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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 -- Please join us - Ward 8 Virtual Forum on Thursday, March 2nd - 7-8:30pm - What Does Hate Look Like?
- Greek Heritage Month – March 2023
- Lifting the Moratorium on School Closures
- Committee Meeting This Week
- TLC New Ward Data Sheets Available
- Mental Health and Well-Being
- Toronto Public Health
- New Invitations - Excellence Awards 2023 to Celebrate Staff Dedication; International Decade of People of African Descent: Panel Conversation - African Indigenous Spirituality and Healing; Pride T-shirt Design Competition; Learn4Life - Adult General Interest Courses; Building Mathematical Minds - Part 1; Summer Music & Art Camps; African Heritage Elementary Program; International Languages Elementary Program; Adult ESL
- Worth Repeating - Exploring Equitable Approaches to Outdoor Learning; Save the Date: EnVision Conference; Parent/Caregiver Engagement; English Kindergarten Registration Continues in February! More Joy! Ignite: tdsbCREATES Visual Arts and Film Exhibit; Winter Clothing Drive; Useful Links; PSS Virtual Drop-In Hours; We have a Poop Problem! School Year Calendar 2022-23; Proposed 2023-2024 Calendar (TBC); Community Safety & Support
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Please join us - Ward 8 Virtual Forum on Thursday, March 2nd - 7-8:30pm - What Does Hate Look Like?
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Greek Heritage Month – March 2023
March is Greek Heritage Month at the Toronto District School Board. It is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Greek Canadians to Canada, and an occasion to mark and enjoy the history of Greek culture. The theme for this year is based on TDSB’s priorities: “Joy, Engagement, Belonging” | “Ευτυχία, Eνθάρρυνση, Eνότητα.”
- Join us on Saturday, March 4 for the GHM Opening Event at the Greek Community Centre from 1 to 3pm (30 Thorncliffe Pk Dr.).
- Join us on Friday, March 24 for a Social Event at Floga Restaurant. RSVP using the instructions on the flyer.
- Join us on Sunday, March 26 at 1:30pm for the Greek Independence Day Parade on the Danforth. We will meet at 15 Phin Avenue at 1pm.
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Lifting the Moratorium on School Closures
The right schools in the right locations: OPSBA asks government to lift moratorium on school reviews
On Tuesday, the Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA) issued a Media Release regarding the moratorium on school closures.
"OPSBA is calling on the minister to release revised Pupil Accommodation Review Guidelines as soon as possible, and at minimum – by the end of the current school year. This timeline will help ensure that boards are best able to align the new process with their annual planning cycles. We appreciate this is a complex issue, but after nearly six years our students and their families shouldn’t have to wait any longer for their schools to be built, repaired, and renewed.”
From the TDSB's perspective, it is time to move the conversation from buildings to students - it is about program opportunities within the buildings - and without the ability to implement our Secondary School Program Review to ensure robust programming, we are disadvantaging students and wasting scarce resources.
As you are aware, within our Ward, and other neighbourhoods the Board is struggling to keep up with the pace of development and population growth; but there are also neighbourhoods where the population has declined and the schools in those neighborhoods have declined in enrolment. The TDSB currently has nearly 60,000 surplus seats in our schools. Although we can't build schools fast enough in growing parts of the city, the surplus space we have available just isn’t located in the areas where we’re struggling to meet the needs of a growing population.
Consolidating underutilized schools also builds stronger enrolment within the schools that remain. More students in the school means more teachers, including French, Music and Gym. Small and under-enrolled schools aren’t able to provide this level of specialization. There also isn’t enough revenue to continue to maintain the sheer number of school buildings we have in the city that aren’t efficiently utilized. In our system we have a renewal backlog of $4 billion dollars – closing underutilized schools in some areas of the city would help us reallocate our limited revenues to the schools that remain. Although closing schools would mean fewer buildings, the ones that remain would be in much better shape with a more efficient use of space and staffing resources available. Planned reviews stemming from the program review are outlined in the TDSB’s Long-Term Program and Accommodation Strategy.
In the 2023-2024 school year, within our Ward, there is a Program Area Review scheduled to begin stemming from the Secondary School Program Review - Explore a review with Oakwood CI, Jarvis CI, Forest Hill CI, York Memorial CI, Humberside CI, North Toronto CI and Bloor CI to address declining enrolment and underutilization at Oakwood CI. Due to the area impacted by this review, there may be additional schools included as the scope of potential changes evolves. We are anxious for the moratorium to be lifted so we can better serve all the students within these schools.
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Committee Meeting This Week
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 - Planning and Priorities Committee - 4:30 p.m. Boardroom - Agenda- 6.2 Establishment of Local Safety Tables
- 6.3 Surplus Declaration of a Portion of the Mimico Adult Learning Centre Site and Easement Agreement
- 6.4 Attendance Boundary Changes for Eglinton Junior Public School, John Fisher Junior Public School and Whitney Junior Public School
- 7.1 Addressing Islamophobia (Trustees Hassan and Shan)
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TLC New Ward Data Sheets Available
The Toronto Lands Corporation (TLC) has created Ward Data Sheets into more visual and easier to utilize documents. Some of the most compelling evidence for the modernization of Toronto’s public schools can be found in the vast amount of rich data available. TLC have used a combination of TDSB and City of Toronto data to capture and present a snapshot of some useful, high level data on each TDSB and City Ward. These new facts sheets are available on TLC’s website. See Ward 8 below .
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Mental Health and Well-Being
Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 for ages 5-29 for anonymous care from professional counsellors. Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868.
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Excellence Awards 2023 to Celebrate Staff Dedication
TDSB staff make our schools and workplaces incredible spaces to learn, work and play. We all know stories of staff who go above and beyond for students, colleagues and the broader community, and every year, the TDSB Excellence Awards are a chance to spotlight these stories and recognize the efforts of TDSB staff.
Last year, the Excellence Awards were modified to align with our shared system priorities and help highlight TDSB staff’s efforts to foster joy, engagement and belonging in our schools, workplaces and communities as a foundation for academic achievement, student success and service excellence. Nomination categories also reflect our shared commitment to Indigenous rights and human rights, equity, anti-racism, anti-oppression – all within a framework of creativity and innovation.
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International Decade of People of African Descent: Panel Conversation - African Indigenous Spirituality and Healing
Join Dr. George J.S. Dei, Dr. Ama Mazama and Dr. Njoki Wane for this enriching panel exploring Africentricity and Spirituality rooted within African-centred practices. Register here.
- Audience: Caregivers, community, staff
- Date: March 1, 2023
- Time: 6:30 – 8:00 pm
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Pride T-shirt Design Competition
Calling all creatives! Pride Month 2023 is just around the corner, and the TDSB Pride Planning Committee is holding a T-Shirt Design Competition. Open to all TDSB students, we're looking for two unique designs that celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ Pride across TDSB. The winning designs will be printed on hundreds of TDSB Pride 2023 T-shirts and worn by all members of the TDSB contingent during 2023 Pride Parade on Sunday, June 25th.
The TDSB Pride 2023 T-shirt Design Competition is open to all ages. Deadline for design submissions is March 23rd, 2023 at midnight.
The criteria for design submissions are:
- May be hand-drawn OR digital.
- May be grey-scale OR multi-coloured.
- Must incorporate the TDSB logo OR leave enough space for logo to be added.
- Must be original.
- Must be respectful.
- Everything else is up to the designer!
For more information and to submit an entry, please email tdsbpride@tdsb.on.ca attaching an image of the design (e.g., .jpeg, .gif, .png, pdf., etc.). Be sure to include the student's name, grade and school, as well as the name of a staff member for communication.
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Learn4Life - Adult General Interest Courses
More new and exciting courses offered this spring! Registration opens Wednesday, March 1 @ 8:30am Please note: Both in-person and remote courses are being offered for the Spring 2023 term. For details here.
In-person Registration Accommodation In our efforts to accommodate learners who are not able to register using the online registration system, the Learn4Life team can make arrangements for in-person registration, by appointment only, starting Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Appointments can be scheduled for learners who do not have a credit card and need to pay by cash or cheque by emailing us at communityprograms@tdsb.on.ca with the subject line: In-person Accommodation.
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Building Mathematical Minds - Part 1
This is such a great opportunity for parents and caregivers to get a glimpse into how math classrooms are working to build math skills, and also what parents & caregivers can do to create playful moments and talk and do math at home. Join us in supporting your child in acquiring math skills for success - Tuesday, March 21 @ 6:30pm. Resources will be provided Click here to register.
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Summer Music & Art Camps
The TDSB Summer Music and Art Camps are open to young artists and musicians of all skill levels and offers a variety of programs including band, orchestra, strings and individual instruction. Campers will have the opportunity to improve their skills, make new friends, and perform in a final concert at the end of the camp. Don't miss this chance to spend your summer making music and having fun!
Programs Include:
- Downtown Summer Strings (The Bickford Centre)
- Toronto Summer Arts & Music Camp (Mono Cliffs Outdoor Education Centre)
- Summer Sounds (York Mills Collegiate Institute)
- Scarborough Arts Camp (Wexford Collegiate Institute)
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African Heritage Elementary Program
The African Heritage Program connects students to the contributions, histories, legacies, cultures and traditions of people of African descent through inquiry and experiential learning. The curriculum is designed to provide TDSB and non-TDSB students with the opportunity to learn and explore experiences inspired by the principles of Nguzo Saba, a Swahili word also known as the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa that honours the people of African Ancestry, their rich heritage and past, celebrations, thanksgiving, empowerment, and daily affirmations. Visit www.ileahprograms.ca for more information.
International Languages Elementary Program
International Languages Elementary Program is an enriching learning experience for students to learn a new language and discover other cultures. Open to all TDSB and non-TDSB students, programs are currently offered in-person and there is no language background necessary. Registration is ongoing, please visit www.ileahprograms.ca.
Adult ESL
The Adult ESL program is offering free* in-person English language instruction to qualified adults 18 years of age and over. Full-time and part-time classes are offered at various times during the day, evening and Saturdays at all language levels. Our program offers: • High-quality instruction • Flexible schedules: full-time, part-time, evening and Saturday classes • Continuous enrollment • All levels and specialty classes • Numerous locations across the city For more information, please visit: www.ESLToronto.ca or call 416-338-4300 or email adultesl@tdsb.on.ca. * Free for eligible learners, please check our website for registration criteria/information. Funded by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
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Exploring Equitable Approaches to Outdoor Learning
"Nature has long been a place of healing and joy for Black communities". Years of systemic racism have resulted in their exclusion from natural spaces. Join us as we discuss how educators can overcome barriers and foster a sense of belonging on this land for all students. Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 4:00 - 5:00 pm ET. As education comes to understand the benefits of outdoor learning for students’ mental and physical health, how can teachers ensure they are implementing equitable approaches to this learning for all students? This webinar explores how to better understand the needs of students who come from a range of cultural, racial and socio-economic backgrounds, and how to meet their needs in equitable ways when situating learning in natural and built environments, in schoolyards and community settings. Join an expert panel experienced with outdoor learning in the TDSB – Sylvia Denton Carryl, Alison Williams, Marguerite Campbell and Pam Miller – as they share principles and strategies to support equitable approaches to outdoor learning. Register in advance for this free webinar.
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Save the Date: EnVision Conference
The annual EnVision Conference (in-person) will be from Tuesday, February 28 to Wednesday, March 1 at Oakwood Collegiate Institute. The focus of this year's conference is 2SLGBTQIAP+ Indigenous, Black and Racialized Joy, Intersections, and Futurity.
All 2SLGBTQIAP+ elementary and secondary students, as well as their allies/co-conspirators are invited come together in collective care to address biphobia, homophobia, and transphobia. There will be keynote speakers, workshops on a continuum for those beginning their journey in allyship and those who would like more support in student action. The entire conference will be an opportunity for students to share the multiple ways gender and sexual diversity can be celebrated within the Toronto District School Board. For more information, click https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Equity-Anti-Racism-and-Anti-Oppression/EnVision-Conference.
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Parent/Caregiver Engagement
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English Kindergarten Registration Continues in February!
Registration for all English TDSB Kindergarten programs begins in February. We look forward to welcoming you and your child at school in September!
To attend Junior Kindergarten in September, children must turn four-years-old by December 31. To register for Senior Kindergarten, children must be five-years-old by December 31. Families can begin the registration process online or visit their school in person to register. Information and detailed instructions about the registration process is available online at www.tdsb.on.ca/kindergarten. Please know you can also register for JK in an alternative school program or a school open to out of area attendance.
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More Joy!
A 30-minute after-school family literacy series Every Wednesday until March 8th from 7:00 to 7:30pm.
For more information, contact a Community Support Worker.
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Ignite: tdsbCREATES Visual Arts and Film Exhibit Opening
tdsbCREATES is a board-wide Arts initiative that connects local artists with schools to foster creativity and celebrate student voice. This exhibition of student work is from the Media and Visual Arts tdsbCREATES mentorship program. Learn more about tdsbCREATES. Opening: February 15, 2023 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm Exhibit: February 11 – March 1, 2023 Where: Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw St.
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Winter Clothing Drive
Newcomer students are adjusting to their first Canadian winter and can benefit from your generous support. The students need proper winter outerwear such as coats, boots, mitts and hats to be able to attend school. This year’s Winter Outerwear Drive will run from October 2022 to the end of February 2023. Learn more: bit.ly/3gZOwxx
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PSS Virtual Drop-In Hours
We are here to help you in any way we can. Our Professional Support Services team offers monthly virtual drop-in times where you can connect directly with a staff member to help answer questions and provide support to help you and your child.
Wednesdays once a month: from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Virtual Drop in Hours
Virtual Drop-In Hours for Students with Special/Complex Needs
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We have a Poop Problem!Respect the Rules - No Dogs Allowed on School Grounds
A reminder to dog owners (and I know not all of you have kids at school). 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.
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School Year Calendar 2022-23
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Proposed 2023-2024 Calendar (TBC)
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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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