September Back to School Family Survey

Dear Families,

The Ministry of Education has instructed Ontario school boards to prepare for the 2020/2021 academic school year by developing plans to support the following scenarios:

1. Normal school day routine with enhanced public health protocols - Students going to school every day, in classes that reflect standard class size regulations.
2.  Modified school day routine - Based on public health advice, an adapted delivery model to allow for physical distancing and cohorts of students. Under this model, a limit of 15 students would be maintained in a typical classroom at one time.

3.  At-home learning - Should the school closure be extended, or some parents choose not to send their child back to school, remote education will be available. 

The York Region District School Board (YRDSB) would like your feedback, which will be used alongside recommendations from our Public Health Agencies, the Ministry of Education, and Regional and Provincial agencies to inform learning plans for the 2020/2021 academic year.

This survey is voluntary and anonymous. No information you provide will identify you or your children. Please skip any questions you do not want to answer.

If you experience any technical difficulties in completing the survey, please contact the Research Department by sending an email to research.services@yrdsb.

The YRDSB family survey can be found at: https://bit.ly/YRDSB2020Family

Kindergarten Registration Summer 2020

Dufferin Clark Public Library Digital Offerings - Summer 2020

My name is Rosa and I am the current Youth Services Librarian at Dufferin Clark Public Library.  I hope you are keeping well and that you are ready for a relaxing summer.

I just wanted to take a moment to check in before the end of the school year and provide you with some information on some of the digital offerings at Vaughan Public Libraries.

Our branches may be closed, but our collections and digital collections are still here for you and your students! Curbside pickup of materials is available at our three resource libraries, with expansion to more locations coming this summer.  Submit your request at any time using this online form.  Any items that you borrow can be kept fine-free until further notice.

Vaughan Public Libraries is your students' virtual destination for Summer Learning and Fun! 

Summer Reading Club June 20^th to August 23^rd students are encouraged to read and earn virtual badges in VPL’s TD Summer Reading Club.  When families report on their child’s reading, their child is entered in a draw for a weekly prize!  Each week there will be new English and French activities released.  Many of these activities encourage children to unplug from their devices and engage in hands-on, screen-free activities.

VPL at Home Children’s Page is where you will find many videos and activities for children including our popular STEAM videos and Kids’ Book Club.

Reminder:

Vaughan Public Libraries will accept Science Fair entries until June 30^th. The Theme is Staying Happy and Healthy @ Home.

Online Summer Program Opportunities for Children, Youth and Families

Summer Supports

Traditional Afro-Caribbean Dancing Student Opportunity

 

YORK REGION DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

TO:                  Principals; Vice-Principals

FROM:            Cecil Roach, Coordinating Superintendent of Education, Indigenous Education and                               Equity

                                                  Clayton La Touche, Associate Director or Education Schools and Operations

DATE:             June 22, 2020

SUBJECT:       Traditional Afro-Caribbean Dancing

Students, families and staff have been affected by the murder of Mr. Floyd and ongoing Canadian incidents of anti-Black racism. Black students, families and staff have been particularly impacted and are telling us that they are not ok. They tell us about feelings of personal hurt and harm and of a need to be able to express some of these feelings.

We have done and continue to do work to support our Black staff, and we are in the process of developing support for our Black parents and families.

As one means to support Black students, we are offering Black students in primary, junior and intermediate grades the opportunity to participate in a live presentation on Traditional Afro-Caribbean Dancing.  We hope to give Black students an opportunity to express themselves through dance about its impact on their well-being.

We have partnered with Tamla Matthews, Hons Bsc, OCT, who is a professional dance artist and educator who has specialized in African Caribbean Dance for over 20 years. Tamla will lead registered Black students in the live presentations. The live presentations will be held on June 24, 2020 and June 25, 2020 at 9:30am -10:15am and 2:00pm – 2:45pm. 

We ask that you encourage Black students from grades 2 to 10 register for one of the live presentations being offered.

For more information, please connect with Wendy Wright, OCT Intermediate Teacher, Elder's Mills Public School at wendy.wright@yrdsb.ca. 

Congratulations Gr. 8 Grads!

Although our grade 8 graduation ceremony has yet to occur, we would like to wish everyone a huge CONGRATULATIONS! Certainly this isn't what we had planned but once we get confirmation from the  province on how to proceed with graduation we will share with our grads and parent community. 

Resources for Responding to and Supporting Students’ Questions and Well-Being

Crisis Mental Health Supports for Students: 

310-COPE: 905-310-COPE (2673) or 1-855-310-COPE (2673) - available 24/7

KidsHelpPhone: 1-800-668-6868,  text 686868 - available 24/7

York Hills Help Phone Line: 905-503-9561 Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:30-4:00 p.m. for children and youth (0-18 years) and their parents, caregivers or adult supporters. 

If you have concerns regarding possible suicidal ideation for students, please refer to the Board’s Student Suicide Intervention Response Guidelines for the Period of COVID-19 School Closures.

Culturally Relevant Mental Health Supports:  

Black Youth Helpline: 1-833-294-8650  

Taibu Community Health Centre: 416-644-3536

Tropicana Community Services: 416-439-9009

York Hills Here to Help

Student Materials and Retrieval Process - June 2020

Student Materials Retrieval for June 2020

Edsby is live Tuesday June 9 at 9am and available for you to book your time slot. Please click on the link to arrange you time.

Edsby is live Tuesday June 9 at 9am and available for you to book your time slot. Please click on the link to arrange you time.