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November 4, 2014
Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO)
November 2, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OPSBA Reaches Tentative Agreement with ETFO at the Central Bargaining Table
November 2, 2015 - The Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA) is pleased to announce that a tentative settlement has been reached with the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and the provincial government.
"This tentative settlement ensures positive learning conditions for students and is respectful of the teachers who work in our classrooms," said Michael Barrett, president of OPSBA. "Teachers and education workers deeply influence a positive and productive learning environment for students and are supported in this role through the peace and stability that comes from successfully negotiated collective agreements."
This tentative deal is a first step to restoring stability and harmony in our schools. Effective upon having signed the Memorandum of Settlement, ETFO has agreed to suspend all central job action. The impasse has been resolved and our students will have their full education experience restored to them.
The Ontario Public School Boards' Association represents public district school boards and public school authorities across Ontario, which together serve more than 1.2 million public elementary and secondary students.
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)
November 2, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tentative Agreement Reached between Council of Trustees’ Associations (CTA), CUPE and the Provincial Government
November 2, 2015 - The Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA) is pleased to announce that the CTA and the provincial government have successfully negotiated a tentative settlement on central terms of a collective agreement with Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) education workers.
"Education workers deeply influence a positive and productive learning environment for students and are supported in this role through the peace and stability that comes from successfully negotiated collective agreements," said OPSBA president Michael Barrett. "We look forward to ratification so we can move forward in the best interests of our students."
The details of the agreement remain confidential until ratified by all parties. CUPE has agreed to stop all job action while awaiting ratification of the deal. Once ratified, the agreement will be valid until August 31, 2017. Negotiations continue with other unions representing various education workers employed in OPSBA member board schools and board offices.
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF)
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| Regular Meeting October 28, 2015 Summary of Key TDSB Decisions - Trustee Vacancy in Ward 21 (Scarborough-Rouge River) - The Board decided that the City Clerk be advised that pursuant to section 221(2) of the Education Act, the Toronto District School Board requires that an election be held to fill the vacancy created in the Toronto District School Board Ward 21 (Scarborough-Rouge River.
- Toronto Lands Corporation: Bannockburn: Update on Disposition - The Board postponed consideration of the following to February 2016 to allow the Toronto Lands Corporation the opportunity to negotiate with the City of Toronto and the Toronto Catholic District School Board and to engage in com-munity consultation.
- Procedure for the Election of TDSB Parent/Guardian Representatives and Alternates on the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee - The Board approved procedures and guidelines.
- Placement of Students in Secondary Gifted Intensive Support Programs - The Board decided that the placement of students with a gifted exceptionality in secondary gifted intensive support programs be based on home address and be determined through an IPRC review process; that students currently in existing 2015-16 secondary gifted intensive support programs be unaffected and remain in their current school until graduation or withdrawal from the program; and that the new placement process begin in 2015-16 school year, in time for the September 2016-17 school year. For the proposed map click here.
- De-streaming at the Grade 9 Level - The Board decided the Director present a report to the Program and School Services Committee on the recommendations made in the report, Sifting, Sorting and Selecting: A collaborative inquiry on alterna-tives to streaming in the TDSB, including funding.
- Expansion of Focus on Youth Into an After-School Job Program - The Board decided that the Director present a report at the next meeting of the Program and School Services Committee on expanding the Focus on Youth program to include an after-school jobs program.
- Proposal for Mandarin and English Bilingual Education - The Board decided that the Chair send a letter to the Ministry of Education to request that the Toronto District School Board be permitted to start a Mandarin-English bilingual program.
- Establishment of a Documents for Access, Transparency and Accountability Workgroup -The Board decided that a workgroup be established in order to begin a process that would have data published to the Board’s web site unless it was deemed to be private; that the data be consolidated online in a way that is easily accessed by the public; and that the Director present a report on the establishment of a comprehensive open data policy, similar in nature to the Ontario Government, the Federal Government and other bodies, which would lead to improvements in the Board’s freedom of information process.
- City of Toronto, Poverty Reduction Strategy - The Board decided that the Chair write a letter to the mayor of Toronto by Nov 1, 2015, expressing the Board's support for the city's proposed poverty reduction strategy.
- Safety in School Zones - The Board decided that the Chair write a letter to the Mayor of Toronto, City Council and Toronto Police Services to encourage the City of Toronto to investigate all options to increase safety in school zones, including but not limited to greater traffic enforcement, better signage, lighting and active speed control signs to encourage drivers to drive more cautiously and slow down.
- January as Tamil Heritage Month and October as Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month.
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Program Area Review Update: AY Jackson Group of Schools
Three community consultation meetings were held from October 21 to October 27, 2015. The minutes to those meetings are available on the TDSB website. They include all of the comments gathered from participants about the preferred recommendation presented. A final meeting of the PART (program area review team) was held on October 29th to review all of the comments and provide feedback on a final recommendation to be sent to Board of Trustees for approval. Please note that the recommendation report will go to a committee of the Board before it makes its way to the regular Board Meeting. People who are interested in speaking to the committee about the PART recommendations may wish to attend and speak to trustees and staff directly as a deputant. For more information about presenting as a delegation or submitting a written deputation you can get more information here.
Program Area Review Recommendations- Possible grade range changes for schools from JK - Gr. 6 to JK to Gr. 5 and Gr. 7 - 9 to Gr. 6 - 8 and Gr. 10 - 12 to Gr. 9 -12;
- Possible relocation of the Extended French, and Mid Immersion Programs sites and pathways;
- Possible relocation of the Gifted Program sites and pathways;
- Possible relocation of the Autism Program site;
- Possible changes to the shared Finch PS-Steelesview PS boundary area making it all Steelesview PS.
To access the above information under Accommodation Reviews on the drop-down menu search for Program Area Reviews & then search for AY Jackson SS Cluster (JHS)
If you have ANY QUESTIONS don't hestitate to contact Trustee Alexander Brown or
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High School Information Nights - To help you make an informed decision when choosing a high school, TDSB schools host open houses and information nights for parents and grade 8 students each year. Open houses take place between October and January and are an opportunity to learn everything you need to know about our incredible variety of schools, programs and courses. This link shows all the open houses.
French Immersion & Extended French Timelines - A reminder that the TDSB guarantees an offer of placement in the Early French Immersion or Junior Extended French program (not a specific school) to all on-time applicants. Timelines for the application process to French Immersion and Extended French programs for September 2016 are as follows: - Early French Immersion (EFI): Families must apply on-line (for a JK aged child) between November 2nd 2015 and December 3rd 2015;
- Junior Extended French or Middle Immersion: Families must apply on-line (for a child currently in Grade 3) between January 4th and January 28th 2016.
For further information, please click here.
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'Please Slow Down' Signs Available
With rising congestion on major arterial streets in our community, we continue to see more and more cars driving on "quiet" residential roads trying to bypass traffic making safety for children at school a pressing local concern.
The City of Toronto is undertaking a Fall Safety Awareness Campaign in order to bring the issue of pedestrian and school zone safety forward in the minds of motorists. The campaign features a series of temporary "Please Slow Down" lawn signs that are available to members of the public free of charge.
With traffic safety around our schools in Willowdale and throughout the city becoming increasingly serious as motorists zoom through school zones, these signs are one tool we can use to highlight the problem. As the local trustee, I will continue to work with school councils, concerned parents and our city councillors to identify other tools that can help us increase the safety of our schools and streets.
I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity by picking up a sign from Councillor John Filion's office or Councillor David Shiner's office. Click here for contact information.
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| Community Advisory Committees at the TDSB
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| The Toronto District School Board has established a number of different community advisory committees to improve parental and community input on policy and program issues. These committees will have the opportunity to advise the Board on its policies and programs, in addition to providing an advocacy role for parents and the community. I've included links to three important Community Advisory Committees above. Click on an image to get more information about each one. I encourage parents and interested members of the community to explore how they can become more involved at the TDSB. Together we can make Public Education more inclusive and equitable.
If you are interested in participating on a Committee please e-mail your interest to outreach@tdsb.on.ca.
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For More Information about all of the Community Advisory Committees at the TDSB click on the link provided here. You will be directed to the TDSB website.
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Register Today for the PIAC Conference
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| Willowdale - Ward Forum With Krista Wylie from FIX OUR SCHOOLS
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| NOVEMBER 24th, 2015 Earl Haig Secondary School 7pm to 9pm What is FIX OUR SCHOOLS? We are parents, students, teachers, grandparents, principals, caretakers, and voters who believe all Ontario students should attend safe, well-maintained schools that are funded as a critical part of our public infrastructure - on par with transit, roads and water. Join Krista Wylie at this informational meeting and find out what we can do about the neglect of OUR SCHOOLS. The TDSB building maitenance backlog recently passed $3.6 billion dollars - Province-wide it is $15 billion and growing. Our children and generations of future students and communities need to have safe, healthy and inviting schools/community hubs to learn in. Also, learn more about the Community Hub model and Karen Pitre's provincial report on Community Hubs. PUBLIC MEETING - All Welcome Door Prizes & Refreshments Available Child minding services available. Translation Services available Contact Ciara Behan at ciara.behan@tdsb.on.ca
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| ELECTION NOTICE Parent Involvement & Outreach - GET INVOLVED!!!
Ward 12 needs one parent/community representative for each of these Community Advisory Committees:
An election for both positions (and alternates) will be held soon. Location and times will be announced in the next newsletter. If you are interested in more information on either committee, click on the links above or contact Trustee Alexander Brown.
Please share this information with everyone and especially anyone who might be interested in getting more involved.
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Click on the icon for News Stories
Aboriginal Education Month at the TDSB
I am proud to be a Trustee representative on the Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee. I've had the opportunity to learn valuable lessons about being an ally with our Aboriginal communities. Some of the challenges that we face together are taken for granted by many people and it is clear that we must have a better understanding of who our Aboriginal partners are and why we need to embrace cultures that are Canadian to to core. I'm providing a few links here so that you have an opportunity to learn more about what's happening.
Aboriginal education is not just for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, but for all students and staff. When non-Aboriginal people learn about the rich histories, cultures and contemporary contexts of diverse Aboriginal peoples, cross-cultural understandings occurs and a common commitment is formed, leading to equitable and more inclusive learning spaces.
In November, we celebrate Aboriginal Education Month at the TDSB. This month provides an opportunity to re-examine how Aboriginal perspectives, histories and contemporary realities may be incorporated across the curricula, and to focus on treaties and the legacy of residential schools.
At the TDSB, all students should feel supported, have a sense of belonging and feel respected and valued. Ensuring these values are at the core of Aboriginal education, a priority of the Years of Action.
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Remembrance Day - Wednesday, November 11
November also marks Remembrance Day, and it is important to honour the sacrifices made by Aboriginal veterans as well as the continuing contributions of the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples who enlist. According to statistics from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, in the First World War alone, one in three able-bodied Aboriginal men enlisted.
A special Remembrance Day Ceremony will be held at 5050 Yonge Street in the board room.
I will be the Trustee representing the TDSB at Old City Hall Cenotaph on Queen Street -downtown Toronto.
Remembrance Day Services in North York
Each year on November 11, the City of Toronto hosts services at Old City Hall and Civic Centres across the city. All residents are invited to attend these events.
Our own community's service will be held in the George Weston Recital Hall at the Toronto Centre for the Arts (5040 Yonge Street) at 10:45 AM.
For more information on other services hosted by the City, the Province and community organizations, visit the City's website.
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This edition focuses specifically on how each of the areas in Professional Support Services works to address students’ mental health and well-being. At the heart of their work, with the students they serve, is the recognition that mental well-being is vital to student success. You will see how their work is unique and yet linked together in so many ways. In every instance, a caring adult makes an enormous impact on each and every student. This relationship enhances students’ sense of belonging and their feelings as engaged members of the school community.
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Kindness Week Fundraiser & Volunteer Opportunities-
Kindness Week Movie Night Fundraiser on November 16 (2015) at Cineplex, Empress Walk. Click to order tickets. -
We want you to join our fun volunteer team. Email modya@humankindnessproject.ca. -
With 7,000 students engaged in Kindness Week last year, we are aiming for 12,000 this year. Kindness Week will be held on Feb. 28 - March 4 2016
To help us achieve our goal, we are holding a movie night fundraiser - the movie is a 45 minute documentary titled Teaching the Life of Music about Venezuelan children who rise out of their slums by being given musical instruments and instruction. The movie is Monday, November 16th at the Cineplex Empress Walk (between Sheppard and Finch). See https://www.facebook.com/events/898497920235290/ for more detail. If you can't go yourself, please consider buying one and sending a student! We are looking to sell 400 tickets to the event and would be so grateful if you could share this information with teachers and people in your community. Tickets are $20 per person.
Fundraiser Details
Date: Monday, November 16, 2015 Time: 7:15-9:15 p.m.
Location: Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, 5095 Yonge Street, 3rd Floor, Theatre #4
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