Gator Gazette Apr. 13 - 17, 2026

Week of April 13^th- April 17^th, 2026

Park and Tarmac Reminder

As the weather is changing and families and students are using the park more often after school hours, please note that there is no supervision in the public park or on the tarmac before or after school. Families are encouraged to supervise their children during these hours. 

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EQAO Webinar for Parents and Guardians of Elementary School Students

Register for this free live webinar and learn about EQAO’s Primary and Junior Assessments of Reading, Writing and Mathematics. Participants will learn about the purpose of Ontario’s large-scale assessments. EQAO staff will explain the assessment format, highlight resources to support students, and answer questions from participants. The session is approximately 45 minutes, followed by a live Q&A with EQAO staff. Click to Register

Next Events: Wed., Apr. 22, 2026, from 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. (ET) or Wed., Apr. 29, 2026, from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. (ET)

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Kindergarten Information Session on April 22 (6:30-7:30)

This session is for all families with new kindergarten students starting school in September. During this in-person event, you will receive important information about the play-based kindergarten program, school routines, bussing, the before/after care program provider, the school council, and tips for a smooth transition to school.
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Understanding and Navigating the Education System - Families of YRDSB Black Students Monthly Virtual Information Session on Monday, April 20, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Families, parents, and caregivers, please join us for our monthly virtual meeting, where families with Black children come together to learn about resources and upcoming programs for Black students in both elementary and secondary schools. Please see our flyer for more information and the registration link.

For further information, please email the Centre for Black Student Excellence (CBSE) at blackstudentexcellence@yrdsb.ca.

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.

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.

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

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School Fundraiser: Domino’s 

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

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Summer Learning Programs:

Summer Institute | York Region District School Board York Region District School Board’s Summer Institute offers academic, recreational and athletic programs and activities with intentional links to the Ontario Curriculum for students entering Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8. Click here for the flyer. 

Elementary Summer School | York Region District School Board

The YRDSB offers a Grade 6, 7 & 8 Summer School program. This 15-day literacy and numeracy program is designed to reinforce the curriculum and is not an acceleration opportunity. Students must register in the program for their current school grade. For example, a grade 7 student would register for the grade 7 program as it reinforces grade 7 content. 

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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.

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.

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 Click here for the Persian Translation.  Click here for the Russian Translation. Please email the school if you need the Gator Social translated into a different language. phoebe.gilman.ps@yrdsb.ca