School News

Students Honour the Legacy of Herbert H. Carnegie

Students from Herbert H. Carnegie Public School spent a day learning, skating and reflecting on the life and legacy of their school’s namesake at the Herbert H. Carnegie Centennial Arena.

Students took part in a free skate and explored the arena’s gallery through a scavenger hunt, learning about Herbert H. Carnegie’s achievements as a trailblazing hockey player, educator and community leader. The experience helped students connect more deeply to the values their school represents.

Herbert H. Carnegie was one of the best hockey players of his era, but anti‑Black racism prevented him from playing professionally. Instead, he dedicated his life to education, youth development, and promoting positive values through the Future Aces Creed.

Students described the day as meaningful, fun and inspiring.

“It's a very meaningful experience because we get see and learn about Herbert Carnegie from a different point of view.” said Jacob, Grade 8 student. 

Bernice Carnegie, daughter of Herbert H. Carnegie and co‑founder of the Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation, joined students at the arena and shared her father’s story and values.

“it’s the interaction that I'm seeing and the smiles on their faces that just kind of grab me in the heart,” said Bernice Carnegie. “How do we make our world a better place to be? If it's just one little word each day that encourages someone else, why don't we do it?"

Students and Families Celebrate Black Excellence in STEM at Black History Month Event

Students, families and community members gathered at Middlefield Collegiate Institute to celebrate Black History Month through a hands-on event focused on STEM learning and the contributions of Black scientists and innovators.

The event was one of four Black History Month celebrations being held across the York Region District School Board this month, bringing families together for evenings of learning, connection and celebration. 

Designed for students of all ages, the evening featured interactive activities including coding workshops facilitated by Black women engineering students from Ontario Tech University, and ice cream–making using everyday household materials with learning connected to Black innovators. Community partners and youth organizations were also on hand to share resources and connect with families.

“We had two activities today. We had coding and ice cream making,” said Cassandra, a Grade 10 student at Middlefield CI. “It shines a light on Black people who have done so much for us, and whose inventions or things they’ve done impact our everyday lives. It shows younger kids -  younger Black kids - that they too can be something great in life.”

For many families, the event offered opportunities to learn together.

“The coding was very new for me. I hadn’t done it before. My son helped me along with it. It was very useful,” said Kesiha, a parent. “I would encourage parents of Black students to join programs like these. It’s very informative; it’s good to come together, and it’s a community.”

Learn more about the Centre for Black Student Excellence and sign-up for the mailing list.

York Region District School Board Students Solve Saturn-Sized Challenges

While most students were focused on earth-bound assignments last week, 12 teams of York Region District School Board secondary students were 1.2 billion kilometers away.

The Alexander Mackenzie (High School) Astronomy Council recently hosted the 2026 Astronomy Fair, where students were challenged to research, design and pitch rovers capable of surviving the extreme conditions of Enceladus, one of Saturn’s most intriguing moons. 

This wasn’t a standard science fair; it was a simulation of a professional space agency’s workflow. Within their teams, students took on specialized roles from engineering and logistics to design and communications to successfully complete the mission. Students presented their designs, and in some cases, functioning prototypes, to a panel of professional judges including astronomers, biophysicists, educators and researchers.

Students had the opportunity to participate in further learning and hone their skills through hand-on workshops with Ontario Tech University, the SkyLab at David Dunlap Observatory and a guided tour of the observatory. 

“Many students have a strong interest and passion in space, science and Astronomy,” said Benjamin Law, IB DP Coordinator, Alexander Mackenzie High School, “through this first-ever event with the theme and focus of Astronomy, we believe this event can open up future possible opportunities for more students to participate in.”

Congratulations to all the participants and to the winners:

1st: Hodan Nalayeh Secondary School

2nd: Markville Secondary School

3rd: Markham District High School

Learn More

• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Learning in York Region District School Board
• Explore programs, courses and pathways in STEM at YRDSB

Tips For Secondary School Course Selection

Grade 8 and secondary school students select courses in February for the following school year. Here are some tips and reminders for students and families planning course selection. 

For more tips and advice, listen to the latest podcast episode of Tune In YRDSB. YRDSB educators share their guidance and tips on course selection.

1. You do not need to make decisions alone. 

Talk with your family. Teachers, guidance counselors, student success teachers, graduation coaches and other school staff are there to help. 

2. Plan.

You can use My Pathway Planner to track your courses, find post-secondary pathway options and look up course descriptions and prerequisites. Learn how to create your plan. 

3. Explore your options.

All York Region District School Board secondary schools offer a wide range of courses, programs and opportunities to help you gain skills, experience, credits and certifications in areas that interest you. 

Learn more about all secondary school programs or search for opportunities by area of interest. There are also other ways to earn credits, including summer school, night school, online learning, Indigenous and International languages and more. 

4. Check graduation requirements. 

Make sure you select courses that meet diploma requirements. 

5. Understand course types and prerequisites. 

Choosing course types that meet your needs is important. Your guidance counselor can help you to choose appropriate courses throughout secondary school as you plan for post-secondary.

A prerequisite is a course that must be successfully completed before taking the course that follows. You can use My Pathway Planner to look up course descriptions and prerequisites. 

Learn More

• Course selection
• Graduation requirements
• Secondary school programs
• Secondary school programs and courses by area of interest
• Experience secondary school.

Markville SS Students Gearing Up For The Future with Co-Op

From funeral homes to architecture and design, and from the automotive sector to healthcare and education, Markville SS students highlighted the learning and workplace skills they developed during the cooperative education program.

This semester’s co-op showcase also gave students in Grade 10 an opportunity to explore the many opportunities available to them if they select cooperative education in Grades 11 or 12.  

“Students should consider co-op if they want to investigate a potential career or simply to get workplace experiences,” said Everett, a Grade 12 co-op student at Markville SS. 

“I’ve been doing the co-op program since 2006,” said Jack Tellian, Co-Op Supervisor and owner of KKT Auto Collision. “I support them with hands-on training and try to get them as much as they can - learn this trade inside and out, share with them my 53 years of experience in this trade.” 

Through cooperative education, students can gain transferable skills like problem solving, critical thinking and communication, and valuable workplace experience. 

Watch the video to hear from students, educators and employers. 

Learn More

• Cooperative Education
• Explore secondary programs by area of interest. 

A YRDSB Story: Sutton DHS - Strong Roots, Bright Futures

Every year, Sutton District High School welcomes Grade 8 students for a day of exploration and discovery to help make the transition to high school a positive experience. 

The visit gives future Grade 9 students a chance to learn about the wide range of elective course options available to them. They meet staff and teachers and start to become more familiar with the school. 

“I really want them to be excited about coming here and feeling like this is their place too,” said Erica Kelly, Indigenous Transitions Liaison. 

Students participated in hands-on workshops in areas such as: automotive technology, dance with the cheerleading squad, hair and aesthetics, food and hospitality, woodworking, music, healthcare, visual arts and more. 

Students also get a feel for the culture of care and sense of community at the school. 

“Sutton High’s culture of care is phenomenal,” said Steve Prosser, Transportation and Manufacturing Technology Teacher. “The teachers and staff in general here are always looking out for their students first and foremost.” 

“People are really kind and it makes me happy to be part of something and somewhere that is full of kindness,” said Aysha, Sutton D.H.S. student. 

This day is just one of the many opportunities students in Grades 7 and 8 have to learn more about Sutton D.H.S. 

Watch the video to see one student’s journey from a visit to the school last year as a Grade 8 to beginning Grade 9 this year. Hear students and staff speak about the opportunities and sense of community in the school and the important connections the school has to Georgina Island First Nation. 

Meet the Project SEARCH Interns Building Their Employability Skills

Meet the four student interns gaining employability skills and work experience through Project SEARCH – a school-to-work transition program for students with disabilities.

Project SEARCH is delivered in partnership with March of Dimes Canada, the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s Markham YMCA and YRDSB. Students receive classroom instruction focused on employability and life skills, and take part in three volunteer internship rotations within YMCA departments. The program includes on-site job coaching by YRDSB staff and career planning and employment coaching from March of Dimes Canada.

In this video, meet the student interns and hear from partner organizations about how this program makes a difference from students. 

“I love project search because I love working at my internship. My teacher and skills trainer are very caring and kind,” said Maria, a student intern. “Project SEARCH is helping me be independent, be part of a team and I am very happy.”

“We definitely saw an increase in her self esteem. She’s doing a lot of tasks that show a lot of responsibility,” said Narcisa, Maria’s mother. 

“I like to work here at the YMCA because my co-workers, skills trainer, teacher and supervisor are nice and helpful. I get to talk to a lot of staff and it has been nice to get to know them,” said Erin, one of the student interns. “I like the Project SEARCH program because I’m learning to follow a schedule, be independent and learning new tasks that will give me skills that I can use.”

Project SEARCH partners were recently recognized by the Board of Trustees with an Applause award, honouring the difference this program is making for students. 

Learn more

• Project SEARCH
• Applause Awards

Elementary and Secondary Schools Professional Activity (PA) Day - January 30, 2026

Professional Activity Day for all elementary and secondary schools (except Bill Crothers S.S.).

All Elementary Schools

Length: Full Day – AM & PM

Topic: Violence Prevention and Inclusive Education 

Entity Hosting: All Elementary Schools

Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): School Administration

Description: School teams will engage in learning focused on:

• healthy relationships, positive student behaviour, evidence-based de-escalation approaches, definitions of critical violent Incidents and critical injuries, and de-briefing tools;
• resources to address specific forms of racism, including anti-Black racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Indigenous racism and to foster inclusive, affirming, and respectful learning environments; and
• high-impact instructional practices to support student improvement in alignment with the curriculum.

All Secondary Schools

Length: Half Day - AM 

Topic: Violence Prevention, Inclusive Education, and School Improvement Planning 

Entity Hosting: All Secondary Schools

Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): School Administration

Description:

School teams will engage in learning focused on:

• healthy relationships, positive student behaviour, evidence-based de-escalation approaches, definitions of critical violent Incidents and critical injuries, and de-briefing tools;
• resources to address specific forms of racism, including anti-Black racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Indigenous racism and to foster inclusive, affirming, and respectful learning environments; and
• high-impact instructional practices to support student improvement in alignment with the curriculum.

Length: Half Day - PM

Topics: De-escalation Strategies and Improvement Planning

Entity Hosting: All Secondary Schools

Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): School Administration and Leaders

Description:

School teams will engage in learning focused on:

• de-escalation strategies, including categorization of behaviours, identification of responses, preventative strategies, use of verbal and non-verbal communication, and internal and external factors that may contribute to behaviour escalation; and
• high-impact instructional practices to support student improvement.

Registration Opens for Kindergarten and French Immersion January 16

Kindergarten Registration

Families with children who turn four or five in 2026 can register for Kindergarten beginning January 16. 

Through exploration, play and inquiry, Kindergarten helps children develop the academic, critical thinking and social skills they need to thrive in Grade 1 and beyond. Skilled and caring teams of certified teachers and early childhood educators work together to support every child in a welcoming, inclusive environment.

All schools offer before and after care programs. Check your school’s website or our before and after care directory for details. Contact providers early to secure your spot. 

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

French Immersion Registration

French Immersion registration takes place from January 16 - February 9, 2026.

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.

Information sessions for French Immersion will take place in French Immersion schools on January 15, 2026 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 or watch this short video about French Immersion.  

Charlton Public School Buddy Program Builds Connections and Community

The Buddy Program at Charlton PS pairs younger students with older ones to build a sense of school community and strengthen connections between students. 

Funded through an experiential learning grant, the program pairs “Little Buddies” in Kindergarten to Grade 3 with “Big Buddies” in Grades 4 to 8. Once a month, students engage with their buddies in monthly activities focused on kindness and positivity.

“We wanted to create a project that fosters community within the school,” said Julie Bortnick, Multilingual Learner Teacher, Charlton PS. “The school has only 350 students, so we wanted to do a project where students interact with each other more on a personal basis.” 

The program started with activities that helped buddies get to know each other better. Most recently, students worked with their buddies to paint rocks with messages of kindness for a school rock garden. In the future, they’re planning to make a schoolwide mural, engage in STEM activities and have a buddy picnic.

“It’s a really great opportunity to get to know the people in our school more,” said Jini, a Grade 7 student and “Big Buddy.”

“We do activities and laugh and have fun,” said Jesse, a Grade 1 student and “Little Buddy.” 

Watch the video to learn more.