At the September 15, 2020 Board Meeting, YRDSB trustees voted unanimously to rename Vaughan Secondary School in response to community advocacy as the school’s namesake was a slave owner who opposed the abolition of the enslavement of African peoples.  The renaming of the school was initiated in accordance with Board Policy #445.0. It was determined that the consultation would follow a two-step process:

·       Step 1 - Submission of names for consideration (conducted through a survey in November); and 

·       Step 2 - Virtual Town Hall to receive feedback on the shortlisted names for further consideration.

Virtual Town Hall 

The York Region District School Board invites students, staff, families and community members of York Region to a Virtual Town Hall scheduled for Wednesday February 17, 2021, starting at 7:00 p.m., through which feedback can be provided on the short-list of names being considered in the renaming of Vaughan Secondary School. A replay of the Virtual Town Hall​​ is available for viewing.

Short-List of Names 

• ​Elie Wiesel
• Harry Jerome
• Hodan Nalayeh
• Mary Ann Shadd
• Raoul Wallenberg
• Shannen Koostachin
• Simon Wiesenthal​
• Tanya Khan
• Walter Rolling

Individual students, staff, families and community members are invited to participate in the Town Hall in one of three ways:

1. As a speaker during the Virtual Town Hall 

Those requesting to speak to provide feedback on the short-list of names being considered for the renaming of the former VSS, must submit their request through this form commencing on February 8 and closing on February 11 by 4:00 p.m.  (Please note the link can also be accessed on the Board’s website). 

·       Participants will have 5 minutes maximum to speak to which name from the short-list they would like to see selected for the school and the reasons why. 

·       While every effort will be made to accommodate as many speakers as possible, please note time may not allow all requests to be accommodated.

·       From the requests received by the deadline, efforts will be made to have speakers reflect different roles (student, staff, families, community members). 

·       Participants must ensure that their comments are respectful, uphold the values of equity and inclusion and contribute to a positive, identify-affirming space.

2. As a non-speaking attendee during the Virtual Town Hall

Those interested in participating as a non-speaking attendee via telephone call or connecting via a PC or smartphone/tablet to view & listen, may register at any time up to the start of the Town Hall broadcast on Feb. 17 by the following: 

·       To connect from a PC or smartphone/tablet, public attendees would register using the link below.  After registering, you will receive an email with further instructions for joining the Virtual Town Hall on February 17. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3025305555952444176 

·       To connect with telephone only access, please call 647-497-9368 and enter Access Code: 446-708-850 at the prompts.  Using this method, you will be joined as a muted telephone only attendee to listen to the Virtual Town Hall.  

3.  Those not able to attend and/or not requesting to speak but who are interested in submitting written feedback on a short-listed name are still able to participate in the renaming process.

Community members may submit the name from the short-list they recommend for the school name and the reasons why by emailing school.renaming@yrdsb.ca with the subject line: Virtual Town Hall.  Please ensure to include your name, whether you are a student, parent or staff member of the YRDSB or a community member of York Region.  If you are submitting your recommendation as a member of an affinity group, community group, or board community partner, please identify which one.

Please note that Policy #445.0 School Names has been identified by Trustees for review by the Board’s Policy and By-Law Committee.  Information will be provided in the next few weeks regarding how students, staff, families and the community may provide input into the review of the policy.

Board of Trustees 

York Region District School Board

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