Greetings From Our Trustee

Message from Our Trustee

As we begin a rather different start to the school year, I want to take this opportunity to welcome all new and returning students and families. Whether you are returning to school in person or participating in remote, online learning, we look forward to welcoming you into safe, inclusive and engaging learning spaces. 

Staff members have been working hard over the summer months with the Ministry of Education and public health experts to develop a reopening plan that prioritizes the health, safety and well-being of our students and ensures that important health and safety measures are in place. 

Please know that whatever learning model you chose, we will continue to provide your children with high quality education, and to support their learning, achievement and well-being. Our school staff are prepared to help your child transition back into our learning environments, and we will continue to partner with families to support your child’s success. 

We know that families have many questions about what to expect as their children return to school. You can find information about what to expect at the start of the school year on the Board website, including frequently asked questions that you may find helpful at www.yrdsb.ca/school-reopening. 

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. 

The relationship that we have with families is important, and I will continue to keep you informed of our work and priorities. You can also find the message from the Chair of the Board on the Board’s website. You are welcome to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. 

I hope you have a great start to the school year and wish you a happy, healthy and successful year ahead. 

Trustee/Board Chair - Juanita Nathan

Support For Families

Please visit the following link for information regarding financial support for families with child care needs.  The application due date is August 31, 2020.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-support-families

International and Indigenous Languages Fall Registration 

Elementary School Programs

Students in Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8 can learn to read, write and speak a new language or maintain their heritage language. More than 20 different language courses are available. Registration for the 2020-2021 school year will begin in early July 2020.  For locations, times and dates, please see the list of Elementary courses.

Research shows that speaking more than one language has many cognitive benefits and may:

• improve how the brain functions such as improving memory and concentration
• enhance decision-making and multi-tasking skills
• open future employment opportunities 

Please check our website in July for the most up to date information on registration and program delivery. Due to space limitations, registration will take place on a first come first served basis.

 

Secondary School Credit Programs

The Credit International and Indigenous Languages program, offering 15 different languages, is available to students from Grades 9 to 12.  Registration is now open for the upcoming 2020-2021 school course offerings, and closes on September 9, 2020.

Did you know there are many benefits to taking credit language courses?
Students can take one International Languages Course as a Group 1- Compulsory or as an Elective Credit towards their Ontario Secondary Diploma.  Students can also earn up to three credits towards graduation. If students successfully complete the Level D - University course, it can be used as one of their top six (6) marks for post-secondary entry.

Please visit our website for more information about our courses, program delivery and registration information.

For More Information

Thank you for your interest in our programs. Please do not hesitate to e-mail us if you have any questions international.languages@yrdsb.ca

Greetings From Our Trustee

Dear families, 

I hope that you and your loved ones are keeping well and are healthy. The past few months have been full of change and uncertainty as we respond to the global pandemic and try to reduce the spread of COVID-19. As a Board of Trustees, we know that our families have experienced this pandemic and the school closures in different ways, and we want you to know that our thoughts have been with you all. 

Our school board moved quickly to introduce our Learning and Caring Plan through an intentionally phased approach. Our plan focused on both supporting student well-being and providing continuation of learning for more than 127,000 students. A plan was developed that respected each family’s unique situations and focused on maintaining a caring, safe and inclusive learning environment. To support this, over 20,000 pieces of technology were distributed to ensure that all of our students could access the learning opportunities available to them, and resources and plans were put in place to support all of our learners, including students with special education needs and English language learners. 

More information about the Learning and Caring plan as well as tips, resources and supports for students and families to support well-being and online learning can be found at www.yrdsb.ca/covid19. 

We are all part of a larger community and I am inspired to see the many different ways schools, families and students maintained their connections with one another. It was also moving to see the many inspiring ways our school board, students, staff and families acknowledged our frontline workers and made contributions to the fight against COVID-19. As a school board, for example, we donated over 145,000 pieces of personal protective equipment, including gloves, masks and more. 

Each and every one of us has made a difference - in staying home as much as possible and following public health guidelines. I know that this has meant making sacrifices. 

To our graduating class of 2020, I know this is not the graduating year you had hoped for. I appreciate that the school closures will not affect your ability to graduate, however this unique situation and the need to postpone graduations has been disappointing. I remain tremendously proud of all of our graduates and look forward to celebrating this important milestone with you as soon as we are able to reschedule the graduation ceremonies.

In addition, I know that you have missed out on field trips, awards events, athletic banquets, spirit days, assemblies, our annual Celebrating Student Success awards and the many other ways we extend learning, connect as a community and celebrate the achievements of our students. 

We have also been unable to gather together as we normally would in our schools and communities to celebrate or recognize important dates, including Sikh Heritage Month, Pesach, Good Friday, Easter (Western), Vaisakhi, Holy Friday, Orthodox Easter (Eastern), Ridvan, Jewish Heritage Month, Asian/South Asian Heritage Month, Ramadan, Pride, National Indigenous History Month, Italian Heritage Month and Portuguese Heritage Month. As a Board, these dates of significance are important for us to acknowledge and we will continue to celebrate and value the wealth of diversity in our community.

As the school year comes to a close, I want to wish you and your families a safe, healthy and happy summer. I look forward to a time when we can welcome your children back into our schools again. We know that families have questions about what the return to school will look like. We will continue to share information with you as it becomes available. In the meantime, we encourage you to continue following public health guidelines and to stay connected. 

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

Juanita Nathan

Trustee, Markham, Wards 7 and 8

Kid's Kitchen - School Closure Notice

Get Involved Volunteer in Education (GIVE!)

Budget Consultation Process for Parents/Guardians and Community Members

Budget Consultation Process for Parents/Guardians and Community Members

Between March 25 and March 31, York Region District School is inviting parents, guardians and community members to participate in its annual budget consultation process. The Board values parent input and encourages you to attend a consultation session. These sessions provide the Board with valuable information about how the community would like to see the school board budget allocated to better support student achievement and well-being. The results will be used to inform the 2020-21 school year budget allocation.

The dates and locations are:

Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Registration: 6:30 p.m.
Consultation: 7:00 p.m. Sutton District High School, Library
20798 Dalton Road, Georgina

Thursday, March 26, 2020
Registration: 6:30 p.m.
Consultation: 7:00 p.m. Tommy Douglas Secondary School, Library
4020 Major Mackenzie Drive, Woodbridge

Saturday, March 28, 2020
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Markville Secondary School, Library
1000 Carlton Road, Unionville

Tuesday, March 31, 2020
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
York Region District School Board, Education Centre - Aurora, Boardroom
60 Wellington Street West, Aurora

Kid's Kitchen March Update

York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities (YRAACC) - Sankofa Mentoring Program

http://www.yorkregionaacc.ca/

Student Mental Health and Addictions Newsletter - February 2020

Student Mental Health and Addictions Newsletter February 2020

YRDSB Mental Health services are provided by YRDSB psychology and social work personnel

Common Reactions to Trauma

At some point in our lives, we are all likely to experience or be affected by some form of trauma

– whether it be experiencing a life event of our own or witnessing another person experience trauma. Regardless of the cause, the trauma creates a lasting impression on our brain.

Psychology Today has explained 21 common reactions to trauma including anger, avoidance and sadness. And although everyone is different and will experience trauma differently based on various personal and societal factors, what is common is that there is support. There are supports and resources available (school-based mental health professionals such as Psychological Services and School Social Workers) at the school for students who need to speak with someone. If you have concerns about your child’s well-being, please contact your school Principal.

At YRDSB, we have Tips for Supporting Children and Youth after a Concerning Event at School. These tips can help guide families when dealing with and helping to support their children during a difficult and traumatic experience.

Board staff can also reinforce students’ sense of safety and well-being by:

Creating a calm, predictable and welcoming classroom and school environment. Bolstering well-being and healthy coping strategy activities.

Following the student’s lead in discussing their concerns, (if students aren’t discussing their concerns, keep focused on your regular school activities).

Listening for and responding to students who may be struggling and accessing appropriate mental health resources for students and families as needed.

For more information, please see the YRDSB Mental Health webpage.

Release of the YRDSB Student Suicide Intervention Protocol

York Region District School Board is committed to student well-being and mental health. YRDSB has developed a Student Suicide Intervention Protocol to help keep students safe in the event of suicidal thoughts or actions. The Student Suicide Intervention Protocol will be implemented starting Fall 2019. Youth suicide is a complex, emotionally-charged and sadly a real problem in Canada. It is the second leading cause of death amongst young people. It’s important to recognize that those who struggle with mental health have personal strength and resilience and the potential to overcome difficulties to ultimately thrive.

The YRDSB Student Suicide Intervention Protocol is designed to address the six steps involved when responding to current and present thoughts of suicide, as well as actions related to suicide. In addition, the Protocol is governed by a set of guiding principles which are underpinned by a culturally responsive and reflective practice.

Suicide is not culturally neutral. Our cultural and ethnic backgrounds will inform how each of us understands suicide. To see all the guiding principles, refer to the print version of the protocol on the on the board website YRDSB-Student Suicide Intervention Protocol. If you have any questions about the Student Suicide Intervention Protocol, please contact your school principal.

Patricia Marra-Stapleton, M.Sc., C. Psych. Assoc.

Mental Health Lead

patricia.marra-stapleton@yrdsb.ca

Gisella Ragno, MSW, RSW

Assistant Coordinator of Mental Health gisella.ragno@yrdsb.ca

Message From Our Trustee

Message from Our Trustee

As we enter another month of winter, this is a good time to be thinking about our health, well-being and the importance of self-care. We know that, like all of us, our students can focus better when they feel better. Our schools play an important role in health and mental health promotion and education, and fostering well-being and mental health is one of our priorities as a school board.

There is a lot of work taking place in our schools and board to create healthy schools and promote mental health and well-being, including: 

·        Providing training and resources for educators on strategies to support mentally healthy classrooms for all students, including holding a mental health conference. 

·        Hiring identity specific mental health workers and developing partnerships with community partners to serve the diverse needs of our students. 

·        Developing a Student Suicide Intervention Protocol to help keep students safe in the event of suicidal thoughts or actions.

·        Educating students about the risks of substance use and misuse, including vaping and cannabis. 

·        Providing strategies and supports for students in preparing for exams and managing stress​.  

This commitment is also reflected in Board policy like the Healthy Schools and Workplaces policy and procedures. Setting policy, which governs the operation of the Board, is one of the roles of trustees, and we greatly value the input provided by students, staff members, family and community members. I encourage you to look at the policies under review and share your feedback.

We have a lot to look forward to in 2020. At the Board meeting in December, trustees unanimously approved the addition of new permanent Indigenous Trustee and Indigenous Student Trustee positions. We are committed to Indigenous Education in our Board and it is important that these voices are represented at the table. We hope to fill the positions as soon as possible and will share more information as it becomes available. 

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

Juanita Nathan

Trustee, Markham, Wards 7 and 8