We’re thrilled to host our fourth Community Book Fair,where students can shop for gently loved books, puzzles and games at amazing prices.
There will be separate book fairs at each campus on May 8th.
Books and puzzles will be priced between $1 – $5.
To make this event a success, we need your help! Please consider donating gently-used books, as well as complete puzzles or games. Your donations will give our kids an opportunity to find new reading treasures while supporting our school. This new format also aligns with our commitment to Green initiatives, by encouraging reuse and reducing waste.
What we need: Gently-used books, puzzles, and games (complete sets only please!)
Where to drop them off: Donations can be dropped of at the Royal side entrance of Junior Campus, just outside the office.
When: Donations are accepted starting today!
Volunteers Needed
Support needed for triage, sorting and setup at both Senior and Junior campus
Be part of the plot – volunteer for the Book Fair!
As TSAW approaches, we want to take a moment to highlight just how incredible our teachers and staff truly are. They are creative, patient, dedicated, and honestly… a little bit magical. Every day, they turn classrooms full of big ideas, big feelings, and a whole lot of energy into spaces of learning, art, and belonging. And somehow, they also manage our lovable little gremlins — brilliant, funny, sweet… and delightfully chaotic.
TSAW is the perfect time to celebrate these amazing humans who give so much to our kids, even when those kids are enthusiastically stress-testing the laws of noise, gravity, and patience.
Let’s Fill the Boards — Every Note Counts!
As part of Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week, we’re inviting families to share a short message of appreciation for our amazing Willingdon staff — from parents or in your child’s own words.
💬 2 to 3 sentences. ⏱️ Under 2 minutes. 💛 Big impact.
Our goal? Completely full appreciation boards at both campuses. Let’s see how many notes we can collect — and yes, we know Willingdon can rise to a challenge.
Short, sweet, funny, heartfelt, misspelled-by-a-kid… all welcome. If it made you smile, it’ll make them smile.
Got more than one kind word? Multiple entries (Jr and/or Sr Campus) are encouraged.
We’ve filled the boards, now let’s fill some plates.
As part of Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week, we’re hosting our annual potluck lunch Thursday, Feb 12 for Willingdon staff, and we’d love your help to make it delicious.
Families are invited to sign up to contribute a dish — homemade, store-bought, or lovingly assembled all count. Every contribution helps create a warm, generous lunch that truly shows our appreciation for the incredible work our teachers and staff do every day.
If cooking isn’t your thing or time is tight, a monetary contribution is also welcome and will be used to purchase food for the potluck.
We also need a few helping hands on the day of the lunch.
Volunteers are needed to help with set-up, serving, and clean-up to make the potluck run smoothly. Shifts are short, support is appreciated, and no prior experience is required — just a willingness to help.
If you’re available, we’d love to have you join us.
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. (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)
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.
for kids 0-11 years: Purchase a toy or donate funds (see step 2)
for kids 12+: donate funds (skip to step 3)
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.
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 🙂
Please include in comments: WILLINGDON for tracking purposes
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
