From the Principal’s Desk
Quote of the Week:
“ Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself ”
-Rumi
The learning continued here at Boyne as did the fun. Our girls and boys volleyball season is well underway with both teams winning games. Our Senior Flag Football team also had a tournament this week and played well and ranked 4th in their division.
We are still awaiting delivery of plants for our Miyawaki (pocket) forest and will update you regarding progress in the coming weeks.
Navatri and Durga Puja 
This past week and in the coming week, a number of families at Boyne are celebrating Navratri, a significant Hindu festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil by honoring the divine feminine power, or Shakti. During this time many people engage in fasting and religious reflection. The festival also includes lively communal activities such as garba and dandiya raas dances, as well as traditional feasting. Durga Puja will also begin this Saturday, October 17th and continue to October 21st. We wish all those who celebrate Navratri and Durga Puja all the best during this time of celebration and reflection.
Fire Drill and Lockdown Practice Information
Over the past few weeks we have successfully engaged in a number of fire drills. In the coming week we will be conducting a lockdown practice. These practices are an important part of proactively ensuring the safety of all students. While our staff discusses the importance of these practice sessions with students, conversations at home also support student understanding of why we participate in fire drills and lockdown practice.
School Council Meeting Elections - Monday, October 19th at 6:30 pm
We are very much looking forward to the School Council meeting on Monday, October 19th. We will finalize the School Council Election. We are resending the self-nomination form for whether you would like to be a voting member or a member of the School Council Executive. We have extended the nomination process to Sunday evening in order to gain additional participants (Form linked here School Council Self-Nomination). Also at this meeting we will be discussing, among other things, fundraising allocation and upcoming school events. We look forward to meeting with you on Monday at 6:30 pm in the school library.
Milton Elections
The following information is shared on behalf of the Town of Milton, which oversees the administration of municipal elections in Milton.
Milton’s Municipal Elections take place on Monday, Oct. 26th. Eligible voters can cast their ballot during advance voting from Oct. 12 to 15 or on Election Day. Visit milton.ca/your-government/elections/2026-municipal-election for voting locations, hours eligibility requirements and other election information. Have your say by voting for the Mayor, Regional and Local Councillors and School Board Trustees.
School Bus Rules: No Eating or Drinking on the School Bus
To ensure a safe, clean, and comfortable ride for all students, we would like to remind all families that eating and drinking are strictly prohibited on the school bus at all times (water is permitted).
This policy protects student safety for several critical reasons:
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Choking Risk: Vehicle movement, bumps, and sudden stops while eating increase the risk of choking.
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Severe Allergies: Food consumption or leftover crumbs can cause life-threatening allergic reactions for fellow passengers.
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Bus Cleanliness: Spills and trash create unsanitary conditions, odors, and pest issues.
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Driver Focus: Food-related incidents and cleanups divert the driver’s attention from the road.
Please remind your child to finish all food and snacks before boarding the bus and save any further eating for school or home. Thank you for your cooperation!
School Bus Safety & Parent/Guardian Responsibilities (JK – Grade 2)
Ensuring the safety of our youngest riders is a shared responsibility. In accordance with HSTS Procedure HS-2-001 (Accompanying JK/SK Students To/From the Bus Stop), parents/guardians play a critical role in keeping students safe throughout their daily commute.
Please review the specific guidelines below based on your child’s grade level.
Kindergarten (JK / SK) Responsibilities
Parents/guardians of Kindergarten students must:
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Meet at the Bus Door: Always meet your child directly at the door of the school bus upon arrival.
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Confirm Safety Tags: Ensure your child’s backpack has a yellow happy face safety tag attached. This tag allows bus drivers to easily identify students who must be met by an adult.
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Establish Contingency Plans: Have an alternate arrangement ready for unplanned delays, such as traffic or appointments.
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Teach Key Safety Rules: Ensure your child understands that they should:
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Only get off the bus at their designated stop.
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Immediately tell the bus driver if they do not see their parent or designated supervisor at the stop.
Grade 1 & Grade 2 Reminders
Students in Grades 1 and 2 are not provided safety tags and are not flagged as "must be met." To support their transition and safety, families should ensure their child knows:
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Their specific designated bus stop.
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The importance of spotting their parent/guardian or trusted adult before stepping off the bus.
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To inform the bus driver immediately if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable exiting the bus for any reason.
We encourage all families to watch Buzzy the Bee’s Safety Video together with their children for interactive, family-friendly safety tips.
Upcoming Dates
HDSB calendars - events, significant days, school year
- Oct 19 - School Council Meeting
- Oct 21 - Pizza Day
- Oct 22 - Grade 7 & 8 Immunizations
- Nov 1st Pizza Term 2 Orders Close through School Cash Online
- Nov 3, 4, 5 - Grade 4 NGAT Testing
- Nov 18 & 19 - Student Photo Days
Food Orders
Pizza day is running every Wednesday. The first term is running from Oct 7th to Nov 4th. Term 2 Is available to order through school cashonline until Sunday November 1st. Term 2 for Pizza will be from November 11th to December 16th. Ensure that you are signed up for school cash online to receive alerts. (For information on school cash online please see our Sept 27th Bulletin)
Community Connections
"Please join us for the first Community Connections session of the year. To register, please click on this link."

Join Us for EMSS Innovation Night! October 29, 2026
Elsie MacGill Secondary School warmly invites all students, families, and community members to join us on October 29, 2026, to discover everything our vibrant school community has to offer!
Come explore our exciting pathways and programs, including IStem, Advanced Placement, Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) opportunities, and much more. You'll have the chance to experience hands-on learning firsthand through interactive, open-house style activities hosted across the school.
Doors open at 6:30 PM, followed by a special IStem presentation in the gymnasium starting at 7:30 PM. We look forward to welcoming you!







