Morning Arrival and Entry
- Morning supervision begins at 8:45am. Please do not drop your child off prior to 8:45am.
- Exterior doors will be open for students to come directly into the school beginning at 8:45am. Students may enter the school from any exterior door.
- Only a few staff will be supervising outside. Supervision will be inside the school.
- Upon entry, students are to go directly to their locker/hook area to get ready for the day.
- Kindergarten students will go right into their classes.
- Exterior doors will be locked promptly at 9:00am.
Families who live within walking distance are encouraged to use active travel, including walking or rolling (cycling, scootering, skateboarding) to and from school. If families choose to drive to and/or from school, please follow any posted signage/ parking restrictions as noted in this Parking Message from the City of Richmond Hill.
As well, please note the following:
- The school parking lot is only for staff use ONLY.
- The bus loop is designated for buses ONLY. It may not be used for student drop off or pick up.
- The Crossing Guard at Spadina and Boake is currently not available. He will begin working on Friday, September 26th. Thank you for your understanding.
Attendance
Regular and punctual attendance affects school success and is expected of students. Please do your best to avoid scheduling lessons or appointments during the instructional day.
- Regular and punctual attendance affects school success and is expected of students.
- If a student arrives at school after the entry bell, in the morning or after lunch, they are considered late and must check in with the office.
- Please do your best to avoid scheduling lessons or appointments during the instructional day.
- If you need to pick up your child during the day, please advise your child's teacher in advance.
- Due to the impact on end of day routines, students may not be picked up after 3:00pm
Family Dashboard
If you haven’t already, we invite you to sign up for the Family Dashboard, which provides one-stop access to important information and applications related to your child’s education.
Lunch Programs
You will receive information about our school lunch programs in the next few weeks. In the meantime, you may be interested in ordering from The Lunch Lady (on Thursdays and Fridays only) or Meal Bets (See flyer).
Back-to-School with York Region Public Health
This Fall, york.ca/HealthyKids has been updated with information to help you navigate new routines as your kids get back to school. Learn about mental health and healthy sleep routines, packing lunches for kindergarten and reading food labels, student immunization, dental tips, vision screening, staying healthy at school and more! As you and your family get back to school, let york.ca/HealthyKids be your one-stop shop for tips to support healthy kids!
Caring and Safe Schools Start-Up Presentations
As the new school year is beginning, students will be attending Caring and Safe Schools Start-Up Presentations. These presentations are designed to underscore behaviour expectations as we create a caring, safe and inclusive school environment. As families are critical partners, please continue discussions about school safety at home by asking your child what they have learned in the Start-Up Presentation.
Presentation topics include:
- Racism;
- Bullying;
- Progressive discipline;
- Personal mobile devices such as cell phones, smart watches, and tablets;
- Vaping for grades 7 & 8; and
- Standing up for each other, including methods of reporting incidents of racism, discrimination and bullying.
Inappropriate Behaviour
In the Start-Up Presentation, students are learning about anti-Black racism, other forms of racism, discrimination, and bullying. This learning will continue throughout the school year. Instances of anti-Black racism, other forms of racism, discrimination and bullying are not acceptable and are addressed through progressive discipline. In some cases of racism and discrimination, York Regional Police may be involved.
Students will also be reminded about safe school behaviours, including what items must never be brought to school, such as peanut products, vape products/drug paraphernalia, weapons/replica weapons (including knives).
Reporting Behaviour
Standing up for one another and reporting when something does not feel safe is part of a caring and safe school environment. Students should report incidents that make them or others feel unsafe or uncomfortable, including acts of racism, discrimination and bullying. Students can report incidents by:
- Telling a caring adult;
- Using the YRDSB’s “Report It Button” (Located on our school’s website, the online Report It button allows students and families to share information about inappropriate behaviour and incidents of hate or discrimination. Please see this video for additional information);
- Contacting Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868).
Mental Health
We will stress to students the importance of connection as we return to school. Students are learning about who they can talk to if they need support. In addition, positive mental health is closely tied to each individual's sense of identity and safety. As such, mental health initiatives are aligned with equity and safety in mind, which includes culturally specific supports. YRDSB student mental health services are delivered by Board social work and psychology staff. These services are accessible through the school principal. Mental health resources for families are also available on the Board website.
Student Discipline
We use a progressive discipline approach for inappropriate behaviour on and off school property. This means we consider various options to determine the most appropriate response to each situation to help students learn from their choices. In some cases, suspension or expulsion may be necessary. The Ontario Education Act and the Board’s Caring and Safe Schools Policy (found on the Board’s Caring and Safe School Page) outline situations where suspension and expulsion must be considered. These infractions are also outlined in the Guide to the School Year. In addition, when inappropriate behaviour occurs, information will be shared with the student(s) who were harmed and the families of the student(s) who were harmed to the extent that legislation allows.
Online Safety and Appropriate Use of Technology
Students are reminded about the Appropriate Use of Technology agreement, including the importance of using respectful language and making positive choices when using electronic communications and social media tools. This agreement is also included in the start-up package that all families receive at the beginning of the year.
Students are reminded that online threats and comments are taken seriously and may have consequences. Where there are concerns for the safety of students, staff, community members or Board property, the school board works with York Regional Police and appropriate actions are taken. The safety and well-being of students remain our top priority.
For More Information
For more details on these items, please read the Guide to the School Year or visit the Caring and Safe Schools section on the YRDSB website for more information and to access family resources to continue these conversations at home. Thank you for helping us create a caring, safe, and inclusive school community.
Message from Our Trustee
September 2025
Welcome back to school to all of our new and returning students and families. This is an exciting time, filled with new beginnings and new opportunities for learning, growth and connection. We look forward to another great school year together.
As a school board trustee, I have the privilege of representing our community. Trustees play an important role in shaping the direction of public education in York Region by setting the budget and policies, establishing priorities through our Multi-Year Strategic Plan and communicating with families. I look forward to connecting with many of you at school and Board events over the coming months and encourage you to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. I will also continue to share important updates through these quarterly messages.
I also encourage you to stay connected with your child’s school. Your voice matters and we truly value the important partnership we share with families. In addition to school communications, you can stay connected by following the school board on social media, visiting our newsroom, listening to our Board podcast and exploring the Board website and refreshed school websites for information and updates.
We recognize this is a time of transition - whether your child is starting a new school, taking the school bus for the first time, or getting to know a new teacher, these early weeks can bring excitement and questions. Our caring and dedicated staff are here to support students and families every step of the way. We also understand that some students may be requesting timetable changes, and transportation services may still be finalizing routes. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time, and want to assure you that we are working to support a smooth start for all.
We remain committed to delivering high-quality, inclusive public education that supports the success and well-being of every student. Our Multi-Year Strategic Plan guides our work and reflects our priorities: student achievement, mental health and well-being, human rights and inclusive education.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership in education. I wish your family a wonderful start to the school year.
Cindy Liang, Trustee, Richmond Hill Wards 3, 5 and 6