Dear Families,
Semester 2 is off to a wonderful start, and with March Break fast approaching, we appreciate everyone’s continued partnership and support.
We kindly ask for your support in speaking with your children about the importance of making wise, respectful, and responsible decisions, both in school and online. Recently, we have noticed an increase in behaviors that cause conflict within our school community. These include:
- Encouraging others to engage in verbal or physical conflict
- Spreading untrue information or rumors in order to provoke reactions
- Sharing or amplifying negative content on social media
These actions are harmful and do not align with the values we promote at school. We ask that families reinforce the importance of kindness, empathy, and integrity in all interactions.
Additionally, please monitor your child’s social media activity. Online behavior has become a significant concern, and guidance at home plays a crucial role in helping students navigate digital spaces safely and responsibly.
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure a positive learning environment for all students.
Trans Day of Visibility
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. Please see the attached flyer.
Family Night - Thursday March 26th 6:00-8:00 pm
A reminder that Family-Teacher Interviews will take place on Thursday, March 26 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. Email communication will be shared regarding timelines and important information about how to book meetings with teachers in the coming weeks.
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) – Spring 2026 Session
We are preparing for the Spring 2026 session of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). Please review the important information below. Students and families will receive an email communication over the following weeks to let them know if their child is writing during the Spring session. Only students who will be writing are those who were unsuccessful in the fall assessment session.
Test Dates: Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31
Back-Up Dates: Thursday, April 16 and Friday, April 17
Location: Main Library
Students will write Part A of the test on the first day and Part B on the second day.
All students who require additional time will be provided with it. Student Services will work closely with SERTs and Administration to ensure that students requiring accommodations, as outlined in their Individual Education Plan (IEP), are appropriately supported. If you have any questions about your child’s participation or accommodations, please feel free to contact the school.
York Region District School Board recognizes that secondary school transition is an important time for students and their families. We want to ensure that the information you need is easy to find, helps you and your child make informed decisions and supports a positive transition to secondary school.
Dear Families,
We are inviting families of students in Grades 9-10 to express their interest in attending a focus group on:
Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Time: 7:45 – 9 p.m.
Location: Emily Carr Secondary School
Pizza and light snacks will be provided from 7:15 – 7:45 p.m. for participating parents/guardians.
You will receive a follow-up email with additional information and to confirm your attendance.
What is the purpose of this project?
To learn more about:
- how and why students and families select the secondary school they will attend
- what information families are looking for
- how and where you prefer to receive this information
This information will inform future communications and support related to secondary school transitions.
What does participation in the project involve?
If you are interested and available to attend a 75-minute focus group on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 in the evening, please complete the form below. Additional details will follow.
The session will be led by members of the Research and Assessment Services department and Corporate Communications. Notes will be taken during the discussion, and the session will be recorded. These recordings will only be used for the purpose of this project and will be stored securely in the YRDSB Research and Assessment Service’s secured drive. No personal information or feedback will be shared in the report or with teachers, principals, or other students.
What are the rights of all participants?
- Participation is voluntary. The choice to participate or not participate will not affect your child’s marks or treatment in their classroom or school.
- All responses will be confidential: participants will not be identified.
- Participants can skip any question(s) they do not wish to answer, or they may choose to stop participating at any time.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact: research.services@yrdsb.ca.
Informed Consent and Expression of Interest Form
We require your informed consent to participate in this project. you would like to participate, please complete the consent and expression of interest form by Monday, March 16 2026: Invitation to Participate in a Family Focus Group Discussion on High School Selection and Transitions.
Please complete the form only if you are interested in attending the focus group. Families who do not wish to attend do not need to fill out the form.
Guidance Updates
A fresh start to spring! Please make time to review the Mental Health and Addictions Newsletter for March.
The Study and Go Abroad Fair is taking place on Sunday, March 8th at the Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario). Meet universities, colleges, and graduate schools from Canada and around the world – plus explore work, travel, volunteer, and gap year options abroad.
Summer School Learning Opportunities will open in myBlueprint on Tuesday, March 24th.
There will be a representative from the Toronto Metropolitan University in the main hallway outside of the cafeteria from 10:45 am until noon on Tuesday, March 10th. They will be there to answer any questions related to TMU, campus life, program requirements, and so much more.
There will be a representative from the University of Guelph-Humber in the main hallway outside of the cafeteria from 10:45 am until noon on Thursday, April 9th. They will be there to answer any questions related to University of Guelph-Humber, campus life, program requirements, and so much more.
College and University Open Houses & Tours: Attending a college and university open house or tour is a great way to find out more about the campus, the programs, and the environment. Each postsecondary institution offers a variety of events throughout the year for secondary school students. We encourage students and families to visit each institution’s website to find out more details about in-person and virtual opportunities. The upcoming break in March will have a number of great opportunities for students and families to attend.
Save the date! YRDSB and YCDSB will be hosting a Post-Secondary Fair for Grades 9-12+ students, families, and staff to connect with Admissions, Recruitment, Accessibility, and Student Support Offices. There will be a special presentation, Accessing Support in Post-Secondary: How Accessibility Services Help You Succeed, by the Regional Assessment and Resource Centre (RARC) and information booths from the participating post secondary institutions. Date: March 25, 2026 -Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Location: Sir William Mulock Secondary School (705 Columbus Way, Newmarket, ON L3X 2M7).