Principal's Message
Welcome to the 2026-27 school year!
It has been wonderful to begin the school year and see the energy and enthusiasm of our students as they
returned to BDHS. The start of a new school year always brings a sense of excitement and opportunity, and
our staff look forward to another great year of fostering academic excellence and providing a wide range of
extracurricular programming that enriches the high school experience.
I would like to extend a sincere thank you to our Student Success Support Team and our BDHS Guidance
Ambassadors for their leadership of this year's Grade 9 Orientation Day. Their efforts helped warmly welcome
our Grade 9 students, and provided a great opportunity for students to become familiar with our school
before the first day of classes. We are grateful for the leadership, mentorship, and support they demonstrated
in helping our newest students make a positive transition to secondary school.
As always, we remain committed to supporting student achievement and well-being. We encourage all
students to find ways to become involved in school life beyond the classroom. BDHS is proud to offer
numerous sports teams and more than 35 school clubs that provide opportunities for students to pursue
interests, make connections, and strengthen their sense of belonging within our school community. Students
are encouraged to check the school calendar located across from the main office for information about
upcoming meetings, events, and team tryouts, and to explore the many ways they can become involved.
Regular attendance is a key indicator of academic success. We greatly value the partnership between home
and school in supporting student attendance. As shared in our welcome back letter, the Ontario Ministry of
Education has implemented new regulations indicating that attendance and participation in classroom
learning will also count toward final marks. We encourage families to review the additional information
provided in this newsletter regarding this policy change.
As we embark on another exciting year together, I look forward to working in partnership with our students
and families to support student growth, engagement, and overall success. Together, we will continue to foster
a learning environment where every student feels supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full
potential.
I wish all of our students and families a successful and rewarding school year ahead.
Yours sincerely,
Heather Lagace
School Council Nominations For 2026-27 School Year
Each year, parents/guardians of our school are offered the opportunity to nominate themselves to be
candidates for the Bradford District High School School Council. A School Council is a committee made up
of elected parents/guardians, community representatives, staff, and students who help to provide the
community voice and parent/guardian perspective on important school topics. School Council is a good way
for parents/guardians to get involved in their student’s education while playing an important role in the
partnership between home and school. We invite you to join our School Council and attend the first meeting
of the year on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 6 PM in the school library. This is a great opportunity to share
ideas, collaborate with others, and make a positive impact on our school community.
If you wish to be a member of the School Council, linked below is a nomination form. In addition to this form,
also included below is a document outlining the roles and responsibilities of a school council member.
Please return the completed nomination form to [email protected] (attention school administration) or
in person by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2026. Depending upon the number of nomination
forms, we may be required to have an election. Elections will be held at the September 28th meeting.
All parents are invited to attend School Council meetings even they do not wish to be a voting member.
We look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming meeting and working together for a successful school
year!
https://bit.ly/SCDSBschoolcouncilnominationform
https://bit.ly/schoolcouncilrolesandresponsibilities
Key Dates for September and Upcoming in October:
Photo Day: Monday September 14th
SMDHU Immunization Clinic at BDHS: Wednesday September 16th (am only)
Grade 12 Students Post-Secondary Options Assembly: Wednesday September 23rd (during period 2)
School Council Meeting: Monday September 28th, 6pm
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Wednesday September 30th
Thanksgiving Holiday: Monday October 12th
School Interview Evening: Thursday October 15th, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Trades Night: Thursday October 22nd
From the Music Department:
Welcome back Music students! If you borrowed an instrument over the summer, please return it to the Music
room ASAP so it can be cleaned and assigned for the year. Rehearsals for Concert Band and Jazz Band will
begin the week of September 14. See Ms. Reynolds or Mr. Fraser for more details.
Student Medical Information: Annual notice to adult students or
parent(s)/guardian(s) of students under the age of 16
A completed Student Medical Form (Form A1420 - 1) is required each school year for all students with life
threatening and non-life-threatening medical conditions and when administration of medication is required.
Parent(s)/guardian(s)/adult students are responsible for ensuring that a current, completed Student Medical
Form is on file at the school. Parent(s)/guardian(s)/adult students are also to complete a Plan of Care for
students with life-threatening medical conditions, such as anaphylaxis, asthma, type 1 diabetes, or
epilepsy/seizure disorder.
Some students may experience severe life-threatening allergic reactions to bee, hornet, wasp, or other insect
stings or to certain foods or food ingredients such as peanuts. For students with life-threatening allergies, it is
recommended that two doses of an epinephrine auto-injector are available on site at school.
Specific to asthma, every student under the age of 16 is permitted to carry their asthma medication if the
student has the permission of the parent(s)/guardian(s).
Please note that The Student Medical Form (SMF) and Plan of Care Form (POC) (condition specific) should be
up to date at all times.
Please refer to the forms linked below and, if applicable to your student, have them completed and returned
as soon as possible.
Please do not hesitate to contact the school with any questions you may have.
https://bit.ly/SCDSB_Student_Medical_Form
https://bit.ly/_SCDSB_Plan_of_Care_Anaphylaxis
https://bit.ly/_SCDSB_Plan_of_Care_Asthma
https://bit.ly/_SCDSB_Plan_of_Care_Diabetes
https://bit.ly/_SCDSB_Plan_of_Care_Epilepsy
https://bit.ly/_SCDSB_Plan_of_Care_Other
Standard acknowledgment and permission form, and student information
computing technology appropriate use agreement 2026-27
The 2026-27
Standard Acknowledgment and Permission Form and Student Information Computing
Technology Appropriate Use Agreement are required forms for all SCDSB students. The forms have been
made available electronically through SchoolCash Online until Oct. 11. SchoolCash Online is the preferred
method for forms. If you are unable to submit these forms electronically, please contact the office for paper
copies.
SCDSB Code of Conduct
The safety of students and staff is very important to us, and we recognize that all members of our school
community have the right to be safe and feel safe. The SCDSB’s Code of Conduct supports and enhances the
Provincial Code of Conduct and sets clear standards of behaviour for all members of the SCDSB community.
The SCDSB Code of Conduct has been designed to create and maintain inviting and supportive school
environments. It sets clear standards and specifies consequences for actions that do not comply with these
standards.
Parents/guardians are responsible for reviewing the SCDSB Code of Conduct and discussing expectations for
behaviour with their child(ren). They can acknowledge they have done so using the SCDSB acknowledgement
and permission form that is distributed at the beginning of each school year.
The SCDSB Code of Conduct and other information related to safe schools is available on the Safe Schools
page on the SCDSB website.
Attendance and participation
To recognize the impact that student presence in class has on achievement, final student grades will reflect
attendance and participation. Excused absences do not negatively affect a student’s mark. Excused
absences are absences from school that are permitted under legislation or school policy, as outlined
in Ontario’s enrolment register instructions. These may include illness or other unavoidable circumstances,
such as inclement weather or approved absences such as cultural days and holy days.
Reporting a student absence - Secondary schools
All parents/guardians are asked to notify the school when their child will be absent. To notify the school of an
absence from a secondary school, call 1-888-885-8065. BDHS parents / guardians may also notify of their
student’s absence via email, at [email protected] .
SCDSB 2026-27 Student Handbook
The SCDSB student handbook contains a variety of information that the SCDSB is required to share with all
students and families. This September, schools will be distributing the student handbook to all families via
email (see attachment sent with September Newsletter message). The SCDSB 2026-27 Student Handbook
can also be found on the SCDSB website at www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/parent and on school websites
under ‘students’.
Student accident insurance 2026-27
The SCDSB does not provide accident insurance coverage for student injuries that occur on school premises,
at board-sponsored events, or during school extracurricular activities (e.g., athletics, clubs, etc.). However,
accidents can and do happen. Injuries can result in substantial expenses that are not covered by the SCDSB
or provincial health care. If families do not have existing or sufficient extended health or dental coverage, a
variety of plans and benefits at reasonable annual prices can be found via the SCDSB website.
Participation in extracurricular activities (e.g., athletics, clubs, etc.) require the purchase of this insurance, or
other extended health and dental coverage.
Updating student information on file at the school
Parents/guardians are responsible for advising their child’s school of any changes to student information on
file. This may include but is not limited to:
• student’s legal or preferred name
• student’s primary address – property and mailing address
• home phone number
• parent/guardian information, including custody arrangements
• parent/guardian email address
• emergency contacts with a current phone number
Please contact the school to advise of any changes to student information or to review information that is on
file.
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.
• School board communication with parents/guardians
• SCDSB Code of Conduct
• Creating safe and welcoming spaces for students, staff, and visitors
• Reporting a student absence
• SCDSB 2026-27 Student Handbook
• Use of Traditional Indigenous Medicines
• Policy Consultation
• Student and Family Support Office
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Sept. 30
• Universal Otis-Lennon School Ability Test Screening Process
• School council nominations for 2026-27 school year
• Annual notice to adult students or parent(s)/guardian(s) of students under the age of 16
• Standard acknowledgment and permission form/student information computing
technology appropriate use agreement 2026-27
• Student accident insurance 2026-27
• Updating student information on file at the school
• Volunteering in schools during the 2026-27 school year
• Current volunteers
• Procedures help keep our school safe
• Student dress code
• School bus ‘Bus Tag’ program helps students get to and from school safely
• Learn a new language for free with the SCDSB!
• Looking for international and Indigenous language instructors
• Equity Advisory Committee seeks members
• September PA Day