PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
A Strong Start to October at Tommy Douglas
The past two weeks have been filled with great energy and purpose at Tommy Douglas. Students and staff have been hard at work learning, teaching, and collaborating toward our shared goal of fostering student achievement and department goals. As we move through October, I encourage you to speak with your student about the two school goals we are focusing on over the next few months.
Each department has developed a goal that aligns with our Director’s goal, “High Expectations” and one of our three school goals, Student Achievement: “Provide evidence-based strategies and differentiated resources that meet our students’ strengths, needs, interests, and lived experiences, with a focus on marginalized students as identified by TDSS data.”
While these goals will take shape differently across subjects, the central theme remains the same, supporting every learner to reach their full potential. Our aim is for staff to deepen their understanding of these goals and connect it directly to classroom instruction so that students can clearly see and demonstrate their learning progress.
We encourage families to take a few moments to ask their student about the department goal in each of their subjects and how it connects to our broader focus on student achievement. These conversations can help students reflect on their learning, set goals, and see the meaningful connections between classroom activities and school-wide priorities.
We look forward to welcoming families this Thursday at Parent-Teacher Night. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversations with teachers about your student’s learning journey and understanding of our school goals.
Regards,
MLJ
Proud Principal of Tommy Douglas Secondary School
Islamic Heritage Month Celebration
YRDSB students, staff and families are invited to join the York Region District School Board in celebrating Islamic Heritage Month this October!
Together, we’ll honor the cultural and historical contributions of Muslims to society.
| Locations | Date and time |
|---|---|
North Area Dr. J.M. Denison S.S. Address: 135 Bristol Rd, Newmarket, ON L3Y 8J7 | October 21, 2025, 5:30-7:30 p.m. |
East Area Markham Gateway P.S. Address: 30 Fonda Rd, Markham, ON L3S 3X3 | October 23, 2025, 5:00-7:00 p.m. |
Central Area Crosby Heights P.S. Address: 190 Neal Dr, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3K8 | October 28, 2025, 5:00-7:00 p.m. |
West Area Stephen Lewis S.S. Address: 555 Autumn Hill Blvd., Thornhill, ON, L4J 8X2 | October 30, 2025, 4:00-6:00 p.m. |
Please register for any or all of the events with the registration link.
Location
Stephen Lewis S.S
555 Autumn Hill Blvd.
Thornhill ON L4J 8X2
When
Thursday, October 30, 2025 - 16:00 to Thursday, October 30, 2025 - 18:00
Contact
For any questions, please contact Inclusive School and Community Services (ISCS) at iscs@yrdsb.ca.
Parent/Caregiver Workshop Supporting Students of Chinese Heritage
The YRDSB Community Care Team School Social Worker supporting the Chinese Heritage Community is pleased to offer this virtual event for parents and caregivers, aimed at fostering connection, supporting mental health, and promoting healing.
The session is offered for any parent/guardian of students of Chinese Heritage. Parents, caregivers and students are invited to join this workshop and engage in meaningful conversations that will help students thrive at school. Tips on ways to help strengthen family relationships and emotional well-being will be shared. This will be a free virtual event.
Keep the Door Open: Integrating a Compassionate Approach to Foster Effective Communication
Oct 28th, 2025 at 6:00pm-7:00pm Mandarin Session
Registration for Mandarin Session
Oct 28th, 2025 at 7:00pm-8:00pm Cantonese Session
Registration for Cantonese Session
Please email charmaine.tong@yrdsb.ca if you have any questions or difficulties in accessing the registration link. Thank you.
Youth Day 2025 York Regional Police is hosting a Youth Day conference for youth ages 13-17 years. It will be an empowering leadership conference with a focus on issues directly impacting our youth. Saturday, November 1, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. |
Remembering Through Story: A Journey of Life and Holocaust Education
Hidden on the High Wire
Join us for a special afternoon with award-winning author Kathy Kacer, as she presents a live reading from her powerful book, Hidden on the High Wire - a powerful story of courage and survival during the Holocaust. Guests will have the opportunity to take home a signed copy of the book!
This program will take place on Sunday, November 2, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., at Georgina Public Library, located at 90 Wexford Drive, Keswick, ON L4P 3P7.
The Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN) Scholarship Application Workshop
The Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN), in collaboration with York Region District School Board (YRDSB), invites Black students and their families to a free online workshop on how to search, prepare, and apply for scholarships and bursaries. If you are in Grade 8 or high school, this workshop is especially for YOU!
Join us on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. with your families online.
Please register directly at bit.ly/BFCNWorkshopNovember11.
The Centre for Black Student Excellence - The Power of Pause: Roots for Renewal
The Centre for Black Student Excellence is inviting all students, families and staff to an evening on Wellness and Well Being. An evening filled with strategies to nourish both mind and body.
Dinner will be provided.
Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Venue: Tommy Douglas S.S. Cafeteria,
Please register by November 3, 2025.