Principal Message

Principal’s Update – Dec. 11th, 2024

Dear Wilkinson Families,

It is getting very close to the holidays! We are sending this update because we have so many things happening at this time of year. There will be one more Update before the holidays.


Upcoming events and things to know:


Check out our new websitehttps://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/wilkinsonps

It is still a work in progress, but it’s a great place to share information and photos!


Wilkinson Winter Concert Our winter concert will take place on   Thursday, December 12 - 6:30-7:30pm in the gym.

**PLEASE BRING A NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEM IF YOU ARE ABLE.**

The main school doors will be open from 5:50 PM until 6:15 PM for parents who are dropping off children in their concert meeting locations.  At 6:15, the main school doors will be locked. You will still be able to access the gym & concert area from the doors on Donlands near the gym normally used by Dandylion Daycare  . These doors will be marked and will remain unlocked throughout the concert for parent entry.

The following groups will be performing at the winter concert:

· Rms 7, 15 and 20 (Grade 2/3 and grade 3 classes)

· All Ukulele groups

· Band

· Junior Choir

· All Orff groups

The kindergarten classes and rooms 13, 16, 14 & 18 (Grade 1 and Grade 1/2 classes) are   NOT performing in the winter concert. Instead, they will perform in the   Spring concert, on   Thursday, May 1st .

Information about all Wilkinson concerts can be found at this website:

https://www.wilkinsonmusic.ca/concerts


Wilkinson 2024 Holiday Food Drive : Our holiday food drive is underway. We have a tree in the front hall and lots of boxes around it collect food.  Our final day for dropping off food items is Tuesday, Dec. 17  th.

With just one week to go, we are hoping that we can go from a handful of items to LOTS. For all those who are able, please help us share with those in our community who experience food insecurity. One of the biggest groups that food banks support is children. Here are some ideas: beans & lentils, canned or boxed milk, salt & pepper, pasta, rice, juice, baby food, cereal, canned meat, canned fruit & vegetables, flour, soups and sauces, powdered eggs, powdered milk, diapers, tea and coffee, shampoo, conditioner, soap and dish soap.


Remember to Dress for Winter Weather : Now that the weather is getting cooler and the snow is starting to fly, it’s time to remind everyone that we are an Outdoor Education school. Unless it is unsafe to be outside, we will be outside. Please dress for the weather. If it is raining, please bring a raincoat or umbrella and boots. If it is cold, please wear a warm coat, boots, a hat, gloves/mitts, a scarf, and for our younger students, snow pants. We do have some spares – and if children forget, they will be given loaners and sent outside.


Kindergarten Registration begins in January Registration opens on January 6 thChildren who will be four by December 31, 2025 can start Junior kindergarten in September 2025. Please see additional information below:

  • Only parents or legal guardians can register a child.
  • If your child currently attends child  care at a TDSB school that is not your designated home school, and you wish to register for Kindergarten at that school, an out-of-area admissions application may not be required. Please review the    Out of Area Admissions Policy and Procedure and, if eligible, proceed with the in-person registration option outlined below.

Middle French Immersion Registration begins in January:

The application period for September 2025 will open on   January 6, 2025 at 9:00am and will close on   January 31, 2025 at 11:59pm  . This is entirely online. Once we enter the registrations window, there will be a registration link available for families. All applicants who apply after the deadline will be held on a local waitlist subject to space availability. You can find more information on the TDSB website:  https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Elementary-School/School-Choices/French-Programs/Application-Middle-French-Immersion


The TDSB Out of Area Admissions Process begins in January:

Transportation is the responsibility of the applicant when attending an Out-of-Area school Applicants may select Regular program, Early Immersion or a Middle/Extended Immersion Program.  If selecting a French program, the applicant must already be enrolled or registered for the selected French program.

Online application form is open from January 6 to January 31, 2025 at 4 p.m.

Round 1:
Families to be informed of the status of their application on 
Friday, February 21, 2025 before the end of the day.  Families must confirm acceptance of the offer by  Wednesday, February 26 at 4 p.m.

Round 2:
Families to be updated on the status of their application on 
Thursday, February 27, 2025. Families must confirm acceptance of the offer by   Tuesday, March 4 at 4 p.m.

All waitlists expire on February 27, 2025.

You can find more information here: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/School/Out-of-Area-Admissions/Elementary


Wilkinson Admissions for Dandylion Daycare students beginning JK in Sept. of 2025:

Please note: Dandylion Daycare children who are enrolling for junior kindergarten in 2025 do not need to apply for the Out of Area process. Please consult with Patrina or Anthea. They can provide you with the necessary form. They provide the school with a list of verified students.


Next School Council MeetingIs Monday, January 13 th at 6:30 PM. The January meeting will be virtual  (so that we don’t have to worry about weather cancellations).


Last day before winter holidays is Dec. 20 th: Our last day at school before the winter break is Friday, Dec. 20  th. This is a regular day, with regular hours. Teachers may decide to have special things happen in their rooms and will reach out to parents directly if they do.


We will return to school on Monday, January 6 th (although we know that some of our families will be celebrating Orthodox Christmas as may join us later in the week). Please remember to take home all items you want for the holidays, especially snow pants and other winter wear that you might need.


Sick Kids Spit Test Program continues : We continue to participate in the SickKids Spit Test initiative. Families can pick up test kits in the office that can test for COVID, RSV and Influenza. All results are confidential (you get them from a secure website). Once you test, you can also drop off your kit in the office. SickKids has a daily pickup (Monday to Friday) program for areas schools. Test kits continue to be picked up on PA days.


Further in the future:

Jan. 6th - First day back at school after Winter Holidays

Jan 13th - 6:30 PM - School Council Meeting - The January meeting will be virtual

Feb. 10th - 6:30 PM - School Council Meeting

Feb. 14th - PA Day

Feb. 17th - Family Day Holiday

Feb. 28th - Ramadan begins

March 10th - 14th is March Break


Liz Albrecht-Bisset – Principal – Wilkinson Junior Public School

Andrew Pearson – Vice Principal – Wilkinson Junior Public School