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| Shelley Laskin, Trustee
Toronto District School Board
Ward 8: Eglinton-Lawrence & Toronto-St Paul's
416-395-8787
Shelley.Laskin@tdsb.on.ca
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In this Issue -- Latin-America History Month
- Sikh Heritage Month
- April Days of Significance
- Social Media Litigation
- TDSB Reaches Multiple Tentative Local Agreements
- UPDATE 2024-25 Budget
- Committee Meetings This Week
- OPSBA Update
- Clean Toronto Together School Clean-Up Day, April 20
- Elementary Summer School
- TLC Guiding Principles
- Ramadan Continues
- Solar Eclipse on April 8
- Policy Consultations
- Reporting Hate - In Our Schools - In Our Communities
- New Invitations - Crate a Meaningful Connection with Your Child in a Hyper-Connected World; TDSB Outdoor Education Centre Maple Syrup Open Houses & 40th Anniversary Celebration; Mental Health Strategy; Backpack and School Supplies Drive
- Worth Repeating - Excellence Awards! OPSBA Awards; TDSB Summer Music & Art Camps 2024; Pride Month 2024 T-Shirt Design Contest; Need for Aquatic Instructors; Please Keep Safe... and Keep Others Safe; Vaccinations; Useful Links; 2023-2024 Calendar; 2024-2025 Calendar; Dogs Are Not Allowed On School Property - How to Report; Community Safety & Support
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Latin-America History Month
The month of April is recognized as Latin–America History Month at the Toronto District School Board. This year’s upcoming theme is Weaving Our Legacies: Returning to Our Collective Path | Enlazar Nuestres Legados: Volver a Nuestre Camino Colectivo.
The “e” in Nuestres was purposefully chosen to disrupt the dominant and default patriarchal binary gender grammar system of the colonial language of Spanish. The intentional use of the letter “e” as gender inclusive was created by LGBTQIA+, gender non-binary, and feminist communities in what is recognized today as Latin-America. (https://callmelatine.wordpress.com/).
During the month of April, several activities are being planned for students, staff, and community members. We invite everyone to join us to kick off Latin America History Month with a virtual launch on Friday, April 5, 9:30-10:30 Launch Zoom Link. Should you miss this event filled with speakers, performances, and further learning about the Latin-America history, a video will be posted afterwards for all to enjoy!
Students from all grade levels from across the TDSB were invited to participate in a Poster Showcase to capture images that display this year’s theme. All students will be provided with the opportunity to (un)learn about the connections across what’s called the continent of the Americas through the Condor and Eagle Prophecy. Students will have the chance to learn through the storytelling of collective resistances, struggles and joy through the uplifting of Afro-Indigenous roots; what it means to “volver” to our legacies and ourselves as a healing process; and the current realities through Afro-Indigenous Colombian music. Additionally, there will be a powerful interactive virtual workshop with Ruben Beny Esguerra, a Canadian musical artist and poet based in Toronto. We are also extremely excited to have award-winning author Leonarda Carranza read her recent picture book, Abuelita and Me in English and Spanish, to elementary school students and lead us through a discussion in alignment with this year’s theme!
Please follow us on Twitter where quotes will also be shared: @TDSBLAHM
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Sikh Heritage Month
This year’s the Sikh Heritage Month’s theme is Chardi Kala (The Positive and Uplifted State of Mind). According to Sikh beliefs, Chardi Kala is a state of mind that radiates positive energy, optimistic attitude, strong confidence, and virtuosity. With true belief in the supreme power of the Almighty and the oneness of humanity, this state of mind can pave a way for the well-being and happiness of all.
The TDSB community, students, and staff is invited to join our virtual Sikh Heritage Month launch to learn about the Sikh heritage and traditions! Join us for a remarkable morning of information and celebration on Wednesday, April 3rd from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., zoom webinar link.
The Sikh Heritage Committee is continuing with its Podcasts series that began last year. This year, we’ve added two new podcast episodes that reflect our current theme of Chardi Kala (The Positive and Uplifted State of Mind):
We’re please to share with you an innovative teaching and learning toolkit designed to assist students whose Patka, a Sikh head covering, becomes undone or needs retying, called Patka Box™️. Before utilizing the kit, educators must complete a 40 minute mandatory professional learning facilitated by Rosey Kaur, the creator. For more information or to place an order, please contact concept1learningcentre@gmail.com. This initiative not only ensures the cultural inclusion of Sikh students, but also promotes understanding and appreciation among all students in the classroom.
The Wrap-Up Celebration will be held on Thursday, April 25 from 9:30-10:30am. We're delighted to have keynote speaker Tina Singth, outstanding student performers and inspiring remarks from Director Russell-Rawlins and Chair Chernos Lin. Join via the Live Webcast.
Lastly during the month of April, Sikh Canadians recognize Vaisakhi, also known as Khalsa Day, which celebrates the Sikh New Year across Ontario. This year Khalsa Day will be celebrated on Sunday, April 28 in downtown Toronto at Exhibition Place This celebration is the third largest parade in Canada with thousands of individuals joining in the festivities! We hope you are available to join the festivities and celebrate!
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April Days of Significance
Trying a new way of informing you of Days of Significance - the first update of each month will include the month's days.
April is a significant month for many different religious communities: Today is Easter Sunday for the Christian faith; Muslims mark the end of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr on April 8 and Passover is one of the most important holidays for Jews with the first Seder on Monday, April 22. April is also Sikh Heritage Month and on April 13, Sikhs around the world will commemorate Vaisakhi.
On April 2, we commemorate World Autism Awareness Day. I encourage you to raise awareness and support for those with autism and their families, as well as promote a greater understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity. April 7 is Rwanda Genocide Memorial Day and Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day is April 24. Tamil New Year is celebrated on April 13 and for those of the Baha'i faith, the first day of Ridvan starts the evening of April 20.
At the TDSB we celebrate the International Day of Pink on April 10 (watch for more details next week); and we celebrate Earth Day on April 22. We also remember the Yonge Street Van Attack on April 23.
To read more about these, please see TDSB's Days of Significance. Please note the Days of Significance document is not intended to be a listing of days that are marked or celebrated by the Toronto District School Board. The purpose of the document is to identify potential dates that some in our community may personally mark and to make staff aware. Last year, staff began a review of the Days of Significance Calendar to revise the document to better support the system. We anticipate this review to be completed shortly and a revised calendar will be issued once finalized.
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Social Media Litigation
Media Release
On March 28, 2024, Toronto District School Board, together with the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Peel District School Board and Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, announced a lawsuit against tech giants Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook and Instagram), Snap Inc. (SnapChat), and ByteDance Ltd. (TikTok) for disruption to the education system. We allege that these companies have negligently designed and marketed addictive products that have disrupted our Board’s mandate to enhance student achievement and well-being.
Whether a student, parent, guardian or caregiver, many know firsthand the impact that social media products have had on students, rewiring the way that they think, act, behave, and learn. Educators are spending increased classroom time monitoring issues caused by social media and are forced to rework curriculum to meet the adapting needs of a student body with significant attention, focus, and mental health concerns; and the changing behavioral dynamics of the student population at large are causing massive shifts and resource demands. The fall-out of compulsive use of social media amongst students is causing huge strains on the Board’s finite resources.
While still in its early stages, this litigation calls on social media giants to make their products safer, to compensate our Board for its disruption to our mandate and our students’ fundamental right to education.
It is important to note that school boards will not be responsible for any costs related to the lawsuit unless a successful outcome is reached. Any funds recovered through the litigation will be allocated to meet the needs of our students (e.g., additional staff, technological safeguards, programming and training, etc.).
To learn more about the lawsuit and to follow developments, please visit the Schools for Social Media Change Alliance at www.schoolboardsforchange.ca.
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TDSB Reaches Multiple Tentative Local Agreements
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has reached multiple tentative local agreements with some of its key labour unions.
Tentative local agreements has been reached with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) District 12 contract teacher bargaining unit, Professional Support Services Personnel (PSSP), the Maintenance & Construction Skilled Trades Council (MCSTC) and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) District 12.
OSSTF District 12 represents approximately 5,000 secondary teachers in the TDSB and approximately 2,000 occasional secondary teachers at the school board, while PSSP represents approximately 1,200 staff members who provide professional support services such as Child and Youth Workers, Counsellors, Social Workers, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Attendance Counsellors, and Court Liaison Workers. Additionally, the MCSTC represents approximately 1,000 permanent and temporary maintenance and construction professionals.
All four of the tentative agreements must still be ratified by the TDSB, OSSTF, PSSP and MCSTC on or before Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
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UPDATE 2024-25 Budget
Section 231 of the Education Act requires school boards to adopt a balanced budget.
On Tuesday, March 19 at the Finance, Budget, and Enrolment Committee (FBEC), staff presented their options to balance the 2024-25 budget. At the Committee, trustees voted to add back Vice Principals $3.8M and Safety Positions $3.0M to increase the starting deficit to $27.6M.
Trustees discussed staff options included in Appendix F - Updated Financial Position.
Included in the Report is Appendix E - 2024-25 Budget Summary by Department showing the variances between budget years.
Staff showed their ongoing support of protecting programs and services for students by not reducing items in Appendix D - Major Areas Where Board is Spending More Than Funded.
As I was clear at committee, I can support staff options that are based on structural reorganization and efficiencies (reorganizing Adult Education, phasing in changes to permits, staffing, school renewal and sick leave) - others I cannot support through a budget process (elimination of General Interest Programs, increased user fees or transportation costs for Outdoor Education) - and others I support but not this year as it would be without appropriate notice (removing the pause on IB Fees).
Please note my quote reported by CBC from the meeting - “Trustee Shelley Laskin, among others, spoke out against the proposed cuts at a special meeting of the TDSB's finance, budget and enrolment committee on Tuesday.
"I just don't accept eliminating these programs without a very public process," Laskin told the meeting. Laskin said the Learn4Life general interest community programs are mentioned on the TDSB's website on its "About Us" page and the program is part of the TDSB's values. The site reads: "We serve approximately 238,000 students in nearly 600 schools throughout Toronto, and more than 100,000 life-long learners in our Adult and Continuing Education programs."
Structural Deficit
The TDSB's projected financial position will continue to be a deficit. In addition to the provincial government underfunding benchmarks since amalgamation, the structural deficit is compounded by a combination of other factors including higher wages, aging facilities, transitioning from COVID, escalating costs and inflation. In addition, the demand for mental health and special education services for students in addition to investing in safe schools have led to increased necessary staffing. Yes – TDSB chooses to support programs and services others may deem non-essential – but these are essential to Toronto’s communities.
Students in Toronto need the province to fully-fund expenditures that are out of the Board control. As noted in the graphic above, there are predominantly four areas responsible – three of the four – underfunding of statutory benefits, replacement costs for sick leave and the inability to close underutilized schools are provincial. We know OPSBA continues to advocate for these issues – but specifically for TDSB, it is worth repeating that prior to central provincial bargaining in 2014, the TDSB teacher grid was higher than the provincial average. Since 2014, TDSB supplements provincial funding received for teachers and this increases every year – in 2023-24, the amount that is underfunded is projected to be $22.3M.
Education is worth it - we need the provincial government to cover the real cost. And until they do, any TDSB deficit should be offset by monies owed to the Board.
Next Steps Updated
Tuesday, March 26 was scheduled for public delegations at FBEC - due to so many members of the public wishing to speak in person or virtually a second day to hear from the public was held on Wednesday, March 27. We also received many written delegations. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their ideas and comments on the staff options to balance. I am still getting emails and I appreciate your comments. Staff are considering these comments and those of trustees as they propose the budget to the committee for approval.
The regular meeting of the Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee scheduled is now changed to April 2, 2024; at that meeting staff will be presenting FBEC with the 2024-2025 operating budget for a vote - the recommendations will then go to a Special Meeting of the full Board to consider the operating budget for 2024-2025 on April 4, 2024.
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Committee Meetings This Week
Finance, Budget & Enrolment Committee - April 2, 2024 - 4:30 p.m. Boardroom- FBEC to vote on Proposed Options to Balance the 2024-25 Budget
Program & School Services Committee - April 3, 2024 - 4:30 p.m. Boardroom - Agenda- 5.1 Parent Involvement Advisory Committee Report, February 20, 2024
- 5.2 Early Years Community Advisory Committee Report, March 22, 2024
- 6.1 Annual Indigenous Education Report, 2023
- 6.2 Student Demographics and Learning Opportunities Index Rankings in French Immersion Programs
- 6.3 Science and Technology, STEM and Robotics 2023-2024 Annual Report
NEW DATE - Special Board - April 4, 2024 - 4:30 p.m. Boardroom - Board to vote on Proposed Options to Balance the 2024-25 Budget as recommended by FBEC
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OPSBA Update
Parliamentary Assistant Shuffle: Members of Provincial Parliament were back at Queen’s Park this past week. Friday, the government announced a series of Parliamentary Assistant (PA) changes. Patrice Barnes (MPP Ajax) become the PA to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. The Minster of Education will have two PAs: Natalie Pierre (MPP Burlington) and Billy Pang (MPP Markham—Unionville). MPP Pierre was elected on June 2, 2022 and was most recently the PA to the Minister of Colleges and Universities. MPP Pang was elected on June 7, 2018, and was most recently the PA to the Minster of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. Prior to becoming a MPP, Mr. Pang was a public school board trustee at the York Region District School Board. OPSBA will be extending a letter of thank you to MPP Barnes for her work, dedication, and support of public education and the role of public school board trustees. The Association will also be reaching out to MPPs Pierre and Pang to establish introductory meetings. The full list of changes can be found here: Premier Ford Announces Updated Parliamentary Assistant Roles | Ontario Newsroom.
As we wait for specific education funding found in the Grants for Student Needs (GSN) and Priorities and Partnerships Funding (PPF), some of the provincial highlights include:
- $23 billion over 10 years, including $16 billion in capital grants, to build, expand, and renew schools and child care spaces. This includes $1.4 billion for the current school year to support the repair and renewal of schools.
- $15 million in digital math tools, $65 million for reading supports that will support educators working with small groups of students in Kindergarten to Grade 3
- $18 million in the 2024-25 school year to improve special education. This includes $8 million to introduce dedicated resources to help students with special education needs navigate the school system and beyond, as well as $10 million for increased in‐class supports for students with the highest level of need.
- $30 million for increased school facility security, dedicated to security cameras, lighting, and vape detectors.
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Clean Toronto Together School Clean-Up Day, April 20
Celebrate Earth Day by spending 20-minutes cleaning up your schoolyard or a neighbourhood park.
Important information:
- All Toronto schools, colleges and universities are welcome to join.
- School cleanups should have approval from your school principal or property manager.
- TDSB and TCDSB participants will be provided additional information where to get bags and gloves.
- The City no longer provides free cleanup supply kits to schools.
- Safety tips and waste sorting guides will be provided to all registered schools.
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Elementary Summer School
The focus of the 2024 Elementary Literacy and Numeracy Summer School Program is to continue student engagement through July. Programs, embedded in Literacy and Numeracy, are developed by the local summer school principal to reflect the school focus. Programs are offered in-person to students in K to Grade 8, from July 2 to July 26, 2024 from 9:00am to noon. This year, one remote program will also be available for Grades 4 to 8.
Afternoon Jays Camp RBI Summer Edition is a free afternoon baseball-for-development program for Grades 3 to 8 hosted at 14 elementary schools. Throughout July, students registered for half-day summer school can opt to join the RBI Summer Edition program for the afternoon.
Special Education and Inclusion - TDSB will be offering summer school for students who are currently enrolled in a Developmental Disability, Physical Disability, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Intensive Support Program (ISP). These half-day programs will be held at various locations throughout the TDSB. Programs are offered in-person to students in Kindergarten to Grade 12, from July 2 to July 26, 2024. This year, in-person programs will be available to students currently enrolled in DD, DHH or PD programs only.
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TLC Guiding Principles
At its March 28 Board Meeting, the Toronto Lands Corporation (TLC) Board of Directors will review a report affirming its guiding principles. The TLC Shareholders’ Direction calls for finding financial value in TDSB’s Real Estate portfolio to support school modernization while also finding opportunities for community and social benefit. The report expands on each of TLC’s guiding principles and illustrates their application to real projects underway. TLC seeks to ensure stakeholder alignment in these goals while building relationships with community, not-for-profit and government partners. A copy of this report is expected to be forwarded to the TDSB Board of Trustees once adopted.
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Ramadan Continues
Ramadan is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity that exists within our school communities. For many Muslim students (and staff), observing Ramadan through fasting brings a great sense of fulfillment and community. Please see these shared tips that schools can use to support students who are observing and promote inclusion throughout Ramadan.
For more information on the duty to accommodate, please click here.
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Solar Eclipse on April 8
Are you ready for the #SolarEclipse? Check out this @wakelet
collection of resources!
- Activities by grade level
- Videos from @PBS
- Explore board by @lhighfill
- @BookCreatorApp book
- Lessons by #TheAchievery & @canva
- Template from @KamiApp
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Policy Consultations
We Want to Hear From You
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is committed to open and inclusive policy decision-making and values community input and participation through consultation. Consultation is a two-way communication process between the Board and external participants, including students and their parents/guardians, school councils, advisory committees, community members, different levels of government, service agencies, professional organizations and union partners. The objective of consultation is to gather public input regarding options, alternative courses of action, as well as to identify unintended effects for various participants and to find solutions.
Positive Organizational Culture and Inclusive Workforce (P029) (revised Employment Equity Policy)
Objective:
- To affirm the Board’s commitment to establishing transparent and consistent employment practices while upholding human rights and based on the principles of equity, anti-racism, anti-oppression and fairness; and
- To support a commitment to fair hiring practices based on qualifications while fostering a workforce that reflects, understands and responds to the diversity of the students that TDSB serves.
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Reporting Hate
In Our Schools
If you are a staff or a student or a parent/caregiver, and you are a victim of/or witnessing an incident of racism, bias, or hate in our schools, please report it to the school's principal, who has a duty to investigate all incidents. Each time an incident takes place in a school, it is to be recorded in a portal which then begins a system response. We have a responsibility to educate against hate. For more information, please visit the webpage for Reporting an Incident of Hate or Discrimination Involving or Impacting Students. If you experience it, or witness it, report it. Please.
Complaints regarding social media postings should be sent directly to the TDSB's Human Rights Office at humanrightsoffice@tdsb.on.ca. The intake process is being centralized in the Human Rights Office to ensure for consistency of process.
In Our Communities
Report any allegations of hate-motivated crimes to police for investigation at 416-808-2222 or 9-1-1 in an emergency. We will not tolerate any intimidation, harassment, or hate-motivated behaviour aimed at specific communities. You can also call 1-800-222-TIPS to Crime Stoppers anonymously.
Toronto Police provide new online option to report hate-motivated graffiti
Toronto Police Service is launching a new option for the public to provide information to police about hate-motivated graffiti in their neighbourhoods. The web form, available on the Service’s website, provides an additional avenue for the public to alert police to hate-motivated graffiti, so officers can attend, gather evidence and arrange for the hate-motivated graffiti to be removed as quickly as possible. This reporting mechanism will be monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please remember TDSB's Mental Health and Well Being Professional Support Staff (PSS) are here to support your mental health and well-being and to help you navigate the tools and resources you may need. Please see resources on their website.
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Crate a Meaningful Connection with Your Child in a Hyper-Connected World
The Northern SS Council is inviting you to "Create a Meaningful Connection with Your Child in a Hyper-Connected World." The event will take place in the Northern Auditorium on Thursday, April 25th at 6:30 pm. We're pleased to invite parents and guardians of students attending midtown schools to attend this free event.
Families can register for the event by using the link below:
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TDSB Outdoor Education Centre Maple Syrup Open Houses & 40th Anniversary Celebration
Join us between 10 am and 2 pm to explore the gifts of the maple forest. These free, family-friendly events include options for a guided hike, a visit to the sugar shack, and tasting sap, syrup and candy.
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Mental Health Strategy
TDSB Community Support Workers (Model Schools) are in the process of developing a TDSB three-year Mental Health Strategy (2023-2026).
We would love to gather your input as we formalize this new strategy. We have developed a confidential Google survey and we are kindly requesting your thoughts and feedback, as you are imperative in supporting the well-being of ALL students at TDSB. Survey closes Tuesday April 2, 2024 Complete the survey here - Survey Link
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Backpack and School Supplies Drive
This year’s Backpacks & School Supplies Drive will run from March 1, 2024 to the end of September 2024. Individual donors and companies can help our students by making a monetary donation and/or a donation of new backpacks and school supplies. Tax receipts are available for these donations.100% of all proceeds and in-kind donations go to benefit our students. NOTE: Due to potential health & safety, hygiene, sorting and storage limitations, the TDSB can only accept new items. For more information about how to donate new items, please contact the Business Development department at BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca.
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Excellence Awards!
Every year, the TDSB Excellence Awards help shine a light on the stories of extraordinary staff commitment, and we are delighted to announce that nominations for the Excellence Awards 2024 are open and will close April 5, 2024. The Excellence Awards align with our shared system priorities and help highlight TDSB staff’s efforts to foster joy, engagement and belonging in our schools, workplaces and communities as a foundation for academic achievement, student success, and service excellence.
We want to know about the TDSB staff you know who are supporting the success and well-being of our students, as well as our school and work communities in so many different ways.
We have organized optional virtual support sessions for anyone who may require assistance or has questions about completing an Excellence Awards nomination.
We welcome nominations from anyone – staff, students, parents/caregivers or community members – please submit through the Excellence Awards website.
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TDSB Summer Music & Art Camps 2024
We are excited to announce that registration for our summer music camp in Toronto 2024 is now open! Explore your musical talents and creative flair at the TDSB Summer Music and Art Camps! Our camps welcome young artists and musicians of all skill levels, offering diverse programs including band, orchestra, strings, and personalized instruction. It's a chance to develop your skills, build friendships, and celebrate in an exciting final concert. Join us for a summer of music-making, artistic expression, and endless fun! For more information and details, click here - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Innovation/Summer-Programs/TDSB-Music-Camps
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Pride Month 2024 T-Shirt Design Contest
Pride Month 2024 is just around the corner, and the TDSB Pride Planning Committee is excited to announce the T-Shirt Design Contest. The winning design will be featured on hundreds of TDSB Pride 2024 T-shirts, proudly worn by all members of the TDSB contingent during the Pride Parade on Sunday, June 30, 2024. The TDSB Pride 2024 T-shirt Design Contest is open to all TDSB students of any age. The deadline for design submissions is April 10 at 11:59 p.m.
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Need for Aquatic Instructors
In order to operate swim programs in our schools with pools, we need two on-site aquatic instructors. Sadly, the TDSB has had a shortage of aquatic instructors since schools reopened from COVID. If you know of any aquatic instructors, please, have them complete the application - the board has been advertising and I have been advertising on Twitter since the end of last year. Here’s the link directly to the posting for applicants to apply. https://tdsb.sabacloud.com/Saba/Web_spf/CA1PRD0033/jobs-Support/career/jobdetail/jobrq000000000002580. Thanks!
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Please Keep Safe... and Keep Others Safe
Layers of protection work to help reduce virus spread. For example:
😷wear a well-fitted mask
🧼wash hands often
🏠stay home if sick
💨choose well ventilated spaces
🛡️stay up-to-date with your vaccines
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Vaccinations
Measles is increasing and spreading in every region of the world. It can cause a fever, rash, runny nose, red eyes & more. It spreads through the air and close contact when a person infected with measles breathes, coughs, or sneezes. If you think you have the virus, stay home & contact your doctor. Learn more: http://toronto.ca/measles-fact-sheet.
Vaccines are available from your primary health care provider or at a TPH community clinic for school-aged children, by appointment. Visit TPHbookings.ca for more information.
All children attending school between ages 4 to 17 need to be immunized according to Ontario's Immunization Schedule. If you are unsure of your child’s vaccination status, check their yellow card (Ontario Immunization Record), TPH’s Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) or by speaking with their primary health care provider.
Updated COVID-19 vaccines and flu vaccines
We are still in the midst of respiratory illness season, and it is not too late to get vaccinated against both COVID-19 and the flu. Both of these vaccines continue to be available at your local pharmacy and doctor’s office. The updated COVID-19 vaccine better protects against the new Omicron XBB variant. You can get the updated COVID-19 vaccine if you are aged six months and older and it has been at least six months since their last COVID-19 dose or infection (whichever is longer). It is safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine at the same time or around the same time. Learn more about where to get the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine.
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2023-2024 Calendar
Please ensure you check these dates before scheduling events. Please also note the PA Day originally scheduled for Friday, April 19, 2024 has been rescheduled and will now occur on Monday, April 8, 2024.
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Dogs Are Not Allowed On School Property - How to Report
Please contact 311 if you see dogs in school grounds so they can log the concerns and please also call TDSB’s 24-hour Call Centre at 416-395-4620. Tracking the concerns will allow us to build the case for increased surveillance.
At our recent Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee, the staff report confirmed the following -
Dogs on school properties have been an ongoing challenge for many years despite the “no dogs permitted” signage. There have been examples of dog owners taking their dogs off leash or even leaving their dogs unattended in a school yard, or within the kindergarten or childcare enclosures. There have been incidents of off-leash dogs chasing as well as biting students, members of the public and staff. Dog feces and disposal bags are frequently left on the school grounds impacting the student use and enjoyment of outdoor activities.
Signage is posted near the entrances, such as gates or openings in the school ground fencing (refer to Appendix A for a copy of the signage) that clearly indicates TDSB school grounds are private property and dogs are not permitted on school board property. Section 6.10 in PR523, Access to School Premises prohibits canines on TDSB properties at any time (except service animals).
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Community Safety & Support
If you should you ever see any suspicious activity around school buildings after school hours, please contact 311, Toronto Police Services Dispatch at 416-808-2222, or the TDSB’s 24-hour Call Centre at 416-395-4620.
If you or a family member is in crisis, please contact Kids Help Phone:1-800-668-6868 or get support right now by texting CONNECT to 686868.
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