Kid's Kitchen January Update

Parents for Children's Mental Health

Parent Engagement Network Workshops

Message from Our Trustee

One of our top priorities as a school board is creating an environment that enables our students to focus on learning and be successful. That means creating environments where students are safe and feel safe, where all of our students know that they are welcome and supported, and where they see their identities reflected, valued and celebrated. 

Championing Equity and Inclusivity

Championing Equity and Inclusivity is one of the priorities outlined in the Board of Trustees’ Multi-Year Strategic Plan. We are fortunate to live in one of the most diverse regions of Canada, and welcome students, staff and families with a broad range of identities and experiences. There has been much work underway at the Board in the past few months to ensure we are providing all of our students with a safe, equitable and inclusive learning environment, including: 

 Providing Board-wide training for over 12,000 school staff on anti-Black racism.

• Bringing together over 250 students and staff at our annual SpeakOut conference for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
• Acknowledging Treaties Recognition Week, and learning about the importance of treaties and treaty relationships in Canada from First Nations community members.  
• Hosting a labour market information night for parents to learn about current and future career opportunities and employment trends.
• Bringing together hundreds of members of the education community for three days of learning focused on Indigenous Education and Equity at our world-renowned Quest conference. 

This is in addition to the ongoing work taking place in our schools. It is also important that our families know and feel that they are a valued, respected and important part of our school community. We recently held regional school council forums that brought together school council members from across the region to learn and share together on important topics such as engaging families, vaping and more. It was wonderful to see so many family members there. 

The Board of Trustees was also pleased to receive and commit to taking action on the recommendations in response to the Anti-Black Racism, Antisemitism, Classism and Islamophobia community consultations.  

Winter Months

With the winter weather already upon us, I also want to remind families that school transportation may be cancelled on extreme cold or inclement weather days, and there may be rare occasions when emergency weather conditions result in school closures.  To ensure families are aware, last month, we tested a new system to send text messages to families in emergency situations only. Information about transportation cancellations and school closures will also be available on Board and school websites, Board social media channels and local media. 

Many of our students and families will be celebrating days of significance and holidays in the coming weeks and months, and I wish you all the very best for the season. I hope everyone has a safe and happy winter break and we look forward to welcoming students back in January. 

Juanita Nathan

Trustee, Markham, Wards 7 and 8  

Kid's Kitchen December 2019 Update

BFCN 2019 Scholarship Application Worshop

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bfcn-scholarship-application-workshop-yrdsb-east-tickets-81254068105​

Kid's Kitchen Inclement Weather Policy

Kid's Kitchen November Update

York Region Labour Market Information Night

Kid's Kitchen October 2019 Update

Parents for Children's Mental Health Support Group

Bill Crothers Secondary School Information Night

Red Cross Babysitting Course

IB Program Information Night - Save the Date

Free Programs for Adults

ESL Classes for Adults

Kid's Kitchen September 2019 Update

YRDSB Start-Up Letter to Families

http://www.yrdsb.ca/AboutUs/BoardPlans/Pages/default.aspx

Message from our Trustee

Message from Our Trustee

I am so pleased to welcome all of our new and returning families to another school year. As your school board trustee, it is my role to advocate for quality public education in York Region, and to ensure that our students remain at the centre of all of our decision making. The Board of Trustees makes policy and budget decisions, and communicates with the public, among other responsibilities.

We are also responsible for setting direction for the school board, through our Multi-Year Strategic Plan. This plan sets out four priorities: Foster Well-Being and Mental Health, Build Collaborative Relationships, Champion Equity and Inclusivity, and Empower Ethical Leadership.

As we start the new school year, I want to highlight the importance of relationships. We want to build and maintain relationships with our families that are built on trust, respect and responsive communication. To support that, I will continue to keep you informed of our work and priorities, and I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. You can also find the message from the Chair of the Board on the Board’s website.

In addition, I invite you to share your feedback on our Board policies. Policies govern everything from field trips, school volunteers, equity and inclusive education, student discipline and much more, and we greatly value input from families on these important matters. We regularly post on our website the policies that are under review and available for comment as well as information about how to share your feedback. I hope you will take a look.

I know school staff are excited to welcome back students, and I look forward to meeting more of our families throughout the upcoming school year. I encourage you to build a relationship with the staff members and community at your school. There are so many different ways to get involved and support your child’s education. I hope you have a great start to the school year and wish you a happy, safe and successful year ahead.

Juanita Nathan

Trustee, Markham Wards 7 and 8  

Text Communications Coming for 2019-2020

2018-19 Year End Letter to Families

Parent Engagement and Network (PEN) for Chinese Families

Message from Our Trustee

Message From Our Trustee

As we near the end of the school year, this is a good time to celebrate all your child has learned and achieved. I hope that you have seen evidence of their growth and learning throughout the year.

Supporting the well-being and achievement of our students is a partnership with families and communities, and I want to thank you for all that you do to help strengthen our schools and support your child’s learning. We know that when you ask your child about their learning, help them make connections or participate in school events, our students and our schools benefit.

I look forward to continuing to build relationships with families over the summer months and in the 2019-2020 school year. As we go into the summer, there are many opportunities to continue supporting your child’s learning - whether helping to plan a family trip, visiting a local museum, reading a book or participating in one of the many exciting summer learning programs offered through the Board. I hope that whatever you have planned, you have a safe and enjoyable summer.

I would also like to offer a special congratulations to the graduating class of 2019. We wish you all the very best as you move on to this next phase of your life. We look forward to welcoming back all of our new and returning families in the fall.

A message from the Chair of the Board of Trustees is also available on the Board website at www.yrdsb.ca.

Juanita Nathan

Trustee

Board Vice-Chair

Parents for Children's Mental Health Support Group

Kid's Kitchen - June Update

UPCOMING YRDSB Information Session and Career Fair - Saturday, May 25, 2019

The YRDSB is hosting a Spring 2019 Information Session and Career Fair (French Teachers and Educational Assistants).

The following outlines the event details and please also refer to the attached flyer:

On behalf of the York Region District School Board, the YRDSB Recruitment Team (HRS) will be hosting an upcoming drop-in Information Session and Career Fair specifically targeting French Teachers and Educational Assistants.

When: Saturday, May 25, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: Richmond Green SS (below is the event flyer with additional details)

YRDSB's Information Session & Career Fair is an excellent networking opportunity for current and prospective candidates to connect with YRDSB recruiters and hiring managers to share information and resources about working and learning at YRDSB…so please do not delay and register today! 

To REGISTER, complete this form:  Information Session and Career Fair (space is limited, please register as soon as possible).

International and Indigenous Languages Program

Crossing Guard Needed

Screenagers - Growing Up In a Digital Age

Parents for Children's Mental Health Support Group

Kid's Kitchen - April Update

2019 Pause to PLAY Challenge

YRDSB Summer Institute

Message from Our Trustee

Message From Our Trustee

I hope everyone has had a great start to the second half of the school year. Over the past few months, I have had an opportunity to connect with families, students, staff members and with our broader community. I have seen a lot of exciting opportunities for students to explore their interests, celebrate their identities, and develop skills and knowledge that will benefit them in the future.

Many students are participating in skills competitions or other events where they problem-solve, innovate, collaborate and further develop their technical skills. Students compete in robotics, construction, hairdressing, transportation, 3D animation and much more. These events are among the many options available to help students explore different careers and pathways, and gain valuable experience. We are grateful for the support of community partners in helping to provide these great learning opportunities to our students.

I also want to express my appreciation to our broader school community. One of the priorities in our Multi-Year Strategic Plan is to build collaborative relationships. The relationships that our schools have with families is so important. There are many different ways you can be involved - talking to your child’s teacher, asking your child about homework, or volunteering on a field trip or the school council. Your contributions make a difference to your child’s success and to the success of our schools.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable March Break.

Juanita Nathan

Trustee

Board Vice-Chair

Say NO to Hate

Kid's Kitchen - February Update

PA Day Babysitting Course

Active School Travel Newsletter - January 2019

Message From Our Trustee

Message From Our Trustee

Welcome back. I hope everyone is feeling refreshed following the winter break, and that you had a happy and safe holiday season. While the weather may be colder, I also hope that you had time to enjoy this beautiful season in Ontario.

It is my honour to serve as your school board trustee and to uphold the values of York Region District School Board. The new Board of Trustees was sworn in on December 3, following the October municipal elections. Together, we look forward to moving forward the four priorities outlined in the Trustees’ Multi-Year Strategic Plan:

• Foster well-being and mental health
• Build collaborative relationships
• Champion equity and inclusivity
• Empower ethical leadership

There are a lot of exciting things happening in our schools and classrooms to foster and support student well-being and mental health. Ask your child what’s happening in their school, and how they take care of themselves. As adults, we often focus on the health and well-being of the children in our lives, but it’s also essential that we take care of ourselves. Taking time to do the things we enjoy and nurture our own health is also important and helps to model a healthy and active lifestyle for our children.

An important part of my role as a trustee is to listen, and I look forward to connecting with members of our school community in the coming weeks and months. We will continue working to build collaborative relationships with our communities and to keep you informed about the things happening in the school board. I wish you all the best as we enter 2019.  

Juanita Nathan

Board Vice-Chair

Trustee – Markham Wards 2, 3 and 6