March 6, 2026

School Council News

We are excited to host a Career Fair!  This inspiring event designed especially for Thornlea students will explore a variety of career and post-secondary pathways. The event will take place in the school library during lunch (11:25am-12:25pm).  

This event will allow members of our parent-guardian community to share their career experiences with interested students.  We are currently looking for parents and guardians to volunteer to share their unique career journeys with our students. If you are interested in inspiring the next generation and offering insight into your profession, we would love to hear from you!  Please email us no later than Friday, March 13 at thornlea.ss@sc.yrdsb.ca if you are interested. Organizers will provide additional details regarding logistics once volunteers are confirmed.

Let's Stay Connected!

Let’s stay connected—sign up for our Email List to be the first to hear about our initiatives. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, we would love to hear from you. Together, we can make this a fantastic year for our students!

Thornlea School Council – 2025-2026

Executive Members: Aroon B. and Pengli C. (Co-chairs), Diana L. (Communication), Jane P. and Trisha T. (Secretaries), Khurram S. (Fundraising), and Susan S. (Treasurer)
Members at Large: Ali S.*, Eileen M., Erika G.*, Grace Y., Jenn I.*, Kenneth N., Reshmeen S., Sharon A. (* Fundraising Committee)
Contact Us: thornlea.ss@sc.yrdsb.ca

Safety Week

Our school is participating in an Active School Travel Safety Campaign March 9-13th. 

The goals of this campaign are the following:

· To educate, remind, and reinforce pedestrian safety in school zones

· To encourage active modes of transportation to and from school

· To improve student drop-off and pick-up activity in the school zone

· To remind ALL drivers to be more mindful when driving through school zones

School Zone safety is a joint responsibility. We must all play our part to improve safety and create an environment that is safe for all students. 

The easiest way to ensure safety for all students is by walking, cycling, or having your child ride the bus.

As part of the campaign, we will do the following:

· Add signage around the school property to further reinforce safe transportation to and from school

· Share important daily safety reminders with students and families; we encourage you to review these reminders and to reinforce them with your children

· Remind families about the benefits of active school travel, including reducing traffic congestion in school zones

Thank you for your participation as we work together to support student well-being and school zone safety.  

Transition to Secondary Family Focus Group

York Region District School Board recognizes that secondary school transition is an important time for students and their families. We want to ensure that the information you need is easy to find, helps you and your child make informed decisions, and supports a positive transition to secondary school.    

We are inviting families of students in Grades 9-10 to express their interest in attending a focus group on:

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026

Time: 7:45 – 9 p.m.

Location: Thornlea Secondary School

Pizza and light snacks will be provided from 7:15 – 7:45 p.m. for participating parents/guardians.

You will receive a follow-up email with additional information and to confirm your attendance. 

What is the purpose of this project?  

To learn more about:

• how and why students and families select the secondary school they will attend
• what information families are looking for
• how and where you prefer to receive this information

This information will inform future communications and support related to secondary school transitions. 

What does participation in the project involve?  

If you are interested and available to attend a 75-minute focus group on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the evening, please complete the form below. Additional details will follow. 

The session will be led by members of the Research and Assessment Services department and Corporate Communications. Notes will be taken during the discussion, and the session will be recorded. These recordings will only be used for the purpose of this project and will be stored securely in the YRDSB Research and Assessment Service’s secured drive. No personal information or feedback will be shared in the report or with teachers, principals, or other students.  

What are the rights of all participants?  

• Participation is voluntary. The choice to participate or not participate will not affect your child’s marks or treatment in their classroom or school.
• All responses will be confidential: participants will not be identified.
• Participants can skip any question(s) they do not wish to answer, or they may choose to stop participating at any time.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact: research.services@yrdsb.ca.  

Informed Consent and Expression of Interest Form 

We require your informed consent to participate in this project. If you would like to participate, please complete the consent and expression of interest form by Monday, April 20, 2026: Invitation to Participate in a Family Focus Group Discussion on High School Selection and Transitions.

Please complete the form only if you are interested in attending the focus group. Families who do not wish to attend do not need to fill out the form.