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African Heritage Month: February 2016
This February is an opportunity to affirm and celebrate the experiences, contributions and achievements of African Canadians. Although Canada is a diverse nation, not all groups have been acknowledged or recorded in our history books - exposure to the rich variety of narratives gives all our students, a more complete and balanced picture.
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Welcome to Kindergarten!
Starting school is an exciting time for your child. Our schools provide a rich learning environment for all children to learn and grow. In the Kindergarten program, your child will develop their skills and abilities through inquiry and intentional play-based learning that includes math, science and literacy. Teachers and early childhood educators plan learning experiences where children are actively engaged in learning and thinking creatively.
Junior Kindergarten - If your child will be four by December 31, 2016, he or she can start Junior Kindergarten in September 2016. Senior Kindergarten - If your child will be five by December 31, 2016, he or she can start Senior Kindergarten in September 2016. Registration for all TDSB Kindergarten programs begins in February. We are looking forward to welcoming you and your child! For information, click here.
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Update on Syrian Refugees
As of this week, a total of 13,984 Syrians have arrived in Canada, of whom 6338 have settled in Ontario. At the TDSB, we have registered 85 Syrian Newcomers (57 Elementary and 28 Secondary) as of January 28. I am very proud of our local schools who have donated and sponsored families.
COSTI Immigrant Services, the Toronto Catholic District School Board and the Toronto District School Board are collaborating to set up protocols and supports to facilitate temporary educational experiences for children until they can be registered in a school. Please also know that the Supper With Syria team continues to organize assistance. If you feel you have any skills or resources that you'd like to offer, please feel free to come forward with ideas of how you'd like to help and contact info@supperwithsyria.org.
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Outstanding Principals
Four TDSB Principals have been recognized by The Learning Partnership as being among Canada’s Outstanding Principals of 2016. The winning TDSB Principals are Sarah Frost, Cliffwood Public School, Alison Gaymes San Vicente, Lanor Junior Middle School, Arlene Knights-Svarich, Elizabeth Simcoe Junior Public School and Duncan LeBlanc, Maplewood High School. Principals will be awarded for their accomplishments at the annual Canada’s Outstanding Principals gala on February 23, 2016, at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel in Toronto. We are very proud of their accomplishments.
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Planning & Priorities Meeting Wednesday, February 3
Wednesday's P&P Meeting includes the Staff Recommendations on the Yonge-Eglinton Program Area Review. For the full agenda click here. The schools involved in the Program Area Review include: Davisville Junior Public School, Eglinton Junior Public School, Forest Hill Junior and Senior Public School, Hodgson Senior Public School, Maurice Cody Junior Public School, Northlea Elementary and Middle School, Oriole Park Junior Public School, and Spectrum Alternative Senior School. The Program Area Review was established in October 2015 to examine potential solutions to existing and projected accommodation pressures leading to accommodation pressures at a number of schools in the Yonge-Eglinton area. During the review, four working meetings and three public meetings were held.
Some of the strategies discussed to manage enrolment growth included boundary changes, grade changes, options for French program delivery, relocation of child care centres at existing schools, and capital improvements.
The PART completed a thorough analysis of different options. Concerns were expressed about the timing of proposed changes and as well as the nature of the changes. Additional options that were generated by the PART and by the community were considered by staff. The key recommendations include Hodgson becoming a 6, 7, 8 school, the elementary schools becoming JK-5 and Forest Hill Jr/Sr offering Extended French from 4-8.
Although a majority of PART members were in favour of delaying the implementation of grade changes to September 2017 for all schools, some members suggested alternative approaches (i.e., a phased-in grade change that would see students from Davisville Junior Public School beginning at Hodgson Senior Public School for Grade 6 in September 2016 with students from the other three feeder schools moving in September 2017, or having Oriole Park Junior Public School remain a JK-6 school and having its students feed to Hodgson Senior Public School in Grade 7). Generally speaking, the group decided that singling out any one specific cohort would be disadvantageous to students from program delivery and social perspectives.
Thanks again to the parent representatives, Principals and communities involved in the PART. We may not have agreed with each other on all aspects, but I support these recommendationsto provide students with the best possible learning conditions.
Other creative options that continue to be examined by staff to manage continued long-term enrolment growth in the area include working with the City of Toronto and the development community on the potential of a “vertical school”; and Incorporating satellite spaces for TDSB classrooms or child care space in new residential developments. Staff advised the PART and community members that a draft study is currently underway to explore satellite spaces within developments for classroom use.
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New Invitations
Reading Because You Want to: The Missing Link in Language Education - Feb 4, 7:30pm, North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge St
Councillor Joe Mihevc's Community Budget Town Hall - Feb 11 from 7-9pm, 2nd Fl Auditorium, Holy Blossom Temple, 1950 Bathurst Street
Councillor Joe Mihevc invites you to come learn about the City budget process and share your preferences for priority projects and how to pay for them! Presentations will be given by Rob Rossini (CFO for the City of Toronto), Sheila Block (senior economist for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives) and Rob Howarth (executive director for Toronto Neighbourhood Centres).
Councillor Josh Matlow's Community Budget Town Hall - Feb 11 from 7-9pm, Yorkminister Park Baptist Church, 1585 Yonge Street
Councillor Josh Matlow invites you to come and learn about the City budget process. Your feedback and priorities are important!
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Worth Repeating...
Annual Skating Party, Sunday, February 7, 1-3pm at Hodgson - Join the Hon. Carolyn Bennett, M.P. for Toronto-St. Paul’s, Rob Oliphant, M.P. for Don Valley West, and City Councillor Josh Matlow for an afternoon of winter fun. Date: Sunday, February 7th, 2016 Time: 1:00-3:00 PM Where: Outdoor Skating Rink at Hodgson Senior Public School 282 Davisville Ave (Ice Rink off Harwood Rd at Millwood Rd)
Tuning In: Workshop series for parents and caregivers of youth who use drugs - Starts Tuesday Feb 9th - Delisle Youth Services is pleased to introduce Tuning In, a new workshop series for parents and primary caregivers who want to learn information and skills to help them communicate with youth about drugs and drug use. Join us on 3 consecutive Tuesdays February 9th, 16th, 23rd from 7-9pm at Delisle Youth Services (Yonge & Eglinton). The workshops will cover: How to initiate and manage effective conversations about drugs; How to build trust while maintaining rules and boundaries; What the research says about what works and what doesn't; How to find accurate balanced information on drug effects and more! To register contact Maria Papadimitriou papadimitriou@delisleyouth.org<mailto:mpapadimitriou@delisleyouth.org
Toronto-St Paul's Summit: Infrastructure, Sunday, February 21st - 3:30-4:00 PM Parliamentary Clinic 4:00-6:00 PM Roundtable at Holy Rosary Church Parish Hall, 354 St. Clair Avenue W (at Tweedsmuir Ave) Please join me and your other elected representatives from all levels of government in Toronto-St. Paul’s to discuss infrastructure. Panelists: Hon. Carolyn Bennett, M.D., M.P Dr. Eric Hoskins, M.P.P. Josh Colle, City Councillor, Ward 15 Josh Matlow, City Councillor,Ward 22 Joe Mihevc, City Councillor, Ward 21 and Trustee Jo-Ann Davis, TCDSB School Trustee.
School Council Appreciation and Information Evening - Please join us on Thursday, February 25 at Montecassino Hotel, Downsview, for a special evening to celebrate the work and contributions of school councils and parents to the education system. It’s an opportunity to enjoy a wonderful dinner, network with school council members, and participate in round-table discussions. Please see the attachment for details or visit http://www.tdsb.on.ca/parentconference to register.
TDSB Parent Conference 2016: Parents as Partners - April 16, 2016 The Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC), Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), Mental Health and Well-Being Parent Partnership Committee and Model Schools for Inner Cities’ Parent Academies are partnering to bring one INCLUSIVE conference on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Please save this date in your calendar.
Premier's Awards for Accepting Schools - Nominations are now open for the 2015-16 Premier's Award for Accepting Schools. This award recognizes “exceptional and innovative work being done in schools to create a safe and accepting school environment.” Application Information is available online. The application deadline is Friday, February 19, 2016 at 5 p.m. EST.
HOLD THE DATE - Ward Forum, February 29, 2016 - 6:45 at Sunny View School, 450 Blythwood Rd
I am pleased to join with my colleague Trustee Gerri Gershon for a joint ward forum to hear from Dr John Malloy, our new Director of Education and discuss a presentation on our 2016-17 Budget by Craig Snider, Comptroller, Budget, Revenue & Financial Reporting - The Agenda will be finalized the first week of February.
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