If you only do one thing this month
- School Council elections are in September — nominations and votes happen within the first 30 days of the school year. Join or attend yours.
- Trustee vote: Monday, October 26, 2026 . Nominations closed August 21. Learn who is on the ballot and how to vote.
- Ask in writing for this year’s Human Development & Sexual Health dates and the PPM 162 notice. Use the letter.
A practical handbook for Durham Region families
Clear information on DDSB and DCDSB policies, parent rights under PPM 162, and the letters, phones, and meeting rules you can use this week. Independent. Not affiliated with either board.
Three doors
Start here. Everything else is one click behind.
1 · This week
Start this week
Five levers, key phone numbers, a printable checklist, and ready-to-copy letters.
2 · The rules
Understand the rules
What PPM 162 actually covers — and what it does not — plus law vs board policy.
3 · People
Who to call
Pick your board and city. Get the matching trustee, main line, and FOI email.
More in this handbook
How this resource is meant to be used
- Transparency first. Parents have a right to know what is being taught and practiced in their child’s classroom.
- Cite the actual rule. PPM 162, the Education Act, and School Council regulations are narrower than many people assume — and more useful when quoted accurately.
- Keep a paper trail. Write, date, and save. Verbal assurances are not a record.
- Verify official sources. Contacts and policies change. Links on each page go to the Ministry, boards, and primary documents.