Keeping you engaged and informed
Keeping you engaged and informed
Ward 11 Weekly Update header
Week of June 17, 2019

Congratulations! 

Graduation ceremonies in Ward 8 began this past week and continue through to the last day of the year...
Congratulations to all TDSB students on the completion of another school year... and to all the parents and caregivers and school staff who supported them... 
To those transitioning from Grades 5, 6, 8 wishing you well in your new school...
To those graduating from Grade 12 and to those adult students graduating, all the very best as you continue your studies, take a break or join the work force -
We are all very proud of you!

National Indigenous Peoples Day - June 21

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Canadian Constitution recognizes these three groups as Aboriginal peoples, also known as Indigenous peoples.  
For generations, many Indigenous peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year, June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. It is held around the time of the summer solstice - the longest day of the year - and is of spiritual significance for many Indigenous peoples. In schools across the Toronto District School Board, we honour this day through building knowledge about the histories and current contexts of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

A growing number of Indigenous students and families are joining us at the TDSB. Through the Urban Indigenous Education Centre, we are dedicated to developing programs that meet the needs of Indigenous students and families and that enable all students and staff to learn from Indigenous perspectives.

2019-20 TDSB Operating Budget

School boards across Ontario are facing unique challenges this year with balancing their operating budgets because of millions of dollars in funding reductions by the Ontario Ministry of Education. At the TDSB, trustees face a $67.8 million budget shortfall that includes a $42.1 million cut in provincial government funding.
This is separate and apart from the concerns all boards are facing with the increase in the average class-size ratio in secondary schools which even in its first year of implementation is causing course cancellations and fewer opportunities for students. 
It is not possible to reduce the TDSB operating budget by $67.8 million without affecting staff or programs. In proposing the reductions, staff was careful not to target one area of the budget. There will be some reductions and some programs and services will need to be delivered differently, but care has been taken to be sure are sufficient staff and/or budget dollars to continue to support student achievement and well-being. After hearing from the community and trustees, staff were able to modify the reductions to Saturday International Language Programs, Outdoor Education and Bussing for French Programs and Gifted Education.
Among the various reductions being recommended are significant cuts to central administration with savings over $13 million and a reduction of 7 Superintendents. The TDSB will continue to invest more money in Special Education than what is provided by the Ministry. We are also investing additional funds in the area of school and student safety and protected the early years and model schools.

Details can be viewed at these links:
The Board will vote to approve the budget reductions recommended by the Committee of the Whole at its meeting on June 19 starting at 7:00 p.m. To watch the live webcast of that meeting, visit https://www.tdsb.on.ca and follow the live broadcast link. If you miss a webcast, it will be posted below under Board meeting webcast archives.
We have received many questions and concerns about the $42.1 million in Ministry of Education funding reductions to the TDSB`s budget. Please remember our budget is funded through the  provincial government and the decisions approved by the Minister of Education who directs the Ministry of Education to implement the funding reductions. School boards are required by law to balance their budgets. To achieve that balance, the Board must decide where in their budget they will reduce programs, services and staff totaling the shortfall of $67.8 million.
If you have concerns or questions about the Ministry of Education budget reductions, you can also contact the Minister of Education: Hon. Lisa M. Thompson | Minister | 416-325-2600 | minister.edu@ontario.ca or contact your local Member of Provincial Parliament. Please note there is speculation that there will be a Cabinet shuffle this week and the Ministers may change.
For more understanding of the Budget issues, please visit the budget webpage   https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Business-Services/Budgets-and-Financial-Statements/2019-20-Budget.
And as always, you can e-mail me at shelley.laskin@tdsb.on.ca. 

TDSB Meetings This Week

Board Meeting, Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Public Session 7:00 p.m. Boardroom, Main Floor, 5050 Yonge Street
15.1 Integrity Commissioner's Annual Report (To follow)
16. Committee Reports
16.1 Audit Committee, Report No. 49, May 28, 2019
1. Public Sector Accounting Standards Update
2. Whistleblower Program Overview
3. Educational Programming Partnerships Presentation:Overview
4. Internal Audit Department Status and Engagement Update:May 2019
5. Regional Internal Audit Team Engagement and Status Update
6. Audit Committee O. Reg 361/10 Requirements: Work Tracker
7. Accountant’s Report: Education Finance Information System Schedules for the Period of 1 September 2018 - 31 March 2019
16.2 Governance and Policy Committee, Report No. 19, May 29, 2019
1. P060, Home Instruction Policy, Phase 5
2. P033, Excursions Policy, Phase 5
3. P051, Caring and Safe Schools Policy, Phase 5
4. P013, Optional Attendance Policy Review, Phase 1
5. P029, Employment Equity Policy Review, Phase 1
6. P034, Workplace Harassment Prevention:  Annual Review
7. P023, Parent and Community Involvement Policy Review: Phase 1
16.3 Program and School Services Committee, Report No. 76, June 4, 2019
1. Inner City Community Advisory Committee:  Model Schools and Learning Opportunities Index Funding Allocations for 2017-18 and 2018-19
2. Parent Involvement Advisory Committee:  Strengthening School Council Awareness
3. Toronto Public Health:  Student Consent for Immunization
4. Annual Enrolment in Immersion/Extended French Programs 2019-20 and Core French Program 2018-19
5. Global Competencies 2018-19: Annual Update
6. International Students 2018-19 Annual Report 
7. School Councils Email Access 
8. Establishment of an LGBTQ2S Community Advisory Committee:  Update
9. Urban Indigenous Community Advisory Committee:  Voting Privileges
16.4 Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee (Special Meeting), Report No. 38, May 27, 2019 (For receipt)
16.5 Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee (Special Meeting),Report No. 39, June 3, 2019 (For receipt)
16.6 Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee, Report No. 40, June 6, 2019
1. Contract Awards, Facilities 
2. Contract Awards, Operations
3. Contract Awards:  Summer Approval Process, 2019
4. 2017-18 School Budget and School Generated Funds
5. School Crossing Guard Program 
6. Program and Sketch Plan Approval: Building Addition and Renovation to George Syme Community School 
7. Program and Sketch Plan Approval: Replacement of Dennis Avenue Community School
8. Program and Sketch Plan Approval: Building Addition and Renovation to Hollywood Public School 
9. Update on Cooling Centres
16.7 Committee of the Whole (Special Meeting), Report No. 04, June 11, 2019 (To follow) - This includes the recommendation for the Board's 2019-20 Operating Budget vote
16.8 Committee of the Whole, Report No. 05, June 12, 2019
1. French-as-a-Second-Language Program Review
2. Secondary Program Review
3. Boundary Review for Eglinton Junior Public School, Hodgson Middle School and Northlea Elementary and Middle School
4. Update on York Memorial Collegiate Institute
5. Interim Expectations for Parent/Family Engagement in the School Improvement Process  (referred without recommendation]
6. Dealing With Incidents of Racism and Hate (referred without recommendation)
17. Written Notices of Motion
17.1 Access to Free Menstrual Products (Trustees Donaldson and Gill) 

System Expectation to Respond to Incidents of Discrimination and Hate

This past week, Director John Malloy shared with Principals and staff common system understandings and expectations regarding how we respond to and address incidents of discrimination and/or hate in the Toronto District School Board.
Over the course of the last number of years we have made a series of changes to ensure that all students have greater opportunity to achieve success. Our commitment to human rights and equity has been the foundation of our work and it is an integral part of our Multi Year Strategic Plan. And while we have made progress in understanding how the elements of bias, power and privilege operate within our classrooms, schools and workplaces there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done to support not only those who have traditionally been underserved, but to raise the bar for all students. Hate/discrimination directed towards any group or individual within TDSB is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The goal is to build the capacity for all staff to create school environments that are welcoming and safe for all, that reject racism and discrimination of all forms, and respect the identities of the TDSB’s staff and students.
At Board this week, we will deal with a Motion moved by Trustee Chris Moise and seconded by me to ensure there is a communication plan and follow-up to the specific incidents with the students and parents/caregivers within the school and an annual report on these incidents. We must ensure all our students know they are seen, they are heard, they are welcomed, they are included and they are safe. We have work to do.

New Invitation - SERRA Survey

If you are in the Davisville area, SERRA has asked me to include a survey for you to fill out related to the proposed developments in the Davisville Apartment Neighbourhood.

As you are likely aware, the neighbourhood is currently facing 8 new developments at 265 Balliol, 155 Balliol, 22 Balliol, 30 Merton, 140 Merton, 274 Merton, 141 Davisville and 1951 Yonge. Those projects might not all proceed as currently proposed, but it is very likely that something tall will be built at each of those locations, especially with the response of the province to the Midtown in Focus Plan (allowing much higher towers and at more locations). If and when those 8 developments were to be completed, we forecast the neighbourhood to grow to 15,000 residents (2016 Canada Census was 9.000 residents).

In addition we have identified another 16 locations in that neighbourhood, where tall buildings could be proposed and we are aware that a number of those locations will see applications in the near future. 

SERRA has opposed most of these developments as currently proposed and has registered as a "party" at the OMB appeals for 5 applications (along with the TDSB). Our strategy has been to 1) request that the OMB review the cumulative impact of the concurrent applications in the neighbourhood (vs only the "site specific impacts") and 2) to request that additional community services and facilities be provided directly by the developer, via Section 37 and 42 provisions or as part of the City capital budget.

We would like to make sure that we receive input from the residents in the community about what they perceive as the community "needs" and for that purpose have developed a short survey that can be accessed via this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7VSL3TL. Thanks.

Pride Parade - Join us!

Join us at the Toronto Pride Parade! Toronto's annual Pride Parade will take place on Sunday, June 23, 2019, and a proud TDSB contingent of students, staff, Trustees and community members will be taking part, just like we've done every year since 2000. Everyone is welcome! Come out and join TDSB friends and colleagues. More details to follow! Please click on https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Innovation/Gender-Based-Violence-Prevention/Pride later in the week. See you there! Follow all the fun on Parade day via Twitter (#PrideTDSB). 

Spring Fairs in Ward 8

Below please find a list of the Fun Fairs and school community events this Spring - please support the schools and that the many, many volunteers (parents, caregivers and staff) who put on these events for the students - let's hope for wonderful weather!
Note - if you notice any changes or additions, please let me know!
  • Eglinton Saturday 22-Jun-19 4-7pm Fun Fair
  • Armour Heights (Fall 2019)
  • Humewood (Fall 2019)

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the dads, step dads, godfathers, foster fathers, grandpas, uncles, and father figures (including so many staff in our system) who make a difference in the life of a child or youth... 
Hope you had a great day today...

School Year Calendar 2019-20

The 2019-2020 school year at the TDSB begins on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 following the Labour Day long weekend. For more information about important dates and holidays for the upcoming school year, please refer to the 2019-20 School Year Calendar.

School Year Calendar 2018-2019

The official school year calendar for the Toronto District School Board runs from September 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019, inclusive.
  • The last day of class for elementary students is June 27, 2019
  • The last day of class for secondary (full-year) students is June 25, 2019
  • The last day of class for secondary (semestered) students is June 26, 2019 
2018 - 2019 Dates to Remember: Official Holidays and PA Days 
Remaining PA Days & Statutory Holidays
  • Secondary School PA Day (Full Year Schools only)* June 26, 2019
  • Secondary School PA Day June 27, 2019
  • Board-wide PA Day June 28, 2019
Also please note Days of Significance - click for the complete list
You may also find this Days of Significance Resource Guide helpful
EQAO - The following dates have been established: 
  • Gr. 9 Math:  2nd Semester: June 5-18, 2019

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