November 6 Bulldog Newsletter

Join us for Winter Lights: A Unity in Diversity Celebration, a YRDSB community event taking place on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Bayview Secondary School.

This celebration is open to all students, families, and community members from across the region, honouring the richness of cultural diversity through the shared symbolism of light during the winter season.

Our theme this year, “Unity in Diversity: Light Across Cultures,” reflects the universal symbolism of light as a source of hope, wisdom, and renewal. Across cultures, light represents reflection, gratitude, and togetherness, values that unite us beyond boundaries and remind us of our shared humanity.

We look forward to celebrating this with you and making it a truly memorable event.

Please register for this event using this registration link.

Engagement Matters – Fall Edition

Read the latest newsletter from the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC). This edition covers a school spotlight featuring Nellie McClung PS, Ontario Ministry of Education updates and parent voice in action. You’ll also find information about the latest Board policies under review. PEAC works to support, encourage and enhance parent engagement at the Board level to improve student achievement and well-being.

a) PEAC Meeting Dates: Join PEAC meetings to hear about topics affecting students and families. Check the Board and committee meeting calendar for PEAC dates.

b) School Council Forums: Learn, Connect and Engage: School Council Forums bring families, Council members, trustees, administrators, PEAC members, and Board staff together to learn about YRDSB priorities, share ideas, and connect across school communities. Five area forums are scheduled from November 23 to December 2, 2026; check the event page for locations, times, and current session details. 

Find the School Council Forum for your area: School Council Forums | York Region District School Board

c) Follow Board Consultations: Watch for opportunities to share feedback on YRDSB's budget priorities, strategic planning, new programs and resources, and parent engagement initiatives.

d) Parent Learning Events: Watch for YRDSB sessions, webinars and workshops on student well-being and mental health, literacy and numeracy, digital citizenship, pathways and career planning and artificial intelligence in education.

e) Regional Parent Symposium: PEAC's annual Regional Parent Symposium offers opportunities to learn from experts and connect with other families. Watch for details about the next symposium.

Join us for an exciting Open House on Monday, November 16th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. This evening is designed to showcase everything that Bur Oak Secondary School has to offer prospective students and families!

We invite Grade 8 students and their families to join us for an evening of exploration, discovery, and connection. To accommodate all visitors, we will be offering two identical school presentations, beginning at 6:15 PM and 7:15 PM. Families may choose to attend either presentation and then spend the remainder of the evening exploring the school.

Experience our vibrant school community firsthand as you tour the building, meet staff and students, and learn about the many opportunities available to learners. Enjoy performances from our talented Drama students and Music Department, observe open rehearsals, and hear student musicians performing throughout the evening. Visit our spacious gymnasium facilities and experience live student sports action firsthand. Sample delicious treats prepared by our Hospitality program while exploring our specialized learning spaces, including Construction, Computer Technology, and Healthcare classrooms.  Discover our unique course offerings, our rigorous English program, specialized Math pathways, Science labs and programming, and experiential learning and Co-op placements including Specialized High Skills Major opportunities.  Attend our Student Services presentation for students who currently have, or are in the process of developing, an Individual Education Plan (IEP). This presentation will take place at 6:50 PM. You can also meet our dedicated Guidance team, hear student testimonials, and have your questions answered by staff and students. Please see the attached flyer for additional event details.

 We look forward to welcoming you and helping you discover all that our school has to offer as you prepare for your transition to secondary school!

Please see this post from the City of Markham and review Mr. Lim's message below concerning an update on E-Scooters and E-bikes.

1. E-Scooters – Strictly Prohibited

E-scooters are entirely banned on all school grounds, as well as almost all public spaces across the City of Markham. By municipal law, e-scooters are NOT permitted on city roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, paths, parks, or trails. Thus, students must NOT bring or ride E-scooters on Bur Oak Secondary School property.

Consequences for E-Scooters:

• School administration will confiscate the E-Scooter. Parent/guardian will be required to come to the school to retrieve the E-Scooter.
• Progressive Discipline: Students will face progressive discipline. Repeat infractions will result in escalating consequences, up to and including out-of-school suspension.
• Police Fines ($250 to $2500): York Regional Police (YRP) can issue tickets directly to riders. Parents and guardians can also face charges and fines.

2. Electric Bikes (E-Bikes) – Permitted under Strict Rules

E-Bikes are permitted on public roads and designated pathways. However, strict laws and school policies apply: 

Age Requirement: By Ontario law, riders must be 16 years of age or older to operate any e-bike.

• Helmet Law: Helmets are mandatory for anyone under the age of 18.
• No Sidewalk Riding: It is illegal to ride e-bikes on sidewalks. They must be ridden on the road or in designated bike lanes.
• School Property Rules: E-bikes must be powered off on school property, walked safely through pedestrian areas, and securely locked at the bicycle racks. 

Consequences for E-Bikes:

• Confiscation: Any e-bike operated unsafely on school property or brought to school by an underage or unhelmeted rider, will be confiscated immediately by school administration and held until a parent/guardian retrieves it.
• Progressive Discipline: Progressive discipline applies with repeated or dangerous offences leading up to and including out-of-school suspension.
• Police Fines ($60 to $500+): York Regional Police (YRP) enforces e-bike laws. Parents/guardians can face charges.

If you have any questions, please contact me:  louis.lim@yrdsb.ca

Length: Half Day-AM 

Topic: Special Education and Individual Education Plans (IEPs), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Multilingual Language Learners, and School Improvement Planning

Entity Hosting: Secondary Schools

Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): School administration.

Description:

School teams will engage in learning focused on:

• how assessment information helps educators understand student learning, the impact of processing on learning, and the supports needed for student success;
• student strengths, IEPs, and family engagement to enhance achievement and well-being;

School teams will also engage in learning focused on:

• role of AI in education and its responsible use under cyber safety guidelines;
• Multilingual Language Learners and language acquisition; and
• high-impact instructional practices to support student improvement.

Length: Half Day-PM 

Topic: MLLNet Updates and School Improvement Planning

Entity Hosting: Secondary Schools

Presenter(s)/Facilitator(s): School administration and school leaders

Description:

School teams will engage in learning focused on:

• Multilingual Language Learners, language acquisition, and updating STEP continua; and
• high-impact instructional practices to support student improvement.

Please read the information below carefully as it outlines the process and timelines for grade 12 students requesting to drop to part-time status (going from 3 courses to 2 courses).

1. Students are to book an appointment with their alpha guidance counsellor by November 23. This is to ensure that their request can be considered and processed before full disclosure, which is November 27. 
2. At this appointment, the guidance counsellor will talk to the student about their specific situation, make sure they are on track to graduate, and complete a google form with them. 
3. A pdf will then be sent to the student's gapps email that they must print, sign and get signed by their parent/guardian, and return to their guidance counsellor as soon as possible. 
4. Their request will then be forwarded to their alpha VP who will make the decision about whether or not they have permission to drop a course. 
5. The guidance counsellor will follow up with the student once the VP has made a decision. If the student has permission to drop the course, they must return any textbooks or course materials to their teacher before the course can be dropped.

Please Note:

• Students must continue to go to class until they have been advised by their guidance counsellor. 
• It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they have researched if and how dropping this course and having part-time status could impact their admission to post-secondary programs.