Bi Weekly Bulletin : April 27 to May 8, 2026

A Message from your Administrators

Dear Langstaff Families and Community Members: 

We hope that this e-bulletin finds you and your family members well. So hard to believe that May is just about upon us. Once May arrives things at school really get busy – as if we were not already a busy, bustling place. 

All students will receive their mid-semester marks to their GAPPS emails between April 29 and May 1. This information is also available on the Family Dashboard for all parents/guardians. Please make sure that you access this new platform or ask your children to share the report card information with you. 

Our Europe trip will be leaving next week on Wednesday April 29. We have a lovely group of 23 students who will be travelling throughout Italy for 9 days. We wish them all a Bon Voyage! We can't wait to hear all about their travels when they return and pictures will be shared. 

Taking place in early May, many of our Grade 12 students will be writing Advanced Placement exams. We are so proud of all students who are enrolled in the Advanced Placement courses. AP courses allow students the opportunity to earn University credits and/or Advanced Standing while still in high school. 

With Graduation coming closer and closer, our Grade 12 students are very busy participating in a number of activities that mark the end of an important era in their lives. We have had our Valedictorian election, and we are proud to announce that Maggie Zografos has been elected to represent the class of 2026 at our Graduation Ceremony in June. 

This year's prom, Diamonds After Dark, is taking place on Thursday, June 11 at the Paradise Banquet Hall. Tickets and permission forms for Prom are now on sale. Grade 12 students should purchase their tickets as soon as possible, as there are a limited number of tickets available. We know this is going to be a wonderful evening for all who attend. 

Starting in May, I will be working with our Vice-Principals to begin the timetable for the 2026-2027 school year. This is always exciting, as we love planning for the upcoming year. We are very glad we were able to offer our students the opportunity to make any course changes before the timetabling process begins. Our timetabling is based on the students' course requests. Our goal is to have our students receive exactly what courses they chose, or at least as close to that as possible. Student voice and choices determine what the timetable looks like. 

We are here for you and your children. Reach out to teachers and reach out to us if you need anything!

Ms. S. Epstein 

Principal

School News

Yearbooks Now on Sale

Yearbooks are available for pre-order on School Cash Online for $35.

Pre-ordering is the only way to guarantee your child receives a yearbook, as only a very limited number will be available for purchase at the end of the school year.

Relay for Life is back at Langstaff!!

Dear Langstaff Families and Community Members, 

We are proud to announce that Relay for Life is back at Langstaff!! This year's event will take place on June 4th from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Langstaff's track and field. Students who sign up will have the opportunity to participate in exciting activities throughout the day, and walk the track in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. 

What is Relay for Life?

Relay for Life is a student-organized fundraising event that raises money to support services and groundbreaking research for the Canadian Cancer Society. This meaningful and moving event allows students to build school spirit while giving back to the community and honouring those affected by cancer. 

Throughout the event, we will celebrate cancer survivors and honour those we have lost to this disease. It is truly a powerful experience that brings our school community together for an important cause. 

Registration & Participation 

We encourage all students to form a Relay for Life team with their friends!

All participants must: 

• Pay the $25 participation fee through School Cash Online
• Register on the LSS Relay for Life page at relayforlife.ca/langstaff
• Complete registration by April 30th 

The participation fee includes registration, a participant t-shirt, and a luminary bag.

Fundraising Expectations 

We are asking all student participants to raise a minimum of $60 per person. 

Most fundraising will be completed online by reaching out to family and friends through the Relay for Life platform. In addition, each participant will receive a donation envelope for any cash contributions they may collect. 

All donation envelopes will be collected just prior to the event. 

Our Progress So Far

Our Langstaff Bears have already raised over $6,400 for the Canadian Cancer Society. We are incredibly grateful to all of our Langstaff families and community members who are helping make this possible. 

Sponsor Recognition

We would also like to recognize and thank our first official sponsor: Baked at Mina's,@baked.at.minas,a business owned by one of our very own Langstaff Bears! 

If you are interested in sponsoring our event and/or making a donation, please reach out to Mrs.Burley (information below).

Looking Ahead

This is going to be a truly special event for LSS. We are excited to see what our school community can accomplish in support of such an important cause, all while building school spirit, making memories, and having fun along the way. 

Thank you for your continued support. We hope your child will join us for this meaningful and unforgettable experience. 

Event Supervision & Contact

Langstaff SS' Relay for Life event will be chaperoned by Mrs.Burley, in cooperation with a number of LSS teachers, educational assistants, and administrators to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all students. 

If you have any questions regarding the above, please don't hesitate to contact Mrs.Burley at karen.burley@yrdsb.ca

Please refer to photos sent in the bi-weekly bulletin to families. 

SHSM Update: CPR & First Aid Certification Complete!

We are thrilled to share some fantastic news with you! Our Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) students have officially and successfully completed their Standard First Aid and CPR-C with AED certification.

This is a significant milestone in their SHSM journey, and we want to take a moment to celebrate their hard work, focus, and dedication during this rigorous training.

What Did They Learn?

Over the course of their training, students stepped out of their comfort zones to learn critical, life-saving techniques. They were instructed by certified professionals and were evaluated on their ability to perform under pressure.

Key skills your student mastered include: 

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): Performing high-quality CPR on adults, children, and infants.
• AED Operation: Safely and effectively using an Automated External Defibrillator.
• Choking Rescues: Recognizing and responding to airway emergencies.
• Wound Care: Managing severe bleeding, burns, and other physical traumas.
• Medical Emergencies: Identifying and assisting with anaphylaxis, asthma attacks, seizures, and environmental emergencies. 

Why This Matters for SHSM (And Beyond)

As you may know, earning the SHSM "Red Seal" on their high school diploma requires students to complete several sector-recognized certifications. Standard First Aid and CPR is a mandatory, core requirement for all SHSM sectors.

Beyond checking a box for graduation, this training equips our students with invaluable real-world skills. Whether they are in the workplace, at home, or out in the community, they now have the competence and confidence to step up and potentially save a life in an emergency. They have gained a credential that looks fantastic on a resume and is highly sought after by employers in every industry.

 Please refer to photos sent in the bi-weekly bulletin to families. 

Athletic Banquet Award Ceremony

Athlete Appreciation 

By: Student Athletic Council 

Langstaff's Student Athletic Council is hosting an Athletic Banquet and Award Ceremony for athletes at our school courtyard on May 20th from 6 PM to 9 PM! We are excited to present awards to our outstanding athletes who have worked exceptionally hard throughout the year to represent our school. With many awards being given out, it will be a great night! Awards include: Athlete of the year, MVPs of every team, and many more to recognize all players. Food will be provided, along with refreshments and snacks. The dress code is garden party; students should dress in light-coloured, semi-formal clothing (More details on @Langstaffsac Instagram). We highly encourage student-athletes to secure their ticket as soon as possible. Tickets are now available on School Cash Online for $40. Make sure you don't miss the deadline (April 30th)!

Itinerary

6:00 - 6:30 pm Doors Open

6:40 - 7:15 pm Dinner

7:15 - 7:45 pm Awards

7:45 - 8:45 pm Activities

8:45 - 9:00 pm Finale and Pick up

Guidance News

Your Guidance Department Mission Statement

Support and promote students' interpersonal development, and career development in order to help them develop resilience and realize their potential (success) as individuals and as valuable members of society.

-Ontario School Counsellors' Association

Accessing Your Guidance Team

 Contact Information: Please note the Guidance Counselors below

 Stay Connected and in the “Loop”: Continue to stay up to date

 by following us on Instagram and LSS Guidance & Success Google Classroom 

Instagram: @lssguidance

Google Classroom: https://classroom.google.com/c/NjcxOTQwNzYzNDFa?cjc=4rjwryf

Guidance Appointments

How to make a Guidance Appointment: 

1. Students login to TeachAssist.
2. Please plan accordingly to ensure you do not have an in-class assessment.
3. Book with your alpha counsellor.
4. If you need to cancel your appointment for any reason, click "cancel."
5. Appointments are released on a weekly basis.
6. If you don’t see availability for the day selected within the week, it means we are fully booked. We open appointments on a weekly basis; check end of day Friday or the weekend for the following week.
7. If you are in a personal crisis, please come to guidance.

Summer School Registration

Summer school registration opened on March 24 and closes on June 5.

There are 3 models available: In Person, Remote (Synchronous) and Online (Asynchronous).

A summary and instructions have been shared on both the LSS Instagram page @lssguidance and the LSS Guidance Google Classroom.

All details are available on the YRDSB website.

Full Credit Courses: Tuesday, June 30 - Friday, July 24

Half Credit Course (Session One): Tuesday, June 30 - Monday, July 13

Half Credit Course (Session Two): Tuesday, July 14 - Friday, July 24

Leadership & Volunteer Opportunities 

Please check the Google Classroom for ongoing opportunities. 

Post Secondary News

Ontario Universities' Information Session:

May 6, 2026, from 5 to 7 pm (ET)

This virtual event is divided into 4 sessions, where students can learn about the universities of their choice and ask questions. This event is tailored to Grade 11 and younger students who are beginning their university research. 

Registration is available now.

Please check the Google Classroom for previous and more information about postsecondary information.

Pathway Planning and Postsecondary News

1. Ontario Universities' Information Sessions: May 6, 2026, from 5 to 7 pm (ET)

This virtual event is divided into 4 sessions, where students can learn about the universities of their choice and ask questions. This event is tailored to Grade 11 and younger students who are beginning their university research. 

Registration is available now.

1. The Centre for Black Student Excellence is hosting an upcoming event, Careers & Scholarships: Exploring Post-Secondary Pathways with YRDSB, and we are asking for your support in sharing this opportunity with Black-identifying students.

This event will take place on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the YRDSB Education Support Centre (39 Dunning Ave, Aurora). Students and families will have the chance to hear from guest speakers, explore pathways and scholarship opportunities, and connect with a variety of post-secondary representatives. Dinner will be provided.

Guest Speakers include:

• Cheryl Yarde – Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN)
• Paul Jones – Sportscaster, Toronto Raptors (NBA)

Black-identifying students and their families interested, please register by Friday, May 15, 2026. 

Community News

Adult Day School Quad 4 Registration is Open Now!

Adult Day School offers high school credit courses including English as a Second Language (ESL) Credit Courses. 

The Adult Day School operates Monday to Friday, in-person, in 9 week quad-mesters. 

A place where adults return to school to earn Ontario Secondary School Diploma credits and achieve their goals, leading to college, university, or career success. 

2025-2026

Morning Classes - 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Afternoon Classes - 12:10 p.m. to 2:40 p.m.

Quad-mester 4: April 14 to June 15, 2026

If you require assistance with course selection and would like to book an In-Person registration appointment, please email adultdayschool.guidance@yrdsb.ca

We encourage students to register early as course offerings are not guaranteed and are subject to sufficient enrollment

For more information: 

Please visit the Adult Day School page on www2.yrdsb.ca

Address: 39 Dunning Ave, Aurora, ON L4G 1A2

Call: 905-884-2046

Email: AdultDayschool@yrdsb.ca

Student Sin Clinic

Education Support Centre

Student Sin Clinic - May 6, 2026

Meet with a Service Canada representative and receive your Social Insurance Number on the Spot!

Service Canada representatives will be at your school to help students and newcomers apply for their Social Insurance Numbers, learn about the Canada Job Bank and Summer Program for Youth.

Children 12 years of age or older may apply for their SIN. Parents, legal guardians or legal representatives can apply for a SIN for children under the age of majority in their province, and for adults in their care. 

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

This free service is brought to our school communities through a joint project with Service Canada and York Region District School Board. 

For more information, please contact YRDSB Community & Partnership Developers, 

Yvonne Kelly: Yvonne.kelly@yrdsb.ca              Oksana Majaski: Oksana.majaski@yrdsb.ca

The Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations

The Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations is an umbrella organization representing past students' associations affiliated with educational institutions in Jamaica. Our mandate is to provide guidance and financial assistance to students from the Jamaican educational system as they transition into the Canadian educational system, while also supporting our member Jamaican Alumni Associations in Toronto. 

As part of our commitment to student success, the AJAA hosts an annual Graduates' Award Ceremony to celebrate the achievements of graduating high school students in Jamaican descent. To ensure we reach as many eligible students as possible, we actively collaborate with guidance counselors in secondary schools and various community organizations to identify and connect with students. 

The Graduates Program

1. The Bursary

Open to all graduating Ontario high school students of Jamaican descent who have been accepted into a post-secondary program. This bursary is designed to support their pursuit of higher education. 

Bursary Criteria: 

• be of Jamaican descent
• maintain a minimum ''B'' average in the last 2 years of high school
• a graduate of an Ontario secondary school in 2026
• provide evidence of community service or involvement
• provide proof of acceptance to a community college or university
• bursaries will be disbursed upon satisfactory proof of registration in college or university courses
• Applications must be signed by a Guidance Counselor or Vice Principal
• Applications must be completed and submitted no later than 6:00 pm on Friday, May 16, 2026

Each year, the number and value of the bursaries are dependent on available funding. 

    2. The Graduates Awards Ceremony 

The Awards Ceremony will be held on Sunday June 28, 2026, at 1:00 PM. Awardees will be honoured with the presentation of bursaries and certificates and will be invited to network with professionals from various fields in the community. Only successful applicants will be contacted prior to the Awards Ceremony at which time additional information will be provided. All awardees are encouraged to attend the Awards Ceremony in person. 

If you have questions or need additional information, please email graduates@ajaacanada.com or visit our website at https://www.ajaacanada.com/graduates/

Application Form

The Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations

Graduates Program 2026

Applications are now open for the AJAA's Graduates Bursary

Eligibility Criteria 

• Be of Jamaican descent
• Maintain a minimum ''B'' average in the last 2 years of high school
• A graduate of an Ontario secondary school in 2026
• Provide letter of endorsement from school official
• Provide evidence of community service or involvement
• Provide proof of acceptance to a community college or university
• Bursaries will be disbursed upon proof of registration in a college or university

About the Bursary

Open to all graduating Ontario High School students of Jamaican descent who are accepted into a post-secondary education program. 

Application Process

• Complete application form
• Attach all required documents
• Sign form
• Submit Application Form
• Visit us at: www.ajaacanada.com/graduates

Application deadline: May 15, 2026

Award ceremony: June 28, 2026 @ 1 pm to be held at the JCA

Y² LEGACY : A Black-Centred Approach to Leadership, Innovation, and Excellence 2026 Summer Program

Y² LEGACY is a transformative summer learning program that empowers students through a Black-centred lens celebrating leadership, innovation, and academic excellence. By building foundational knowledge and identity-affirming skills, students emerge with the confidence and capabilities to lead in their schools and communities. The foundational skills students gain in the summer will support them in navigating the school year with confidence and leadership. 

The program enables students to: 

• Gain skills for a future driven by innovation, leadership and adaptability
• Learn in an affirming, identity-centred environment that celebrates Black excellence
• Build a multi-year learning pathway that supports academic and career achievement
• Earn secondary credits while exploring post-secondary options
• Access mentorship, Black community partnerships, and university-level experiences
• Become eligible for a Schulich Certificate and Fall York University course

Registration

Participation in Y² LEGACY is competitive, and space is limited. To be considered for enrolment, interested students must complete the following: 

1. All students must complete a Y² LEGACY Google Application Form (will be available in March 2026).
2. Students currently attending a YRDSB day School must register for their selected course using my Pathway Planner (myBlueprint), while students who do not attend a YRDSB day School must register using the Non-YRDSB Registration Form. Secondary Summer School Registration opens March 24, 2026. Elementary Summer School and Reach Ahead Registration opens March 25, 2026. 

Dates : Tuesday, June 30 to Friday, July 24, 2026 8:45 a.m. - 3:32 p.m. 

Applications for the Y² LEGACY Program will open on March 24, 2026. Space is limited! More information visit www2.yrdsb.ca/Y2LEGACY

Social Media and Mental Health 

The YRDSB Central Mental Health Team will be hosting a virtual mental health and wellness presentation for families and caregivers on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 (6:30 pm to 7:30 pm). Based on information shared with us from the YRDSB Welcome Center, and the 6-language capacity of Microsoft Teams, we will be providing language translation in Farsi-Persian, Mandarin (simplified Chinese written), Cantonese (traditional Chinese written), Turkish, Ukrainian, Korean. 

Participation: All Parents and Caregivers are welcome. Translation can be provided during the presentation through the online virtual platform tool. Schools are invited to share the Registration link with families, and/or the WWW Events Page, social media. In addition, schools are invited to use this sample school newsletter insert and flyer to promote the event. 

Title: "Social Media and Mental Health"

• Defining social media
• Understanding the risks and benefits of social media use
• Strategies to help youth manage their social media use

Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026

TIme: 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm 

Here is the Registration link 

Please refer to the Bi Weekly Bulletin : December 15 to January 2, 2026  regarding the following flyers: 

YRES Camps 2026 

Please refer to the Bi Weekly Bulletin : March 9 to March 20, 2026 regarding the following flyers: 

JF & CS - 1 Family, 2 Homes

Supporting Your Child's Mental Health from School Mental Health Ontario

Please refer to the Bi Weekly Bulletin : March 30 to April 10, 2026 regarding the following flyer: 

JF & CS - Save the Date - Equity in Action - Combating Antisemitism and Racism