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| Shelley Laskin, Trustee
Toronto District School Board
Ward 8: Eglinton-Lawrence & Toronto-St Paul's
416-395-8787
Shelley.Laskin@tdsb.on.ca
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In this Issue -- Staying Healthy this Holiday Season
- Labour Negotiations
- Virtual Learning 2024 - 2025
- How do I apply for Out-of-Area Admissions
- Middle French Immersion (Grade 4 Entry) Application Deadline
- Review of Legacy Technical and Commercial Boundaries
- Elementary Alternative Schools Online Central Application Process
- Central Student Interest Programs Update
- New Community Adult Classes in January 2024
- Combatting Hate
- Virtual Ward Forum - February 1, 2024
- New Invitations - TDSB Virtual Community Fair: Introduction to Lead Autism Supports Community Agencies; Toronto Police Service’s Youth in Policing Initiative
- Worth Repeating - Literacy Strategy Consultation; Ontario Pre-Budget Consultations; Beyond 8; Here to Help - Kids Help Line; Winter Outerwear Drive; Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline; Useful Links; We Have a Dog Problem; 2023-2024 Calendar; Community Safety & Support
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Staying Healthy this Holiday Season
From Toronto Public Health
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we approach the end of the year and more people gather indoors due to the cold weather and the holidays, respiratory viruses are on the rise and circulating in our communities. Influenza (flu), COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are three respiratory viruses that can cause serious illness in some people.
Protect yourself and your loved ones. Toronto Public Health (TPH) is reminding families of ways to reduce virus spread as we prepare for winter and the upcoming holiday break:
- Get vaccines you are eligible for as soon as possible at a participating pharmacy or your primary health care provider to help prevent serious illness.
- Wear a well-fitted, high-quality mask in indoor public settings if you are at higher risk of getting very sick.
- Stay home when sick or if you have symptoms of illness, even if they are mild.
- Before returning to school or work screen for symptoms of illness by using the provincial COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool or TPH Screening Questionnaire.
Wear a mask for 10 days after symptoms begin to protect others at home, school, and work. - Wash or sanitize your hands often.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with an elbow or a tissue.
- Clean high-touch surfaces often.
Free rapid antigen tests are available at various City facilities across Toronto, including all Toronto Public Library branches. Visit toronto.ca/COVID19Testing to find a location near you.
What to do if you or your child are sick? Speak to your health care provider or call Health 811 if you have questions about your family's health or if you are unsure where to access care. If your child is sick, review this information about how to care for them at home and when to seek medical care and information about fever and pain medications. The following virtual care clinics are available in Toronto:
We can all take care of our families, school communities and health care system capacity by reducing the spread of respiratory viruses.
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Labour Negotiations
School boards and unions share a commitment to public education and work together towards positive labour relations. The collective bargaining framework for the education sector features a two-tier bargaining process, involving both central and local bargaining. Learn more about the process.
Please note on Friday, ETFO released the following confirmed that the Elementary Teachers and occasional teacher members ratified the central agreement. "Teacher and occasional teacher members of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) voted 90 per cent in favour of accepting the 2022-2026 Teacher/Occasional Teacher (T/OT) Central Agreement reached with the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) and the Ontario government. The term of the four-year central agreement is from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2026. OPSBA ratification is required for the agreement to take effect; their vote is scheduled for next week." To read the complete release, please click here. Assuming it will be ratified by OPSBA, this means there will be no labour disruptions in our public schools through 2026.
We are grateful to all those involved in these negotiations. We are grateful to all staff working with our students. Hoping everyone gets time for themselves over the break.
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Virtual Learning 2024 - 2025
The TDSB will continue to offer students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 the option for virtual learning in the 2024 - 2025 school year. Elementary Virtual Learning classes will continue to be hosted at local schools. Secondary students will attend Virtual Secondary School.
Regular programs and Intensive Support Programs (ISPs) depending on viable programming and where there is available space, will be offered in elementary and secondary Virtual Learning.
French Immersion, Extended French, LEAP, Alternative Schools, and Student Interest Programs continue to be available in person only.
The TDSB recognizes that students who have chosen Virtual Learning may wish to continue with this method of instruction. Students currently in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 who are attending school virtually will automatically be enrolled in virtual for the 2024-2025 school year. No action is required for students currently learning virtually and wishing to continue in a virtual setting.
Current Grade 8 students in Virtual Learning will see Virtual Secondary School listed as their designated school by program. Students wishing to return to their designated school by address for In-Person learning will be able to do so between January 8 and January 26, 2024, aligning with the Out-of-Area Admissions process.
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How do I apply for Out-of-Area Admissions?
Provided the school is permitted to receive applications, you may decide to apply to attend a school other than your designated school by address. Some schools are only able to accept applications from students attending feeder schools, or from students with a sibling already in attendance in Grades 10-12 and is returning to the secondary school next year.
You may apply to one regular school beyond your home school (determined by your residential address) through the Out-of-Area Admissions process.
The Online Out-of-Area Admissions application will be available on Monday, January 8, 2024 (the first Monday after the Winter Break). Applications must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. Friday, January 26, 2024.
If you choose to apply for Out-of-Area Admissions you should know:
- You will be responsible for your own transportation
- You may only apply to one school (regular programs, French Immersion programs and Extended French programs)
- Waiting lists expire at the end of the Out-of-Area Admission
- You may not apply to a school that is not permitted to receive applications (i.e. closed schools). A list of those schools is produced in Novembe
- A school/program that receives more applications than it has space will use the admissions priorities and run a random selection process for each admission priority to determine the successful applicants.
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Middle French Immersion (Grade 4 Entry) Application Deadline
For families interested in the Toronto District School Board'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 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.
Information sessions will be held January 11 (7:00 p.m.), January 16 (10:00 a.m.), and January 22 (1:00 p.m.).
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Review of Legacy Technical and Commercial Boundaries
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 Central Technical School, Central Toronto Academy, Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute, Northern Secondary School, Victoria Park Collegiate Institute, and Western Technical-Commercial School. The proposed changes would not affect current programs.
I encourage you to attend public engagement opportunities, which are scheduled for mid-January 2024 through three virtual meetings, details of which will be provided before the winter break.
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Elementary Alternative Schools Online Central Application Process
As you know, the TDSB has a wide range of elementary alternative schools available to students. The application process is managed centrally and includes an online application form. Information about the online application process will be available on the Alternative Schools website on December 11, 2023. The online application for admission for September 2024 will be open from Monday, January 8, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. to Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
Elementary alternative schools will hold information sessions and/or open houses for students and parents/guardians/caregivers in December 2023 and January 2024. More information is available on the Elementary School Open Houses and Information Nights web page. There will also be two Elementary Alternative Schools live webinars, including one daytime and one evening session. Registration is required, and a recording of the webinars will be posted on the website.
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Central Student Interest Programs Update
On December 7, 2023, the results from this year’s Central Student Interest Program random selection process were distributed to applicants. There were more than 6,200 applicants across the eight grades. This year, 3,163 students were offered seats, including 2989 in entry grade seats in our 47 Central Student Interest Programs, which includes the new Math, Science, and Technology and Arts programs. There were an additional 287 seats offered this year as compared to last year. There were 3517 entry-grade seats available.
Cohort viability and insufficient applications at some programs saw 310 seats left unfilled. We are pleased that over 3000 applicants were offered seats in their primary choice and approximately 150 students were offered seats in their alternate choice program.
Offers made on December 7 must be accepted no later than 4:00 p.m. on December 13, 2023. The second round of placements will be shared on December 14, 2023 and those offers will expire on December 20, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. Offers will continue to be made where vacant seats are available up until February 21, 2024.
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New Community Adult Classes in January 2024
I am happy to share that the Community Services Unit-operated programs across the GTA are offering new start dates for various classes starting in January. These free and low-cost services and programs are designed for parents and adults seeking employment, new skills, and better opportunities.
- January 9: LINC – Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada starts Citizenship Preparation Classes
- January 12: Enhanced Language Training (ELT) starts new sessions for newcomer professionals who have education and/or experience in Information Technology; Office Admin & Customer Relations; and Health and Wellness sectors
- January 22: Studio500 Hairstylist program starts a new term of Full-Time Hairstylist Apprenticeship program
- January 22: Enhanced Language Training (ELT) starts new sessions for newcomer professionals trained and/or experienced in Engineering and Accounting/Financial Services
For young adults who are out of school and out of work, the On the Road Construction training program and On the Line Culinary training program will start new sessions on January 1 and 8, respectively. Please note that these programs have very rigorous criteria for enrollment.
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Combatting Hate
In Our Schools
If you are a staff or a student or a parent/caregiver, and you are a victim of/or witnessing an incident of racism, bias, or hate in our schools, please report it to the school's principal, who has a duty to investigate all incidents. Each time an incident takes place in a school, it is to be recorded in a portal which then begins a system response. We have a responsibility to educate against hate. For more information, please visit the webpage for Reporting an Incident of Hate or Discrimination Involving or Impacting Students. If you experience it, or witness it, report it. Please.
Complaints regarding social media postings should be sent directly to the TDSB's Human Rights Office at humanrightsoffice@tdsb.on.ca. The intake process is being centralizing in the Human Rights Office to ensure for consistency of process.
In Our Communities
Report any allegations of hate-motivated crimes to police for investigation at 416-808-2222 or 9-1-1 in an emergency. We will not tolerate any intimidation, harassment, or hate-motivated behaviour aimed at specific communities. You can also call 1-800-222-TIPS to Crime Stoppers anonymously.
Toronto Police provide new online option to report hate-motivated graffiti
Toronto Police Service is launching a new option for the public to provide information to police about hate-motivated graffiti in their neighbourhoods. The web form, available on the Service’s website, provides an additional avenue for the public to alert police to hate-motivated graffiti, so officers can attend, gather evidence and arrange for the hate-motivated graffiti to be removed as quickly as possible. This reporting mechanism will be monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please remember TDSB's Mental Health and Well Being Professional Support Staff (PSS) are here to support your mental health and well-being and to help you navigate the tools and resources you may need. Please see resources on their website.
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Virtual Ward Forum - February 1, 2024
6:30-7:00 PIAC Election I 7:00-8:30 Discussion on Literacy & Numeracy
Please join me and Superintendents Felsen, Howard & Pividor for Ward 8 PIAC and FSLCAC Elections at 6:30 followed by a conversation on Numeracy and Literacy in our classrooms. Register here.
Election for PIAC and FSLCAC Representatives
We will be electing Ward 8 Co-Representatives for both TDSB Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) and French as a Second Language Community Advisory Committee (FSLCAC).
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TDSB Virtual Community Fair: Introduction to Lead Autism Supports Community Agencies
Monday, December 11th, 2023, from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon and the same information will be repeated on Monday, December 18th, 2023, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
Join us as we invite Lead Agency Representatives that support students with Special/Complex Needs. These agencies include Autism Ontario, Strides Toronto, Lumenus Community Services, Geneva Centre For Autism, and SAAAC Autism Centre. Get firsthand information about these agencies’ programs and services such as Autism Supports, Behaviour Therapy Supports (ABA Therapy), Service Navigation, Respite and much more. Get the opportunity to connect with these agencies as you continue to support your loved ones.
Speakers: Autism Ontario, Geneva Centre For Autism, Lumenus Community Services, Strides Toronto and SAAAC Autism Centre.
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Toronto Police Service’s Youth in Policing Initiative
The Toronto Police Service’s Youth in Policing Initiative program is currently hiring for the 2024 Summer program.
This program enhances the link between the police and the neighbourhoods we serve. This initiative gives young people an opportunity to develop job skills while fostering positive partnerships with the Toronto Police Service. Youth ages 15 to 18 who reside in the city of Toronto are employed through the summer and throughout the year, working alongside police officers and civilian staff in a wide range of roles. The program is not unique to Toronto, as it was created and funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, and is now used throughout the province. Our applications close on January 21st, 2024.
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Literacy Strategy ConsultationI am happy to inform you that the TDSB is developing a Kindergarten to Grade 12 Literacy Strategy which will set the direction, priorities, and goals for learning and teaching literacy over the next three years. And we want to hear from you! I encourage all TDSB parents/ guardians/ caregivers to share feedback anonymously through the online Literacy Strategy Consultation survey. The survey will remain open until Monday, December 18, 2023.
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Ontario Pre-Budget Consultations
More information has been posted regarding the province’s plans for its 2024 Pre-Budget Consultations. In addition to the online survey, Ontarians can also 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.
We ask that you complete the online survey - please see Question 5 that 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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Here to Help - Kids Help Line
As conflict around the world continues, we’re here for anyone who may need support in their language. We offer phone counselling through trained interpreters in over 100 languages including Arabic, Hebrew, Yiddish, Ukrainian, Russian and more by calling 1-800-668-6868. Talking to someone about what you’re going through can be difficult, especially if you don’t use the same language. That’s why Kids Help Phone is providing our phone counselling in over 100 languages, with the help of trained interpreters. It’s all free, confidential and available 24/7 in Canada. No ID required.
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Winter Outerwear Drive
One in every three children lives in poverty right here in our city and too many children come to school without proper clothing to keep them warm during the winter months. In addition, many TDSB students are new to Canada and this may be their first time experiencing a Canadian winter. The TDSB holds an annual Winter Outerwear Drive to help ensure that all students have warm winter outerwear to get to and from school, and are prepared to participate in all of the fun outdoor activities winter has to offer. You can support our students and their families by making a donation to provide warm winter coats, pants, hats, gloves, and boots. This year’s Winter Outerwear Drive will run from October 2023 to the end of February 2024. 100% of all proceeds and in-kind donations go to benefit our students. Tax receipts are available for these donations. Contact the Business Development department at BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca for more information about how to donate new outwear items. Please donate here.
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Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline 9-8-8 - On November 30, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC ) through the Canadian Radio and Television Corporation (CRTC) announced a national three digit Mental Health and Suicide Prevention hotline number, 988. Learn More.
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We Have a Dog Problem
Current by-law rules don’t work for school grounds. As a result, many dog owners disregard our signage and don’t seem to care that children play on that same grass! With limited resources the TDSB must rely on dog owners to be responsible and unfortunately, so many aren’t.
Please respect children’s play spaces.
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2023-2024 Calendar
Please ensure you check these dates before scheduling events.
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Community Safety & Support
If you should you ever see any suspicious activity around school buildings after school hours, please contact 311, Toronto Police Services Dispatch at 416-808-2222, or the TDSB’s 24-hour Call Centre at 416-395-4620.
If you or a family member is in crisis, please contact Kids Help Phone:1-800-668-6868 or get support right now by texting CONNECT to 686868.
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