Gator Gab Mar. 23 - 27, 2026

Week of March 23^rd - March 27^th, 2026

Families planning to move or students not returning in September

As we begin our planning for the 2026-2027 school year, we kindly ask you to inform the school office if your family has plans to move over the summer or if your children will not be returning in September for any reason. This information helps us to ensure a smooth transition for all students and to make necessary staffing arrangements for the upcoming academic year.  Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and helps us in planning effectively for the new school year. Thank you for your support. 

YRDSB invites 2SLGBTQIA+ students, staff, and their families and allies of all ages to join us for a free evening of community, connection, and celebration as we honour Trans Day of Visibility on March 31. Attendance is free; please register by March 18.

Persian Heritage Month Events

Inclusive Schools and Community Services (ISCS), the Iranian/Afghan Educator Alliance (IAEA), and the OPC Persian/Iranian Admins Affinity Group will host Persian Heritage Month Events in March 2026. 

This year’s gatherings will feature cultural activities, student performances, light refreshments and an opportunity for students, families and staff to connect while acknowledging and honoring the rich history, culture and contributions of the Persian community.

• March 24, 2026, 5:00-7:00 p.m., YRDSB Education Support Centre, 39 Dunning Ave., Aurora
• March 30, 2026, 5:30-7:30 p.m.,  Meadowbrook P.S., 233 Patterson St, Newmarket

Click here for more information. 

Parent Engagement Night - Presenter: Brett Ullman

Topic: Parenting: Navigating Everything | When: Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 7-8 pm

Where: Poplar Bank Public School, 400 Woodspring Ave, Newmarket, ON L3X 2X1

We all want the best for our kids, but which parenting information do we choose? With over 75,000 parenting books produced in the past 21 years and the many voices, articles and online resources available, the task of figuring out where to turn for parenting advice is overwhelming. Some foundational parenting questions all parents must consider:

• What is Parenting? What are Parenting Styles? - What are they, and which ones should I be using? What might I need to alter about my current parenting style?
• Time - What does quality time and being present with my kids look like?
• Communication - How can I learn better communication skills so that I can more effectively connect with my kids?
• Discipline - How do I effectively discipline my children?

It is from the foundational relationship we have with our kids that we can then talk about other issues, such as mental health, media, etc.

Let's look together at how we can best help our kids navigate the world they are growing up in. 

John M. Denison - Spring Market 

Parent and Caregiver Mental Health Event

Join YRDSB for an evening dedicated to building emotional connections and supporting student well-being. This panel discussion, “How to Support Youth and Conversations about Mental Health at Home,” features youth with lived experience from YouthSpeak Charity, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Wendy Manel (CMHA), and YRDSB Mental Health Lead Patricia Marra-Stapleton.

Event Details

When: April 16, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Registration starts at 6:00 PM) | Where: Westmount Collegiate Institute (1000 New Westminster Dr., Thornhill) | Who: All YRDSB elementary and secondary parents and caregivers.

Registration & Accessibility

Register here. Interpretation services will be available in select languages (details on the registration form).

School Fundraiser: Domino’s 

Enjoy a Domino’s pizza for Family Pizza Night every Thursday and Friday until the end of the school year!

Camp Black Brilliance-Registration is now open for The Centre for Black Student Excellence - Camp Black Brilliance Summer Program.

Camp Black Brilliance will offer families the opportunity to get to know the Kindergarten program and have their children experience their introduction to schooling in a way that is culturally responsive and affirming of their identity, through experiential learning.

Who: Children of Black Families who are Junior and Senior Kindergarten entering school in September 2026.

When: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., July 6 - July 24, 2026

Location: Phoebe Gilman Public School

Register Today! The deadline is June 1, 2026. Please see our Camp-Black-Brilliance-Flyer and Camp Black Brilliance website for more information. For more information or questions, please contact blackstudentexcellence@yrdsb.ca.

Y² LEGACY is a transformative summer learning program that empowers students through a Black-centred lens, celebrating leadership, innovation, and academic excellence. By building foundational knowledge and identity-affirming skills, students emerge with the confidence and capabilities to lead in their schools and communities. The foundational skills students gain in the summer will support them in navigating the school year with confidence and leadership. Click here for more information. 

York Region Volleyball Programs