Gaining localized successes and challenges

Over the past five years, I have met with numerous individuals and groups including principals, teachers, educational assistants, unions/federations, parents/guardians, and students to gain valuable insight for the Board’s actions and decisions, which align with the TLDSB 2022-2027 Strategic Plan.

This year, I am meeting with School Council chairs and principals together to gather insight into local school challenges and successes, and to better understand how TLDSB can continue to support and improve student achievement and well-being. I sincerely thank the School Council chairs who have participated to date and look forward to the continued collaboration this spring.

Free webinar series supporting student well-being

School Mental Health Ontario is offering free webinars for parents/guardians designed to help navigate important topics to support their children’s mental health. There will be four webinars from March to June on the following topics:  

• Balanced device use
• Vaping
• Body image
• Anxiety 

The webinars will also include answers to questions that parents/guardians can provide ahead of the webinar, giving them the chance to ask questions and gain practical guidance. 

Together, we can support the well-being of our children and communities. Register by completing the Supporting Your Child’s Well-being Registration Form.

Transportation opt-in or opt-out

The Ministry of Education has required all school boards to accurately estimate the number of students who will require and utilize transportation services. As a result, TLDSB will ask eligible families (those who qualify for transportation) to opt-in or opt-out of receiving transportation for the 2026-2027 school year. A communication with instructions on how to opt-in or opt-out will be shared in the spring.

This process will help Trillium Lakelands District School Board optimize transportation planning and promote efficiencies.

2026 Student Census

As part of TLDSB’s commitment to continued progress towards equity and inclusion for all, the Board is undertaking a voluntary Student Census on Tuesday, March 3, to collect identity-based demographic information.

The data collected from students will provide the school system with valuable information that will help to improve strategic planning, programming, and services with a focus on student achievement and engagement.

Learn more by visiting the Student Census page on our website.

Cyber awareness and online safety

Information to help you stay safe online.

A cyber scam is an online criminal activity designed to scam people out of money or personal information. The most common types of online scams are phishing, vishing, and smishing, which are all techniques to “fish” for usernames, passwords, and other sensitive information from a “sea” of users – through emails or text messages.

Phishing emails, smishing text messages, and vishing audio/phone messages may look like they’re from someone or a company you know or trust. Their messages urge you to click a link, open an attachment, call a number, or contact an email address. The victim is then tricked into providing their personal information and credentials to other websites or services.

How to avoid scams:

• Do not open attachments, do not click links, and do not respond to suspicious messages. Ask questions, consult people you trust, or contact the sender using an alternative communication method.
• Avoid suspicious apps and deny permissions for something the app shouldn’t be doing.
• Always use secure sites (look for the “s” in “https://”) when shopping or logging into your accounts online.
• Buy products from known sites only.
• Do not post personal information on social media.

If you think you may be a victim of a scam:

• Stop all communication with the scammer.
• Seek help from someone you trust.
• Report the scam.

2024-2025 EQAO assessment scores

Since the last newsletter, the Education Quality and Assessment Office (EQAO) released the latest results for school boards in Ontario from the 2024-2025 school year.

We are extremely proud of all the hard work at all levels of the system. These outstanding EQAO results reflect the dedication and commitment of our students, and the expertise and tireless efforts of our teaching and support staff. We are clearly seeing that the strategies used in TLDSB are working and look forward to continuing to make gains.

Please see our media release for more information and TLDSB data.

Reading resource video

Created by TLDSB Curriculum Services, we hope you enjoy this short video highlighting the benefits of reading together, accessing new materials, and a free resource from TLDSB called Sora.

Inclement weather and attendance

A reminder that when transportation is cancelled as a result of current or forecasted weather or road conditions, elementary and secondary schools remain open. If students are safely able to get to and from school, we encourage student attendance; learning opportunities will continue to be available to all attending students on inclement weather days.

TLDSB has a zoned approach in relation to transportation cancellations; further detail about the zone your child(ren)’s school is in can be found on the Board’s Transportation Information page.

Upcoming events

2025-2026 Positive Parenting Webinar Series

TLDSB Mental Health Services, in partnership with Pine River Institute, is hosting FREE virtual webinars for parents/guardians. Please see the information below for the upcoming sessions:

Building our stretch zone
Thursday, February 19 – 7 to 8 p.m.
Explore comfort, stretch, and panic zones to help you and your child build resilience, improve communication, and know when to push or provide safety.

The benefits of positive stress
New date: Thursday, May 14 – 7 to 8 p.m.
Not all stress is bad for us! In fact, without positive stress, we fail to learn, grow, and develop as functional humans. Learn how to spot the differences and create opportunities to introduce healthy stress for you and your kids.

Register here: If you are interested in attending (even if you’d just like the recording), complete the Positive Parenting Webinar Series Registration Form. Note, those who register will get access to all events.

Save the date: TLDSB 2025-2026 Arts Showcase

City of Kawartha Lakes
Date: Thursday, April 9
Time: 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: I.E. Weldon Secondary School

Muskoka
Date: Wednesday, April 22
Time: 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Muskoka Education Centre

Haliburton
Date: Wednesday, April 29
Time: 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Fleming School for the Arts

More information will be shared with the TLDSB community shortly.