We are delighted and excited to welcome our students and families to the 2026–2027 school year. We hope everyone enjoyed a restful summer and is returning with renewed energy and enthusiasm. Our staff have been working thoughtfully to prepare a safe, welcoming, and engaging learning environment for every student. We look forward to reconnecting with familiar faces, welcoming new members of our school community, and beginning another year filled with learning, growth, friendship, and memorable experiences. Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we look forward to making this a positive and successful school year for all our John English Royals. (Lola, BaKari and Marie)

 

We would like to introduce and extend a warm John English welcome to Simon McCamus to the ISP/ASD, as Mary Cho is on maternity leave. Normand Demers in the Grade 8 French Immersion program, Alessandra Leo for Grade 7/8 English, Sierra Boutari for Grade 2 English in the mornings, Mounia Raghib, Designated Early Childhood Educator (DECE) in Kindergarten, and Kalpana Patel as our afternoon secretary. It takes a full team to make the magic at John English, and we are truly grateful for all our new staff supporting us in temporary roles.

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All are ALWAYS Welcome:

Please note that if cost is a barrier for you, we will always cover the fee for any trip, special event or need so that every child can participate in school-related fun. Please email Lola.meddick@tdsb.on.ca or, if you're comfortable, let your homeroom teacher know, and we will take care of things for you. This includes Parent Council-related events. 

During Rainy Recess Time:

Working through an outdoor education lens, we aim to utilise our beautiful school property and gardens as much as possible. When light rain or fine drizzle happens during recess or outdoor play time, we will remain outside for the fresh air and encourage students to open their umbrellas or put their hoods up. Again, if you need support getting a raincoat, boots, or an umbrella for your child, you can confidentially email Lola.meddick@tdsb.on.ca, and the school will cover the cost. In extreme weather or lightning/thunder/heavy rain, students will remain indoors. As colder weather approaches, we will share TDSB’s Cold Weather policy with you so you have it handy. If it rains heavily, students will have alternative indoor spaces and activities, including during lunch and recess/outdoor play. We will also be mindful and support those who may have forgotten their rain gear.

Cell Phones + Personal Tech Devices During School Time: 

Monitoring appropriate technology use with the number of students at school is challenging. As a result, we ask students to follow the school expectation that technology and personal devices [including cell phones] stay stored away appropriately during class, recess, and transition times, out of sight from others. Use of cellphones in hallways, washrooms or change rooms is strictly prohibited. Recording of any nature is not permitted for the safety and privacy of all students and staff. If a student needs to contact their family, they can make arrangements with homeroom teachers or the main office. Teachers may also make on-the-spot decisions to support unique needs that may arise or for 
planned academic purposes. Friendly reminder: Lost or stolen personal cell phones or tech devices are not the school's responsibility to replace. 

School Code of Conduct:

Every fall, schools come together to review School Codes of Conduct to ensure student/staff safety and wellbeing. As we ensure our expectations are most mindful and reflective of our school community needs, we remind you we do not tolerate racism or discrimination of any kind. As a school, John English must follow all Board Protocol as outlined here: TDSB Code of Conduct (PR 585). Due to policy restrictions governing Internet use, students may not use computers without teacher supervision while on school property. TDSB schools also follow guidelines outlined in the Code of Online Conduct Procedure (PR 571). Students will learn more about this through our in-school communications. We appreciate families taking a moment to reflect and discuss our school priorities as we share them. We will continue to let you know what we are doing in school to support these safety expectations in student-appropriate and approachable ways. 

Fire Drills + Hold & Secure/Lockdown Drills:

TDSB schools must conduct routine drills to support safety preparedness. We will notify parents/guardians by email before the week a drill will take place. This is to support students who may experience heightened anxiety or discomfort. Please also know your teachers are always here to help with any comfort pieces your child may need. Students will have the opportunity to review procedures for each type of drill with their classroom before the first trials. After the completion of any drill, we will email our community to indicate the process was a drill and to celebrate how well students did! We will share more details around our safety crew and school support system in the coming weeks!

School Communications:

Every homeroom teacher will choose their best way to connect and communicate with families throughout the year. As a school, we will send a regular general update email, as appropriate, to keep you informed of cool things happening in the building, upcoming events, and proud success stories! If a random bit of information comes up unexpectedly, we will send a shorter email “blast” to keep you in the loop. Please direct any needs/requests to your homeroom teacher first, and you can also connect with the main office admin if needed. M. Lindsay will oversee K-5 classrooms, and Ms Scarano will oversee 6-8 classrooms.

Kiss and Ride

This is a reminder that the John English Kiss and Ride, located in the main parking lot, opens at 9:00 a.m., when student supervision begins throughout the school. For your child’s safety, please do not drop them off before 9:00 a.m. School buses require clear access to the front of the school. Therefore, personal vehicles are not permitted in the designated bus loading zones. Student safety remains our highest priority. Thank you for your understanding and 
Cooperation.

For families of Grade 7&8 students:

Consent forms will be distributed on the first day of school for off-site lunches. All intermediate students will eat in their classes on Tuesday & Wednesday and may leave the premises with returned forms as of Thursday, September 10th. Please ensure your student comes to school with a packed lunch on the first two days.