The Woodbridge Wyvern - Sept. 5, 2025

Welcome to our class of 2029, and all of our returning Wyverns! We hope that your summer was restful and relaxing, and you are excited to start school. On Tuesday, we welcomed all of our new Grade 9 students for a day of fun activities where they got to know each other, meet their teachers, and see the school as part of their transition to secondary school. On Wednesday, we were happy to see our returning Grade 10-12 students fill the halls with their amazing energy and enthusiasm to reconnect and start their classes.

The next few weeks are full of school activities, clubs restarting, team tryouts for fall sports, photo day, and various important assemblies. For our Grade 9 families, we look forward to having you join us on September 18th for our Grade 9 Family Evening, where you can meet representatives from the departments and learn about our amazing Grade 9 program.

If you have any questions or concerns, the Admin Team is happy to connect with you.

Thank you.

The Admin Team

Helpful Links:

• YRDSB website
• WC Twitter (X)
• WC Instagram

Caring and Safe Schools

• Crimestoppers
• Kids Help Phone
• Report It! (YRDSB)

Important Contacts

• Trustee: Dr. Elizabeth Sinclair - 905-953-0562
• Superintendent: Otilia Olteanu - 905-764-6830
• Principal: Rose Walker - 905-851-2843
• Vice-Principal: George Tsigaridis - 905-851-2843
• Vice-Principal: Derrick Schellenberg - 905-851-2843

YRDSB Resources and Opportunities

Understanding and Navigating the Education System, Families of YRDSB Black Students - September 2025

Understanding and Navigating the Education System - Families of YRDSB Black Students Monthly Virtual Information Session on Monday, September 22, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Centre for Black Student Excellence - Welcome Event

The Centre for Black Student Excellence is inviting all students, families and staff to an inspiring evening as we begin the school year together. Please join us as we share strategies to support student success. Dinner will be provided. 

• JK-Gr. 3 Early Reading Strategies
• Gr. 4-8 Success with French
• Gr. 7-8 Transitions
• Gr. 9-12 Pathways 

Date: Monday, September 29, 2025 

Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm 

Venue: Keswick H. S. 100 Biscayne Blvd, Keswick 

Please register by September 25, 2025. For further information, please email the Centre for Black Student Excellence (CBSE) at blackstudentexcellence@yrdsb.ca.

National Day for Truth for Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day

September 30th is a day for Canadians to observe both Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is a chance to learn about the history and lasting impact of residential schools, which were institutions created to assimilate Indigenous children, erase their cultures, and perpetrate the genocide of Indigenous Peoples. The day also honours the story of residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad, a member of the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, survivor of the residential school system, and the founder of Orange Shirt Day.

Open Mic Night with York Regional Police

York Regional Police Community Services invite youth aged 12-17 to participate in an Open Mic Night October 17 and November 1, 2025, from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Community Safety Village.

School Year Calendar - 2025-2026

The YRDSB 2025-2026 school year calendars have been approved by the Ministry. These calendars may be accessed on the YRDSB website.

School Council Updates

Our first School Council Meeting is on Thursday, September 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend. 

Attendance at WC

Attendance Absence Reporting

Parents/guardians, please email attendance absences to woodbridgecollege.attendance@yrdsb.ca. Please note, EDSBY is not monitored for student absenteeism.

Health Care Plans for Students

If your child has a serious life-threatening allergy or medical condition, please inform the office to complete the appropriate medical forms. There are students and staff members in our school who have life-threatening allergies to nuts and other allergens. To help create an allergen-safe environment, do not bring nuts or nut products to school. 

It is critical that parents and guardians share information with us about students’ serious or life-threatening medical conditions or other health-related matters so that we can create fulsome Health Care Plans that help keep students safe. We encourage students, who are able, to contribute to the creation of these plans, too. 

Please contact the office for the forms. Completed forms and medication can be placed in a sealable bag, with the student’s name marked on the bag and left in the Main Office As always, please contact us with any questions or concerns.

Guidance Corner

Students and / or parents / caregivers are able to make a Guidance appointment through TeachAssist. Appointments are made based on your last name with appropriate guidance counsellor listed below. 

Timetable for 2025-2026

Timetable changes are now complete, if a student needs to drop a course they must make a guidance appointment with their alpha guidance counsellor.

Night School Registration - Now Open on My Pathway Planner

Students who need or are interested in a course that is not available at Woodbridge College can register for a course for Remote Night School offered by the YRDSB. The Remote Night School program is delivered synchronously (Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6:30-9:45). More information about this program, courses offered and how to register using My Pathway Planner is available on the YRDSB website and in the Guidance Google Classrooms. Please note that Online Night School is for adults 18 years of age or older, who are not attending a regular day school program.

Online Learning Night School

An asynchronous online learning model using D2L will take place that may also include an In-Person 30% Final Culminating Activity or Exam (as determined by the classroom teacher). 

• Courses are for students who are not registered in a day school with another publicly funded board
• Fall session will run from September 29, 2025 - January 21, 2026
• Registration opens on August 25 and closes on October 6. Please see Online Learning Night School Registration for further details
• Course offerings are available on the YRDSB Learning Night School Course List
• Contact online.learning@yrdsb.ca for more information

Mental Health Supports

Children's Mental Health Awareness Week

Each year, Ontarians mark the first full week of May as Children's Mental Health Week. 

Policy Update from the Ministry of Education

Dear Families,

The Ontario Ministry of Education released Policy/Program Memorandum 128 in the fall of 2024, which included a directive to school boards to set out enforcement mechanisms to address the possession, use, and provision of tobacco, electronic cigarettes, nicotine products, recreational cannabis, alcohol, and illegal drugs. In support of a comprehensive approach, we are pleased to announce that in the coming months, vape-detecting devices will be installed at all YRDSB secondary schools.

Our schools continue to provide education and support regarding the harmful impact of these products. Please see the resources listed below. 

Resources for Families:

QUASH

A Logical Plan for Quitting - Free smoking and vaping cessation app (co-designed by youth for youth). 

School Mental Health Ontario

Vaping: What you need to know - General information about vaping; outlines important facts, associated risks, and additional resources to support educators and families in having informed conversations with students.

York Region Public Health

Vape Facts: What You Need to Know - a website containing YRPH anti-vaping campaign videos and vaping facts

Vaping and E-Cigarettes - a website continuing YRPH information on vaping and health risks

Inclusive School and Community Services

respectful, supportive, and welcoming to all. This includes building and maintaining strong partnerships with parents, community, community organizations, and social service agencies to ensure the Board is able to meet the diverse needs of our school communities. See the YRDSB website for details.

Services to Support Mental Health

• Family Services of York Region - 905-883-6572
• Trans Lifeline
• YRDSB Trans Student Support Group - Bi-weekly meetings 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. - please contact communitycareteam@yrdsb.ca. Also offered in: Ukrainian, Russian, Dari, Mandarin, and Arabic. 

Academic Supports

YRDSB Student Tools and Supports

Culturally Relevant Mental Health Supports

We recognize the importance of supporting our students, families, and staff during these challenging times. While many remember and reflect on current events, in response, the following culturally responsive supports are available to our families:

TAIBU Community Health Care

• Clinic: 416-644-3536
• Taibu provides intersectional, equity-based, and culturally affirming practices for YRDSB students who self-identify as Black;
• Individual Therapeutic Counselling for individuals and parents, families and caregivers
• Referrals for individual counselling van be made via your school's Social Worker or Psychology Services Professional.
• Group workshops for students (after school). Inquiries regarding potential workshops can be addressed to: Brittany Creighton, BSW, MSW, RSW Diabetes Education Program Social Worker and Health Promotor and Wrap Around Services TAIBU. 

Black Youth Helpline

• Call 416-285-9944 - Toll Free 1-833-294-8650
• Black Youth Helpline Contact

Harriet's Youth Support Line

• 24-hour emergency and crisis response line: 1-877-695-2673
• Text messaging is available for young people who do not feel like speaking to someone but are still in need of help
• Contact info@tubmancommunity.org or jdunn@peacebuilders.ca or additional inquiries.

NACCA - Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association

• Call 905-781-6222

Tropicana

• Call 416-439-9009

Sikh Family Helpline

• Call 1-800-551-9128

Naseeha Helpline

• 1-866-627-3342

2SLGBTQ+ Youthline

PFLAG Canada York Region

• 1-866-YR-PFLAG (977-3524)