Submitted by Pam Mielhausen
The 2025-26 school year is off to a fantastic start at Bruce Peninsula District School (BPDS) and St. Edmunds Public School! Our halls are buzzing with energy, fresh ideas, and eager learners. We’re thrilled to report rising enrollment numbers:
• BPDS is now home to 231 elementary students and 83 secondary students.
• St. Edmunds in Tobermory welcomes 26 enthusiastic students from JK to Grade 3.
It’s shaping up to be a vibrant year full of learning and laughter!
Programs and Activities Are Already in Full Swing
From athletics to student leadership, our school communities are already deeply engaged:
-Cross-country running is kicking off soon—get ready to cheer on our young athletes!
-Our Student Council and Leadership Teams are busy organizing exciting Spirit Days and school-wide events to build school spirit and community fun.
-The Outers class wasted no time diving into the year—literally! They completed their swim test in Georgian Bay during the warm early days of September. Their first fall hike is scheduled for October.
-Intermediate students recently returned from an unforgettable camping trip to the Outdoor Education Centre. Students returned with stories of hiking, fishing, tent camping, and mosquitoes the size of small drones. A true team-building experience!
-The secondary leadership team hosted a warm and welcoming Grade 9 luncheon last week! Students played games, enjoyed pizza, and received some awesome BPDS swag. A big thank you to Bear Tracks Pizza for the delicious meal!
Mark Your Calendars – Events You Won’t Want to Miss!
• Secondary students, get ready for Dress-Up Theme Week, leading into our Colour Crew Event and Evening Dance on Thursday, September 25. Let’s show our school spirit!
• Meet the Teacher Nights are just around the corner:
-St. Edmunds: Join us for a family BBQ on Thursday, September 25. Come share a meal with our friendly Foxes!
-BPDS: Our Back-to-School Night is Thursday, October 2. Come hungry—hotdogs, pop, and chips are on the menu. Students will proudly give their families a tour and introduce their teachers. We can’t wait to connect with you all!
-After each of these events, there will be the first School Council meeting for each school. Please feel free to join us during this time. The School Council is an advisory body made up of elected parents, community members, staff, and sometimes students. Its primary role is to provide input and recommendations to the school administration and board to improve student achievement, enhance school-community relationships, and ensure accountability in the education system.
• St. Edmunds: The School Council will be hosting a delicious Bake Sale on October 11 to raise money for their new playground.
• St. Edmunds: The School Council will be holding a Scholastic Book Fair from October 27-31 – a great way to get some new books to read at home and raise money for a good cause.
Coming This Spring: Footloose the Musical!
Get ready to cut loose—because the BPDS Acting Company is proud to present Footloose the Musical on March 27, 28, and 29!
This production is especially meaningful, as it will be Ms. Stanton’s final musical as a teacher at BPDS. She will lead as Musical Director, passing the directorial torch to Mrs. E. Cameron. Auditions are already underway for students in Grades 7–12. Prepare for a production filled with music, movement, and memories you’ll want to—dare we say it—dance about. Stay tuned for more details about this high-energy, crowd-pleasing performance!
