Board News – ��ɫtv

During Graduation Season, the ��ɫtv Recognizes its Distinguished Alumni

YOUNGSUB KANG — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:32:12 +0000

As schools throughout Ontario celebrate graduation ceremonies, the ��ɫtv (��ɫtv) is recognizing some of its outstanding graduates from previous years with the 2026 ��ɫtv Distinguished Alumni Award.

Every year, this award celebrates how publicly-funded Catholic education helps young people to use their God-given talents to have successful lives and to contribute to their communities. Members of the public nominated the award winners for being examples of the Catholic School Graduate Expectations, for being inspirations to others and for integrating Catholic values into their daily lives.

The 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award winners are featured on posters that are now on display in all ��ɫtv schools. During this graduation season, the example set by these individuals will inspire another generation of students to work hard and achieve their dreams.

“Our 2026 Distinguished Alumni prove that a ��ɫtv education prepares students not just for careers, but for lives of purpose,” said Interim Director of Education Jennifer Sarna. “Congratulations to this year’s award winners and to the ��ɫtv’s Class of 2026 who will follow in their footsteps.”

The ��ɫtv is pleased to announce its 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award winners:

Nicolina Bozzo Singer

Nicolina Bozzo is one of Canada’s most compelling new voices in pop music. She first captivated audiences with her emotionally charged TikTok covers, where her powerhouse vocals and raw authenticity resonated with millions worldwide.

In 2022, Nicolina gained international recognition as a top five finalist on season 20 of “American Idol,” becoming the furthest-advancing Canadian contestant in the show’s history. She continued her rise in 2025 as a finalist on “Canada’s Got Talent” season four. Her debut EP, “Rearview,” showcased her signature blend of soaring vocals, poetic lyricism and modern pop production.

Nicolina’s music can be heard on popular radio stations around the world. With over two million followers across social media platforms and 100+ million video views, Nicolina is an artist to watch.

Nicolina attended St. Jerome CES in Aurora and is a graduate of St. Elizabeth CHS in Thornhill.

Dr. Amelia Ciofani Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist

Dr. Amelia Ciofani is a cardiologist and electrophysiologist, which is the study of the heart’s electrical system, at Brampton Civic Hospital – William Osler Health System (WOHS) and St. Michael’s Hospital. Dr. Ciofani earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and a Medical Degree at the University of Toronto.

As an electrophysiologist, Dr. Ciofani performs life-saving surgeries, such as pacemaker and defibrillator implants, as well as ablations, which correct arrhythmias or abnormal heartbeats. Over the past 10 years, Dr. Ciofani has led the development of the device implant and cardiac arrhythmia program at WOHS, bringing specialized cardiac device surgeries into the Brampton community. She is currently working towards opening an electrophysiology laboratory and cardiac ablation program at WOHS, with hopes to provide specialized ablation procedures close to patients’ homes.

She attended St. John Bosco CES and St. Joan of Arc CHS in Vaughan.

Ryan Nembhard NBA Player

Ryan Nembhard is a professional point guard for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He had a stellar college career at Creighton University and Gonzaga University, including leading the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in assists in his senior year. The Mavericks signed him to a two-way contract, and Ryan wasted no time proving he belonged. In December 2025, he scored 28 points in a win against the Denver Nuggets. By March 2026, Dallas had signed him to a multi-year contract. Then on April 12, 2026, Ryan dished out 23 assists against the Chicago Bulls—a Mavericks rookie franchise record that broke one previously held by his coach and Hall of Famer, Jason Kidd. His older brother, Andrew, is also an NBA player and 2023 ��ɫtv Distinguished Alumni.
Ryan attended St. Jerome CES in Aurora.

Father Alvin Joys Priest

Fr. Alvin Joys was born in India and moved to Canada in 2000 at the age of four. Raised in a devout Catholic household, he developed a deep connection to his faith through his parents. Fr. Alvin was involved in parish life growing up both as an altar server at St. Padre Pio and St. Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Catholic Cathedral, and through his involvement with Jesus Youth. Fr. Alvin pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo, and after completing it in 2018, he entered seminary formation. In 2025, he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Toronto and now serves as Associate Pastor at St. Clare of Assisi in Woodbridge.

Fr. Alvin attended St. Stephen CES and graduated from St. Jean de Brébeuf CHS in Woodbridge.

Linda Shin Superior Court Judge

Justice Linda Shin is an Ontario Superior Court judge in Toronto. The daughter of Korean immigrants, she received a B.A. from Queen’s University and a LL.B. from the University of Toronto. She was admitted to the Bar of Ontario in 2000.

Justice Shin began her career as a civil litigation associate at McCarthy Tétrault law firm. She joined the Ministry of the Attorney General in 2006 where she served in various roles, including as an Assistant Crown Attorney prosecuting criminal cases and Chief Counsel to Ontario’s Deputy Attorney General. At the time of her appointment, she was General Counsel at the Crown Law Office – Criminal, where she conducted trials and appeals on complex criminal matters. Justice Shin has been an articling principal, a mentor to law students and sat on the board of the Korean Canadian Women’s Association.

She attended St. Charles Garnier CES and St. Anne CES in Richmond Hill, and graduated from St. Robert CHS in Thornhill.

Congratulations to the new ��ɫtv Distinguished Alumni.

��ɫtv PA Days – Secondary Schools: Thursday, June 25 and Friday, June 26, 2026

YOUNGSUB KANG — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:09:29 +0000

In accordance with the Ministry of Education’s Regulation 304, “School Year Calendar, Professional Activity Days,” the ��ɫtv (��ɫtv) is providing the following summary of P.A. Day activities at the secondary level on Thursday, June 25 and Friday, June 26, 2026.

Thursday, June 25 and Friday, June 26, 2026

Staff are engaged in marking exams, participating in guidance meetings with students and other closing operations for the end of term. Some staff will also attend graduation ceremonies on these days.

��ɫtv PA Day – Elementary Schools: Friday, June 26, 2026

YOUNGSUB KANG — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:03:53 +0000

Friday, June 26, 2026

Staff are engaged in closing operations for the end of term.

��ɫtv Launches Student and Family Support Office

YOUNGSUB KANG — Fri, 22 May 2026 18:28:13 +0000

The ��ɫtv (��ɫtv) has launched a new resource to help families better navigate their child’s educational journey. This office is an additional point of contact that makes it easier for students and parents/guardians to access support, bring questions to the right person and receive timely updates.

What Is the Student and Family Support Office?

This office will help students and parents/guardians who are seeking support or guidance related to a student’s education, particularly when a concern is complex, unresolved or cannot be addressed at the school level.
The Ministry of Education has directed all school boards to create a local Student and Family Support Office.

How Can the Office Help?

The Student and Family Support Office can support you when:

A concern has not been resolved after speaking with school staff
Guidance is needed on who can assist with more complex or sensitive matters
Central school board support is needed beyond what the school can provide

In these cases, the Student and Family Support Office can connect you with your area superintendent and support matters that may require further escalation. We can also direct your inquiry to the appropriate ��ɫtv department for support, where needed. These are just two examples of how the office can help.

Start With Your Child’s School

For most day-to-day questions or concerns, communicating with your child’s teacher or principal is the quickest and best option. Before contacting the Student and Family Support Office, we encourage families to bring the issue to their school directly.

How to Contact the Student and Family Support Office

Starting today, you can contact the Student and Family Support Office through:

Email: supportoffice@ycdsb.ca
Phone: (289) 453-0097
Online:
A link will also be available on and on every school website

More information on the Student and Family Support Office is available on its website: .
As a Catholic learning community, the ��ɫtv believes in providing every student with the best possible educational experience. We are pleased that the Student and Family Support Office will provide another opportunity to answer our community’s questions and help our students thrive.

��ɫtv P.A. Day: May 4, 2026

YOUNGSUB KANG — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:20:08 +0000

Human Resources Modules

Training modules will be completed on the following topics: Prevalent medical conditions; concussion awareness in athletics; bullying prevention at ��ɫtv; and privacy and information management.

Keeping Schools Safe

Professional activities shall include:

Review of policy requirements and supports for safe schools regarding the Provincial Code of Conduct, violence prevention, bullying prevention and intervention, duty to report children in need of protection to a children’s aid society, progressive discipline, violent incident reporting, gender-based violence, sex trafficking, and the Provincial Model for a Local Police/School Board Protocol.
Culturally responsive trauma-informed principles to create a comprehensive approach to engaging and interacting with students in line with the National Centre for Trauma-Informed Care’s Six Guiding Principles.
Information about child sexual abuse prevention and reporting, including available counselling and resources for children who are sexually abused, for all teachers and other staff in schools as outlined in section 170.0.1 of the Education Act.
Understanding educator and staff obligations and requirements under Erin’s Law, in addition to existing requirements related to child sexual abuse prevention and reporting, including information on available counselling and resources for children who are sexually abused.

Secondary Report Card Information

YOUNGSUB KANG — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:04:22 +0000

Semester Two, Mid-Term secondary report cards are available online on now.

To access your child’s report card:
How to View Report Card Marks in CONNECT

If you have any technical issues, .

If you need additional information, kindly submit a ticket by visiting the following link: .

2026-2027 Budget Survey

YOUNGSUB KANG — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:48:49 +0000

The ��ɫtv (��ɫtv) is committed to the effective and efficient management of resources. Our goal is to ensure fiscal accountability while minimizing impacts on our classrooms and continuing to support student success and well-being in a Catholic learning environment.

Please note that the budget survey is now closed. Thank you for your feedback.

Happy Easter

YOUNGSUB KANG — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:51:39 +0000

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
— Psalm 118:24

Dear ��ɫtv (��ɫtv) Students, Staff and Families,

As we approach the Easter season, we are invited to pause and reflect on the profound joy that faith brings to our lives. Easter is at the heart of the Catholic faith. This is a time when we celebrate hope, renewal and God’s transformative love. Easter shows us that the Lord is always with us, so we always have a reason to be joyful.

I want to recognize how ��ɫtv schools bring joy to our wider community every year through their ShareLife fundraising. ShareLife Week occurred last week throughout the ��ɫtv, and this was our way of helping the tens of thousands of people who are fed, housed and supported by ShareLife-funded agencies. Last year, the ��ɫtv donated $128,000 to ShareLife, which is an incredible testament to your commitment to living your faith by helping others.

The ��ɫtv community is defined by its people who understand how Catholic education can change lives. What makes this community truly special is you: the care and commitment you bring to it every day. Thank you for making the ��ɫtv what it is.

On behalf of the ��ɫtv, I wish you and your loved ones a blessed Easter. May this holy season fill your hearts with hope and joy.

Yours in Catholic Education,

Jennifer Sarna
Interim Director of Education

Life After High School: Transition Planning Symposium

YOUNGSUB KANG — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:25:10 +0000

Join us for an informative evening to help families plan for life after high school. This symposium is designed for parents/guardians of students with developmental or intellectual disabilities and will provide valuable information on post-secondary pathways, community supports, employability skills, and future planning.

Thursday, May 7, 2026
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
��ɫtv
320 Bloomington Rd W., Aurora

Explore a variety of programs and services through interactive booths (featuring new programs), attend a keynote presentation by Partners 4 Planning, and participate in a Q&A session with community partners and service providers.

Agenda:
6:00 PM – Programs & Services Showcase
7:30 PM – Keynote Presentation
8:00 PM – Q&A Session

A wide range of organizations will be present, offering resources and support for students transitioning to life after high school.

Register by May 5, 2026:
bit.ly/pepsymposium26

Inquiries: pep@ycdsb.ca

Free Session for Families: The Future of AI in Education

YOUNGSUB KANG — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:47:47 +0000

The York Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (YCPIC) invites the York Catholic community to learn more about the future of AI in education through an interactive training session on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 from 7-9 p.m. at the Catholic Education Centre (320 Bloomington Road, Aurora).

The session led by Curtis Carmichael will help parents and guardians increase their digital literacy and build practical skills, ensuring all families — regardless of technical background — can advocate for their children and foster responsible, equitable technology use at home and in school.

You can learn more about the session in the flyer below. Please RSVP before April 2 by .