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Hello Ward 7 Families,
Happy May! During the last few weeks, I've had the pleasure of attending events that centre student voice, promote community-building, and support vital school programs. It's been wonderful to see our school communities represented at the EnVision Conferene, Sistema Gala, and more.
Coming up next, I look forward to visiting Keele Street PS with Bhutila Karpoche for "Take Your MPP to School Day". I will also host our virtual Ward Council & Community Meeting on Tuesday, May 21st from 6:30 - 8:30pm. All are welcome to attend.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our budget town halls and otherwise shared concerns about potential impacts on the 2024-2025 budget. Our Board continues to advocate for "a new deal" from the Ministry of Education to address chronic underfunding. You can read more about the status and next steps, as well as other boardroom updates, below.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy long weekend!
Yours in Community,
Debbie King
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L: TDSB Trustees at the Toronto Education Oppotunity Fund auction dinner,
R: TDSB Trustees with Chief Executive Office Sistema Toronto at fundraising gala.
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Ward 7 News
Charitable Initiatives
Many of our school communities have organized and participated in fundraising activities in support of charitable and community organizations. Recently, students at Keele Street PS donated proceeds from their pink t-shirt fundraiser to Friends of Ruby, and the Runnymede JSPS community was recognied for their outstanding support of the Terry Fox Foundation. On May 10th, I had the pleasure of seeing the Humberside CI community in action, raising funds in support of SickKids Foundation through a schoolwide handball tournament. Congratulations on a great event including paricipation by 20 teams and over $17K raised!
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Parkdale Community Walk
Earlier this month, I joined members of our leadership team, local school principals, and community leaders on a tour of social services and spaces in the South Parkdale area. This was a fantastic opportunity for administrators from DRCKM, Parkdale JSPS, and PCI to visit and learn about supports offered by Parkdale Food Bank, West Neighbourhood House, and more. They also learned about the significance of community spaces like the Milky Way Garden, Hope Garden, and Dunn Learning Garden, pictured here. School staff are creating connections to afterschool, volunteer, experiential, and employment opporunities for students. This is exciting collaborative work that includes engagement by SafeTO, Toronto Community Housing, and other stakeholders.
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Ward 7 Schools at the BSA Showcase & PanFest Vybz
Congratulations to students from Swansea JSPS and Dr. Rita Cox - Kina Minagok PS for their respective presentations and performance at the Black Student Alliance Showcase and PanFest Vybz this month. The events brought students from across the TDSB together, immersing them in STEM and arts experiences. It was great to attend the BSA showcase where I saw an engaging AI presentation by Say Somaali, and heard students talk about the goals and accomplishments of their BSAs, and why they enjoy belonging to the club.
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Multi-Year Strategic Plan 2024-2028
We are proud to launch the updated MYSP, Inspiring Minds & Shaping Futures: Our Multi-Year Commitment to Student Success (2024-2028), which sets direction and identifies system goals to support the TDSB’s 238,000 students and nearly 600 schools. Learn more at tdsb.on.ca/MYSP
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2024-2025 Budget Development Update
The Ministry of Education recently announced information and changes to 2024-25 Education Funding. The Grants for Student Needs (GSN) funding formula components have been renamed to Core Education Funding (CEF), and the Priorities and Partnerships Funding (PPF) has been renamed to Responsive Education Programs (REP) and Funding to External Partners (FEP).
Core Education Funding is made up of six pillars or funds: Classroom Staffing Fund (CSF); Learning Resource Fund (LRF); Special Education Funding (SEF); School Facilities Fund (SFF); Student Transportation (STF); and the School Board Administration Fund (SBAF). More information can be found on the ministry website at: Education funding for school boards, 2024–2025
OPSBA statement on the release of 2024-25 Core Education Funding - “Just like inflationary impacts on families and businesses, all costs in school board budgets continue to rise. As our members have not seen a corresponding increase in funding, there will undoubtedly be an impact on school board operations. School boards have been waiting for this funding information to continue their planning and make decisions for next year. That said, over the next week, we will be taking a closer look at the 2024-25 education funding documents and connecting with school board staff to determine impacts on our member boards. On the changes to education funding grants and allocations – we look forward to digging into the details, but anything that makes the system more easily understandable for parents, families and communities is welcomed.”
The TDSB Budget Survey closed on Friday, May 3. A total of 7,080 surveys were completed by parents/guardians/caregivers (80%), staff (15%) and community members (5%). See more survey results here.
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Board and Committee Meetings
Recent Meetings and Reports of Note:
- Update on new Core Education Funding
- Special Education Annual Report
- Road Safey in School Zones
- 2022-2023 Annual Human Rights Complaints Report
- Final Report: Review of Legacy Technical Commercial Boundaries
Upcoming Meetings:
- Regular Board Meeting: Wed May 22 @ 7pm
- Goverance and Policy Commitee: Wed May 29 @ 4:30
- Special Finance Budget and Enrollment: Thu May 30 @ 4:30pm
- Programs and School Services Commitee: Wed Jun 5 @ 4:30pm
- Planning and Priorities: Wed Jun 11 @ 4:30pm
Upcoming Staff Reports of Note:
- Fundraising Policy (GPC: May 29)
- School Choice and Student Interest Program Admission Policies and Practices (GPC: May 29)
- Financial Position Update and Options to Balance the Budget (FBEC: May 30)
- Mental Health and Addictions Strategy (PSSC: Jun 5)
- Combatting Hate (PSSC: Jun 5)
- Collaborative Approach to Student Safety and Caring and Safe Schools Annual Report (PPC: Jun 11)
Upcoming Trustee Motions for Consideration:
- Student Governance (GPC: May 29)
- Review of Policy P100, Student Interest Programs (GPC: May 29)
- Reviewing Policies Pertaining to Political Activities of TDSB Staff and Educational Partners During School Hours (GPC: May 29)
- Annual Reporting on Student Attendance (PSSC: Jun 5)
- Review of Current Financial Literacy Implementations within the Curriculum (PSSC: Jun 5)
- Leadership Regarding Artifical Intellegence and Education (PPC: Jun 11)
- Cricket Development (PPC: Jun 11)
Sharing Feeback with the Board:
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OPSBA Black Trustees' Caucus meeting with Minister of Education
The Ontario Public School Board Association BTC held a virtual meeting on April 17th at which the Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, and new Parliamentary Assistant Billy Pang attended. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss last fall’s BTC submission to the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) regarding Anti-Black Racism in Education, and specifically the requests for the expansion of the Graduation Coach Program for Black Students, the creation of Accountability Frameworks to track black student achievement, and the creation of a Partnership Table with Black Education Stakeholders. We also took the opportunity to remind the Minister of the sufficient funding needed as a foundation to achievement for all student.,
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Asian Heritage Month
Asian Heritage Month has been proudly recognized at the Toronto District School Board during the month of May since 2007. This heritage is also celebrated by the Province of Ontario and across Canada.
The TDSB is the largest and one of the most diverse school boards in Canada. According to the 2023 Student Census, 46% of TDSB students self-identified as Asian.
This year’s theme for May 2024 was selected by the Asian Heritage Month Volunteer Planning Committee as Our Journeys: Thriving Through Struggle and Triumph. During the month of May, the Asian Heritage Month Volunteer Planning committee members are working together to assemble various educational opportunities and resources for our students, staff and TDSB community to further learn about the Asian heritage. Speak to your child, teacher or princiapl about the exciting activities happening in school.
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Jewish Heritage Month
May is proudly recognized as Jewish Heritage Month by the Toronto District School Board.
The TDSB’s Jewish Heritage Committee (JHC) is made up of close to 350 staff across every level of the system as well as Trustees
This year, the Jewish Heritage Committee has developed lesson plans and activities for students K-3 using the book, The Mouse Who Danced the Hora by Pamela Mayer, illustrated by Christine Davenier, to teach diversity and equity through Jewish wedding traditions, and learning to dance the Hora.
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Indigenous Student Leadership Program
The TDSB's Urban Indigenous Education Centre is currently accepting applications for the Indigenous Student Summer Leadership Program (ISSLP). This paid summer program provides First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students, who are 16 to 20 years of age, leadership opportunities working with Indigenous mentors. Please note, the deadline to apply is June 5, 2024. Learn more here.
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New Special Education and Inclusion Video
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Steps to Address Your Questions & Concerns
Here at the TDSB, we are always open to hearing your questions and concerns and make every effort to address them as quickly as possible. Your child's classroom teacher is the first point of contact, followed by the school's principal, the school superintendent, and me, your Trustee! For more information, visit www.tdsb.on.ca/Contact-Us/Steps-to-Address-Questions-Concerns.
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