School News

Tune In YRDSB: Sikh Heritage Month: Significance of the Patka and Dastar

In honour of Sikh Heritage Month, this episode of Tune In YRDSB explores the significance of the Patka and Dastar, two important articles of faith within the Sikh community.  This episode also features the voices of students from Blue Willow P.S. who help to deepen understanding of Sikh identity and belonging in schools. 

Listen now. 

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

D.A.R.E. Event Inspires Young Innovators Through Robotics

This week, elementary and secondary students from all over YRDSB came together for the 3rd Annual Differentiated Access Robotics Expo (D.A.R.E.) at Bill Crothers Secondary School for a hands-on day of STEM learning and robotics challenges.
 

This year's D.A.R.E. event continues its mission to engage community class students in grades 4 and up, in five different activities. Students used mini robot balls to complete a series of challenges, which included mini-putt, soccer, wrestling, obstacle courses, artwork and everyone's favourite, a dance party! With an emphasis on inclusivity and teamwork, the event creates an accessible space for all students to explore the exciting world of technology.

As participants took part in robotics challenges and STEM activities, they not only worked on technical skills but also learned the value of working together towards a common goal. The event has become a highlight for students and teachers, showcasing the power of education to bring out creativity, problem-solving and innovation in all students.

The D.A.R.E. Expo ensures that each student has the opportunity to shine, fostering an environment where everyone can grow, learn and connect through the magic of robotics.

Athletes of York Region: Regional Intermediate Basketball (Elite 8 Finals)

The YRDSB Elite 8 regional basketball tournament showcased the top eight intermediate boys' and girls' teams from across York Region.

Eight boys’ teams and eight girls’ teams competed to win the intermediate girls and boys regional championships. These schools included:

Elite 8 Boys’ Teams:

• Herbert Carnegie P.S.
• Fossil Hill P.S.
• Bakersfield P.S.
• Henderson Avenue P.S.
• Lester B Pearson P.S.
• Coppard Glen P.S.
• Poplar Bank P.S.
• Anne Frank P.S.

Elite 8 Girls’ Teams:

• Milliken Mills P.S.
• Ventura Park P.S.
• Elder’s Mills P.S.
• Sir Wilfrid Laurier P.S.
• Sharon P.S.
• Bogart P.S.
• Adrienne Clarkson P.S.
• David Suzuki P.S.

After a full day of exciting gameplay, Milliken Mills P.S. (Girls) and Herbert H. Carnegie P.S. (Boys) were crowned champions. 

"It feels good. It's been three long years, and now we're finally champions. It’s my last year, so it feels great to end on top," said Aiyana, Grade 8, Milliken Mills PS, following her team's win. 

This competition, held at Bill Crothers S.S. in March and organized by York Region Elementary Athletic Association (Y.R.E.A.A.), provided students with the opportunity to showcase their skills while celebrating teamwork and friendship formed through the sport. 

“It’s super competitive and fun. There’s funny moments always and that’s pretty much what makes basketball a fun sport. The competitiveness, the feeling of winning, and learning from your mistakes and just getting better and better,” said Udai, Grade 8, Lester B. Pearson P.S.

The Y.R.E.A.A. is an elementary athletics program representing coaches and students from over 180 schools, that provides students the opportunity to participate in interschool competition in a variety of individual and team sports throughout the region. Visit York Region Elementary Athletic Association to learn more about this program. 

GIVE Program Empowers Volunteers and Enriches Education

Since its inception in 2004, the GIVE (Get Involved Volunteer In Education) program has been providing valuable volunteer training and fostering strong community connections throughout YRDSB. 

Born out of a collaboration between the YRDSB and CCSYR, GIVE aims to empower parents, community members, school assistants and post-secondary students by offering comprehensive training for volunteering in local schools.

Each year, the program trains up to 100 participants across four cohorts at various Community Education Centres. Over the course of 15 hours spread across five days, volunteers are equipped with essential knowledge on topics such as Equitable and Inclusive Education, Effective Communication, Human Rights, Employment Readiness and much more. Upon completion of the training, participants commit to volunteering at least 20 hours during the school year, with many going above and beyond, returning year after year to continue their service.

GIVE plays an important role in supporting student learning by enhancing school-community partnerships. Volunteers assist both in the classroom and at home, helping students thrive in a supportive, inclusive environment. The program also contributes to the overall well-being and achievement of students by increasing parent engagement and strengthening parent-school relationships.

Since its launch, more than 2,500 parent and community volunteers have been placed in schools. Many GIVE graduates have even gone on to find employment with YRDSB, furthering their professional development and career opportunities.

The GIVE program also plays a crucial role in meeting Ontario's educational goals, aligning with the District Action Plan and the Multi-Year Strategic Plan. It promotes well-being, student success, and community involvement, making it an essential resource for schools and volunteers alike.

The GIVE program is a true testament to the power of volunteerism in education.

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
 

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. 

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.

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.”