Message from Administration
Thank you so much for all your support here as we approach the end of the first month of school! It has been a busy month here at Donald Cousens. For the coming week, we wanted to highlight the following items:
Terry Fox Event:
Due to the weather, we have rescheduled our Terry Fox Event to Friday, October 2, 2026.
As previously mentioned, our primary students will stay on school property. Our junior/intermediate students (Grades 4-8) will be participating off school property, within the local community. Please let your child’s teacher know if you do NOT give consent for this.
We encourage families to support cancer research by making an online donation 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. 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!
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Today, many of our students and staff wore orange to support our continued commitment to truth and reconciliation. We are also flying our Every Child Matters flag outside our school as another visible symbol of remembrance and acknowledgement.
School Council
We are excited to have our first School Council meeting on October 5, from 5:30-6:30 pm in our library. All are welcome to attend!
Curriculum/Meet the Educator Night
On Thursday, October 8th, from 5:30-6:30 pm, we will be hosting Curriculum/Meet the Educator Night. This will be a chance for all families to come in to our school to meet with your children’s educators and learn more about the rich learning opportunities we have planned for them. Because we will have multiple families with multiple children, we will offer two repeat 25-minute sessions (session one from 5:30-5:55 pm and session two from 6:00-6:25 pm). We look forward to seeing everyone!
Sumir Bansal Joanne Trim
Principal Vice Principal
Get Your Walk On – Celebrate IWALK Month
October 7th marks the official start of International Walk to School Month (IWALK).
IWALK is an annual mass celebration of active transportation that takes place around the world throughout the month of October.
A little movement goes a long way. Walking, wheeling, or cycling to school helps children boost their concentration, sharpen their memory, and feel ready to take on the day. Plus, every active trip helps create a greener and healthier community.
Even if you live too far to walk to school, you can still participate in IWalk Month by parking a few blocks away from the school and walking the last 5 minutes.
Let’s make this October a WALKTOBER! All students and families are encouraged to walk/cycle as often as possible!
Student Personal Mobile Device Use
Students must store their mobile device out of view and power it off or set it to silent mode during the school day. In 2024, the Ontario Ministry of Education introduced a directive modifying the use of personal mobile devices in classrooms. YRDSB already has Policy and Procedure 194.0 Appropriate Use of Technology, and many measures around personal mobile devices are already in place. These changes align with the Ministry Directive. The following expectations for students’ use of personal mobile devices are outlined in the revised Provincial Code of Conduct (PPM 128), and the York Region District School Board’s Policy #668 Caring and Safe Schools.
A personal mobile device (PMD) is any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate or access the internet, such as a laptop, cellphone, tablet, smartwatch, Meta glasses, or other wearable smart devices.
Expectations
Students are responsible for their personal mobile device, how they use it and the consequences of not following the provincial or school board policy.
Students’ personal mobile devices must be stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode, except under the circumstances outlined below:
- for educational purposes, as directed by an educator
- for health and medical purposes
- to support special education needs
Students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 may bring a personal mobile device to school, but can only use it before and after school. They may not use personal mobile devices at school during the school day, including recess and lunchtime, unless students leave school property for lunch.
Practices at School
If your child is in Kindergarten to Grade 6 and an educator sees a personal mobile device that is not stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode, the student may be required to bring their personal mobile device to the school administrator for the school day. The personal mobile device will be placed by the student in a storage area in a location designated by the school administrator.
If your child is in Grade 7 or 8 and an educator sees a personal mobile device that is not stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode, the student may be required to place their personal mobile device in a storage area designated by the educator for the class or period.
If your child uses their personal mobile device inappropriately, progressive discipline may apply, and families may be notified.
Resources
Families play an important role in teaching children about finding a healthy balance in using technology. You may wish to access the following resources:
- Media Smarts - Four Tips for Managing Your Kids’ Screen Time
- School Mental Health Ontario - Helping Your Child Manage Digital Technology
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - Problem Gambling and Technology Use Treatment Services
For additional information regarding Policy/Program (PPM) 128, please visit the Ministry of Education’s Cellphones and other mobile devices in schools site or the York Region District School Board’s website.
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 honour of Islamic Heritage Month, Inclusive School and Community Services (ISCS) invites students, families and staff to an evening celebrating the rich diversity of Islamic heritage and cultures.
Join us for an opportunity to connect, learn and celebrate the diverse identities, histories, traditions and contributions of Muslim communities from around the world.
Through food, performances, cultural displays and interactive activities, participants will experience and learn about the many cultures, traditions and histories that contribute to the rich tapestry of Islamic heritage.
Four events will be held across York Region. Students, families and staff are encouraged to attend the event that is most convenient for them.
Event #1 – North Area
Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Sir William Mulock Secondary School, 705 Columbus Way, Newmarket, ON L3X 2M7
Event #2 – West Area
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Tommy Douglas Secondary School, 4020 Major Mackenzie Dr. W., Vaughan, ON L4H 4E9
Event #3 – Central Area
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Aurora High School, 155 Wellington St. W., Aurora, ON M5V 3H1
Event #4 – East Area
Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Bill Hogarth Secondary School, 100 Donald Sim Ave., Markham, ON L6B 0R1
Registration is required and is limited by venue capacity. Spaces will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration will close once capacity has been reached. To assist with event planning, please indicate which event you will attend and the total number of people attending with you, including yourself.