BLPS Community Wave - Week of May 5, 2025

Snack Shack: Our intermediate student leaders, together with Ms. Sanderson’s class, are organizing four Snack Shack dates during the month of May. Every Tuesday, students are invited to bring in $2 (Toonie Tuesday) to purchase some yummy snacks. Funds raised will support our Graduation Celebration!

Track and Field Day: We are excited to share that on Thursday, May 29th students from grades 4-8 will participate in our Track and Field day at Bond Lake Public School. Students will be outside all day participating in multiple running and jumping events.

Please ensure your child is ready for the day by bringing a water bottle, applying sunscreen, bringing healthy snacks, and having proper athletic attire (e.g., running shoes, shorts, etc...). Students may also want to bring a hat or sweater depending on the weather. Students are encouraged to drink lots of fluids in the morning and throughout the day to stay hydrated and perform some stretches involving their legs. If your child requires a medical device (EpiPen, puffer), please ensure they have it with them for this day.

The rain date will take place on Friday, May 30th if required. Thank you in advance for your support. We are so looking forward to this day!

Family Dashboard: A reminder to all families of the need to set up your Family Dashboard. The family dashboard is an online dashboard that will give you secure access to information and applications related to your child’s education. In this first phase, the dashboard will include secure access to report cards and links to useful information for parents/guardians. In an effort to reduce costs and the impact on the environment, Bond Lake PS will not be sending home paper copies of report cards in Term 2. Families will need to access the Family Dashboard to see report cards and may choose to print at home. 

Outdoor footwear: With the spring weather arriving, we are asking families to remember to send students with appropriate outdoor footwear. Students should come to school with closed toe shoes and proper ankle support. Please do not send your child with slippers, soccer cleats, flip flops etc. 

School Year Calendar: The YRDSB 2025-2026 school year calendars have been approved by the Ministry. These calendars may be accessed on the YRDSB website at: https://www2.yrdsb.ca/school-year-calendar.

Understanding and Navigating the Education System - Families of YRDSB Black Students May Information Session: Families, parents, caregivers, are invited to join the 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 the flyer for more information and to register.

Please register through the Registration Google Form.

Unity in Diversity – A Celebration of South Asian Heritage: All YRDSB students, family, community members and staff are invited to join Maple High School to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month. This event celebrates the rich and diverse cultural heritage of South Asia. Its purpose is to promote awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the many unique artistic, culinary and cultural traditions that shape South Asian communities. Through crafts, food, and interactive experiences, the event aims to foster cross-cultural understanding, celebrate the beauty of diversity, and offer an immersive educational experience for all participants.

Event Details: 

• Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
• Time: 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
• Location: Maple High School, Cafeteria

Please see the flyer and register through the Registration Google Form.

Our Truth எங்கள் உண்மை : A Student Art Exhibit: All YRDSB students, family, community members and staff are invited to join Bill Hogarth Secondary School for Our Truth எங்கள் உண்மை: A Student Art Exhibit. This event will showcase artwork and artifacts created and curated by students to represent their Tamil identity and the Tamil Diaspora. All are welcome to explore original student artwork, listen to live music, enjoy light refreshments, and meet local Tamil artists from the Greater Toronto Area. The aim of this event is to provide a space of healing and to honour the legacies and resiliency within the Tamil community. 

Event Details: 

• Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Location: Learning Commons in Bill Hogarth Secondary School (100 Donald Sim Ave, Markham, ON L6B 0R1) 

Please see the flyer and register through the Registration Google Form. 

Student Mental Health and Addictions Newsletter - May 2025: Every year, the first week of May is recognized as Children’s Mental Health Awareness week. This year’s theme, “Unmasking Mental Health,” reflects an ongoing commitment to increasing mental health literacy, reducing stigma, and promoting awareness about topics related to mental health.

One of the ways the YRDSB is acknowledging this important week is by offering toolkits for parents/caregivers and students. We encourage you to take a look at the School Toolkit that supports educators and students, as part of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. These toolkits provide virtual workshops, activities, and strategies to encourage daily mental health practices through five themed days: Mindful Monday (May 5th), Thoughtful Tuesday (May 6th), Wellness Wednesday (May 7th), Take Care Thursday (May 8th), and Focus Friday (May 9th).

The Parent/Caregiver Toolkit  includes themed mental health resources that parents/caregivers may utilize with their children, conversation starters on important mental health related topics, as well as links to recorded YRDSB Learning about Mental Health Presentations (LAMPS)  on a variety of topics like anxiety, social media and mental health, and much more! 

We are also excited to announce that Dr. Gillian White will be offering a free virtual presentation for parents/caregivers entitled Turning Stress into Success on May 8th from 6:00-7:00 PM. You can find more information about the presentation in our Parent/Caregiver Toolkit. If you are interested in attending this presentation, please register as  space is limited. Online registration

We hope that you and your children will be able to utilize some of the resources and knowledge offered in the toolkits throughout Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week and beyond. Visit School Mental Health Ontario for more information on children’s mental health trends in Ontario, and for ideas on how to build and sustain mental health promotion and knowledge.