TDSB Partners with City of Toronto for Filming Pilot

The City of Toronto, in collaboration with the Toronto District School Board and the local screen industry, is launching a new pilot program called xoTO Schools. It will enable enhanced access for location filming at 11 pre-approved TDSB properties and provide opportunities for students to work alongside film and television professionals. 

TDSB Graduation Rate Increases to All-Time High

The Toronto District School Board’s most recent graduation rate has increased to an all-time high of 86%, representing an overall increase of 17% since 2000 when the TDSB began tracking rates.

The Board is committed to providing all students with the supports, programs and conditions required to succeed. The graduation rate for the 2012-2017 cohort of students indicates that students are graduating at a rate higher than ever before.

TDSB Celebrates Staff Excellence

The Excellence Awards recognize outstanding staff achievement. Each year, staff, students, parents and community members are invited to nominate a TDSB staff member or team whose efforts – guided by the Vision for Learning, Integrated Equity Framework and Service Excellence – have made a difference in their lives. 

This year, we recognized 14 extraordinary individuals who truly go above and beyond to allow our school communities to thrive.

Innovation in Teaching and Learning Receives National Recognition

The Ken Spencer Award recognizes and promotes innovative work that is sustainable and has the potential of being taken up by others and encourages transformative change in schools.  

Recently, three TDSB schools were recognized nationally as the 2018 winner of the Ken Spencer Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. They are:

• Wexford DHH Co-enrollment Program
• Georges Vanier Secondary School
• Tredway Woodsworth Public School

Click here for more information. 

Two TDSB Teachers Win Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence

John Polanyi CI teacher Nicole Anthony and Central Toronto Academy teacher Rebecca (Beckie) DiLeo are two of twelve teachers across Canada, and two of just six Ontarians, to be recognized with the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence this year.

Click here to read more about Nicole and Rebecca. 

Recent Heritage Months and Celebrations at the TDSB

Asian Heritage Month, Jewish Heritage Month, Education Week and Children’s Mental Health Week .

Multi-Year Strategic Plan Consultation Results and Final Documents 

The Board approved (16.3) the Multi-Year Strategic Plan’s Mission, Values and Goals. This plan will identify the broad direction and system goals for at least the next three to five school years.

Special Education Advisory Committee: Representatives for the Association for Bright Children

The Board appointed (16.1) Melissa Rosen and Gail Agensky to the Special Education Advisory Committee as representatives for the Association for Bright Children. Both terms end on Nov. 30, 2018. 

Active, Safe and Sustainable Transportation and Vision Zero Update: School Travel Planning

The Board passed a motion (16.1) to expand the role and responsibilities of school travel planning facilitators to include student and parental voice involvement in the safe routes to school and traffic management planning process. 

Receipt of Funds for Site Improvements at Cliffside PS, Kensington CS, Niagara Street JPS and Oriole Park PS

The Board decided (16.2, Items 6 - 9) that: 

• $100,000 received from the City of Toronto under Section 37 of the Planning Act be used to fund costs related to playground improvements to a portion of the site at Cliffside Public School;
• $80,000 received from the City of Toronto under Section 37 of the Planning Act be used to fund costs related to playground improvements to a portion of the site at Kensington Community School;
• $25,630.85 received from the City of Toronto under Section 45 (9) of the Planning Act be used to fund costs related to playground improvements to a portion of the site at Niagara Street Junior Public School; and
• $350,000 received from the City of Toronto under Section 37 of the Planning Act to be used to fund costs related to the playground improvements to a portion of the site at Oriole Park Public School.

Boundary Review for Eglinton Junior Public School and Maurice Cody Junior Public School

The Board decided (16.3) that: 

• The junior attendance area for Maurice Cody Junior Public School be expanded to include the portion of the Eglinton Junior Public School junior attendance area, effective Sept. 1, 2019;
• All students who reside in the portion of Eglinton Junior Public School’s junior attendance area and attend Eglinton Junior Public School as of the end of the 2018-19 school year be allowed to remain at Eglinton Junior Public School until they graduate; and
• All students who reside in the portion of Eglinton Junior Public School’s junior attendance area and who will be entering junior kindergarten in the 2018-19 school year be allowed to register at Maurice Cody Junior Public School for the 2018-19 school year.

Kipling Collegiate Institute Name Change: Update

The Board decided (16.3) that the policy P047, Naming Schools and Special Purpose Areas and procedure PR592, Naming Schools and Special Purpose Areas, be suspended to allow the process to rename Kipling Collegiate Institute to be resumed and completed with a student-centred approach in the 2018 school year.

Day of Remembrance, April 23, 2018

Trustees decided (17.1) that on April 23 or the nearest school day, of each year, the Toronto District School Board will honour the victims and families of the tragic incident that happened on Yonge Street with a Day of Remembrance. This would include flags at half-staff and a moment of silence at all schools and administrative buildings.