As the leaves change colour and the temperatures begin to fall, Castlemore staff and students continue to be involved in a variety of engaging activities both inside and outside of the classroom! Since our last newsletter, some of our Castlemore students have competed in the Regional Cross-Country meet, participated in Social Changemakers Leadership sessions and watched a Woodwind Quintet performance by musicians from the University of Toronto!
November 5th is Take Our Grade 8 Students to High School Day. On this day, Pierre Elliott Trudeau (our home High School) provides the opportunity for Castlemore Grade 8 students to experience High School for a day. During the visit, Grade 8 students:
- Tour Pierre Elliott Trudeau
- Listen to current Grade 9 teachers as they highlight various programs, clubs and teams
- Explore course possibilities through classroom visits
- Participate in a Q & A with current High School students
This is an invaluable experience for our Grade 8s, even for those not planning to attend PET.
Fall Season - As temperatures begin to fall, please ensure that students are coming to school dressed appropriately for the weather (fall coats, hats, mittens or gloves etc.). Students should also have a pair of indoor shoes and younger students a change of clothes, including extra socks. Please remember to label all items.
A reminder that:
- Progress Report Cards will be sent home electronically the week of November 17th
- Parent-Teacher interviews will be held November 20th & 21st
Beginning Monday, November 10th, families will have the opportunity to sign up for interview times through Edsby. Please look for an email indicating when Edsby is open to make appointments. Families, please ensure you have an EDSBY account to sign up for teacher interviews. Contact the office if you require support.
Leeanne Hoover-Joy, Principal
Wayne Spencer, Vice-Principal
Upcoming Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 3 - 7 | Holocaust Education Week |
| November 5 | Take Our Students to High School Day |
| November 5 | School Council |
| November 7 | Fall Fun Dance |
| November 11 | Remembrance Day |
| November 13- 19 | Transgender Week of Awareness |
| November 14 | Wind Ensemble at PETHS |
| November 17 | Intermediate Volleyball Area Tournament (B) |
| November 19 | Intermediate Volleyball Area Tournament (G) |
| November 21 | P.A. Day (Parent - Teacher Interviews) |
| November 27 | Photo Retakes |
| November 28 | Grade 7 Immunization |
Invitation to School Council
Our next school council meeting will be on Wednesday, November 5th from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in our school library. Please join us in-person or virtually and become more involved in your child’s school experience!
Treaties Recognition Week
Today, the Ontario Government is working to rebuild trust and relationships with treaty partners and Indigenous peoples. Part of that effort includes educating Ontarians about the role treaties play in our lives and relationships with each other today.
During the week of November 2-8, 2025, we recognize the importance of treaties and bring awareness to the treaty relationships between First Nations, Métis and Inuit, and non-Indigenous people throughout the province. There are 46 treaties in Ontario, and we all have a responsibility to recognize, learn about and honour these treaties.
Why do we Pause on the 11th of November?
We observe Remembrance Day on November ϿϿth because the First World War ended on the ϿϿth of November Ͽ9Ͽ8 at ϿϿ a.m.; the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. On this day we pause for two minutes of silence as we, alongside Canadians coast to coast to coast and around the world, remember those who have served and sacrificed and/or been impacted by war. We also reflect on those who continue to serve today.
Transgender Awareness Week - November 13 to 19
Transgender Awareness Week is from November 13-19, 2025. This annual week of recognition aims to deepen awareness of the historic and present-day challenges, barriers, and oppression faced by the trans community, as well as to uplift stories of joy, advocacy, and justice. November 20, 2025, is Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to pay tribute and honour the lives of the victims of transphobic violence.
Parking on Ridgecrest and Castlemore
Families may have noticed red paint on the curbs that border Castlemore Public School. These curbs have been painted to remind drivers of local parking bylaws that presently exist. During the times of 8:ϾϾ-9:ϾϾ am and Ѐ:ЁϾ-Ё:ЁϾ pm parking on both Ridgecrest Road and and Castlemore Avenue is prohibited. Cars that are parked illegally have been ticketed this school year. We have also been informed by the city that cameras are being used to identify parked cars and tickets are being mailed to homes. Castlemore PS does not monitor parking around the school, nor is the school connected to parking bylaws being enforced on nearby streets. Castlemore PS is considered a walking school for most students who attend. As always, families are encouraged to walk, bike, or roll to school.
What's Happening at the Castle
Making a Difference
35 students in grades 6, 7 and 8 interested in having a positive impact on ‘the Castle’ joined forces to create the Castlemore Changemakers! With the help of Harmony Movement, students have been looking at ways to create more inclusive spaces for all students. They are completing the planning phase and preparing to implement some of their great ideas. Great work Changemakers, can’t wait to see what happens next! Thank you for your leadership!
Learning About Cultures!
This past Monday, grade 7 classes traveled to Vaughan to explore an Islamic heritage exhibit hosted by the Tahir Hall Community Centre. The exhibit, entitled ‘Corridor of Discovery’, highlighted some of the many ways Muslim culture has contributed to both past and present societies through engineering, architecture, medicine, and the cosmos. Curriculum connections were made, as students saw links to Math, Science, Language, History, Geography and more!
Does your child want to participate in a co-curricular sport or club? Here are some of the many activities happening at the Castle!
- Primary Lego Club
- Primary Art Club
- Primary Chess
- Primary Play Days
- Primary/Junior Games Clubs
- Primary/Junior Choir
- Junior/Intermediate Robotics Club
- Junior/Intermediate Volleyball
- Junior/Intermediate Basketball
- Junior/Intermediate Badminton
- Junior/Intermediate Soccer
- Junior/Intermediate Chess Club
- Junior/Intermediate Cross Country
- Junior/Intermediate Track & Field
- Junior/Intermediate Dart Club
- Intermediate Trivia Club
- Intermediate Band
- Intermediate Study Hall
- Intermediate Announcement Team
- Intermediate Tech Team
- Intermediate Leadership Team
- School Musical-Frankie Builds Androids
- Healthy Schools Student Club
- Youth Space-Wellness and Mental Health
- Open Gym Time 8:00am (Gr. 7 & 8)
Something you like to do that's not on the list? Just ask!
Flyers
Poverty Reduction Strategy
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services is assessing Ontario’s current 2020–2025 poverty reduction strategy and developing the next poverty reduction strategy. If you are able, please complete this survey (20 minutes to complete). The deadline to submit a response is November 30, 2025.
BFCN Scholarship Application Workshop for Black YRDSB Students
Black students and their families in the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) are invited to join for a virtual edition of the BFCN Scholarship Application Workshop on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM ET. This is a free workshop in collaboration with YRDSB. The main goal is to share collective knowledge so that Black students and their families can make informed decisions about post-secondary education.
November Special - Sub Month
Options include:
- Beef Meatball
- Veggie Meatball
Available as an entree only or in a combo with fruit.
Online orders can be completed up until 10 a.m. the previous business day. Available through Kids Kitchen.
November 2025 Calendar for EarlyON Markham
Holidays and Observances
- November 1 - All Saints' Day
- November 2 - All Souls' Day
- November 2 - Daylight Savings Time ends (set clocks back one hour)
- November 8 - STEM or STEAM Day
- November 11 - Remembrance Day
- November 13 - World Kindness Day
- November 20 - National Child Day
Featured Programs
- Parenting is Heart Work Conference (for families with babies birth to 12 months) - November 5
- (Active) Baby and Me - Monday afternoons at our Main Site
- Baby Music and Movement - Tuesday afternoons at the our Main Site, Thursday afternoons at Armadale PS
- Exploring STEAM - Tuesday mornings at our Main Site
- Learning Through Nature (Outdoor Program): Thursday mornings at Toogood Pond Park
- Language Programs in Cantonese, French, Mandarin and Tamil - see calendars for dates and times
- Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting (Parenting Support) - September - November at our Main Site
EarlyON Markham Sites - EarlyONMarkham@familydaycare.com
- EarlyON Markham Main Site - Hagarman House - 3990 14th Avenue, Markham, Ontario, L3R 0B2 (Birchmount Road and 14th Avenue - 905-479-0002
- Armadale Public School - Room 128 - 11 Coppard Avenue, Markham, Ontario, L3S 2J4 (McCowan Road and Denison Street) - 437-288-4455
- Ellen Fairclough Public School - Room 134) - 33 Brando Avenue, Markham, Ontario, L3S 4K9 (Markham Road and 14th Avenue) - 437-855-3651
- Toogood Pond Park - 280 Main Street, Unionville, Ontario, L3R 2H2 (Off of Main Street, Unionville) - 437-855-3643
- Aaniin Community Centre (Room A) - 5665 14th Avenue, Markham, Ontario, L3S 3K5 (Middlefield Road and 14th Avenue) - 437-928-1043