Newsletter May 2026
Principal’s Message:
As we welcome the arrival of spring, it is with great pride that I reflect on the many highlights from the month of April here at Bradford District High School. We also look forward to a number of events and rich learning opportunities in the weeks ahead, as we honour the achievements of our students.
Our Semi-Formal Dance was a memorable evening, where many of our students came together to enjoy a night of fun, music, and social connection. It was truly fantastic to see students celebrating in such a positive environment.
We are also excited to have launched our Relay for Life campaign in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. This meaningful endeavour brings our school together for an important cause, and we encourage all students to get involved by joining a team and beginning their fundraising efforts. Our Relay for Life event will take place on Friday, June 5th, and we look forward to a strong showing of support for this inspiring event.
In honour of Earth Day, we were proud to host our annual Eco Fair, which highlighted environmental awareness and sustainability practices. Thank you to all students, staff, and contributors who helped make this event both educational and impactful.
Another highlight this past month was the outstanding work of our BDHS Fitness Leadership Class, who partnered with the Bradford West Gwillimbury Leisure Centre to help organize and lead the Special Olympics Sports Festival. This event welcomed students from Bradford and Innisfil area elementary and secondary schools for a fun-filled day of sports and wellness activities. We were truly proud of our students’ display of leadership, participation, and amazing spirit on a day that so powerfully promoted engagement and inclusion in sport and recreation.
Additionally, we extend our sincere appreciation to our many community partners in the skilled trades sector and with area colleges, who joined us for a recent panel presentation. Their insights provided valuable information to our students about the wide range of opportunities available in the skilled trades, helping to support informed planning for the future.
As we move into May, we are excited about several upcoming events. Our Mental Health and Wellness Fair will once again bring together numerous community organizations dedicated to promoting positive mental health and well-being. We are grateful for their ongoing partnership and support in fostering healthy school communities.
We are also looking forward to hosting our annual Spring Plant Sale, Prom, History Fair, and Spring Arts Night. These events showcase the diverse talents, achievements, and creativity of our students. I encourage families to review the details included in this newsletter and to join us, where possible, in celebrating these special occasions.
As always, I would like to thank our families for your continued support and partnership. Your engagement plays such a key role in the success of our students and our school community. We look forward to celebrating many more achievements together in the weeks ahead.
Warm regards,
Heather Lagace
Key Dates to Remember:
- Thursday May 7 – Mental Health and Wellness Fair
- Thursday May 7 – CMHA Mobile Youth Walk-In Clinic (MOBYSS) at BDHS
- Saturday May 9 – Spring Plant Sale, 10am – 1pm, Front Foyer
- Monday May 11 – School Council Meeting, 6pm in library
- Tuesday May 12 – Talent Show Buy-in Event, period 4
- Wednesday May 13 – BDHS History Fair
- Thursday May 21 – Arts Night
- Friday May 22 – BDHS Prom, The Club at Bond Head, 6pm - 10pm
- Monday June 1st – CMHA Mobile Youth Walk-In Clinic (MOBYSS) at BDHS
- Friday June 5th – Relay for Life
- Thursday June 11th – Athletic Awards Banquet, 2:30 – 4pm
- Friday June 12th – Graduates Breakfast, period 2, cafeteria
- Tues June 16th – Friday June 19th – Culminating Task / Final Exam Days
- Mon June 22nd – Wed June 24th – Feedback, Recovery & Improvement Days
- Thursday June 25th – BDHS Commencement, Innisfil Recreation Centre, 7pm
BDHS Green Industries Program Spring Plant Sale:
BDHS Prom Information:
- Location: The Club at Bond Head, 4105 7th Line
- Date: Friday May 22, 2026
- Time: 6pm – 10:30pm
Athletics Update:
Spring sports are underway at BDHS! The Ultimate Frisbee team and Girls Soccer opened their seasons the week of April 20th, and we’re excited for Slo-pitch, Baseball, Track and Field, Junior Golf, and Junior Tennis as they begin competition in May.
We would like to offer congratulations to Jayden L. and Tuan H. as they represented BDHS at OFSAA Badminton. We are proud of this outstanding accomplishment and they represented our school with excellence.
Athletic Banquet — Our celebration of teams and athletes will take place Thursday, June 11 after school in the cafeteria. Save the date and stay tuned for more details.
Arts Department - Please Join Us for Arts Night!
Relay for Life:
Relay For Life is coming up so get excited! This event is dedicated to raising funds to aid the Canadian Cancer Society in supporting cancer survivors, research, and in remembering those who have passed. Students are encouraged to please consider signing up to join this worthwhile event. Visit relayforlife.ca/bradford for more information.
Relay for Life is a festival-like event in which students will be participating in a day-long relay race. To keep things interesting there will be food, music, themed laps (such as a three-legged race, a bubble lap and more). When students are not on the track doing a relay leg, other events will be ongoing such as a blow-up obstacle course and dance parties.
We will also honour survivors at a special luminary ceremony, where all participants will decorate lanterns to show their support in the fight against cancer.
The Relay for Life event takes place at BDHS on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Co-operative Education:
If you or someone you know would be willing to help us out and be a community partner and mentor to a co-op student, please contact us!
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
This month features co-op students at Zoey’s Adventureland, All About Tire and Wheel, and Ranger Heating and Air Conditioning Products.
Guidance Update:
BDHS is now recruiting future grade 11 or 12 students for our 2026/2027 SHSM programs!
What is SHSM? A Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) provides students with an opportunity to focus their learning and gain valuable experience for both work and post-secondary opportunities.
Upon graduation, students receive a specialized red seal SHSM diploma and transcript which demonstrates they have learned the knowledge and skills of today’s sector specific requirements. The program is open to all grade 11 and 12 students. BDHS has four different SHSM programs: Hospitality & Tourism, Information and Communications Technology, Construction, and Transportation.
The program requires students to complete a total of four grade 11/12 Construction, Information Communications Technology, Hospitality & Tourism, or Transportation courses. Along with 4 supporting credits in English, math, business or science.
In addition to the course requirements, students must complete a designated amount of compulsory and elected sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses/programs along with experiential learning opportunities. All of these training/certifications/experiential learning opportunities are provided at no cost during school hours.
Being part of the program gives you preferential access to our sought-after technology courses!
BDHS has four different SHSM programs: ICT (Information Communications Technology), Hospitality and Tourism, Construction and Transportation. Each program is designed to prepare you for a career in the field and ultimately make you a more competitive candidate!
If you are interested in joining SHSM and are starting grade 11 or 12 in September 2026 speak to your guidance counsellor.
Summer School
The application process for Summer School 2025 is open. If you would like to take Summer School, please fill in this form to request that your Guidance Counsellor signs you up. The sign up will need to be completed by someone with a SCDSB account. Here is the link to the Google Form to make a request:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZ6JQ0a3WPYljsJxRIcw4Qyu68tC8DEIGCwzHGIfOBiqkkAA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=104972464799103652946
If you do request a Summer School course, you and your parent/guardian will receive emails to confirm that your registration has been submitted, and that you have been either waitlisted or accepted. Continue to monitor your school email throughout the year so that you receive any updated information.
University Applications – Potential Spots Available
For students who applied to university but did not receive an acceptance to a preferred program, there is a process available to access spots that are still available at various universities, called the Admission Information Service. This process becomes available on June 3rd. Please contact your guidance counsellor for more information.
Community Service Hours Reminder
Students need to complete 40 community service hours to graduate from high school. They can start accumulating these hours in the summer before they enter Grade 9. Community involvement is intended to:
-encourage students to understand the roles they play in their community
-help students to develop a greater sense of belonging
Students are encouraged to choose activities that interest them or help them explore potential careers. Many students complete more than 40 hours, which can be beneficial for scholarships for post-secondary.
The Community Service Hours tracking form can be found in Guidance. Contact the Guidance Department if you have any questions. Alternatively, you can also visit the SCDSB website for forms and additional information.
Information and updates from the SCDSB
This month, the SCDSB is sharing information related to the below topics. To read this information, visit the SCDSB website.
- Math at Home blossoms with new activities this May
- SCDSB Weekly has arrived!
- Kindergarten registration for September 2026 is open!
- Discover Kindergarten in the SCDSB at a Kindergarten orientation session
- Mental Health Week May 4 to 10: Come Together
- Licensed summer school child care programs
- Feedback, recovery, and improvement days (secondary)
- Enabling multi-factor authentication on student devices