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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 -- Tomorrow! Solar Eclipse on April 8
- UPDATE 2024-25 Budget
- TDSB Calls on Province to Remove Moratorium on School Closures
- e-Summer Update
- Policy Consultations
- Reporting Hate - In Our Schools and In Our Communities
- New Invitations - International Day of Pink at the TDSB – April 10 from 11 am – 12 pm Live webcast for grades 6 and up; TDSB Outdoor Education Centre Maple Syrup Open House & 40th Anniversary Celebration – April 13 from 10-2; Backpack and School Supplies Drive
- Worth Repeating - April is Latin-America History Month; April is Sikh Heritage Month; Elementary Summer School; Clean-Up Day, April 20; Crate a Meaningful Connection with Your Child in a Hyper-Connected World – April 25; TDSB Summer Music & Art Camps 2024; Pride Month 2024 T-Shirt Design Contest; Need for Aquatic Instructors; Please Keep Safe... and Keep Others Safe; Vaccinations; Useful Links; 2023-2024 Calendar; 2024-2025 Calendar; Dogs Are Not Allowed On School Property - How to Report; Community Safety & Support
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Tomorrow! Solar Eclipse on April 8
Are you ready for the Solar Eclipse? Someone shared on Twitter the front page of an Ohio's paper from 1970 predicting the solar eclipse tomorrow!
It is being reported (weather permitting) that the eclipse will happen at around 2pm. The whole occurrence takes about two and a half hours with the "total eclipse of the sun" happening around 3:18pm. Tomorrow is a PA Day - if you are out and about during that time, please use safety glasses specially designed for the event. If not, please watch on TV!
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| Muslims around the world will mark the end of Ramadan, with Eid al-Fir this week. Eid Mubarak to all observing.
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UPDATE 2024-25 Budget
Section 231 of the Education Act requires school boards to adopt a balanced budget.
When staff proposed a 3-year reduction plan, the plan was that $15.9M of Proceeds of Disposition (POD) - money the board makes by the sale of school board properties - could be approved to remove the deficit and help balance the budget. The POD included in the $20.8M deficit that we began with was $15.9. Staff also warned that it is unlikely that the Ministry would approve use of POD unless we have a balanced budget - The true deficit, then, when we began was $36.7 million ($20.8 + $15.9).
On Thursday, April 4 at the Special Board Meeting, trustees added back vice-principals and school safety staff that increased the projected deficit budget to $43,5 million (excluding the use of POD). Trustees then voted on a substitute motion (not the staff options to balance) to reduce the deficit by $17 million of staff options to balance that involve reductions to:
• Central Staff ($5M)
• School Renewal ($5M)
• Supporting Staff Self-Wellness ($7M)
Trustees also asked for options with regard to charging possible user fees to support the One-to-One Device Strategy.
Following extensive feedback received from the community on the impacts of proposed reductions, Trustees voted to delay the implementation of some options to balance the 2024-25 operating budget to allow for further stakeholder consultation, including options related to International Language and African Heritage Programs, General Interest/Senior’ Daytime Courses, Outdoor Education, and Permit Fees.
Following the Board decisions, the TDSB now faces a projected budget deficit of $26.5 million. ($20.8 starting + $6.8 VP & safety staffing + $15.9 POD - $17 central reductions).
The Board may request to use up to $22 million of POD, which would result in a budget deficit of approximately $4.5 million -– however, again, staff warned the Board that unless one finds ways to reduce the budget by $4.5 million, the province may not allow us to use POD.
Once the GSNs are announced (Education Funding), and staff analyze what it means to the Board's bottom line, the deficit may either increase or decrease. We are also concerned about increases to the structural deficit due to the provincial imposed remedy from Bill 124 which will increase the funding gap. We will be meeting again before our obligation to submit a balanced budget by June 30.
I urge you to read the full motion that was approved by the Board on April 4 and help us with our advocacy.
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TDSB Calls on Province to Remove Moratorium on School Closures
Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Trustees have voted unanimously to call on the Ministry of Education to remove the provincial moratorium on school closures. During a Special Board Meeting today, Trustees voted in favour of the motion that will help address growing costs to maintain underutilized schools across the TDSB and facilitate long-term planning.
Should the Ministry of Education not lift the moratorium, the TDSB asks that a special exemption be granted that allows the TDSB to consolidate up to four schools per year, until such a time as the moratorium is lifted provincewide. This would enable the TDSB to review schools with low enrolment that face programming challenges and limit students’ choices and replace them with a smaller number of state-of-the-art schools with higher enrolment that would result in a larger variety of programming and more opportunities for students.
Quick Facts
- Since 2017, there has been a moratorium on school closures imposed by the Ministry of Education.
- The operation of underutilized and under-enrolled schools creates costly operational budget pressures and inefficiencies, along with programming challenges.
- The TDSB previously received $35.5 million in “top-up” funding per year to support the operation and maintenance of facilities where enrolment was under capacity but this “top-up” funding is no longer provided (as of 2018).
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e-Summer Update
2024 e-Summer School Registration - Grade 10 - 12 Credit Courses
Registration for July and August e-Summer School courses will begin on Monday, April 22, 2024. A list of courses being offered can be found here. Students are asked to connect with their home school Guidance Counsellors to complete their registration.
Grade 8 Summer Reach Ahead Opportunity
Current Grade 8 students are eligible to register for the e-Summer Full Credit Summer Reach Ahead course, GLD2OE. Successful completion of this e-Summer course counts towards the Ministry of Education’s mandatory e-Learning credit requirement. Registration begins on Monday, April 22, 2024.
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Policy Consultations
We Want to Hear From You
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is committed to open and inclusive policy decision-making and values community input and participation through consultation. Consultation is a two-way communication process between the Board and external participants, including students and their parents/guardians, school councils, advisory committees, community members, different levels of government, service agencies, professional organizations and union partners. The objective of consultation is to gather public input regarding options, alternative courses of action, as well as to identify unintended effects for various participants and to find solutions.
Positive Organizational Culture and Inclusive Workforce (P029) (revised Employment Equity Policy)
Objective:
- To affirm the Board’s commitment to establishing transparent and consistent employment practices while upholding human rights and based on the principles of equity, anti-racism, anti-oppression and fairness; and
- To support a commitment to fair hiring practices based on qualifications while fostering a workforce that reflects, understands and responds to the diversity of the students that TDSB serves.
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Reporting 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 centralized 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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International Day of Pink - April 10th
International Day of Pink at the TDSB – April 10 from 11 am – 12 pm Live webcast for grades 6 and up.
Join us from the 5050 boardroom as we stand up against discrimination directed towards 2SLGBTQ+ communities with student performances from East York CI and Karen Kain School of the Arts. Hosted by the TDSB’s Shari Schwartz-Maltz, our keynote speakers are two individuals from the Brunswick Four. It is the 50th anniversary this year of the Brunswick Four which initiated “…for the first time in Canada, a national conversation about queer and lesbian discrimination being started…”. For more information visit -www.dayofpink.org/brunswick-four.
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TDSB Outdoor Education Centre Maple Syrup Open House & 40th Anniversary Celebration
Join us between 10 am and 2 pm to explore the gifts of the maple forest. These free, family-friendly events include options for a guided hike, a visit to the sugar shack, and tasting sap, syrup and candy.
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Backpack and School Supplies Drive
This year’s Backpacks & School Supplies Drive will run from March 1, 2024 to the end of September 2024. Individual donors and companies can help our students by making a monetary donation and/or a donation of new backpacks and school supplies. Tax receipts are available for these donations.100% of all proceeds and in-kind donations go to benefit our students. NOTE: Due to potential health & safety, hygiene, sorting and storage limitations, the TDSB can only accept new items. For more information about how to donate new items, please contact the Business Development department at BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca.
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April is Latin-America History Month
This year’s upcoming theme is Weaving Our Legacies: Returning to Our Collective Path | Enlazar Nuestres Legados: Volver a Nuestre Camino Colectivo.
The “e” in Nuestres was purposefully chosen to disrupt the dominant and default patriarchal binary gender grammar system of the colonial language of Spanish. The intentional use of the letter “e” as gender inclusive was created by LGBTQIA+, gender non-binary, and feminist communities in what is recognized today as Latin-America. (https://callmelatine.wordpress.com/). Please follow us on Twitter where quotes will also be shared: @TDSBLAHM
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April is Sikh Heritage Month
This year’s the Sikh Heritage Month’s theme is Chardi Kala (The Positive and Uplifted State of Mind). According to Sikh beliefs, Chardi Kala is a state of mind that radiates positive energy, optimistic attitude, strong confidence, and virtuosity. With true belief in the supreme power of the Almighty and the oneness of humanity, this state of mind can pave a way for the well-being and happiness of all.
The Sikh Heritage Committee is continuing with its Podcasts series that began last year. This year, we’ve added two new podcast episodes that reflect our current theme of Chardi Kala (The Positive and Uplifted State of Mind):
The Wrap-Up Celebration will be held on Thursday, April 25 from 9:30-10:30am. We're delighted to have keynote speaker Tina Singth, outstanding student performers and inspiring remarks from Director Russell-Rawlins and Chair Chernos Lin. Join via the Live Webcast.
Lastly during the month of April, Sikh Canadians recognize Vaisakhi, also known as Khalsa Day, which celebrates the Sikh New Year across Ontario. This year Khalsa Day will be celebrated on Sunday, April 28 in downtown Toronto at Exhibition Place This celebration is the third largest parade in Canada with thousands of individuals joining in the festivities! We hope you are available to join the festivities and celebrate!
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Elementary Summer School
The focus of the 2024 Elementary Literacy and Numeracy Summer School Program is to continue student engagement through July. Programs, embedded in Literacy and Numeracy, are developed by the local summer school principal to reflect the school focus. Programs are offered in-person to students in K to Grade 8, from July 2 to July 26, 2024 from 9:00am to noon. This year, one remote program will also be available for Grades 4 to 8.
Afternoon Jays Camp RBI Summer Edition is a free afternoon baseball-for-development program for Grades 3 to 8 hosted at 14 elementary schools. Throughout July, students registered for half-day summer school can opt to join the RBI Summer Edition program for the afternoon.
Special Education and Inclusion - TDSB will be offering summer school for students who are currently enrolled in a Developmental Disability, Physical Disability, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Intensive Support Program (ISP). These half-day programs will be held at various locations throughout the TDSB. Programs are offered in-person to students in Kindergarten to Grade 12, from July 2 to July 26, 2024. This year, in-person programs will be available to students currently enrolled in DD, DHH or PD programs only.
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Clean Toronto Together School Clean-Up Day, April 20
Celebrate Earth Day by spending 20-minutes cleaning up your schoolyard or a neighbourhood park.
Important information:
- All Toronto schools, colleges and universities are welcome to join.
- School cleanups should have approval from your school principal or property manager.
- TDSB and TCDSB participants will be provided additional information where to get bags and gloves.
- The City no longer provides free cleanup supply kits to schools.
- Safety tips and waste sorting guides will be provided to all registered schools.
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Crate a Meaningful Connection with Your Child in a Hyper-Connected World
The Northern SS Council is inviting you to "Create a Meaningful Connection with Your Child in a Hyper-Connected World." The event will take place in the Northern Auditorium on Thursday, April 25th at 6:30 pm. We're pleased to invite parents and guardians of students attending midtown schools to attend this free event.
Families can register for the event by using the link below:
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TDSB Summer Music & Art Camps 2024
We are excited to announce that registration for our summer music camp in Toronto 2024 is now open! Explore your musical talents and creative flair at the TDSB Summer Music and Art Camps! Our camps welcome young artists and musicians of all skill levels, offering diverse programs including band, orchestra, strings, and personalized instruction. It's a chance to develop your skills, build friendships, and celebrate in an exciting final concert. Join us for a summer of music-making, artistic expression, and endless fun! For more information and details, click here - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Innovation/Summer-Programs/TDSB-Music-Camps
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Pride Month 2024 T-Shirt Design Contest
Pride Month 2024 is just around the corner, and the TDSB Pride Planning Committee is excited to announce the T-Shirt Design Contest. The winning design will be featured on hundreds of TDSB Pride 2024 T-shirts, proudly worn by all members of the TDSB contingent during the Pride Parade on Sunday, June 30, 2024. The TDSB Pride 2024 T-shirt Design Contest is open to all TDSB students of any age. The deadline for design submissions is April 10 at 11:59 p.m.
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Need for Aquatic Instructors
In order to operate swim programs in our schools with pools, we need two on-site aquatic instructors. Sadly, the TDSB has had a shortage of aquatic instructors since schools reopened from COVID. If you know of any aquatic instructors, please, have them complete the application - the board has been advertising and I have been advertising on Twitter since the end of last year. Here’s the link directly to the posting for applicants to apply. https://tdsb.sabacloud.com/Saba/Web_spf/CA1PRD0033/jobs-Support/career/jobdetail/jobrq000000000002580. Thanks!
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Please Keep Safe... and Keep Others Safe
Layers of protection work to help reduce virus spread. For example:
😷wear a well-fitted mask
🧼wash hands often
🏠stay home if sick
💨choose well ventilated spaces
🛡️stay up-to-date with your vaccines
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Vaccinations
Measles is increasing and spreading in every region of the world. It can cause a fever, rash, runny nose, red eyes & more. It spreads through the air and close contact when a person infected with measles breathes, coughs, or sneezes. If you think you have the virus, stay home & contact your doctor. Learn more: http://toronto.ca/measles-fact-sheet.
Vaccines are available from your primary health care provider or at a TPH community clinic for school-aged children, by appointment. Visit TPHbookings.ca for more information.
All children attending school between ages 4 to 17 need to be immunized according to Ontario's Immunization Schedule. If you are unsure of your child’s vaccination status, check their yellow card (Ontario Immunization Record), TPH’s Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) or by speaking with their primary health care provider.
Updated COVID-19 vaccines and flu vaccines
We are still in the midst of respiratory illness season, and it is not too late to get vaccinated against both COVID-19 and the flu. Both of these vaccines continue to be available at your local pharmacy and doctor’s office. The updated COVID-19 vaccine better protects against the new Omicron XBB variant. You can get the updated COVID-19 vaccine if you are aged six months and older and it has been at least six months since their last COVID-19 dose or infection (whichever is longer). It is safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine at the same time or around the same time. Learn more about where to get the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine.
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2023-2024 Calendar
Please ensure you check these dates before scheduling events. Please also note the PA Day originally scheduled for Friday, April 19, 2024 has been rescheduled and will now occur on Monday, April 8, 2024.
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Dogs Are Not Allowed On School Property - How to Report
Please contact 311 if you see dogs in school grounds so they can log the concerns and please also call TDSB’s 24-hour Call Centre at 416-395-4620. Tracking the concerns will allow us to build the case for increased surveillance.
At our recent Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee, the staff report confirmed the following -
Dogs on school properties have been an ongoing challenge for many years despite the “no dogs permitted” signage. There have been examples of dog owners taking their dogs off leash or even leaving their dogs unattended in a school yard, or within the kindergarten or childcare enclosures. There have been incidents of off-leash dogs chasing as well as biting students, members of the public and staff. Dog feces and disposal bags are frequently left on the school grounds impacting the student use and enjoyment of outdoor activities.
Signage is posted near the entrances, such as gates or openings in the school ground fencing (refer to Appendix A for a copy of the signage) that clearly indicates TDSB school grounds are private property and dogs are not permitted on school board property. Section 6.10 in PR523, Access to School Premises prohibits canines on TDSB properties at any time (except service animals).
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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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