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Week of September 23, 2019
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Orange Shirt Day September 30
Orange Shirt Day is an annual event that started in 2013 to recognize the legacy of the Residential Schools system for First Nations, Métis and Inuit families and communities. It is a show of support and understanding of the history of Canadian school system, which impacts many First Nations, Métis and Inuit families today. The phrase “Every Child Matters” reminds everyone that children are such an important and integral part of our communities, and that they are our future generations of change makers. By wearing orange, we have an opportunity to bring awareness to the history of Residential Schools and to stand up against other injustices that may impact our children/students.
This year, Orange Shirt Day falls on Monday, September 30. Visit orangshirtday.org to learn more about this year's commemorative events.
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OPSBA Federal Election Resource Guide
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario remains on summer recess and resumes on Monday, October 28, 2019.
On September 11, the writ was drawn up for the upcoming Federal Election, which takes place on October 21, 2019. The writ is the signal for the official beginning of the election campaign. During federal elections, the Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA) advocates for non-partisan strategies to engage politicians on issues that affect public education and our children and youth.
Federal Issues for the School Board Sector (read about these in the Guide)
- Children and Youth Mental Health
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Student Nutrition
- Cannabis Legalization – Introduction of Edibles
- Indigenous Education
- Settlement Services for Immigrant Children and Youth
- Technology & E-Learning
- The Role of Local Democratically Elected Trustees
- Private School Funding
- Capital-Related Issues
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Students Lead the Way...
Further to my article last week, here is the official TDSB position posted on the website. As Director Malloy confirmed via twitter, "The #TDSB provides students with opportunities to be leaders on climate change. Students are permitted to take part in the upcoming climate strike with no academic penalty as long as parents/guardians approve."
Possible Student Participation in Climate Demonstration
Inspired by Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, young people from around the world have joined the Fridays for Future movement and are showing their support by participating in climate strikes and demonstrations. Currently, there is a student demonstration planned for Friday, September 27 at Queen’s Park. To be clear, this is not a TDSB-sanctioned event, however we understand that students at a number of our schools may take part. At the TDSB, we honour student voice and are committed to ensuring students can express themselves individually and collectively in ways that are constructive, respectful and responsible.
As a Board, we know that climate change is an important issue that needs to be addressed and that students play an important role in building an environmentally sustainable future. The TDSB EcoSchools Program provides opportunities within the classroom, the school, and the community for students to engage in education actions that prepare them with the knowledge, skills, perspectives, and practices they need to be environmentally responsible citizens. This approach is guided by the TDSB’s Global Competencies, which encourage students to engage in local and global concepts and initiatives while demonstrating responsibility and ethical citizenship.
With regards to the September 27 event, safety is our top priority for students who may be planning to participate. We’ve asked our schools to work closely with student organizers so that their plans include consideration of student safety and logistical issues.
As always, students under the age of 18 require parental permission to leave class. Any students who are not in attendance at school will be marked absent. As is the case with all absences where parental permission has been granted, the absence will be deemed “explained.” To ensure students receive no academic penalty for taking part in the demonstration, we have also asked our schools to avoid scheduling tests and other assessments on that day.
A rally has been organized at Quees's Park - On September 27th, Toronto will see its' biggest strike and march for climate justice. It is hosted by Fridays For Future Toronto, who invites adults to join youth strikers in solidarity... for more information, please click here https://www.facebook.com/events/480239066116595/. I am hoping to head over to Queen's Park for the large demonstration - please let me know if students from your school are attending so I can acknowledge.
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Board Meeting This Week
Wednesday, October 25, 2019 - 5050 Yonge St - Public Session begins at 7:00pm
15.1 Selection of Trustee Members on the LGBTQ2S Community Advisory Committee
16.1 Governance and Policy Committee, Report No. 20, September 11, 2019
16.1 (1) Status Update on the Policy Review Schedule for the 2018-19 School Year [3711]
16.1 (2) P020, Transportation of Students Policy Review: Phase 1[3709]
16.1 (3) P017, Purchasing Policy Review: Phase 1 [3708]
16.1 (4) PR597, French Immersion/Extended French: Revised Procedure [3703]
16.1 (5) PR518, Admission Eligibility Requirements: Revised Procedure [3705]
16.1 (6) Information Technology Operating Procedures Update, PR573, Passwords for Network Access Security and PR725, Cyber Risk and Security: Revised Procedures [3699]
16.1 (7) PR724, Refusal to Admit: New Procedure [3710]
16.2 Program and School Services Committee, Report No. 77, September 12, 2019
16.2 (1) Special Education Advisory Committee: Revisions to Terms of Reference
16.3 Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee, Report No. 42, September 17, 2019
16.3 (1) Grants for Student Needs (GSN) Funding Update [3736]
16.3 (2) Student Transportation Status Update [3740]
16.3 (3) Contract Awards, Facilities [3733]
16.3 (4) Contract Awards, Operations [3732]
16.3 (5) York Memorial Collegiate Institute: Update [3737]
16.4 Committee of the Whole, Report No. 06, September 18, 2019
16.4 (1) Provincial 2019-20 Capital Priorities Program: Project Scope Revisions [3741]
16.4 (2) Governance and Board Services [3744]
16.4 (3) Bloor Collegiate Institute and ALPHA II Alternative School: Relocation During Construction of Replacement School 3739]
16.4 (4) Malvern Community Schools Attendance Boundary Changes [3742]
16.4 (5) National Alliance of Black School Educators’ 47th Annual Conference, November 13-17, 2019: Expense Approval [3738]
16.4 (6) International LGBTQ Leaders Conference 2019, November 14-16, 2019: Expense Approval [3743]
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Labour Negotiations NewsFrom the TDSB Website https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Labour-NegotiationsSchool boards and unions share a commitment to public education and work together towards positive labour relations. The collective bargaining framework for the education sector features a two-tier bargaining process, involving both central and local bargaining. Learn more about the process https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Labour-Negotiations/The-Process.
Central negotiations between the Government of Ontario (the Crown), public school boards represented by the Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA), and teacher federations and education worker unions (including ETFO, CUPE and OSSTF) remain ongoing. Visit the OPSBA website for the latest updates on central bargaining - https://www.opsba.org/advocacy-and-action/labour-relations.
The TDSB is currently bargaining locally with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). We anticipate local bargaining with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) in the near future.
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School Council Resources
Although I have had resources for School Councils on my website, please watch for a binder of printed resources that has been sent to each Ward 8 School - I hope that this resource can be kept in the school office and support both School Council Chairs and administration. And please don't forget to share your School Council Chair/Co Chairs name and contact information and meeting dates with the SO - I am hoping to do the same thing I have done in the past number of years - and that is, with the Council Chair(s) permission to share contact information with each other so that we can build an informal network of support for school councils.
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Page Program
Each year approximately 150 young students from across Ontario are selected to participate in Ontario's Legislative Page Program. This unique educational experience for Ontario students attending grades 7 or 8 provides an opportunity to experience the provincial legislature in action and forge new lifelong friendships with peers from all over province!
The program is designed for outgoing, high-achieving, community-involved students who have demonstrated responsibility and leadership. Legislative Pages meet key parliamentary and political figures, and learn first-hand about Ontario’s Parliament and the legislative process.
While at Queen’s Park, they are under the direction of the Page Program Coordinator who is a certified Ontario teacher. Pages receive an honorarium of $15.00 per day during their term of duty. For more information contact 416-325-7457 or e-mail pageprogram@ola.org. Page applications are accepted online during the recruitment periods: April 15th to June 15th and September 15th to November 15th. If you are a grade 7 or 8 Ontario student, please click here to start the application process: https://www.ola.org/en/visit-learn/programs/page-program/application-process.
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Reminders
Changes to French ProgrammingJunior Extended French (Gr. 4 Entry) Last Entry Class - September 2020
Extended French (Gr. 7 Entry) Last Entry Class - September 2020
Cosburn Intensive Extended (Gr. 6 Entry) Last Entry Class - September 2020
Immersion French (Gr. 4 Entry) - Continuing
SK Early French Immersion Final Entry at SK - September 2022
JK Early French Immersion First Entry at JK - September 2022
Register for Walk to School Day
Ontario Universities' Fair 2019
Sep 27 - 29, 2019 - 10 am - 5 pm daily - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - Free admission
Ontario College Information Fair
Oct 23 - 24, 2019 Enercare Centre
2020 Prime Minister's Awards Now Open
2020 nomination packages are now available at www.pma.gc.ca. The nomination deadline is January 14, 2020 at 11:59 a.m. (Pacific time).
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School Year Calendar 2019-2020
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.
The official school year calendar for the Toronto District School Board runs from September 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, inclusive.- The last day of class for elementary students is June 25, 2020
- The last day of class for secondary (full year) students is June 23, 2020
- The last day of class for secondary (semestered) students is June 23, 2020
PA Days & Statutory Holidays
- Board-wide PA Day October 11, 2019
- Thanksgiving October 14, 2019
- Board-wide PA Day November 15, 2019
- Board-wide PA Day December 6, 2019
- Winter Break December 23, 2019 to January 3, 2020 (inclusive)
- Last day of school is December 20, 2019
- School resumes January 6, 2020
- Elementary PA Day January 17, 2020
- Secondary PA Day (Semestered Schools only) January 30, 2020
- Board-wide PA Day February 14, 2020
- Family Day February 17, 2020
- March Break March 16 to 20, 2020
- Good Friday April 10, 2020
- Easter Monday April 13, 2020
- Victoria Day May 18, 2020
- Elementary School PA Day June 5, 2020
- Secondary School PA Day (Full Year Schools only) June 24, 2020
- Secondary School PA Day June 25, 2020
- Board-wide PA Day June 26, 2020
Also please note -
- Rosh Hashanah begins sunset of Sunday, September 29, 2019 and ends nightfall of Tuesday, October 1, 2019
- Yom Kippur begins sunset of Tuesday, October 8, 2019 and ends nightfall of Wednesday, October 9, 2019
- Hanukkah begins sunset of Sunday, December 22, 2019 and ends nightfall of Monday, December 30, 2019
- Passover begins sunset of Wednesday, April 8, 2020 and ends nightfall of Thursday, April 16, 2020
- Ramadan 2020 will begin in the evening of Thursday, April 23, 2020 and ends in the evening of Saturday, May 23, 2020 (dates may vary)
- Eid al-Fitr 2020 will begin in the evening of Saturday, May 23, 2020
EQAO
Gr. 9 Math: 1st Semester: January 13-24, 2020
Gr. 9 Math: 2nd Semester: June 2-15, 2020
OSSLT: March 31, 2020
Primary/Junior EQAO: May 19-June 1, 2020
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