Trustee Update

Zakir Patel • Ward 19: Scarborough - Guildwood
Toronto District School Board
Tel: 416-395-8787 • Cell: 647-643-9404
Zakir.Patel@tdsb.on.ca
portrait of Zakir Patel
colourful line
June Newsletter

Ward 19, Students, Parents/Guardians, and community members, as we approach the end of another school year, I wanted to take a moment to share with you a final newsletter before summer break. It's hard to believe how quickly time has flown by. 

I encourage you to find the time to relax, recharge, and reconnect with friends and family. See you in September!

School Year Calendar
It’s June and the end of the school year is near! But please mark your calendars - the first day of school for the 2023-2024 School Year will be Tuesday, September 5, 2023! For a full list of key dates for the upcoming school year, please visit the TDSB’s School Year Calendar web page.

Budget Town Hall Meetings
We are holding two virtual Budget Town Hall meetings to ensure that you and all members of the TDSB community have the opportunity to hear directly from staff about the 2023-24 budget, ask questions and share your feedback with us. I encourage you to join us on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 1 p.m. or 7 p.m. to take part. Members of the public can also sign up to delegate at a Special FBEC meeting on Monday, June 12 at 4:30 p.m. The deadline to register a delegation for this meeting is Friday, June 9 at 12 p.m. Learn more.

Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement
Did you know that the TDSB’s Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement offers a variety of programming for students, staff and families? I encourage you to join one of the Centre’s many upcoming events including The African Spirit, Race Consciousness, and Self-Actualization of Black Youth on June 7 at 6 p.m. and NCCM: Culturally Responsive Healing – Black Muslims on June 8 at 6 p.m. To learn more, visit the Centre’s website and follow @tdsb_cebsa on Twitter and Instagram.

Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement
Did you know that the TDSB’s Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement offers a variety of programming for students, staff and families? I encourage you to join one of the Centre’s many upcoming events including
The African Spirit, Race Consciousness, and Self-Actualization of Black Youth on June 7 at 6 p.m. and NCCM: Culturally Responsive Healing – Black Muslims on June 8 at 6 p.m. To learn more, visit the Centre’s website and follow @tdsb_cebsa on Twitter and Instagram.

Summer Learning Programs – Inspired to Excel
The TDSB is thrilled to offer summer learning programs to provide students and families with rich Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogical (CRRP) programming alongside strong literacy and numeracy practices. Students enrolled in our Pre-Kindergarten Inspired to Excel summer programs participate in virtual African Drumming, Storytelling, Spoken Word, Visual Arts and/or Reggaecise activities with community-based arts educators. Students are encouraged to engage in activities that reinforce positive racial identity, honour the lived experiences of learners and explore methods of creative expression. Register your child in the Africentric Pre-Kindergarten Summer Learning Program or the Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pre-Kindergarten Summer Learning Program.


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

National Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month, and June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is time to celebrate and learn from First Nations, Métis and Inuit people about the diverse cultures, histories, experiences, creations, perspectives, and achievements. All month long, the Urban Indigenous Education Centre is hosting several events and celebrations with David A. Robertson, Tasha Spillett, Elder Albert McLeod, along with Two-Spirit & Indigiqueer Pride launched by Elder Blu Water. I encourage you to get involved and learn more here.

Italian Heritage Month
Italian Heritage Month is proudly recognized during the month of June at the TDSB since May 2012. The Province of Ontario also marks Italian Heritage Month since 2010 because the Italian Heritage Month Act was passed. Did you know that this year marks the 90th anniversary of the Christie Pits riot that took place in Toronto in August 1933? To commemorate this dark moment in Toronto’s history, the TDSB’s Jewish Heritage Committee in collaboration with the Italian Heritage Committee are offering TDSB students a chance to learn about the largest race riot in Canadian history. Click here to learn more.


Portuguese- Speaking Heritage Month
Portuguese- Speaking Heritage Month is proudly recognized during the month of June at the TDSB and has been since 2011. The Province of Ontario passed the Celebration of Portuguese Heritage Act in 2001. This year, the theme for Portuguese-speaking Heritage Month is “Alegria / Joy!” The contributions of the Portuguese-speaking community to Canada are significant as they include the arts, sports, music, culinary arts, and many professional contributions to education and medicine. To join us in celebrating Portuguese-speaking Heritage Month, find more information here

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 for TDSB students, please complete an online donation form. For more information contact BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca.

Steps to Address Your Questions and Concerns
Here at the TDSB, we are always open to hearing your questions and concerns, and make every effort to address them as quickly as possible. Your child's classroom teacher is the first point of contact, followed by the school's principal, the school superintendent, and me, your Trustee! For more information visit 
https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Contact-Us/Steps-to-Address-Questions-Concerns

 

Stay Connected with your School
The TDSB now offers two new ways to stay connected with your school and the TDSB. Learn about opting in for text messages and using the School Messenger app, which provides a faster and easier way to report absences.

 

Upcoming Meetings
The next Regular Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.  For a list of upcoming meetings, please click on the calendar on the main webpage of www.tdsb.on.ca.

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. 

  • Twitter @TDSB
  • Facebook
  • Instagram @Torontodsb
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