September 25th, 2026

Friday September 25, 2026

Community Message #4

A Message from  Ms. Elmslie!

Dear Pioneer Park Community, 

Educators have been preparing students for September 30 next week-The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation or ‘Orange Shirt Day’. Please know that students in grades 1 to 6 will receive an orange bracelet to wear and kindergarten students will receive an Orange Shirt Day sticker on September 30. But, it is not really about the orange shirt, orange bracelet or orange sticker. It’s about the important learning that we offer children to move us all forward reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada and increase our intercultural understandings. Thank you for all that you do to support this learning at home too.

This week Ms. Seupersaud’s 4A class and Mr. Whalen’s grade 5/6 class welcomed varsity athletes from Laurier University to speak to their students about ‘the Keys to Success’ that include: setting short and long term goals, working hard, having a positive attitude, teamwork, having positive role models and making positive choices. We love welcoming guests to Pioneer Park!

And thank you again to Ms. Seupersaud and also to Ms. Wellstead for offering an experiential learning opportunity to their students today when they visited the University of Waterloo. The learning  focused on machine learning and practical applications for AI and digital agriculture. Thank you to our family volunteers who made this trip possible!

And congratulations to all the staff for being nominated for ‘Panther of the Month’! The bulletin board is quite cute with all their photos! All educators in the school exemplify the characteristics of a ‘Panther’: Positive Attitude, Accountability, Nurturing Kindness, Teamwork, Honesty, Excellence and Respect. In October, students will be nominated for ‘Panther of the Month’ recognition.

Finally, we will welcome 8 Laurier Teacher Education Candidates for their first observation day on Monday September 28, 2026. It is another way that Pioneer Park educators give back to the community and education in general by supporting Teacher Candidates. 

Here are some important dates to be mindful of in October 2026:

OCTOBER:

5/6A Whalen Field Trip to UW Earth Science Museum: Thursday October 1, 2026 

Photo Day: Friday October 2, 2026

Inuit Square Dancing Performance: Tuesday October 6, 2026 at 11:55 am

First Pizza Day! Wednesday October 7, 2026

Terry Fox Day: Friday October 9, 2026 (last block)

First Spirit Day! Wear our school colours!: Friday October 9, 2026

Thanksgiving (no school) October 12, 2026

Christina working alongside SLIP coach: Tuesday October 20, 2026

PD Day: Monday October 26, 2026

ECI drama troupe ‘Twisted Fairytales” at 9:30 AM in the gym: Thursday October 29, 2026

Please enjoy the weekend when it arrives for you!

C. Elmslie

Principal, Pioneer Park Public School