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| Shelley Laskin, Trustee
Toronto District School Board
Ward 8: Eglinton-Lawrence & Toronto-St Paul's
416-395-8787
Shelley.Laskin@tdsb.on.ca
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In this Issue -- Welcome to the 2023-24 School Year!
- Dealing with Heat
- Back to School Tips
- Walk/Bike/Roll to School
- Update from Safe TO
- Update from Toronto Public Health
- Labour Negotiations Updates
- Supporting All Students
- Reorganization
- We Have a Dog Problem
- New Invitations – International Languages - Elementary/African Heritage 2023-2024 Programs; Model Parliament for High School Students
- Worth Repeating – MYSP Ward Forum on October 3rd from 6:30-8:30; Learn4Life - Fall 2023; TDSB Backpacks & School Supplies Drive; Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants; Fundraising Policy Consultation; Useful Links; 2023-2024 Calendar; Community Safety & Support
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Our system priorities continue to be ensuring joy, engagement & belonging are the foundation for well-being and high academic achievement, and reducing disproportionality of outcomes.Wishing everyone a great first week!
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Welcome to the 2023-24 School Year!
From the TDSB Website
This is an exciting time of year for students and parents/guardians/ caregivers but also a time with a lot of change and adjustments as we begin new routines, meet new friends and teachers, and settle into a school routine for the year ahead.
To help make the transition into the new school year as smooth as possible, please explore the TDSB website to access the information you need and use the resources available, including:
Feel free to also reach out directly to your child’s school or teacher at any time with questions or to discuss your child’s needs.
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Dealing with Heat
It's forecasted to be very warm this first week back - Unfortunately, the vast majority of TDSB schools were built without air-conditioning and given the repair backlog that we are still waiting on Ministry funding to help us reduce, we cannot anticipate putting air conditioning in schools that do not have it. It is simply not possible. We have been advocating to the Ministry for years. As they are our funder, the buck stops with them. We do try and have cooling centres in all buildings.
That said, we know the heat can make it uncomfortable for teaching and learning. But we also know educators will do what they can to manage the heat and keep schools, classrooms and students as comfortable as possible. For more information, please see https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Severe-Weather/Hot-Weather.
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Back to School Tips
TDSB's Professional Support Services staff have begun sharing tips via their Twitter to support the transition back to school. Anxious feelings are normal & expected in children & teens returning to school, changing schools or starting school for the first time. Unsure about how to respond?
Here are some helpful tips for managing back to school worries:
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Walk/Bike/Roll to School
And thank you to TTC for reinstating 126 school trips to TDSB and TCDSB secondary schools beginning Tuesday!
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Update from Safe TO
At our Board Meeting last week, we heard from Mohamed Shuriye, Director, Community Safety and Wellbeing and Scott Mckean, Manager, SafeTO and Justice Centres from the City of Toronto. We were updated on the collaboration between the school boards and the City to support community safety and well-being. The work ahead involves onboarding of the TDSB Centrally Assigned Principal, recruitment of TDSB Research Coordinator and then co-developing a workplan. We will continue to provide updates.
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Update from Toronto Public Health (TPH)
At the last Board Meeting, we were also glad that Dr Vinita Dubey, the Associate Medical Officer of Health for TPH was able to provide us with an update as we begin the school year.
With regard to COVID-19, the key messages were to get vaccinated in the Fall with the new flu and COVID booster when available to prevent serious illness and if sick, stay home! She noted that as respiratory virus activity increases this Fall, a well-fitted, high-quality mask in crowded indoor settings with poor ventilation may be important, but as of now, masks are not mandated.
Her second topic was on vaccinations from Grade 7-12 students. She noted that even with catch up efforts last year, the rates are still way down and she urged all parents/caregivers to ensure their child's vaccinations were up-to-date. Grade 7 & 8 will be offered these vaccines in school and Grades 9 to 12 who missed these vaccines can still get them for free at a TPH immunization clinic. TPH will continue with their catch-up efforts in 2023-24 and will continue to send letters to parents and students with vaccinations outstanding.
Finally she noted that School Liaison Public Health Nurses (SLPHN) can receive consultation, resources and referrals from SLPHNs. And TPH's Dental Screening Program and Student Nutrition Programs are also back. For more information, please click.
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Labour Negotiations Updates
School boards and unions share a commitment to public education and work together towards positive labour relations. The collective bargaining framework for the education sector features a two-tier bargaining process, involving both central and local bargaining. Learn more about the process. Information will continue to be updated on the website.
- Latest ETFO Updates - August 29, 2023 - The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has announced that they are applying for conciliation with the Minister of Labour for the central bargaining table, which covers monetary and issues of provincial concern. Conciliation involves an application to the Ministry of Labour requesting the appointment of a conciliation officer who will meet with the parties and help them reach a settlement. At this point, ETFO has indicated they are not entering into binding arbitration, like the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF). Learn more about the stages of the collective bargaining process.
- Latest OSSTF Updates - August 25, 2023 - The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) and the Ontario Government have agreed to a tentative process to extend provincial bargaining until October 27, 2023 . If the process is approved by OSSTF membership, all remaining items that are not agreed to in bargaining by that date will be moved to binding arbitration, thus avoiding possible strike action. Local discussions will continue until March 2024 and any items not agreed to will also be sent to binding arbitration
- Please note TDSB and CUPE Local 4400 reached an Agreement in June.
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Supporting All Students
With regard to students requesting their chosen name or pronoun, the vast majority of cases would involve the students’ parents/guardians/caregivers, however in a limited number of circumstances where the student has identified a safety concern, this information would not be shared until the student’s concern has been addressed. For some children school is the safest place in their lives. I, for one, will continue to support this TDSB policy - so far, there has been no ministry mandate or direction on the subject.
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ReorganizationWhy is my child's class so large? Will it be fixed?
In late spring of every year, the TDSB plans for the number of students expected to attend school the following September. We then allocate the number of teachers required for each school and class, based on projected enrolment. The number of teachers required in each school and class is primarily determined by class size limits as per Regulations in the Education Act or through Collective Agreements.
- JK/SK - the average size in each school year of the classes of a shall not exceed 26; the class size limit is 29, however, in each school year, 10 % or less of the classes may have a class size that exceeds the class size limit, but that does not exceed 32.
- Grade 1-3 – There is a class size cap of 20, however, 10% of these classes can have up to 23 students.
- Grades 4-8 – The average size in each school year shall not exceed 24.5; there is no maximum class size.
- Grades 9-12 – Secondary school class caps are specified in the Workload Accord negotiated between the Board and OSSTF District 12. Class caps vary based on the course type (i.e., Academic, Tech, College, Workplace, Special Education, etc.). These class caps must be honoured before the end of October.
Class sizes can either be larger than average or smaller than average at the beginning of each new school year, as planning is done 6 months in advance. If your child is in a large class, please know that in September, schools review the actual number of students attending schools and in each class, and the number of teachers who were allocated to each school. This year, the count date is during the third week of September - after this date schools will be provided with an understanding of system reorganization and will inform affected classes as soon as possible.
Balancing the teacher-pupil ratio is absolutely necessary to ensure more equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. The TDSB will make every effort to better balance our schools with as little disruption to your child’s learning as possible. However, for some students this may mean being assigned to a new teacher, a different class or, in some cases, in elementary school, a mixed grade. We anticipate that classroom reorganizations will be complete the week of October 2, 2023.
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We Have a Dog Problem
There have been multiple articles about the issue of dogs running off-leash and intimidating, or worse, injuring community members - the latest in the Star on Saturday.
But as every parent/caregiver knows, this is not just a park problem - we have a dog problem too - current by-law rules don’t work for school grounds either! So many dog owners disregard our signage and don’t seem to care that children play on that same grass! With limited resources the TDSB must rely on dog owners to be responsible and unfortunately, so many aren’t.
Please respect children’s play spaces.
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International Languages – Elementary/African Heritage 2023 – 2024 Programs
The TDSB offers elementary students the opportunity to learn a language other than French and English through its International Languages program and an opportunity to learn about the history, culture and contributions of peoples of African descent through its African Heritage program.
The program is mandated by the Ministry of Education and funded through the Continuing Education grant. Where there is community interest and a commitment by families to enroll at least 23 students in the program, School Boards must offer the option of study in that language. Similarly, the TDSB will open an African Heritage class where there is community interest and a commitment by families to enroll at least 23 students in the program.
Currently, the TDSB offers the opportunity to learn 52 different languages inclusive of the African Heritage program. These programs are offered After School or on Saturday mornings. Please see the chart below for the programs offered in Ward 8 schools. Families can register on-line at www.ileprograms.ca or at the school site at the date and time indicated in the chart.
The International Languages/African Heritage programs exemplify the TDSB’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
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Model Parliament for High School Students
Are you in Grade 10-12? Are you interested in the Legislative Process? Do you want the chance to debate your own legislation in the Legislative Chamber? Then sign up for our Model Parliament program. Applications will be accepted until October 15, 2023. See our website for more info: ow.ly/h5FE50JNXMA
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TDSB is Renewing its Multi-Year Strategic Plan - Join our Ward Forum on October 3rd from 6:30-8:30
TDSB is Renewing its Multi-Year Strategic Plan
All members of the TDSB school community are invited to Have Your Say!
We encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities to contribute to the conversation. Learn more at: www.tdsb.on.ca/MYSPRenewal
Please REGISTER HERE to let us know you will be attending and if you require any accommodation to participate in this discussion.
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TDSB Backpacks & School Supplies Drive
We know that backpacks and school supplies can be expensive and represent a difficult purchase for some students and families. I encourage you to participate in TDSB’s Backpack & School Supplies Drive. The drive will run until the end of September. We are accepting donations of new products, including backpacks (gender neutral coloured with no commercial logos preferred), lunch bags, crayons, calculators, notebooks and basic school supplies. If you are interested in supporting this great cause, please complete an online donation form. For more information contact BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca.
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Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants
The Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants aim to increase awareness and engagement on climate action at the local level by funding resident-led projects, activities and events that:
- Reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change
- Educate and engage the public on climate change and climate action
- Advance the principles, priorities and actions of TransformTO Net Zero Strategy and the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy
Youth, school-based groups, and parent councils can receive up to $7500 for emission reduction projects & educational initiatives like repair clinics, swap events, carpooling challenges, and lobby displays. Groups will be matched with a local community organization to trustee the funds. Applications are open until September 15, 2023. Click for more information.
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Fundraising Policy Consultation
The Fundraising Policy (P021) is currently being reviewed. It supports the TDSB’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and financial viability and promotes student learning opportunities when planning and implementing fundraising activities. The Policy is aligned with the Education Act and the Ministry of Education’s Fundraising Guidelines.
The objective of the Policy is to outline expectations and provide directions to TDSB staff and members of school communities when planning and implementing fundraising activities.
Please share with us your thoughts, questions and recommendations through the online survey or by email to businessdevelopment@tdsb.on.ca on or before October 10, 2023.
2022-23 TDSB Approved Fundraising & Fun Fair Vendors Directory
The Toronto District School Board recognizes that school-based fundraising is a local activity, and believes that the goals of fundraising go beyond money to reflect the creative and collaborative efforts of parents, students, teachers and the school community. Underlying these efforts is the belief that it is not the responsibility of parents or school communities to raise funds for basic educational requirements but rather that school communities may raise funds to enhance programs and support school initiatives. All TDSB fundraising initiatives must be approved by the school principal before they move forward. Fundraising proceeds should not be used for expenses required for completion of the curriculum or for capital infrastructure improvements funded through renewal grants from the Ministry of Education. Fundraising is intended to enhance programs and support school initiatives or to support other external causes. Click here for approved vendors.
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2023-2024 Calendar
Please ensure you check these dates before scheduling events.
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Community Safety & Support
If you should you ever see any suspicious activity around school buildings after school hours, please contact 311, Toronto Police Services Dispatch at 416-808-2222, or the TDSB’s 24-hour Call Centre at 416-395-4620.
If you or a family member is in crisis, please contact Kids Help Phone:1-800-668-6868 or get support right now by texting CONNECT to 686868.
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