Fun Fair Was Indeed Fun- Thursday, June 12th from 6:00 to 8:30 pm
We had a fantastic line up of activities, including raffles, DJ, photobooth, inflatables with sports and carnival games, arts and crafts, dance and martial art performances and more! Thank you to all of you who volunteered throughout the evening! Thank you to our caretakers who were running around behind the scenes. Thank you to all the parents who came out to celebrate the end of the year with us last night! We hope you had a great time!
Check out our Fun Fair highlight reel on our School Council's Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DK017gmtdb8/?igsh=MTdncHlueTQ2YmFtMQ==
And finally, thank you to all our parent and student volunteers. You made this event possible!
Thursday Pizza Volunteers Wanted
Parent volunteers are wanted for helping with our Thursday pizza lunch. Volunteers will receive cheese pizza slices. Please sign up for the weeks you are available at: https://volunteersignup.org/BKPBK
Upcoming Deadline for Returning Borrowed Library Books
As the school year draws to a close, Ms. Zebic would like to remind everyone about the upcoming deadline for returning borrowed library books. Please ensure all books are returned to the library by **June 13, 2025**. This will give her sufficient time to follow up on any outstanding items and get the library organized for the new school year. Students are still welcome to visit the library to exchange books; however, we request that everyone adhere to the June 13 deadline to have all borrowed materials back.
Other Important Dates in June:
Grade 3s Visiting from Yorkhill ES: The morning of Friday, June 13th
Track and Field Regionals: June 17th. More information coming.
Graduation Ceremony and Dinner and Dance for Grade 8 Students: Thursday, June 19th at 5:00 pm
House Colours Fun Day: June 23rd. We are so grateful for the Student Leadership Team who has organized the day for everyone to enjoy.
Talent Show: Afternoon of June 25th in the school gymnasium.
Farewell and Retirement Assembly for Tim Duvall: June 25 at 8:30 am in the school gym. All are welcome.
Last Day of School- June 26th: Early Dismissal at 11:40 am. Bus companies are aware of the early dismissal and will pick up students.
Early Dismissal in Elementary Schools for Thursday, June 26, 2025
All schools in the York Region District School Board are committed to improving student achievement and well-being. On Thursday, June 26, 2025, an early release day will take place to allow elementary staff to take part in meetings during the afternoon of that day. These meetings will allow for school staff to engage in culminating activities regarding the review and revision of the School’s Improvement Plan as well as year-end and transition activities that support student success. As has been our practice in the past, students will attend school during the morning of Thursday, June 26, 2025 only. Students will be dismissed early that day at 11:40 am. Arrangements will be made to ensure that students who are normally bussed to and from school will receive transportation at this time. Families whose children attend after school child care should make appropriate arrangements to address this change in schedule.
Access Report Cards in the Family Dashboard When Available
As we reach the end of the school year, schools will be sharing student report cards by June 30 for elementary schools and July 10 for secondary schools. Report cards will be available in the Family Dashboard until July 30. You will receive an email when your child’s report card is available.
For families who do not yet have a Family Dashboard account, you can sign up for an account at any time at family.yrdsb.ca. You can find information on how to create an account on the Board website or in this instructional video.
The Family Dashboard gives parents/guardians secure one-stop access to information and applications related to your child’s education. It is designed to make it easier for families to engage with their child’s education.
Please note, you can still request a printed copy of your child’s report card if you prefer by contacting your child’s school.
As we wrap up the school year, we also want to remind families that it’s important that the school has updated contact information for students and parents/guardians, including home address, phone numbers, email address and emergency contacts. This will ensure that the school can contact families in case of emergency, and also that you continue to receive important communications and updates from the school. Please contact the school directly with any changes.
NAACA and York Hills virtual sessions on Wellness Services for Black children, youth, and families
The Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NAACA) and York Hills Centre for Children, Youth and Families are pleased to invite you to learn about our newly expanded mental health services, specifically designed to support Black children, youth, and families.
- Date and Time: June 12, 12 p.m.-1 p.m. and June 16, 9 a.m.-10 a.m.
- Method of Delivery: Virtual
- Rooted in holistic, healing-centered, Afri-centric, and culturally responsive approaches, our services are tailored to meet the unique needs of the Black community.
- Culturally Grounded Mental Health Support for the Black Community
Join us to discover how our expanded team with NAACA and York Hills can collaborate with you to serve your clients more effectively. Together, we can strengthen mental wellness and build a more supportive, healthier community.
Please complete the registration form if you wish to attend.
The Canadian Black Nurses Alliance - York University Nursing Summer High-School Workshop 2025
The Canadian Black Nurses Alliance - York University is hosting a Nursing High-School Summer Workshop. The deadline to register is June 23, 2025.
Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Health, Nursing and Environmental Studies Building (HNES),York University Keele Campus. Please see the attached flyer for more details.
Understanding and Navigating the Education System - Families of YRDSB Black Students June Information Session
Understanding and Navigating the Education System - Families of YRDSB Black Students Monthly Information Session on Monday, June 16, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Families, parents, caregivers, please join us for our monthly virtual meeting, where families with Black children come together to learn about resources and upcoming programs for Black students in both elementary and secondary schools. Please see the attached flyer for more information and to register.
Open Mic Night with York Regional Police York Regional Police Community Services invite youth aged 12-17 to participate in an Open Mic Night this summer at the Community Safety Village. Principals are asked to share this flyer with families of students in grades 5 to 12.
York Region Public Health is offering free dental clinics for children 17 and under across the region through the provincial Healthy Smile Ontario program. Please see attached flyer.
Items from Earlier Mail-outs:
The month of June is Filipino, Italian and Portuguese Heritage Month as proclaimed by the government of Ontario. Please see the attached document for more learning.
Sharing PA Day Plans
As per PPM 151, schools are required to electronically share PA Day plans with parents/guardians and School Council Chair(s) 14 days prior to the PA Day. A message to families with this information will be shared from Corporate Communications on Monday May 26 through the iNFORM System. Administrators are also required to post a copy in a conspicuous place in the main office 14 days prior to the PA Day. PA Day plans are also posted on the Board’s public website. For your convenience, the PA Day plan overview is shared below for your use when posting in your school.
Length | Topic | Entity Hosting | Presenter/ Facilitator | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Day - AM & PM | Report Card Preparation, Reporting to Parents, Ongoing Communication | All Elementary Schools | Educators | Full Day of Professional activities focused on reporting to parents and ongoing communication regarding student achievement and well-being. |
Indigenous Languages and International Languages (ILIL) Program
The Indigenous Language and International Languages program looks forward to welcoming students to the 2025-2026 program year. Please see registration information on the attached flyer.
Pride Month
June is Pride Month, an opportunity for schools to celebrate diversity in our communities, and uplift the voices, accomplishments, and activism of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. While diverse identities and ways of being have always existed, much of the world has specifically celebrated Pride Month in June since 1969. June 1969 marked a turning point in the 2SLGBTQIA+ equity movement, when community members, led largely by Black and Latinx Trans Women and Drag Queens, pushed back against targeted police raids of The Stonewall Inn, a Queer space in New York, and unjust laws that limited gender expression and targeted the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This important moment in 2SLGBTQIA+ history serves as a powerful example of Queer community strength, and an inspiring story to remember as we celebrate Pride in 2025 and continue to advocate for safety and inclusion for all 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
York Region’s first official Pride celebration occurred in 2000, and the York Region District School Board is proud to celebrate and embrace 2SLGBTQIA+ students, staff, and community members year-round. This year especially, as misinformation and hate specifically towards trans and non-binary people have been on the rise globally and locally, it is important for YRDSB to continue towards the goals of supporting, uplifting, and connecting with members of our communities.
YRDSB is unwavering in its ongoing commitment to providing identity-affirming education in all schools, recognizing that 2SLGBTQIA+ students, families, and allies are in every classroom. It is the expectation of the York Region District School Board that 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive and affirming education is taking place year-round in all classes to ensure all students learn about gender identity, homophobia, and transphobia, as well as the contributions and lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
Transphobic and homophobic remarks and actions—whether subtle or overt—harm students, staff, and families. Additionally, some schools are experiencing community resistance to 2SLGBTQIA+ education. It is critical that we interrupt and address misinformation and affirm that 2SLGBTQIA+ identities are not up for debate—they are a fundamental part of human diversity. 2SLGBTQIA+ people exist across cultures, backgrounds, and locations, and are in every school and community. Our work toward inclusion is ongoing, and it is the responsibility of every staff member to uphold these values in their classrooms and school communities.
We are stronger as a community when all students have the opportunity to see themselves reflected in their learning, feel safe in their schools and classrooms, and develop empathy and understanding of the diverse identities and experiences of others around them.
Pride Flags
At YRDSB, we are committed to creating safer and more inclusive school and workplace environments for 2SLGBTQIA+ students, staff, and communities. As a visible demonstration of this commitment, it is our expectation that all YRDSB schools and office locations will fly the Intersex Inclusive Progress Pride Flag for the entire month of June for the third consecutive year.
As our understanding of equity deepens through learning and lived experiences, we recognize the importance of representation. The Intersex Inclusive Progress Pride Flag reflects the diversity within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, highlighting historically marginalized identities. This flag was distributed to all schools last year to ensure representation across YRDSB. If your school requires a new Intersex Inclusive Progress Pride Flag, they can be ordered using our board approved vendor, Flags Unlimited. We encourage individual schools and classrooms to continue their learning about the history and significance of the many flags and how they represent intersectional inclusion.
National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day
June is National Indigenous History Month and is a time to celebrate the diverse cultures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, as opposed to focusing on what has been done to them. The Canadian Government unanimously declared June as National Indigenous History Month in 2009 through a motion in the House of Commons. The month, which includes National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), is a perfect time to reflect upon the long relationship between the many different First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Turtle Island and Canadians throughout history. For students and Educators, it is a good time to become better acquainted with the different First Peoples who share this land with us.
June 21 was declared National Indigenous Peoples Day in 1996 by then Governor General Roméo Leblanc. The day was chosen in consultation with some national organizations for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples including the Assembly of First Nations, and coincides with the summer solstice which is significant for some First Nations people.
The YRDSB 2025-2026 school year calendars
The YRDSB 2025-2026 school year calendars have been approved by the Ministry. These calendars may be accessed on the YRDSB website at: https://www2.yrdsb.ca/school-year-calendar.
Summer Learning for Senior Kindergarten to grade 8
Looking for summer learning and fun activities for students entering Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8? Summer Institute offers academic, recreational and athletic programs and activities with intentional links to the Ontario Curriculum. The program runs for six weeks during July and August. It is offered at 9 school sites around York Region.
For more information on dates, programs and locations, please visit the Summer Institute webpage . Registration opens March 26, 2025 at 4:00pm. Families can register online. Other summer learning opportunities include YRDSB’s and the Elementary Summer School.
This is a friendly reminder that the LGBTQ Support Group for Parents program, will meet on the following dates:
- June 18 at 7 pm- please register for this session with the link below
***The registration is now set up by each individual session. Please register for each of the session here SRC | LGBTQ+ Support Group for Parents and Caregivers
Location: Schwartz/Reisman Centre in Vaughan- 2nd floor, SRC Interview Meeting Room, room # 2403 – The room is straight up when you come out from the elevator.
The group will continue to be led by Giselle, our wonderful parent peer facilitator who has expertise in LGBTQ+ issues, as well as lived experience as a parent to two LGBTQ+ kids — one who is gay and one who is transgender. This is a shared space where will strive to co-create a safe, respectful, and affirming space for all. Our goal is to provide support and education, while reducing isolation and stress for parents navigating this journey. We are also a means for parents to share information, including strategies for coping with our kid’s disclosures, in a safe and affirming environment. Every journey is different, and we welcome that diversity in our group and discussion. We don’t want anyone to feel excluded based on their own – or their child’s – personal experience. As a matter of fact, our goal is just the opposite: for everyone to feel included, whatever their child’s path may be.
So… welcome to the Jewish Rainbow Alliance Families share concerns, resources and recommendations This program is supported by a grant and is available at no charge, but RSVP is required.