A Message from your Administrators
Dear Langstaff Families and Community Members:
March Break is quickly approaching, only two more weeks, and I know that the students (and staff) are looking forward to the time off from school.
The first part of the second semester has been very busy with a combination of learning and participating in wonderful school activities. Here are some highlights of what has been taking place since the last e-bulletin message.
To honour Black History Month, we held a wonderful school assembly this past week. Alpha Roots came and shared their music and history with our students. The students had a great time, and it was a joy watching them (along with our teachers) participate in this presentation. Please take some time to ask your son/daughter about this assembly. In addition, we used our large display case in the main hallway of the school to share information on Black History Month and the importance of it to all of us in Canada.
Next week, on Wednesday, February 25, it will be Pink Shirt Day, a day dedicated to the promotion of kindness and standing up to bullying. We are asking all members of the school community to wear pink and flood the school with this bright spring colour on a grey winter day. As well, there will be different activities taking place at lunchtime, in which we know all students will enjoy participating. We will have colouring of anti-bullying posters, a Be Kind acrostic poem-writing contest, guessing the number of pink candies in the jar (and winning the whole jar!), leaving a kind note, and making pink friendship bracelets.
Also, next week, our SHSM students will be undergoing their two-day First Aid and CPR training. This is such a wonderful opportunity for our SHSM students.
We do have a second-semester Picture Day taking place on Wednesday, March 4th for new students to the school, or anyone who missed the first semester picture day. Also, we have a couple more days available for Grad Photos during the first week of March. If any graduating student wishes to book Grad Photos they must do so online through our provider, Pegasus photography.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Ms. S. Epstein
Principal
School News
Mathematics and Computing Contests
For semester 2, Langstaff S.S. will be offering four University of Waterloo Mathematics contests - Pascal (grade 9), Cayley (grade 10), Fermat (grade 11), and Euclid (grade 12, but all students may participate).
The Pascal, Cayley, and Fermat contests will all be written at the same time on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026. Each of these contests is in a multiple-choice format and will be given 60 minutes to complete.
The Euclid contest is intended for students in grade 12, but any student may write it. It will be written on Tuesday, March 31st, 2026, and is a 2.5 hour, full solution contest.
If any students are interested in writing any of these contests, please sign up with Mr. Krane in room 161. The deadline for registering for the contests is February 9th for the Pascal, Cayley, and Fermat contests, and March 4th for the Euclid.
Speak to Mr. Krane for the costs of each contest or listen for announcements. If you'd like more information about any of the contests, you can find it here.
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.
Graduation Fee Deadline Extended
Students attending the ceremony are required to purchase the graduation package through School Cash Online. The cost is $85, which includes:
- Cap, gown, stole, and tassel
- Three guest admission tickets (to be presented at the door; graduates do not require a ticket)
The deadline to purchase the graduation package has been extended to Friday, February 27, 2026.
Meeting this deadline is essential, as it supports the graduation committee in planning and organizing the event.
Important Reminder
All library materials must be returned, and any outstanding issues with the LSS Library must be resolved before June 3, to ensure students receive their graduation package.
Graduation Photos
Listen Up Graduates!
Grad Photo booking is now open for the following dates: March 4, 5, and 6. Please visit the Pegasus Website on www.pegasus-si.com to book your appointment. Please check your gapps email account for more information.
Please see the flyer below for more information on how to book your Grad Photo:
Preparing for your Grad Portraits!
BOOK YOUR GRADUATION PORTRAIT SESSION ONLINE!
To BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT GO TO OUR WEBSITE AT:
www.pegasus-si.com and click on "Book Your Grad Photos" at the top of the page
School Code: 02LAN2674
it is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
i. Type in the access code
ii. Select an available date & time for your portrait session
iii. Confirm your personal information
A sitting fee is required to book your portrait sessions. The fee provides you 10 different poses during the session, with variety of backdrops that are available for purchase online, and an 11" x 14" Composite of your graduating class in a keepsake folder.
To avoid a RESCHEDULING FEE, please notify us at least 24 hours in advance to cancel/reschedule your appointment if necessary. No exceptions. This allows us to offer the time slot to another student in need of our services.
YOU WILL RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION EMAIL ONCE YOUR APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN BOOKED.
Please arrive 10 minutes early to the photo studio set up at your school which will be set up at your school.
All graduates should come wearing a white dress shirt with a crisp collar. Neckties are optional for any graduate wearing dress shirts to complete a formal appearance. Please arrive to the studio fully dressed and prepared.
Your hands will show in some poses, so clean & presentable nails and your favourite ring will enhance your portraits.
GUESTS, PETS, AND GROUP PHOTOS ARE NOT ALLOWED.
ONCE THE PHOTO SESSION IS COMPLETE: A few weeks after your portrait session you will receive an e-mail with your secure login information and a link to the Pegasus proofing and ordering website. Once online you can view all your poses, order photo packages and create custom portrait products using your poses. You can select which poses you wish to order.
If you have any questions you can contact customer service at: 1 (800) 461 6575 or info@pegasus-si.com
Krispy Kreme Donuts - Best Buddies Prom!
Support the Best Buddies Prom!
Community Classes are excited to host a Krispy Kreme fundraiser in support of this year's Best Buddies Prom —and we'd love your help!
Treat yourself (and your family, friends or students!) to delicious Krispy Kreme donuts:
- $16 per dozen
- $8 per half-dozen
How to order:
Place your order through School Cash Online.
Deadline to purchase the donuts is March 8th - Donut delivery: March 25
All proceeds will go directly toward creating an unforgettable Best Buddies Prom experience for our Community Class students.
Thank you for your support!
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
| Staff Member and Contact Information | Staff Member and Contact Information | Staff Member and Contact Information | Staff Member and Contact Information |
|---|---|---|---|
Ms. R. Chidiac Alpha: A-L |
Mrs. L. Rico Guidance Secretary
| Ms. S. Starkman Alpha: M-R |
Ms. A. Sitt Alpha: S-Z
|
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
Semester 2 News:
We welcome Ms. Sitt to Guidance! Please note the new alpha split above.
Guidance Appointments
How to make a Guidance Appointment:
- Students will log in to TeachAssist.
- Please plan accordingly to ensure you do not have an in-class
assessment. - Book with your alpha counsellor.
- If you need to cancel your appointment for any reason, click "cancel."
- Appointments are released on a weekly basis.
- 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 at
the end of the day Friday or the weekend for the following week. - If you are in a personal crisis, please come to guidance.
Financial Need:
If students are in financial need, there is support available related to the application fees. See a guidance counsellor if this applies to you.
Leadership & Volunteer Opportunities
Please check the Google Classroom for ongoing opportunities.
Course Selection
Course Selection opens on February 12 and closes on February 20. Students are encouraged to start thinking about their pathway plans and what courses they would like to take for the 2026-2027 school year. Students will also receive a copy of their current OSS (Ontario Student Status) which outlines earned courses and what is still required. We encourage students to use this tool while selecting courses. The Course Selection presentation is posted in the LSS Guidance and Student Success Classroom, along with the handouts.
Community Involvement - New Update From The Ministry Of Education
If students go above and beyond their volunteer work during high school, they can earn a Minister's Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement when they graduate. This new certificate celebrates their dedication to helping others and for completing more than 50 volunteer hours during high school.
Please refer to photo sent in the bi-weekly bulletin to families.
If students would like to submit hours beyond the 40 required, they have the opportunity to do this asap. Grade 12 students: A firm deadline of April 1, 2026 is required in order to order the certificates for graduation. Please plan accordingly.
Library Commons News
Chinese Lunar New Year
On Tuesday, February 17, the Chinese Club celebrated the Lunar New Year with traditional Chinese songs, dance and delicious treats!
Thanks to everyone who came out to make it a huge success. Special thanks to Bill Gao and Ziming Wong for organizing this student-led initiative.
Happy Year of the Horse to all celebrating in our community!
Please refer to photos sent in the bi-weekly bulletin to families.
Black History Month
In celebration of Black History Month, the library learning commons hosted the Alpha Rhythm Roots, drumming performers!
Through the traditional Mandé African percussion, the group shared their incredible talent and storytelling of West African music, culture, drumming and dance.
Students and staff participated in the rich celebration and inspired our community to reflect on the power of music as a universal language.
We appreciate Alpha Rhythm Roots for helping us make this Black History Month celebration a memorable one!
Please refer to photos sent in the bi-weekly bulletin to families.
School News
Italy 2026
LANGSTAFF BEARS! SPOTS ARE FILLING UP QUICKLY FOR THE 2026 ITALY ADVENTURE! DON'T MISS OUT — GO TO YOUR GAPPS ACCOUNT AND RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! LET'S MAKE ITALY YOUR CLASSROOM THIS SPRING!
Please see Ms.Romero in the library for more details.
Community News
Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health from School Mental Health Ontario
Free webinar series for parents/caregivers: Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health from School Mental Health Ontario
School Mental Health Ontario is offering a free webinar series as part of the By Your Side Learning Hub. This series is designed to help parents and caregivers navigate important topics to support their children’s mental health.
This expert-led series will provide insights and practical strategies on:
✅ balanced device use
✅ vaping
✅ body image
✅ anxiety
The webinars will also include answers to questions that parents/caregivers can share ahead of the webinar, so even more practical guidance is offered.
📅 Sessions run March to June
We warmly welcome all parents and caregivers to participate in this informative series.
Please see the flyer below for more information :
Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health from School Mental Health Ontario
Want to know more about how to support your child's well-being?
Free webinar series for parents and caregivers
Join us for conversations on important mental health and substance use health topics identified by parents/caregivers in Ontario.
4 webinars/Subject matter experts/ Q & A
Webinar 1 - March 5: Conversations about balanced device use
Webinar 2 - April 10: Conversations about vaping
Webinar 3 - May 7: Conversations about body image
Webinar 4 - June 5: Conversations about anxiety
Please refer to the Message From Our Trustee Page for February 2026 Message.
Please refer to the Bi Weekly Bulletin : February 9 to February 20, 2026 regarding the following flyer:
JF & CS - High Conflict Divorce
Please refer to the Bi Weekly Bulletin : January 26 to February 6, 2026 regarding the following flyers:
YRPH Flu Season Parent Letter
Black History Month - Celebrating STEM With YRDSB
JF & CS - Parenting for Caregivers of Children 7 - 12 Years of Age
Please refer to the Bi Weekly Bulletin : December 15 to January 2, 2026 regarding the following flyers:
YRES Camps 2026
JF&CS - Parenting For caregivers of children 13 - 18 years of age
York Region Volleyball Presents Winter House League
Please refer to the Bi Weekly Bulletin : November 3 to November 14, 2025 regarding the following flyers:
Café EXTRA Ordinaire