles were had by all!
Please take a few minutes to review some important information for the week:
EDSBY and Absences: Over the next month there are a number of religious observances and celebrations for our families. If your child is going to be away, please add the absence in EDSBY so our team will not disturb your family with our safe arrival process. Thank you.
Spring extracurricular programs are coming! Please be sure to check your emails on Monday for more information.
2023 – 2024 YRDSB School Year Calendar: The proposed YRDSB 2023-2024 school year calendars have been sent to the Ministry for review and approval. These calendars may be accessed on the YRDSB website at:
https://www2.yrdsb.ca/school-year-calendar
Please note: Calendars are not official until they receive formal Ministry approval which is expected in late May 2023
Autism Awareness Campaign: April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day. At Wilshire, we ask all students to wear red on April 3rd in order to show support for those who have autism. YRDSB is also making the month of April Autism Awareness Month.
- What is ASD? Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a life-long neurological disorder that affects the way a person communicates and relates to the people and world around them. ASD can affect behaviour, social interactions and one’s ability to communicate verbally. ASD is a spectrum disorder, which means that while all people with ASD will experience certain difficulties, the degree to which each person on the spectrum experiences these challenges will be different.
- Where to donate? This year we are encouraging all students to bring in a toonie to support Autism awareness and research. All proceeds will be donated to Autism Ontario. Autism Ontario is an organization that ensures that each individual with ASD is provided the means to achieve quality of life as a respected member of society. Go to https://www.autismontario.com/ to donate today!
Hot Lunches
- Gino’s Pizza is on TUESDAYs. Orders can be made and paid through www.healthyhunger.ca by Thursday at midnight for the following week.
- Subway sandwiches are on WEDNESDAYs. Orders can be made and paid through http://www.healthyhunger.ca by Friday at midnight for the following week.
- Kids Kitchen will provide hot lunches to our students on FRIDAYs. Place your orders at www.kidskitchen.ca. Orders can be placed online until 10:00am the previous day!
Kindergarten Registration is now Open for the 2023 -2024 School Year! Families can register using the following options:
- Online – Families can access the online Kindergarten registration information at www.yrdsb.ca/kindergarten > Registration. It is recommended that families use a laptop or adesktop, rather than a mobile device to complete this registration.
- By email – Families can download the Elementary School Registration Form at www.yrdsb.ca/Kindergarten and email the completed form to their school email address.
- By phone – Families can request support to complete the registration form on their behalf by collecting the required information by phone. Families can request an interpreter, if needed, during this phone conversation.
- In-person at the school – Families may visit the school office to drop off or complete aregistration form.
On the Horizon
- WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29 – Gr. 4, 5, 6 students to the Science Centre
- FRIDAY, MARCH 31 – Gr. 7 & 8 Immunizations with York Region Public Health
- MONDAY, APRIL 3 – Wear Red and show your support for Autism Awareness
- WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 – Passover Eve (Erev Passover) begins at sundown
- THURSDAY, APRIL 6 – Passover
- FRIDAY, APRIL 7 – Good Friday (no classes today)
- MONDAY, APRIL 10 – Easter Monday (no classes today)
- FRIDAY, APRIL 14 – Holy Friday (Eastern); Vaisakhi
- FRIDAY, APRIL 21 – Eid-ul-Fitr; Ridvan
- THURSDAY, APRIL 27 – Wilshire Arts Night (more information to come)
Reminder!
Thursday, March 23rd is our Wilshire Family Game Night.
If you have already registered, you are still registered! If you are unable to make it, please contact the school office for a refund.
Registration is open until tomorrow, Tuesday, March 21st at 4:00pm to families who wish to join us through School Cash Online. You don’t want to miss out on the fun!
Autism Awareness Campaign
Autism Awareness Campaign
April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day. At Wilshire, we ask all students to wear red on April 3rd in order to show support for those who have autism.
What is ASD?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a life-long neurological disorder that affects the way a person communicates and relates to the people and world around them. ASD can affect behaviour, social interactions and one’s ability to communicate verbally. ASD is a spectrum disorder, which means that while all people with ASD will experience certain difficulties, the degree to which each person on the spectrum experiences these challenges will be different.
Where to donate?
This year we are encouraging all students to bring in a toonie to support Autism awareness and research. All proceeds will be donated to Autism Ontario. Autism Ontario is an organization that ensures that each individual with ASD is provided the means to achieve quality of life as a respected member of society. Go to https://www.autismontario.com/ to donate today!
Nowruz Mubarak!
Happy New Year to all our families and staff who are celebrating today. May joy, health and happiness find you today and throughout the year ahead. Nowruz is translated as “New Day,” and as today is also the first day of spring, may all of our Wilshire community enjoy this sweet sunshine.
From the Office
Happy Friday Wilshire Families!
March Break is next week – Monday, March 13 – Friday, March 17. Wilshire ES is closed. Have a wonderful time with family and friends.
Please take a moment to review the following information:
Wilshire Family Game Night – New Date March 23rd!
The Wilshire School Council Family GAME Night is Thursday, March 23rd. If you have already registered, you are still registered! If you are unable to make it, please contact the school office for a refund. Registration is still open to families who wish to join us through School Cash Online.
On the Horizon
- March 13 – 17: March Break. Wilshire is closed – No classes.
- March 20: Back to school!
- March 20: Nowruz/Naw-Ruz (Baha’i, Islam, Zoroastrianism Celebration)
- March 22 – April 21 – Ramadan (Islam time of fasting)
- March 23: Wilshire School Council Family Game Night
Wilshire Elementary School 