PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Strong Start to October
We had a strong start to the school year in September, and we are excited to carry that momentum into October as we continue to work hard to support the success, well-being, and growth of all our students. The Ontario government has introduced new requirements related to mandatory exams, attendance, and participation in secondary schools. At TDSS, our staff have worked diligently to review the new guidelines and thoughtfully implement these changes into our classrooms and school practices. We have also made a concerted effort to ensure our students understand what these changes mean for them and what they can expect moving forward. We encourage families to review the information shared in this newsletter and to connect with your student’s teacher if you have any questions or would like further clarification. Together, we can continue to ensure our students are informed, supported, and prepared for a successful school year.
MLJ
Personal Mobile Devices in Schools
Dear Secondary School Families,
This letter is to inform you about student use of personal mobile devices in schools, in particular, students must store their mobile device out of view, and power off or set to silent mode during instructional/class time. In 2024, the Ontario Ministry of Education introduced a directive modifying the use of personal mobile devices in classrooms. YRDSB already has Policy and Procedure 194.0 - Appropriate Use of Technology and many measures around personal mobile devices in place. The changes bring alignment with the Ministry Directive. The following expectations for students’ use of personal mobile devices are outlined in the revised provincial Code of Conduct (PPM 128), and the York Region District School Board’s Policy #668
Caring and Safe Schools.
A personal mobile device (PMD) is any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate or access the internet, such as a laptop, cellphone, tablets, smart watches, meta glasses, or other wearable smart devices.
Expectations
Students are responsible for their personal mobile device, how they use it and the consequences of not following the provincial or school board policy. Students’ personal mobile devices must be stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode, except under the circumstances outlined below:
○ for educational purposes, as directed by an educator
○ for health and medical purposes
○ to support special education needs
Students in secondary school can bring a personal mobile device to school, but will be able to use it only during non-instructional time.
Practices at School
If an educator sees a personal mobile device that is not stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode, even after staff reminders, the student may be required to place their personal mobile device in a storage area in a location designated by the educator for the class or period. Your child may face consequences if they use their personal mobile device inappropriately. Progressive discipline may apply and families may be notified.
Resources
Families play an important role in teaching children about finding a healthy balance in using technology. You may wish to access the following resources:
● Media Smarts - Four Tips for Managing Your Kids’ Screen Time
● School Mental Health Ontario - Helping Your Child Manage Digital Technology
● Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - Problem Gambling and Technology Use
Treatment Services
For additional information regarding Policy/Program (PPM) 128, please visit the Ministry of Education’s Cellphones and other mobile devices in schools site or the York Region District School Board’s website.
Thank you,
Meshell Lynch-James
Principal
Tommy Douglas Secondary School Council – First Meeting of the Year
Our first School Council meeting of the year got us off to a great start! The Tommy Douglas staff opened the meeting with an overview of what to expect in the year ahead, including important updates, upcoming initiatives, and opportunities for parents and guardians to get involved.
Why join School Council?
School Council is a great way to stay connected to what’s happening at the school, share ideas and perspectives, support student initiatives, and help make a positive impact on the school community. Every parent and guardian is welcome - no experience or ongoing commitment is required.
Celebrating the impact of last year’s fundraising
Thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of School Council last year, we were able to work together with the school to contribute funding toward improving the outdoor spaces for students.
The improvements include brand-new picnic tables and benches at the back of the school, along with a new concrete pad that will support an outdoor classroom space. It’s exciting to see the funds raised by our school community turning into something students can enjoy and use throughout the school year!
Thanks to your support, check out how beautiful our outdoor space looks:
🍩 Coming up: Krispy Kreme Fundraiser
Keep an eye out for more information about our next fundraising event!
Krispy Kreme Original Glazed doughnuts will be available to purchase through SchoolCashOnline, with pick-up on October 22 during Parents’ Night.
Your support helps us continue investing in meaningful experiences and opportunities for our students.
📅 Missed the first meeting?
There are lots of opportunities to join us throughout the year. Our upcoming School Council meetings are:
- November 4
- December 7
- February 8
- April 5
Stay connected and up-to-date on everything School Council @
https://tommydouglas-ss.yrdsb.ca/school-council
We’d love to see you there!
2026–2027 Yearbooks Now Available for Pre-Order!
Capture this year’s memories! The 2026–2027 school yearbook is now officially available to pre-order online.
• How to Order: Reserve your copy today via School Cash Online.
• Distribution: Yearbooks will be available for pickup in September 2027.
Don't miss out—be sure to place your order early!
Summary of Assessment Updates Effective September 2026
Grades 9 and 10 Final Mark Breakdown | Grades 11 and 12 Final Mark Breakdown |
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