|
|
| Shelley Laskin, Trustee
Toronto District School Board
Ward 8: Eglinton-Lawrence & Toronto-St Paul's
416-395-8787
Shelley.Laskin@tdsb.on.ca
|
| | |
|
In this Issue -- Happy Father's Day
- Say No to Hate
- Pride is here!
- National Indigenous Peoples Day
- Feeling Overwhelmed?
- Summary of Decisions - Board Meeting June 14, 2023
- Committee and Board Meetings This Week
- Bill 98, Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023 - Update (from OPSBA)
- This Week's Ministry Announcements (Excerpts
- OHRC Statement on Anti-Hate
- York Memorial CI Rebuild Project Overview
- Tutoring Update
- Summer Programs
- New Invitations - For Our Kids, and special guest, Raffi!; National Indigenous Peoples Day Event!; Toronto Fringe Youth Night; Navigating Instagram
- Worth Repeating - Summer 2023 Well-Being Guide; Working at the TDSB; Useful Links; Respect the Rules - No Dogs Allowed on School Grounds; School Year Calendar 2022-23; Approved 2023-2024 Calendar Italian Heritage Month
| |
Happy Father's Day
Happy Father's Day to all the dads, fathers, uncles, and those who are father figures - to those fathers-to-be and those fathers we have lost... thank you to all who support our kids - may you be surrounded by love.
| |
Say No to Hate
On International Day for Countering Hate Speech, learn more about UNESCO’s work & say #NoToHate: check out UNESCO's site.
And from Human Rights Canada - "The devastating effects of hatred have been amplified by new communication technologies. We must tackle #OnlineHate. Hate reinforces prejudice, dehumanizes people, and leads to harassment and violence. Let’s build a compassionate world that fosters kindness, empathy & respect." Check out our calls to end hate: https://bit.ly/3MP6fUO.
| |
Pride is here!
Join us at the 2023 Pride Parade! We are thrilled to invite students, staff and their families and friends to join the loud and proud TDSB contingent at the Toronto PRIDE parade on Sunday, June 25, 2023.
Once again Pride Toronto is making to become more environmentally friendly and to go “greener.” It is important to note that due to new regulations put in place by Pride Toronto the size of the TDSB float will be much smaller than in previous years with reduced rider capacity. Pride Toronto is encouraging marchers this year – bikes, scooters, rollerblades or any of other energy efficient mode of transportation – are welcome!
We're asking all walking TDSB participants to gather between 1:00 to 1:15pm at Asquith Green Park (west side of Church St.,1 block north of Bloor). TDSB staff will be waiting at the park to direct everyone to our mustering point (Ted Rogers Way and Charles Street). TDSB Participants will have the option of marching in the Parade or riding on the TDSB float.
The parade will begin moving from Church St and Bloor at 2:00pm. The parade will head west then turn south on Yonge Street then RIGHT this year on Dundas St. The parade will be end at Nathan Phillips Square at 7:00pm
Please remember to stay hydrated and plan ahead to bring anything necessary to keep you comfortable in the summer sun. Please bring water, sunscreen and food to get you through the day.
| |
National Indigenous Peoples Day
June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to celebrate and learn from Indigenous Peoples about the diverse cultures, histories, experiences, creations, perspectives, and achievements of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people. Staff and students are able to access programming through MyPath.
| |
Feeling Overwhelmed?
Are your kids feeling overwhelmed? Kids Help Phone can help. "Many people have searched it online, shared it with someone they trust or just said it to themselves — “I feel overwhelmed!” With everything going on in your world, these types of thoughts and feelings are valid. It can be helpful to practise strategies to manage these moments in ways that work best for you. On this page, you can watch a video (featuring a character trying to finish their chores) for ways to navigate overwhelming experiences now and in the future."
| |
Summary of Decisions - Board Meeting June 14, 2023
For the full report, click here. Below are key items of interest - including the return of aquatics instructors (thank you to all the students, staff, parents and community for your support), social workers and child and youth counsellors in the 2023-24 Operating Budget.
Presented in Governance and Policy Committee, Report No.05, May 31, 2023
Student Interest Program Specialized Schools and Programs Policy: Review
The Board decided:
(a) That the following be referred to staff as part of the report back to the Board in the fall 2023:
i) the numbers of students who, as of June 1, 2023, applied for, were accepted to, and were placed in each specialized program whose admissions are governed by policy P100;
ii) the number of seats left unfilled in said programs, or that were then filled from local waitlists as opposed to the previous central waitlist;
iii) a list of schools in underserved geographic areas of the city where additional specialized programs could be added based on the high demand evidenced in the lottery process;
iv) a review of specialized program entrance policies, including lotteries, from school boards in Canada and the United States, and their outcomes, in the spring 2024;
(b) That the Director assess the current implementation of section 6.3.5, while upholding the objectives and guiding principles of policy P100;
(c) That the Director present a report on the feasibility of extending waitlists.
Presented in Planning and Priorities Committee, Report No. 8, June 7, 2023
Community Access Agreement, JR Wilcox Community School, 231 Ava Road
The Board decided:
(a) That the acceptance of funding in the amount of $350,000.00 from the City of Toronto to fund costs associated with site improvements at JR Wilcox Community School, as presented in the report, be accepted;
(b) That the Toronto Lands Corporation be authorized to execute a community access agreement with the City of Toronto for a term of twenty-five years commencing on or about January 1, 2024 with key business terms and conditions as presented in the report;
(c) That the community access agreement be in a form and content satisfactory to the TLC’s Legal Counsel.
Presented in Planning and Priorities Committee, Report No. 8, June 7, 2023
NBE3U/UC English, Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices: Gradual Implementation Plan
The Board received the report.
Program Area Reviews for New Arts-Focused Central Student Interest Programs at Westview Centennial Secondary School and Woburn Collegiate Institute
The Board decided:
(a) That new Arts-focused Central Student Interest programs be established in the northwest of Toronto at Westview Centennial Secondary School and in the northeast at Woburn Collegiate Institute with interest-based admission in accordance with policy 100, Student Interest Program;
(b) That the new Arts programs at Part (a) be implemented for Grade 9 in September of 2024, Grade 10 in September of 2025, Grade 11 in September of 2026, and Grade 12 in September of 2027.
529 Vaughan Road Building, Community Planning and Partnerships Lease Agreement With Oakwood Vaughan Community Organization
The Board decided:
(a) That the Toronto Lands Corporation be authorized to negotiate and execute a Community Planning and Partnerships lease agreement with the Oakwood Vaughan
Review of the Need for the 200 Wilmington Avenue Property and the 2245 Lawrence Avenue West Property
The Board decided:
(a) That the 200 Wilmington Avenue property be declared as not required for the purposes of the Board and referred to the Toronto Lands Corporation for sale and sold if, and only if, the price is the fair market value of the property based on its highest and best use without regard to the encumbrance of the existing lease of the property to Anne and Max Tanenbaum Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto; and
(b) That the 2245 Lawrence Avenue West property be declared as not required for the purposes of the Board and referred to the Toronto Lands Corporation for sale and sold if, and only if, the price is the fair market value of the property based on its highest and best use without regard to the encumbrance of the existing lease of the property to Schlegel Villages Inc. (formerly Oakwood Retirement Communities Inc.).
Presented in Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee (Special Meeting), Report No. 11, June 13, 2023
Business Arising: Addition of Aquatic Instructors
The Board decided:
That the Director pause the current program reduction implementation and add back a complement of aquatic instructors to ensure full programming for students in all schools with pools for 2023-24. As per the staff report, this would mean the addition of six FTE positions of aquatic instructor.
Business Arising: Previously Ministry Funded COVID Enhancements: Social Workers and Child and Youth Counsellors
The Board decided:
(a) That the Director of Education reinstate the 16 Social Workers and 15 Child and Youth Counsellors that were lost as a result of the Ministry of Education’s elimination of the pandemic funding (estimated cost $3.7 million);
(b) That, since all expenditures must be funded, these be added to the previously staff identified reductions to be funded through the use of proceeds of disposition;
(c) That, in the event that more than the targeted amount of $5 million in SIP reimbursements can be found, then these additional savings can be applied to the budget and reduce the amount of proceeds of disposition to be used.
Business Arising: Previously Ministry Funded COVID Enhancements: Elementary Vice- Principals
The Board decided:
That the Director present a report in the fall 2023 on the possible addition of elementary vice- principals based on available resources.
| |
Committee and Board Meetings This Week
We welcome members of the public to bring forward issues and concerns they have through a delegation, which is addressing a committee of the Board of Trustees (by speaking virtually, in person or submitting a written statement). Our Delegation Procedure is designed to set out a consistent and easily understandable process for the public and to manage the process in a fair and equitable manner. https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Delegations
Delegates are encouraged to make their needs for accommodation known in advance of the Committee meeting when they send their request by e-mail to delegates@tdsb.on.ca by 4 p.m., two (2) working days before the committee meeting day.
Tuesday, June 20, 2023 - Special Finance, Budget & Enrolment Committee - 4:30 p.m. - Boardroom - Staff Recommendation to FBEC - 2023-23 Operating and Capital Budget - Please note this has not been posted yet - I will tweet it as soon as the report is posted
Thursday, June 22, 2023 - Special Board Meeting - Budget Approval - 4:30 p.m. - Boardroom - FBEC Recommendation to Board - 2023-24 Operating and Capital Budget
| |
Bill 98, Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023 - Update (from OPSBA)
This legislation was introduced by the Minister of Education Stephen Lecce and received Royal Assent on Thursday, June 8, 2023. As part of its next step in the consultation process, the government has posted information regarding 3 regulations:
These were posted on the Ontario's Regulatory Registry on June 13, with a feedback deadline of July 12, 2023. OPSBA will be providing a response to these regulation postings. Senior staff are meeting to discuss the proposed requirements, review our Bill 98 submission, and to consider any labour implications. OPSBA’s Policy Development and Education Program Work Groups will be consulted on our final response. The Association will also be communicating with the ministry about the other items that were included in the legislation that have come into force and the areas that were to include sector consultation.
| |
This Week's Ministry Announcements (Excerpts)
June 16, 2023 Memo re: Revisions to the Grade 6 Social Studies curriculum ‒ Mandatory Holocaust learning
As announced on November 9, 2022, the Ministry of Education is introducing mandatory Holocaust learning for the first time in elementary schools to help younger students gain a deeper understanding of its significance and combat rising cases of antisemitism in Ontario schools. In order to frame the Holocaust learning, students will learn about Jewish heritage, the experiences of Jewish individuals, families, and communities, including ways in which they have contributed to Canada, the ongoing impact of antisemitism, and responses to acts of hate and human rights violations after World War II. The revised Grade 6 Social Studies curriculum, which is part of Ontario’s continued modernization of the curriculum, will be implemented in September 2023.
The new learning is available to all parents, teachers and students on the Curriculum and Resources website at Ontario.ca/curriculum. It was developed with community organizations to ensure grade content is factually accurate, age appropriate, relevant and culturally responsive.
The ministry is committed to supporting educators through training and resources, including webinars and classroom-ready resources. A key changes document and parent guide are available on the Curriculum and Resources website that outline new learning in Grade 6 Social Studies.
June 14, 2023 Memo re: New Computer Studies course: Digital Technology and Innovations in the Changing World
As part of the Ministry of Education’s commitment to modernizing education and preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow, the Minister of Education has issued a new Grade 10 Computer Studies course, Digital Technology and Innovations in the Changing World, Open (ICD2O). The new Digital Technology and Innovations in the Changing World course (ICD2O) replaces Introduction to Computer Studies, Grade 10, Open (ICS2O) and will be implemented in Ontario classrooms starting in September 2023. Please note that all other courses in The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 10 to 12: Computer Studies, 2008 remain in effect.
June 3, 2023 Memo re: Next Steps on Technological Education Graduation Requirement in Secondary Schools
On March 10th, 2023, the Minister of Education announced a new Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) graduation requirement for students to earn a Grade 9 or 10 Technological Education credit, starting with the cohort of students entering Grade 9 in September 2024.
Many students are choosing to take Technological Education courses, including about one-third of Grade 9 students and just over 45% of Grade 10 students in the 2020-21 school year. By the time students graduate, 73%[1] have earned at least one Technological Education credit during their secondary school education.
By providing a compulsory credit that students can take in Grade 9 or Grade 10, all students will have the benefit of early exposure to skilled trades that can assist them in making decisions regarding future pathways and opportunities.
The ministry is revising the curriculum and new Grade 9 and 10 courses will be available to support the new graduation requirement.
| |
OHRC Statement on Anti-Hate
June 13, 2023
"As this school year ends, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) takes this opportunity to reflect on what it heard concerning the challenges faced by students, parents, educators, and administrators in Ontario’s public education system.
The Ontario Human Rights Code (Code) protects everyone from discrimination and harassment based on numerous grounds, including disability, gender identity and expression, race, and religion. In schools, following the Code means that every student has the right to a learning environment free from discrimination, harassment, or other expressions of hatred — an environment where everyone feels safe to learn, thrive, and be themselves. It is essential that all children — including, 2SLGBTQIA+ children, children with disabilities, Black children, Indigenous children, Jewish children and Muslim children, for instance — feel that their school is a place of inclusion, belonging, and support.
Similarly, all educators and administrators, including elected officials in the education system are entitled to those same rights. Not only should they feel safe and supported in their roles, but these individuals are duty-bound by the Code to uphold these principles and work to create this environment in schools.
Education professionals work tirelessly every day to create an environment of safety and inclusion essential to learning and well-being. The OHRC has learnt that educators have faced many violent incidents this year, significantly impacting learning environments and classroom management. A recent survey conducted by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) revealed that more than three-quarters of ETFO members have personally experienced violence or witnessed violence against another staff person, and members are reporting that the severity and number of violent incidents have increased since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Council of Directors of Education has also noted that in recent months, administrators who have supported the rights and freedoms of 2SLGBTQIA+ people have been targeted during public board meetings. These incidents are deeply concerning and harmful, and underscore the systemic issues and gaps within Ontario’s publicly funded education system.
The OHRC sees a safe workplace and learning environment for students, educators, and administrators as paramount to upholding Ontarians’ human rights. So, it encourages parents, community organizations, and members of the public to support work aimed at recognizing everyone’s right to be free from hate, discrimination, and harassment in schools.
The OHRC remains committed to building awareness about the consequences of hate on people’s right to be free from discrimination and harassment and will continue to hold duty-holders accountable to protect those rights and create this environment.
The OHRC reminds every Ontarian of their responsibility to treat one another the way they wish to be treated. That means every Ontarian is accountable for conducting themselves responsibly in everything they do. That is the core of human rights values.
Let us use the summer as a time for reflection on how we can take action to ensure our children can attend schools free from hate, our educators are safe to teach acceptance and inclusion, and everyone, including the administrators is safe to uphold the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Have a safe and happy summer."
| |
York Memorial CI Rebuild Project Overview
The York Memorial CI Rebuild project update was presented at FBEC on June 1st, 2023 by Capital Services. The following link can be used to download the presentation material of the YMCI project, which provides a brief project history, status update and design overview: York Memorial CI Presentation.
| |
Tutoring Update
With the end of June approaching, the Ministry funding for Tutoring programs is also coming to an end. Community organizations are in the process of wrapping up their programs in neighbourhoods and the Continuing Education programs in schools are also winding down. We have been busy visiting programs across the city and have been so impressed with the great work that is happening. We have not been informed of any extension of the Ministry funding into the summer
We are supporting parents/guardians/caregivers wanting to engage their children in academics through the summer months. To assist, we are hosting the last webinar of the school year, on the topic of online tutoring resources available in the summer. The webinar will be held on Wednesday, June 21 at 4:00 p.m. An email will go out on Monday, June 19 with the link to join.
| |
Summer Programs
At the TDSB we provide a wide range of enriching summer programs for children, youth and adults. There is still space in many programs. Click to find out more.
Elementary
Secondary
Special Education and Inclusion
Adult
| |
For Our Kids, and special guest, Raffi!
Tuesday, June 20
4:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm MT / 6:00 pm CT / 7:00 pm ET / 8:00 pm AT
Register for the Zoom meeting here!
Join us on June 20 for an inspirational online webinar with the legendary international musician and passionate children's advocate, Raffi! This webinar is co-hosted by Climate Emergency Unit and For Our Kids.
Are you a parent who lies awake at night, worrying about the world your children will inherit? Would you like to know more about a transformative new public program focused on access to good, green jobs for youth? Join us for an uplifting and ambitious session about our vision for a national Youth Climate Corps. This session is your chance to hear and learn more about young peoples’ call for a Youth Climate Corps - and how parents can support this powerful movement.
| |
National Indigenous Peoples Day Event!
Presented by the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, hosted by HarbourfrontTO
June 21st, 2023 11 AM - 9 PM
235 Queens Quay W. Toronto
See live performances, and enjoy the marketplace and food vendors!
| |
Summer 2023 Well-Being Guide
The Summer Well-Being Guide is created by TDSB-Mental Health and Well-Being-Professional Support Services Committee & Systems leadership team.
As we look toward the end of the school year, there may be excitement as well as thoughts and feelings that bring forward a need for support. Our Summer 2023 Well-Being Guide is a place to learn about Culturally Responsive and Identity Affirming resources and activities to make the most of this time of year, while supporting and improving our mental well-being. Please click here for the complete Guide available in multiple languages.
| |
Working at the TDSB
Our staff members are the backbone of our system. Becoming a part of the TDSB team means joining a talented community of educators and support staff dedicated to enriching the lives of all students and helping them to achieve success. Check here.
| |
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.
| |
School Year Calendar 2022-23- Last Day of School - June 30 - Elementary
- Last Day of School - June 28 - Secondary
| |
Approved 2023-2024 Calendar
Secondary School Year Calendar for 2023-2024
The updated Secondary School Year Calendar for 2023-2024 is available online. This calendar includes PA days, exam days for final evaluations, Board and Statutory holidays, and other notable school year details.
For the 2023-2024 school year, no PA days are scheduled before the first day of classes. The first day of school is Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
| |
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.
| |
|
|
|
|
