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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 -- Labour Negotiations Updates
- Committee Meeting This Week
- Ontario Pre-Budget Consultations
- Feeling under the weather
- Worth Repeating - Revised Out-of-Area Admissions Procedure
- Chief Myron Demkiw provides update on reported hate crimes in Toronto
- Combatting Hate
- International Language Elementary Programs
- New Invitations - How to Talk So Kids Will Listen; Digital Media Literacy Skills in the Age of AI - by CIVIX; Steadfast: The Jean Augustine Story – Screening and Conversation with the Honourable Jean Augustine; Black Student Alliance (BSA); Raise a Reader Part 3; City of Toronto Programs; Heritage Month Poster Contests; More Joy
- Worth Repeating - Beyond 8; Early French Immersion Application Process closes DECEMBER 1; Learn4Life; Here to Help - Kids Help Line; Winter Outerwear Drive; Useful Links; We Have a Dog Problem; 2023-2024 Calendar; Community Safety & Support
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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.
November 21, 2023 - The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and the Ontario government have reached a tentative deal on central terms of a collective agreement with elementary teachers and occasional teachers. The details of the agreement remain confidential until ratified by all parties.
Information will continue to be updated on the website.
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Committee Meeting This Week
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 - Speciat Finance, Budget & Enrolment Committee - 4:30pm - Boardroom - Agenda (To be posed Monday)
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Ontario Pre-Budget Consultations
More information has been posted regarding the province’s plans for its 2024 Pre-Budget Consultations. In addition to the online survey, Ontarians can also submit written submissions by January 31, 2024. Further, the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs will be conducting public meetings across the province during December 2023 and January 2024.
We ask that you complete the online survey - please see Question 5 that asks, “When you think about your community, what services or resources could use more government support? Please choose the top 3 priorities that you feel are the most important.” One of the options is “Education supports (like before and after school programming, special education and developmental support programs).” We encourage you to list this priority should you wish to support public education.
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Feeling under the weather?
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Worth Repeating - Revised Out-of-Area Admissions Procedure
In May, 2023, updates were made to the Out-of-Area Admissions Policy (P013). On November 14, 2023, the revised Operating Procedure, PR545 was approved by Executive Council and will be going to the Governance and Policy Committee and the Board Meeting in January 2024 for information.
The changes in the revised Procedure will be reflected on the various public TDSB Out-of-Area Admissions websites. When applying for September 2024, applicants may submit one school/program choice in their application. The online application will be available on January 8, 2024.
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Chief Myron Demkiw provides update on reported hate crimes in Toronto
Note: Schools reflect the communities they are in - please do all you can to stand against hate.
"On Thursday, November 23, 2023, Chief Myron Demkiw provided an update to the Toronto Police Services Board on reported hate crimes in Toronto. The impacts of the events in the Middle East on Toronto are ongoing, including a concerning rise in reported hate crimes. The Chief's remarks to the Board are available here.
Between January 1 and November 20, 2023, there have been 323 reported hate crimes in Toronto versus 224 reported during the same time in 2022. This includes 129 reported anti-Semitic hate crimes and 34 reported anti-Muslim/anti-Palestinian/anti-Arab hate crimes reported.
Between October 7 and November 20, 2023, there have been 78 hate crimes reported in Toronto, compared to 37 reported in 2022 during the same time period. This includes 38 reported anti-Semitic hate crimes (versus 13 during the same period last year), 17 reported anti-Muslim/anti-Palestinian/anti-Arab hate crimes (versus one during the same period last year). There has also been a marked increase in reported hate crimes targeting LGBTQ2S+ communities during this period – nine compared to five during the same period last year.
Among all of the hate crimes reported between October 7 and November 20, 2023, 49 per cent have been anti-Semitic.
Since October 7, 2023, the Hate Crime Unit has been responsible for 25 arrests and 64 charges laid in relation to reported hate incidents..."
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Combatting Hate
In Our Schools
If you are a staff or a student or a parent/caregiver, and you are a victim of/or witnessing an incident of racism, bias, or hate in our schools, please report it to the school's principal, who has a duty to investigate all incidents. Each time an incident takes place in a school, it is to be recorded in a portal which then begins a system response. We have a responsibility to educate against hate. For more information, please visit the webpage for Reporting an Incident of Hate or Discrimination Involving or Impacting Students. If you experience it, or witness it, report it. Please.
Complaints regarding social media postings should be sent directly to the TDSB's Human Rights Office at humanrightsoffice@tdsb.on.ca. The intake process is being centralizing in the Human Rights Office to ensure for consistency of process.
In Our Communities
Report any allegations of hate-motivated crimes to police for investigation at 416-808-2222 or 9-1-1 in an emergency. We will not tolerate any intimidation, harassment, or hate-motivated behaviour aimed at specific communities. You can also call 1-800-222-TIPS to Crime Stoppers anonymously.
Toronto Police provide new online option to report hate-motivated graffiti
Toronto Police Service is launching a new option for the public to provide information to police about hate-motivated graffiti in their neighbourhoods. The web form, available on the Service’s website, provides an additional avenue for the public to alert police to hate-motivated graffiti, so officers can attend, gather evidence and arrange for the hate-motivated graffiti to be removed as quickly as possible. This reporting mechanism will be monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please remember TDSB's Mental Health and Well Being Professional Support Staff (PSS) are here to support your mental health and well-being and to help you navigate the tools and resources you may need. Please see resources on their website.
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ILEP
Did you know that there are International Language Elementary Programs in our Ward? We have 5 sites with 15 classes in total.
- Deer Park Jr & Sr PS: 3 x Spanish
- Eglinton Public School: 1 x Arabic; 2 x Mandarin Simplified; 1 x Russian; 1 x Tamil
- J.R. Wilcox Public School: 1 x Hebrew; 1 x Spanish
- John Ross Robertson PS: 1 x Farsi; 1 x Greek; 1 x Mandarin-Simplified; 1 x Spanish and
- Joyce Public School: 1 x Mandarin Simplified; 1 x Spanish.
At JR Wilcox and Joyce we only have 2 classes and we need to expand to at least 3 classes for program viability. Each class needs 23 students. We are encouraging more parents/caregivers to participate in the program. Please contact shelly.xu@tdsb.on.ca.
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How to Talk So Kids Will Listen
We invite you join us at JR Wilcox Gym (231 Ava Rd/Eglinton and Allen Rd) this Thursday, Nov 30th from 7-9pm for a special talk for parents.
Are you wasting time because your kids aren’t listening or cooperating?
Are you experiencing hurtful and damaging conflict in the home?
Do you worry that your child might get involved with risky behaviors?
Are you stuck in a 'calm, calm, calm…EXPLODE!' pattern?
Do you count the minutes until bedtime?
In this talk you learn:
- how to have a strong relationship with your child that leads to deeper connection and true influence.
- how to be less reactive and more responsive in those tough parenting moments
- how to gain more cooperation from your children and more ease in daily transitions
- why praise might not be fostering the cooperation you're hoping for and what to do instead
- how to have a vision for you and your family so you can all get on the same page
JR Wilcox Speaker Night will be hosted by Valerie Tih. Valerie is a parenting coach, speaker, facilitator, and podcast host, who helps parents become the calm and confident parent they've always pictured themselves to be. Sign-up here. Child care will be available from 6:45-9:00pm on the day of the talk.
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Digital Media Literacy Skills in the Age of AI - by CIVIX
November 29th from 6:30 - 7:30 PM
It can be challenging to sort fact from fiction online, and an increase in hate speech, alongside ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools, have made it even harder. This virtual workshop is designed to help parents and caregivers learn simple skills for spotting misinformation in the context of social media platforms and AI. To register, visit: www.ctrl-f.ca/en/TDSB. Registration is free and will be limited to 300 spots. Presenters:
- Kim Davidson is a teacher-librarian and digital media literacy specialist who has been with TDSB for 22 years. She is also a member of CIVIX’s Board of Directors.
- Ken Boyd is Director of Education at CIVIX, a charity dedicated to building the habits and skills of active and informed citizenship among youth.
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Steadfast: The Jean Augustine Story – Screening and Conversation with the Honourable Jean Augustine
Join us for a film screening followed by an intimate conversation with Jean Augustine herself! This film shares the story of Jean Augustine's journey from Happy Hill, on the small island of Grenada to being the first Black woman elected to Canada's House of Commons and the first Black woman to serve in Canada's federal Cabinet.
Date: November 30, 2023
Time: 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Central Technical School
Audience: Staff and students
Register your classrooms on myPATH or at bit.ly/49l2Ib6 for this in-person event.
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African Heritage Month at the TDSB: Black Student Alliance Drop-in Workshop
During the month of February, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) proudly recognizes African Heritage (Black) History Month. At this time, we are excited to share with you that we are continuing with our Black Student Alliance (BSA) initiative that started in the TDSB in 2020. BSAs are student groups that increase student voice, build capacity in student leadership, and are supported by a TDSB staff member. Students support each other through ongoing discussion meetings, school assemblies, guest speakers, presentations, and other initiatives. Furthermore, BSAs contribute to ensure that the TDSB meets it commitments to equity, inclusion, and Black students' success. One session was held on November 23 - We are planning to host two more virtual BSA workshops - on November 30 and December 7
4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Please join us through Microsoft Team Meets.
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Raise a Reader Part 3
TDSB Community Support Workers invite you to join us as we review and continue to learn new strategies to build and strengthen our children's reading skills. Thank you for allowing us to walk alongside you as we shared strategies to improve your child's reading skills while encouraging and building the joy of reading. We are always here to support and help in any way we can to ensure that every child thrives and achieves beyond their potential.
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 6:30pm. Register here.
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City of Toronto Programs
Winter recreation listings are now online!
Registration opens at 7 a.m. on Dec 5 (Etobicoke York, including York South-Weston, Toronto and East York) and Dec 6 (North York and Scarborough). Browse programs http://toronto.ca/WinterRec
Find out when you can register, how to get your account ready and how to search for programs on How to Register for Recreation Programs. Programs start the week of Monday, January 8, 2024. With more than 10,000 registered courses on offer and more than 128,600 spaces available, there’s something for all ages, interests and skill levels this winter. Find your nearest location using the Registered Programs Map.
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Heritage Month Poster Contests
The month of January is recognized by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) as Tamil Heritage Month. This year's theme for Tamil heritage Month at the TDSB is: Our Memories, Our Truths, Our Paths Forward: A Mosaic of Tamil Identity. All TDSB students from grades kindergarten to grade 12 are invited to participate in a Poster Challenge. Please see this document for further details that includes reflective prompts for each challenge grade categories. Deadline is Friday, December 8, by 3:00 p.m. All entries must be submitted in .pdf or .jpeg format to the Tamil Heritage Month Planning Committee at tdsbtamilheritagemonth@gmail.com.
TDSB proudly recognizes Chinese Heritage Month in February each year. Currently, we are inviting all students from grade kindergarten to grade 12 to participate in a Poster Challenge to celebrate the Lunar New Year. This year is the Year of the Dragon: Majesty, Brilliance, Confidence, Leadership. Deadline: Monday, January 8th, 2024, by 5:00 pm. Please see this document for further details that includes Poster Contest Eligibility, Guidelines, and Prizes. It also includes the submission information.
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More Joy!
TDSB Community Support Workers invite you to a 30-minute after-school family literacy series. Wednesday's from 4:30-6pm until December 6th.Click here to join.
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Early French Immersion Application Process closes DECEMBER 1
The application to the Early French Immersion program for 2004-25 (Junior Kindergarten entry) will remain an online process managed by the TDSB’s Central French Department, and applications must be completed online between November 6 and December 1, 2023. An offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) is guaranteed to all eligible on-time applicants. Families with an older sibling currently in an Early French Immersion program are still required to complete an online application for the new student. Interested families can apply via the Application Link.
Please visit the TDSB French website to view a video that provides information about the TDSB French Language programs as well as the application and placement process in the Early French Immersion and the Middle French Immersion programs.
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Learn4Life
Learn4Life winter courses are now LIVE! To view on our website and register, go to ➡️learn4life.ca.
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Here to Help - Kids Help Line
As conflict around the world continues, we’re here for anyone who may need support in their language. We offer phone counselling through trained interpreters in over 100 languages including Arabic, Hebrew, Yiddish, Ukrainian, Russian and more by calling 1-800-668-6868. Talking to someone about what you’re going through can be difficult, especially if you don’t use the same language. That’s why Kids Help Phone is providing our phone counselling in over 100 languages, with the help of trained interpreters. It’s all free, confidential and available 24/7 in Canada. No ID required.
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Winter Outerwear Drive
One in every three children lives in poverty right here in our city and too many children come to school without proper clothing to keep them warm during the winter months. In addition, many TDSB students are new to Canada and this may be their first time experiencing a Canadian winter. The TDSB holds an annual Winter Outerwear Drive to help ensure that all students have warm winter outerwear to get to and from school, and are prepared to participate in all of the fun outdoor activities winter has to offer. You can support our students and their families by making a donation to provide warm winter coats, pants, hats, gloves, and boots. This year’s Winter Outerwear Drive will run from October 2023 to the end of February 2024. 100% of all proceeds and in-kind donations go to benefit our students. Tax receipts are available for these donations. Contact the Business Development department at BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca for more information about how to donate new outwear items. Please donate here.
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We Have a Dog Problem
Current by-law rules don’t work for school grounds. As a result, 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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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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