Maple RidgeSecondary School

Maple Ridge's March 2026 Newsletter

Posted on 03/02/2026

 

Co-Curricular Activities and Events: 

 

Over the next few weeks, Maple Ridge Secondary School will be holding tryouts for the following spring athletic teams: 

We are pleased to offer students the opportunity to participate in interschool athletics. School sports support physical literacy, teamwork, resilience, and overall well-being.

 

Important Safety Notice: 
Participation in physical activity and sport carries inherent risks. These risks may include minor injuries such as strains and sprains, as well as the possibility of more serious injury. While appropriate precautions, supervision, and safety procedures are in place, risk cannot be completely eliminated. 

 

All teams will follow the safety standards and risk-management practices outlined by OPHEA through the Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education (OPASSE). These standards establish provincial expectations related to supervision, equipment, facilities, instructional practices, and emergency procedures. Families who wish to review activity-specific safety standards for secondary school sport may do so at: https://safety.ophea.net/safety-plans?module=secondary 

 

In addition, all teams will adhere to applicable Board policies, including concussion awareness and management protocols. 

 

For questions regarding specific sports (e.g., tryout schedules, equipment requirements, eligibility, or team expectations), please contact the individual coach directly. 

 

We look forward to a safe and successful spring season for our student-athletes. 

 Sincerely, 

David Cano 
Chris Cochrane 
Athletic Directors 
Maple Ridge Secondary School  

 

2026 – Commencement Request 

 

Dear Maple Ridge Families, 

 

As we enter our fifth year at Maple Ridge Secondary School, our community continues to grow stronger each day. With our 2026 Commencement ceremony approaching, we are excited to celebrate another graduating class and further establish meaningful graduation awards for our students. 

 

We are reaching out to our Maple Ridge families. Many of you are business owners, skilled professionals, and valued community members, and we hope you will consider supporting our graduates as they move on to skilled trades, college, university, the workplace, or community living. 

 

Graduation awards provide both recognition and encouragement. Even a modest contribution can make a meaningful difference in the life of a student who has worked hard throughout their secondary school years. Our awards include school-based leadership recognitions and subject-based achievement awards. 

 

There is no ongoing commitment, and sponsorships may be renewed annually at your discretion. Donations of $20 or more are eligible for a tax receipt through the Simcoe County District School Board. 

 

Our students have demonstrated dedication and perseverance, and your support helps ensure they feel valued and celebrated as they begin the next chapter of their lives. Thank you for considering this opportunity to support our graduates and strengthen our school community. 

If you have any questions, please contact our Awards Committee Lead, Kira Simon, at [email protected]. 

 

Warm regards, 
Maple Ridge Awards Committee

 

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. 

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. 

 

School Council 

 

Upcoming Council Meeting Dates: 

 

This year, the Council has set a priority of purchasing BBQs and a deep freezer for the school. These additions will help better support school clubs, sports teams, community gatherings, and other school events. 

We are committed to raising funds to support student fundraising efforts and to help offset costs wherever possible.  

If you wish to contribute to this initiative, donations can be made through the QR code below.              ***please ensure that in your donation message you identify that your donation is for School Council BBQs*** 

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/. 

 

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: 

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.

 

Keep Reading for SCDSB News 

 

Information and updates from the SCDSB – March 2026 

Posted on 01/28/2026  

 

The below information is for SCDSB families for the month of March. 

 

 

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 journeyin 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.

 

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!