Mark Your Calendars
Sunday, March 8th - Daylight Saving Time (Don’t forget to move forward an hour!)
Monday, March 9th - Carnaval Opening Ceremonies Period 3
Thursday, March 12th - Last day for cookie orders! - School Cash Online
Wednesday, March 11th - Carnaval Outdoor Activity Days Pr 3 & 4/RAIN DATE March 12th
Monday, March 16th-20th - MARCH BREAK
Monday, March 23rd - First day back to School
Police Record Check (PRC) Update for Volunteers – Effective April 1, 2026
In December 2025, the Ontario Ministry of Education introduced amendments to Police Record Check requirements under Ontario Regulation 298/25, effective April 1, 2026. As a result, school boards are now required to obtain a new Police Record Check (PRC) for all school volunteers every five years. A new PRC will also be required if there has been a lapse in submitting the Annual Offence Declaration.
These updated requirements apply to both current and new volunteers and are part of ongoing efforts to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. We sincerely appreciate the time and care our volunteers bring to our school community. Your involvement makes a meaningful difference, and we look forward to welcoming both returning and new volunteers. Learn more about the updated PRC requirements for volunteers and how to get involved in our school community by visiting the Volunteer in HDSB Schools webpage on the HDSB website (hdsb.ca).
Southwest Burlington Elementary School Boundary Review Update
As part of the ongoing Boundary Review Process, a number of potential options were presented and carefully evaluated against established criteria. The list has been narrowed down to two options that will be shared with the public for feedback.
The two options currently being considered are Option 13C and 14B, with the possibility of modifications based on community input.
Impact to Pineland: Both options would result in a very small increase in school utilization. Over the next 10 years, this could mean an increase of approximately 9 to 20 additional students per year, compared with the status quo.
A Public Consultation Meeting will be held at Burlington Central High School (1433 Baldwin Street) on Wednesday March 11th from 7:00 - 8:30 PM. This meeting will outline the boundary review process, present the options being considered, address transition plans and next steps.
Attendees and members of the public will have access to an Information Feedback Form to share feedback on the options presented. The feedback form will be open from Monday, March 9th to Wednesday, March 25th.
For those interested in learning more, all options, meeting presentations and recordings are available on the HDSB webpage Southwest Burlington Elementary School Boundary Review.
Carnaval Spirit Week!

Get ready to show your school spirit all next week with our Carnaval Spirit Week! Here’s what’s happening:
Monday, March 9th - Jersey/Sports Day - Wear your school sports gear, Pineland wear, or jerseys from any sports teams you play on or support!
Tuesday, March 10th – Red, White & Blue Day - Dress in blue & white to celebrate Québec or red & white for Carnaval and Canada!
Wednesday, March 11th – Toque & Scarf Day - Bundle up for our outdoor activity day in your favourite hats, toques, scarves, and winter wear!
Thursday, March 12th - Favourite Colour Day - Show off your style by dressing head-to-toe in your favourite colour!
Friday, March 13th – Comfy/PJ Day - Stay cozy and wear your comfy clothes or pyjamas!
Let’s see that Panther pride all week long!
Message from Eco Club
If you recycle 1 ton of paper, you save 17 trees! That's a lot! Recycling paper is important because it conserves natural resources like trees, water, and energy, while also reducing landfill waste and pollution so if you make sure you recycle paper as much as possible.
Join us for the Magic of Winter Carnival at Pineland!
We are thrilled to announce that Pineland’s annual Winter Carnival has returned!
It’s a time for celebration, creativity, and French cultural fun! The Student Council has kicked off the Art Contest and we are looking forward to more activities, including:
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The Carnaval Art Contest: A creative drawing contest running from February 17th to March 2nd.
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Carnival Crafts: Themed classroom activities to brighten up the winter days.
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A Special Visitor: Keep an eye out for a very famous, jolly snowman wearing a traditional bright sash!
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Outdoor Fun & Treats: On Wednesday, March 11, we will head outside for our main events. To make the day even sweeter, every student will be treated to a warm cup of hot chocolate and a delicious cookie (see ingredients below)
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Spirit Days each day of the week!
This is always a highlight of our school year—a wonderful time to come together, celebrate French tradition, and embrace the beauty of the season. Let the festivities begin!
Please review the ingredient list below and inform your child’s homeroom teacher if you do not wish for your child to receive hot chocolate and/or a cookie.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mme Robic robicr@hdsb.ca.
Hot Chocolate Ingredients:
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Cane sugar
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Modified milk ingredients
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Cocoa
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Salt
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Vanilla
Vanilla Snowman Cookie Ingredients:
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Enriched wheat flour, Sugars (Sugar), soybean and modified palm oil margarine, *sprinkles, Liquid whole eggs, soluble vegetable fiber (corn), Natural Flavour
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*Note: Sprinkles in season cookies have artificial colouring.
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Sprinkles: icing sugar, fractionated palm kernel oil, corn starch, glucose, soy lecithin, artificial colours (allura red, sunset yellow fcf, tartrazine, erythrosine, brilliant blue fcf), gum arabic, carnauba wax
World Water Day 2026
World Water Day is on March 22nd and in order to celebrate it and increase appreciation of our access to clean water and sustainability, Pineland’s Eco Club is coordinating an activity called, ‘The Big Gulp’.
Students will need to bring a reusable water bottle to school and wear blue on Wednesday, March 25th. Students will go outside after announcements and all take drinks of water from their reusable water bottles, creating a visual ‘wave’. On Thursday, March 26, Ecoclub will be facilitating an optional water activity that builds community.
Celebrating World Water Day supports two of the United Nations Sustainable Development goals:
12 - Responsible consumption and production
6 - Clean water and sanitation

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your continued cooperation to support our Pineland school community.
Cindy Snowdon
Principal, Pineland P.S.









