Reconnect with nature and your CDS community this spring. The CDS Parent Association invites all parents to join us for a refreshing morning session designed to help you relax and unwind.
This special event features a guided walk by our Head of School, John Liggett, through our beautiful "Back 40" grounds, leading to the CDS Sugar Shack. Once there, you will enjoy a professional Tai Chi session focused on mindfulness and movement, followed by coffee and snacks with fellow parents.
Due to the cozy atmosphere of the Sugar Shack, space is strictly limited to 25 participants to ensure a tranquil experience for everyone.
Please dress comfortably for a walk and light movement.
A Message of Resilience: Rita Starkman Shares Her Holocaust Journey
By Ethan Starkman
On Tuesday, CDS welcomed guest speaker Rita Starkman, the grandmother of Ethan ‘28, who talked to the Grade 10 students about her experience growing up in Poland during World War II.
Students were truly engaged in this presentation, and hearing a firsthand account of the horrors of the Holocaust really touched them emotionally. Born in Poland in 1941 to a Jewish family, Rita shared her memories of being a little girl during the war, including being adopted by a Christian family. She spoke about the sacrifices she and her family endured, and how some survived the war while others perished in concentration camps.
Construction Begins on Phase 1 of New Athletic Centre We are thrilled to announce that the Dream Together Campaign has reached a pivotal milestone with the start of construction on Phase 1 of our new Athletic Centre!
Site preparations kicked off over the March Break, and this past week marked the beginning of demolition for the familiar Cyclone Dome, alongside the decommissioning of site services. This critical work is necessary to clear and prepare the area for the main construction of the new building.
This past week, our Link Crew leaders and Grade 9 students came together for a meaningful and hands-on initiative focused on the importance of giving back to the community. The event was designed not only to introduce Grade 9s to volunteerism, but also to show them how small acts of kindness can make a real and lasting impact.
Throughout the event, Grade 9 students rotated through four different “jobs,” each contributing to a larger goal: creating thoughtful gift packages for seniors at Richview Manor.
The Spring 2026 Link magazine is in the mail, including a cover story on CDS’s careful and considered approach to the adoption of AI in the classroom. This issue also features profiles of two CDS alumni who have courageously set out on their own professional paths:
Kelly Dalton '08 recently left Netflix to launch Higher Altitude Productions, with a mission "to share real, honest stories that connect with people, inspire change, and build community."
Victoria Sienczewski '11 left Moonfare, a global private equity platform in London, UK, to launch AuumAI, which leverages agentic AI to transform how the investment ecosystem operates for Limited Partners.
This issue of The Link also features the familiar favourites, including Alumni Notes, Sports Highlights, School Highlights, and more!
From CDS to Powering the Olympians
By Ms. Romanowich
Tristan’s path was fueled by a passion for swimming and a "spark" for building things that started on his family farm and right here in Mr. Edwards' Physics and Mr. Moorlag’s Computer Science classes. He then took that drive to the University of Waterloo, where he balanced a grueling Mechatronics Engineering degree with varsity swimming—even writing one exam in a hotel room to stay on top of his goals.
Since her time at CDS, Maddie Martin has focused on the intersection of social services and career development. After graduating from McGill University with a BA in Sociology and Humber College with a degree in Social Service Work, she has worked in many fields and now has transitioned into the professional recruitment space.
The success of Canadian athletes at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milano and Cortina has been impressive. With just three more days to go, there will surely be many more inspiring moments to enjoy, including some additional Canadian medal winners. Canada is currently in 11th place in the medal standings with 15 medals, including 4 Golds. While our entire country basks in the glory of our athletes’ tremendous races and routines thus far, we thought we would highlight some CDS connections to this year’s and past Olympics.
High Energy + High Bids: Meet the Starting Line Up for Auction 2026!
The Auction Team is thrilled to announce DJ Clymaxxx and Devo Brown will be bringing the energy to our 2026 Field of Dreams Dinner & Auction on Friday, May 29th at the Paramount EventSpace!
DJ Clymaxxx, the official DJ for KiSS 92.5 and a two-time Canadian Radio DJ of the Year, is known for his high-energy performance, innovative remixes, and genre-blending mashups. With over a decade of experience on airwaves and live stages, he is guaranteed to keep the atmosphere electric.
Joining him is our host, Devo Brown. As the charismatic host of Breakfast Television, Devo brings quick wit and a commanding stage presence that will guide us through an unforgettable evening.
How is it possible that we are already mid-way through February?
It was wonderful to see so many parents come out for our pickleball evening a few weeks ago! We hope those new to the sport were able to have fun and learn some new skills from our pickleball parent instructors: Roopa, Hari, and Milli. For those who are pros already, we hope that you enjoyed getting to know other CDS parents while enjoying your sport!
As always, our cooking event was a great success. Sushi making was fun and engaging, and we hope everyone who attended enjoyed the food, drinks, and company. A special thank you to Chef Juliette from Bento Sushi for her guidance and expertise in making this such a memorable event.
What is the Birthday Book Program? The Birthday Book Program is a CDS Parent Association initiative designed for both the Junior School and Middle/Senior School Libraries. Parents or other family members are invited to donate books in their child’s honour. This donation creates a sense of pride for the child and provides a lasting and valuable contribution to the library.
The countdown isn’t just on for Sunday’s Super Bowl — it’s on for the biggest CDS adult social event of the season on Friday, May 29 too!
How you can Get into the Game:
The success of this event depends on the support of our entire community. Don’t stand on the sidelines - we need you cheering us on. Here’s how you can get involved today:
Catching Up with Jonah De Simone ‘18, An On-Ice Body Double in Heated Rivalry
By Zach Lawton
When Jonah De Simone ’18 left CDS in Grade 10, his path was set on ice. A standout athlete who moved from the CDS Cyclones to the OHL’s Niagara IceDogs and eventually the University of Guelph Gryphons, Jonah has always been defined by his determination and friendly personality. However, after a series of concussions playing university hockey, Jonah decided that it was time for a priority shift from hockey to his accounting degree.
But for Jonah, the end of his competitive career wasn't the end of his relationship with the game. Instead, it was the beginning of a unique opportunity on a hockey show, a portion that was filmed in Guelph, that brought him attention both on campus and across Canada.
The CDS Parent Association invites you to join them for a hands-on sushi-making class on Thursday, February 5th, beginning at 6:30 pm. in the Niczowski, Temovsky, Arrigo Dining Hall at CDS. Chef Juliette from Bento Sushi will lead the class.
The evening will begin with a sushi-making demonstration, featuring helpful tips and techniques you can use at home. Afterward, everyone will have the chance to create their own sushi and enjoy their creations!
Open to adults only. The cost is $40 per registrant and space is limited. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at events@cds.on.ca.
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.