|  | Trustee Rachel Chernos Lin Chair •Trustee, Ward 11 • Don Valley West
Toronto District School Board
416-395-8787 • Rachel.ChernosLin@tdsb.on.ca |
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Dear friends,
I hope everyone had a chance to rest and enjoy time with family and friends over the winter break.
It's been a great start to 2024 in our schools. This week I had the pleasure of visiting Dunlace Public School, the northernmost school in Ward 11. It was a bit of a snowy day, and as I arrived kids had just come in from lunch recess, and were just settling into afternoon routines. As I visited classrooms with Acting Principal Ken Samuels and Superintendent Roni Felsen, one thing was abundantly clear: the children were thrilled to be back in class with their friends and teachers! They were all smiles, full of enthusiasm, and were eager to share their learning and show off their work to us.
Looking to ward and board-wide events, January and early 2024 are busy months, with many events and deadlines to add into your calendars. Below you will find important notices and updates, including information about my upcoming coffee morning (Wednesday, Jan 17), important consultations on proposed changes to commecial and technical program boundaries (potentially affecting Northern Secondary School), a Ward Forum on Mathematics and Literacy "Save the Date" (February 8), and information on a motion I am bringing forward next week calling for a new policy on cell phone use in schools. So, grab a beverage of choice, find a cozy nook and read on!
Coffee Morning (Virtual) on January 17!
Our Ward 11 Coffee Mornings are a great way to reconnect (or connect for the first time). These events alternate between in person and virtual, and the first Coffee Morning for 2024, scheduled for Wednesday, January 17 (9:30 - 11:00 a.m.), will be virtual. As usual, we will be joined by our terrific Ward 11 Superintendents, Roni Felsen and Andrew Howard. This promises to be a wonderful morning of information sharing and discussion with all of those in attendance! Please register here to join us!
The coffee mornings for the remainder of the school year are as follows:
- February 28 (in person);
- April 17 (virtual);
- May 29 (in person).
Ward 11 Virtual Ward Forum: Mathematics & Numeracy, Feb. 8, 7-9pm
Ward Forums are evening events, and in order to make it as easy as possible for all to attend, these will be virtual for the remainder of the year. Unlike my coffee mornings, which can be wide-ranging in topic, ward forums tend to be structured around a specific topic. Below is the line up for the rest of the 2023/2024 school year:
- February 8 (Mathematics and Numeracy);
- March 28 (date tentative, focus: The Right to Read and Literacy);
- May 2 (date tentative, focus: Kindness Matters! How Ward 11 Schools are Building Kindness and Empathy).
Information and registration for these events will be available in future newsletters closer to event dates and will also be posted in similar timelines on my Ward 11 web page at www.tdsb.on.ca/ward11.
Warm regards,
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Review of Legacy Technical and Commercial Boundaries
Emerging from the Secondary Program Review is a study included within the Board’s Long-Term Program and Accommodation Strategy, to explore options for addressing the legacy (refers to the previous Boards of Education that were amalgamated into the TDSB) technical and commercial (business courses) boundaries that still exist in some parts of the city.
The schools with large legacy boundaries include Central Technical School, Central Toronto Academy, Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute, Northern Secondary School, Western Technical-Commercial School and to a lesser extent, Victoria Park Collegiate Institute. What this means is that, depending on your home address, you may be able to attend one school for the regular secondary program, and also be considered in district for another school if you commit to taking commercial (business) or technical programs.
For example, if you live at 1-157 Wychwood Ave (Odd numbers) your secondary school is Oakwood CI, but if you take business courses you can attend Central Technical School and if you take technical courses you can attend Central Toronto Academy or Northern SS, even though Northern is closed to out-of-area attendance. This address was in the former Board of Toronto Education that had these legacy boundaries. But if you live in Leaside (anywhere in Leaside), you only have access to Leaside High School as Leaside was never zoned pre-amalgamation for commercial or technical programming.
These large regional boundaries were for commercial and technical programs were created at a time when students were streamed into academic or vocational programming and these designations have outlived their intended purpose. As noted, the legacy boundaries provide an additional layer of choice for some communities while excluding others, which is counter to the Board’s guiding principle of improving equity of access for all students.
The Board is proposing that these legacy boundaries be dissolved to eliminate the automatic access to these schools depending on programming choices for some parts of the city, while expanding access to all students in Toronto. Admission to these schools will be facilitated through an online application process managed centrally, and subject to space availability. Staff is proposing that the legacy boundaries be dissolved for admission in September 2025.
There will be three virtual meetings held through Zoom Webinar to share information and receive feedback from the public on this proposal. The public consultation meetings will be held between 6:30pm and 8:00pm on the following dates. I encourage you to attend these:
Long-Term Accommodation Strategy
Speaking of the Long-Term Accommodation Strategy (LTPAS), On November 1, 2023, the Board of Trustees approved the updated version for 2023-2032. The LTPAS helps the TDSB plan in a city that is always changing. The LTPAS enables the Board to plan studies to balance school enrolments among overcrowded and under-used schools, as well as increase access to programs for all TDSB students. The LTPAS is updated and approved each year.
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Creating a Cell Phone/Personal Mobile Device Policy
Over my five years as a trustee, one of the repeated concerns I have heard from parents and staff is student attachment to smartphones and personal mobile devices. Data now shows significant negative effects on academic success and well-being for young people. For example, the 2023 UNESCO Report outlines serious concerns around cell phone use for students in class, citing distractions, along with negative impacts on mental health anf well being, along with a growing body of research suggests that it is time we all take a second sober look at the impact these devices are having in classrooms and on the educational and emotional well-being of our students. Technically, the TDSB only allows personal mobile use for educational purposes in schools, however, this is not enshrined in policy, only in operational procedure, and as a result, has been challenging to enforce.
The motion asks the board to begin working on a cell phone policy this school year. As part of the creation of all new policies, we follow a policy development protocol, which includes consultation. Assuming this motion passes at committee and board, work will begin on this new policy in the winter and spring of this year and you can expect to hear more about this process and consultation with students, parents, caregivers and staff in the months to come.
If you want to speak in support of this motion, delegations are welcome at the Governance and Policy Committee Meeting. To submit a delegation request (written or oral) for a Board Committee, please see the delegation web page on the Board's website and/or e-mail delegates@tdsb.on.ca. If your request is approved, further details will be provided to you via email.
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Middle French Immersion (Grade 4 Entry) Application (open until February 2)
For families interested in the Toronto District School Board's system-wide French Immersion Program, we offer an online process to apply for Middle French Immersion (begins in Grade 4).
To apply to the Middle French Immersion Program for September 2024, applications must be completed online between January 8 and February 2, 2024. Families with an older sibling currently in a Middle French Immersion program are still required to complete an online application for the new student.
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Act fast: the Elementary application window is from January 8 to 31, 2024, and the Secondary application window is from January 8 to 26, 2024.
Note: Current in-person students must apply through Out-of-Area Admissions to switch to Virtual Learning for September 2024.
Click for more information
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Elementary Alternative Schools Online Application
Did you know the TDSB offers a wide range of elementary alternative schools available to students? The application process is managed centrally and includes an online application form. For more information about the online application process, please visit the Alternative Schools web page from December 11, 2023.
The online application for admission for September 2024 will be open until Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. I encourage you to take part in information sessions and/or open houses for students and parents/guardians/caregivers in December 2023 and January 2024 at our Elementary alternative schools. More information is available on the Elementary School Open Houses and Information Nights web page.
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High Performing Athlete Program Application
At the TDSB, we're thrilled to support our High Performing Athletes through academic support and flexible scheduling. The online application for the program is now open for those seeking admission in February or September 2024. The application deadline is January 31, 2024.
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English Kindergarten Registration Begins in February
Starting on the school journey is an exciting milestone, and TDSB schools are proud to offer a vibrant learning space for every child's development – inside and outside the classroom. Registration for English Kindergarten programs starts in February. For Junior Kindergarten enrollment in September, children should be four years old by December 31. Senior Kindergarten registration requires children to be five years old by December 31.
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Preparing for Exams and Culminating Assignments
Exam time is just around the corner! January is the time of year when secondary students are working on course culminating assignments and preparing for Semester 1 exams. For some tips and resources to help, including access to free 24/7 online tutoring support, check out the Exam and Course Culminating Fact Sheet.
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Online Tutoring for TDSB Students
Did you know that online, on demand tutoring is available 24/7 for TDSB students?
Elementary students can access homework help and enrichment opportunities in all subject areas and grades through Brainfuse.
- For homework help in all subject areas and grades
- For enrichment activities
- 24/7, on demand
Secondary students can access tutoring for all courses and grades through Paper. View the Paper Poster for more information or contact Paper.
- For all courses and grades, including support with exam and/or culminating activity preparation
- For writing assignments, such as essays, resumes, cover letters
- For all math and science courses
- 24/7, on demand for ongoing help, or when they are stuck
View the Paper Poster for more information or contact Paper.
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Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement update
In addition, the Interac Experiential Learning Program is hosting a virtual information session on January 11. Successful applicants from both programs are paid for their participation.
Follow CEBSA on Twitter and Instagram @tdsb_cebsa.
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Community Screening of Periphery
The Equity, Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression Department is collaborating with Periphery, No Silence on Race and the Ontario Jewish Archives to provide TDSB students, staff and community with ongoing learning opportunities. This session focuses on the ethnic diversity within the Jewish community and explores concrete strategies within school communities and classrooms.
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Salat in Secret: Love and Belonging in Community Spaces
The Islamic Heritage Month Committee, in partnership with the Equity, Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Department, is offering students (Grades K-8), families, and staff the opportunity to attend the virtual session of Salat in Secret: Love and Belonging in Community Spaces on Monday, January 29, 2024 from 6 to 7 p.m. Sessions commemorate the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia.
Register now to attend
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Reducing the Spread of Respiratory Illness
We are now in the middle of cold and flu season. A reminder of the number of steps that can be taken to help keep children and others safe from an increase in respiratory viruses among children, including Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza and COVID-19. Please note that Toronto Public Health, together with Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, strongly recommends wearing a well-fitted mask in indoor public settings, including in schools and childcares.
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Winter Well-Being Guide
The Winter Well-Being Guide is filled with activities, games, wellness tips, resources and community agencies to support wellness for all students, parents/guardians/caregivers, and school communities. The Guide provides accessible resources and is available in the top 20 TDSB spoken languages.
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Winter Weather and Student Transportation
From time to time, it may be necessary to cancel student transportation, classes and/or programs because of severe weather. On rare occasions, severe weather makes it necessary to close schools, administrative offices, or sites.
With approximately 236,000 students in 583 schools, any decision to cancel buses, classes and/or programs or to close sites can have a significant impact on thousands of families across Toronto. This decision is not taken lightly. When schools remain open on days with inclement weather, parents/guardians/caregivers make the final decision on whether to send their children to school and they can keep children home from school if they so choose.
Should a cancellation or closure be necessary, information will be posted on the TDSB web site and TDSB social media at 6:00 a.m.
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17th Annual (PIAC) Conference: February 3
The 17th Annual PIAC Conference is on Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Earl Haig High School. The PIAC Conference is a unique opportunity to deepen understanding of the educational landscape, connect with fellow parents / guardians / caregivers and staff, and contribute to the continued success of our community.
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January is Tamil Heritage Month
Tamil Heritage Month is proudly recognized during January at the TDSB. This year, the theme is Our Memories, Our Truths, Our Paths Forward: A Mosaic of Tamil Identity. The theme is a reminder to pause and reflect on our memories and narratives, to consider how they shape us individually, and to look at ways that we can come together to honour and celebrate our individuality while moving forward with our collective humanity in mind.
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School Year Calendar 2023-2024
See below for all dates there is no in-school learning. Please note that the first next P.A. (Professional Activity) day is January 19 (elementary schools only).
Updated School Year Calendars for 2023-2024 are available online. These include PA days, exam days for final evaluations, Board and Statutory holidays, and other notable school year details.
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Steps to Address Your Questions and Concerns
Here at the TDSB, we are always open to hearing your questions and concerns and make every effort to address them as quickly as possible. Your child's classroom teacher is the first point of contact, followed by the school's principal, the school superintendent, and me, your Trustee!
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Stay Connected with your school and the boardTDSB Update
Sign-up for TDSB Update and stay informed about recent Board decisions and district-wide news.
Upcoming Meetings
The next Regular Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2023. For a list of upcoming meetings, including many about the Budget, please click on the meeting schedule and/or the calendar on the main webpage of www.tdsb.on.ca. Board and Committee Meetings can be watched online.
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 (@TDSB), Facebook (@toronto.dsb), Instagram (@Torontodsb), and Threads (@Torontodsb) accounts
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If you notice anything at a school that concerns you, please call the TDSB 24-hour Call Centre (416) 395-4620, Toronto Police Services Dispatch (non-emergencies via 416-808-2222), and/or Toronto 311.
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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