AVSC Corner – October 3, 2025

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Lynne Scholten

Fall is in the air!

We’re one month into the school year, and already we’ve seen the strength of our AVPS community – from the buzz at the Welcome Back BBQ to parents stepping up for Council (keep reading and meet the new council at the end of the newsletter).

October brings even more chances to connect, volunteer, and make an impact. Let’s keep building together.

Get In On The Action

Whether you want to join a meeting, volunteer at an event, or help shape big projects like our school grounds renewal, there’s a place for you at AVPS this fall.

Get Involved this October!

  • Join our next Council meeting – October 15, in the school library, all are welcome! We’ll be reviewing the Council constitution and funding requests from AV teachers. We’ll also strike a new ad-hoc committee for AVPS grounds renewal. (read more in the next section)
  • Snow Out Blow Out consignment sale! – Skip Facebook Marketplace and come to the Snow Out Blow Out consignment event! Sell your old winter gear, buy new winter gear, and a portion of the sales goes to support your kids
    • Date: Saturday, October 18
    • Drop Off Gear: 11am-12pm
    • Event Time: 12pm-2pm
  • Volunteer at events – Want to help but prefer a supporting role? Snow Out Blow Out, Movie Nights, Fresh from the Farm bundle pick up, Chili Night, and more all need extra hands. You make all the difference.
  • Spring Fair – We’re seeking a lead for our Spring Fair silent auction, who will work with teams of volunteers to deliver this memorable event.
  • Food Programs – Come help run one of the most beloved fundraisers we have – our food programs. We’re looking for someone to take the reins on the Friday Subway program and looking for input on how to grow the program.

Interested? Email sc-altavistaps@ocdsb.ca to learn more and get in on the action!

Help Us Transform Our School Grounds!

Last year, the School Council embarked on a journey to revive our outdoor spaces. That journey has only just begun and we need everyone’s creativity, input, and networks to help design, develop, and fundraise for this goal. Imagine outdoor areas that inspire play, learning, and connection. That’s what we’re working toward, but we can’t do it alone.

Here’s how you can help:

  • Join the Grounds Renewal Committee – Bring your voice, ideas, or expertise in design, landscaping, or project management.
  • Lead or Support Fundraising – Are you experienced in fundraising or event planning? We need champions to help us reach our goal and new ways to tap into funds.
  • Make a Connection – Do you know a business, community partner, or grant program that might support this project? Introduce us!
  • Volunteer Your Time – Even small contributions of time & energy will push this forward.

Interested? Email sc-altavistaps@ocdsb.ca and let’s build a schoolyard that matches the creativity and energy of our students.

Mark Your Calendars!

  • October Council meeting (In person) Wednesday, October 15, 2025
  • Snow Out Blow Out Consignment Sale Saturday, October 18, 2025
  • Family Movie Night Friday, October 24, 2025
  • PD Day Friday, November 7, 2025
  • November Council meeting (Virtual) Wednesday, November 19, 2025
  • Family Movie Night Friday, November 21, 2025
  • Book Fair November 26-28, 2025
  • Book Fair Family & Chili Night Thursday, November 27, 2025
  • PD Day Friday, November 28, 2025

Your 2025-26 Parent Council

Executive: Melissa Extross (Chair), Heather Cherry (Vice Chair), Jillian Sudayan (Secretary), Jennifer Cox (Associate Secretary), Kathy Falovo (Treasurer)

Voting Members: Aaron Livingstone, Alexander Huntley, Anna Peacock, Francis Prescott, Ghazaleh Ghazali, Jennifer Kuss, Lynn-Ann Saunders, Mara Bouse, Micah Walter, Reuben Altman, Sara Gill, Shawn Leitch and the Executive listed above.

Teacher Representatives: Kathleen Connelly, Stephanie Hindle and Seline Herz-Fishler.

Administrators: Alina Orlea (Principal) and Gloria O’Rourke (Vice Principal).

How to get in contact or learn more?

Email: sc-altavistaps@ocdsb.ca

Website: https://altavistacouncil.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JvDGYvWNu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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Submit your fresh veggie and apple bundles on, or before October 17

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Lynne Scholten

We are excited to announce the return of our Fresh from the Farm fundraiser from last year! Community members will be able to purchase fresh vegetable and apple bundles that are perfect for your family and help our school thrive. This year you can also choose to donate a bundle.

Why Choose Our Bundles?

  1. Locally Sourced: The bundles are filled with fresh, Ontario grown fruits and vegetables.
  2. Healthy Choices: Encourage healthy eating habits in your home with these nutritious options!
  3. Support Our Students: All proceeds go directly to funding various enrichment opportunities throughout the school, helping us create a better learning environment for our students.

What’s in the Bundles?

  • 14 lb Vegetable Bundle:
    • a 5 lb bag of white potatoes,
    • a 3 lb bag of sweet potatoes,
    • a 3 lb bag of yellow onions, and
    • a 3 lb bag of orange carrots
  • 8 lb Apple Bundle: An 8 lb bag of Ambrosia apples—perfect for eating fresh.

How much do they cost?

  • The vegetable bundle will cost $22.00, less than $1.60/lb.
  • The apple bundle will cost $24.00, or $3.00/lb.

How to Order

Simply submit your order on, or before October 17, 2025 via this portal. For those who are unable to submit an order via the online portal, please reach out to School Council at sc-altavistaps@ocdsb.ca.

Pick-Up Date: Bundles will be delivered to the school on a day between November 3 and December 4, 2025. Further details about pick up will be provided once the delivery date is confirmed.

Help Us Make a Difference!

By purchasing these bundles, you’re not just getting fresh produce—you’re contributing to a brighter future for our students. Share this email with friends and family to help us spread the word!

Fresh from the Farm is a unique fundraising partnership between the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and our school community. By purchasing fresh apple and vegetable bundles, you can enjoy healthy, local produce for your family while also supporting Ontario farmers.

Thank you for your support!

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Submit your orders for Pizza Mondays and Subway Fridays on, or before October 9

Posted on September 28, 2025 by Lynne Scholten

Pizza and Subway Days are back at Alta Vista Public School!

The school council organizes weekly pizza delivery and weekly Subway delivery, available to all students at AVPS, from Kindergarten to grade 8. These programs are a great opportunity for a change from your usual packed lunches, and are also a fundraiser for the school council. The money raised by the school council is spent on enrichment initiatives for the students, special requests for the classrooms, and special projects for the school.

Place your order by using the School Cash Online program on, or before October 9, 2025. If you have never used School Cash Online to send money to the school (for voluntary school fees for example) then you will have to set up your account first. Online orders are preferred whenever possible, but paper order forms are also available in the school office. Paper orders must include cash in the correct amount.

Pizza Monday Details

We are currently taking orders for the period from October 20 – February 9.  Pizza will be delivered every Monday that the school is open during this time (15 Mondays). The pizza is coming from Panago Pizza, known for its fresh and delicious ingredients, and will be served on their great multigrain crust again this year, in alignment with the OCDSB Food and Beverage Policy guidelines. Your student(s) will have the choice between plain cheese pizza, pepperoni and cheese, veggie pizza (green peppers, mushrooms and tomatoes), or Gluten Smart pizza with plant-based cheese.  **Gluten Smart crust and dairy-free cheese available**

Pizza is $2.50 per slice, so the total cost of the 15-week program is $37.50 per slice.  The pizza will be delivered every Monday to your student’s classroom for their first nutrition break, at 11:10am.

Leftover slices will also be available for cash purchase at the school kitchen, available to any student in Grade 1-8 (but cash purchases are not available to Kindergarten students).

Are you willing to volunteer to help sort and distribute pizza on a Monday morning? It is quick and fun, and you can commit to just one shift or as many as you want. We really need volunteers to make this program possible! Contact Caryn to volunteer, or ask any pizza related questions.

Subway Friday Details

Six-inch Subway sandwiches will be delivered to the school on Fridays from October 17- February 6 (12 Fridays). The students will receive their sandwiches in their classrooms during the first nutrition break. Turkey, ham, or veggie subs are prepared on whole-grain bread and can include cheddar cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, mustard and mayonnaise (or no toppings for the particular palates)! New this year: try a pizza sub (not toasted), with pepperoni, marinara sauce and cheese on whole grain bread!

Each sandwich is $6.50, so the total cost of the 12-week session per student is $78. Since sandwiches are customized, they must be ordered during the ordering period and will not be available to purchase for cash individually.

**Sandwiches can be prepared on gluten-free bread for an increased cost.** Please get in touch with Ana Flaman for more details, or if you are interested in volunteering with the Subway program on Fridays.

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AVSC Corner – September 3, 2025

Posted on September 4, 2025 by Lynne Scholten

Hello and welcome to Alta Vista for the 2025-2026 school year on behalf of the Alta Vista School Council.

If you are wondering who or what the Alta Vista School Council is, we are an advisory body made up of parent, guardian and community member volunteers who work in conjunction with the school to improve student achievement and enhance accountability of the education system to our school community. This includes, but is not limited to, creating a space for parents/guardians to discuss issues of importance to the school community, supporting school initiatives and enhancements, helping fund school programs and enrichment opportunities and hosting community building events to name a few.

Some of the feedback we received from our feedback survey last year was that our community wanted to know more about what School Council is doing. Therefore we are aiming to have a monthly newsletter go out that gives a little more insight as to what is happening with Council, upcoming events, volunteer recruitment opportunities, approved funding requests from the school and anything else that might be relevant to our community.

How can you get involved?

There are numerous ways you can get involved with School Council!

Join us as a Council member! Council meets once a month on the third Wednesday of every  month. We have four meetings in person (September, October, December and June) and the rest are all held virtually via Google Meet.

Our first monthly meeting and Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 24th at 7 pm in the school library (2nd floor). If you are interested in joining Council, please fill out this self-nomination form, in advance of that meeting. Please note that we currently have vacant Council Executive positions this year that we are looking to fill.

Looking for something different? Volunteer at one of our many events throughout the year! We are always looking for volunteers to donate their time and expertise–without you, we would not be able to host/run our events!

Currently, we are in need of volunteers for our Welcome BBQ taking place on Thursday, September 18th immediately after school (being held in conjunction with the school’s Meet the Teacher night). Volunteers are needed to help set up and tear down before and after the event, cook and serve food, sell tickets and direct traffic.

Additionally, we are looking for an event coordinator to help with our Flavours of the World Potluck in April and our Spring Fair silent auction in May. Lastly, we are starting the search for someone interested in learning to run our Subway food program as our current coordinator will be leaving AV in the upcoming years.

Not sure if an event is the right match for you or want to know more? Do you have an event you think would be a perfect fit for our community and are willing to help coordinate it? Email us at sc-altavistaps@ocdsb.ca with any and all questions!

What else is going on this year?

As previously mentioned, the School Council hosts numerous events throughout the year. Below is a list of events and dates to add to your calendar:

Event Date

Monthly Council meetings: Third Wednesday of most months

Welcome Back BBQ and potluck: Thursday, September 18

Family Movie Nights: Usually the last Friday of most months

Snow Out Blow Out Consignment Sale: Saturday, October 18, 2025

Chili Night: Thursday, November 27, 2025

Gifts of Giving: Friday, December 12, 2025

Flavours of the World Potluck: Thursday, April 9, 2026

Deals of Wheels Consignment Sale: Saturday, April 18, 2026

Spring Fair: Saturday, May 23, 2026

Family Dance: Thursday, June 11, 2026

In 2024, the School Council embarked on a journey to revive our outdoor spaces and we are actively working on fundraising for this. Do you have expertise in grounds renewal and/or fundraising? We would love to have you join us as we work towards getting our outdoor spaces to match the needs of our school community! Please reach out to us via email at sc-altavistaps@ocdsb.ca to connect about this exciting endeavour.

How to get in contact or learn more?

Email: sc-altavistaps@ocdsb.ca

Website: https://altavistacouncil.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JvDGYvWNu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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