Our new digital front door
During the pandemic, it has become increasingly clear how important it is for our families to be able to find important and up-to-date information. We are very excited this week to be launching our refreshed Board website. This new site better reflects our board and will make it easier for our community to find and access the information they are looking for. In redesigning the site, we continued to centre our families, including those who are underserved and underperforming. Our work was informed by feedback from the community, data and website design research.
Hodan Nalayeh Secondary School
On March 2, 2021, the York Region Region District School Board of Trustees voted to rename the former Vaughan Secondary School after Hodan Nalayeh, following a community consultation process.The renaming was initiated by Black community leaders, who brought the issue to the Board’s attention for action. We are thankful for their leadership, advocacy and their efforts.We also want to thank the students, families, staff and community members who shared their input throughout the consultation process.
Inclement Weather During COVID-19
Dear families, This year, we are doing many things differently in our schools to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and support the health and safety of our students, staff members and families. As we enter the colder months, we have also reviewed what it will look like when inclement weather days are declared and school transportation is cancelled.
Parents of Black Children (PoBC) Progress Report
Yesterday, several staff members in our Board received a message from the organization Parents of Black Children with a resource for families regarding progress reports. In an attempt to provide support, it was shared on a digital platform for our elementary virtual school families. In doing so, unfortunately, the message was shortened and did not contain the full message from the organization. While the intent was supportive, we acknowledge this may have caused hurt and confusion, and for that impact we are sorry.
Child Care Worker & Early Childhood Educator Appreciation
Today is Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day, and we are celebrating our Designated Early Childhood Educators (DECE).
World Teacher's Day
Along with the many challenges this pandemic has brought, it has also reinforced what is most important in our lives, and for so many of us, that is our relationships - family, friends, colleagues, students and teachers. We often heard during the school closures from teachers and students who missed one another.
National Custodial Worker’s Day/ IT Professionals
Today is National Custodial Workers’ Day. We have good reason every day to celebrate and be grateful for the work done by our caretakers and plant services staff members. Each day, they keep our buildings clean, safe, welcoming and well maintained and enrich our school environments in so many different ways.
Welcome Back
A video version of the message below is available.This is a school year start unlike any other we have experienced.Families, I want you to know that we understand the trust that you put in us. Each day, you send what is most important to you in the world into our care, and it is not a trust that we take lightly.
Message from the Board Chair and Director of Education
Dear families, As we reach the end of a very different school year, we wanted to take this opportunity to acknowledge how challenging this year has been for many, and to express our deepest appreciation to our community.