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Week of September 9, 2019
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TDSB Senior Team 2019-2020From the Director's webpage - The TDSB’s Senior Team Organizational Structure for the 2019-20 school year focuses on collaborative leadership to achieve the mission, values and goals outlined in the Multi-Year Strategic Plan.
The Senior Team Organizational Structure has been revised this year to reflect $17 million in budget reductions to the TDSB’s central administration, which includes the senior team. To achieve these reductions, functions and responsibilities of senior team positions have been consolidated and streamlined. The structure consists of Associate Directors, Executive Officers, Executive Superintendents, System Superintendents and Superintendents of Education, who continue to be led by the Director of Education.
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Update on Bus Driver Shortage The Toronto Student Transportation Group (TSTG) has received an update from Stock Transportation that despite their best efforts, there continues to be a driver shortage now impacting 24 routes in Stock Transportation’s East, West and North Divisions. These routes affect a student at NTCI in Ward 8 and no other Ward 8 schools. That does not mean they are not issues for some as bussing gets sorted out. We appreciate your patience. For questions, contact Toronto Student Transportation Group at 416-394-4BUS (416-394-4287) or e-mail transportation@torontoschoolbus.org. Parents are also encouraged to check the delay portal for the latest information https://busplannerweb.torontoschoolbus.org/Cancellations.aspx. Problems connecting with Student Transportation? TSTG has a temporary new phone line for the month of September to contact the call centre. You shouldn't get a busy signal using the new number at 647-790-3829.
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Student PlannersStudents in the TDSB are provided with Planners that contain common board policy information and are customized for individual schools. Student planners also contain TDSB common pages with information about the Board’s homework policy, severe weather guidelines, code of online conduct, and more. I understand there have been delays in the delivery of Student Planners at many schools. Should you wish to read the common pages, please click below.
Elementary common pages
Intermediate common pages
Secondary common pages
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Committee Meeting This Week
September 11 (Wednesday) Governance and Policy Committee 4:30 p.m.
5.1 Black Student Achievement Community Advisory Committee Report, June 10, 2019
5.2 Black Student Achievement Community Advisory Committee 2018-19 Annual Report
5.3 Community Use of Schools Community Advisory Committee Report, May 14, 2019
5.4 Community Use of Schools Community Advisory Committee 2018-19 Annual Report and Self-Evaluation
5.5 Early Years Community Advisory Committee 2018-19 Annual Report
5.6 Environmental Sustainability Community Advisory Committee Report, June 4, 2019
5.7 Environmental Sustainability Community Advisory Committee 2018-19 Annual Report and Self-Evaluation
5.8 Equity Policy Community Advisory Committee 2018-19 Annual Report and Self-Evaluation
5.9 French-as-a-Second-Language Community Advisory Committee Report, June 11, 2019
5.10 French-as-a-Second-Language Community Advisory Committee 2018-19 Annual Report
5.11 Inner City Community Advisory Committee Report, May 23, 2019
5.12 Parent Involvement Advisory Committee Report, June 18, 2019
5.13 Special Education Advisory Committee Report, June 3, 2019
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TDSB System Reorganization
School boards are funded by the province of Ontario based on student enrollment. Each September, TDSB staff looks at enrollment projections and adjust the level of school-based staffing needed to support students. In some of your schools you will already know that some classes are larger than anticipated whereas in others, some may be smaller. Board decisions about school-based staff allocations must take into account legislative requirements including the Ministry of Education’s class size regulations that put limits on class sizes or averages and Collective Agreements with teacher federations. Staff allocation decisions are approved by the Board in March based on projected school enrollments in order to be ready to open schools in September and implement the staffing processes as defined by Collective Agreements. Staffing timelines for the employee groups are prepared in consultation with the appropriate bargaining unit representatives. Each elementary school has a staffing committee where the board-wide allocation is distributed according to local school decisions.
Parameters:
- Full Day Kindergarten (FDK): A system average of no more than 26.0 students per class. A cap or maximum of 29 students in any class. Classes with 16 or MORE students are required to have a teacher and a Designated Early Childhood Educator. Classes of 15 or fewer students are required to have a teacher only.
- Grade 1-3: A cap or maximum of 20 students in any class. The Board is permitted to exceed the cap in 10% of Grade 1-3 classes up to a maximum of 23 students.
- Grade 3/4 Combined Grade Classes: A cap or maximum of 23 students in any class.
- Grade 4-8: Classes are required to have a system average class size of 23.24 students based on collective agreements with ETFO but are actually being funded by the Ministry of Education at a system average class average of 24.5 students. ($9.5M cost to the Board)
- Grade 9-12 - On March 15, 2019 the Ministry of Education advised that secondary system-wide class size average will transition to 28.0 but for this year, the regulation is for a system average of no more than 22.0 students per class plus attrition. Under the Ministry of Education guidelines for attrition funding, the TDSB projected system average will be 23.6 for the 2019-2020 school year. Additionally, the existing collective agreement with OSSTF places class size caps on classes based on level. For example, classes at the Academic level has a cap of 30, classes at the Applied level has a cap of 23, classes at the Locally Developed level has a cap of 14. Each secondary school is permitted to exceed the cap by 10% in 10% of classes. (Note that the TDSB has had reductions to the number of teachers that are not covered by the Ministry attrition funding. For example, those positions funded by Local Priorities funding from the Ministry have been reduced due to this funding being discontinued, a number of teachers in central positions e.g., coaches, etc.) As a result of the attrition funding not covering those types of positions, there have, in fact, been layoffs of secondary teachers.
- Local Priorities Funding - As noted above, the Ministry of Education advised Boards that Local Priorities funding ended August 31, 2019. Additional teachers derived from the contract extension agreement with ETFO and OSSTF are not included for 2019-20. This is a further reduction of funded teachers across the system.
It's important to remember that a 'System Average' measures all of the classes in that category across the Board. A 'Cap' is a measurement pertaining to each class in that category. It is important to note that in Grade 4-8 this is a TDSB system-wide average, meaning that in some schools, some classes may be as low as 20 and as high as 30. There have been a few isolated cases where some classes in the first week reached as high as 40. Please know that this will change within the next two weeks to meet the expectations noted above once schools reorganize.
In secondary schools, there is impact that will be felt including course cancellations, larger class sizes and combined grade and level courses. Each TDSB secondary school will be offering all compulsory courses; however, when a section of a compulsory course has been cancelled, all remaining sections of that compulsory course will be larger. The staffing reduction has not only impacted class size and course selection, but will also result in fewer supports for students who need them.
Remember, the number of teachers allocated to the system is directly dependent on the number of students. And the number of teachers allocated to a school is directly dependent on the number of students enrolled in the school. As a system, we do our best to plan for the new school year, but there are always factors, such as new or departing students, that might affect how classrooms are organized. Every September, the TDSB reviews actual student enrolment in our schools (compared to the spring's projections). This is the month where adjustments to teacher allocations are required in order for the board to be compliant with class size regulations and collective agreements.
For elementary, the Ministry requires the Board to identify a “count date” in the month of September where the class sizes must be adjusted to become regulation compliant based on the enrolment of that date. For 2019-20, that date is September 13. Adjustment or re-organization in some cases means the movement of students among classes but may also include the creation of an additional class via the allocation of an additional teacher or the cancelling of class via the removal of a teacher allocation. Adjustment activity takes place in the week following the count date. The Board is required to report the elementary class sizes to the Ministry on the last day of October.
For secondary, the system average is not established until the spring of the school year since Full-Year, First Semester and Second Semester class enrolment must be measured. However, adjustment to teacher allocation also occurs in September. Typically secondary students do not all arrive on the first day of school, enrolment at secondary schools grows between the start of school and the third week of September. It is for this reason that secondary teacher adjustments occur after this point. In the first week of high school classes there have been a few isolated cases where some classes have reached as high as 40 or more students. Please know that this will change in the next few weeks to meet the expectations outlined above. Please also note that secondary teacher adjustment also occurs in February/March to address second semester class sizes. In the secondary panel additional teacher allocation may mean the re-organization of some classes and timetable changes for some students.
We know that reorganization is challenging for staff; and for students and parents, changing classes may be difficult .Students will be supported as they transition through these classroom changes to ensure a successful and rewarding school year. Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation. You will hear directly from your school’s Principal if reorganization is required. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your Principal.
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Add Your Voice
On the first day of school, Mayor John Tory announced that the city wants to install 50 speed enforcement cameras in school and community zones - the province needs to pass legislation to do this. The Mayor also added that the city currently has 136 school safety zones and has plans to complete 63 more this year. The province's amendments would allow municipalities to: a) adopt, at their discretion, Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) systems in school zones and community safety zones on roads with a speed limit under 80km/h in order to address speeding; and, b) gain acceptance into Ontario's Red Light Camera (RLC) program, through a streamlined process.
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Register for Student Vote Canada 2019by Carla Garbas, OPSBA
This fall, more than 9,000 schools and 1 million students are expected to take part in Student Vote Canada 2019 coinciding with the October federal election. Student Vote is an authentic learning program that provides elementary and high school students with the opportunity to experience the voting process firsthand and practice the habits of active and informed citizenship. Student Vote is a program of CIVIX. Elections Canada has engaged CIVIX to deliver Student Vote for the 2019 federal election. Register here https://studentvote.ca/canada_registration/Participating students will learn about government and the electoral process, and research the issues, candidates and parties through classroom activities, family discussion and media consumption. In the culminating activity, students will cast ballots for the local candidates running in their riding. The results are shared with the media for broadcast and publication following the close of polls. Student Vote Canada 2019 is targeted at grades 4 to 12 and materials are available in English and French. Registered schools will receive educational resources, posters, riding maps, ballots and ballot boxes at no cost. Learn more by visiting www.studentvote.ca/canada or calling toll free: 1-866-488-8775.
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International Languages Elementary and African HeritageIn an increasingly globalized world, it is important to set our students on the path to being active global citizens. The TDSB takes great pride in providing International Languages and African Heritage programs to all students from K to Grade 8. No background knowledge is necessary and we encourage students to explore all languages. Through our International Languages Elementary and African Heritage programs, we offer 28,000 students classes in more than 50 languages and cultures.
In our Ward there are programs at Deer Park, Eglinton, John Ross Robertson, JR Wilcox and Joyce.
You can go to the International Languages Elementary/African Heritage school during program hours (as listed in the brochure) to register. Registration starts the week of September 16. You can check the programs available in the brochure by clicking the link:
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City Recreation ProgramsRegistration for City of Toronto fall and winter recreation programs as well as December holiday camps starts Saturday, September 7 and continues next week.
Registration begins at 7 a.m. for these areas:
• Saturday, September 7 for Etobicoke
• Sunday, September 8 for Scarborough
• Tuesday, September 10 for North York
• Wednesday, September 11 for Toronto/East York and West Toronto/York
Due to ward realignments, the registration start date for some locations has changed. Residents are asked to plan ahead and confirm the district for their programs before registration starts.
Locations affected by this change can be found online at
You can check here for all the program options here
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New Invitations
Ontario Universities' Fair 2019
Sep 27 - 29, 2019 - 10 am - 5 pm daily - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - Free admission
The largest educational fair in North America, where students and their parents may speak with representatives from each Ontario university about programs, campus life and anything else that may help them make a decision about which Ontario university to choose - click here for more information https://www.ontariouniversitiesfair.ca/
Ontario College Information Fair
Oct 23 - 24, 2019 Enercare Centre
"The international educational trade fair." The Ontario College Information Fair provides the attendees with the opportunity to learn about careers available and which college programs will best prepare them for those careers, find out about unique programs that can only be offered at Ontario colleges, hear about campus life, housing, and student services, and find out how to pay for the colleges.
2020 Prime Minister's Awards Now OpenThis program honours innovative and outstanding elementary and secondary school teachers and early childhood educators who are helping prepare Canadian youth for the challenges of tomorrow. Looking for inspiration? Check out previous teaching and early childhood education award recipients. Last year, Ward 8's Lawrence Heights Middle School teacher Terrance Alonza Saunders was awarded a Certificate of Achievement. I know there is excellence throughout our schools...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).
Back to School Clothing Swap - September 14, 2019Back-to-school clothing swap happening in Oakwood village urban market September 14. Early donations accepted at Davisville /Spectrum front office in their temporary location at Vaughan Road academy (529 Vaughan Road) Monday-Wednesday school hours only or this coming Tuesday September 10 at the Appletree Farmer's market under the Purple Davisville tent. If you are clearing out your outgrown pre-loved clothes, you can drop them off between 330-6, and have the chance to meet other Davisville parents - also, the new vice principal will be on hand to answer any questions and meet families.
The swap is being organized by Works-in-progress artist collective with the support of the Oakwood BIA, Davisville Eco Club and school council. Please direct any questions to works.in.progressto@gmail.com
Volunteers welcome! Alternate donation arrangements can also be made. Give your clothes a second life. Please note: all sizes welcome, also seeking large T-shirts and old sheets ( any condition) for art projects find out more at www.works-in-progress.ca.
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Board and Standing Committee Meetings
In my weekly updates I will do my best to highlight the agenda items at upcoming Board and Committee meetings. There are no meetings scheduled the first week of school. All meetings are open to the public.
September - October Cycle
- September 11 (Wednesday) Governance and Policy Committee 4:30 p.m.
- September 12 (Thursday) Program and School Services Committee 4:30 p.m.
- September 17 (Tuesday) Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee 4:30 p.m.
- September 18 (Wednesday) Committee of the Whole 4:30 p.m.
- September 25 (Wednesday) Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m.
- October 2 (Wednesday) Governance and Policy Committee 4:30 p.m.
- October 3 (Thursday) Program and School Services Committee 4:30 p.m.
- October 10 (Thursday) Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee 4:30 p.m.
- October 16 (Wednesday) Committee of the Whole 4:30 p.m.
- October 23 (Wednesday) Governance and Policy Committee 4:30 p.m.
- October 30 (Wednesday) Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Note all meetings are held at 5050 Yonge St - time and location of meetings will also be identified on meeting agendas that are available the week before the meetings on the following website.
http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/AgendaMinutes.aspx
Select Agendas, then the appropriate meeting from the pull-down menu at the top of the page.
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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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