Update for Families: February 27, 2026 | Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board

By Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB - Feb 27, 2026

Updates for Families

Hello everyone,

As we come to the end of February, it is energizing to experience the days getting longer and brighter. I am also energized and inspired during my visits to schools where I see KPR students experience many forms of success and achievement, and demonstrate perseverance and determination, guided by the professional support of KPR staff.

We have been very proud this month to join communities across the country in celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Black History Month in Canada - a time for intentional recognition of the achievements, contributions and lived experiences of Black communities. At this week’s Board Meeting, I highlighted a sampling of this learning in action at schools.

I was also heartened by the enthusiastic participation of students and staff in Pink Shirt Day this week, to raise awareness about bullying, promote kindness, and symbolize unity and inclusion. Creating welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments is a key priority of the Board’s Strategic Plan. Check out some of the great pictures on our @kprschools Instagram and Facebook stories.

Information about upcoming days of significance, such as Social Work Week – when we take the important opportunity to recognize and express appreciation for the valuable contributions of Mental Health Clinicians and Professional Services Staff at KPR, Black Mental Health Week and International Women’s Day, is available on KPR’s Events Calendar and shared through @kprschools social media accounts.

Take good care,

Rita Russo
Director of Education

KPR NEWS

School Year Calendar

Thank you to the many families who participated in the 2026-2027 School Year Calendar feedback survey.

Informed by this feedback, the KPR 2026-2027 school year calendar was approved by the Board and recommended to the Ministry of Education for final approval, with the following dates:

School will start on Tuesday, September 8 (after Labour Day, Monday, September 7).

March Break is March 15 through 19.

December Break is December 21 through January 1, with students returning to school January 4.

The last day of school will be Tuesday, June 29.

For a full calendar summary, including PA Days and exam schedules, please visit the KPR website Calendar page.

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration is open for the 2026-2027 School Year! It’s time for families with children who will be four this calendar year to register for the first year of Kindergarten. KPR’s Kindergarten classrooms are safe, inclusive spaces, with play-based learning environments designed around each child’s unique needs and interests, led by caring educator teams.

Register online to begin your child’s school journey. #SuccessStartsatKPR Register for School.

New History Curriculum

The Ministry of Education has issued updated History curriculum for Grades 7, 8 and 10 for the 2026-2027 school year, available on the Ministry’s Curriculum and Resources website. The existing curriculum remains in effect for the remainder of this school year.

Starting in the 2026-2027 school year:

The Ontario Curriculum: Social Studies, Grades 1 to 6; History and Geography, Grades 7 and 8, 2026, will replace the current curriculum.

Canadian History since World War I (CHC2D/CHC2P), 2026, will replace the current courses.

With these updates, in Grades 7, 8, and 10, students will learn about significant contributions of Black individuals and communities to Canada’s foundation as a nation, and the obstacles they faced in the pursuit of building an inclusive and prosperous country.

The Grade 10 History course will also have new learning on extreme political and social ideologies, the Holocaust and rising antisemitism, and the Holodomor famine in Ukraine.

Parent overviews are available for Grades 7 and 8, as well as for Grade 10.