Thornhill PS Email Information: Monday, September 8, 2025
EVENTS THIS WEEK
Sunday, September 7 –
- LAST DAY TO ORDER ITEMS AT WELCOME BACK BBQ/CURRIULUM NIGHT- FOOD WILL NOT BE SOLD AFTER THIS DATE AND WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE BBQ- Don’t delay – order today😊
Monday, September 8
- Please complete the online Start Up Packages (available on the Family Dashboard)
- Pizza and Subs available to order on School Cash Online
Tuesday, September 9
- Fire Drill #1
Wednesday, September 10
- Caring and Safe Schools assemblies Primary 9:00-9:30 a.m., Junior 9:30-10:00 a.m. and Intermediate 11:00-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, September 11
- Welcome back BBQ and Curriculum Night – 5 -7:30 p.m. (see below for details)
EVENTS NEXT WEEK
Monday, September 15
- Please complete the online Start Up Packages (available in your child’s GAPPS account)
WELCOME BACK BBQ AND CURRICULUM NIGHT
Enjoy a BBQ at the school with your children and other school families followed by an opportunity to meet our staff; see the classrooms; and learn about our school! Orders will be available on School Cash Online beginning on Tuesday, September 3rd. BBQ food items MUST be pre-ordered by Sunday, September 7th!The BBQ will run from 5-6 p.m. A full school presentation will take place in the gym at 6:00, following by an opportunity to visit your child’s classroom(s) 6:30-7:30. This is a great opportunity for our families to get to know one another and for our staff to learn more about each and every one of you too! Please see this flyer for more details (including instructions to set up School Cash Online).
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Within the first two weeks of school, we will hold our first Fire Drill of the year (weather permitting). We are required to hold 3 fire drills in the Fall and 3 in the Spring, as outlined in the Ontario Fire Code. Teachers will review all safety procedures with our students within the first few weeks of school (Fire drills, Hold and Secure, Lockdown) to ensure that everyone knows what do to in the event of an emergency.
HOT LUNCH PROGRAMS
As a part of our fundraising efforts to support school-based initiatives, TPS is pleased to offer Pizza Pizza, individually boxed cheese pizza slices and Subway sandwiches for sale. We will also be offering D-Lite this year as well. You will receive a message from School Cash Online for Pizza, Subway and D-Lites Lunches. Please see the flyer below for more information. If you need to set up School Cash Online, please see instructions here. The deadline to order is September 28th.
EXPECTATIONS REGARDING PERSONAL MOBILE DEVICES
As you may know, 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. The changes you may see in September will bring alignment with the new 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 is any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate or access the internet, such as a laptop, cellphone, tablet or smart watch.
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 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 can bring a personal mobile device to school, but will only be able to 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 turned 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 turned 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
- 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.
REPORTING AN ABSENCE
Please ensure that you let the school know if your child will be absent as well as the reason for the absence (i.e. illness, religious holy day, etc.). You can do this through Edsby – you can watch how here: www.bit.ly/edsbyabsence You may also use the automated iNFORM system by calling the school before 8:30 am to report an absence for the day. As part of our Safe Schools Protocol, the Front Office needs to know the whereabouts of each student (i.e. it is not enough to inform your child’s teacher).
DROP OFF AND PICK UP SAFETY
MORNING DROP OFF/AFTERNOON DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
Kiss-N-Ride Procedures:
For all parents/guardians accessing our Kiss-N-Ride, please ensure that you review our drop off and pick- up procedures, which have been implemented in order to increase efficiency and to ensure the safety of all.
Drop-Off:
- Vehicles dropping students off are to pull up to the middle lane of the loop.
- When unloading, students are to only get out when their car is the first car in the line-up *a staff member will be there to watch them as they safely exit the vehicle.
- Parents are not to park their car in the Kiss-N-Ride and get out of their cars. Vehicles cannot be left unattended.
- Students are to be ready to get out when their car is the first car in the line-up in order to be able to move cars through as quickly and safely as possible.
- NO ONE IS TO PARK IN THE BUS LOOP (INCLUDING THE SPOTS ON THE LEFT)
Pick-Up/Dismissal:
As has been past practice, during pick up time, parents/guardians are asked not to enter the bus loop/Kiss-N-Ride. Vehicles are asked to park alongside Arnold Avenue and to have your child/children meet you in a designated spot. This will ensure the safe loading of our students onto the bus. We thank you for your continued support in keeping our students and staff safe.
MEDICAL INFORMATION
If your child is diagnosed with Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Diabetes, or Seizure, please visit https://www2.yrdsb.ca/schools-programs/school-registration and scroll down to “Step 3” to download and complete the applicable form.
Don’t forget to send in epi-pens and complete medical forms at the office as needed. Blank forms can be picked up from the office or printed from our website.
FIRST SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING is Thursday, September 25th, 2025
All parents/guardians/community members are welcome to attend our first school council meeting. It is held from 7:00 – 8:30 pm in our school library. Elections for executive positions will be held that evening – nomination forms are available in the Start Up Package.
MESSAGE FROM OUR SCHOOL TRUSTEE
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.
Estelle Cohen, Trustee, Vaughan Wards 4 and 5
