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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 -- A Long Weekend for All...
- Budget 2023-24 - Pandemic Recovery Is Not Over
- Please Help Us
- International Day of Pink - April 12
- Committee Meeting This Week
- Vax and Spring
- New Invitations - Virtual Youth Climate Conference: Make Change Happen; Student Equity Collective; Elementary Summer School at Deer Park; HOLD THE DATE - May 16, 2023 - 7-8:30pm - School Building in Toronto: Where are we now?
- Worth Repeating - Sikh Heritage Month; Latin America History Month; Upcoming Webinars; Clean Toronto Together; Outdoor Education Summer Camps; Credit Summer Programs; TDSB Ukrainian Fair; Holocaust Remembrance Day Student Event; Focus on Youth Summer Community Request Applications; PIAC Conference: Save May 6! Summer School 2023; Continuing Education; Useful Links; PSS Virtual Drop-In Hours; We have a Poop Problem! School Year Calendar 2022-23; Approved 2023-2024 Calendar; Community Safety & Support
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A Long Weekend for All...
Today Christians celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Jesus three days after his death by crucifixion. Orthodox Easter is next week.
Ramadan continues until Eid al-Fitr or the Festival of Sweets celebrated by Muslims worldwide on April 20-April 21. Eid marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. Passover, marking the Israelites' freedom from slavery in Egypt, is celebrated by Jews world-wide and concludes the evening of April 13.
Ramadan, Passover and Easter overlap only three times a century, and it’s happening now. It’s an important reminder that the similarities that bond us are far greater than our differences. @TDSB_MHWB
Sending joy to Christian friends celebrating Easter! Hag samei'ah v'kasher חג שמח וכשר to all who join for Pesah. Ramadan Mubarak رمضان مبارك to Muslim friends. Happy Spring to all!
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Budget 2023-24 - Pandemic Recovery Is Not Over
As we still wait for the Ministry of Education Grants for Student Needs that fund education, we did provide school-based staffing positions based on projected enrolment only to meet collective agreement provisions and to ensure schools could begin their staffing models. The Ministry funding provided for the past two years to support students with extra staff in schools was not factored in as the government told us it would be discontinued - but there is no question that students' needs continue. The Pandemic Recovery Is Not Over! Students need our support now more than ever. The Ministry must continue funding these important positions in our schools. Now is not the time for reductions.
Not only should the staffing continue, the TDSB spent more than $70M to keep students and staff safe during the pandemic on measures like smaller class sizes, extra PPE and technology. This was not funded by the Ministry and in all fairness must be reimbursed. Without reimbursement we begin the 2023-24 Operating Budget with a $63.2M deficit.
Please join us in our advocacy by emailing the Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce at Stephen.Lecceco@pc.ola.org. Resources continue to be needed. The pandemic recovery is not over!
And please remember once we know the GSNs, we will clearly understand our financial position. When we know, you will know too.
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International Day of Pink - April 12
The TDSB's event celebrating the International Day of Pink will be hosted by York Mills Collegiate Institute this year on Wednesday, April 12 from 11 am -12 pm. All Grade 7-12 schools are strongly encouraged to mark this significant day of anti-bullying and 2SLGBTQIA+ awareness by offering this program (via webcast – virtual field trip) to their students.
Keynote Speaker: Gay rights activist Martin Boyce from New York City. Martin is one of the last known survivors of the Stonewall Riots. The riots are widely considered a watershed event that transformed the gay liberation movement and the twentieth century fight for gay rights in Canada and the United States. Special Performances By: The York Mills CI Music Department: Hymn to Freedom - by Canadian Jazz Musician Oscar Peterson, The York Mills Dance Team and a special performance by Icesis Couture (winner of “Canada’s Drag Race” 2021).
The International Day of Pink began in 2007 in Nova Scotia following an act of homophobic bullying. In response students wanted to raise awareness and decided to support their schoolmate by wearing pink shirts and standing in solidarity with the victim. We encourage everyone to wear pink on April 12.
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Committee Meeting This Week
The TDSB is committed to advocacy for students, parents and communities. 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
TDSB will strive to meet the accommodation needs of persons with disabilities; the 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.
Wednesday, March 29, 2023 - Program & School Services Committee - 4:30 p.m. Boardroom - Agenda
- 5.1 Guest Artists in Schools: Update
- 5.2 Indigenous Education Annual Report, 2022
- 5.3 Special Education and Inclusion Annual Report 2022-23
- 5.4 Science/STEM and Robotics Update
Written Notices of Motion - 6.1 Incorporating Deconstructing Anti-Black Racism, a Grade 12U Interdisciplinary Course in the TDSB, as Provincially Accredited Coursework (Trustees Dawson and King, on behalf of Student Trustees Musa, Osaro and Indigenous Student Trustee Shafqat)
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Vax and Spring
Eligible high-risk residents are recommended to get their Spring COVID-19 booster for added protection if it’s been 6 months since your last COVID-19 dose or infection. Learn more at Toronto Public Health.
Read the full ministry guidance here.
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Virtual Youth Climate Conference: Make Change Happen - Grades 7-12, Wed, April 26, 9-11:30am
We are excited to invite you to the upcoming youth conference, "Make Change Happen," focused on climate action. This event will provide a platform for students to come together, discuss, and learn about climate change and the actions we can take to mitigate its effects. We will have guest speakers and interactive workshops that will inspire and equip you to take action in your communities. We encourage you to join us in this critical discussion on climate change. Teacher release provided, we will provide the code upon registration.
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Student Equity Collective
Calling all students! The TDSB’s Student Equity Collective— a student-led group, created by the Director of Education, which addresses injustices, racism and hate in our school communities — is inviting you to participate in our first board-wide initiative: Speak Up: Show Us How You Combat Hate and Racism!
Gather your classmates and record a video that’s a maximum of two minutes to share all the amazing things you’ve accomplished together to make your schools more inclusive for everyone! Here’s what you need to do. In your video, answer the question: What are you doing to combat hate and racism in your school? Submit a 2-minute video by April 21 and share your ideas with the world. More details here.
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Elementary Summer School at Deer Park
Elementary Summer School will return once again, IN-PERSON, to Deer Park School this summer and we are now accepting registrations!
- The program includes Kindergarten to Grade 8. Any student registered in an Ontario school can apply. (TDSB and Non-TDSB).
- Program dates: July 4 – July 28 Program time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
- Families should feel free to complete and send the registration by email or bring it in person to the school office.
- Space is limited and registrations will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.
- Our Summer School Program is dynamic, inclusive, interactive, fun and driven by passionate and inspired teachers from across the TDSB.
- The over-all focus of the 2023 Elementary Summer Schools is Literacy and Numeracy and closing the achievement and well-being gap. Our more specific focus will be on STEAM subjects, Well-Being, Indigenous studies, and
- Environmental Awareness. Our program will build on students’ core understanding of academic concepts and further develop their social and learning skills. Our grade 6,7 & 8 program will also focus on transitioning to higher grades and learning environments.
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HOLD THE DATE - May 16, 2023 - 7-8:30pm - School Building in Toronto: Where are we now?
The TDSB's Long-Term Program and Accommodation Strategy is refreshed every year - please join Trustee Alexis Dawson and me to discuss the plans for our Wards. If you are interested in participating, please Register online here - https://forms.gle/aEoGS5BcgmJXDdYo7.
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Sikh Heritage Month at the Toronto District School Board – April 2023
Sikh Heritage Month has proudly been recognized at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) during the month of April since 2016.
This year our theme is Kes. Kes is one of the five Kahaars, indicators that Sikh individuals must acknowledge as part of their faith. The five Kakaars are five sacred articles of faith prescribed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. They are also known as the ‘Five Ks’ because each one starts with letter K representing Kakka in the Punjabi language. The five K’s are: Kes; Kirpan; Karra; Kangha; Kacchera. We are inviting all TDSB community, students, and staff to join our virtual Sikh Heritage Month launch to recognize the contributions of Sikh Canadians.
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Latin America History Month at Toronto District School Board – April 2023
Latin America History Month is proudly recognized at the TDSB during the month of April because of a motion passed through our Board of Trustees in 2016. This year the theme to mark Latin America History Month is (Decolonizing) Latin America History Month & Beyond: Honouring & Uplifting the Real Hxstories and Multiplicities of Our Identities. Please follow us on twitter: @TDSBLAHM
TDSB Latin America Month Virtual Launch Celebration
- Thursday, April 13th, 2023
- 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Virtual link to follow
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Upcoming Webinars
TDSB Community Support Workers invite you to hold the date for these upcoming webinars.
Building Mathematical Minds (part 2)
Tuesday, April 25th from 6:30 to 8:00pm Click here to register
Councils Connecting for Change - Fundraising Do's and Don'ts
Saturday, April 29th from 10:00am to 11:00am Click here to register
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Clean Toronto Together
Toronto’s annual spring cleanup April 21 to 23 – register your cleanup now! This April, gather your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues and help cleanup litter in Toronto’s parks, beaches, or other public spaces.
Organize a 20-Minute Makeover on Friday, April 21 or schedule a community cleanup on Saturday, April 22 (Earth Day) or Sunday, April 23. Twenty minutes is all it takes to help put litter in its proper place!
The City welcomes the support of students, schools, colleges and universities to help keep Toronto clean. Gather students and staff and spend 20-minutes cleaning up your schoolyard or a neighbourhood park. We encourage school cleanups on Friday, April 21 to celebrate Earth Day. TDSB and TCDSB participants will be provided additional information where to get bags and gloves. The City no longer provides free cleanup supply kits to schools. Register your school here.
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Outdoor Education Summer Camps
The Toronto District School Board's Outdoor Education Centres are once again excited to offer overnight camps at the Scarborough Outdoor Education School (SOES), in Kearney, and at the Island Natural Science School this summer.
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Credit Summer Programs
If you have questions, please contact Katie Ferguson, Centrally Assigned Vice Principal, Continuing Education: Secondary Credit & Literacy-Numeracy Programs, at Katie.Ferguson@tdsb.on.ca or Peggy Aitchison, Centrally Assigned Principal, E-Learning at Peggy.Aitchison@tdsb.on.ca.
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TDSB Ukrainian Fair
TDSB Ukrainian "Laskavo Prosymo" Welcome Fair is taking place 11:00AM-2:00PM, Saturday, April 15, at Western Technical-Commercial School and Ursula Franklin Academy, 125 Evelyn Crescent. All TDSB Ukrainian secondary students and families are welcome. Please complete the registration form below by April 1, 2023.
Дорогі учні з України, TDSB запрошує вас на вітальний ярмарок, який відбудеться в суботу 15 квітня з 11:00 до 14:00, у Western Technical-Commercial School and Ursula Franklin Academy, за адресою: 125 Evelyn Crescent. Запрошуються всі українські учні старших класів шкіл TDSB та їхні родини. Будь ласка, заповніть реєстраційну форму до 1 квітня 2023 року, якщо ви зацікавлені.
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Holocaust Remembrance Day Student Event - The Holocaust & Antisemitism Through The Eyes of a Child
REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Join us April 18, 9am-3pm, for the Holocaust Remembrance Day Student Event. Concurrent sessions for grades 4-6, 7-9 & 10-12. Virtual and Free -Bring your class to one or more of our grade-specific educational programs on Holocaust Remembrance Day. Leading Holocaust organizations, speakers, authors and survivors will help students:
- Develop an understanding of the events of the Holocaust through a child’s perspective
- Build connections between the past and the present
- Apply the lessons of empathy, moral courage, inclusion, and acceptance to their own lives
- Explore the impact of antisemitism on the most vulnerable in society
and much more!
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Focus on Youth Summer Community Request Applications - Now Open
Community agency applications are now open to participate in the TDSB’s Focus on Youth Summer program. The purpose of the Focus on Youth program is to hire, serve and support students who experience challenges such as socio-economic disadvantages, systemic racism and, since 2020, have been significantly impacted due to the repercussions of the pandemic. For the summer of 2023, the TDSB is focusing on providing meaningful employment and training opportunities to students. The program will run from July 4 to August 18, 2023. For a complete list of agency criteria and to fill out an online application form, visit the Focus on Youth Summer Community Request page.
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PIAC Conference: Save May 6!
Join the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) as it returns to the first post-pandemic, in-person conference, with speakers and workshops focused on bridging gaps in Parent Engagement and School Councils. Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Earl Haig SS. Learn more.
Parents and Caregivers as Partners: Call for Workshop Proposal
The Parents and Caregivers as Partners Conference (PCasP), happening on October 21 and 22, 2023 is seeking proposals for virtual and hybrid (in-person or streaming) workshops, micro-sessions, and panel presentations. PCasP provides an opportunity to highlight innovation and high-impact strategies for partnering, collaborating, and nurturing parent/caregiver partnerships and alliances. Submit your proposal now! Due by April 11, 2023. Visit www.parentsaspartners.ca for further information.
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Summer School 2023
Looking to build your child’s literacy and numeracy skills? Elementary Summer School registration is now open! The focus of the 2023 Elementary Literacy and Numeracy Summer School Program is to continue student engagement through the month of July. Programs, which are developed by the local summer school principal to reflect the local school focus, are offered in-person to students in Kindergarten to Grade 8, from July 4 to July 28, 2023, in various locations around the city. This year, one remote program will also be available. For more information, including a list of schools and online registration forms, visit our summer school program page.
As noted above, registration for Secondary Summer School Credit Programs begin April 4.
Continuing Education Programming at the TDSB
Did you know we offer a wide variety of Continuing Education at the TDSB? I encourage you to explore learning opportunities available for children, families, adults, and visitors - click here for more information on continuing education programs and click here for more information on summer programs.
- African Heritage Elementary Program
- International Languages Elementary Program
- Learn4Life General Interest Spring Program - Adults 18+ and Senior
- Adult ESL Program
- Summer Music & Art Camps
- International Youth Summer Program
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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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Approved 2023-2024 Calendar
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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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