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Bike to School Week at the TDSB – May 27 - 31Active transportation includes walking, cycling, the use of mobility devices, and many other forms of human-powered transportation. Research shows that those who use active modes of transportation experience benefits to mental and physical health and well-being, are better prepared to learn and work and are more connected to their communities. Join students and teachers across the province in celebrating Bike to School Week. Schools participate in Bike to School Week by encouraging their students to walk and/or roll to school, and by holding events both inside and outside the classroom to promote the benefits of active transportation. For more information and resources, please visit our Bike to School Week webpage.
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Let your voice be heard at the Ministry - reverse the secondary class size increase!
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Let your voice be heard at the Ministry - reverse changes to the Autism Program!As you are aware the provincial government has proposed changes to the Ontario Autism Program. The Ministry subsequently launched an online survey along with the opportunity to register for town hall teleconferences. According to the website - Ontario’s government is engaging in a month-long series of public consultations on how children and youth with autism, including those with complex needs, can be better supported. This is the largest consultation on autism in the history of the province. The advice collected through the consultations will be invaluable in helping assess how we can reduce barriers for children with autism, while also looking specifically at enhancements to the Ontario Autism Program.
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2019-20 TDSB Operating BudgetAt the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees on May 22, staff presented Trustees with an Alternatives for Balanced Budget Chart so that Trustees have a complete understanding of all of the options available to them to balance the TDSB’s 2019-20 operating budget. The chart represents areas of the TDSB budget where staff did not propose budget reductions, or in some cases, do not propose any additional budget reductions. In staff’s view, further reductions from the Alternatives for Balanced Budget Chart would have a significant, negative impact on students, school supports, and Board operations and services. Staff has reviewed all of these areas prior to proposing the draft budget and will offer further insights, as to why these areas were not included in the proposed budget at our Special FBEC meeting Monday, May 27. It begins at 4:30 and will be livestreamed. Over the course of the next few meetings, Trustees have the opportunity to suggest substitutions to the staff proposed balanced budget plan - the alternatives need to continue to ensure the budget is balanced. We will be voting on the alternatives at our meeting on June 3.
It is so disappointing that the government believes you can remove 4% from the TDSB Budget so we all do our part - that is nonsense - removing $67.8M is reducing programs and services - and that represents 2% - another 2% will devastate public education in Toronto. Our Director and Senior Business Officials know our system - The TDSB has been asked about the Ontario government’s recent offer to provide larger municipalities and district school boards access to a $7.35 million Audit and Accountability Fund (see below) if they are interested in conducting line-by-line reviews to identify potential savings, while maintaining vital front-line services. Here is what Chair Robin Pilkey had to say -
“The Education Act requires us to pass a balanced budget by June 30 of each year. After months of public consultation and preparation, a proposed budget, which already includes $67.8 million in reductions, is now moving through the budget process. We are working to ensure that cuts will not impact Early Years, Special Education, the funds that help our most challenged communities and as much as possible, front-line classrooms. We appreciate the government's offer of support in finding efficiencies, but have concerns that additional cuts of more than $60M to reach 4% in one year would gut public education in Toronto and ultimately effect the prosperity of Ontario for many years into the future.”
To learn more, please read the May 15 FBEC staff balanced budget report - Proposed Balanced 2019-2020 Operating Budget. In Appendix G you will see all the details in terms of the Department/Area and a Description of what will be reduced as well as its Connection to Multi-Year Strategic Plan & Budget Drivers. Please remember staff recommendations may be subject to change based on trustee amendments over the course of the FBEC meetings. They are not final until the Board votes on June 19. Any question that community has asked through the Trustees or that Trustees have asked themselves are also posted on the website - please see below - and please keep your questions coming -
Remaining Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee Meetings (FBEC) re Budget
- May 27, 2019 Monday 4:30 p.m. Delegations 6:00 p.m.
- June 3, 2019 Monday 4:30 p.m. Delegations 6:00 p.m.
- June 11, 2019 Tuesday 4:30 p.m. Voting on substitution motions and approval of 2019-20 Budget for Operating Budget by the Committee of the Whole for recommendation to the Board on June 19, 2019
Speak to the FBEC - You are welcomed to make a presentation in person to FBEC or send us your written comments. June 3 is the next opportunity for us to hear from you. The meeting will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the TDSB Boardroom with delegations starting at 6pm. For information, please click https://www.tdsb.on.ca/leadership/boardroom/delegations.
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TDSB Meetings This WeekFinance, Budget and Enrolment Committee (Special Meeting) Monday, May 27, 2019
4:30 p.m. Boardroom, Main Floor, 5050 Yonge Street
Delegations Timed Item: 6 p.m.
4.1 Discussion re 2019-20 Proposed Balanced Budget Plan
Governance and Policy Committee, Wednesday, May 29, 2019, 4:30 p.m Committee Room A, 5050 Yonge Street
5. P060, Home Instruction Policy: Phase 5
6. P033, Excursions Policy: Phase 5
7. P051, Caring and Safe Schools Policy: Phase 5
8. P013, Optional Attendance Policy Review: Phase 1 - over the course of the next year, proposed content changes, including findings of the policy equity assessment will form the basis for the consultation -
- Consider changes to priority considerations in view of the TDSB’s commitment to equity
- Ensure alignment of the Policy with TDSB Equity Policy
- Consider centralizing and providing online process for optional attendance applications, to support equity principles and advance consistency and compliance
- Separate and clarify provisions related to optional attendance requests for regular schools/ programs vs specialized schools/programs
- Consider limiting optional attendance applications to current TDSB students only
- Clarify the optional attendance rules applicable to alternative schools an French immersion /extended programs
- Consider introducing system-wide timelines and deadlines for receiving and processing optional attendance applications to ensure consistency, fairness, equity and transparency of the process
- Consider application and scope of the current references to Child Care and access to schools through Optional Attendance
- Evaluation of Parental Engagement Activities - Evaluating current parental engagement activities and developing measures to improve their overall effectiveness Parent and Community Engagement in the School Improvement Process (SIP) - At its meeting on November 28, 2018 the Board approved that policy and procedures be developed to create the way by which parents, students, community and trustees are informed and involved in the School Improvement Process.
- Consideration of Parent Engagement Standards - Embed the MYSP-Build Strong Relationships and Partnerships Within School Communities to Support Student Learning and Well-Being by exploring engagement standards for the system.
- Community Advisory Committees (CACs) - Consider revision of the governance model for Board’s (CACs) through alignment with the: Equity Policy; mandate of CACs as per Board directions from December 4, 2017, Board’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan and its five key goals: (1) Transform Student Learning; (2) Create a Culture for Student and Staff Well-Being; (3) Provide Equity of Access to Learning Opportunities for All Students; Page 115 APPENDIX D Policy Review Work Plan Page 3 of 6 (4) Allocate Human and Financial Resources Strategically to Support Student Needs; (5) Build Strong Relationships and Partnerships within School Communities to Support Student Learning and Well-Being; ensuring that the CACs role, membership and reporting relationship with the Board are clearly defined; adopting a common CAC governance model; ensuring that that CAC mandates and terms of reference are consistent with the Board’s Bylaws, policies and procedures.
- Definition and Usage of the term Parent or Family - Align with the Boards Equity Policy, Ontario Human Rights Family Status Code grounds, the Ontario Humans Rights Commission directives and the Truth and Reconciliation Recommendations
- Separating Community Engagement & Family Engagement - Consider parent engagement as outlined within the Parent Engagement Policy for Ontario Schools.
- Volunteers - Define the role of volunteers; Explore guidelines for volunteering that aligns with TDSB’s best practices.
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Excellence AwardsEvery day, we see excellence in our system. It happens in classrooms, schools, offices and work sites and it is in all 40,000 TDSB staff members who share a common goal: to help our students achieve their very best.
The Excellence Awards recognize outstanding staff achievement. Each year, staff, students, parents and community members are invited to nominate a TDSB staff member or team whose efforts that have made a difference in their lives. Congratulations to all Excellence Award winners and I really want to congratulate all staff in Ward 8 who were nominated - "The great thing about celebrating our staff through the Excellence Awards is that we hear amazing stories about the impact they have had on the lives of students, families and colleagues." John Malloy, Director This year over 260 staff were nominated - and 10 were honoured last Thursday. Below are the names of staff nominated in Ward 8 - proud of each and everyone of you.
- Gudrun Hornburg, Special Needs Assistant, Allenby
- Emily Arturi, Teacher, Fairbank
- Patricia Heibein, Chair, Elementary, Forest Hill Jr/Sr
- Wing-Yee Hui, Teacher, Forest Hill Jr/Sr
- Denise Liscoumb, Senior Office Assistant, Forest Hill Collegiate Institute
- Angela Desharnais, Teacher Glenview
- Jacky So, Teacher, Glenview
- Marie-Josee Heine, Teacher, Humewood
- Mackenzie Polak, Teacher, Humewood
- Kathleen Riggs, Linda Vargabed, and the entire Senior Kindergarten Team, Humewood
- Julie Whitfield, Principal, Humewood
- Sara Kussner, Chair, Elementary, John Wanless
- Kathryn Angus, Teacher, JR Wilcox
- Sarah Harris, Assistant Curriculum Leader, Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute
- Samantha Barkin, Teacher, McMurrich
- Victoria Fousteris, Lunchroom Supervisor, McMurrich
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Apply for the Page ProgramEach year approximately 150 young students from across Ontario are selected to participate in Ontario's Legislative Page Program. This unique educational experience for Ontario students in grades 7 or 8 provides an opportunity to experience the provincial legislature in action and forge new lifelong friendships! The program is designed for outgoing, high-achieving, community-involved students who have demonstrated responsibility and leadership. Legislative Pages meet key parliamentary and political figures, and learn first-hand about Ontario’s Parliament and the legislative process.
June 15th is the deadline for the fall session. For more information, please visit https://www.ola.org/en/visit-learn/programs/about-page-program
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Spring Fairs in Ward 8Below please find a list of the Fun Fairs and school community events this Spring - please support the schools and that the many, many volunteers (parents, caregivers and staff) who put on these events for the students - let's hope for wonderful weather!
Note - if you notice any changes or additions, please let me know!
- Glen Park Thursday 30-May-19 6-8pm Fun Fair
- Davisville Saturday 01-Jun-19 4-8pm Fun Fair (will take place at Hodgson MS site)
- Allenby Saturday 01-Jun-19 12-4pm Fun Fair
- Fairbank Wed 05-Jun-19 afternoon Fairbanks Market Day (followed by school BBQ)
- Cedarvale Thursday 06-Jun-19 starts 4:30 Fun Fair
- Deer Park Thursday 06-Jun-19 after school Spring Fair
- McMurrich Thursday 06-Jun-19 4-7pm Fun Fair
- West Prep Thursday 06-Jun-19 5-8:30pm Fun Fair
- Lawrence Heights Thursday 06-Jun-19 5:30 Poetry Slam and BBQ
- Brown/Forest Hill Jr/Sr Wednesday 12-Jun-19 3:30-6:30pm Garden Fête/Falcon Fest (will take place at Forest Hill Jr/Sr site)
- JR Wilcox Wednesday 12-Jun-19 4-8pm Fun Fair
- Hillcrest Thursday 13-Jun-19 4-8pm Fun Fair
- North Prep JS Friday 14-Jun-19 after school Fun Fair
- John Wanless Saturday 15-Jun-19 11am-3pm Spring Fair
- Cottingham Saturday 15-Jun-19 11am-3pm Fun Fair
- Eglinton Saturday 22-Jun-19 4-7pm Fun Fair
- Armour Heights (Fall 2019)
- Humewood (Fall 2019)
Please also note Hodgson MS Community BBQ is Thursday 6-Jun-19 4-6pm (followed by Spring Concert).
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Worth Repeating - TDSB Summer Programs
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School Year Calendar 2019-20The 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.
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School Year Calendar 2018-2019
The official school year calendar for the Toronto District School Board runs from September 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019, inclusive.- The last day of class for elementary students is June 27, 2019
- The last day of class for secondary (full-year) students is June 25, 2019
- The last day of class for secondary (semestered) students is June 26, 2019
2018 - 2019 Dates to Remember: Official Holidays and PA Days
Remaining PA Days & Statutory Holidays
- Elementary School PA Day June 7, 2019
- Secondary School PA Day (Full Year Schools only)* June 26, 2019
- Secondary School PA Day June 27, 2019
- Board-wide PA Day June 28, 2019
- Ramadan 2019 ends in the evening of Tuesday, June 4 (Dates may vary)
- Eid al-Fitr celebrated at the end of Ramadan will begin on Tuesday, June 4
EQAO - The following dates have been established:
- Gr. 9 Math: 2nd Semester: June 5-18, 2019
- Primary/Junior EQAO: May 21-June 3, 2019
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