The start of a new school year is an exciting time filled with new opportunities, friendships and experiences. Whether your child is beginning Kindergarten, moving to a new school, entering high school or preparing for their final year before graduation, the 91���� looks forward to welcoming every student and family to our caring Catholic community.

Helping Your Child Get Ready

A smooth transition back to school often begins before the first day. In the weeks leading up to September, try to gradually re-establish regular bedtimes and morning routines. Healthy meals, plenty of rest and time away from screens before bedtime can help children feel refreshed and ready to learn.

Take time to talk with your child about the upcoming school year. Encourage them to share any worries they may have and what they look forward to most. Simple conversations can build confidence and remind children that they are supported every step of the way.

If your child is starting Kindergarten, entering Grade 9 or attending a new school, consider visiting the exterior of the school beforehand, if possible. Becoming familiar with the building, playground, school entrance or bus stop can help ease first-day jitters and make the return to school feel more comfortable.

For Secondary Students

Returning to high school brings new opportunities to grow academically, socially and spiritually. As the school year approaches, begin thinking about goals you would like to achieve and how you will balance school, extracurricular activities, work and time to rest.

Students entering Grade 12 are encouraged to begin exploring their plans after graduation. Whether you are considering university, college, an apprenticeship or the workforce, your teachers and guidance counsellors are ready to help you discover the path that best matches your gifts and aspirations.

Mental Health Resources

To learn how to support your child’s mental health and connect with help at school, please click here to visit

To find resources and ideas to help you take care of your mental health, support your friends, and make your school a place where everyone belongs, please click here to visit

Remember that asking for help is a sign of strength. If you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious, reach out to a trusted adult, teacher, guidance counsellor or member of your school staff. You are never alone.

Student Transportation

Safety is everyone’s responsibility. If your child travels by school bus, please review bus safety together before the first day of school. Student Transportation Services of York Region has a number of safety resources for first-time bus riders of all ages, which .

(if eligible). Please double-check your bus schedule the weekend before the first day of school.

To ensure you don’t miss the bus, please arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes early and wait a safe distance from the road.

We also encourage families who are able to choose Active School Travel by walking, running, rolling or cycling to school — or by parking a block away and walking the rest of the way. Families can learn more and review the Active School Travel Plan

We Look Forward to Welcoming You

As a Catholic school community, we know that every child is uniquely created in God’s image and blessed with gifts to share. Together with families, our teachers and staff are committed to nurturing each student’s faith, supporting their well-being and helping them grow into confident, compassionate learners.

To help plan for the year ahead, families are encouraged to review the 2026–2027 School Year Calendar for important dates, holidays and P.A. Days.

As we prepare for another school year, we pray that God will bless our students, families and staff and guide them throughout the months ahead. We look forward to welcoming everyone back this September as we grow together in faith, discover new opportunities to learn and strengthen the relationships that make our Catholic school communities so special.

Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey of learning and growth for your child? The 91���� (91����) offers a welcoming and nurturing Kindergarten program designed to spark curiosity, build confidence and inspire a love for learning rooted in faith.

At 91����, your child will benefit from:

• A safe, inclusive and faith-filled environment
• Engaging, play-based learning activities
• Caring and dedicated educators
• Opportunities to develop socially, emotionally and academically

From exploring the wonders of literacy and math to celebrating faith and friendship, 91���� schools provide a strong foundation for lifelong success.

�����������here to learn more about our Kindergarten program and how to register your little one for a bright future with 91����.

We look forward to welcoming your family into ours.

Learn More and Register Now!

In accordance with the Ministry of Education’s new Regulation 304, “School Year Calendar, Professional Activity Days,” the 91���� (91����) is providing the following summary of P.A. Day activities at the elementary level on Friday, January 31, 2025.

Elementary
Mathematics
Teachers will deepen their understanding of the K-8 Mathematics curriculum by exploring assessment FOR learning, focusing on research-based practices in the curriculum front matter, key expectations along the math continuum, and using our board’s foundational math resource (Nelson My Math Path) and digital tool (Knowledgehook) for effective assessment. Educators in certain specialty areas will also participate in subject-specific sessions in locations throughout the 91����.

Bullying and School Safety
Staff will complete online modules covering the Bullying, Human Rights and Online Incident Reporting Tool. The bullying and human rights module will provide school staff with a better understanding of bullying behaviour, their obligations to help prevent bullying, as well as understanding of the Ontario Human Rights Code Protective Grounds.The online reporting tool will cover steps on how to report incidents of workplace violence. These training modules will support and monitor the health and safety of all our students and staff.

For Secondary
Secondary – Semester Two Prep
Teachers will complete semester one assessment facilitated by school administrators.

The 91���� recognizes that an equitable, inclusive education system will always be fundamental to achieving its mission and evolving core priorities. The Board recognizes that any form of overt or covert racism and discrimination is incompatible with Catholic values and is in violation of the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Cultivating an authentically safe and inclusive space also requires a recognition of the role that racism, which is historically and systemically embedded, has in working against these goals and outcomes. Such spaces demand an understanding of how anti-Black racism has thrived as a particularly aggressive form of racism that impacts Black learners, Black professionals, and Black communities.

The Board is committed to listening to its diverse communities and addressing disparities to cultivate a learning community that promotes human rights, equity, anti-racism, and inclusion. In collaboration with the Board, the Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee will work to effectively address and dismantle the disadvantages and discrimination experienced by Black students, staff, and families.

For further information and to express interest in joining the Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Committee contact The Office of the Human Rights & Equity Advisor at humanrights.equityadvisor@ycdsb.ca

Join us at on Tuesday February 11, 2025 from 7:00-8:30pm for an important information session aimed at helping families protect York Region youth from the dangers of human trafficking and internet exploitation. As our young people navigate the digital world, it is crucial for parents and guardians to stay informed about the risks they may encounter online. The session will provide valuable information on recognizing the signs of human trafficking and internet exploitation, as well as strategies to protect youth from becoming victims. Experts from York Regional Police will share insights into the current dangers facing our youth and offer guidance on how to keep children safe in both online and offline spaces.

Important Note for Attendees: The subject matter being discussed may be difficult for some people, so we strongly recommend that parents accompany any students who plan to attend. Additionally, the presentation is not intended for children under the age of 10, but it is up to parents’ discretion at what age their child is ready for this information. You are welcome to bring families from outside of the 91����.

In accordance with the Ministry of Education’s new Regulation 304, “School Year Calendar, Professional Activity Days,” the 91���� (91����) is providing the following summary of P.A. Day activities at the elementary level on Friday, January 17, 2025. 

Elementary – Report Card Writing 

Elementary teachers will write report cards, which will be available to parents/guardians on ConnectEd on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, after 4 p.m.

Dear 91���� Students, Staff, Families and Community Members,

The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that John De Faveri has accepted the position of Director of Education and Foundation Chair with the 91����.

We thank Mr. De Faveri for being our Interim Director for the past 11 months and look forward to continuing to work together to implement the Multi-Year Strategic Plan and the Multi-Year Financial Recovery Plan.

Mr. De Faveri has years of experience leading public and private organizations across the Province of Ontario. He has provided great wisdom and leadership as Interim Director of Education, and we are confident that he is the right person to ensure the 91���� remains the top-performing school board in Ontario.

Please join us in congratulating Mr. De Faveri.

Yours in Catholic Education,
Elizabeth Crowe
Chair of the Board

The 2023-24 school year was an incredible time for the 91���� (91����). To help our community relive some of the 91����’s many accomplishments from this school year, we are happy to share the.

In this beautifully designed report, you will see that we opened two new schools in Stouffville, and we looked ahead to more new schools in the future.

Our students excelled with province-leading EQAO and OSSLT scores, and the highest five-year graduation rate in Ontario.

We shared our faith with a renewed “We Are Diverse. We Are One in Christ” campaign. And we lived the Gospel mission by being a leader in charitable giving, including by raising more money for ShareLife than any other school board in the Archdiocese of Toronto. 

As a community, we advanced equity and inclusion through initiatives such as the Indigenous Winter Games, a Black Leadership Conference and the 91����’s Special Olympics Track and Field event.

We also worked to build a culture of positive well-being, which resulted in 94 per cent of grade 4, 6 and 7 students reporting that they feel safe at school.

And we did much more. 

shows what makes a York Catholic education special. We are proud of what we achieved together, as a community, and we hope you will read the Director’s Annual Report to see why this was an excellent year for our province-leading school board.

91���� alumni are truly outstanding. Through their God-given talents and social conscience, they constantly make the world a better place. 

York Catholic recognizes some of its incredible alumni every year with the Distinguished Alumni Awards. This is a celebration of Catholic education and the people who have benefited from it.   

If you know a York Catholic alumni who deserves the Distinguished Alumni Award, please by Sunday, January 12, 2025.

Last year’s Distinguished Alumni winners were:

• Father Scott Birchall, a priest in the Archdiocese of Toronto
• Jessica Dizon Burns, an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and professor at Centennial College
• Jeffrey Man, a senior policy advisor at the Ontario Public Service (OPS)
• Kevin McCloskey, a deputy chief in the York Regional Police
• Saneliso Moyo, a partner at Goldblatt Partners LLP law firm
• Marsha Pinto, a speech therapist and advocate for shy children
• Jordan Romano, a professional baseball pitcher
• Sierra Scodellaro, a researcher at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)

Distinguished Alumni Awards winners:

• Have made a significant contribution to their field, industry and/or community, and are an inspiration to others (and have worked in their field for at least two years)
• Reflect one or more of the Catholic School Graduate Expectations

• Demonstrate creative and critical thinking skills and integrate Catholic values into their daily lives, as a socially responsible global citizen
• Graduated from a York Catholic secondary school or spent the majority of their formative years in a York Catholic school

Please by Sunday, January 12, 2025!