Joint Message from the Chair and Director
Dear families,
As we head into the holiday season and we take our winter break, it’s a good time to reflect on the past few months, and some of our successes and our challenges.
We want to thank you for your patience and understanding as we experienced a cyber incident. We are very proud of the response of our staff members during this challenging situation and appreciate their work to minimize the disruptions to student learning during this time.
Joint Message from the Chair and Director
Dear families,
As we head into the holiday season and we take our winter break, it’s a good time to reflect on the past few months, and some of our successes and our challenges.
We want to thank you for your patience and understanding as we experienced a cyber incident. We are very proud of the response of our staff members during this challenging situation and appreciate their work to minimize the disruptions to student learning during this time.
Message from the Director - November 23, 2023
Dear Families,
It’s been an eventful month, and I wanted to reach out to all of our families to provide some important updates and information from across our system.
Identity-Specific Supports - October 16, 2023
Dear families,
We are hearing from families and staff members how the evolving conflict in the Middle East is affecting students, staff and families. Our focus continues to be on supporting students and staff members while at school.
Cancellation of Islamic Heritage Month Launch Event
Dear community members,
With regret, yesterday’s Alliance of Educators for Muslim Students’ (AEMS) Islamic Heritage Month Launch event was cancelled. Sadly, we understand that the event was not a safe space for all as some of the speakers received specific threats in regards to their attendance and participation. YRDSB supported the event, and fully supports AEMS’ decision to cancel the event in order to safeguard the safety and well-being of presenters, staff, students and families.
Addressing Islamophobia and Antisemitism
We have heard concerns from our community about the potential for increase in antisemitic, Islamophobic acts of hate in our schools and in our communities. We want our students, staff, families and community to know that we take these matters very seriously.
Safety in YRDSB Schools
Dear families,
We know that following the horrific terrorism and violence in Israel that began over the weekend and has continued to evolve over the course of the week, many in our school communities have concerns about safety both in communities and schools across York Region. You may see York Region District School Board’s (YRDSB) initial statement, which includes community resources and tips for families to support your child.
Terrorism and Violence in Israel
We join Canadians across the country in our shock and sadness at the acts of terrorism and violence in Israel over this weekend. Our thoughts are with all those who are affected by this violence. We condemn terrorism, violence, antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination. We remain committed to creating learning and working environments that are safe, welcoming and inclusive for all learners and staff members.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
In the next few days, schools across York Region will be raising an Every Child Matters Flag for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.
We raise the flag to honour the thousands of lives lost and harmed in residential schools. We raise the flag to recognize the legacy of this dark chapter on First Nations, Métis, and Inuit families and communities. We raise the flag to recognize that we are living on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of this land. And we raise the flag as a symbol of our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.
Supporting the 2SLGBTQI+ Community
York Region District School Board remains committed to identifying and removing barriers to success and well-being for all students and staff, inclusive of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or faith identity. For our students to reach their highest potential, we know their well-being is critical and that for them to thrive we must have learning and working environments that are identity affirming.