June 2025
Embedded Files
may and june highlights!
may and june highlights!
highlights from the briarwood bash
highlights from the briarwood bash
■ A Heartfelt Thank You
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for being such an integral part of the success of our Briarwood Bash! It was a joyful, fun-filled event that brought our community together in the best way possible.
Student Participation
Our students were absolute stars! They followed all the rules we had set—especially around the obstacle course and bouncy castles—and showed exemplary behavior throughout the event. Many of them are already asking when the next Bash will be!
Staff Dedication
Almost all of our staff members were present and diligently took care of their assigned duties. Every station ran smoothly, supplies arrived on time, and coordination was seamless.
A few special shout outs:
Ms. Kahlon for leading the planning of this big event! Without her leadership, this event would have not been possible!
Ms. Madgett for marketing the Bash and ensuring supplies were stocked at every station throughout the evening.
Ms. Campbell and Ms. Weidner for lighting up the dance floor with DJ Brent who graciously volunteered his time to keep the music playing for the event.
Ms. Aly made nearly all the cotton candy until 7:00 p.m., when Ms. Geier took over.
Ms. Tonkovic and Ms. Long kept up with the popcorn demand like pros.
Ms. Dran the sweet station with great success.
Ms. Afra, Ms. Ahmed, Ms. Kamalanathan, and Ms. Verdi were essential at the food stations.
Mr. Penfold, along with Mr. Dodas and Mr. Quintal, made a splash at the Kahuna Splash Zone.
Ms. Virk and her children kept everyone refreshed at the drink station.
Safety & Security
Although our security guards were unexpectedly absent, we’re following up with the Safety Department. Thankfully, there were no incidents to report. A big thank you to Mr. Dodas and Ms. Quintal, who stepped up and kept a watchful eye!
Volunteer Power
We had about 50 community volunteers, including parents, older siblings, and high school students, who helped with setup, cleanup, food, henna, face painting, sticker tattoos, inflatables, and ticket stations. Their enthusiasm and responsibility were truly inspiring.
Generous Donations
Our parent community and staff donated a wide range of items, from baked goods to prizes. Special thanks to:
• Melanie and her family for donating 300+ juice boxes.
• James for coordinating across the three ticket stations.
• Mehak and her family for delivering water and all the ice.
• Ameena and her family for delivering 800 delicious samosas.
• Samantha (Peggy’s sister) for wrapping all the prizes.
• Peggy and her entire family for their active participation and help with ticket distribution and volunteer coordination.
• Zoey and her family for delivering freezies and drinks, setting up the DJ tent and bubble machine, organizing the sticker tattoo station, and donating major prize items and the Tennis Smash Cage.
Special Guests
Thanks to Mr. Quintal, we had a visit from the Fire Department! Three firefighters brought their firetruck, handed out safety flyers, and posed for photos with students and families.
Planning Committee Appreciation
A huge round of applause for our Briarwood Bash Planning Committee, who met regularly from October 2024 right up to the event. Your dedication made this event possible!
Perfect Weather
The weather was on our side—pleasantly cloudy with just a few drops of rain that quickly passed. It couldn’t have been better!
Final Thoughts
We’re still calculating our spending and revenue, but fundraising was secondary—our main goal was community building, and we achieved that beautifully. THANK YOU for your time, energy, and generosity in making the Briarwood Bash a huge success!
briarwood bee logo
briarwood bee logo
We are excited to announce the re-envisioning of our school logo, a journey that has been a true collaborative effort involving our talented students. Through a comprehensive school-wide inquiry on bees, our students have gained a deeper understanding of these incredible creatures. They have used this newfound knowledge to creatively visualize the Briarwood Bee, aligning it with the values and spirit of our school. The result is a logo that not only represents our commitment to learning and growth but also embodies the qualities of hard work, community, and resilience that define what it means to be a Briarwood Bee.
Additionally, this project has underscored the importance of environmental stewardship. Our students have learned about the crucial role bees play in our ecosystem and the urgent need to protect them. As a community, we are committed to fostering a sense of responsibility and action towards environmental conservation. By embracing these values, we not only protect the bees but also contribute to a healthier planet.
We are incredibly proud of our students’ contributions and are thrilled to announce that we have completed two school votes, and the students have made their decision on the best Briarwood Bee.
Congratulations to Adeen with our first place design, Kavya with our second place design and Archisa our third place design!! We will now work with the graphic designer to transform it for school walls!! We look forward to sharing the results with the school community in the new school year!
Briarwood Public School Celebrated Education Week
The Peel District School Board joined school boards across the province in celebrating Education Week, that took place from May 5 to 9, 2025.
Our theme for Education Week 2025 was:
Igniting Minds, Inspiring Futures.
Education Week was a time to celebrate the impact of education and to honour the educators, students, and community members who contribute to the pursuit of knowledge.
Spring concerts
Spring concerts
Primary Concerts - Parents of students in Grades 1, 2 and 3 were invited to join us for a spring concert! Thank you to Ms. Quintos for organizing the Spring Concerts! Along with the grades 1,2, and 3 educators, support staff and parent volunteers, our families were delighted by the singing, playing and dancing of our primary students!
Education week awards!
Education week awards!
congratulations!
congratulations!
As we marked Education Week, we celebrated the people and experiences that ignite minds and inspire futures! Congratulations to this year's recipients of the Awards of Excellence nominated by their colleagues for their contributions to Briarwood PS.
We are so very proud of our award recipients!
Marijana Dietz
Kindergarten Teacher
It is obvious on a daily basis that Ms. Marijana Dietz loves being an educator. She goes out of her way to ensure that her classroom is a place where children can feel comfortable and safe and learn to be members of a caring, positive community. Sharing ideas with her colleagues and including teammates in everything she does is how Marijana shows support for the teaching profession. Marijana is also willing to share her personal time with students by facilitating extracurricular activities such as cross country, volleyball, and track and field. Briarwood is lucky to have Marijana on our team!
Vathana Kamalanathan
Lunchroom Supervisor
All of the students and staff at Briarwood know Ms. Vathana Kamalanathan as Ms. K. She is well loved and respected by everyone. Ms. K is a kind and gentle person who goes beyond the call of duty while working with students and has a way of bringing out the best in them. Because of Ms. K’s kindness and inclusivity with staff as well as students, she makes everyone feel welcome and happy which supports a positive working and learning environment. She is seen as a role model by other lunchroom supervisors. Vathana is a vital member of the Briarwood community!
Rudy Geier
Lunchroom Supervisor
Ms. Rudy Geier consistently goes above and beyond supporting in the lunchrooms and outside on the playground at recess. All of our students know her by Ms. G! In addition, she routinely supports students with special learning needs, ensuring they feel safe, respected, and included. She takes the time to understand each child's individual needs, offering gentle guidance and encouragement. Whether it's assisting with fostering positive social interactions, or providing a calming presence during busy times, Rudy truly makes a difference in the lives of these students. Her compassion, patience, and unwavering commitment make her an invaluable asset to our school community.
Justine Bondoc
Educational Assistant
Ms. Justine Bondoc comes to work everyday with a smile and a positive mindset to share with the students. She ensures that the students with special needs feel welcome, safe and included in everything going on in the classroom. Through professionalism, consistency and dedication, Justine has taught her students to be more independent and better able to communicate their needs at school. This huge achievement has had a very significant impact on the students’ ability to interact with their peers in authentic ways. All of the students in our class look forward to spending time with Justine throughout the school day!
Safia Afrah
Lunchroom Supervisor
Mrs. Afrah is warm and friendly, making those around her feel welcomed and at ease. Mrs. Afrah is the first person many families see when they arrive, greeting them with a warm smile during her Kiss ‘n Ride duty. Mrs. Afrah is a selfless team player always going the extra mile to support students, educators and administrators. She oversees and ensures the success of our Pizza Day program and is a mentor and role model to our lunchroom supervisors. As an Emergency Worker, Mrs. Afrah provides exceptional care for our most vulnerable students. Mrs.Afrah is a valuable asset to Briarwood Public School.
STEAM OPen house
STEAM OPen house
Family S.T.E.A.M Night (Kindergarten - Grade 5) - Families joined us for a free Family S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) Experience during Education Week that was facilitated by Learning Tree Educational Store. Families took part in engaging, fun, and meaningful S.T.E.A.M. challenges, solving dilemmas cooperatively at a variety of stations.
Our recent Family STEAM Night in the gym was a great success, bringing together students and their families for an evening filled with hands-on learning and exploration. Generously funded by proceeds from our Fall Book Fair, this school-wide event provided an opportunity for families to engage together in interactive science, technology, engineering, and math activities (STEM). Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making this event memorable. We look forward to more opportunities to learn and grow together as a community.
EQAO Information night
EQAO Information night
EQAO Parent Information Night - On Wednesday, May 7th the Grade 3 parents were invited to Room 109 to learn more about the Provincial Assessment - EQAO. Parents had the opportunity to learn more about the assessment from their child's grade 3 teacher, engage with assessment questions and learn about ways to support their child for the assessment.
genius students at briarwood!
genius students at briarwood!
Grades 3-5 Genius Hour Club Student Display - On Wednesday, May 7th students participating in the Genius Hour Club had their research projects on display throughout the first floor hallway for our open house! They were excited to share their learning and answer parent's questions. Congratulations to our award winners!!
First Place Winner!
The Latent Heat of Vaporization
By Varushka-4B
Second Place Winner!
The Food Insecurities
By Venpa-4B
Third Place Winner!
The Brain
By Keya and Amira-4A
Aztec VS Ancient Egypt
By Reyansh, Philip, and Tony-5A
Earth Quakes
By Samuel and Aakarsh
Pluto
By Kavya, Aritha, and Archisha-4A
Bee
Dana-5A and Remas-4A
Technology
By Audrey-4A
Inflation
Liya and Andy-4C
Friendship
Yusra, Maryam and Menna-5A
Junior Speech competition
Junior Speech competition
Grade 4/5 Speech Contest Highlights
On Thursday, May 8th, the Briarwood gym was filled with excitement and inspiration as Grade 4 and 5 students took the stage for the annual Speech Contest, held from 11:10 AM to 12:30 PM. Each class was proudly represented by two student speakers, who delivered thoughtful and engaging speeches. The event was judged by Ms. Mia Trokeloshvli from The Valleys Sr. PS, and the audience included an enthusiastic group of Grade 3 students, invited to watch and learn from their older peers.
Speeches delivered during the speech competition included:
Congratulations to Reyansh-5A who won the Speech Contest!
Zahra - 5B - Artificial Intelligence is Helpful
Ranveer M - 5C - Preventing Climate Change
Philip - 5A - Sea Monsters
Aanvi - 4C - If I were president for the day
Adhvait - 4A - Greek Mythology
Stephanie - 4A - Sign Language
Swara - 5B - Sports are an Important Part of Our Education
Andy - 4C - Time is an illusion
Reyansh - 5A - Social media
Muhammad - 5C - Why being a YouTube content creator is the best job
education week scholastic book fair
education week scholastic book fair
We are thrilled to announce that the Scholastic Book Fair held in May was a fantastic success! Thanks to the enthusiastic participation of our students and their families, we raised an impressive $2,500 in proceeds to support our school. Your generosity will help us provide more books for the library and school-wide experiences for our well-deserving students. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this event possible — we couldn’t have done it without you!
Competitive Kids STEM+ Projects - Canadian Innovation Contest Winners
Competitive Kids STEM+ Projects - Canadian Innovation Contest Winners
One of the largest global innovation events for students in grades 2 through 10, the CIC 2025 contests, saw 8,000 students from various educational institutions participating in six innovative competitions. These contests were designed to highlight their learning, competitive spirit, and winning potential.
This year, the focus was on environmental sustainability, aiming to raise awareness, foster a sense of environmental responsibility, and encourage students to adopt eco-friendly practices, especially in Canada.
Thank you to Ms. Alia Ali, Grade 4 Briarwood PS Teacher, for supporting Briarwood students in this extra-curricular activity! We are so proud of their accomplishments in this competition!
We had students compete in 5 out of 6 STEM contests, including Math, Computing, Art, Debating and Creative writing! We had students place in the top 6% in the world across all of these contests! We had one student win a Gold Medal and Tony N. (5A) received an outstanding student award for winning across various contests! Congratulations to all students who participated!
Tony from 5A receiving his awards at the banquet
Philip from 5A receiving his awards at the banquet
Aritha, Keya, Archisha
Students from Ms. Ali's Class 4C
Mrs. Madgett presenting awards
Aanvi from 4C
Students from Ms. Sobczak's class 4A at the banquet
June is National Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month
In June 2009, the House of Commons designated June as National Indigenous History Month. This is a time to learn, honour and celebrate the diverse cultures and experiences of First Nation, Métis and Inuit Peoples. It is a time to celebrate First Nation, Métis and Inuit resistance, resilience, resurgence and reclamation.
To honour National Indigenous History Month, all school sites and administrative buildings in Peel District School Board will fly the flag of the Mississauga of the Credit First Nation during the month of June. By flying this flag, we acknowledge we are on the treaty lands of the Miichi Saagig Nishnaabeg, and our commitment to uphold our responsibilities as treaty partners.
In November 2024, Peel District School board recognized Indigenous Education Month. During this month, staff, families and students engaged in learning and understanding of their Treaty relationships by reflecting on the longstanding relationship and commitments with the many different First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples of Turtle Island.
This learning continues during National Indigenous History Month, as students and staff further explore the rich contributions and excellence of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.
School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week
School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week
As we mark School Crossing Guard Week June 2 - 6, Peel District School Board will recognize their contributions to our school communities. Their role is vital to the safety and well-being of our students. Each day, crossing guards demonstrate unwavering commitment, ensuring that children travel to and from school safely. Their vigilance, professionalism, and consistent presence at busy intersections contribute significantly to safe school environments. We thank our school crossing guards for their continued service and dedication to supporting student safety.
Student Transportation of Peel Region
Student Transportation of Peel Region
In-person First Time Rider Safety Program for all Kindergarten students
This fun and informative program is designed to help young children, their parents, and caregivers become familiar with school buses and school bus safety. It includes a school bus ride, on-board instruction, and a safety video.
In person safety programs are being offered at eight locations across Peel Region, on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Registration opens June 23, 2025! Click here to register.
More information can we found at www.stopr.ca
Parent portals are not active during the summer. Bus Planner Web Parent portals will be open and available for viewing beginning Monday August 25, 2025.
At that time, parents will be able to create an account or log in to their existing account to see their personalized student transportation information.
Parent Involvement Committee Event - June 19, 2025
You're Invited: Explore partnerships, innovation & Black Studies at PIC Family Night!
Join us for an engaging evening hosted by PDSB’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) on June 19, 2025, from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at West Credit Secondary School (6325 Montevideo Rd, Mississauga).
This event features presentations on exciting PDSB initiatives, including partnerships with post-secondary institutions like Toronto Metropolitan University and U of T Mississauga, innovation, STEM and coding opportunities in classrooms, and the Black Studies Curriculum for elementary and secondary students. Families who attend will also receive a STEM kit from McMaster University (one per family), available at check-in.
Learn more and register here – we look forward to seeing you there!
Briarwood Public School recognizes Pride Month
Briarwood Public School recognizes Pride Month
Pride Month takes place in June to celebrate and honour the history, achievements, resilience and diversity of Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ communities. At PDSB, we have developed a Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ action plan to address the challenges facing Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ students and staff and to build a more inclusive and equitable learning and working environment. The action plan is a living document and a commitment to ensuring that PDSB staff, families and community members work collectively to create inclusive environments that will support Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ students and staff to feel safe, be their authentic selves and reach their full potential.
We encourage staff, students, families and our communities to spend time learning about the many achievements and contributions of the Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ communities as well as their unique challenges, struggles and history. The reality is that Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ identities continue to be a target of discrimination and hate. This is a reminder that there is work to be done to ensure Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ students and staff feel safe, like they belong, and are respected for who they are, as they are.
Throughout the month of June, the Progress Pride flag will be raised at all Peel schools and worksites to demonstrate our commitment to cultivating identity-affirming and inclusive environments where Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ students, staff and families are seen, valued and supported. We are committed to improving the well-being and achievement of all students by addressing homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia when it occurs.
Briarwood's Student Nutrition Program
As we wrap up our School Nutrition Program for the 2024-25 school year, we would like to take this opportunity thank our families and school community who generously contributed through School Cash Online, to help us purchase food items for the program. Your generous contributions have continued to help us provide nutritious snacks throughout the day to our students.
Thank you to Mrs. Pacheco's students in 4A who have spent extra time and effort in organizing and setting up the snacks bins for our students. We would like to thank Mr. De Filippis for his support with tracking and reporting our inventory. We look forward to continuing the program in the fall and we will be sure to send out details about the commencement of the program then.
Wishing you all a wonderful summer!
-Mrs.Pacheco-
2025-26 School Year Calendars
2025-26 School Year Calendars
In preparation for the new school year, please review the 2025-26 school year calendars.
Regular school year calendar for elementary and secondary schools.
Balanced modified school year calendar (for Roberta Bondar, Ray Lawson and Tony Pontes Public School).
Applications still open for French Immersion and Extended French programs
If your child will be starting Grade 1 or Grade 7 in September 2025, you may want to consider enrolling them in one of the following programs:
· Grade 1 French Immersion (FI)
· Grade 7 Extended French (EF)
Peel District School Board offers three French as a Second Language (FSL) programs:
· French Immersion
· Core French
· Extended French
Each program varies in intensity but shares the same goal: to help students develop communication skills in the French language.
Apply now for the FI and EF programs. The deadline to apply is June 13, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Applications received after the deadline will be placed on a waitlist.
To apply and learn more, visit peelschools.org/French.
Drop Off and Pick Up at Briarwood School
Parking is very limited at Briarwood Public School. The school is in excess of 50 years old and the facility was not built to accommodate the vehicular traffic that we see today. Please be patient and have an alternate plan to arrive to school on time. We encourage students and families to walk to school.
Drop Off and Pick Up at Briarwood School
Consider parking at a location that is five to 10 minutes away instead of waiting in the Kiss and Ride during morning / afternoon pick-up. This avoids congestion and provides an opportunity for quality time and connection with your student on the walk to and from school.
Try parking on adjacent streets with walking paths and/or crossing guards to Briarwood Public School (i.e. Molly Drive, Nadine Crescent, Galedowns Court, Eversley Drive.)
Arrive to school at 8:15 a.m., when supervision begins - the Kiss'n'Ride typically gets busy closer to 8:25 a.m.
When picking up from school, consider arriving after the bell - the Kiss'n'Ride is typically busier at dismissal at 2:50 p.m., but less busy at 3:00 p.m. Students can be picked up from the Kiss'n'Ride lane up until 3:05 p.m.
If you are using the Kiss and Ride Lane at the beginning or end of the school day, remember to:
Stay in line, be patient and do not bud in front of other cars who are waiting to receive their children. Cars will be signaled to move forward as students are dropped off / picked up
Stay in the vehicle if you are the driver or guardian.
Do not park and leave your car.
Do not make a u-turn in the entrance or exit of the Kiss'n'Ride lanes.
Do not park in front of the handicap parking spots at any time.
The Kiss and Ride is an active lane way for children to be dropped off and picked up.
At drop off, only students who can leave the vehicle unassisted with their backpacks in-hand on the curbside should be using the Kiss and Ride Lane. Parents are not to exit their cars into a live lane.
Do not let students out on the driver side at any time. This is unsafe.
Only stop at designated stops. Do not stop in the Drive Thru Lane.
Follow staff direction who are there to keep the Kiss and Ride safe. Disrespectful communication will not be tolerated and violates the PDSB and School Code of Conduct.
Drive slowly and cautiously, signal lane changes and keep traffic flowing.
Entry and Dismissal Procedures for Grades 1-5 at Briarwood Public School
Morning Entry: Please note that students are to assemble outside of their entry doors in the morning where they will be met by their teacher when the bell rings. Students are to arrive to school between 8:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Supervision of students begins at 8:15 a.m. If students are dropped off before 8:15 a.m. they must be supervised by parents / caregivers until staff members arrive at their supervision locations. A general reminder, children are NOT to play at the nearby city park before the start of the school day. Please remind your children to head directly to school if they are walking.
On rainy days, students will be invited to stand inside their entry doors until the bell rings.
Afternoon Dismissal Procedures:
Classes whose students walk home from school, or are picked up by parents will exit out of Door 8 on the south side of the school to be received by parents / caregivers on the hard top. Classes in portables 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be dismissed on the hard top and will also be received by parents on the hard top.
Students who will be picked up in Kiss and Ride at the front of the school will be dismissed to the gym (Door 2) by their supervising teachers. Parents are to remain in their cars and students will be dismissed to waiting cars in the Kiss and Ride lane from the gym door. Parents are NOT to line up in front of the gym door - Door 2. If you have parked your cars on neighbouring streets, parents are asked to walk to the south end of the school and receive their child outside of Door 8 and walk back to their parked cars.
Peel District School Board and Briarwood Public School Code of Conduct
The school code of conduct applies to all members of the school community including parents / caregivers and any visitors to our school. Please review the Code of Conduct to help create a safe, inclusive learning environment for all. Translated versions are available at www.peelschools.org
During the month of April, all students in K-5 received a second presentation about our school's Code of Conduct through class assemblies and in class presentations. We invite you to continue having conversations with your children about their responsibilities as students and members of Briarwood Public School. Here are a few slides that we ask families to review with their children.
Preparing for the summer sun
Preparing for the summer sun
Exposure to Sun
Excessive and prolonged exposure to the sun can lead to various health concerns such as sunburn and heat stress in the short-term, eye cataracts, skin damage or skin cancer in the long run. As summer approaches and the weather gets warmer, it is important to protect ourselves from the harmful effects of the sun. This includes using sunscreen to protect our skin from sun damage and sunburn and keeping hydrated by drinking plenty of water. In the summer, the sun gives off more invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays. Too much UV exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer and eye problems like cataracts later in life. In Canada, we use the UV index to show how strong the sun’s UV rays are each day.
What is the UV Index?
The index scale ranges from 0 to 11+ in Canada. The higher the value, the more intense the ultraviolet rays are. The UV index is calculated daily by Environment Canada using ozone and weather information. It can vary from day to day with changes in the ozone layer – the thinner the ozone layer, the higher the index reading. The higher the UV index number, the stronger the sun, and the greater the need to take precautions.
How to protect your family from the sun?
· Wear a hat (preferably with a broad brim), sunglasses, and protective loose clothing on sunny days.
· Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater whenever you are outdoors and reapply often, especially if you have been swimming.
· Encourage your children to play in shady areas if they are outside for a long time.
· Try to avoid heavy physical activities outside when the sun is strong. Remain indoors when the UV index is high (6 or higher).
· Remember that sunburn can occur even on a cloudy day, as up to 80 percent of UV rays can penetrate light clouds, and 40 percent of UV rays can bounce back from sand, water, or concrete.
· Take frequent breaks from being in the sun. Go inside, get in the shade, or use an umbrella.
· Stay hydrated and drink lots of water/fluids. Staying hydrated helps the body sweat and keep a normal body temperature.
Page updated
Report abuse