|
|
| Shelley Laskin, Trustee
Toronto District School Board
Ward 8: Eglinton-Lawrence & Toronto-St Paul's
416-395-8787
Shelley.Laskin@tdsb.on.ca
|
| | |
|
| July 1, 2022 - Final Update of the 2021-22 School Year
| |
In this Issue -- Beyond Thankful
- Happy Canada Day
- Have a Safe, Healthy and Joyful Summer!
- More Administrative Changes
- From our Ward 8 PIAC Representatives
- Thank you School Councils
- 2022-23 Operating Budget Approved
- Phased-in Start for Student Transportation
- Student Trustees
- COVID-19 Reminders
- Policy Consultations
- Summer Reminders
- Worth Repeating - Immunization Clinics; Summer 2022 Well-Being Guide; Community Updates; Backpack and School Supplies Drive; Respect the Rules - No Dogs Allowed on School Grounds
| |
Beyond Thankful
As this is the last weekly update for the 2021-22 school year, I am beyond thankful to represent the Ward and its unique and wonderful 33 schools - their logos are in the picture below. I am proud of each and every one of them. I am also beyond thankful for the brilliant students and committed administrators, teachers and education workers who support them and the parents and caregivers who engage with us - and grateful to work with Superintendents Roni Felsen, Andrew Howard and Denise Humphreys.
Please expect the first weekly update of the 2022-23 school year on Sunday, August 21, 2022. Please note secondary school offices re-open on Monday, August 22 and elementary school offices re-open on Monday, August 29. The first day of school for students is Wednesday, September 7. Have a wonderful summer and see you in September!
| |
Happy Canada Day
I appreciated the article on the front page of the Toronto Star today - the Canadian Flag - different meanings - "A symbol of pluralism and prosperity - but also of Indigenous oppression and racial injustice. Of peace and order - but also of populist anger at government..."
Read the article - What the Flag Really Means - We asked prominent Canadians what the Maple Leaf flag means to them. Here’s what they said
However you are enjoying today - I hope you follow the advice of this Tweet @TDSB_MHWB "Canada Day provides us with an opportunity to reflect on our country's past and strengthen our commitment to truth and reconciliation."
| |
Have a Safe, Healthy and Joyful Summer!
As another school year comes to an end, we want to thank you for your ongoing support of your child, their school and our TDSB community. Your patience, flexibility and willingness to work together has helped us navigate the many challenges of the pandemic. And through this experience, we have all learned, grown and are even thriving in many ways. To name just a few highlights of this school year, we:
Over the last few months, It has been wonderful to once again welcome students and families into our schools and to see communities celebrating milestones in person.
We look ahead to the fall with optimism and excitement, and hope that you have the opportunity to relax and spend quality time with loved ones over the break.
Wishing you a safe, healthy and joyful summer.
Alexander Brown, Chair and Colleen Russell-Rawlins, Director of Education
| |
More Administrative Changes!
Principal and Vice-Principal Changes in Ward 8
On June 29, 2022, the Board approved another series of promotions and transfers within the system. The following are additional leadership changes in Ward 8 schools effective September 1, 2022:
- Forest Hill Jr/Sr PS - Denyse Stewart, Vice Principal at Forest Hill has been appointed acting Principal of Lawrence Heights Middle School; Jonathan Collins, teacher at West Preparatory Jr PS has been appointed acting Vice Principal at Forest Hill.
- John Polanyi Collegiate Institute - Iris Kondakciu, Assistant Curriculum Leader at Kipling Collegiate Institute has been promoted to Vice-Principal at JPCI; thank you to Florence Ormonde for her support as VP over the last few months.
- Lawrence Heights MS - Denyse Stewart, Vice Principal at Forest Hill has been appointed acting Principal of Lawrence Heights Middle School;
Congratulations to those newly promoted… hope you will enjoy your time supporting students, staff and community in your new school.
Please know existing vacancies created by leaves and retirements will continue to be filled as processes continue throughout the summer.
| |
From our Ward 8 PIAC Representatives
The TDSB Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) has had a busy year this year! As a reminder, PIAC's role is to consult and work with parents, TDSB Trustees and staff, the Ministry of Education and others in support of more effective parent engagement in the education system and improved student achievement and well-being.
This year, in spite of conducting all business virtually for the second year in a row, PIAC engaged directly with TDSB staff members on numerous topics, provided comments on TDSB consultation papers, built relationships with other advisory committees with similar mandates to ours, deployed our "Ready. Set. Engage!" virtual conference and continued to consider how we can further improve our impact and effectiveness.
As your Ward 8 PIAC reps, it has been a pleasure to represent you. We look forward to the chance to engage you and your school communities in important dialogues and decisions happening at the TDSB. We wish everyone a safe and happy summer season and are excited to engage with the committee and yourselves again in September.
Anshu Grover and Kaydeen Bankasingh
On behalf of the ward, I'd really like to thank Anshu and Kadeen who represented us on PIAC and Lynne LeBlanc and Cheryl Batty who were our representatives on FSLCAC.
| |
Thank you to School Councils
A word of thanks to parents and caregivers who volunteered for School Council this past year, especially those that took on Executive Roles advising the Principal in support of student achievement and well-being... and to Principals and Vice-Principals for supporting and collaborating with Councils.
A few reminders as we think of 2022-23:
- Schools that fundraise, note funds must be raised for specific purpose(s) and spent according to the purpose(s) communicated. For those Councils with money unspent in your fundraising accounts, please note the policies do not specify a maximum timeline for carrying over school council surplus funds, but we do strongly recommend that schools spend their fundraising funds within 2 years to benefit current students. However, if the school has a long term plan to the funds, (e.g. if the school is saving for a school playground), they can carryover the funds for more than 2 years. Click here to view the webinar on school fundraising. For more information, click here.
- School Council elections are held annually within the first thirty calendar days of the school year for the one-year term. The regulation does not restrict the number of times that a member can be re-elected or reappointed to School Council. The first meeting of the new School Council must occur within 35 days of the election and parents must be given 14 days’ notice of the election date.
| |
2022-23 Operating Budget Approved
During the last Board Meeting of the 2021-22 school year, we approved the 2022-23 operating budget. The $3.4 billion budget includes investments in a number of key areas, including mental health supports, early reading coaches, additional ESL teachers, student safety, resources to combat hate and racism, and technology for students; but it also includes a projected deficit of $40.4 million which is primarily due to unfunded pandemic costs, ongoing Ministry funding shortfalls in a number of areas, and declining enrolment. The TDSB will be using its reserves to balance the operating budget for the 2022-23 school year.
TDSB Trustees and staff continue to advocate for additional and more stable funding from the province, including the reimbursement of pandemic related expenses and other revenue losses incurred, a commitment to fund the TDSB’s pandemic recovery plan, and additional funding to cover inflationary cost increases that are not currently funded by the Ministry. Should these costs be reimbursed to school boards, these supports would be sufficient to address the TDSB’s projected deficit.
Because of declining enrolment and the elimination of one-time Ministry funding the budget also included a small number of staff reductions to align staffing with the number of students. During a very difficult budget year, it is not possible to maintain current staffing levels with thousands fewer students attending the TDSB without additional funding from the Ministry of Education.
Please remember that class sizes as of today may change (and often do) ahead of September at which point student enrolment would be confirmed and staffing adjusted up or down if necessary as part of reorganization.
| |
Phased-in Start for Student Transportation
From September 7-9, student transportation will only be provided for students with special education needs (excluding those in the gifted program), students at Kapapamahchakwew – Wandering Spirit School, and students at relocation schools.
Starting September 12, all eligible students will be provided with student transportation. Assigned seating, another pandemic change will continue as studies have shown behaviour on the bus improves when seats are assigned.
And the empty seat rule (Transportation Policy) will be back into effect during 2022-23. This allows parents to request , after the beginning of October, access to an empty seat on the bus.
| |
Student Trustees
Thank you to Evan Woo (@EvanWoo222) and Jyoti Dadhich (@JyotiDadhich19) student trustees for 2021-22 - it was such a pleasure to get to know you. I wish you every success. Welcome to Naomi Musa (@naomiymusa) and Jeffrey Osara who will join Indigenous Student Trustee Isaiah Shafqat (@isaiah_shafqat) at our Board representing the interests of TDSB students for 2022-23. I look forward to working with you and learning from you.
| |
COVID-19 Reminders
Toronto Public Health continues to recommend wearing a well-fitting, high quality mask in indoor public spaces (especially if crowded) to protect yourself and others, especially those that cannot yet be vaccinated. They also recommend to stay up-to-date with your vaccinations which includes getting all booster doses when eligible - https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/.
We will continue to engage with Toronto Public Health over the summer and before the end of August ensure we have the most up to date advice for reopening schools.
| |
The first day of school for students for the 2022-2023 school year is Wednesday, September 7.
| |
Summer Reminders
New Family and Caregiver Early Literacy Website
Free Adult, Summer Classes to Upgrade Essential Skills
Community Services’ Essential Skills Upgrading (ESU) program is offering a 4-week in-person/virtual summer school to support adults’ upgrading of their reading, writing and numeracy skills. Learn more at www.upgrademyskills.ca.
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
| |
New Invitation from PIAC - Request for Workshop Proposals for PCasP 2022
The Parents and Caregivers as Partners Conference (PCasP) 2022 provides an opportunity to provide meaningful and relevant content to support parents/caregivers and the community in navigating the education system and to highlight innovative and high-impact strategies for parent/caregiver engagement and we are seeking proposals for virtual and hybrid (in-person or streaming) workshops, micro-sessions, and panel presentations to be presented at PCasP to be held on Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23, 2022. If you are considering a hybrid session, please note that you will be responsible for making all necessary arrangements to do so.
We encourage proposals from other school districts, universities, schools, School Councils, administrators, educators, community-based organizations, researchers, and parents/caregivers. Please ensure you review the conference strands and content levels below before you apply. Submit your proposal now! Submissions are due September 14, 2022.
| |
Visit a Toronto Public Health clinic to get vaccines missed during the pandemic
Toronto Public Health (TPH) is holding vaccine clinics throughout the summer to give students completing grades 7 to 12 these important lifesaving vaccines:
- Meningococcal vaccine (prevents meningitis)
- Human Papillomavirus vaccine (prevents cancers)
- Hepatitis B vaccine (prevents liver disease and cancer).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many students did not get these vaccines. They are free, safe and recommended before leaving high school. These vaccines are free for students completing grades 7 to 12 at TPH Vaccine Clinics. OHIP is not required. Walk-in or make an appointment online. New clinics are added each week and are also available on evenings and weekends.
Check your yellow immunization card or your online TPH vaccine record. Vaccine records can also be checked at a Toronto Public Health clinic.
In Ontario, the Immunization of School Pupils Act requires all students to be up-to-date with their Meningococcal vaccine or have a valid exemption. Hepatitis B and Human Papillomavirus vaccines are strongly recommended. If you have any questions, please speak to your health care provider or call Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 (option '1'), Monday-Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Language interpretation is available.
| |
Summer 2022 Well-Being Guide
| |
Community Updates Now Posted
Baycrest Public School - Sir Sandford Fleming Retrofit
Memorial Park Stormwater Management Partnership Project
- The City of Toronto’s Midtown Toronto Storm Sewer Relief Project (MTSSRP) involves construction of an underground stormwater storage tank and a pumping station in Memorial Park. This work is part of the City of Toronto’s Basement Flooding Protection Program to help reduce the risk of future basement flooding. TDSB/TLC and the City are working towards an agreement that permits the City of Toronto to use TDSB lands at North Preparatory JPS (Memorial Park) which will also affect Forest Hill Collegiate Institute. Information is posted at https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Strategy-Planning/Search-All-Reviews/id/175.
Eglinton Junior Public School
- The Toronto Lands Corporation, a real estate company owned by the TDSB that manages all real estate matters for the school board, advised that there may be an opportunity to expand Eglinton Jr PS by working with the developers of the residential towers immediately to the south of Eglinton Jr PS at 744-758 Mount Pleasant Road. In June 2022, the Board of Trustees supported the proposal and authorized the TLC to enter into agreements with Bazis to allow the construction of the mixed-use development including a new Eglinton Jr PS of approximately 120,000 square feet. Read the Questions and Answers. View the slide deck of the potential project.
| |
Backpack and 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.
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.
100% of all proceeds and in-kind donations go to benefit our students
NOTE: Due to potential health & safety, hygiene, sorting and storage limitations, the TDSB can only accept new items. Please contact BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca for more information about how to donate new items.
| |
Respect the Rules - No Dogs Allowed on School Grounds
Dogs are not allowed on school property at any time. Many people are surprised to learn that TDSB Policy prohibit dogs (leashed or unleashed) being on school property. Section 6.10 PR523 Access to School Premises prohibits canines on our properties “at any time” (except service animals).
Please respect children’s play spaces. And please do not verbally abuse TDSB caretaking staff - I am hearing that when members of the public and caretakers onsite try and inform dog owners, they are met with threats and intimidation.
| |
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.
| |
|
|
|
|
