e-bulletin Oct. 26-30, 2026

Upcoming Events at M.D.H.S.

Please visit our MDHS google calendar at: https://markhamdistrict-hs.yrdsb.ca/calendar for upcoming events.

Two Weeks at a Glance:

Take Our Kids to Work Day

On Wednesday, November 4th, 2026, Grade 9 students will have an opportunity to spend the day at a workplace of a parent/guardian, relative, friend or volunteer.

Please be advised that permission forms to participate in Take Our Kids to Work Day have been sent to both you and your child’s GAPPS account. We ask that you review the form with your child and then sign off as per the instructions.

Parents/Guardians can also choose to have their child participate independently in career exploration activities in a workplace or at home. Please indicate this choice on the permission form so that schools can plan appropriately.

If you have any questions, please contact your alpha guidance counsellor.

A Message from your Student Activity (SAC) Council

Our Student Council is excited to present Halloweek, taking place from Monday, October 26, to Friday, October 30, 2026! Students are invited to participate in the following spirit days.

Events Occurring throughout the Week:

Haunted House - Thursday, October 29, 2026

The spookiest time of the year calls for the spookiest activities. Get ready for Markham District’s ghostly Haunted House! Guided through a transformed space filled with eerie decorations and student actors, it’s designed to deliver fun Halloween thrills without being overly scary.

Costume Contest - Friday, October 30, 2026

Whether you have a costume that evokes fear, makes people laugh and giggle, or is innovative and artistic, there is a competition for you! During both periods 3 and 4, SAC will host separate competitions to find the most Spookiest, Funniest, and Most Creative costumes for each period. Participants for each group will be required to walk down the runway to showcase their epic costumes, and our secret judges will evaluate who best completes the category.

Participation Guidelines

To keep Halloweek safe, respectful, and inclusive, students must follow these expectations throughout the week and at all events:

• Keep faces visible. Costume masks and face coverings that conceal a student’s identity are not permitted. This does not apply to coverings worn for religious or medical reasons. Face paint must allow staff to identify the student.
• No weapons or imitation weapons. This includes toy guns, swords, knives, and props that resemble weapons, even if they are made of plastic, foam, or cardboard.
• No graphic or frightening content. Costumes and props must not include excessive fake blood, graphic injuries, gore, or threats of violence.
• No discriminatory or offensive content. Outfits, memes, gestures, and props must not mock or stereotype race, culture, religion, Indigenous identity, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. Skin-darkening makeup, hateful symbols, and slurs are prohibited.
• Do not use someone’s identity or experiences as a costume. Cultural or religious clothing must not be used as a caricature. Costumes must not mock disabilities, mental health conditions, homelessness, or real-life tragedies.
• No sexual or substance-related content. Clothing and accessories must not display sexually explicit material or promote alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs, or their use.
• Follow the school dress code. Outfits must provide appropriate coverage and allow students to move safely and participate fully in class. Safe footwear is required.
• Keep costumes and bags practical. No oversized props, trailing pieces, sharp accessories, or items that block vision, hallways, exits, or classroom spaces. Thursday’s bags must be clean, manageable, and able to carry necessary learning materials. Wheeled carts, large containers, and live animals are not permitted.
• Respect others and classroom learning. No unwanted touching, chasing, startling, filming, or imitating another student or staff member to embarrass them. Meme participation must not involve disruptive sounds, gestures, or behaviour.

Students who do not meet these expectations will be required to change, cover, or remove the inappropriate item. Further concerns will be referred to school administration. Students wearing costumes should bring a change of clothing.

Participation is optional, and no purchases are necessary. Students who are unsure whether an outfit, meme, prop, or bag is appropriate should check with school administration before bringing it to school.

New Grade 10 Civics Exam 

As per the Ministry of Education's updated mandatory assessment and evaluation requirements for students in Grades 9 - 12, students currently taking the grade 10 Civics course (CHV2O1) will be writing their exam during their regularly scheduled Civics classes on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. If you or your child have any questions, please follow up directly with their Civics teacher.

Student Parking Reminder

All students who drive to school and park in the school parking lot must have a current parking pass displayed in the windshield of their car. Parking passes are made available after registering their vehicle at the main office. If your student is a driver, please remind them of this requirement. Thank you for your attention and support with this.

The Centre for Black Student Excellence presents:

Understanding and Navigating the Education System - Families of YRDSB Black Students Monthly Virtual Information Session

Families, parents, caregivers, please join us for our monthly virtual meetings where families with Black children come together to learn about resources and upcoming programs for Black students in both elementary and secondary schools.

Agenda for Understanding Student Progress and Accessing Academic Supports

• Welcome & Inclusion Activity
• Understanding Student Progress
• YRDSB Academic Programs and Supports
• Community Tutoring, Mentorship, and Enrichment Opportunities
• Program Highlights

Please register ASAP. A virtual link will be sent after registration on the day of the event.

Let us come together to empower our students and build a stronger community.

We look forward to seeing you there.

When:  Monday, November 2, 2026 - 6:30 pm - 7:00pm

Contact: For further information, please email the Centre for Black Student Excellence (CBSE) at blackstudentexcellence@yrdsb.ca