April 2026 Newsletter

Posted on 03/31/2026

Information and updates from the SCDSB

 This month, the SCDSB is sharing information related to the below topics. To read this information, visit the SCDSB website.

• Applications for the SCDSB Umoja Award are open

• Dreams Delayed

• Creating safe and welcoming spaces for students, staff, and visitors

• Learn about cybersecurity and digital well-being at virtual event for parents/guardians

• Prom Glitz 2026

• Spring into new math activities this April

• Say hello to SCDSB Weekly — coming soon!

• Kindergarten registration for September 2026 is open!

• Discover Kindergarten in the SCDSB at a Kindergarten orientation session

• Licensed summer school child care programs

• EarlyON Child and Family Centres

• Supporting your child’s mental health and well‑being

• Feedback, recovery and improvement days (secondary)

• Tick-Talk: Protect you and your child from ticks and Lyme disease

• April PA Day

SAFE ARRIVAL - PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL or MESSAGE the teachers directly 

1. SM Home app 

• Download and install the SM Home app (SchoolMessenger Home) from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. A link to this app can be found at https://home.schoolmessenger.ca/
• Login or Sign Up to create your account using the same email address on record with your student’s school. If you used the previous ‘School Messenger App’, you can login using the password previously created.
• At the bottom of the screen, select Attendance, then Report an Absence.

2. SafeArrival website

• In a web browser, visit https://home.schoolmessenger.ca/
• Login or Sign Up to create your account using the same email address on record with your student’s school. If you used the previous ‘SMApp’, you can login using the password previously created.

3. By phone

• Call the toll-free number 833-275-6699 and follow the prompts to report your student’s absence. 

All early pickups and absences longer then 5 days will need to be reported to [email protected].

Please note [email protected] is an unmonitored inbox. Emails sent to this email address will not be actioned.

 

SCHOOL DAILY SCHEDULE

 

ADMINISTRATIVE & OFFICE STAFF

Principal: Jennifer Frans

Vice Principal: Mary Katherine Murphy

Superintendent: Matthew Webbe

Trustee: Debbie Connors

Senior Office Support: Vicky Zanatta

Office Support: Angela Dayton

Lead Custodian: Sokol Mulla

 

INCLEMENT WEATHER ZONE

Harvest Hills Public School is in the SOUTH weather zone for inclement weather and bus cancellations.

 

 

April 1

BWG On the Move – Walk & Ride to School

 

Rugby Tryouts

Gym @ 1:30-2:10pm

 

April 1-9

Passover

 

April 3

Good Friday – NO SCHOOL

 

April 6

Easter Monday – NO SCHOOL

 

April 8

Grade 7 Indigenous Outdoor Learning (Grade 8 FI) @ SCDSB

Davis, Styles, McGuire & Bertrand

 

Junior Boys Basketball Game @HHL

 

April 9

Junior Girls Volleyball Game @HHL

 

April 10

Fort York Grade 7

 

April 13

Junior Boys Basketball Game @HHL

 

April 15

Spring Concert Day & Evening Shows @HHL

***Inclement Weather date April 16***

 

April 17

Spirit Day – Hawk Wear/School Colours

 

April 21

Junior Boys Basketball Game @HHL

 

April 23

Talent Show***details to follow***

 

ASD/LC Special Olympics

 

April 24

PA Day-NO SCHOOL

 

April 27

School Council Meeting

HHL Multi Purpose Room 6:00-7:30pm

 

Metis Jigging

Mme. Stroud

 

April 28

Character Assembly

FDK-Grade 3 10:00am

Grade 4-8 12:00pm

 

Lottery French Immersion Acceptance Deadline

 

April 29

Junior Girls Regional Volleyball Tournament

@ Chris Hadfield & Marshview ***Inclement Weather date April 30***

 

Junior Boys Regional Basketball Tournament

@Harvest Hills & Fieldcrest ***Inclement Weather date April 30***

 

April 30

Intermediate Co-Ed Soccer Tryouts

 

YARD GATES CLOSED AT 9:30AM IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE 2^ND BELL - DO NOT OPEN!

Our EAST and WEST yard access gates are closed at 9:30am by our staff. When the gates are closed, please do not open them for the safety of your children as there is no supervision. Yard supervisions ends promptly when the bell rings at 9:30am.

If the gates are closed, please take your students to the front doors, ring the bell, and have them sign in at the office. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping all our Harvest Hills students safe.

 

March SLIDESHOW

 Please click the following link to see what we have been up to!

 AROUND THE SCHOOL

 

Primary Spring Concert

The primary division has been working very hard to bring you our annual spring play, “Bada Bing! It’s Spring!” Will spring ever come? Will the flowers bloom? Join us to find out! Special thanks go to the Grade 3 students who have speaking roles and spent so much time at recess memorizing their lines. There will be a daytime and evening performance on Wednesday, April 15. THIS IS A TICKETED EVENT. You MUST order tickets via School Cash Online for all attendees, including infants and toddlers. Happy Spring!

 

Wednesday, April 15 Daytime Performance 10:00-11:00a.m. Doors open at 9:50a.m.

Wednesday, April 15 Evening Performance 7:00-8:00p.m. Doors open at 6:30p.m.

 

Inclement weather Date is Thursday, April 16 for both concerts.

 

School Community Quilt

 

Join Us in Creating Our School Community Quilt

Invitation: Families and community members are warmly invited to join Mrs. Williams in creating this exceptional quilt

***MUST be an approved Volunteer to participate***

 

When: Every second week at Harvest Hills Public School

Time: 11:15 AM – 12:50 PM

Where: Multipurpose Room

What We Will Do Together we will:

• Design quilt squares representing family traditions
• Share stories, languages, and cultural symbols
• Create a permanent piece of our school community
• Build connections between home, school, and community

Please click HERE for more information about this project!

 

Spring Walk & Wheel

Spring into Spring! Join us Wednesday April 1st, 2026, for our

school’s Spring into Spring walk and wheel to/from school event.

Bring your bike or scooter for spring cleaning and safety checks.

 

 

The Great Gulp

In celebration of World Water Day (March 22), during the monthof March, people across Canada were invited to take part in TheGreat Gulp by taking a drink of tap water from a reusable bottle,glass, or mug, in regions where safe and healthy tap water is accessible.

 

April CLUBS & STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

• Girls at Bat
• Enchanted Bookstore Play
• Yearbook 
• PALS
• Mindfulness Club
• Dodgeball
• Puzzle Club
• Primary Play

School Spirit Days

The students and staff will be participating in Spirit Days once a month. Get your spirit on HAWKS

• April 17 – School Colours/HAWK Wear

• May 15 – Beach Day (no swimsuits, board shorts permitted)

• June 19 – Anything but a Backpack Day!

SCHOOL CLUBS

 

Chess Club

The Harvest Hills Chess Team did a fantastic job representing our school at the area chess tournament. Students competed with focus, determination, and great sportsmanship throughout the day. We are proud to share that two of our players are moving on to the tournament at the Board office, while two others tied for second place in their age groups based on points, narrowly missing advancement on strength of opponents. Beyond the results, our students had fun, learned a great deal, and grew not only as chess players, but as thoughtful, resilient human beings. Well done to all involved!

 

Science Fair

We are incredibly proud of all the students who took part in this year’s Science Fair at Harvest Hills! Their curiosity, creativity, and hard work were truly inspiring.

A special congratulations goes out to Taran and Ashton, who represented our school at the Regional Science Fair at Bear Creek S.S. Their outstanding project earned them the prestigious Georgian College Award for Most Innovative Project—an amazing achievement!

Well done to all our budding scientists for showcasing such enthusiasm for discovery and learning!

Mme. Martin, Mme. Mignacca and Ms. Grant 

 

Kindergarten 2026-2027 School Year

 

***This session is in addition to our May 21 open House***

 

SPORTS TEAMS

 

Intermediate Girls Volleyball

Ms. Walton and Mme. Crozier want to extend their thanks and congratulations to our Intermediate Girls Volleyball team, who recently participated in the regional tournament. The girls worked very hard, placed first in their pool, and made it to the playoffs. It all came down to the 3rd set of the semi-finals, where they lost by only a few points. We are honoured to have you as representatives of Harvest Hills. Your coaches are so proud your athleticism and mental toughness!

 

 

Intermediate Boys Basketball

The Intermediate Boys Basketball season has come to a close, and what a great season it was! The team showed strong effort, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout every game and practice. Most importantly, they had fun and grew both on and off the court. Madame Crozier and Mrs. Styles are incredibly proud of all the players for their hard work, dedication, and positive attitude all season long. Great job, boys! 🏀

 

Intermediate Co-Ed Soccer

Tryouts for the Intermediate Co-Ed Soccer team will be taking place on Thursday April 30th and Friday May 1st at school during recess breaks.

We encourage all interested students to participate and showcase their skills. Parents and guardians are reminded to review the Ophea safety requirements ahead of tryouts to stay informed about any associated risks and help ensure a safe and positive experience for all.

***Students who choose to tryout must have shin guards***

We are excited to offer this opportunity for students to get involved, build team spirit, and showcase their talents.

 

Intermediate Co-Ed Rugby

We’re excited to announce that, for the second year in a row, our school will be offering an Intermediate Non‑Contact Co‑Ed Rugby Team! This is a great opportunity for students to learn an internationally loved sport, build teamwork and confidence, and try new skills in a fun, safe, and inclusive environment. Mrs. Preston and Mme. Horlings can’t wait to welcome returning and new players to the pitch!

 

FUNDRAISING

 

Our Flipgive Fundraiser is on now until April 24, 2026

Raise money while you shop with flipgive! Shop your favourite brands through flipgive.com or purchase gift cards to earn cash back that will help us buy Agendas, Technology and Yard Improvements for all students at Harvest Hills!

 

Follow the steps below to get started: 

1. Download the flipgive app or visit flipgive.com to sign up. 

2. Join the Harvest Hills team using code 65Z662.

3. Start shopping! 

It’s as easy as that! See our flyer below or click here for the PDF version:

flipgive Flyer 2025-2026.pdf

 

Whether you’re shopping for holiday gifts or your weekly gas and groceries, every purchase helps raise much-needed funds to support the learning and development of students at Harvest Hills Public School. 

Happy shopping!

 

HAWKS Spirit Wear store is always open!

Greetings Harvest Hills Hawks!

We have an online Spirit Wear Store!! The store is always open for orders!! Please see our flyer below,

Visit the store by using this link: HHLSPIRITWEAR

PDF Version also attached Spirit Wear Flyer 2-28-2024.pdf

 

NUT FREE, SCENT FREE & NO SHELLFISH

 

Harvest Hills is a Nut Aware, Shellfish Aware & Scent Free school. Please refrain from bringing any products containing nuts and/or shellfish to the school and from wearing any scents. We have staff and students that are greatly affected and may have anaphylaxis reactions.

Thank you.

 

NO DOGS PERMITTED ON PROPERTY 6am-6pm

Reminder: there are no dogs permitted on the property during school hours until 6pm. until the daycare closes. This includes arrival and dismissal times. This applies to large and small dogs. Do not carry your dog onto the property to meet your students.

 

We have had an influx of dog excrement left on the school yard. We are often finding bagged dog excrement placed in our yellow sand bins and around the yard (both bagged and loose). We ask any community members who use our property after hours to please ensure they are cleaning up after their pets. Staff do not have a chance to check the property for these messes, and it is often found by students who may not always see it until it has been disturbed. 

 

Thank you.

 

HOW EMAILING AHEAD HELPS WITH DISMISSALS

 

If your student needs to be signed out, we ask that you please send an email to the office 3-24 hours in advance at [email protected]. PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL OR MESSAGE TEACHERS DIRECTLY. The office will not receive the message if the teacher is absent that day. By messaging the office, we ensure that the staff covering the classroom are made aware of all changes required that day.

• The office cannot dismiss students who are out on a community walk with their class. By messaging in advance, the teacher can plan to return to the school for the pickup time or make alternate arrangements for the student to stay back with another class.

• Students spend time in many different areas of our schools such as the gym, library, visits to other classrooms and the general-purpose room for activities like music. By notifying the office of an early pick up the teacher can ensure you student will have all their belongings with them and the office can locate the student easily once you arrive.

• Teachers can make sure that the student has enough time to clean up any projects they are working on before you arrive and where possible teachers can plan classroom activities with consideration to the student leaving early (i.e. tests & and presentations).

• The office can notify supply teachers in the event the classroom teacher is absent.

• The office can notify you if your planned arrival time is during recess. Students are with duty teachers during the breaks, and it can be difficult to locate them.

Please email early dismissal notices 3-24 hours in advance where possible at [email protected]. Early dismissal pickups end at 3:20pm to allow teachers time to have students clean up their work areas and pack up for the day.

Once you arrive at the school, please ring the front doorbell and we will call your student down and a staff member will then escort the student to the front door for the parent/guardian. Photo identification, as always, will be required to pick up a student at school.

We appreciate your help!

 

SIGN UP WITH SCHOOL CASH ONLINE

School Cash Online is now the board system for all permission forms, school forms with no fees and purchases. Whether it's lunch days, field trips or school wear, we have it online for you!

1. Go to simcoecounty.schoolcashonline.com or visit our school website and click on "Forms & Payments".

2. Register and add your student to the newly created account.

3. View and purchase items through a bank transfer or credit card.

It's safe, fast, and convenient! Contact the office with any questions at [email protected].

 

CROSS WALK SAFETY

We would like to remind motorists to help keep our children and crossing guard safe.

Please Remember:

• SLOW DOWN when approaching as school zone

• COME TO A COMPLETE STOP once a Crossing Guard raises their STOP sign

• CONTINUE only after all children and the Crossing Guard are safely across the road

• OBSERVE all no stopping and no parking signs and park only in designated areas

• DISMOUNT all pedestrians crossing must get off their bikes, skateboards and scooters, no matter the age, before crossing

Keeping students safe!

 

EXTRA SPARE CLOTHES

With Spring on the horizon, our yard and tarmac area can be wet and muddy. Clothes can get wet throughout the day, so we suggest a second set of pants and socks to be placed in student backpacks especially for students in Kindergarten to grade 5.

 

SCHOOL ACCESS INFORMATION

Please send students with lunch and all items they need for the day in the morning when they leave home.

Please ensure your students have plenty of lunch, snacks, water bottles and extra clothing in their backpacks. Extra clothes are needed for bathroom accidents and/or slipping in muddy areas. Please ensure students are dressed properly for the weather (i.e. rain boots, mittens, hats depending on the season). Thank you for your assistance as we strive to keep our students and staff safe and healthy.

 

STUDENT LUNCHES 

Please make sure to send your student's lunch and snacks to school with them in the morning.

NO FAST-FOOD LUNCHES ARE TO BE DROPPED OFF FOR STUDENTS.

 

PARKING LOT ACCESS INFORMATION

Our parking lots are very busy especially at arrival and dismissal time. For everyone's safety, we encourage parents to have students in the bus areas to please take the bus to and from school daily. Walking students walk to and from school daily.

PLEASE DO NOT PARK OUT FRONT OF THE SCHOOL ON CROSSLAND BOULEVARD AS PER THE TOWN BRADFORD WEST GWILLIMBURY. SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE SERVICE AND BYLAW OFFICERS ARE MONITORING AND TICKETING THIS AREA.

The WEST parking lot is for school buses and staff only. Only school vehicles (school buses and vans) or emergency vehicles (ambulances/police cars) are permitted in the school bus loading zone that is in the WEST parking lot.

The EAST parking lot has the designated student pick up and drop off zone. The lot may have some parking spaces open when you arrive for pick up and drop off other than the dedicated accessible parking spots (which can only be used by those with legal permits). If you arrive before 9:15am to drop off your students, please park in open parking spaces, not the drop off zone. If you arrive early at dismissal, please follow the same process of parking where spaces are open.

PLEASE KEEP THE PICK UP AND DROP OFF LANE MOVING AT ALL TIMES.