| Hello and Happy New Year!
I hope you're enjoying a healthy and positive start to 2024. The winter season is here, and while the temperature outside is dropping, many school activities are ramping up. In addition to exciting classroom and extracurricular activities for students, there are several engagement opporutnities available to families in the upcoming weeks. I encourage you to check out the parent/caregiver, public consultation, and cultural events included below, as well as our upcoming Ward 7 events. Board committee meetings have also resumed and Trustees are considering several planning, policy and program items - from a policy that could limit cell phone use in schools, to progress on TDSB's multi-year strategic plan renewal. I look forward to discussing some of these items with you at our January 30th ward meeting. As always, I welcome your thoughts, concerns and suggestions related to student education and well-being.
Yours in Community,
Debbie King
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Ward 7 Council and Community Meetings
Please note that our ward meeting - originally scheduled for Monday, January 22nd - has been changed due to a conflict with the revised Board calendar. I look forward to seeing many of you (virtually) on January 30th.
Tuesday, January 30th from 6:30 to 8:30pm:
Virtual Ward Council Meeting and PIAC Ward Represenative Elections - RSVP Here
Join us for:
- updates from ward reps on the French-As-A-Second-Language Advisory Commitee (FSLAC) and Parent Involvement Advisory Commitee (PIAC)
- election of two PIAC ward representatives (see next section for info)
- updates and discussion on items being considered by Trustees
Tuesday, February 13th from 6:30 to 8:30pm:
Virtual Ward 6 & 7 Joint Forum on Math Achievement Strategies - RSVP Here
Together with Trustee Hassan, I invite all families to join us for a presentation on mathematics strategies. This is a great opportunity to learn about TDSB's mathematics achievement action plan, including strategies and tools used to support student learning in elementary and secondary schools.
Presenters: System Superintendent of Mathematics, Denise Humphreys and Mathematics Program Cooridnator, Jason To.
Friday, March 1st from 6:00pm to 8:30pm
Ward 7 & 9 Evening Social for Parents and Caregivers of Black Children - Save the date. Registration link will be shared soon
Join Trustee Dawson and myself in person for an interactive West African drumming workshop, catered dinner, and discussion. This is an affinity space for parents and caregivers of Black children, as well as Black-identifying educators in Davenport, Parkdale-High Park, and Spadina-Fort York schools. Childcare and language interpreation will be available. More information to follow.
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Ward 7 PIAC Co-Representative Elections
The purpose of PIAC is to support, encourage and enhance parent engagement at the board level in order to improve student achievement and well-being.
We are seeking two PIAC Co-Representatives for Ward 7.
PIAC Ward Co-Representatives are advocates who:
- Provide information and advice on parent engagement to the TDSB
- Communicate with and support school councils of schools; and
- Undertake activities to help parents of pupils of the board support their children's learning at home and at school.
Jan 22, 2024 - Candidate bios shared with registered voters
Jan 30, 2024 - Elections at virtual council meeting
All TDSB Ward 7 parents/caregivers are eligible for nomination and voting. .
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Join us for our 17th Annual Parent/Caregiver Conference!
Saturday, February 3, 2024
10 am - 3 pm
Earl Haig Secondary School
PIAC believes "knowledge is power" and that is why our conference focus this year is Empowering School Councils through leadership, support, and advocacy. Participate in our town hall with fellow TDSB Parents, Guardians, Caregivers and Staff and gain the knowledge to be stronger, collective forces of change. Celebrate the tireless efforts of our School Councils in supporting the greater success of our schools, children, and community!
Details and registration are on our conference page.
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Elementary Alternative Online Applications
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Middle French Immersion (Grade 4) Applications
For families interested in the TDSB's system-wide French Immersion Program, there is an online process to apply for Middle French Immersion which begins in grade 4.
Within Ward 7, Middle French Immersion is offered at Fern Avenue JSPS and Swansea JSPS. While admission to the Middle French Immersion program is guaranteed to all eligible on-time applicants, admission to a specific school is NOT guaranteed.
To apply to the Middle French Immersion Program for September 2024, applications must be completed online between January 8 and February 2, 2024. Families with an older sibling currently in a Middle French Immersion program are still required to complete an online application for the new student.
There is one more information session on January 22nd, 2024. For more information, please visit: Middle French Immersion.
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Out-Of-Area Admissions Applications
Did you know you can access schools beyond your designated home address (given available space)? Learn more on the Out-of-Area Admissions website, including random selection priorities. Apply for elementary and secondary online. Elementary applications open January 8-31, 2024, and secondary applications open January 8-26, 2024. In-person students switching to Virtual Learning for September 2024 must apply through Out-of-Area Admissions.
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High Performancing Athletes Programs
The High Performing Athlete Programs provide academic programming and flexible scheduling for students-athletes who are involved in provincial, national or international level training and competition.
In order to meet the demands of intense training schedules, schools provide more flexible timetables in order to balance school with out of school commitments, so that athletes can strive for both academic and athletic excellence. Additionally, special consideration is given for school missed as a result of competition.
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Review of Legacy Technical and Commerical Boundaries
As part of the Long-Term Program and Accommodation Strategy, the TDSB aims to address outdated technical and commercial boundaries that exist in certain areas of the city. These outdated boundaries were established during a time of academic-vocational streamlining, but now hinder equity of access. The Board is proposing the dissolution of these legacy boundaries by September 2025 to provide equal access to all Toronto students.
The affected schools include Western Technical-Commercial School in Ward 7; as well as, Central Technical School, Central Toronto Academy, Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute, Northern Secondary School and, Victoria Park Collegiate Institute. The proposed changes would not affect current programs.
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Tamil Heritage Month
Tamil Heritage Month is proudly recognized during January at the TDSB. This year, the theme is Our Memories, Our Truths, Our Paths Forward: A Mosaic of Tamil Identity. The theme is a reminder to pause and reflect on our memories and narratives, to consider how they shape us individually, and to look at ways that we can come together to honour and celebrate our individuality while moving forward with our collective humanity in mind.Visit the Tamil Heritage Month webpage to learn more.
Families interested in learning and celebrating together, may want to check out the Tamil Heritage Month celebration at Toronto City Hall on January 19th. I had the pleasure of attending last year, and enjoyed taking in arts and cuisine while celebrating the achievements of Tamil youth and leaders. Recently, I also visited the Queer Tamil Collective exhibit at the Scaborough Museum. The exhibit provides a wonderful learning opportunity, aligned with areas of grade 10-12 curriculum which may interest families with older children.
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In the Boardroom
Following is a highlight of items discussed and/or upcoming in this month's cycle of meetings. For complete commitee meeting agendas and minutes, visit the boardroom section of the TDSB website.
Jan 17 - Governance and Policy Committee (GPC)
- Community Advisory Committee Procedures
- Employment Equity Policy Review
- Policy on Cell Phone/Mobile Device Use in Schools to Ensure Student Achievement and Well-Being
- Latin-America Heritage Month
Jan 18 - Finance, Budget and Enrollment Commitee (FBEC):
- Contract Award - Western Technical School/Ursula Franklin Academy Pilot project for the installation of security cameras to replace the existing old Security Camera System, including wiring, with the new Network Security Camera System.
- 2023-24 Revised Estimates
- Three-Year Enrolment Projections 2024-25 to 2026-27
- Pilot Dog Run Update
Jan 22 - Planning and Priorities Commitee (PPC)
- Child Care status in City and TDSB sites
- Capital Revitalization Strategy Approval
- Multi-Year Strategic Plan Update
- Reducing Respiratory Virus in Schools - Ventilation Report
Jan 24 - Programs and School Services Commitee (PSSC)
- Secondary Alternative School Program Review
- Central Student Interest Program Report
- 2024-2025 School Year Calendar
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Provincial Budget Consultations
Information has been posted regarding the province’s 2024 Pre-Budget Consultations. In addition to the online survey, Ontarians can submit written submissions by January 31, 2024. Further, the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs will be conducting public meetings across the province during December 2023 and January 2024.
When completing the survey, question 5 asks, “When you think about your community, what services or resources could use more government support? Please choose the top 3 priorities that you feel are the most important.”
One of the options is “Education supports (like before and after school programming, special education and developmental support programs).” We encourage you to list this priority should you wish to support public education.
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City Budget 2024 Town Halls
On January 10th, the City released the proposed 2024 Operating and Capital Budgets. This kicked off the month of Budget proceedings where City Divisions explain their proposed budget choices and the City holds community meetings to gather input from the public. This is a good opportunity to consider needs and impacts on public transit, housing, libraries, recreation and other City services that support school neighbourhoods and families. Visit https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/budget-finances/city-budget/ for more information on the budget and how to participate in town hall sessions.
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