Ward 2 - March Newsletter
- Mandatory Indigenous Eucation - Implementation Gr. 11
- Upcoming Ward Form
- Excellence Awards 2023 to Celebrate Staff Dedication
- TDSB Student Census
- National School Nutrition Program
- Key Dates - School Year Calendar 2023-2024
- Pride T-Shirt Design Competition
- Summer Music & Art Campes 2023
- Parent Resources
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Mandatory Indigenous Education to be Implemented in Grade 11
A couple of weeks ago, trustees voted in favour of a motion to replace the regular Grade 11 English course with another Grade 11 English Course, entitled the Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis and Inuit Voices.
This is a MInistry of Education Grade 11 course that has been taught in the TDSB with great success for many years and is supported by the Elders’ Council, the Urban Indigenous Community Advisory Committee, the TDSB’s Urban Indigenous Education Centre, and Indigenous writers, poets, and artists. This change will occur gradually to ensure that the necessary professional development for educators will take place. It is important to understand that all the same learning objectives of the regular Grade 11 English course are taught in this version. The learning objectives are taught through the lens of Indigenous literature. Quick Facts - The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 to 12, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies(2019) stipulates: “The Grade 11 course ‘English: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices’ may be used to meet the Grade 11 English compulsory credit requirement.” This is an important step in fulfilling our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and will provide students with a more nuanced understanding of the history of our country and the Indigenous experience, all while developping critical thinking and communication skills. We know this has been a popular course in many of our schools and look forward to bringing it system-wide in the years to come. Retired Canadian Senator, Judge, Elder and Chairman of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission Murray Sinclair once shared; “Education is the key to reconciliation. Education got us into this mess, and education will get us out of it.”
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Upcoming Ward Form On Thursday April 20, 2023, TDSB Coordinator of Secondary Mathematics and Academic Pathways, Jason To will be leading a fun math activity which will highlight the changing approach to developing math skills. “Be ready to think hard and work with other members of our community.”
There will also be an opportunity to ask your questions to the Superintendent and Trustee. Details to follow.
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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.
Nominations can come from staff, students, parents/caregivers or community members. The deadline for nominations is Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 4 p.m
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TDSB Student Census
The TDSB Student Census was first administered in 2006 and this year will mark the fourth instalment. This work has been recognized by the Ministry of Education and other organizations for the comprehensive and evidence-informed approach to improvement. The TDSB Student Census has been designed to gather information about students’ perceptions and identities including participation in school activities, safety, well-being, mental health, outdoor learning, etc. When students share their experiences, staff are then able to better develop school and system programs to better support them and eliminate the barriers to learning and positive school experiences. Currently, the Student Census is tentatively planned to be launched at the end of March, with information shared with families immediately following March Break and students expected to complete the surveys throughout the month of April.
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National School Nutrition Program
As well, in early February, TDSB Chair Chernos-Lin delegated to the Provincial Minister of Finance so that our needs were recorded and made clear to those who shape the Provincial budget.
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Pride T-shirt Design Competition
Calling on all those with a flair or passion for creativity! 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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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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KEY DATES SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
2023-2024 The official school year calendar for the Toronto District School Board runs from September 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, inclusive.
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Mental Health and Well-Being
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. Communication to Parents/Guardians
To help you find recent communication from the TDSB to parents/guardians easier, you can now visit this webpage which includes past letters in one space.
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.
Respectfully,
Trustee MacLean
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