PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
🌷 March Break Is Here!
March Break is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to take a pause, recharge, and enjoy some well‑deserved time together. Whether your plans include travel, activities at home, or simply some extra rest, we hope the break provides everyone with time to relax and reconnect.
We encourage students to use this time to focus on their well‑being, get some fresh air, and return refreshed and ready to learn. While school will be closed during the break, support resources and community programs will continue to be available for families who may need them.
Classes will resume on Monday, March 23, and we look forward to welcoming students back for the remainder of the semester.
I also look forward to seeing families at our School Council meeting on March 23rd at 6:30 pm in the library.
We wish all of our families a safe, restful, and enjoyable March Break!
Warm regards,
MLJ
Trans Day of Visibility Celebration
ISCS (Inclusive School and Community Services)
YRDSB invites 2SLGBTQIA+ students, staff, and their families and allies of all ages to join us for a free evening of community, connection, and celebration as we honour Trans Day of Visibility.
Trans Day of Visibility
Date: March 31, 2026
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: YorkU Markham Campus (1 University Blvd., Markham, ON)
Event Highlights
- Clothing Swap - Bring an item, take an item. Explore comfortable, affirming clothing in a welcoming space.
- Community Resources - Connect with local organizations that support queer and trans youth and their families.
- Art & Activities - Express yourself through creative stations and engage in queer and trans trivia.
- YorkU Media Activations - Participants will have the opportunity to use York University’s Makerspace, gaming lounge, and green-screen media room.
- Food - Enjoy light refreshments
- Connection - Build relationships with peers and families who share similar identities and experiences.
Attendance is free; please register by March 18, 2026.
Come as you are and celebrate visibility, belonging, and joy with us!
Administrators, please share the www link with students, families and staff. Please post the flyer on the bulletin boards located at your school, where possible.
For any questions or information, please email Inclusive School and Community Services (ISCS) at iscs@yrdsb.ca.
TDSS Fundraiser
Tommy Douglas’ Student Council is raising money to host an end of year Carnival in June that will be filled with great food and fun games. This Carnival was a great success last year and helps to create a sense of school community as well as helps students relax and have fun before final assignments and exams. We are working with Domino’s to raise funds on three upcoming Fridays: March 27, April 17 & 24. Your support in this is very much appreciated. Please refer to the attached flyer for details.
Minister’s Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement
Students in Ontario need to volunteer for at least 40 hours to graduate from high school. Learn more about the requirements to get your high school volunteer hours.
Students can now earn a Minister’s Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement when they graduate. The new certificate celebrates students’ dedication to helping others and completion of more than 50 volunteer hours during high school. Three levels of certificate are available:
Bronze: 50 to 99 volunteer hours
Silver: 100 to 199 volunteer hours
Gold: 200+ volunteer hours
Each certificate recognizes civic engagement, leadership and community spirit. It can also help students stand out when applying for:
- jobs
- college or university programs
- apprenticeships
- scholarships
To get started, make sure activities are eligible and visit your guidance department.
Summer Credit Bearing Program - Y2 LEGACY - A Black-Centred Approach to Leadership, Innovation, and Excellence
York Region District School Board, in partnership with York University, presents:
Y2 LEGACY – A Black-Centred Approach to Leadership, Innovation, and Excellence
Y2 LEGACY is a transformative summer learning program that empowers students through a Black-centred lens celebrating leadership, innovation, and academic excellence. By building foundational knowledge and identity-affirming skills, students emerge with the confidence and capabilities to lead in their schools and communities. The foundational skills students gain in the summer will support them in navigating the school year with confidence and leadership.
The program enables students to:
- Gain skills for a future driven by innovation, leadership, and adaptability
- Learn in an affirming, identity-centred environment that celebrates Black excellence
- Build a multi-year learning pathway that supports academic and career achievement
- Earn secondary credits while exploring post-secondary options
- Access mentorship, Black community partnerships, and university-level experiences
- Become eligible for a Schulich Certificate and Fall York University course
Registration
Participation in Y2 LEGACY is competitive, and space is limited. To be considered for enrollment, interested students must complete the following two steps:
- All students must complete a Y2 LEGACY Google Application Form that will be available on March 24, 2026 on the Y2 LEGACY page.
- Students currently attending a YRDSB day school must register for their selected course using My Pathway Planner (myBlueprint), while students who do not attend a YRDSB day school must register using the Non-YRDSB Registration Form.
Y2 LEGACY summer school runs Tuesday, June 30 to Friday, July 24, 2026, from 8:45 a.m. - 3:32 p.m. Please see our flyer and Y2 LEGACY page for more information.
Registration for Secondary Summer School opens March 24, 2026.
Administrators, please share the www link to the Y2 LEGACY information with both families and staff.
For more information, please contact the Centre for Black Student Excellence (CBSE) Y2 LEGACY summer learning program at y2.legacy@yrdsb.ca.
Police Information Session for Youth
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Address:
Training & Education Bureau
70 Bales Drive East
East Gwillimbury, Ontario
L0G 1V0
We're hiring. Join the next generation of police officers and professionals.
Students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 are invited to a fun, informative session to learn more about policing. Discover what a future career in policing can look like, how police officers help keep communities safe, and what it takes to join York Regional Police.
The session includes presentations from YRP Recruiting, specialty units and Seneca Polytechnic, followed by a question-and-answer period.
Facility doors will be open at 6:00 p.m. for registration, with no further admittance past 6:30 p.m.
Parents/guardians are welcome to attend. Please include the total number of attendees when registering. In the comments section of the registration page, please include the student's grade and name of school.
House Rules
· No walks-ins will be permitted
· No bags will be allowed in the building
· No personal recording devices, photos or videos. Attendees are encouraged to bring a notebook and a pen to take notes