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Hello Gator Families,
As we head into December and build off our goal setting during student-led conferences, students will continue to focus on building their academic skills in the classroom while also learning to be kind and compassionate little humans. We plan on enjoying some community time together in December and also focus on giving back to others in need. Please read through the notes from our staff below about all of the things happening this December, and we hope you are able to take part in some or all of them. Have a delightful December!
Mr. G. Donaldson
Principal
Gladys Speers PS
Early Dismissal Day
On Friday December 19, 2025 all elementary and secondary schools will dismiss 90 minutes early prior to the Winter Break. We are scheduled to return after the break on Monday, January 5th. Our schedule on December 19th will be as follows:
8:45am- Entry
10:00am-10:40am - Nutrition Break 1
11:50am-12:30pm - Nutrition Break 2
1:40pm - Dismissal
Mittens, Muffins & Hot Chocolate
For this month's Spirit Day, we will be having a mittens day on Friday December 12th! Students are encouraged to wear their favourite mittens throughout the day as we kick off the winter season. In addition, our Parent Council has organized hot chocolate and muffins for the students and parents at drop off in the morning. We will have a tent set up with hot chocolate and muffins for the kids (and even some coffee for the parents). We will be out there from 8:30am to about 9:15 and parents are welcome to mingle and enjoy their coffee on the blacktop with our community. Students are welcome to take their hot chocolate into their classroom at 8:45am when the entry bell goes. We look forward to a fun Spirit Day, and a nice start to the morning with our community.
Family Movie Night - December 4
Gladys Speers Parent Council is excited to sponsor our movie night for the Gladys Speers Community on Thursday, December 4 in our school Gym. We will be showing the recent hit Despicable Me 4. Please come at 6:00pm, with a blanket and a pillow to get comfy and watch the movie with us. You are welcome to wear your PJs if you wish too! We will start the movie right at 6:00pm. Council is planning to have a small bag of popcorn to be available at no charge, courtesy of the school council, on a first come first serve basis.
All students who attend the movie MUST come and watch with his/her own parent(s) for supervision. If a student comes without his/her parent(s), they will not be admitted to the school movie night. We respectfully ask that if families decide to come, that they make every effort to stay in the gym during the whole showing so that they do not disrupt those watching the movie. We also ask that parents ensure that their own children are not being disruptive or loud while watching so that everyone can hear the movie. The running time of Despicable Me 4 is 94 minutes, so we expect the movie to be done around 7:30pm.
For more information on the movie, please click here. We look forward to a great community event together.
Teacher Appreciation
Due to popular demand and enthusiastic feedback, the Gladys Speers School Council is pleased to announce a creation of a Staff Appreciation Fund. We invite all parents and guardians to voluntarily participate in this initiative by making a one-time contribution. Contribution options are available on School Cash Online at $2, $5, $10, $15, $20 or $50. Your generous contribution will be used to provide tokens of appreciation for all teachers, staff, and administration at key times during the school year, including a luncheon toward the end of the year and other surprises throughout the year for staff. These gestures aim to recognize and thank our school’s team for their hard work and commitment to our children. All contributions are collected and managed by the Gladys Speers School Council. Donations can be made online through School Cash Online - https://www.schoolcashonline.com/. Please make sure your contribution is completed by Wednesday, December 17, 2025. The Gladys Speers School Council thanks you in advance for your generous contribution and continued support of our staff appreciation efforts.
Gladys Speers Public School Holiday Toy Drive
Gladys Speers PS is proud to team up once again with the Oakville Fire School Toy Drive to help bring joy and comfort to children and families in our community this holiday season! From December 1 to December 15, we invite our school community to drop off new and unwrapped toys and/or gift cards in the collection bins located inside the school. Your generosity can make a meaningful difference. If you’re looking for ideas, here are some suggestions for a wide range of age groups:
🎁Gift Ideas:
Gift cards
Diaper bags
Winter clothing (hats, gloves, socks)
Newborn/infant clothing and shoes
Art supplies
Sports equipment
Electronics & gadgets
Posters, calendars, journals
School supplies & backpacks
Clothing items
Jewelry & hair accessories
Cosmetics
Blankets
Shower & hygiene products
Movie passes
Every donation—big or small—helps brighten someone’s holiday. Thank you for your kindness and support, Gladys Speers community! Let’s make this season warm and joyful for all. 🎄💙
Term 2 Pizza Days (Thursday January 8th-Thursday March 12th)
Gladys Speers School Council has organized Pizza Pizza to be delivered every Thursday at 2nd break by volunteers. Participation in this hot lunch program is optional. Term 2 pizza starts on Thursday, January 8th and runs through to, and including Thursday March 12th. Your order remains the same for this term (10 weeks). This term starts after the Winter break and runs until the March break. After the March Break we will start another term. Orders are due by Monday Dec 15th and MUST be placed online. Late orders will not be accepted. Please note that there is no pizza sold at the school and everything is pre-ordered with our vendor and paid for on School Cash Online.
School Council is happy to announce that we are having both pepperoni and cheese offered this term. This couldn't happen without the amazing volunteers we have every week, so please thank them! If you would like to volunteer, there are a few slots left over the year, so please use this link that School Council has organized to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054AA8AA22A1FDC07-58623427-pizza. A current police check/declaration is required. Gladys Speers and School Council thanks everyone for participation in this voluntary hot lunch program. All proceeds from pizza lunch go towards school equipment, school enhancement and programs for our students.
FDK Winter Showcase
The Kindergarten Team is planning our Winter Concert for Kindergarten parents and students. The performance will include poems and songs to celebrate the wonderful winter season. We have more Kindergarten students this year, making two different show times necessary to prevent overcrowding - December 17th at 9:30am or 11:30am.
Due to Ontario Fire Code and the staging needs of our concert, all aisles must be clear to ensure a safe pathway for students to enter and exit the gym and we have a maximum number of spectators allowed. Therefore, we have created a free fee on School Cash Online where parents can book their show. In addition, strollers cannot obstruct the pathways up the centre and side aisles of the gym, therefore we ask that all strollers are left in the front hallway.
To ensure each family has an opportunity to view their child, each family has up to three tickets for the one performance time they attend. Parents can reserve their time slot (9:30am or 11:30am) on School Cash Online by signing up for 1, 2 or 3 tickets for one of the shows. Parents are asked to choose only one show, and they are not allowed to sign up for more than 3 tickets. Younger siblings require a ticket and older siblings are not allowed to attend and are expected to be in class. There is a maximum of 115 tickets per show, and they will be first come, first serve for the free fee on School Cash Online. Tickets will be available for reservation from December 1 to December 12. Once a show sells out, only the other show will be visible for "purchase". Tickets will be handed out at the door based on the reservation list starting at 9:00am for the first show, and 11:00am for the second show.
Thank you and we can’t wait for you to enjoy the little ones performing.
GSPS News
We're excited to share that Grade 6 students in Mr. Langdon and Mrs. Pepin's class have been working hard on another episode of "GSPS News," a student-led news team producing short segments that showcase life across our school. The students interview staff and peers, highlight events and celebrations, and focus on meaningful themes such as environmentalism, kindness, well-being, and diversity and building. This initiative develops communication, collaboration, and media-literacy skills while giving students a platform to celebrate positive actions and strengthen connections across our school. Segments will be shared within the school to Gladys Speers students and staff only. We plan on producing our first episode of three this year and we are excited for all students to watch this episode together in December. We’re very proud of these Grade 6s for their curiosity, initiative, and commitment to showcasing the kindness, creativity, and care happening every day at Gladys Speers.
Volleyball Intramurals
Attention Grade 5 & 6 students! We have volleyball intramurals starting this month. All students are welcome to come, have fun and enjoy a new sport. Listen to announcements for times.
Recorders
Students in Grades 3–6 are working hard on their Recorder Karate program, building skills in three key areas: breath control, finger accuracy, and reading music. As they master each song, they can earn new “belts” to show their progress. Students are welcome to come to the music room during first break on Mondays and Wednesdays to test for their next belt.
School Musical
Students in Grades 1–6 will be working together to create an exciting school musical for our spring performance. Rehearsals and creative work—singing, acting, movement—will begin in late January to early February. We’re looking forward to showcasing our students’ creativity, teamwork, and talent as they bring this production to life!
PALS
Our Grade 6 leaders are excited to launch the PALS (Playground Activity Leaders in Schools) program for students in Grades 1–2. Through PALS, younger students can take part in fun, inclusive games while learning valuable skills like cooperation and problem-solving. Grade 6 leaders will guide activities and model leadership as they help create a safe, active, and welcoming playground environment for all.
Inclement Weather Reminders
With the arrival of winter weather, families are encouraged to review the HDSB Inclement Weather Reminders to know how we communicate important updates about school closures and bus cancellations. A printable version of this information is also available. If your child is bused to school, please ensure you know which transportation zone you are located in. Let’s stay connected and safe this snowy season!
Kindergarten Registration
Do you have a child starting school in September 2026? Registration is underway for Kindergarten in the HDSB! The HDSB’s Kindergarten program provides children with a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success by developing curiosity, problem-solving and early literacy and math skills in a welcoming environment. Parents/guardians can register online or in-person. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/8wnn9uv9
Out of Area Requests
Halton students seeking placement at schools other than their home schools, do so by way of Out of Area transfer requests. Applications for other schools are being accepted at your home school from December 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026. Not all schools are open to Optional Attendance. Gladys Speers is a closed school to out of area transfers. For a list of schools open to Out of Area requests and to obtain a copy of the registration form you can go to the HDSB website at www.hdsb.ca and view the Transfer Schools within Halton page. For an up to date listing, you can put your address in the HDSB School Finder.
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