What’s Up Next At DCPS - Issue #10 - February 9, 2026

Message from Administration

We hope that everyone managed to stay warm over the weekend with another blast of extreme cold from Mother Nature!  We have a few updates to share with you in this issue of our newsletter. 

Our new fundraiser is now up and running! The “Big Box of Cards” campaign runs until Monday, February 23, 2026, so get your orders in while you can on School Cash Online! More information can be found below.

We have also extended the deadline to order DCPS Spirit Wear. Our web campaign for Donald Cousens Spirit Wear has been extended to Friday, February 13. Orders placed during this period will be delivered to the school by March 13, at no additional charge. The school e-store will close Friday, February 13, at midnight; as such, we strongly encourage all students to participate during the campaign period to ensure timely delivery of goods. Scroll down for details and photos of some of the items available for purchase.

On Monday, February 9, we are having our Caring and Safe Schools presentations throughout the day. Students will be attending based on their division - primary, junior, or intermediate. Please see our previous newsletter for details about the content of these presentations.

We would like to remind everyone of Family Day coming up on Monday, February 16. Schools are closed for this holiday. 

Finally, we are looking forward to welcoming a YRDSB School Social Worker to meet with our GSA students the week of February 23, 2026 to talk about well-being, self-care, and managing stress.

Sean Yao         Joanne Trim

Principal           Vice Principal

Donald Cousens Spirit Wear - NEW ORDER DEADLINE - FEBRUARY 13, 2026

Our web campaign for 2026 has been extended to February 13, 2026.  Orders received by this date will be delivered to the school by March 13, with no additional charge.  This year, all orders can be made online via our vendor’s dedicated e-store via this link: https://varsitycanada.com/schools/dcps/

 We are aware that some families may be hesitant to purchase clothing when they are not sure that it will properly fit. We strongly encourage parents to review sizing charts, which are a part of the e-store.

 Absolutely no money will be taken by the office. All purchases are to be made online via credit card or debit visa. We cannot accept cheques. All sales are final. We are unable to replace clothing items that do not fit, so please ensure you utilize the sizing charts on the e-store.

We look forward to seeing everyone in their Donald Cousens Spirit Wear. 

DCPS School Council Presents - Big Box of Cards Fundraiser

Dear Families,

As your Donald Cousens Public School (DCPS) School Council representatives, we are thrilled to kick off a new fundraiser — The Big Box of Cards! This campaign is a fun and simple way to support our school, and each box offers great value that your family and friends will love. Funds raised are earmarked for Grade 8 graduation ($2,000), technology (including audio-visual equipment, etc) ($3,000), and other needs as they may arise.

Card boxes sell for $35, and the Candles box for $40. We will be offering:

• All Occasion Box (includes 35 cards)
• Birthday Box (includes 35 cards)
• Holiday Box (includes 35 cards)
• Big Box of Candles (includes 8 soy candles with individual scents)

Our campaign will run from Monday, February 2, 2026 to Monday, February 23, 2026. Each family will receive a sample card and envelope, an order form, and product video links. These videos are perfect to share with friends, coworkers, and extended family to help boost your sales!

Collect orders from friends and family using the order form. Then place your order online at School Cash Online by Monday, February 23, 2026. Orders will be ready for pickup prior to March Break.

Prizes!

• If we sell 75+ boxes, the top-selling class will win a pizza party
• For every 3 boxes your family sells, you’ll be entered into a draw to win one of four $25 gift cards (if our school sells 150+ boxes)
• If we hit 400 boxes, we’ll also draw for a Samsung 8” Tablet 

There’s no limit — the more boxes you sell, the more entries you get!

Thank you for supporting our students through this exciting initiative. Your participation makes a difference — and we hope you enjoy sharing these beautiful card sets with your friends and loved ones!

DCPS School Council

School Assistants Wanted

We are looking for additional School Assistants to support the supervision of students during the lunch hour (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.). This is a paid position and requires a Vulnerable Sector Screening to be obtained from the York Regional Police.

The role of School Assistants is to provide supervisory support to ensure the safety and well-being of students during peak or critical periods of the school day, such as lunch time and recess. 

As a School Assistant, your responsibilities may include:

• Yard duty supervision
• Supervision of lunch hour activities
• Additional tasks assigned by the school administrator

If you are interested, please email the school at donald.cousens.ps@yrdsb.ca. 

Hot Lunch Program

Access Report Cards in the Family Dashboard When Available

Schools will be sharing student report cards for all students Kindergarten to Grade 12 in the Family Dashboard. You will receive an email when your child’s report card is available. 

• For families who do not yet have a Family Dashboard account, you can sign up for an account at any time at family.yrdsb.ca. You can find information on how to create an account on the Board website or in this instructional video.
• For families who have a Family Dashboard account, but have forgotten their password: from the login screen, select “forgot password” to create a new password.  

The Family Dashboard gives parents/guardians secure one-stop access to information and applications related to your child’s education. It is designed to make it easier for families to engage with their child’s education.  

Please note, you can still request a printed copy of your child’s report card if you prefer by contacting the school at donald.cousens.ps@yrdsb.ca .

Updated Contact Information

We also want to remind families that it’s important that the school has updated contact information for students and parents/guardians, including home address, phone numbers, email address and emergency contacts. This will ensure that the school can contact families in case of emergency, and also that you continue to receive important communications and updates from the school. Please contact the school directly with any changes.  

From the YRDSB:

G.I.V.E! 2026 Winter Session

Empower yourself to support your school community and enrich your child's learning experience! Join the GIVE! (Get Involved, Volunteer in Education) training program, a 5-morning workshop series, and discover how you can make a difference in your child’s education by volunteering in schools. Find out more information about this opportunity by clicking on this www link.

Location: Ashton Meadows Public School (230 Calvert Rd., Markham, ON L6C 1T5)

Dates: February 23 to 27, 2026 (Monday to Friday)

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration for the 2026/2027 school year is now open! 

Families can register using the following options: 

• Online - Families can access the online Kindergarten registration information at www.yrdsb.ca/kindergarten > Registration. It is recommended that families use a laptop or a desktop computer, rather than a mobile device to complete this registration.  This is the preferred method for registration.
• By email - Families can download the Elementary School Registration Form at www.yrdsb.ca/kindergarten and email the completed form to their school email address.
• By phone - Families can request support to complete the registration form on their behalf by collecting the required information by phone. Families can request an interpreter if needed.
• In-person at the school - Families may visit the school office to drop off or complete a registration form on Friday, January 30, 2026. To register in person on any other day, please contact the office to make an appointment.

For those families registering their children for Kindergarten, there is an exciting learning opportunity available.

Learning Together: Experiencing the Joy of Kindergarten Conference 2026

In collaboration with the York Region Child and Family Collaborative, the York Catholic District School Board, and the EarlyON Child and Family Centres in York Region, the York Region District School Board invites families of children eligible for Kindergarten in September 2026 to join us for a two-part conference.

This free, family-friendly conference supports caregivers and children as they prepare for a successful transition to Kindergarten.

Part One: Virtual Session (Adults Only)

Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Highlights:

• Kindergarten Program Overview: What families can expect when their child starts school
• Keynote Speaker – Laurie McIntosh: Discover how relationships, shared reading, and everyday moments support children’s social, emotional, and academic growth
• Expert Panel & Q&A: Hear from school board principals and educators
• Learn about school board and community resources

Part Two: In-Person Session (Attend with Your Child)

Choose either a morning or afternoon session

Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Location: Richmond Green Secondary School

Highlights:

• Learn, play, and explore together
• Children and adults will enjoy interactive activities
• Connect with community agencies
• Each family will receive a conference bag filled with books and resources

For registration information, please visit www.yrdsb.ca/kindergarten.