Holiday Market Recap

Holiday Market Recap

Dear Willingdon community,

Thank you all so much for the incredible turnout and support at this year’s Holiday Market. The energy, the crowds, the kid-makers hustling like tiny Etsy CEOs — perfection.

To our artisans and kid-makers: your creativity and hard work absolutely shone.

To our volunteers: this event simply doesn’t happen without your time and teamwork.

Gustavo and George: your endless support of our shenanigans is remarkable — thank you for tolerating us with the patience of saints and the reflexes of seasoned market-day veterans.

To our families and neighbours: thank you for showing up, shopping local, and filling the school with holiday cheer.

And to our talented bakers — thank you for filling our tables (and our hearts) with homemade goodness.

A special shout-out to Zaman Coffee, our local NDG roasters, for partnering with us and keeping everyone fueled and festive.

And a huge thank-you to our parent photographer, who spent the entire day capturing the joy, chaos, and magic of the market — all for the cause. Your talent and generosity mean the world.

Because of all of you, we can continue supporting our students and the wider school community in meaningful ways.

Warmly,
Kristy

Molly, student maker, and her fabulous creations.
Nayan Makes, Willingdon Alumni, joined us again this year with her adorable crochet creations.
Who knew you could to that with boxes?
Peter McQueen, City Councilor, joined us for a coffee, sweet treats and even snapped some pics with our volunteers.

Molly, student maker, and her fabulous creations. (top left) Who knew you could to that with boxes? (centre) Nayan Makes, Willingdon Alumni, joined us again this year with her adorable crochet creations. (top right)

Peter McQueen, City Councilor, joined us for a coffee, sweet treats and even snapped some pics with our volunteers. (bottom left)

Annual Toy Drive

Annual Toy Drive

Home & School is once again proud to support Carolyn’s annual toy drive.

Deadline to participate is December 15, 2025

Willingdon is participating in a Toy Drive once again this year and we are counting on our wonderful community to help bring smiles to these children’s faces during the holiday season! We are supporting Carolyn’s Community, a non for profit organization (also a Willingdon Mom) who has been running an annual Toy Drive for 23 years for our community. Please read the instructions carefully to see what is required for the two age groups.

This year, the toy drive will benefit over 4,000 children in need in 75 shelters and organizations.

Want to learn more?
Visit Carolyn’s Community
Read all about the Toy Drive in this CBC article
Follow Carolyn’s Community on Facebook.

Carolyn's Toy Drive

How to participate

    1. Click here to sponsor a child
      • The age and gender of each child will be provided
      • Then do one of the following:
        • for kids 0-11 years: Purchase a toy or donate funds (see step 2)
        • for kids 12+: donate funds (skip to step 3)

 

    1. Donate a toy (or two or three…) for kids 0-11 years old. There are 2 options. Purchase one toy per sponsored child at Kidlink on Monkland of roughly a $30 value.
      • A) Please note that the gift MUST be purchased at Kidlink on Monkland as they will be storing the gifts on-site for the shelter. We are thrilled to be supporting such a wonderful local business as well! *NO candies, chocolate, clothing, Nerf or weapon-like toys.
      • B) Choose a child on the SignUpGenius link and select to pay $28 upon checkout. There is a $1.90 transaction fee – less than a cheap coffee.

 

    1. Pay right away – for kids 12+
      • Choose a child on the SignUpGenius link and select to pay $28 upon checkout.
      • There is a $1.90 transaction fee – less than a cheap coffee 🙂

 

    1. Other way to donate funds:

Every year, the Willingdon community steps up and shows why we’re such an amazing, caring group. So let’s do it again!

Kidlink discount: 20% off

*Kidlink Toy Store on Monkland (corner Marcil) is offering a 20% discount on all Carolyn’s Toy Drive items
You will need to show proof of participation by showing your SignUpGenius confirmation email
Valid until December 15, 2025

Holiday Market

Holiday Market

Calling All Willingdon Makers & Kid-preneurs

Our 2nd Annual Willingdon Holiday Market is happening on Saturday, November 29th, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the gym (setup starts at 9:00 AM — coffee in hand, of course ☕).

We’re on the lookout for local artisans, crafty parents, and our very own “kid-preneurs” ready to bring some holiday sparkle to the tables! Handmade art, jewelry, baking, décor, or whatever creative magic you make — we want to see it!

Last year’s student vendors absolutely stole the show, and we can’t wait to cheer on this year’s next generation of makers. Parents, guardians, and extended family are also welcome to apply — Willingdon families get priority (and the best table pricing!)

So dust off those glue guns, mix up that cookie dough, and join us for this festive, family-powered community tradition!

Halloween

Halloween

🎃 We Need YOU! 👻

Our events don’t run on pumpkin spice alone — they run on volunteers (that’s you!). We’ve got a cauldron full of fun coming up, especially Halloween, and we need helping hands for setup, shifts during the event, and clean-up after the candy dust settles. 🧹✨

Whether you can give an hour or a whole evening, every bit makes a difference — and it’s a great way to meet other parents, make memories, and keep the magic alive for the kids. 🧡

Pumpkin Decorating Contest – A Willingdon Tradition!

Bring your most creative (or spookiest!) pumpkin to school on the morning of Halloween (Draper Side) and join in this classic Willingdon tradition! Families are invited to show off their decorating skills—paint it, carve it, dress it up, or give it googly eyes, we love them all. Students will get to vote for their favorite pumpkins, and we’ll announce the winners shortly after Halloween.

Please remember to pick up your pumpkins at the end of the day so they can keep spreading their Halloween magic at home!

Halloween Décor Donations Needed!

Our haunted halls are creeping back to life, and we need your help! We’re looking for donations of Halloween decorations — especially large spiders (the spookier, the better!) and pool noodles (yes, really — they make amazing spooky structures). If you have extras lurking in your basement or garage, we’ll happily give them a second fright!

We would also appreciate a loan of any large scale items- please write to us if you have something to lend.

Donations can be made at junior campus office. Let’s make this year’s setup our most fang-tastic yet! 🕷️👻

We also still need volunteers for Setup and Take Down at JR Campus please sign up below!

Book Drive Begins

Book Drive Begins

We’re collecting gently-loved books, board games, and puzzles starting NOW. Drop them off at school and give your clutter a glorious second act.

Special focus on books for grades 4-5-6 please!

📅 Mark your calendars:

Nov 19 — students shop the fair during the day

Nov 20 — parents get their turn during Parent/Teacher night (Draper Side!)

QFSHA fall conference

QFSHA fall conference

Please let us know via email if you would like to attend.

Join other QFSHA members on Saturday, November 8 at Beechwood Elementary (Pierrefonds-Roxboro) for a half-day of learning, connection & inspiration. Open to all parents in Quebec’s English elementary & high schools!

Enjoy a light breakfast, full lunch, & engaging workshops on Managing Stress & Anxiety and Study Skills & Organization, presented by Épique Programs & Training. During the lunch hour, a presentation will be given on Discovering Alloprof: Simple Tools to Support Student Success.