Important Dates
December 1-4: Scholastic Book Fair
December 1: Junior Boys Volleyball game vs. Oscar Peterson P.S.
December 2: Junior Boys Volleyball game vs. Harry Bowes P.S.
Subway lunches for those who ordered
December 3: Junior Girls Volleyball game vs. Whitchurch-Highlands
P.S.
Dominos Pizza lunches for those who ordered
December 4: Book Fair open to families from 4-7pm
Reach for the Top match vs. Sir Wilfred Laurier P.S.
Plates & Bowls lunches for those who ordered
December 8: Junior Girls Volleyball game vs. Oscar Peterson P.S.
December 9: Subway lunches for those who ordered
December 10: Dominos Pizza lunches for those who ordered
December 11: Plates & Bowls lunches for those who ordered
December 15: Junior Girls Volleyball Game vs. Wendat Village P.S.
Reach for the Top match vs. Oscar Peterson P.S.
December 16: Junior Boys Volleyball Game vs. Wendat Village P.S.
Subway lunches for those who ordered
December 17: Dominos Pizza lunches for those who ordered
December 18: Plates & Bowls lunches for those who ordered
December 22 - January 2: School Closed
December is Christian Heritage Month
A Message From the Office
Please note the following reminders about morning entry.
- Staff supervision of students begins at 8:55 a.m. Students should not be on school property without supervision prior to that time.
- Kindergarten students can be dropped off at the Kindergarten Play Area beginning at 8:55 a.m. and will be supported in entering their classrooms in preparation for the instructional day.
Supervision for Primary students on the tarmac and for Junior/Intermediate students in the school/portables begins at 8:55 a.m. Junior and Intermediate students are reminded not to enter the school before 8:55 a.m. unless prior arrangements have been made with a staff member (e.g., for a team practice, to work with a teacher, etc.). All students are reminded that recess games (e.g., soccer, basketball, etc.) can be played at recess times, rather than before school.
Keeping Our Students Safe
Allergies: Please make sure snack and lunch items are nut-free, peanut-free, and sesame-free. Please ensure items dropped off for lunch from eateries are also free of these items (e.g., no sesame on McDonalds burger buns).
Children with Epi-pens need to carry them throughout the day. Families needing support accessing pouches/other materials are invited to contact the school.
Bussing: Families of students taking the bus that late bus reports are issued through the school transportation portal if the bus is expected to be more than 10 minutes late. Please check this report if wondering whether a bus is on time.
Parking Lot: Thank you to all who have continued to follow procedures that minimize congestion and help keep our parking lot safe. If driving, please ensure students are only dropped off/picked up in the designated area.
- Morning Drop-Off: When possible, Kindergarten students will be helped by a staff member to exit the car, and older students can be dropped off independently.
- Afternoon Pick-Up: Families of Kindergarten students are asked to display the sign on their dashboard so we can prioritize access to the pick-up area beginning at 3:30pm. Families of older students will be directed into the pick-up area after Kindergarten pick-up is completed.
- Crossing: We encourage families and students to cross at the crosswalk for safety.
Parking Spaces: Open parking spaces are available for families who wish to park their cars and walk with their children at drop-off or pick-up times. Please do not park or idle your car in the driving lanes of the parking lot as it is unsafe and results in congestion.
Reminders
Student Absences need to be communicated to the office as soon as possible via Edsby or by calling the school at 905-591-3800. If picking up students during the day (e.g., for medical appointments, etc.), please try to do so outside the recess and lunch times.
Recess: 11:10am - 11:40am
Lunch: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Address/Phone Number Changes: Please notify the office by email (barbara.reid@yrdsb.ca) if your address, phone number, or email contact information has changed. Up-to-date information helps us in our communication with families.
School Start-Up Packages
School Start-Up Packages have been sent to families. Please ensure these are completed and returned as soon as possible.
A Message from our Librarian, Mr. Glashan
We are very excited to be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair at Barbara Reid in the week of Monday December 1st. A portion of all sales comes back to our school to help purchase additional student resources.
The fair will be open to primary students from 1:20-2:00pm (lunch recess) Monday, December 1st & Wednesday, December 3rd. The junior & intermediate students may shop on Tuesday, December 2nd & Thursday, December 4th, also from 1:20-2:00pm (lunch recess).
Additionally, the fair will be open to families on Thursday, December 4th from 4pm-7pm.
We hope you can make it!
A Message from School Council
School Council Hot Lunch options were added to School Cash Online December 1st for the Winter term.
Lunches will begin:
- Tuesday, January 6 – Tuesday, March 10 inclusive: Subway
- Wednesday, January 7 – Wednesday, March 11 inclusive: Dominos Pizza
- Thursday, January 8 – Thursday, March 12 inclusive: Plates & Bowls
The deadline to purchase is Sunday, December 14, 2025 at midnight. LATE ORDERS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED. Lunch will be delivered during inclement weather days as long as the school is open to students. Please note that refunds for missed days are not available. We are unable to hold missed orders in the office. Any missed orders will be considered a donation to the school. The net proceeds of this sale will directly benefit Barbara Reid Public School students. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Please log in or register at https://yrdsb.schoolcashonline.com/ for prices and details.
From the Board
Please click on embedded links for more information:
Embracing Winter: Building Warmth and Resilience
Student Mental Health and Addictions Newsletter - Winter 2025
Please visit the newsletter for resources, tips, and information about programs and events for children, youth, families, and caregivers.
Kwanzaa Celebration
Students, families and staff, please join us as we come together to celebrate Kwanzaa!
This special event will honour African heritage, unity and culture and will be a time to reflect on the seven principles of Kwanzaa, enjoy cultural traditions and foster community spirit.
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: Bill Hogarth S.S., Cafeteria (100 Donald Sim Ave, Markham) To assist us with planning the event, please register by December 1, 2025, using this registration link. Dinner will be provided. Please see the flyer invitation or the www event link for more information and registration.
For more information, please contact the Centre for Black Student Excellence (CBSE) at blackstudentexcellence@yrdsb.ca.
Understanding and Navigating the Education System Families of YRDSB Black Students December 2025 Session
Families, parents, and caregivers, please join us for our monthly virtual meeting, where families with Black children come together to learn about resources and upcoming programs for Black students in both elementary and secondary schools.
Date: Monday, December 15, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
Please see our flyer for more information and the registration link.
For further information, please email the Centre for Black Student Excellence (CBSE) at blackstudentexcellence@yrdsb.ca.
Grade 8 Open House - Information Nights
Please see the Board Webpage for information about Information Nights for the following schools with specialized programs:
- Alexander Mackenzie HS - ARTS & IB
- Bayview SS - IB
- Dr GW Williams SS - IB
- Huron Heights SS - ARTS
- Maple HS - IB
- Milliken Mills HS - IB
- Unionville HS - ARTS
- Westmount CI - ARTS
Save the Date!
The Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy Implementation Plan Team, is proud to announce the upcoming event for students, families and staff: Growing Together - Planning for Success
Date: January 8, 2026
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: Newmarket High School (505 Pickering Cres., Newmarket)
The move to high school is a critical milestone, and we are committed to ensuring every student and family feels fully prepared and equipped for success.
We are excited to invite Black students and their families in Grades 6 through 10 to an upcoming event highlighting the opportunities available to support pathway planning, specialty programs, and the transition between elementary and secondary school.
This is a key opportunity for Black students and families to connect with educators, ask questions, and build a personalized roadmap for a successful and fulfilling secondary school experience.
More information and registration will be available shortly. For any questions, please contact blackstudentexcellence@yrdsb.ca.
From the Community
Free winter clothing for children and adults in need.
Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
October 11, 2025 to January 31, 2026
The Quaker Meeting House
17030 Yonge St. South of Eagle St.
Due to high demand, clothing will only be given to those who are present. Please bring all family members who need clothing!
For more information contact:
The North Newmarket Lions Club: 905-895-1441 OR The Newmarket Lions Club: 905-252-3203
Parents of Black Children Homework Help & Tutoring
Parents of Black Children is offering free 25-minute drop-in tutoring and homework help sessions inside the Omo Africentric Virtual Campus, also known as The ‘O’, Monday to Thursday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Mondays & Wednesdays → Grades K–12, all subjects
Tuesdays & Thursdays → Grades K–8, all subjects
Our dedicated team will assist students in all subjects to help them succeed academically in a supportive and affirming environment.
For more information, please visit: https://parentsofblackchildren.org/the-omo-africentric-virtual-campus
If you have any questions, please contact Givens Owusu (Program Manager) at givens.owusu@parentsofblackchildren.org.
Community Resources for Cantonese and Mandarin-Speaking Families
These services are offered in Cantonese and/or Mandarin: many of these services are free and others are offered on a sliding-fee scale to families
A Message from Our Trustee
December 2025
As trustees, it is a privilege to work alongside families and schools. Every day, we see incredible successes - big and small - taking place in classrooms and learning spaces across our Board. We are committed to celebrating those achievements and supporting families as you navigate the system to access the resources, programs and information you need.
Our schools and the Board host many events throughout the year for families—from information nights to cultural celebrations and community activities. These events provide wonderful opportunities to connect, learn and engage with the community. We encourage you to check your school’s calendar and the Board calendar regularly so you don’t miss these opportunities.
There are also some important registration dates coming up, including Kindergarten and French Immersion in January. Course selection also takes place in the coming months, which is a great time for students entering or currently in secondary school to explore the many options available to them.
Visit our school programs page for deadlines, details and to learn more about the many programs available to YRDSB students. These programs allow students to explore their interests, gain valuable experience and build transferable skills for the future.
We meet regularly as a Board of Trustees through monthly Board meetings and at regular committee meetings. Agendas and minutes are posted publicly so community members can stay informed.
A highlight of each monthly meeting is the Applause Awards, where we celebrate students, staff and community partners who are making a meaningful difference in our schools. These inspiring stories showcase student achievement, perseverance, and the power of communities coming together to support student learning and well-being
We also take time during our meetings to recognize Heritage months that reflect the diversity of our region and honour the identities of students, staff and families. This month, we recognize Christian Heritage Month; in January, we will celebrate Tamil Heritage Month, and in February, Black History Month. These observances give us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the contributions of these communities.
As we go into December, we want to take this opportunity to wish all families the very best for the holiday season and to wish you a safe, restful and enjoyable winter break.
Melanie Wright, Trustee, Aurora and Whitchurch-Stouffville
BRPS Photo Gallery
