December 2024
Dear students, parents/guardians/caregivers, and school communities:
I hope you are all well as we approach the Winter Break and the Holiday Season.
Ward 10 Forum
Join Trustee Deborah Williams on December 19, 2024, for the Ward 10 Forum: School Councils Engaging Families - School Improvement & Student Achievement. This is an opportunity for our school council chairs/ co-chairs and members to learn, share, connect and network. We will discuss and share best practices and effective strategies to actively engage parents/ guardians/ caregivers in improving student achievement and well-being. Everyone is welcome.
DATE: Thursday, December 19, 2024
TIME: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
LOCATION: This will be a hybrid forum. Online via Zoom or in person at Central Technical School, 725 Bathurst St, Toronto
Light refreshments and onsite childcare will be available. If you have any interpretation or accessibility needs, please indicate them on the RSVP form or contact us directly at TrusteeServices@tdsb.on.ca or 416-395-8787.
To see information on upcoming and past Ward 10 Forums please visit my website at Ward Forums
2024-25 Mental Health and Well-Being Toolkit
Unlock a healthier school year with the 2024-25 Mental Health and Well-Being Toolkit! Created by the Professional Support Services team in collaboration with School Mental Health Ontario and the Ministry of Education, it is designed to meet the diverse needs of students and families. The toolkit includes:
- Daily mental health and wellness activities for students
- Contacts for culturally relevant community agencies
- Wellness activities for students with disabilities
- Grief and loss resources in multiple languages
- Information on anti-sex trafficking, addiction, and more
Virtual Drop-In Hours: Pathways to Care for Mental Health
Did you know the TDSB offers drop-in hours for educational presentations that provide the knowledge and tools necessary to support the well-being of students at home and in school? Visit the TDSB website to view session dates and themes.
Resources for Parents, Guardians & Caregivers
We are excited to share that we have revamped the Resources for Parents, Guardians & Caregivers webpage! Content is now organized by helpful topics like Student Well-Being, Learning, and Engagement, making it easier than ever to find valuable resources. I encourage you to explore this new page and take advantage of the resources available to help you and your children thrive. You can easily access these resources by clicking the “Parents & Caregivers” button on the top bar of the TDSB homepage.
Winter Outerwear Drive
As winter approaches, many families in our community need warm clothing. That is why the TDSB has once again organized a Winter Outerwear Drive to collect funds for coats, hats, gloves, and boots for students. Since 2021, we have raised over $1.3 million in donations, helping more than 15,424 students in 307 schools. This drive supports our mission to remove barriers to learning and ensure students feel well and are ready to achieve. 100% of all proceeds and in-kind donations benefit TDSB students and 100% of the donation value is eligible for a tax receipt. Find more information and the donation link on the Winter Outerwear Drive page.
Special Education and Inclusion 2024-25 Drop-In Sessions
Special Education and Inclusion is pleased to offer drop-in sessions for parents, guardians, and caregivers. These sessions aim to provide information and resources for accessing special education supports and services. Participants can ask questions, share experiences, and connect with other families in a friendly environment. Please see the flyer for upcoming dates, times, and links.
Kindergarten Registration for September 2025
New this year, registration for all TDSB English Kindergarten programs will now begin in January! This change aligns with other system-wide application processes, making it easier for families to plan and decide on the best program options for their children.
Elementary Alternative Schools Online Application Process
The TDSB offers a variety of Elementary Alternative Schools for students. The application process is streamlined and easy, with everything managed centrally through an online application form. Do not miss this chance to explore the unique educational opportunities available to your child! The online application for September 2025 admission will be open from January 6 at 9 a.m. to January 31 at 4 p.m.
Middle French Immersion (Grade 4 Entry) Application Deadline
For families interested in the TDSB’s system-wide French Immersion Program, we offer an online process to apply for Middle French Immersion (begins in Grade 4). To apply to the Middle French Immersion Program for September 2025, applications must be completed online between January 6 and 31, 2025. Families with an older sibling currently in a Middle French Immersion program are still required to complete an online application for the new student. For more information and to access the application, please visit the Middle French Immersion webpage.
High School Open Houses and Information Nights
Please join us this winter for organized open houses and information sessions! These events are your opportunity to discover the perfect secondary school for your child. We have designed these sessions to be incredibly informative and engaging for parents, guardians, caregivers, and students alike. Do not miss out on this chance to get all your questions answered and see firsthand what makes our schools exceptional. I encourage you to visit our website to find dates and times for upcoming Open Houses and Information Nights.
Learn4Life Registration Now Open
This winter, why not join thousands of adults and seniors in discovering new skills and interests with our fantastic general interest courses and senior programs? These amazing opportunities are brought to you by the TDSB Learn4Life Program.
Winter registration is now open, and courses kick off on January 11, 2025. Whether you are looking to dive into a new hobby or sharpen your skills, we have got something for everyone. Our fee-for-service programs are all about lifelong learning, offering a wide range of academic and recreational courses for adults in areas like languages, computers, fitness, wellness, music, and arts. Visit learn4life.ca to learn more and register today for both in-person and online programs. Let's make this winter a season of growth and fun together!
Winter Weather and Student Transportation
From time to time, it may be necessary to cancel student transportation, classes and/or programs because of severe weather. On rare occasions, severe weather makes it necessary to close schools, administrative offices, or sites.
With approximately 238,000 students in nearly 600 schools, any decision to cancel buses, classes and/or programs or to close sites can have a significant impact on thousands of families across Toronto. This decision is not taken lightly. Please note that when schools are closed, there will be no staff (such as principals and teachers) on-site to supervise students.
When schools remain open on days with inclement weather, parents/guardians/caregivers make the final decision on whether to send their children to school and they can keep children home from school if they so choose.
Should a cancellation or closure be necessary, information will be posted on the TDSB website and TDSB social media by 6 a.m. I encourage you to visit the website to learn about Snow/Cold Weather and the Procedure for Severe Weather.
Reduce the Spread of Respiratory Infections
During this respiratory virus season, I encourage you to review tips from Toronto Public Health (TPH) to help prevent the spread of infections in schools and communities. Here are a few suggestions from TPH to help keep everyone safe:
- Stay up to date with vaccinations: Ensure you and your family are protected against influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory infections by getting vaccinated.
- Stay home if you are sick: If you have symptoms of illness, even if they are mild, stay home and wear a mask for 10 days after symptoms start.
- Practice good hygiene: Wash or sanitize your hands often, cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue, and clean frequently touched surfaces.
By following these steps, we can all play a part in reducing the spread of respiratory viruses and keeping our communities healthy.
Questions and 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! Learn more about Steps to Address Questions and Concerns here.
Upcoming Ward 10 Forums
- Thu Dec 19, 2024
- Mon Jan 20, 2025 (revised date)
- Thu Feb 27, 2025
- Thu Apr 3, 2025
- Thu May 8, 2025
For more information, please visit
Upcoming Board Meetings
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Join the conversations happening on TDSB's social media communities. You will find the most up-to-date information about us on our X, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.
