What’s Up Next At DCPS - Issue #8 - January 16, 2026

Message from Administration

Welcome back! What a return it has been with a snowstorm, freezing rain, strong winds and spring-like temperatures last week to the record-breaking snowfall yesterday! Inside the building, it has been wonderful to see our students and staff back at school after the two-week break. It has been a busy return with lots of learning and co-curricular activities taking place.

This month brings many opportunities for our Dragons to shine! The Reach for the Top trivia team competes in the final trivia tournament on January 22 (this was changed from January 15 due to the storm and school closures). The Junior Volleyball Area tournaments take place this month as well. The girls' tournament is on January 20, and the boys’ tournament is on January 28. 

As a result of the change in date for the Reach for the Top trivia tournament, our Winter Concert will now be taking place on January 29 at 6:00 pm, our students in grades 4 to 8 will be showcasing their musical talents at our Winter Concert. We look forward to seeing our students perform and welcoming our DCPS families into the school.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions, concerns or comments.  We care about your children and value our partnership with our families and caregivers.

Sean Yao           Joanne Trim

Principal             Vice Principal

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration for the 2026/2027 school year begins on Friday, January 16, 2026. 

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.

Get Outside 

By Rumi, Eco Crew Member, Grade 7

It’s very important to go outside every day. Why, you may ask? Because, there are many benefits of going outside. When you go outside, it actually improves your mood. Going outside improves mood by reducing stress hormones, boosting serotonin, restoring attention, and providing grounding sensory input, leading to less anxiety, and irritability, while increasing happiness, focus, and feelings of connection, thanks to natural light and restorative environments. Even short stints (around 20 minutes) in green or blue spaces (like parks or water) offer significant benefits, making you feel calmer and more present.  We are in cold and flu season right now. Going outside helps in reducing germ transmission in crowded indoor spaces, boosting Vitamin D from sunlight, encouraging physical activity that strengthens the immune system, and getting fresh air.  Another thing it does is improve sleep quality. Going outside improves sleep by resetting your internal body clock with natural light, which regulates melatonin, and by reducing stress and cortisol, creating a more relaxed state conducive to better, deeper sleep. Even short, regular exposure to daylight, especially in the morning, signals your body to be awake, making it easier to sleep soundly at night and wake up refreshed. Have a nice walk outside to enjoy your sleep better! And these are just a few of the benefits of going outside!

So now you know some of the benefits of going outside, what is keeping you inside? Too cold/rainy: dress for the weather! Before going outside, make sure you check the weather forecast. If you go outside in a hoodie and thin jeans and it’s -10 degrees outside, you would definitely be shivering through your bones. Same thing with dressing in too many layers when it’s warm outside. Also, going outside for shorter periods of time doesn’t always mean you get little benefit. Taking a walk for even 10-15 minutes can give noticeable benefits, like an immediate mood boost. Finally, find activities that you actually enjoy! These can include: snowshoeing, building a snowman, ice skating, or simply walking in a park. It’s up to you and your preferences! Now that you know the benefits of going outside and how to enjoy it, get out there!

Eco Dragons competed in a Snow Tower Challenge.  

Hot Lunch Program

From the YRDSB:

Tamil Heritage Month Celebrations

Inclusive Schools and Community Services (ISCS) will be hosting Tamil Heritage Month celebrations across the region in January 2026. This year’s celebration highlights culture, storytelling, community, and identity. Join us for a vibrant evening celebrating Tamil Heritage Month, featuring storytelling, music, and community connection.

Tamil Heritage Month celebrations will take place at the following locations:

• North: Stouffville District Secondary School – January 19, 2026, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
• East: Middlefield Collegiate Institute – January 20, 2026, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• West: Michael Cranny Elementary School – January 28, 2026, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• Central: Charles Howitt Public School – January 29, 2026, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

All students, families, staff, and community members are welcome to attend.

Registration Deadlines: 

North and East celebrations deadline is January 16, 2026.

West and Central celebrations deadline is January 26, 2026.

A flyer was emailed to families with more information and the registration link.

Understanding and Navigating the Education System - Families of YRDSB Black Students Monthly Virtual Information Session on Monday, January 26, 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 see our  www link for more information and the registration link.

Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN) Scholarship Application Workshop

Black students and their families are invited to attend a virtual edition of the BFCN Scholarship Application Workshop on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

This is a free workshop designed to guide Black students and their families on how to search, prepare, and apply for scholarships and bursaries.

For more information and to register, please visit this link.

Adult Day School

YRDSB's Adult Day School is located at the Education Support Centre in Aurora. Our Quad 3 starts on January 29, and registration opens on January 13. We offer a variety of secondary courses for adults looking to finish their OSSD , improve their English language skills or for personal interest. 

Supporting East Asian Students (SEAS) 2025 - 2026 Family Engagement Series:  Pathway Planning and High School Course Selection Workshop Part 2  支持东亚学生家校互动活动系列 --了解中学发展途径和课程选择

Families, parents, and caregivers are invited to join us for this Supporting East Asian Students (SEAS) Family Engagement evening to deepen their understanding of pathway planning and the course selection process in the Ontario Education System. 

YRDSB Teachers and Guidance Counsellors will be delivering information focused on:

• Understanding the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requirements
• Exploring pathways and planning for post-secondary opportunities
• Navigating the high school course selection process in YRDSB

 Date: Thursday, February 5th, 2026 

Time: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm 

Location: Unionville High School, 201 Town Centre Blvd, Unionville, ON L3R 8G5 

The workshop session will be in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

Please register by Tuesday, February 3, 2026. 

For additional inquiries, please contact Inclusive School and Community Services (ISCS) at iscs@yrdsb.ca. 

This event is supported by the YRDSB Pathways Team, in partnership with SEAS.

SEAS is an affinity group of educators and supporters committed to addressing the lived experiences of East Asian students by advocating for improved achievement and well-being through equitable practices. Building relationships with students, families, educators, community members and partners is also a focus of our work.

Chinese Heritage Month Celebration

York Region District School Board, Inclusive School and Community Services (ISCS) invites students, families, and staff to join us for an evening celebrating Chinese Heritage Month Celebration.

Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Location: Bur Oak Secondary School (933 Bur Oak Ave, Markham, ON L6E 1G4)

This student-centred, community-focused event highlights the richness of Chinese culture and history, and the contributions of Chinese-Canadian communities. We welcome all students, staff and families to attend and participate.

Please register for the event to help us with planning for the event.