Parent Weekly from Thornhill PS - August 27th

Thornhill PS Parent Weekly Update: Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Dear Thornhill Public School Families:

We hope you are all enjoying a restful and enjoyable summer. We look forward to welcoming our new and returning students and families next week. 

This letter contains important information about the return to school. Please review it. 

You will receive a separate email on Friday, August 29th with the name of your child’s teacher.

SCHOOL RETURN DATES 

The first day of school is Tuesday, September 2nd

KINDERGARTEN:

• Please note that Year 2 Kindergarten (aka Senior Kindergarten) students will begin their first day of school on Tuesday, September 2nd and will continue to come to school each day for a full day thereafter.
• Year 1 Kindergarten Students (aka Junior Kindergarten) will begin their first day of school through a supported entry model, outlined in the chart below. Based on last name initial, the students will attend a school visit for 100 minutes to become acquainted with the school, their teacher and peers.  Year 1 students will attend school regularly for full days beginning on Wednesday, September 3rd.

YEAR 1 (Junior Kindergarten)

Bussing/Transportation

• Bussing for Year Two (SK) students will start on Tuesday, September 2nd.
• Bussing for Year One (JK) students will start on Wednesday, September 3^rd.

Before and After Care 

• Students attending the Before and After care program will start the B&A program when they attend class full time.
• Year Two students will begin to attend B&A programs beginning Tues., Sept. 2^nd.
• Year One students will begin attending B&A programs as of Wed., Sept. 3rd. 

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL PROCEDURES 

Families and students will be informed about the name of their homeroom teacher on Friday, August 29th.   We will send you a follow up communication with this information.

In an effort to support a smooth transition on the first day of school, we have outlined our first day, morning entry and dismissal procedures below. Please review the instructions so we can work together to ensure each student is safely welcomed into their new classroom communities.

The Kiss’n’Ride is for people who are dropping off their child and leaving.  Please note, parents are NOT to accompany their children to class. We will have staff available to pick up students from the drop off area and support your child. 

Your child’s first day of school is a regular day – so students will need to bring a snack and lunch (nut-free) to eat.  

Students will need to bring indoor shoes as soon as possible.     

All students in Grades 1 – 8

• Students will go to the tarmac (south side of the school) and look for TEACHER name signs.  Students will line up by the appropriate sign.  Staff will be available to assist from 8:15 a.m. onwards.
• At 8:30 a.m. students will enter the school as directed by their teachers. If it rains we will have students enter starting at 8:15 a.m.
• Students will be dismissed at 2:50 p.m. and exit through the south doors Bus students will be escorted to the buses.

All JK and SK students  

• Students will enter the Kindergarten corral (on the south side of the school) between 8:15 am and 8:30 am.
• At 8:30 a.m. they will be escorted into their classes.
• Kindergarten students will be dismissed as follows:
  • Students who arrived by bus will be escorted to the bus by our staff for dismissal at the end of the day.
  • Students who are registered for Macklin House will be escorted to the Macklin House room at 2:50 p.m.
• Students who were dropped off in the corral in the morning will be dismissed at 2:50 p.m. from the corral. 

**PLEASE NOTE: Students who are “walkers” will be dismissed from school property at 2:50 p.m. (south tarmac).  If parents have a designated meeting point off school property for “walkers”, please ensure you have discussed the plan with your child.

MORNING DROP OFF/AFTERNOON DISMISSAL PROCEDURES (beyond the first day)

Kiss-N-Ride Procedures: 

For all parents/guardians accessing our Kiss-N-Ride, please ensure that you review our drop off and pick- up procedures, which have been implemented in order to increase efficiency and to ensure the safety of all.

Drop-Off: 

1. Vehicles dropping students off are to pull up to the middle lane of the loop.
2. When unloading, students are to only get out when their car is the first car in the line-up *a staff member will be there to watch them as they safely exit the vehicle.
3. Parents are not to park their car in the Kiss-N-Ride and get out of their cars. Vehicles cannot be left unattended.
4. Students are to be ready to get out when their car is the first car in the line-up in order to be able to move cars through as quickly and safely as possible. 

Pick-Up/Dismissal: 

As has been past practice, during pick up time, parents/guardians are asked not to enter the bus loop/Kiss-N-Ride. Vehicles are asked to park alongside Arnold Avenue and to have your child/children meet you in a designated spot. This will ensure the safe loading of our students onto the bus. We thank you for your continued support in keeping our students and staff safe. 

STUDENTS REQUIRING HEALTH SUPPORTS (Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Diabetes, Seizures)

If your child is diagnosed with Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Diabetes or Seizures, please visit https://www2.yrdsb.ca/schools-programs/school-registration and scroll down to “Step 3” to download and complete the applicable form. 

BUSSING INFORMATION

Bus routes and numbers can change from year to year.  All parents/guardians who plan on having their children take the bus to school MUST CONFIRM the route numbers and times PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 2nd.  Please ensure that your child knows her/his bus number and stop. Parents/guardians and students can access bus stop pick-up and delivery times using the “Find My Bus Stop” tool at www.schoolbuscity.com.  

During the first week of school, please arrive at your assigned bus stop a minimum of 10 minutes prior to your assigned pickup time.

SCHOOL START UP PACKAGE

Please find attached our School Start-Up Package.  It contains lots of important information about our school and the rules we follow.   Please note that the board will be sending out the forms that are part of the yearly package to fill out electronically.  If you require a paper copy please let us know.  Copies of the package and forms have been posted on our website at: 

https://thornhill-ps.yrdsb.ca/back-school-2025-2026-start-package-and-forms

HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Ministry of Education has provided direction to support a normalized learning experience for students while maintaining specific protective measures.

• Students, staff members and school visitors are not required to wear masks in school. Individuals who feel more comfortable or who are advised to wear a mask can continue to wear a mask and will be supported in doing so.
• Students, staff members and visitors should continue to review and adhere to the Infection Prevention Screening Tool prior to entering the school daily.
• Hand hygiene and normal cleaning and disinfection protocols will continue. In addition, we will continue to follow our current ventilation practices. 

For additional details on health and safety measures, please see the information here.

SUPPORTING TRANSITIONS

We also want to assure you that our caring, skilled and professional staff members are well prepared to support student learning and well-being in this transition back to school. 

We have a dedicated staff with a strong commitment to student well-being and achievement, and to promoting positive, inclusive and supportive relationships with students, families, staff and community members. We are committed to providing a learning environment where everyone feels safe, welcome and respected. 

You have received this email because you have a child registered to attend THORNHILL PS.

1. If your child(ren) will be NOT be attending Thornhill PS in September, please reply to this email.  Please include the name(s) of your child(ren) and what school they will be attending in September.
2. If your child(ren) will be attending TPS but will be ABSENT on the first day of school, please phone the school (905-889-1566) and leave a message indicating the date(s) s/he will be starting (unless you notified the office in June).
3. If your child(ren) will be in attendance on the first day, there is no need for you to contact us.  

We wish you a safe and relaxing long weekend with friends and family.  We look forward to a wonderful year together at Thornhill Public School!

Sincerely,

Lisa Hascal

Principal