A Message from your Administrators
Dear Langstaff Families and Community Partners:
It is almost the end of the first semester, and we are very excited to begin the second semester on Monday, February 2, 2026. It is always nice to begin a new semester; it brings a fresh start and a new excitement for what the future can be.
Timetables are available on Teachassist, and students can check there for them. Please make sure that your children are logging into the Teachassist website and not using an app. The Teachassist apps that are out there are not officially connected to the Teachassist website, and as such are not credible and collect students' personal information. We are aware that some timetables have courses that students did not choose and/or have holes that need to be filled. Guidance is working very hard to ensure that as many timetables are ready for the start of the semester. We will continue to work on timetables throughout the first week, and it will work out eventually, but we need everyone to be patient.
Exam Review Day will take place on Thursday, January 29, 2026, using a modified schedule wherein all four periods will occur in the morning. We encourage all students to attend these classes to review their exams and find out their final grades in their courses. Please see the specific period schedule in this bulletin. During our first part of the semester, the Guidance department will be meeting all students to share information about the course selection process for next year. Course selection starts on February 13th at 9:00 am and will close on February 20th at 4:00 pm. We are also holding a Safe Schools Assembly early in the second semester to review all school rules and YRDSB policies with our students. We wish all our students good luck on their exams, and we know that all students will do their best and work hard to achieve their academic goals. Take Care and Have a Wonderful Weekend!
Ms. S. Epstein
Principal
School News
Literacy Test Results
For students who wrote the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) in November 2025, results will be shared with students in the first two weeks of February.
School Council Meeting
It was great seeing the Langstaff Families who attended our last School Council Meeting which focused on Everything You Want to Know About High School which was translated in Korean, Chinese, Farsi, Russian and Ukrainian with the support of our Settlement Workers. Thank you to our CCSYR partners.
Please refer to photos sent in the bi-weekly bulletin to families.
Important Graduation Information for the Class of 2026
Dear Class of 2026 and Families,
We are pleased to share the details for this year's graduation ceremony:
Graduation Ceremony
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Ascott Parc Event Centre
2839 Rutherford Road Concord, Ontario L4K 2N7
Graduation Fee
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 is Friday, February 20, 2026.
Meeting this deadline is essential, as it supports the graduation committee in planning and organizing the event.
Graduation Information Ceremony
On Wednesday, June 3, during Period 2, students will attend the Graduation Information Assembly in the Library Learning Commons.
During this session, staff will review graduation protocols and procedures. Students will also receive their graduation package, including their cap, gown, stole, tassel, and three guest tickets.
A limited number of additional tickets will be available for purchase at a cost of $20 cash per ticket; all requests will be considered, but they are not guaranteed.
Students will receive a Google Form on June 4, with additional ticket request information.
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.
We look forward to celebrating this important milestone with you on June 24!
Exam Schedule
Please refer to the Exam Schedule sent out to students digitally or parents via INFORM.
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.
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!
CO-OP News
Celebrating a Semester of Real-World Learning
We are incredibly proud to announce another successful term for our Cooperative Education program. This semester, our students stepped out of the classroom and into the workforce, gaining invaluable experience and representing our school with excellence across the city.
Our students secured impressive placements in a wide variety of sectors, bridging the gap between high school theory and professional practice. Highlights from this semester's placements include:
- World-Class Healthcare & Animal Care: Students supported medical teams at prestigious institutions, including The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Mount Sinai Hospital, and St. Michael's Hospital, local community pharmacies, and gained hands-on experience at veterinary clinics.
- Skilled Trades & Automotive: Future technicians honed their craft at major dealerships, including BMW and KIA.
- Professional Services & Law: Aspiring lawyers and educators gained mentorship in bustling law firms and local elementary school classrooms.
- Creative Industries: Students showcased their artistic talents and learned project management at interior design firms.
- Retail & Hospitality: Students learned the ropes of customer service and business operations at major retailers like Canadian Tire and Shoppers Drug Mart, as well as busy local restaurants.
More Than Just a Job
Beyond the technical skills specific to their placements, our students returned to school with a sharpened set of transferable skills that will serve them in any career path. Employers consistently praised our students for their growth in:
- Communication: engaging professionally with clients and colleagues.
- Leadership & Initiative: stepping up to solve problems without being asked.
- Responsibility & Organization: managing real-world deadlines and expectations.
Looking Ahead
The Co-op program continues to be one of the most elective ways for students to "test drive" a career before committing to post-secondary education.
If your child is interested in exploring a career path—whether it's in the trades, university and college-track professions, or the workforce—we encourage them to speak to the Co-op Department about opportunities for the upcoming semester.
Please refer to photos sent in the bi-weekly bulletin to families.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Ms. R. Chidiac Alpha: A-R |
Mrs. L. Rico Guidance Secretary
| Ms. S. Starkman 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
Guidance Appointments: can be made in person by coming to guidance. There is a red binder on a standing desk in the Guidance Office. Students can book with their respective counsellor, by alpha last name. The appointments are made available every Monday morning for the week.
Semester 2 Timetables
The course change request window closed on Dec 19, 2025. Guidance will be supporting students who may need to make timetable changes due to semester 1 results.
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
Guidance will be hosting Course Selection Presentations on Thursday, February 5 in the Library Learning Commons.
Period 1: Grade 12 Classes - must complete next steps in myblueprint Grade 12 students with a spare in Period 1 should plan to attend.
Period 2: Grade 11 Classes
Period 3: Grade 10 Classes
Period 4: Grade 9 Classes
Teachers are aware and will take classes to the appropriate presentation. If your child is in a different grade class during the assigned presentation time, please have them connect with their teacher and plan to attend.
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 presentation will be shared 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.
BFCN Scholarship Application Workshop
The Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN) invites Black students and their families to a free online workshop on how to search, prepare, and apply for scholarships. If you are in Grade 8 or high school, this workshop is especially for YOU! Join online on Wednesday, January 28 from 6:60 PM - 8:30 PM EST.
Learn more about Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN) at bfcn.ca For more information about the workshop or the Black Foundation of Community Networks, contact Cheryl Yarde at info@bfcn.ca
Night School Registration (Continuing Education)
NEW: For semester 2, Credit Recovery for MPM2D, MTH1W, SNC1W, and SNC2D will be offered. The credit recovery sessions will run from Feb 12 to April 21, 2026 (55 hours).
This is intended for students who are not successful and recommended to Credit Recovery Reinforcement by their teacher.
Night School for New Courses :
Night School courses are an opportunity for students to:
- Take a new course that is not available at their home school.
- Retake a course previously taken to upgrade a mark.
- Students may take only one Night School credit per semester.
Registration opened on December 15.
The program will be delivered virtually in real-time (synchronous).
Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30-9:45 p.m.
Semester 2 - Winter: February 12, 2026 to June 9, 2026
Course offerings (Grade 11 and Grade 12) are the same for both semesters. We encourage students to register early as course offerings are not guaranteed and are subject to sufficient enrollment. See more details, including course offerings, here
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
YRPH Flu Season Parent Letter
January 2026
Dear Parents/Legal Guardians,
This year’s flu season started earlier than usual and has been more intense. COVID-19 and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are also starting to increase in our community.
While it seems like “the worst is over”, it is important to note that flu season can continue into late winter or even early spring. That means it’s still a good time for you and your child to get the flu vaccine if you haven’t already. The vaccine takes around two weeks to provide full protection, so getting it sooner is better. Even when it’s not a perfect match, the flu vaccine still helps lower the risk of severe illness, emergency room visits and hospitalization.
Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine and Where You Can Get It
• Everyone six months of age and older is eligible to get the flu vaccine
• It is available at participating pharmacies (for individuals two years of age and older), family doctor’s offices or walk-in clinics
o Please call ahead to confirm vaccine availability and if you need an appointment
If Your Child (or Anyone at Home) Is Sick
If your child has a cough or runny nose, they should stay home until symptoms have been getting better for at least 24 hours, and there has been no fever for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medications.
Tips To Stay Healthy This Respiratory Illness Season
Help protect your family and child’s school community by combining the flu vaccine with healthy habits like:
• Staying home when feeling sick
• Washing your hands often or using hand sanitizer with 70-90% alcohol if there is no soap and water
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow
• Cleaning frequently touched surfaces
• Wearing a well-fitted mask in crowded indoor settings (especially if you or someone at home is at risk for severe infection)
Together, these steps can make a big difference in preventing the spread of the flu and other seasonal viruses, helping keep students healthy and in school with fewer disruptions to work and family routines! For more information, visit york.ca/VirusSeason.
Sincerely,
York Region Public Health
Regional Municipality of York | 17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 6Z1 1-877-464-9675 | york.ca
Black History Month - Celebrating STEM With YRDSB
Join us for an inspiring evening that will include:
- A shared dinner and community gathering to open the evening
- Hands-on STEM and STEAM learning experiences connected to Black innovators and scientists
- Interactive coding activities facilitated by Black women engineering students from Ontario Tech University
- Student-led panels and displays highlighting Black inventors and innovators, with opportunities for families to hear directly from students about their learning and curriculum connections
Dates :
- West - Wednesday, February 4, Maple H.S.
- Central - Wednesday, February 11, Richmond Hill H.S.
- East - Monday, February 23, Middlefield C.I.
- North - Wednesday, February 25, Dr. JM Denison H.S.
All events begin promptly at 5:30 pm and end at 8:00 pm.
Please see link below to register:
bit.lvlBHMC2026
If you have any further questions please reach out to : blackstudentexcellence@yrdsb.ca
JF & CS - Parenting for Caregivers of Children 7 - 12 Years of Age
Parenting group that provides parents with tools and strategies to reduce power struggles, promote calm communication, problem solving and empower parents to feel more confident in managing challenging behaviours while fostering a cooperative family environment.
No Charge
Sessions beginning Tuesday February 3 - March 10, 2026 6:30 - 8:30 pm via Zoom
JF&CS strives for inclusivity in all its programs, serving community members of any income, family structure, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, level of observance, race, ethnicity, cultural identity and place of origin.
For more information or to register, please call 416.638.7800 x 6234
Please refer to the Bi Weekly Bulletin : December 15 to January 2, 2025 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