Dear Families,
As we reach the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year, we wish to thank all our staff members, students and their families for your continued dedication and support through another challenging year. Our students have benefited from your caring and compassionate approach. This has been another example of the importance and strength in the partnership our local schools have with the families and community they serve.
While we have continued to navigate the challenges of the pandemic over the past year, we have also had many reasons to feel hopeful and positive. Our students continue to inspire us with their resilience, critical thinking, creativity and achievements. Please take the time to check out some of the exciting work and accomplishments that have happened over the past year in our newsroom or YouTube channel, or catch up on episodes of our podcast Tune In YRDSB.
This spring, we welcomed the return to more in-person activities including extra-curricular activities, athletics and graduations. It has been so meaningful to have these opportunities to gather in person. We want to extend our congratulations to the graduating Grade 8 and Grade 12 classes of 2022, and wish you all the very best for the future.
Student and Family Survey
Student and family voice is important to us. We are conducting two surveys to collect feedback from students and families to understand their experiences of learning during this school year. The surveys were sent to families by email and to the GAPPS accounts of Grade 7-12 students. If you have not yet completed the survey, we encourage you to do so. The surveys are available until June 30, 2022. They are anonymous and individual responses will be kept in strict accordance with all relevant legislation.
Message from York Region Fire Departments
Please take some time to review and discuss the letter from all eight fire departments in York Region.
York Region Public Health
Please see this information from York Region Public Health for all families. For families with children under five years old, please see this survey from York Region Public Health about vaccinations for younger children.
Indigenous Languages and International Languages Programs
Registration for the Indigenous Languages and International Languages (ILIL) program is now open. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the 2022-2023 ILIL program year. Families can visit the Board’s website for more information regarding elementary and secondary courses and registration
Summer Programs
Over the next few weeks, our schools will welcome approximately 12,000 students into our summer learning programs. This includes summer institute, elementary and secondary summer school and other programs. We are grateful to the many staff members and families who continue to work and volunteer to ensure learning continues year-round.
Student Mental Health
We started the year with a focus on the ABCs of Mental Health, and it has remained a priority for us throughout the year as we recognize the toll the pandemic has taken on all of us. Promoting and supporting mental health is a priority for all of us and we’re looking forward to the formal launch of the Board’s Student Mental Health and Addictions Strategy in the fall.
Learning Recovery Strategies
Boards across Ontario have received funding from the Ministry of Education to initiate tutoring support programs, including programs provided by community partners. Please contact your school if you would like further information. Tutoring funds are also being used to support students this summer through programs such as secondary and elementary summer school. Tutoring supports will prioritize math, literacy and other foundational learning skills. Plans for the use of our Board’s tutoring allocation in the fall are under development.
2022-2023 School Year
We look forward to welcoming students and staff back to school in September. You can find the calendars for all of our schools on our website. Please be reminded that for all of our elementary schools and regular start secondary schools, the first day of school is Wednesday September 7, 2022. We expect to reopen with the public health measures we currently have in place, however, if this should change over the summer months, we will provide an update.
We hope this summer brings opportunities to relax and enjoy special time with family and friends. Have a safe and happy summer break.
Sincerely,
Allan Tam, Chair
Louise Sirisko, Director of Education