Content of this Newsletter
- Spotlight on Mazo de la Roche Public School
- Join Us! PEAC New Member Applications Due June 11, 2025
- School Council Handbook: Tips for Wrapping Up the School Year
- Policies Under Review - Seeking Your Input!
- Join Us at Upcoming Meetings
Spotlight on Mazo de la Roche Public School!
Mazo de la Roche P.S. has a very active school community and it’s our pleasure to feature two initiatives that they have run recently that has brought the community together, while creating fun, positive and educational experiences for their students.
Winterfest
The main goal of Mazo de la Roche Public School’s School Council is to foster a sense of community and connection, especially since many students rely on school buses for transportation. Events like Winterfest encourage creativity among parents/guardians while also bringing students and staff closer together. We are grateful for the partnership which continues to grow each year.
To nurture the relationship between the school and parents/guardians by working together to create Winterfest, fostering teamwork through fun winter activities.
Who and what was involved?
Thanks to the wonderful collaboration among parents/guardians, students, and teachers, Mazo’s annual Winterfest was filled with smiles! Volunteers worked tirelessly to create a day filled with exciting winter activities that emphasized teamwork, communication and good sportsmanship.
The students dove right in, competing in relays, obstacle courses, and creative building challenges—all while enjoying the frosty fun! The excitement reached new heights when everyone had a special chance to meet Bonhomme, who brought extra cheer to the day!
Amid all the action, students took a well-deserved break to sip hot chocolate and enjoy a delicious snack, recharging before diving back into more activities. Our energetic Intermediate students played a key role as leaders, facilitating games for their Primary and Junior peers. They modeled important skills, cheered from the sidelines, and encouraged them every step of the way.
Later in the day the Intermediate students also tested their skills and joined the fun, by participating in the activities with their fellow classmates. It was a fun-filled day of laughter, learning and community-building.
What impact did it have?
Winterfest fostered teamwork and sportsmanship and strengthened the sense of community among students, families and teachers. Together, lasting memories were created in an environment which empowered students to lead and support each other.
What lessons were learned?
Students learned the importance of working together to achieve a common goal, as well as the importance of being gracious in victory and defeat in an atmosphere of good fun!
The partnership and collaboration among students, families and teachers reinforced the power of working together as a community, creating an environment where everyone felt valued and connected.
Effective Speaking Contest
Volunteers play a vital role in the Mazo de la Roche P.S. community, helping to strengthen connections among parents, staff and the broader community. These connections serve a variety of purposes, ranging from academic support to community-building, and from enhancing the school experience to fostering stronger relationships between families and the school.
Staff understands that parents and guardians know their children best, and they work to create engaging learning experiences that invite students to explore and grow. Volunteers contribute their time and expertise, offering valuable perspectives that enrich the educational experience.
The Effective Speaking Contest provides students in Grades 4-8 with a unique opportunity to challenge themselves by preparing and delivering a speech on a topic of their choice in either English or French, the two languages of instruction at Mazo de la Roche P.S.
Who and what was involved?
Preparation for the event begins months before students present their speeches at the school level. About 3-4 months in advance, teachers share information about the Effective Speaking Contest with colleagues and then with families shortly afterward. To help students prepare, teachers provide dedicated time during recesses for practice sessions and guidance. Once students are ready, a special day is arranged for the presentations, where multiple parent and community volunteers, as well as staff fluent in English or French, serve as judges. The judges then combine their assessments to determine the Mazo de la Roche student finalists in four categories:
- Junior Division English
- Junior Division French
- Intermediate Division English
- Intermediate Division French
Our Mazo Mustang finalists then advance to compete in the District Lions' Club Contest, which this year was held in Newmarket. Students from various schools showcase their public speaking talents, and those who succeed at the district level have the opportunity to move on to the provincial competition.
What impact did it have?
Our teacher organizers actively seek opportunities through community organizations like the Lions' Club to offer our students challenging and rewarding experiences. These contests provide students with a unique chance to apply the skills they have developed in school, competing alongside their peers from the broader community. Students choose to participate for a variety of reasons—some wish to overcome a fear of public speaking, others are eager to explore a topic of curiosity and share it with an attentive audience, and some relish the challenge of fine-tuning their public speaking skills in a formal setting.
Parent and community volunteers who judge the speeches at the school level witness firsthand the enthusiasm for learning that extends beyond the classroom. They see presentations that reflect research and critical thinking on topics that matter to the students. Volunteers are often impressed by the range of topics, the level of sophistication in student thinking and the number of participants involved in this optional activity.
The Lions' Club plays a vital role in supporting our local community, including creating opportunities for youth. When teachers, parents, and community volunteers unite to provide these experiences, our students benefit in meaningful ways. In turn, our youth are inspired to give back, often supporting Lions' Club initiatives like “Coats for Kids.” This partnership is truly a win-win; and we hope that through continued collaboration, our students will learn the value of giving back to their community as they grow older.
What lessons were learned?
The experience of participating in the Effective Speaking Contest teaches students valuable lessons that extend far beyond public speaking. Through this process, they learn the importance of preparation, perseverance and self-confidence as they refine their public speaking abilities. Students also gain insight into the value of research, critical thinking and develop the courage to express their thoughts in front of others. Beyond personal growth, students witness the power of community support as parents, teachers and local volunteers come together to create meaningful opportunities for youth. Ultimately, this experience helps students understand that their voices matter, that learning is a lifelong journey, and that their involvement in the community enriches both their lives and the lives of those around them.
On behalf of PEAC, we would like to extend a warm thank you and congratulations to Katherine Gousis, Principal, Mazo de la Roche P.S., and the school community for these submissions and their wonderful initiatives to engage students, families and members of the community!
Join Us! PEAC New Member Applications Due June 11, 2025
Want to get involved in enhancing parent, family and community engagement at the York Region District School Board and share your perspectives? Join us on the committee! This year, our application process opens on May 15, 2025 and closes on June 11, 2025. You can find an overview of PEAC and the application process in our informative video and we encourage you to visit the PEAC webpage for more information as it becomes available.
What is the purpose of PEAC and its members?
PEAC members support, encourage and enhance parent engagement at the Board level in an effort to improve student achievement and well-being. They represent the collective voice of parents who have children attending public schools in York Region.
What are the membership expectations?
Members are expected to attend a minimum of five meetings each year in person or virtual (to be determined), and are encouraged to participate on PEAC sub-committees.
How to apply?
Interested applicants are asked to submit an application using ONE of the methods listed below once the application period opens on May 15th:
- Submit an Online Application Form (Application will open on May 15th)
- Email Leadership Development and Engagement to request a copy of the application
- Call Leadership Development and Engagement at 905-727-0022 ext. 3650
- For more information, visit our FAQs page.
School Council Handbook: Tips For Wrapping Up The School Year
It’s hard to believe the end of the school year is quickly approaching. To prepare, consider the following items:
- Review the work of the council of the year and communicate to the school community
- Review the school improvement plan
- Review slate of officers needed for next year
- Set date for election
- Finalize any outstanding financial reporting items
- Finalize annual report and year end report to the community Check out our School Council Handbook for other great information to help you all year long!
Policies Under Review - Seeking Your Input!
We currently have a few policies for comment. Please share your feedback as your voice matters and we want to know your thoughts.
Join us at Upcoming Meetings
We invite you to stay involved and informed about topics that affect YRDSB students and families by joining our meetings! Missed a meeting? No problem! You can find all meeting agendas and minutes here.
We wish you a wonderful spring and ask that you share this newsletter with your school community!
