Tune In YRDSB: Women in Sport

In honour of Women's History Month, this episode celebrates the strength, resilience and achievements of female athletes. Hear from two outstanding student athletes from Emily Carr S.S. 

Tune In YRDSB is the first podcast of its kind in Ontario, featuring a wide range of topics related to education. 

Listen now to Women in Sport. 

York Region District School Board Seeks Community Input for 2025-2026 Budget

York Region District School Board invites families and community members to participate in the annual budget consultation process. Community members are invited to take part in a virtual public budget consultation and complete an online budget survey. The survey is open until April 18, 2025.

Survey translations are available in the following languages:

• Arabic
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Chinese (Traditional, Hong Kong SAR China)
• Gujarati
• Hebrew
• Hindi
• Korean
• Persian
• Punjabi (Gurmukhi, India)
• Russian
• Spanish (Latin America)
• Tagalog
• Tamil
• Turkish
• Ukrainian
• Urdu
• Vietnamese

WHEN:

Virtual Budget Consultation

Monday, April 7, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Registration information is available on the Board website. 

WHY:

Faced with a decline in enrolment for the 2025-2026 school year, public input plays a key role in informing YRDSB's budgeting priorities. The consultation process gathers valuable feedback from community members on how to effectively allocate the budget to support student achievement and well-being.

For more information contact:

Corporate Communications

communications@yrdsb.ca
 

YRDSB Black History Month Celebrations

Throughout February and early March, the York Region District School Board’s Inclusive School and Community Services department hosted four incredible events across each of our CECs, bringing together students, families, staff, community members and partners to celebrate the rich history, culture and contributions of the Black community. 

These events were a beautiful celebration with participants coming together to make meaningful connections, share experiences and create memories. 

Highlights of the celebrations included:

Interactive Performances – Steel drums, live music and vibrant dance performances by both students and community members, creating an engaging, lively atmosphere for all attendees to enjoy. The talent on display was nothing short of inspiring!

Student Art Showcases – Beautiful artwork from students across the Board was proudly displayed, showcasing their creativity, talent and unique perspectives. It was amazing to see how students interpreted and expressed their identities through their artwork.

Educational Displays – Attendees had the chance to explore displays highlighting the lives and achievements of famous Black Canadians and their monumental contributions to both Canada and the world. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn about the trailblazers who have paved the way for future generations.

The events not only celebrated the past but also provided a space for everyone to reflect, connect and look ahead. Through shared experiences and meaningful conversations, we continue to build a more inclusive and understanding community.

A big thank you to all the students, staff, community members and partners who made these events possible and helped make them so memorable. Let’s continue to uplift and celebrate the incredible contributions of the Black community every day. 

Tune In YRDSB: Elementary STEM and Makerspaces

In this episode of the Tune In YRDSB podcast, we visit Central Park Public School to explore how STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) comes to life in their library learning commons.

Hear  students and the teacher-librarian speak about the school's vibrant makerspace, where hands-on learning fosters creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration.

Listen now. 

Athletes of York Region: Girls’ Cricket Tournament at Teston Village PS

Elementary school students across Vaughan had the opportunity to learn how to play cricket from community coaches and participate in a cricket tournament. 

Oswald Jones and Emmanuel Joseph from Vaughan Cricket Club have been visiting schools, and teaching students the fundamentals of cricket, including batting, bowling and fielding. 

“Everyone's very welcoming to the sport and I just loved learning it. It was a very good experience,” said Victoria. 

Hear more from the students, coaches and staff who participated in the girls’ cricket tournament at Teston Village PS. The boys’ tournament was held at Discovery PS. 

Tune In YRDSB: Supporting Black Students

In this episode of Tune In YRDSB, we discuss the important work to support Black students in our schools. 

Four YRDSB staff members explore the importance of creating spaces where Black students feel seen, heard and valued, reflecting on the effects of mentorship, allyship, culturally relevant curriculum, community engagement and much morel.

Listen now.

Tune In YRDSB is available on all major podcast platforms. 

Tune In YRDSB: Tamil Heritage Month: Arts, Music & Culture

In this Tamil Heritage Month podcast episode, we welcome several talented guests who are shaping the Tamil arts scene.

Host Jananthini Sivabasgaran welcomes Singer-songwriter and Bharatanatyam dancer Luksimi Sivaneswaralingam, Bharatanatyam choreographer Kashmia Balabaskaran and music producer Yanchan Produced. 

Together, they explore the deep cultural roots of Tamil music and dance, the role of the arts in preserving identity and how tradition meets innovation. This episode highlights the power of Tamil artistic expression and influence. 

Tune in to celebrate the richness of Tamil culture through music, dance and storytelling. 

Tune In YRDSB: Family Literacy: Building Connections

This episode explores the role of early literacy in student success. The discussion covers key topics such as strategies for building strong literacy skills, early reading screening and tools to support student learning.

The episode highlights what literacy incorporates, including reading and writing, communication, creativity and more. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing students' identities, home languages, and family involvement in literacy development from early childhood through school.

Learn more about how YRDSB supports literacy development and ways families can help nurture these skills at home.

Listen now. 

Tune In YRDSB is available wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Teacher-Librarians Share Learning through Makerspace Tours

About 130 teacher-librarians participated in Makerspace tours to empower schools to set up their own Makerspace STEM innovation hubs.

A Makerspace provides a dedicated are in the school where students can participate in hands-on, creative activities. They provide tools for students to explore, play, experiment, create and learn while participating in hands-on activities that connect to the curriculum.

“I think the space is important because it just creates a culture of creativity and innovation,” said Stephanie Hollander, Teacher at Beckett Farm P.S.

Beckett Farm P.S. was one of three schools that hosted half-day tours for elementary and secondary educators in York Region District School Board.

“The opportunity to collaborate with other teacher-librarians and get ideas and share ideas about what it means to create a space for students to be makers I think was highly successful,” said Dennis Stam, Science and STEM consultant.  

Elementary and Secondary Schools (except BCSS) Professional Activity (PA) Day - January 31

Elementary Schools

Length: Full Day – AM & PM

Topic: Violence Prevention and Intervention, and Achievement of Learning Outcomes

Entity Hosting: Elementary Schools

Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Educators

Description: Full Day of Professional activities focused on violence prevention tools and techniques, and equitable assessment practices and assessment in mathematics

Secondary Schools (except BCSS)

Length: Full Day – AM and PM

Topic: Violence Prevention, Multilingual Language Learners, Achievement of Learning Outcomes, Equitable Assessment and Text Selection Tool, and School Improvement/ Department Planning

Entity Hosting: Secondary Schools (except BCSS)

Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Educators

Description: Full Day of Professional activities focused on violence prevention tools and techniques, supporting multilingual language learners, exploring equitable assessment, utilizing the Text Selection Tool, and school improvement planning aligning instructional practices with the curriculum. 

Tune In YRDSB: Experience the Performing Arts

In this episode of the podcast, we speak with a teacher and student at Richmond Green SS about how the Arts fosters creativity, leadership, communication and collaboration skills. 

Hear about the value of learning in, through and about the Arts and how a "learning through leading" model empowers students to take ownership of their creative journeys. 

Listen to the podcast episode now. 

All YRDSB secondary schools offer students opportunities to explore learning in the Arts. Learn more about opportunities to explore interests, build transferable skills and gain experience in the Arts in secondary school or in other sectors at www.yrdsb.ca/experience-yrdsb.

Registration Opens for Kindergarten and French Immersion January 17

Kindergarten Registration

Families with children who turn four or five in 2025 can register for Kindergarten beginning January 17. 

Kindergarten in York Region District School Board offers warm, welcoming classrooms where students learn through exploration, play and inquiry. Children engage in activities that support early literacy, math, critical thinking and more while building on their natural curiosity, creativity and interests. 

Families can register online, in person, by mail or by phone.  Learn more about Kindergarten programs and how to register at www.yrdsb.ca/kindergarten or contact your local school. 

Families can also listen to the podcast episode with Kindergarten educators sharing what to expect in Kindergarten and how to help prepare your child to start school.

French Immersion Registration

French Immersion registration takes place from January 17 - February 10,2025

Information sessions for French Immersion will take place in French Immersion schools on January 16, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Program locations and additional information is available on the school board website. If families are unable to attend the information session, they can hear about the French Immersion program on the Tune In YRDSB: French Immersion Podcast.  

French Immersion is an optional program, designed for children whose first language is not French. In Grades 1, 2 and 3, all subjects are taught in French. Starting in Grade 4, time is shared equally between French and English instruction. 

A list of French Immersion schools, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and registration information is available on the Board’s website.

Indigenous Education Liaison Learning

Indigenous Education Liaison Learning empowers educators to deepen their understanding of Indigenous education and advance reconciliation within their schools.

“This training is really important because it’s shifting the mindsets really of Indigenous pedagogy and making it practical in their schools,” said Jana Girdauskas, Indigenous Education Consultant, York Region District School Board.

The professional learning series offers Indigenous Education Liaisons the opportunity to deepen their understanding and further the implementation of goals related to the Indigenous Education and Equity Strategy. They can also learn and share with other liaisons in schools across the board. 

“I believe as educators, it is so important for us to take up our calls to action and continue to advocate alongside them,” said Terri Joshi, Teacher, Hartman P.S. “And that begins in the work that we do in the classroom with our students.”

Elementary Professional Activity (P.A.) Day - January 17, 2025

All Elementary Schools

Length: Full Day – AM & PM

Topic: Report Card Preparation, Reporting to Parents, Ongoing Communication

Entity Hosting: All Elementary Schools

Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): Educators

Description: Full day of professional activities focused on reporting to parents and ongoing communication regarding student achievement and well-being.

Symposium Empowers Student Leaders to Champion Mental Health in Schools

York Region District School Board students co-developed and planned a student symposium to inspire and equip student leaders to promote mental health awareness within their schools.

Planned with leaders from Youth S.P.A.C.E. (Students Promoting Acceptance, Connection and Empowerment), the event reflected the needs and perspectives of students. 

“Youth SPACE Symposium really does give the student leaders the tools to bring mental health awareness back to their schools and really bring it to life in a way that makes sense for their school community, their peers, their co-leaders at their school,” said Patricia Marra-Stapleton, Mental Health Lead, York Region District School Board. 

“I think this event is really important because it teaches … how you can learn about [mental health] and how you can take care of yourself and different activities that you can do to help,” said Maddie, King City P.S. 

Highlights from the symposium include:

• Interactive workshops on topics like stress management, coping strategies and creative self-expression.
• Sessions with community partners, including public health nurses.
• Workshops with artists that encouraged students to participate in movement, spoken word poetry and art. 
• Inspiring keynote address.
• The opportunity to work with staff champions to develop actionable plans for bringing mental health initiatives back to their schools, supported by Youth S.P.A.C.E. resources.

“The Youth SPACE Student Symposium was actually co-developed and planned with our Youth SPACE student advisors. We're really wanting to ensure that the students that are attending the event are aware that other students within the board have planned the event. That's one way that they can understand that they can bring these types of initiatives back to their school communities,” said Paula Vicente, Assistant Coordinator Mental Health, York Region District School Board.

Youth S.P.A.C.E. is an identity-affirming student leadership initiative for grades 6-12. Youth S.P.A.C.E. aims to provide safe, equitable and inclusive student leadership and engagement for the promotion of mental health, well-being and stigma reduction. Youth S.P.A.C.E. is currently in 108 schools across the YRDSB and will be in all schools by 2026-2027 school year. 

Hear more from students who are part of the Youth S.P.A.C.E. on the Tune In YRDSB podcast as they speak about social media and mental health, social anxiety and supporting healthy relationships and supporting student mental health during exams.

Tune In YRDSB: Supporting Black Student Mental Health

In this episode, school social workers delve into the critical topic of supporting Black student mental health.

They explore the importance of cultural heritage, historical contexts and the importance of an education system that actively dismantles oppressive practices and promotes inclusivity. 

Listen now online or anywhere you listen to podcasts.