| Trustee Update Zakir Patel • Ward 19: Scarborough - Guildwood
Toronto District School Board
Tel: 416-395-8787 • Cell: 647-709-7973
Zakir.Patel@tdsb.on.ca |  |
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Heritage and History Months
The Toronto District School Board is proud to celebrate the following heritage and history months during June:
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New Student Trustees Elected (2022-23)
On April 28, 2022, students from across the Toronto District School Board voted online to elect their Student Trustees for the 2022-23 school year. Students were also able to learn more about the candidates via online campaign videos before casting their votes. This new, modern way of running student elections has continued to result in an increase in the number of students interested in the positions and overall votes.
Congratulations to our new Student Trustees:
Jeffrey Osaro, Northview Heights Secondary School
Naomi Musa, Central Toronto Academy
Isaiah Shafqat, who attends Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School, will continue in his role as Indigenous Student Trustee.
Jeffrey and Naomi will join Isaiah as Student Trustees for the 2022-23 school year.
Congratulations!
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TDSB Chair Calls on Parties to Better Support Toronto Schools
Prior to the provincial election, Chair of the Toronto District School Board, Alexander Brown, called on all provincial parties to commit to supporting Toronto schools with adequate and stable funding that fully supports all pandemic costs and the implementation of the TDSB’s Pandemic Recovery Plan.
The TDSB is currently projecting a deficit of $52.2M for the 2022-23 school year, primarily due to pandemic costs and declining enrolment. Should additional funding not be provided to address the impacts of the pandemic, savings will need to be found and cuts will need to be made. Trustees and staff do not want to make these reductions, especially now when the students of Toronto need stability and support after more than two years of disruption.
For more information, including a video of the chair’s remarks and background information, please read the news release.
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Student Interest Programs Policy
Trustees have approved the Student Interest Programs Policy which will improve access to the TDSB’s nearly 40 specialized schools and programs. This policy was developed following extensive consultation and feedback from students, parents/guardians, staff, and the broader community, as well as a review of best practices, system data, and TDSB enrollment trends. Learn more about the policy and the process.
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Join the Conversation
TDSB families are invited to join us for a series of engaging and informative conversations on topics we heard you want to learn more about. Hear from leading experts and participate in question and answer sessions online.
These conversations are jointly hosted by the TDSB's Parent and Community Engagement Office and the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee and generously supported by the Ministry of Education's Parents Reaching Out Grants.
Past Conversations
Missed a Conversation? All past Conversations can be viewed on the PCEO YouTube channel.
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Anti-Bullying Strategies
Prevention and intervention strategies are being implemented in every school to address the serious, and negative impact of bullying on students. Some changes to our Caring and Safe Schools policies and procedures will help support student safety and well-being. Learn more about Bullying Prevention at TDSB.
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Mental Health and Well-Being
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TDSBcares: Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal Extended to June 30
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Communication to Parents/Guardians
To help you find recent communication from the TDSB to parents/guardians easier, you can now visit this webpage which includes past letters in one space.
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Family and Caregiver Early Literacy Guide
The Family and Caregiver Early Literacy Guide provides an overview of the foundational early reading skills and essential instructional approaches and includes strategies for families and caregivers that extend, respond and honour children’s competencies in early literacy. Learn more about Family and Caregiver Early Literacy.
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Enhanced Language Training for Newcomers to Canada
Internationally educated, trained or experienced professionals new to Canada can sign up for Community Services’ free Enhanced Language Training (ELT). Receive career-specific instruction and the opportunity to gain Canadian work experience through ELT. Sign up at www.elt4employment.ca
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Learn4Life General Interest Summer Program – Registration Now Open
Meet new friends in the city this summer and take up a fun new hobby. Registration for Learn4Life’s summer program is now open with a number of different courses in categories such as Art, Health and Wellness, Dance, Languages, Sewing and much more! New courses this summer include:
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Online Piano Keyboarding Beginner Level 4 Plus - POP Edition
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Overcome Unhealthy Habits and Feel Transformed – Online
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Data Analysis with Excel - Boot Camp – Online
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Managing Menopause Naturally – Online
Both in-person and online courses available. For more information, please visit www.learn4life.ca
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Bicycle Safety With warmer weather approaching, children may be participating in more outdoor activities like bike riding. To help keep children safe while playing outdoors this summer please follow social distancing and all other guidelines provided by Toronto Public Health.
When children are riding their bicycles, parents and caregivers can take steps to protect them.
Here's how:
- An adult should always supervise children 10 years of age or younger when they are using a bicycle or other wheeled sports equipment. Even older children may need on-going supervision when riding near the road.
- Make sure children wear the correct helmet properly when they ride. Ontario's bike helmet law requires all children and youth under age 18 to wear an approved bike helmet when riding a bicycle.
- Keep children away from traffic when they use wheeled sports equipment. Make sure they ride in a safe place.
- Teach children how to:
a. steer, brake and ride in a straight line
b. wear the right safety gear, and
c. do a safety check every time they ride a bicycle, scooter, skateboard, use in-line skates or wear shoes with wheels. - Be within arm's reach when your children are learning to ride any wheeled equipment.
- Always walk a bicycle, scooter or skateboard across a street intersection, instead of riding across
- Tell children that you are happy when you see them riding safely.
- Remind children of the safety rules when they forget.
- Be a good role model - wear a helmet and safety gear yourself. Children copy what adults do.
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Backpack and School Supplies Drive
All students should have access to backpacks and school supplies to help them get the most out of their school experience – and you and/or your business can help our students and families in need with a donation to the TDSB’s Backpacks & School Supplies Drive!
Backpacks and school supplies can be expensive. They can also wear out easily or are often lost or misplaced by students throughout the school year. They represent a difficult purchase for some students and for their families.
The TDSB is Canada’s largest and most diverse school board, with more than 247,000 students in 583 schools across Toronto. One in every three children live in poverty right here in our city and many of our students are new to Canada. We know that there are many students who are not equipped with school supplies for the school year. As we continue to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need is even greater for many of our families.
This year’s Backpacks & School Supplies Drive will run from March 1, 2022 to the end of September 2022. Individual donors and companies can help our students by making a monetary donation and/or a donation of new backpacks and school supplies. Tax receipts are available for these donations.
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Summer Programs
Explore various TDSB summer programs for elementary, secondary and adult learners now open for registration. Programs include:
Elementary: Elementary Summer School, Extended Day Program – Summer Camp, International Languages and African Heritage Language & Culture Program, Outdoor Education Summer Camp, Summer Music & Art Camps
Secondary: Credit Courses for e-Summer High School (online), Continuing Education Secondary Credit Summer Programs, International Leadership and Peer Support Program
Adult: Adult ESL Summer Program, Learn4Life General Interest Courses
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TDSB UpdateSign-up for TDSB Update and stay informed about recent Board decisions and district-wide news.
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Upcoming Meetings
The next Regular Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. For a list of upcoming meetings, please click on the calendar on the main webpage of www.tdsb.on.ca.
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Follow the TDSB
Join the conversations happening on TDSB's social media communities. You'll find the most up-to-date information about us on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.
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