Hello Acton Families,

We are counting down! The secondary students are busy writing their exams, and our elementary students are starting to focus on sunshine and having fun these last few days of the year. We have had a spectacular year with award-winning athletic teams, an original staff-written school play, a beautiful Prom for the graduates, Meaningful fun days ( Orange Shirt Day, Pink Day Against Bullying, Terry Fox Run, we participated in dozens of contents and intramurals and viewed photographs and art shows and listened to music and spent time nurturing our feeder school future Bearcats and…phew…the list goes on. We packed a lot into this year. We work hard and we play hard. Our staff is unparalleled when it comes to academic support, encouragement, and flexibility to meet the needs of a diverse population. Our office staff–who make sure you get this bulletin every week– are caregivers on the daily for every little student need that comes up. We have also been blessed with volunteers who support the staff as they work with students by coaching teams, keeping the building beautiful, making presentations, and using their skills to create new things for the school. Our School Council has some fun plans on the table for community building next year and I would invite all parents to join us in the fall. I am very proud of our school culture of excellent adult role models and very capable students resulting in the fine products of good citizenship we see walking the stage at Commencement. We have both our Grade 8 Graduation and our Gr 12Commenecment next week. So wonderful to have both in one building. Two nights of celebration! Staff are tired; students are tired, but we are all proud and feel that sense of accomplishment in a year well spent. I would ask parents as we move into the summer that you keep a keen eye on information coming to you to help you prepare for September so you can get a jump on the necessities for next year. Thanks to all of you for supporting your students by teaming up with teachers and admin to help your children grow and mature and love their school. 

Like every school in the system, we are experiencing some changes. We welcome new enthusiastic staff and say farewell to well-loved teachers too.

A Teary Goodbye to: A Warm Welcome To:

Sara Toniolo Anna Gruca

Bailey Dugas Tarah Campbell

Virginia Houston Chelsea Franolla

Andrew Smith Frank McCabe ( Welcome back!)

Lauren Hayes Ifta Razzaque

Kyi Sint Maung Nicole Trefethen

Jennet Adlam Mary Murphy

Connie Tscherner Alyssa Pearson ( Welcome back!)

Trevor Bloemendal      Kathryn Haney

Dawn Johnson Kathrine Okom

Laura Ridley Sarah McCarthy

Sarah Ansell Ashley Mahajan

Back in  May, we were also informed by our Sr. Admin Team that we would see changes in our school admin team. We say Au Revoir to Elementary Vice-Principal Jean-Marc Raymond as he moves on to Viola Desmond Public School. We will also miss Secondary Vice-Principal Kate St. Onge as she heads south to Thomas A. Blakelock. We welcome Curtis Morton as our incoming Elementary Vice-Principal!

Another Proud Moment for our School: As you know one of the 5 Pillars of the Multi-Year Strategic Plan is Environmental and Global Citizenship. Our staff and students have created the Bearcat Recycle Rack of clothing thrifting opportunities, we hold the Forest Festival for our feeder school students each fall, our senior social science class spends a day planting dozens of trees each year and countless classroom hours spent outside learning about the environment through science and geography. Our senior foods class created the Fun Food Fair to promote knowledge about food insecurity and sustainability. Our school received the “Friends of The Credit 2025 Environmental Awareness Award” presented to our staff on behalf of the Credit Valley Conservation Authority. Bravo to our staff leaders, Toniolo, Baxter, Hayes, Brown, Evoy, Siblini and all our green Bearcats.

Last week as part of their Final Performance Task in Gr 9 Integrated Arts, the students performed their puppet shows for our local Kindergarten classes. The shows were terrific, and the school was full of cuteness for 3 days. A great final project and so much fun to connect our community schools in such an enjoyable way! Thank you, teachers Ross, Adlam, and Dugas! 

The Yearbook Is Here!

There was a mad flurry of students signing each other books on Wednesday and Thursday. What a fantastic keepsake of happy times at Acton District.  Congratulations to our Yearbook class ( Mrs. Hayes) and team for the coordinated secondary and elementary effort on this beautiful book!

No school year should end without some fun together in an assembly and of course an annual Spelling Bee! Lots of staff and student camaraderie and laughter ending the year in such a positive upbeat way that mirrors the constant support of school spirit throughout the year. We look forward to welcoming back our students, new and continuing for another year of fun-filled academic growth.

I wish all our families a wonderful, restful summer. My hope is your students head to camp, get s part-time job, and spend a lot of time outdoors. We can’t wait to see the mall back in September. Good-bye to our Grade 12 Graduating Class of 2025. We are so proud of you! 

Grade 8 Graduation

Our Grade 8 graduation is Wednesday June 25th at 6pm. 

We ask that students arrive at school at 5:30pm so that we can organize into alphabetical order for the processional in order to begin on time. 

Please note the doors to the cafeteria will not be opened before 5:45pm. The seats in the first few rows are reserved for graduates and staff. Not to worry we have reserved seating for families to come up and take pictures when your graduate walks across the stage.

The graduation dance is for ADS graduates only. The dance ends at 9:30pm promptly. Please be sure you communicate with your child the plan for pickup.

Grade 12 Graduation 

Grade 12 Graduation will be on Thursday June 26 at 5pm here at Acton District School. More details will be shared closer to the time.

Grad packages are now ready for purchase on School Cash Online for $45 and the package includes:

https://hdsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/157880/181/False/True

A Gown and Class of 2025 Cap

Grad Breakfast (June 13th-more details to follow) and commemorative gift

Decorations

Photobooth and Photos

Printing Services

Please order your packages as soon as possible as the deadline was June 2nd.

Please make sure to complete and return your commencement RSVP form to Mrs. Norton in Student Services.  If you have lost this form,  extras are available in Student Services.

Please note that all students who are attending Commencement must purchase a grad package. If you need financial assistance with this purchase, please reach out to our principal. 

Early Dismissal for Elementary students on June 27: All elementary students across the HDSB will have early dismissal on June 27th. Students will finish class at 1:50pm (90 minutes early), buses will also leave 90 minutes earlier than normal. Wishing all of our students a wonderful and safe summer!

🎉 Stellar Sellers Returns to Acton District School – Vendor Applications Now Open! 🎉

Mark your calendars! Acton District School is thrilled to announce the return of Stellar Sellers on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 10:00am - 3:00pm (Vendor set up time at 8:00am-10:00am) This beloved event brings together talented artisans, creative crafters, and enthusiastic shoppers from across our community for a day of festive fun and fantastic finds.

Whether you're looking to get a head start on your holiday shopping or simply enjoy browsing unique handmade goods, Stellar Sellers is the place to be. From one-of-a-kind crafts and homemade treats to seasonal décor and gift ideas, there's something for everyone!

Are You a Craft Vendor?
We’re currently accepting applications from vendors who would like to showcase and sell their items at this year’s event. If you're a local maker or small business interested in participating, please complete the vendor application form here:
👉 Vendor Application Form

Spaces fill up quickly, so don’t wait too long to secure your spot!

Stay tuned for more details as the date approaches—we can’t wait to welcome you back to Stellar Sellers at Acton District School!

School Cash Online

At Acton District., we use School Cash Online for all payments made to the school. It is recommended that you set up your account so you are prepared for any fees that pertain to your student throughout the school year.

Some of the benefits of using School Cash Online include:

· Ability to pay by credit card and Visa debit or echeck(out of bank account)

· Receive reminder emails so you never miss a payment due date

· See only items available to purchase online that are applicable to your student(s)

· Uses Google Translate in over 100 languages to assist you when making purchases

· Make an online donation and receive your tax receipt by email

· Support available 24 x 7

Visit hdsb.schoolcashonline.com to sign up today and have the ability to track all payments made. You will need the Halton student number for your student (not the OEN)  in order to set up an account. Please contact the school at 519.853.2920 if you don’t have your student’s number.

Secondary Pizza Day May 15th, 2025

ADS News Website

The yearbook class is still busy creating content and documenting activities happening at ADS!  Click this link to access the site.  Have something you’d like us to feature?  Please reach out to Ms. Hayes at hayesla@hdsb.ca

Pride Month is coming to Acton District School! 

The GSA has been busy planning and working to bring a colourful Pride Month to our school. Students and staff are invited to wear their Pride Attire or Rainbow Colours on Monday, June 2nd to kick off the beginning of Pride Month. We will be hosting a Pride Flag raising ceremony on that day as well. 

Everyone has a place here at Acton District and we look forward to celebrating that with Pride all year long, but especially during Pride Month!

Extended Absence Reminder

Parents/guardians who withdraw students during school time are advised that, depending on the timing and length of the absence, academic performance of your student may be affected. It is the student’s responsibility to catch-up on missed work.

In secondary school, any absence that is longer than 3 consecutive days is referred to as an extended absence. If you know that your student will be away for more than 3 consecutive school days, please print this Planned Absence Form and fill it in with the information requested 2 weeks prior to the planned absence (hard copies are available in the office). Students should ask their parent/guardian and teachers to fill in the form and once it is complete, the form should be handed in at the main office. The Vice Principal will then review the form and it will be given to the attendance Administrative Assistant for attendance to be entered (absences longer than 3 days are not able to be entered into School Messenger by parents). If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to the main office at 905-847-6875. Thank you. 

Acton District School Supports Youth Mental Health Through Art Therapy

This past December, Acton District School's Grade 12 Leadership Class hosted a successful hockey tournament fundraiser focused on supporting youth mental health. Thanks to the incredible effort and community support, half of the proceeds raised were donated to the Acton Youth Centre's to fund a free Art Therapy program in partnership with a local Art Therapist.

With these funds, the Acton Youth Centre has already been able to schedule a confirmed Art Therapy session for Wednesday, May 21st from 4:00–5:00 p.m. Additional sessions are tentatively scheduled for the fall on Monday, September 22nd and Monday, November 17th, also from 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Art Therapy provides young people with a creative outlet to express themselves, process emotions, and build resilience—all essential components of mental wellness. The Leadership Class is proud that the funds raised through their initiative are directly contributing to these impactful sessions, helping support youth in our community.

Thank you to everyone who participated in and supported the tournament—your involvement is making a meaningful difference.

• June 24 ELEM: Term 2 Reports Sent Home 

• June 25 Grade 8 Graduation Ceremony 

• June 26 Grade 12 Commencement 

• June 27 Elementary - Last day of Class /PA Day - Secondary
  Early Dismissal - 1:50 P.M.

• July 3 Secondary Final Report Cards Sent Home