Every year on September 30, Canadians observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is a solemn occasion dedicated to acknowledging the historical and ongoing injustices faced by First Nations, Métis and Inuit.  The day honours the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.

On this day, schools across the country also recognize Orange Shirt Day, which specifically remembers the story of Phyllis Webstad, a survivor of the residential school system, who had her new orange shirt taken away on her first day at school. The orange shirt has gone on to become a symbol of a national movement aimed at fostering empathy, respect, and awareness of the hardships endured by First Nations, Métis and Inuit, promoting a more inclusive and equitable society for future generations. The orange shirt symbolizes the loss of culture, freedom, and self-esteem that many Indigenous children experienced. This day reminds us that Every Child Matters.  The topic of residential schools first appears in the revised Social Studies Curriculum in Grade 1, and many educators K-12 will take on this topic as part of their instructional program.

We encourage YRDSB staff and students (and Canadians everywhere) to wear an orange shirt on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, to recognize the resiliency and bravery of Residential School Survivors and those who did not come home.

Tired of making lunches?  Our School Council is excited to share that Kid’s Kitchen school lunch program will be returning starting Monday, October 6th, with hot lunches available to order for Mondays and Tuesdays.

Kid’s Kitchen is a family owned and operated business that serves nutritious meals to elementary school children throughout York Region and the Toronto area.  They take care of everything, from preparing customized menus and taking orders, to making the meals and delivering them directly to the school.

Program details:

• A la carte menu with a variety of entrees, side items, & snacks
• Everything from wraps to pasta to chicken teriyaki
• Secure & flexible ordering
• Allergy management
• New combos offered every month
• Menu developed in consultation with a Registered Dietician & compiles with the Ontario Government Food & Beverage policy

Ordering is easy!  Online orders can be placed up until 10:00 a.m. the previous business day.  For more details on setting up your Kid’s Kitchen account, see the flyer, menu and visit the Kid’s Kitchen website.

Please note: If the school buses are cancelled due to inclement weather and the schools are open Kid’s Kitchen lunches will still be delivered, unless cancelled by the family.  See Kid’s Kitchen’s Inclement Weather Information for more details.

We hope you and your children enjoy this convenience service for families.

Order today … before it’s too late! Pizza can be ordered on School Cash Online through September 29th.  If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

Terry Fox had a dream of a world without cancer and raised tens of millions of dollars through his incredible efforts to support medical research. Terry began his inspirational Marathon of Hope forty-five years ago and charged Canadians with the task of continuing this work when he was no longer able. Together, we pick up on his challenge to carry on and finish it.

Terry Fox is honoured and recognized across Canada and internationally for his heroic quest to eradicate cancer and his trailblazing attitudes toward disability.  With more than three-quarters of a billion dollars raised in Terry’s name to date, schools across Canada honour him by participating in an annual school event.  This year Rosedale Heights will be holding its school run on Thursday, September 25th, 2025.

Over Rosedale Heights Public School’s twenty-three years of participating in the annual Terry Fox School Run event, the school has raised an incredible amount–$56,583.11–and we’re hoping to continue to this year.  You can help our fundraising efforts in one of two ways.  Donations in the name of the school can easily be made online, directly to the Terry Fox Foundation at our school-specific donation page (linked) simply by clicking on the ‘Donate’ button. Alternatively, pledge forms have also be sent home with students today.  Any donation, whether online or returned to the school with the pledge form, is appreciated.  Our community will continue to contribute in an important way to the ongoing effort to eradicate cancer in our lifetime.

Conquering cancer is a challenging but especially worthwhile goal.  During his Marathon of Hope, Terry explained the one thing that bothered him during his endless miles on the road. “I keep hearing ‘Terry Fox.’ I’m not doing the run to become rich or famous … to me, being famous is not the idea of the run. The only important part is that cancer can be beaten.” This year, once again, we will work together to honour Terry’s perseverance … and hopefully one day realize his dream and finish it, once and for all.

We thank you for your support.

Our first School Council meeting and elections will be held on Thursday, September 25th at 7:00 p.m. in the school library. School Councils provide valuable advice and support on school matters and help to strengthen the important relationship between schools, parents, guardians and their communities. Our School Council contributes in so many ways to Rosedale Heights P.S. and helps us build a stronger school community.

Those wishing to serve on the School Council as chair or co-chair, secretary, treasurer, or as an executive member need to complete the linked School Council Nomination Form (or contained within the School Start-Up Package that was sent home). School Council Nomination Forms should be returned to the school office by September 19th, 2025. Those seeking a position must be in attendance at the first meeting. It is expected that School Council Executive members attend all regularly scheduled School Council meetings and events. Please note that there can be many parents and guardians who are not executive members, who consistently attend School Council Meetings and strongly support the work of the School Council by volunteering, contributing as much or as little time as their schedule allows.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend and support the work of the school.

We look forward to working with the School Council this year!

We look forward to seeing the community at our 2025-2026
Curriculum Night Meet and Greet on Thursday, September 18th.

Welcome back to school to all of our new and returning students and families. This is an exciting time, filled with new beginnings and new opportunities for learning, growth and connection. We look forward to another great school year together.

As a school board trustee, I have the privilege of representing our community. Trustees play an important role in shaping the direction of public education in York Region by setting the budget and policies, establishing priorities through our Multi-Year Strategic Plan and communicating with families. I look forward to connecting with many of you at school and Board events over the coming months and encourage you to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. I will also continue to share important updates through these quarterly messages. 

I also encourage you to stay connected with your child’s school. Your voice matters and we truly value the important partnership we share with families. In addition to school communications, you can stay connected by following the school board on social media, visiting our newsroom, listening to our Board podcast and exploring the Board website and refreshed school websites for information and updates. 

We recognize this is a time of transition – whether your child is starting a new school, taking the school bus for the first time, or getting to know a new teacher, these early weeks can bring excitement and questions. Our caring and dedicated staff are here to support students and families every step of the way. We also understand that some students may be requesting timetable changes, and transportation services may still be finalizing routes. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time and want to assure you that we are working to support a smooth start for all.

We remain committed to delivering high-quality, inclusive public education that supports the success and well-being of every student. Our Multi-Year Strategic Plan guides our work and reflects our priorities: student achievement, mental health and well-being, human rights and inclusive education.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in education. I wish your family a wonderful start to the school year. 

Estelle Cohen, Trustee, Vaughan Wards 4 and 5

Did you know the York Region District School Board offers language learning to elementary students in grade SK to grade 8 (and language credit courses to secondary students in grades 9 to 12)? Dozens of language learning opportunities are offered where students can learn to read, write and speak a new language or maintain their heritage language!

Online registration for 2025-2026 is now open on the Elementary Program web page.

The registration deadline is September 8th, so if you’re interested, be sure to register today!

During the first week of school, a School Startup Package will be distributed to all parents and guardians. Within the package is important information about the school year as well as various forms that are to be read, signed and returned to the school. (The forms in the package will also be made available to families electronically at the beginning of the school year, if they wish to complete them digitally.)

Among the forms to be signed and returned are the:

• School Startup Permissions Form
• Student Personal Information Consent Form

Other optional forms within package include the Request for Faith Accommodations Form, School Council Candidate Nomination Form and Volunteers in Our Schools Form.

Additionally, if your child has an anaphylactic condition please complete an Anaphylaxis Health Care Plan.  Similarly, complete an Asthma Health Care Plan, a Type 1 Diabetes Health Care Plan or an Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder Health Care Plan, as needed.  Finally, if your child has any other medical condition please complete a general Health Care Plan.  We’d kindly ask that any of these health related forms be completed and emailed to the school or sent in with your child on the first day of school, as appropriate.  Please note, these forms must be completed annually for children with an anaphylactic and/or other medical conditions.

We thank our community for their help with gathering this important information.

The York Region District School Board has now released its online Guide to the School Year 2025-26. This detailed guide provides important information about the York Region District School Board and its schools. It includes information about who to contact if you have a question or concern, and covers a range of topics such as student assessment and evaluation, general school day procedures, items dealing with health and safety, as well as many board policies. For more information about the York Region District School Board visit www.yrdsb.ca.