The below information is for SCDSB families for the month of March.
March Break
Please note that March 16 to 20 is March Break for all SCDSB students. Please refer to the 2025-26 School Year Calendar on the SCDSB website for more information: www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/school_year_calendar.
Collection and use of personal student information (elementary)
As students progress from elementary school to secondary school, important personal student information which eases each student’s transition to secondary school is shared. Sharing this information improves our ability to program effectively to benefit all students. The collection and use of personal student information for such purposes is authorized under the Education Act.
Please note that all information used for the transition process is limited, secure, and protected at all times in accordance to Administrative Procedure Memorandum (APM) A 1450 – Management of Personal Information – Student, section 4.
Please contact your Superintendent of Education if you would like more information about the transition process at your child's school.
Applications for the SCDSB Umoja Award are open
The Umoja Black Secondary Student Leadership Award is a $1,000 scholarship that is awarded annually to a full-time registered SCDSB Black secondary school student who will be attending post-secondary school in the fall and demonstrates leadership in their school and in the Black community within Simcoe County.
Selection of the Umoja Award recipient will be facilitated by the SCDSB Human Rights and Equity Office (HREO). The information provided in the application will assist the selection committee (comprised of members of the SCDSB Equity Advisory Committee) in choosing the recipient.
For further information about the award and to apply, visit the HREO page on the SCDSB website.
Applications are due May 1, 2026.
Dreams Delayed
The SCDSB acknowledges the structural and systemic nature of anti-Black racism and discrimination in education. The SCDSB recognizes that Black students and staff have historically faced, and continue to face, barriers to equity and inclusion, due to deeply rooted racial biases and discriminatory practices.
In response to the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) Dreams Delayed Addressing Systemic Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination in Ontario’s Public Education System report, the SCDSB is holding consultations for parents and families of Black students. The upcoming consultations are intended to gather feedback from the community on how the recommendations from the report can be incorporated at the SCDSB. The consultations will be held in various locations across the county, including virtually, this spring and will be facilitated by an external consultant.
For more information, please visit the HREO page on the SCDSB website.
SCDSB offers free Self-Reg Parenting Course – registration now open!
The SCDSB is offering a free 10-week virtual Self-Reg Parenting Course for parents/guardians of SCDSB students based on The Shanker Method®. This course explores the connection between stress, energy, and tension, and how these impact children’s behaviour, mood, and learning. Participants will learn to recognize signs of stress in children, develop strategies for self-regulation and co-regulation.
The course runs virtually via Microsoft Teams on Thursdays from April 2 to June 4, 2026 at 10-11:30 a.m. or 7-8:30 p.m.
For more information and to register, visit Stuart Shanker Self-Reg Parenting Course - Simcoe County District School Board.
Managing stress
Stress is a normal part of life. In fact, some stress can be helpful — it can give us energy and motivation. However, when stress levels get too high, it can affect a child’s mental health and overall well-being.
The good news? You, as a parent/guardian, play an important role in helping your child understand stress and develop healthy ways to manage it. The best stress management strategies are the ones that work for your child. Try brainstorming together to create a list of activities that help them feel calm and in control during stressful times.
Looking for ideas? Explore these simple activities from School Mental Health Ontario: https://smho-smso.ca/online-resources/easy-and-fun-mental-health-activities-for-home/.
Want to learn more about supporting your child in understanding and managing stress? Check out this guide: https://smho-smso.ca/online-resources/helping-your-child-understand-and-manage-stress/.
Kindergarten registration for September 2026 is open!
Kindergarten is the beginning of a wonderful journey of learning, and we want your child to begin their journey in a SCDSB school! Do you have a child who is turning four in 2026? If so, we invite you to register your child for Kindergarten. To register online or for more information visit the SCDSB website at scdsb.on.ca/kindergarten.
Licensed March Break school age child care programs
Child care programs for children in Kindergarten to Grade 6 are provided by independent, third-party child care operators in some SCDSB schools. To support your child care needs, some operators offer child care on PA days and holidays including over the March Break (March 16-20). Registration in advance is required. Please contact the child care operator directly to discuss fees and to register. More information and contact numbers can be found at: scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/childcare_before_after.
Prom Glitz 2026
Grade 12 Prom and Grade 8 Graduation dresses will be available at the Kozlov Centre at 400 Bayfield Street in the former Doogan’s Pet Shop beginning March 19. All dresses are free, but donations are appreciated. Students can bring one guest to assist them in selecting a dress. For more information and a schedule of hours visit www.promglitz.ca or follow them on Instagram @promglitz or Facebook @PromGlitzSimcoe.
Check out the SCDSB News video series
The SCDSB News is a weekly video series highlighting positive events, initiatives, and learning happening within school communities across the SCDSB. Follow the SCDSB on social media to catch all of these weekly episodes, and check out our recent video below featuring Carnaval de Warnica.
Students bundled up, headed outdoors, and embraced winter through hands‑on learning, collaboration, and a celebration of French culture. From Bonhomme cheer to snowshoeing gear, every moment was a flurry of activity that brought the school community together: https://youtu.be/SNxAhSwnEms?si=zXRzjQOj3r_o4pXY.
Online math resources for families
Practice math anywhere with Math at Home, an online resource for parents/guardians of SCDSB students from pre-school age to 16. This resource is updated monthly with games, problems, and number talk activities that reflect the math your child may be learning at school each month.
In March, activities in school and on Math at Home may include grade-level tasks related to using symbols to represent quantities, evaluating algebraic expressions, and solving algebraic equations. Visit www.scdsb.on.ca/MathAtHome to support your child’s math learning at home!
Parents/guardians invited to register for By Your Side, a free mental health webinar series
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) invites parents/guardians to register for a free, four-part webinar series focused on mental health and substance use, hosted by School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO). Each webinar will feature a presentation by leading experts. The topics to be covered are:
- Balanced device use - March 5
- Vaping - April 10
- Body image - May 7
- Anxiety - June 5
Register for the webinar series.
SMHO is offering English and French sessions on each topic, which will be added to the By Your Side Learning Hub on the SMHO website as available. This site also offers other resources to help parents/guardians navigate important topics to support their child's mental health.
Registration now open for summer eLearning!
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is offering summer school courses in July 2026 (eLearning) and travel for credit courses in both July and August for current high school students, Grade 8 students entering secondary school, or adult learners who are interested in earning a new credit or upgrading a previous mark. Students can advance online learning skills, earn missed credits, or fast-track preparation for graduation or post-secondary in just four weeks. eLearning is fully supported by certified teachers who are available electronically daily.
Summer school program details can be found on the Learning Centres website at thelearningcentres.com/programs/summer_school.
EDUTravel programs are offered in a variety of destinations including Canada, USA, and Europe. For more information including costs, destinations, credits, and dates of commitment, please visit: edutravelforcredit.com.
Summer eLearning opportunities for students entering Grade 9!
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is offering summer school eLearning courses in July 2026. Current SCDSB Grade 8 students wishing to reach ahead and earn a credit before high school can now register through their elementary school principal. eLearning is fully supported by certified teachers who are available electronically daily. Available courses include:
CGC1W – Grade 9 Geography
PAF1O – Grade 9 Personal Fitness
CHV2O & GLC2O – Grade 10 Civics and Careers
CHC2P – Grade 10 Applied History
CHC2D – Grade 10 Academic History
Summer school program details can be found on the Learning Centres website at thelearningcentres.com/programs/summer_school.
March Break reminder: from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
For many families, March Break is a time to connect with family and friends. Whether you are staying home, planning a family outing, or leaving the country, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) encourages all families to know their children’s immunization status.
With ongoing increased measles activity in many places where families may be visiting over the March Break, we are encouraging families to review their child’s immunization records and ensure they are up to date for their age for measles and other immunizations. Children in Ontario should have received two doses of a measles vaccine by five years of age. Students who are not protected by these vaccines may be excluded from school should we see cases of measles in our community.
If your child needs their vaccinations updated, please reach out to your health care provider, or if you do not have a health care provider, you can book an appointment at a health unit immunization clinic through the SMDHU website.
For more information, visit the immunization webpage at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.