May 1, 2026

School Council News

The Career Fair was a Success!

Thank you to all the parents who generously took the time to participate in our Career Fair and shared their experiences with our students. Your willingness to engage, answer questions, and offer insights across such a wide range of professions made the event both meaningful and inspiring.

We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to our principal Mr. Belmonte, his administrative team, and the library staff for their support in making this event run so smoothly. Your efforts behind the scenes helped create a welcoming and successful experience for everyone involved.

It was wonderful to see students exploring different career pathways in such a relaxed and engaging environment. We look forward to building on this success and hosting another great event for our students next school year!

School Council Meeting Update

Our final School Council meeting of the year was held on April 20th, where parents received updates on a wide range of school activities and initiatives. School Administration shared highlights of student participation in various academic and skills-based competitions, including the University of Waterloo contests, the York Region Skills Competition, and the FIRST Robotics Competition, alongside strong involvement in athletics through our many sports teams. The school also fostered community and learning through events such as the Black History Month assembly and enriching field trips. 

In the coming month, students can look forward to a variety of academic, outdoor, and arts-focused opportunities, including Advanced Placement exams, a canoe trip, the Spring Concert, Coffee House (a talent show), and the Luminary Awards celebrating excellence in the arts, film, and photography. 

Thank you to all the parents and guardians who attended our Council meetings. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to connecting with more families in person at our next event/meeting.

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

Thornlea EcoTeam

Environmental sustainability is a way of life at Thornlea Secondary School, where students are leading meaningful action for a more sustainable future. Thornlea students can engage in a variety of different activities.  For example, students who support the Butterflyway Pollinator Garden volunteer to help maintain the garden in the summer and take plants home during the winter to care for them. The team, known as The EcoTeam Council, also shares presentations at staff meetings focused on sustainability. There are opportunities for staff members to support as well, such as requesting and using “Good on One Side” (GOOS) paper boxes.

In December of 2024, Thornlea became a Sustainable Future School. Then, in May 2025, after an extensive audit by Ecoschools Canada, Thornlea earned a Platinum EcoSchools certification, recognizing the school’s exceptional commitment to environmental responsibility. 

Students led the decision to apply for EcoSchools platinum status, said Staff Lead Cindy Wan. “The EcoTeam Council started as an environmental club to increase students’ sense of belonging, learn about environmental issues, and raise awareness about global concerns,” said Wan. “Student leadership led to the ambitious endeavour of going on the journey of being an EcoSchool. Using Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics, we have fostered a community of students, staff, parents/guardians and partners who mentor and learn from each other and take action to help save the world.”

Students at the school are actively involved in a wide range of hands-on projects, including conducting waste audits, building bird sanctuaries, and supporting hydroponic vertical farming.  Students learned that this hydroponic method – featuring stacked rows of plants – uses 90-95 per cent less water and 98 per cent less land than traditional farming (Behm, 2026).  Regarding this farming method, Grade 12 student Carmen said, “In EcoTeam, we get hands-on learning opportunities with hydroponic and vertical farming systems and how they contribute to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. Our team is very supportive, and I found that it allowed everyone to get to know each other across grades and interests.”

Experiential learning is central to the school’s approach. Students engaged in Indigenous place-based learning and participated in a Climate Action Forum.  In their work, students have learned to incorporate a variety of skills and knowledge.  For example, students combine coding for moisture detection with Indigenous plant knowledge.  Art, Science, and Indigenous place-based learning opportunities have culminated in the creation of a mural that will be displayed in the Science wing at Thornlea. The mural incorporates natural materials and haiku poetry to represent Thornlea’s commitment to sustainability now and in the future.  Thus, the work of Thornlea’s EcoTeam moves beyond STEM to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math).   

The school is currently hosting over 30 active projects that focus on academic research, community wellness, and sustainable living. These projects are led through the EcoSchools initiative and include more than 50 people.  Grade 10 student, Maya, said, “Since last year, the number of kids on EcoTeam has more than doubled. This club has given me so many opportunities.” Student Irene in grade 10 explained that these opportunities range from “learning about hydroponics, waste management, coding, competitions, as well as meeting many great people and developing new skills including leadership and communication.”  This range of learning opportunities is helping students develop transferable skills for the future.

The school’s infrastructure also reflects its commitment to sustainability.  The Council has used the school’s original 1968 structure to create a thriving indoor ecosystem. Highlights include engineering light for a controlled environment and allowing students to bring the cognitive, wellness, and air purification benefits of nature indoors.

To support this work, the school applied for grants, including the Young Reporters for the Environment Grant and the Jane Goodall Roots and Shoots Grant.

“EcoTeam has helped me learn more about how we as individuals can help and care for our environment, like using reusable water bottles instead of plastic ones,” said EcoTeam Member and Grade 9 student Gemma. “It has deepened my interest in learning more about how we can help the environment, and it gave me a lot of opportunities to put myself out there and meet new people. It keeps me curious about how we can further improve the quality of our environment and how we can continue to help it.”

Grade 9 student, Benya, revealed EcoTeam Council’s core objectives well when she said, “Being part of Thornlea’s EcoTeam has shown me how small actions can create real change. We work together to make our school more sustainable and inspire others to do the same.” 

Behm, S. 2026. Vertical farming is growing up. Farm Credit Canada.  Retrieved April 17, 2026 from 

https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/knowledge/vertical-farming-is-growing-up.

2026/27 School Year Calendar Approved

Dear Families

The YRDSB 2026-2027 school year calendars have been approved by the Ministry. These calendars may be accessed on the YRDSB website at: https://www2.yrdsb.ca/school-year-calendar 

YRDSB Accepting Applications for Board Committees

York Region District School Board is accepting applications for membership on two advisory committees that provide important family and community perspectives at the Board level. 

• Parent, Family and Community Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC) 

Applications open May 14 - June 10, 2026.

Parents, caregivers, and family members are invited to apply for membership on PEAC. The committee offers families a meaningful opportunity to share their perspectives and support family engagement at the Board level to improve student achievement and well-being.

Learn more about PEAC, eligibility requirements and how to apply on the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC) webpage. 

• Equity and Inclusivity Advisory Committee (EIAC)

Applications open May 11 - June 15, 2026

Family and community members can apply for one of eight positions on EIAC. The committee supports YRDSB’s commitment to providing equitable and inclusive learning and working environments in all schools and workplaces of the Board.

Learn more about EIAC, eligibility requirements and how to apply on the Equity and Inclusivity Advisory Committee (EIAC) webpage. 

East Asian Heritage Celebration

In honour of Asian Heritage Month, Inclusive School and Community Services (ISCS) invites you to an evening celebrating East Asian heritage. This event will include cultural performances, displays, food and cultural exchange that highlight the histories, cultures, and contributions of East Asian communities. 

This celebration will also feature the presentation of the Supporting East Asian Students (SEAS) Student Leadership and Community Impact Award.

Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Milliken Mills High School, 7522 Kennedy Rd, Markham, ON L3R 9S5

Please see our flyer for more information and to register now. Please note that registration for this event is limited to comply with venue capacity requirements. Spaces will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration will close once capacity has been reached. 

Asian Heritage Month Celebration

In honour of Asian Heritage Month, Inclusive School and Community Services (ISCS) invites students, families and staff for an evening celebrating the incredible diversity of Asian heritage. This event offers a unique opportunity for cultural exchange as we learn about and celebrate the unique identities across the Asian continent. Through food, performances, and interactive activities, we will honour the rich histories, vibrant cultures, and ongoing contributions of Asian communities. 

Event Details

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: 39 Dunning Ave Aurora, Ontario L4G 1A2

Please see our flyer for more information and to register. Please note that registration for this event is limited to comply with venue capacity requirements. Spaces will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration will close once capacity has been reached.