Grade 8 Registration
The York Region District School Board has confirmed that Tommy Douglas Secondary School will be open to grade 9 transfer requests for the 2026–2027 school year. We will remain closed to transfer requests for grades 10–12. Please see below the registration process and timelines.
GRADE 8 YRDSB STUDENT | GRADE 8 STUDENT NOT ENROLLED IN A YRDSB SCHOOL | |
Living in TDSS Catchment Area | Living in TDSS Catchment Area | |
(Link to YRDSB site & required documents) | Students who are not continuing with YRDSB must use the “Not Returning” feature in My Pathway Planner. | Complete registration form and submit to TDSS by January 30th, 2026.
If your child has an IEP please reach out to Sandra Ciummelli our Head of Special Education to discuss accommodations and to share your child’s IEP. |
| Select courses in MyPathwayPlanner. Course selection opens at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday February 12th and closes by Friday February 20th. 2026 at 4:00 p.m. | Please submit a course selection form with your registration package. Forms can be picked up from the main office during regular business hours. |
Meet the Guidance Department
| Name | Role | Alpha (by Student Last Name) | Extension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamando McLarnon | Head of Guidance | A-E | x308 |
| Guidance Counsellor | F-Mak | x310 | |
| Guidance Counsellor | Mal-Rac | x311 | |
| Guidance Counsellor | Rad-Z | x309 | |
| Daniela Buscema | Guidance Admin Assistant | x103 | |
| Brian Munshaw | Student Success Lead | x109 | |
| Melanie Katz | School Social Worker | *To book an appointment with Melanie please reach out to a guidance counsellor first. |
Book a Guidance Appointment
Logon to TeachAssist click on the calendar under bookings and select your preferred date and time.
Appointments are in person.
Please show your teacher your scheduled appointment notification on TeachAssist and come down to guidance.
Families/guardians can also meet with guidance! Parent/guardians please email your child's guidance counsellor or ask your child to book an an appointment on TeachAssist.
Follow us on Instagram @tdssguidance
What we do
Our guidance department serves the school community in a variety of ways:
- Supports students in academic planning and course selection.
- Helps students to seek out special pathways programs in secondary school that support their learning styles, interests and needs.
- Helps individual students to envision a plan for post-secondary and target some short and long term goals.
- Provides information around all post-secondary pathways (workplace, college, apprenticeship, university) and career pathways.
- Supports students in establishing effective study habits and exam preparation.
- Supports the scholarship application process.
- Supports students with decision-making, problem-solving, conflict-resolution, stress and time management and relationship awareness.
- Provides personal counselling and referrals to community resources.
- Provides crisis counselling and referrals to community resources.
Experience secondary school.
Explore My Options
There are many opportunities beyond the regular classroom to explore your education and career choices. Your first step in trying a new opportunity is being aware of those options.
- Secondary School Programs - There are many different programs available in secondary school that let you explore your interests and build your skills and experience. Learn more about secondary school programs. Know what interests you? Search for programs by sector.
- Alternate Ways of Learning - There are many different ways to access learning beyond the regular school day and classroom. This includes summer learning programs, night school, adult learning and more. Learn more about our continuing education programs.
- Opportunities Outside of School - How you choose to use your time outside of school can also have an effect on your personal growth and future planning. There are many possible ways to explore your initial post-secondary destination outside of school. Learn more about opportunities outside of school.
- Post-Secondary Options - There are many post-secondary education options and opportunities available after secondary school, including apprenticeship, college, university and private career colleges. Learn more about these options and how to plan for them. earn more about post-secondary options.
- Explore Careers - There are many online resources that can help you learn more about yourself and your employability skills, and explore jobs and careers. Learn more about career options.
Not sure which options are right for you? We are here to help. Visit the Guidance Office today. Learn more about how we can help.