What’s Up Next At DCPS - Issue #14 - May 1, 2026

Message from Administration

It has been an incredibly active and rewarding spring at DCPS, with our students demonstrating remarkable "Dragon spirit" across athletics, the arts, and community leadership. Our student-athletes have been particularly busy, with the Junior Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball teams earning praise for their grit and sportsmanship at recent area tournaments. We also launched a new Morning Run Club for students in grades 4–8 and our Intermediate Badminton team has been practicing hard for their upcoming Area tournament on Monday. In the arts, our Concert Band and Choirs represented us beautifully at the Bur Oak Music Invitational, receiving excellent feedback from adjudicators, while auditions and rehearsals for our upcoming Talent Show and Spring Concert are currently in full swing.

Our commitment to community and global awareness was evident through our participation in Earth Day challenges, the "Great Gulp" for World Water Day, and the "Rock Your Socks" campaign for World Down Syndrome Day. We also celebrated the success of our recent Big Box card and candle fundraiser, with Ms. Bouroukis’s class claiming the top spot for their hard work. They will be receiving the prize of a pizza lunch for the top class sales. Looking ahead, our Eco Team is excited to host a community clothing swap this May, and we encourage families to participate by donating gently used items. We are so proud of the kindness and hustle our students continue to show every day.

Each year, Ontarians mark the first full week of May as Children's Mental Health Week. This important week is about:

• Increasing awareness of the signs of child and youth mental health problems
• Decreasing stigma
• Understanding that help is available and it works!

For more information on Children’s Mental Health Week, please see CMHA Mental Health Week. In recognition of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2026, we hope to highlight the importance of small and intentional actions that can support mental health.

YRDSB has a wealth of resources to explore, including virtual and on-demand presentations, community presentations, and ready-to-use activities. Visit the YRDSB Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week page on the YRDSB website. 

Sean Yao     Joanne Trim

Principal       Vice Principal

Spring Concert

The Spring Concert is fast approaching, and we are aware that many guests wish to attend to watch their children perform. In order to best accommodate the limited seating in our gym, we would like to request that everyone fill out this Google Form to RSVP the number of guests they would like to bring. 

DCPS Library Learning Commons

There was lots to celebrate in the Library during the month of April. We welcomed Spring with a collaborative tissue paper art project. The materials were available to all students when they visited the library. Together, we created this mural:

The primary classes from Kindergarten to Grade 3 have been reading the Forest of Reading Blue Spruce books. 

The Forest of Reading is Canada’s largest recreational reading program to promote the love of reading and celebrate Canadian authors, publishers and illustrators. Managed by the Ontario Library Association, the Blue Spruce program nominates 10 picture books. Students listened to the book in their class, and on April 20th, they were able to vote for their favourite book! The votes are shared with the Forest of Reading, and the winner from the votes from across Canada are announced at a festival later in the year. In our school, the picture book with the most votes was The Great Dinosaur Sleepover. The Friendship Blanket was a close second! 

Thank you for your continued support!

- Ms. Channa

Join Our Community Clothing Swap!

It’s time to clear out those closets for a great cause! We are hosting a Community Clothing Swap to promote sustainability and help our families bypass the cycle of fast fashion. We are looking for clean, gently used clothing in all sizes—from baby through adult. Please bring your donations to the school between May 4th and May 15th. Then, join us on May 22nd from 3:30 to 5:30 PM to "shop" our pop-up thrift store! Every item is completely free, making this a fantastic way to refresh your wardrobe while helping the planet. We can’t wait to see what treasures you find!

DCPS Eco Crew

Last Chance to Register!  

Registration for the lunchtime “Robotics/Coding & Hands-On Mechanical Engineering” program for students in grades 1 - 3 closes on Monday, May 4.  

Hot Lunch Program

From the YRDSB:

Please click on this link to view the newsletter. The focus of May’s newsletter is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. 

Dear Families and Caregivers,

Every year, the first week of May is recognized as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. This year’s theme, “Come Together, Canada. Stronger connections. Better 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 resources for parents/caregivers. 

The YRDSB Children’s Mental Health Week webpage 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, emotional regulation, technology and more!

We are pleased to offer a free virtual presentation for parents/caregivers entitled Social Media and Mental Health as a part of our Learning about Mental Health Presentation Series (LAMPS) on May 6th from 6:30-7:30 PM. If you are interested in attending this presentation, please register using the Google form.

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. For more information on children’s mental health trends in Ontario, visit School Mental Health Ontario, and review the Hear Now Ontario Survey Summary, that focuses on student experiences and ideas on how to build and sustain mental health promotion and knowledge.

Grassed Areas and Sports Field Opening and Closures

Grassed areas and sports fields are a year-round resource, and the Board is responsible for their proper maintenance. The safe opening and closing of fields rely heavily upon current and forecasted weather conditions. 

Before fields are opened in the spring, the Board monitors the condition of grassed areas and often limits or prohibits their use during spring thaws and periods of heavy rain. This helps ensure the fields are preserved and prevents damage, so they can continue to be used by students and families.

If fields are opened before they have thawed or are exceptionally wet, water cannot infiltrate the soil and creates muddy, wet and slippery conditions. This can result in unsafe conditions for users and damage to fields, which leads to prolonged closures for repairs. 

We understand that the closure of grassed areas and fields can be frustrating for students and families, and we are grateful for their patience as we monitor to ensure they are safe for all to use.

2026 - 2027 School Year Calendar Confirmed

The YRDSB 2026-2027 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  

YRDSB Accepting Applications for Board Committees

York Region District School Board is accepting applications for membership on two advisory committees that provide important family and community perspectives at the Board level. 

Parent, Family and Community Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC) 

Applications open May 14 - June 10, 2026.

Parents, caregivers and family members are invited to apply for membership on PEAC. The committee offers families a meaningful opportunity to share their perspectives and support family engagement at the Board level to improve student achievement and well-being.

Learn more about PEAC, eligibility requirements and how to apply on the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC) webpage. 

Equity and Inclusivity Advisory Committee (EIAC)

Applications open May 11 - June 15, 2026

Family and community members can apply for one of eight positions on EIAC. The committee supports YRDSB’s commitment to providing equitable and inclusive learning and working environments in all schools and workplaces of the Board.

Learn more about EIAC, eligibility requirements and how to apply on the Equity and Inclusivity Advisory Committee (EIAC) webpage. 

Asian Heritage Month Celebration Event

In honour of Asian Heritage Month, Inclusive School and Community Services (ISCS) invites students, families and staff for an evening celebrating the incredible diversity of Asian heritage. This event offers a unique opportunity for cultural exchange as we learn about and celebrate the unique identities across the Asian continent. Through food, performances, and interactive activities, we will honour the rich histories, vibrant cultures, and ongoing contributions of Asian communities. 

Event Details

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: 39 Dunning Ave Aurora, Ontario L4G 1A2

Visit the www link for more information. 

Please note that registration for this event is limited to comply with venue capacity requirements. Spaces will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration will close once capacity has been reached. 

Understanding and Navigating the Education System - Families of YRDSB Black Students Monthly Virtual Information Session on Monday, May 25, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Families, parents, and caregivers, please join us for our 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 visit the www link for more information and the registration link.

East Asian Heritage Celebration

In honour of Asian Heritage Month, Inclusive School and Community Services (ISCS) invites you to an evening celebrating East Asian heritage. This event will include cultural performances, displays, food and cultural exchange through activities and displays that highlight the histories, cultures, and contributions of East Asian communities. 

This celebration will also feature the presentation of the Supporting East Asian Students (SEAS) Student Leadership and Community Impact Award.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Milliken Mills High School, 7522 Kennedy Rd, Markham, ON L3R 9S5

Please visit the www link for more information and to register now. 

Please note that registration for this event is limited to comply with venue capacity requirements. Spaces will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration will close once capacity has been reached. 

Tenants’ Housing Rights - Free Virtual Workshops – May and June 2026

 York Region District School Board, in collaboration with the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights; , is offering the following free virtual workshops:

Guest Speakers: 

• Ayesha Adamjee, Manager of Education and Community Initiatives

• Rose Vandermeer, Education Project Manager  

• Brightson Okenwa, Senior Legal Education Specialist

• Jessie Tang, Outreach and Education Advisor

Session Details:

All parents, guardians and staff are welcome to attend any of the free virtual workshops. 

Once you register, we will send you invites and links to the workshops.

Please register through the Google form.      

YRDSB Summer Learning Programs

 Please see the attached links for an overview of Summer Learning Programs. Families are encouraged to register their children early to avoid disappointment. Decisions to run courses are based on sufficient enrollment and teacher availability.