School Reminders
A note on Student Safety and Students Leaving After School
For the safety and supervision of all students, we kindly ask that any student not involved in a supervised club or school activity led by staff be leaving the building by 3:30 pm.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and secure environment for all students.
Reminder from York Region Transit (YRT)
Ride Respectfully - Many students use York Region Transit (YRT) to get to school. Please remind your child to ride respectfully and always pay their fare.
Fare reminders:
- Tap a PRESTO card or show a valid ticket or pass before boarding.
Respectful riding means:
- Being polite to bus drivers and other passengers.
- Keeping voices down and using headphones.
Let’s work together to make sure every student rides safely, respectfully, and responsibly.
E-Bike and E-Scooter Safety Reminder
To help keep our school community safe and respectful of shared spaces, all students must dismount and walk their e-bikes and e-scooters as soon as they enter school property. Please walk them to the designated bike rack area.
Riding on school grounds poses a safety risk to pedestrians and other students. Let’s work together to keep our school safe and welcoming for everyone.
Important Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 17, 2025 | School Council |
| November 18, 2025 | Music Showcase at Richmond Hill Performing Arts Centre |
| November 21, 2025 | Professional Activity (P.A.) Day |
| November 24-25, 2025 | Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) |
| November 26, 2026 | Mackenzie Health Benefit Concert |
| November 27, 2025 | Grade 8 Open House |
Follow AHMS on Instagram
- Arts Mackenzie
- Music Department
- Dance Department
- Dance Department (Studio)
- MAC Health, Physical Education and Athletics
- Alexander Mackenzie High School
School News
Upcoming OSSLT Testing - November 24-26, 2025
We would like to inform you that the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) will be administered at our school from Monday, November 24 to Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
📝 Who Will Be Writing the OSSLT?
- All eligible Grade 10 students
Grade 11 and non-graduating Grade 12 students who did not participate in or were unsuccessful in the 2024–2025 OSSLT administration
What Students Need to Bring
Students are expected to bring their own device (Chromebook, laptop, or SEA device) on both test days. They should arrive before 8:30 a.m. and report directly to their homeroom class. All other electronic devices should be stored in lockers or placed at the front of the classroom.
Preparing for the OSSLT
Students are encouraged to review:
- The OSSLT Google Site
Practice test materials
🕒 Modified School Schedule (for OSSLT Writers) on November 24 and 25
| Period | Time |
| Homeroom | 8:30 – 8:35 AM |
| Period 1 (Test) | 8:35 – 10:05 AM |
| Transition Break | 10:05 – 10:25 AM |
| Period 4 | 10:25 – 11:32 AM |
| Period 3 | 11:37 – 12:45 PM |
| Period 2 | 12:50 – 1:58 PM |
| Period 5 | 2:03 – 3:10 PM |
- November 24: Session A Test Date
- November 25: Session B Test Date
- November 26: Make-Up Test Date (students report to the library)
OSSLT Support Sessions
Ms. Bitondo will be offering extra help prep sessions for students:
- Mon. Nov. 10 – Period 3 – Room 158
- Tues. Nov. 11 – After School – Room 156
- Wed. Nov. 12 – Period 1 – Library
- Thurs. Nov. 13 – Period 1 – Library
- Mon. Nov. 17 – Period 3 – Room 158
- Tues. Nov. 18 – Period 1 – Library
- Tues. Nov. 18 – After School – Room 156
- Wed. Nov. 19 – Period 1 – Library
- Thurs. Nov. 20 – Period 3 – Room 158
GSA Guest Speaker - Week of November 24
We are looking forward to welcoming a YRDSB School Social Worker to meet with our GSA students during the week of November 24th. The session will focus on topics such as well-being, self-care, and managing stress.
We’re excited to offer this opportunity for our students to connect, learn, and support one another in a safe and inclusive space.
School Council News
Please join us for our AMHS School Council Meeting
Details are as follows:
Monday November 17, 2025
6:30-8:30 pm in the AMHS Library
Agenda:
- School Updates
- Student Engagement and Well-Being
- Post-Secondary Pathways and Planning - Guidance can share information about application processes, scholarships/funding, etc.
Fundraising - Goals, policies, plans
School Council Fundraiser
Poinsettia Fundraiser
- Sizes are: 4", 6", 8", 10"
- Colours are: Red, Pink and White
- Available through School Cash Online
- Order by: Sunday, November 23, 2025
- Pick up: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
- Location: Front Foyer
This is an AMHS School Council Initiative. Funds raised will be used to support extra seating space for students in all grades.
AMHS MacKenzie Grade 8 Open House
Be open to everything AMAC has to offer!
Alexander Mackenzie High School Open House - November 27, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Post Secondary Information - OUAC and OCAS
The following is key information for students in grade 11 and/or 12 applying to post secondary.
Semester 1 Midterm Reporting - All students
York Region District School Board will be issuing electronic copies of the Semester 1 midterm report cards between November 19-21. The electronic copy will be available to parents/caregivers through the new family portal, and students will continue to access it through their GAPPs account. Instructions will be sent out by email to both parents/caregivers and to students prior to distribution.
Full Disclosure for Grade 11 and Grade 12 Courses
For the 2025-2026 school year, the course withdrawal date (Full Disclosure) will be at least 5 instructional days from the last possible date the mid-semester report is issued. The Full Disclosure date for Grade 11 and Grade 12 courses is November 28. If a student withdraws from a Grade 11 or 12 course on or prior to November 28, then the course and mark will not be recorded on the Ontario Student Transcript. If a student withdraws from a Grade 11 or 12 course after the Full Disclosure date, a withdrawal (W) is entered in the credit column, and the student’s mark in the course at the time of withdrawal will be recorded as a percentage in the achievement column of the transcript.
OUAC and OCAS Upload for Potential Graduates
Identifying information will be shared through a secure transmission to the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) and the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) to support students with their application to post-secondary institutions. Potential graduates who are not planning to apply to an Ontario college or university this school year, and who do not wish to have their data shared, must notify their guidance counsellor by October 9.
Semester 1 midterm marks will be shared with OCAS and OUAC on November 15. Students in Grade 11 and 12 courses will be notified of their report card mark by their classroom teacher by November 11. Potential graduates who are applying to an Ontario college and/or university and who are planning to drop a course are encouraged to connect with their guidance counsellor in advance of these dates. Guidance appointments can be booked through TeachAssist.
Please review the timelines below:
| Date | Key Information |
|---|---|
| October 10 | Deadline for potential graduates who are not planning on applying to an Ontario college or university to notify their Guidance Counsellor if they do not want their information shared with OCAS/OUAC this school year. |
| October 14-17 | Students will receive a secure communication in their GAPPS email which provides information needed for their applications, including their OEN (required for college applications only), school MIDENT# (BSID) |
| November 12 | Teachers will share mid-semester mark updates with students in Grade 11 and 12 courses. |
| November 12 -14 | Potential graduates applying to an Ontario college or university who are planning to drop a course, and do not wish to have the course mark shared with OUAC/OCAS are advised to connect with their Guidance Counsellor by November 14 |
| November 14 | School will upload all Semester 1 midterm and/or final marks (for quadmester courses) for all grade 11 and 12 courses to OCAS |
| November 20 | School will upload all Semester 1 midterm and/or final marks (for quadmester courses) for all grade 11 and 12 courses to OUAC |
| November 28 | This is the full disclosure date, which is the final day that a student, in a Grade 11 or 12 course, may drop a course in order that it not be recorded on the Ontario Student Transcript. |
We recognize that you and your child may have questions regarding this information. If it is helpful for you to connect with a staff member from the school, please contact the Guidance Department to discuss your questions.
Flyers
YRDSB Families of Students in Grades 9-11 are invited to Pathways to Skilled Trades and Technology
Learn about:
- OYAP
- Pathway Planning
- Course Selection for Skilled Trade Careers
- Experiential Learning Opportunities
Exhibitors
Hear more about career pathways and opportunities from:
- Industry Partners and Associations
- Colleges and Trade Unions
- Local Employers
Important Info:
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Location: Cardinal Carter Catholic School - 210 Bloomington Road, Aurora, Ontario, L4G 0P9
Register now on the Google Form.
York Regional Police Holiday Heroes Campaign
Our school community is proud to support the York Regional Police's Holiday Heroes Campaign, running from November 12 to December 19, 2025. Supported by York Region Police Association.
Donate new, unwrapped toys, new children's clothing, gift cards, and non-perishable food items at your school. All donations will support children and families in need in York Region.
Supported by The Salvation Army and Victim Services of York Region.
To learn more, please visit YRP's website.
Parent Connections
Black Foundation of Community Network Scholarship Application Workshop
The Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN), in collaboration with York Region District School Board (YRDSB), invites Black students and their families to a free online workshop on how to search, prepare, and apply for scholarships and bursaries. If you are in Grade 8 or high school, this workshop is especially for YOU!
Join us on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. with your families online.
Registration has now closed.