Message from Administration
Welcome back to a brand-new school year at Donald Cousens Public School! We are thrilled to welcome back our returning students and families, and extend a warm greeting to all new families joining our school community. As we launch the 2026–2027 school year, our staff is excited and committed to nurturing a safe, supportive, and inspiring learning environment where every student can learn, grow, and succeed. We look forward to a fantastic year ahead and to working in close partnership with our families.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our families for your support in making the start of the school year so wonderful! Your cooperation with our drop-off and pick-up routines at each school door and in the Kiss and Ride helps ensure all students arrive and depart safely and efficiently each day. We truly appreciate your patience, care, and partnership as we establish these daily routines together.
It has been an action-packed start to the school year, with students actively participating in athletics, leadership initiatives, and community events. Fall sports are already in full swing with Cross-Country running open to students in Grades 3 through 8, alongside Intermediate Girls and Boys Volleyball tryouts, specialized setters' clinics, and team roster practices. Beyond athletics, student leadership is growing through the Grade 6 and 7 Snack Leaders program and our Grade 7 and 8 students will be invited to volunteer as Student Lunch Monitors in our Kindergarten to Grade 3 classes. DCPS Dragons are also showing strong community spirit as they prepare for the annual Terry Fox Run, raising funds and awareness for cancer research through "Toonies for Terry".
Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns, as we value our continued partnership with our school families.
Sumir Bansal Joanne Trim
Principal Vice Principal
Coyotes
We are aware of a coyote sighting near our school and want to assure families that we've been in touch with the City of Markham and Animal Services. It remains safe for students to be outside during school times.
If you encounter a coyote, here are some safety tips:
- Never feed coyotes.
- Do not run away. Instead, back away slowly.
- Make loud noises and appear large to deter them.
For additional safety guidelines specific to coyotes in Markham, visit City of Markham Coyote Information (https://www.markham.ca/permits-licences-taxes/animal-services/markham-wildlife)
Hot Lunches
We have received several inquiries about hot lunches. Hot lunches will begin the week of October 20. School Cash Online will be open from September 28 to October 1 for orders. You will receive an email notification when it opens. Please note that we will not accept late orders.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day
On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, our school community will observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. This meaningful day provides an opportunity for students, staff, and families to reflect on the history and legacy of Indigenous residential schools, honour the resilience of survivors, and remember the children who never came home. Throughout the week, students will engage in developmentally appropriate learning in their classes about this important day. We will also be having an 'Every Child Matters' flag-raising ceremony on September 23, 2026. We encourage all students and families to wear orange on September 30 as a shared symbol of remembrance, learning, and our ongoing commitment to reconciliation and ensuring that Every Child Matters.
2026 Terry Fox Run/Walk at DCPS
We are excited about our upcoming Terry Fox Event! On Thursday, October 1, 2026 (rain date: Friday, October 2, 2026), our school community will come together to carry on Terry’s inspiring legacy of hope, courage, and determination. To kick off our event, we are honoured to welcome virtual guest speaker Kirsten Fox, Terry's eldest niece and Director of Stakeholder Engagement with the Terry Fox Foundation, on Wednesday, September 23, 2026!
We encourage families to support cancer research by donating online at https://schools.terryfox.ca/134800 (tax receipts will be issued by email for eligible online donations). We are working towards being cash-free at the school; please do not send a cash donation. If each student donates $2, we can meet, or even exceed, our goal of raising $1000. Thank you for your wonderful support as we make a difference together!
Contact Information
Please ensure the school office has your most up-to-date contact information. This is important in case of emergency situations. If your contact information has changed, please notify the school office.
Back-to-School Forms
Parents/guardians received an email from YRDSB Update with instructions to complete back-to-school forms. It is important that these forms are completed as soon as possible at the start of the school year as they contain information and permissions.
You can find the forms in the family dashboard at family.yrdsb.ca. Click the arrow next to your child’s name and select the Start-Up Forms button. You can choose your language. Please follow these steps for each child. Forms will automatically populate with your child’s information through the Dashboard.
Learn how to create a Family Dashboard account if you do not have one.
The forms are also available online at https://startupforms.yrdsb.ca. You will need your child’s student number. Tips are available on the Board website. Translation is also available on the website.
Please note: You must complete a separate form for each child attending school. If you prefer to complete the forms on paper or have questions about the information in the forms, please contact the school office.
Mabel’s Labels - Keep track of your child’s belongings at school!
Our school continues to fundraise with Mabel’s Labels! If you’re not familiar with Mabel’s Labels, they are personalized, durable, waterproof labels. They are great for everything from shoes, clothing tags, water bottles and backpacks. You can customize them with your name and a design, and they are dishwasher-, laundry-, and microwave-safe.
Mabel’s Labels also offers clothing stamps, silicone bands for water bottles and medical alert labels. This is a great way to ensure your items don’t end up in the lost & found or mixed up. To reduce the spread of germs, we highly recommend labelling, but they are also useful for everyday life.
To support our fundraiser, visit campaigns.mabelslabels.com and enter DONALD COUSENS PUBLIC SCHOOL. You can pick whatever labels or products you want, and they will ship free directly to your house! Thank you for supporting us!
Growing Together - Planning for Success Event
The Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy Implementation Plan Team is proud to announce the upcoming event for students, families and staff.
Growing Together - Planning for Success
Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Richmond Hill High School (201 Yorkland St., Richmond Hill)
Registration: Please register now!
The move to high school is a critical milestone, and we are committed to ensuring every student and family feels fully prepared and equipped for success.
We are excited to invite Black students and their families in Grades 6 through 10 to an upcoming event highlighting the opportunities available to support pathway planning, specialty programs, and the transition between elementary and secondary school.
This is a key opportunity for Black students and families to connect with educators, ask questions, and build a personalized roadmap for a successful and fulfilling secondary school experience.
Understanding and Navigating the Education System - Families of YRDSB Black Students September Session
Understanding and Navigating the Education System - Families of YRDSB Black Students Monthly Virtual Information Session on Monday, September 28, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
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 use this www event link to register.
Adult Non-Credit English as a Second Language Classes
The York Region District School Board, in collaboration with the Government of Ontario, offers free English as a Second Language (ESL) training for adults aged 18 and over. Programs are available from beginner to advanced levels, and registration is ongoing.
Adult non-credit ESL Program - Key eligibility criteria
- Age: 18 years or older.
- Residency: A resident of Ontario.
- Immigration/Citizenship Status: Naturalized Canadian citizens, permanent residents, refugee claimants and convention refugees whose first language is not English.
For details on program offerings, locations, and schedules, please visit this page. For further assistance, please contact uplands@yrdsb.ca or call 905-731-9557.
GIVE (Get Involved Volunteer in Education) Fall Training Sessions
The G.I.V.E. program offers free workshops for parents, guardians, and caregivers to learn about volunteering, supporting student learning, building leadership, and fostering inclusive school environments. Participants attend five days, complete 20 hours of volunteer service, and can join sessions across five schools in York Region from October to November 2026. Registration is required.
School Mental Health Ontario
As part of our continued commitment to supporting the well-being of our students and families, we encourage parents and caregivers to explore the wealth of evidence-based tools available through School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO). Their dedicated parent and caregiver hub, "By Your Side," offers practical, everyday resources designed to support student mental health and overall family well-being. To support our diverse school community, many of these high-quality resources are available in multiple languages. The website provides free webinar series, informative blog posts, and expert guidance on highly relevant topics, including stress and anxiety management, navigating digital technology, and promoting positive mental health at home. We invite you to visit the School Mental Health Ontario Parents and Caregivers Page to access these valuable materials and learn more about how we can work together to nurture our children's emotional health.
In each newsletter, we will highlight a resource. In this issue, we would like to bring your attention to:
How to Help Your Child Have a Mentally Healthy Return to School
