email : Webview : December Update from Trustee Sara

A handmade poster featuring the phrase we celebrate the light written in large letters accented with a star and a candle illustration surrounding it are smaller strips of paper with messages about how individuals share light in their own ways

Photo taken at Diefenbaker GLOWS

December Update – Trustee Sara

Friends this is a short message to wish everyone well for the holiday break.

Wishing you and yours a happy Winter Solstice, Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa, and all the best for the new year.

A few updates, resources, and action items are below.

Be well, and take care,
-- Sara Ehrhardt

TDSB Trustee Toronto Danforth

Education in the News

A Long-Brewing Crisis in Special Education, by Wency Leung: A Long-Brewing Crisis in Special Education | The Local - you can read the full education series from The Local here: Special Series | The Local

Take Action

Ontario Budget Consultation: I hope everyone will complete Ontario’s 2025 Budget Survey that recently opened and indicate that you wish for increased funding for education:

Provincial Education Updates

Ontario’s Auditor General recently released a report on the TDSB Office of the Auditor General of Ontario. Note: TDSB’s Audit Committee will be discussing this on Wednesday, December 18. I would be grateful for community views on this, and I expect to be continuing discussions on this into the new year.

Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office is expected to release a report on capital funding in schools. At the time I am writing this, it has not yet been published but I expect it will soon be found here: Financial Accountability Office of Ontario I will be reading this with interest.

Board News

You can see agendas and minutes for all committee meetings once they are posted on the TDSB Boardroom Agendas and Minutes webpage and information on delegating during committee meetings is available on the Boardroom Delegations webpage.

Deadline Extended to December 20 – Mobile device policy consultation. You can read more and submit feedback until December 20 on the Policy Consultations webpage.

Annual Reporting: At the December 11 meeting, the board approved a proposal to realign annual reports to board. This reporting is all very important for public transparency about what is happening at our schools. As part of this process, I specifically asked that reporting on staffing (including recruitment and retention) and student attendance be included as part of this public reporting – these are areas where I am hearing calls for more public and transparent information from our community. I also worked to ensure that reporting on childcare and French language programming at the TDSB forms part of this reporting moving forward.

Metrolinx Ontario Line and School Safety

Earlier this fall, after hearing that Metrolinx would be expropriating homes across the street from Pape school, I wrote to Metrolinx requesting that updated information be provided to TDSB and the broader community on anticipated Ontario Line construction impacts on and near Pape school. Since receiving updated information on the anticipated work, TDSB staff are recommending that Pape school be temporarily relocated to Jones Ave School while Ontario Line construction takes place. I understand this is out of an abundance of caution to support school safety and well-being, and to preserve an effective learning environment. TDSB held a meeting on November 28 with the Pape school community on this which you can access on the Strategy and Planning webpage.

I am committed to continuing to listen and work with the school community as we navigate this news.

In Our Schools and Community

I have been happy to represent our community at several school and community events this month- including more than a few Santa sightings. A big thank you to our school communities and parent volunteers who have created so many beautiful winter events at our schools. I am also heartened to see so many acts of kindness and generosity including community giving – it is needed more than ever.

A diverse group of people standing together in a park setting dressed for cool weather some colorful balloons are visible in the background suggesting a celebratory or community event

RH McGregor Playground Opening

Five people pose with Santa Claus in front of a holiday themed backdrop featuring red gift boxes arranged in a tree shape. 2 individuals wear holiday accessories suggesting a cheerful seasonal event.

Riverside Antler Breakfast

A festive group including Santa Claus pose in front of a red bus with a stuff the bus sign. The group is dressed in warm cheerful clothing suggesting a holiday charity or community event.

Stuff the Bus at The Duke

2025 Agnes Macphail Award: Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Agnes Macphail Award! Background on the Agnes Macphail Award and the nomination form are available on the Agnes Macphail section of the City of Toronto’s website. The deadline for receipt of nominations is Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

Reduce the Spread of Respiratory Infections

During this respiratory virus season, I encourage you to review tips from Toronto Public Health

Stay up to date with vaccinations: Ensure you and your family are protected against influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory infections by getting vaccinated.
Stay home if you are sick: If you have symptoms of illness, even if they are mild, stay home and wear a mask for 10 days after symptoms start.
Practice good hygiene: Wash or sanitize your hands often, cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue, and clean frequently touched surfaces.

More information is available on the City of Toronto Respiratory Viruses webpage.

Winter Well-Being

The Winter Well-Being Guide for 2024 was created by TDSB’s Mental Health and Well-Being Committee and is full of resources and ideas to promote mental and physical wellness during the winter months. Resources are culturally relevant and responsive, with resources for students with complex needs. The English version of the guide is here: English Version, note it has also been translated into the top 21 TDSB languages spoken which is accessible here: Well-Being Guide.

A cheerful snowman wearing a blue hat and scarf stands in a snowy scene holding a branch the text wishes a joyful holiday season filled with peace love and happiness signed by Sara Ehrhardt TDSB Ward 15 Trustee Toronto Danforth

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