Joyceville Public School Family Newsletter
A Community That Cares
The past week has been a difficult one for our school community following the loss of Mrs. Banfai, and I want to begin by saying how grateful we are for the tremendous support that has been shown to Joyceville.
The messages, kind words, thoughtful gestures and well wishes from our families have meant a great deal to our students and staff. We have also been incredibly touched by the support we have received from other schools, community organizations and partners, many of whom have reached out and made donations to support Joyceville during this difficult time.
A special thank you as well to our School Advisory Council for providing a wonderful lunch for our staff. It was an incredibly thoughtful gesture and was very much appreciated.
Joyceville has always been a community that looks after one another, and over the past several days we have also been reminded how fortunate we are to be part of a much larger community that cares about our students and staff.
To everyone who has reached out, donated, sent a message or shown support in any way — thank you. It has meant more than we can say.
Celebrating Our EQAO Results
Our latest EQAO results have been released, and we are extremely proud of the achievements of our Joyceville students.
Grade 3
Our Grade 3 results were:
- Reading – 96.4%
- Writing – 60.7%
- Mathematics – 67.9%
Our Grade 3 students performed well above both the provincial and Limestone District School Board results in Reading and Mathematics, with Writing approaching those benchmarks. We have no doubt that once we unpack these results we will see that our students are close to where they need to be.
A 96.4% result in Reading is a tremendous accomplishment, and our Mathematics results are also something our students and staff should be very proud of.
We would also like to thank our School Advisory Council for continuing to support student learning through the purchase of resources and materials for our school. That partnership helps us provide additional tools and opportunities for students and staff.
As additional information becomes available, we will take a closer look at our Grade 3 Writing results. This will help us better understand the data, identify areas of strength and determine where we can provide additional focus and support moving forward. As we enter October we can confidently say that our staff and students are already well underway with this work.
Grade 6
Our Grade 6 results were:
- Reading – 89.6%
- Writing – 94.7%
- Mathematics – 73.7%
All three Grade 6 results are well above both the provincial and Board results.
These are outstanding results and something worth celebrating.
We are incredibly proud of all our students for the effort, perseverance and learning they demonstrated, and equally proud of the staff who have supported these students throughout their years at Joyceville.
EQAO is only one measure of student learning, but these results provide another opportunity to recognize the excellent work happening in our classrooms. Strong results do not come from a few weeks of preparation for an assessment. They reflect the work students and educators do every day, year after year, along with the support families provide at home. Individual results will be sent home when they become available.
Congratulations to our students and staff. There is a great deal for our Joyceville community to be proud of!
🏃♀️ Terry Fox Run – Friday, October 9
We are proud to once again be fundraising in support of the Terry Fox Foundation.
Our Joyceville Terry Fox Run will take place on:
Friday, October 9
So far, we have raised 21% of our $5,300 goal!
Thank you to the families who have already donated. We are off to a great start and would love to see our total continue to climb over the next week.
Families who would like to make a donation can visit our school fundraising page:
Terry Fox School Fundraising Page
When making a donation, please be sure to select your child's teacher's name so the donation is counted toward the class total.
There is also a little friendly competition this year — the class that receives the most donations will earn a:
Free pizza lunch! 🍕
Thank you for supporting our students, cancer research and Terry Fox's incredible legacy.
📸 Picture Day – Friday, October 9
A reminder that Picture Day is also Friday, October 9.
Students will have their individual school photos taken during the day before we shift gears for our Terry Fox activities.
It will be a busy and fun day at Joyceville, so students can come ready with their best smiles — and their running shoes!
🚌 Field Trip – Tuesday, October 6
A reminder to families in Mrs. Norman's and Mrs. Londry's classes that their classes have a field trip on:
Tuesday, October 6
Please watch for any class-specific information and reminders from Mrs. Norman and Mrs. Londry as the trip approaches.
We hope everyone has a fantastic day!
Information About Field Trips and Athletic Opportunities for the 2026-2027 School Year
Dear Families,
At Glenburnie Public School and Joyceville Public School, we are committed to providing students with meaningful learning experiences through field trips, athletic events, tournaments, cultural experiences, and extracurricular activities. These opportunities enrich learning, build school community, and create memorable experiences for students.
Throughout the school year, families may be asked to contribute toward some of the costs associated with these opportunities. Depending on the activity, costs may include transportation, registration fees, admission fees, facility rentals, or other event-specific expenses.
Our goal is always to keep fees as low as possible. Whenever possible, school student activity funding, school-generated funds, fundraising proceeds, and School Advisory Council (SAC) contributions will be used to offset costs for families. The Board has also provided schools with funding intended to help reduce the amount families are asked to pay while continuing to offer valuable opportunities for students.
We will provide as much advance notice as possible when fees are required. In some cases, particularly with athletic events and tournaments, schools receive information, entry deadlines, and cost details on shorter timelines. When that occurs, we will communicate with families as quickly as possible so that students do not miss the opportunity to participate.
For each activity requiring payment, families will receive information outlining the event and any associated costs. We are committed to being transparent about fees while continuing to seek ways to reduce costs whenever possible.
Most importantly, we do not want financial circumstances to prevent students from participating in school opportunities. If the cost of an activity presents a challenge for your family, please contact me directly and confidentially so that we can work together to support your child.
Upcoming Cross Country Event
Students participating in the Limestone Cross Country Meet on Thursday, October 1 will be asked to pay a participation fee of $10.00. The school and our School Advisory Council (SAC) are contributing toward the overall cost of the event in order to keep participation affordable for families.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
🍕 Pizza & Milk Orders – School-Day Reminder
A reminder that pizza and milk are available to order through School-Day.
Families who would like their child to participate should log in to School-Day and complete their orders before the ordering deadline.
Please remember to check School-Day regularly for school items, ordering opportunities and upcoming deadlines.
A Few Important Reminders
Morning Arrival & Parking
Morning supervision begins at 9:00 a.m.
Students should not arrive on school property before that time, as staff supervision is not available.
Our parking lot can become busy during arrival and dismissal. Please drive slowly, watch carefully for students and families, and ensure that areas needed by our school buses remain clear.
Changes to After-School Plans
If your child's regular dismissal routine is changing, please contact the school before 3:00 p.m.
After 3:00 p.m., our office and classroom staff are busy preparing students for dismissal, and we cannot guarantee that a late phone call, email or message will reach your child in time.
Attendance & Punctuality
Regular attendance and arriving at school on time make a difference for students.
Morning supervision begins at 9:00 a.m. and classes begin at 9:10 a.m. Arriving on time allows students to settle in, connect with classmates and participate in learning from the beginning of the day.
We know there will be times when illness, appointments or family circumstances make absences unavoidable. If attendance becomes challenging for your child, please reach out so we can work together to support them.
Reporting Student Absences – SafeArrival
Please remember to report all student absences and late arrivals using SchoolMessenger SafeArrival.
SafeArrival can be used for full-day absences, extended absences and late arrivals.
Families can use the SchoolMessenger app, the online portal or the automated telephone system.
Telephone: 1-855-257-9349
SafeArrival is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and future absences can also be entered in advance.
Whenever possible, please use SafeArrival rather than calling the school directly. Students arriving after the school day has begun should check in at the office before going to class.
Food, Celebrations & Allergy Safety
We ask families not to send food or treats into school for birthdays, holidays or classroom celebrations.
With allergies, dietary restrictions and medical needs within our school, food brought in for sharing can create unnecessary risks.
Joyceville is also a nut-safe school environment. Please do not send foods containing peanuts or tree nuts to school. Individual classrooms may have additional allergy considerations depending on student needs.
Thank you for helping us keep celebrations safe and inclusive for everyone.
Student Accident Insurance
Limestone District School Board requires students participating in extracurricular activities to have accident insurance coverage.
Families may use their own existing coverage for expenses not covered by the Provincial Health Plan or purchase Student Accident Insurance through Reliable Life Insurance Company.
Coverage may help with expenses such as dental injuries, fractures and other costs that may not be covered through OHIP or a family workplace benefit plan.
Families are encouraged to review their current coverage and decide what best meets their needs.
More information and online purchasing are available at:
Volunteering at Joyceville
We are always grateful for family and community members who are willing to volunteer their time.
Throughout the year, there may be opportunities to assist with field trips, classroom activities, special events, extracurricular activities and other school programs.
Families interested in volunteering can contact Bobbi Jo in the school office for information about the necessary paperwork and Vulnerable Sector Check process.
School Advisory Council
Thank you again to our School Advisory Council for everything they do to support Joyceville.
School Council is an important way for families to stay connected with the school, hear about what is happening at JPS, share ideas and provide input.
You do not need to hold an elected position to attend. All Joyceville parents and guardians are welcome at School Council meetings.
Information about our next meeting will be shared with families.
Private Music Lessons 🎸
Private music lessons continue to be available at Joyceville on Mondays with Derek McGowan.
Derek teaches guitar, bass and ukulele and has more than 30 years of experience.
For more information about lessons and availability:
905-699-3121
derekmcgowanmusic@gmail.com
Coming Up at Joyceville
Tuesday, October 6 – Mrs. Norman's & Mrs. Londry's Class Field Trip
Friday, October 9 – Picture Day
Friday, October 9 – Terry Fox Run
Monday, October 12 – Thanksgiving – School Closed
Monday, October 26 – PA Day – No Classes for Students
As We Head Into October
There is a lot happening at Joyceville over the next few weeks, from field trips and Picture Day to Terry Fox, Swim to Survive and all of the learning taking place each day in our classrooms.
At the same time, this past week has reminded us that some of the most important parts of a school community cannot be measured on a report card or a calendar. The kindness, compassion and support shown to our students and staff following the loss of Mrs. Banfai have been remarkable.
We are also very proud to be able to share our EQAO results and celebrate the hard work of our students and staff. There is much to be proud of at Joyceville, both in what our students are accomplishing and in the way our community continues to care for one another.
Thank you for being such an important part of JPS. Have a wonderful weekend, Joyceville.