YRDSB Blog

Progressive Pride Flag Being Raised at all YRDSB Schools and Workplaces

YRDSB remains committed to identifying and removing barriers to success and well-being for all students and staff, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or faith identity. As a school board, our core business is student achievement and well-being, and we realize this can only be achieved in learning and working environments that affirm our students’ and staff members’ identities and where they feel that they matter and belong.

De-Streaming in Ontario Secondary Schools

Dear families,We have been receiving questions from some families regarding the de-streaming process for early high school years. De-streaming has taken place at high schools across Ontario as part of a provincial strategy to increase options for students for their future. 

Message from the Director

As a school board, we support the use of social media platforms when used as effective and respectful teaching, learning and communications tools. I applaud the 1000’s of staff, students and community members that do just that on a regular basis. However, recently, and far too often we are seeing incidents of hate, threats and bullying in various ways and on various platforms. This is both concerning and totally unacceptable. It is for this reason the ‘comments’ feature on the Board’s Twitter account was turned off in November 2022.

Black History Month

As a school board, we recognize the importance of ensuring our learning and working spaces affirm the identities of our students and staff, and that our curriculum reflects the contributions of Black communities all year round. We also recognize the important opportunity Black History Month gives us to shine a spotlight on Black voices and to celebrate Black history and Black excellence.  

Message from the Director

During a professional development opportunity with YRDSB educators, a resource was shared that included a hyperlink in the table of contents that linked to an external website as a secondary resource. A link on that external website was regrettably later changed without our knowledge to include anti-Israel messaging. This messaging was not included in the professional development and was not displayed or seen by YRDSB staff.

Message from the Director

Happy New Year and welcome back to school as we kick off 2023! I hope everyone had a wonderful winter break and found time to relax, recharge and spend time with loved ones. 

Joint Holiday Message from the Chair and Director

As we enter the December holidays, we want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to you for your partnership and support, and to wish you a happy, healthy and safe winter break. We truly value the relationship we have with families and know that it is by working in partnership with you that we can best support the learning, well-being and achievement of your children, our students. They continue to inspire us every day with their creativity, passion and perseverance. 

Message from the Director

Dear families,As we near the end of the calendar year, this is a time to reflect on the year to date and plan for the year ahead. 

Message from the Director

We have learned that yesterday, a bus driver, hired by Landmark Bus Lines was charged with over 80 mGs of Alcohol per 100 mLs of blood following a commercial vehicle investigation. This is unacceptable.

Ontario Strengthening Holocaust Education to Counter Rising Antisemitism

On November 9, the Ministry of Education announced a series of reforms for Ontario schools to combat rising antisemitism, including the introduction of mandatory Holocaust learning in elementary schools. On behalf of the York Region District School Board, we welcome this announcement to strengthen Holocaust education. Incidents of antisemitism are occurring in our schools and are causing hurt and harm to students, staff and families.