July 26, 2018 Subscribe to my Newsletter. Visit my website. Follow me.

Message from Trustee Gough

Dear Ward 3 Resident,

Summer is normally a lighthearted time in our city, but last Sunday's shooting on the Danforth has left the entire city stunned. Heartbreakingly, one of our board's recent graduates, 18 year old Reese Fallon, was fatally injured. Reese was a bright student, well liked by all, who had just graduated from Malvern CI and was about to enter McMaster University. My heart goes out to her family and friends.

In a peaceful country like Canada, we struggle to understand the roots of gun violence. Clearly, according to the 29 year old perpetrator's family, psychosis and depression was a factor. Every situation is different. In the days to come experts will analyze last weekend's event to determine causal factors. City council has passed an action plan to create a multi-faceted gun violence strategy.

It's important to remember that despite the rash of violent events recently Toronto is still one of the safest cities in a very safe country. Toronto's 2016 Crime Severity Index rating is 47.5, putting it in third place nationally for safety in Canada. Canada's average index rating for cities is 71. We can, and should, continue to use our streets for outdoor life. They are a vital part of our urban fabric.

Children can experience a wide range of emotions when they hear about random violence in the media. Here are some tips for talking to children about tragic events, put together by TDSB's Professional Support Services.

In this issue:

Local news and updates:

Norseman Jr. Middle School: Construction on track to start in August

News and updates from TDSB's Education Centre:

TDSB and City expanding Vision Zero traffic measures in school zones
TDSB Long Term Program and Accommodation Strategy
School Council Toolkit
Summer school opportunities

From the province:

New provincial government's sex-ed curriculum rollback

Local News and Updates

Norseman Jr. Middle School: Construction on track to start in August

The news is good on Norseman's 12 room addition construction project. Tenders have come in within budget. The TDSB project team is preparing a summary report to go to the trustees' Facilities Committee on August 1. When approved, the contractor who submitted the winning bid will begin the staging of construction, likely in August. Every attempt will be made to keep disruption of streets in the area to a minimum. Feel free to call or email me if you have concerns as construction progresses.

News and Updates from TDSB's Education Centre

TDSB and City expanding Vision Zero traffic measures in school zones

I have been an outspoken supporter of Vision Zero traffic measures in school zones for years. Because of my efforts and those of many other TDSB trustees and community members, city council is increasing its budget for school zone traffic safety measures. The TDSB will be steadily increasing the number of school travel planners over the next two years. These are facilitators who work locally with the schools designated for increased traffic safety measures. They analyze the safety/danger factors of the streets around the school and work to bring together parents, school staff, city traffic, public health, and police personnel to create sustainably safer routes to school for students. I'll continue to keep you informed as the Vision Zero measures roll out in our community.

TDSB Long-Term Program and Accommodation Strategy

The TDSB Long-Term Program and Accommodation Strategy helps the system plan for the future. It lays out the planning for what programs will be offered in which schools. It also captures planning that takes place to ensure that schools will not get too overcrowded or too under-enrolled. The strategy is refreshed at the end of each school year and an updated report is released. You can find the latest version of the Long-Term Program and Accommodation Strategy here.

School Council Toolkit

For those of you who are school council members or school principals, a very good new online resource has come out from TDSB's Parent Involvement Advisory Committee. It covers all the basics of how a school council runs: elections, bylaws, the role of the principal, etc. Find a copy of the PIAC School Council Toolkit here.

Summer school opportunities

Learning at the TDSB doesn't stop just because it's summer. Opportunities to learn abound and each year over 30,000 students of all ages take part in summer programs. Many elementary schools are offering literacy and math programs. The Model Schools for the Inner City programs already have over 7,000 students registered for local programming with a cross-curricular approach such as literacy, numeracy, physical education, social justice, and science/technology. There are international languages and African Heritage programs as well as lots of high school courses- some of which are offered overseas! Learn more about the TDSB's Elementary, High School, and Adult Summer Programs here.

From the province

New provincial government's sex-ed curriculum rollback

The new provincial government has decided to repeal the current Health and Physical Education curriculum, instead indicating that schools should, at least for the time being, go back to the curriculum that was established in the 1990's. This curriculum was written before the internet came on the scene. It does not address important issues for student safety and well being, such as consent, cyber-bullying or understanding the many kinds of gender identities that are protected under human rights legislation in Ontario. The Ontario Public School Boards' Association, OPHEA, and a number of school boards have issued statements of concern about this situation, including the TDSB. You can read the TDSB statement here. If you have an opinion on this topic, I recommend you write your local MPP, Christine Hogarth, or the Minister of Education, Lisa Thompson.