PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Welcome Back to School!
Welcome back, Tommy Douglas families! We are thrilled to share that we’ve had a fantastic start to the school year. Our students are settling into their routines wonderfully, and there is a wonderful energy in the halls as everyone gets ready for an amazing Semester 1.
As we kick off the term, our team is actively working through a few start-of-semester logistics, including timetable adjustments, resolving incomplete schedules, and finalizing some additional hiring to welcome new teachers to our staff. We deeply appreciate your patience and understanding as we get everything running smoothly.
To help us keep things safe and organized, please keep a few quick reminders in mind:
- Attendance: If your student is going to be late or absent, please contact our main office directly by phone or email.
- Drop-Off & Pick-Up: To ensure student safety and manage traffic flow, all student drop-offs and pick-ups must take place in the north parking lot.
- Stay Connected: Please make sure your contact information is up to date in our system so you don't miss important updates about school events and your student's progress.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We are looking forward to working together with you to make this a truly fantastic school year!
Contact Information
We ask families to ensure the school office has the most up-to-date contact information. This is important in case of emergency situations. If your contact information has changed, please notify the school office.
Back-to-School Forms
Parents/guardians received an email from YRDSB Update with instructions to complete back-to-school forms. It is important that these forms are completed as soon as possible at the start of the school year as they contain information and permissions.
The forms can be found in the family dashboard at family.yrdsb.ca. Click on the arrow by your child’s name and select the start-up forms button. You can choose your language. Please follow these steps for each child. Forms will automatically populate with your child’s information through the Dashboard.
Learn how to create a Family Dashboard account if you do not have one.
The forms are also available online at https://startupforms.yrdsb.ca. You will need your child’s student number. Tips are available on the Board website. Translation is also available on the website.
Please note: You must complete a separate form for each child attending school. If you prefer to complete the forms on paper or have questions about the information in the forms, please contact the school office.
Secondary School Student Forms
Secondary school students can complete the secondary school student form at https://startupforms.yrdsb.ca/students. They will also receive the link in their student GAPPS account. Elementary school students do not need to complete these student forms.
Grade 9 Families
We regret to inform you that the Grade 9 bowling trip has been cancelled due to low student interest and participation.
We understand that this may be disappointing for those who were looking forward to attending. Families who have already submitted payment will receive a full refund.
Thank you for your understanding and support. We appreciate your continued involvement in our school community.
Year Books 2025-2026
Year books are available for pick-up on Wednesday, September 23rd after school in room 252.
Caring and Safe School Assembly
As the new school year is beginning, students will be attending Caring and Safe Schools Start-Up Presentations. These presentations are designed to underscore behaviour expectations as we continue to sustain caring, safe and inclusive school environments.
Presentation topics include:
- Racism and types of discrimination;
- Bullying;
- Progressive discipline;
- Using personal mobile devices such as cellphones, smart watches, and tablets;
- Vaping; and
- Standing up for each other, including methods of reporting incidents of racism, discrimination and bullying.
Inappropriate Behaviour
In the Start-Up Presentation, students are learning about racism, discrimination, and bullying. This learning will continue throughout the school year. Instances of racism, discrimination and bullying are not acceptable and are addressed through progressive discipline. In some cases of racism and discrimination, York Regional Police may be involved.
Students will also be reminded about safe school behaviours, including what items must never be brought to school, such as peanut products, vape products/drug paraphernalia, weapons/replica weapons (including knives).
Reporting Behaviour
Standing up for one another and reporting when something does not feel safe is part of a caring and safe school environment. Students should report incidents involving other students that make them or others feel unsafe or uncomfortable, including acts of racism, discrimination and bullying. Students can report incidents by:
- Telling a caring adult;
- Using the YRDSB’s “Report It Button” (Located on our school’s website, the online Report It button allows students and families to share information about inappropriate student behaviour and incidents of hate or discrimination. Contacting Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868).
For More Information
For more details on these items or other Caring and Safe Schools topics, please read the Guide to the School Year or visit the Caring and Safe Schools section on the YRDSB website for more information and to access family resources to continue these conversations at home.
Thank you for helping us create a caring, safe, and inclusive school community.
STUDENT DROP OFF AND PICK UP PARKING LOT
We encourage all students to walk / bike to school as part of their daily physical activity. Students who are driven to school must be dropped off and picked up in the North parking lot only. The South lot is for buses and Staff use only.
Please help us ensure the safety of our school community.
North Lot
Safety Week
The York Region School Board is committed to ensuring the safety of students, staff, and visitors in the event of an emergency situation. As such, during Safety Week (Monday, September 28 to Friday, October 2, 2026) and throughout the school year, schools in our Board practise various safety drills, including Fire Drills, Lockdown Drills, Hold and Secure Drills and Bomb Threat Drills. It is critical that all members of our school community become familiar with emergency protocols, as they are designed to keep us all safe at school. Please refer to Board Policy #669.0 for more information about Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Management.
Practicing drills may create some anxiety for some students. If you are concerned about how these situations might impact the mental health and well-being of your child, please contact school administrators, as we have school mental health professionals available to support your child.
Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario Network
YWHO Maple is part of the Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario network, providing integrated mental health, substance use, and wellness services for young people aged 12–25. Their goal is to make it easier for youth to access the right supports in a welcoming, inclusive environment. The Maple YWHO is located at 9401 Jane Street suites 321-324. The Maple YWHO is supported by many local children's mental health agencies and is led by the staff of York Hills (one of our CRES Partners). Youth who voluntarily visit the hub outside of instructional time, would be able to participate in
These services include:
- Mental health and substance use counselling
- Sexual health services
- Other primary health care services
- Employment, education and training supports
- And other community and social supports to improve overall wellness.
Youth Wellness Hubs also provide skills and well-being activities, such as workshops, health and leisure activities, cultural programming, special events, and drop-in time. Community and social supports at YWHO prioritize youth interests and needs to improve their overall youth wellness.
Health Care Plan
A gentle reminder that if your child has a medical condition that requires emergency intervention, an essential routine health care plan, or any of the following medical conditions: Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Diabetes or Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder you must contact the school to ensure information is current and accurate.