As we start the second semester and second half of the school year, I want to take this opportunity to share some updates about upcoming dates, events and initiatives taking place across our system with you. I also want to thank everyone who contributes to building a strong educational community in York Region District School Board – the students, families, staff members and community partners who come together in support of student learning, achievement and well-being. 

February is Black History Month. In addition to a number of events taking place within the school board and local community, the school board is once again Celebrating Black Excellence through its Black Voices campaign. Black Voices aims to centre and celebrate the Black members of our YRDSB community and share their voices. For families looking to learn more about school board and community events and programs for Black students and families, you can subscribe to the Centre for Black Student Excellence mailing list to receive regular updates. 

Later this month, we will also recognize the Lunar New Year and wish all students, staff and community celebrating Lunar New Year a happy and joyful celebration.

While we have seen milder winter weather this year, I also want to remind families that we have protocols in place for severe weather and school transportation cancellation in the case of inclement weather, and want to ensure families are aware. You can find more information on the Board website. We also continue to encourage families to use active school travel all year round, including during the winter months. Early in February, we will be celebrating Winter Walk Day, and be sharing tips as well as the benefits and joys of winter walking. 

This month, students in Grades 5-12 will have an opportunity to vote in the Student Trustee Elections. I want to congratulate and thank all of the students in Grade 10 and 11 who applied for this position. Student Trustees play an important role representing student voice at the Board meetings, and we greatly value their voice and contributions. Students who are eligible to vote will receive information in their GAPPS accounts about how to vote. This is a great opportunity to participate in the democratic process and to have their say about who will represent their voice in the next school year. 

Kindergarten and French Immersion registration opened in January for fall 2024. For students looking at course selection in secondary school, there are lots of great resources available at www.yrdsb.ca/experience-yrdsb that let students learn more about courses, programs and opportunities that relate to their interests. 

You can also stay up-to-date with what’s happening around the Board by visiting our newsroom or by listening to the Board’s award-winning podcast Tune In YRDSB, including recent and upcoming episodes on what to expect in Kindergarten, how Student Trustees represent student voice, Tamil Heritage Month, Hindu Heritage Month and more. 

As the governing body of the York Region District School Board, trustees are required to establish an annual Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) to guide system direction for a four-year period. The MYSP is a reflection of emergent priorities identified by our educational communities. Over the coming months, we will be conducting extensive consultations with YRDSB students, staff, families and community members to collect input and feedback to develop our revised MYSP. We look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for all that you do to partner with us in building a strong publicly funded education system that delivers a high-quality education for your children. You can learn more about my role as a school trustee and how you can reach me on the Board website www.yrdsb.ca. 

Estelle Cohen, Trustee, Vaughan Wards 4 and 5

Order today … before it’s too late!  Lunch items can be ordered on SchoolCash Online through Monday, February 12th. If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

We have received this letter of appreciation from the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank, thanking us for our support during our recent Food Drive. Though this acknowledgement was sent to the school, the real thanks go out to you and the community.

We gratefully share this letter with you, and extend our own thanks to our students and staff for supporting this most worthwhile cause, and of course, our generous Rosedale Heights P.S. community.

Thank you, Rosedale Heights P.S.!

Our School Council is proud to announce Rosedale Heights Public School’s Winter Wonderland Fundraiser. Your child will be coming home today with a fundraising envelope for this year’s fundraising effort.  Make no mistake –our school’s commitment to fundraising supports our students.  Fundraising enables us to do great things at our school and there’s no question –we do need your support. 

With fundraising proceeds from last year we:

• purchased 60 new Chromebooks;
• organized numerous special community events including Bingo Night and our End-of-Year Community Par-Tay at no cost to families;
• purchased indoor recess activities for classes;
• funded many, many school enhancements for students including ‘Beach Day’, Jeopardy, pumpkin decorating and various cultural activities, and;
• subsidized the cost of our grade 8 graduation.

We only formally fundraise once throughout the year –and this is it.  We need your help. Among other things, we are looking to raise funds for technology items (we would like to invest additionally in refreshing our Chromebooks and iPads), outdoor play kits for each classroom, additional athletic supplies, subsidies for supplemental learning opportunities for students, and many other program enhancements for students from extracurricular activities through Grade 8 Graduation.

Your contributions make a genuine difference directly for our students!

With Winter arriving with colder temperatures, we are looking to celebrate what is joyful about the season.  Following our return from March Break, students will have a chance to participate in a variety of activities culminating in a Winter Wonderland celebration on the very last day of Winter, March 19^th 2024.  Our goal this year is for every student to raise a minimum of $25 in donations.  Tax receipts will be issued for individual cash or cheque donations of $25 or more.  Donations may be collected from family members, extended family members or friends; no door-to-door solicitation is permitted.  Students who contribute will also be have opportunities to participate in a prize giveaway … the more money the student raises, the more chances to win!  (In the interest of maximizing the number of winners, students are limited to winning only one prize each.)

But in this fundraiser, everyone is a winner because all the money raised goes to support the very best cause of all, our students. 

Please help the school and submit all cash and/or cheques inside your child’s Winter Wonderland donation envelope by Monday, February 26^th, 2024.  (Please note, donations can also be made on SchoolCash Online.  Instructions for doing so can be found here.  Under the ‘Message to the School Board’ section, please include your child’s name and teacher.  Donations made online are subject to a 3% online fee.) 

We thank each and every Rosedale Heights P.S. family for their generous support of the school and for helping us meet our fundraising goals this year! 

Order today … before it’s too late! Pizza can be ordered on School Cash Online.  If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

We wanted to remind our community that our School Council has organized two lunchtime programs that will be starting in the New Year, Engineering for Kids and Chess World. Why not have your child try something new in 2024?

Engineering for Kids ‘Playful Playground’ is hands-on STEM program is being offered to students in Grades 1 to 3 over six Thursdays, from January 18th through February 22nd. For more information on this program, including details on how to register, please see the linked flyer.

The Chess World program is being offered to students in Grades 1 to 6 over eight Tuesdays, from January 16th through March 5th, using chess to help kids develop character, improve social skills, and enhance cognitive abilities in a nurturing, supportive environment. For more information on this program, including details on how to register, please visit the linked Chess World website (go to REGISTER HERE, WINTER 2024 SCHOOL CHESS CLUBS, and find ROSEDALE HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL).

We hope you enjoy these program offerings. We thank our School Council for their efforts in organizing these programs.