Education Minister Mitzie Hunter will reschedule MAY 10th meeting!!
Education Minister Mitzie Hunter will reschedule MAY 10th meeting!!
Ward 12 newletter header
CLICK image for video link
Happy Spring!! I hope you had an enjoyable long Easter weekend. We are half way through April and May will be full of interesting things to do at the TDSB.
I have highlighted a few events and meetings in this e-Newsletter. Every year students at the TDSB participate in tdsbCREATES. You can find out more about it here: What is tdsbCREATES ?, but in a nutshell it as a celebration of our students' creativity and artistic voice. Get free tickets for the final dance show on April 25th at Toronto Centre for the Arts in Willowdale. More details available in this newsletter.
Another very important meeting will take place in May 2017. This is a meeting with the Minister of Education, Mitzie Hunter. I have included the minutes from two meetings that were held by the McKee Public School Parent Council. The meetings focused on OVERCROWDING in Willowdale schools due to heavy residential development. In response the Minister of Education has agreed to meet with parents to discuss the solutions. Take a look at the minutes below under Willowdale NEWS. 
  • PLAN TO ATTEND THIS MEETING - A previous date (MAY 10th) was suddenly cancelled by the Ministry of Education 
  • WE EXPECT A NEW DATE FOR THIS MEETING WILL BE ANNOUNCED VERY SOON. 
  • THIS MEETING REQUIRES YOUR PRESENCE. See below for more details.
  • STAY TUNED FOR AN UPDATE
I hope to see hundreds of Willowdale parents and residents there.
Enjoy the rest of the April.
                                             Alexander

        April is. . .
          Hispanic Heritage Month,  
          Latin-America History Month &
          Sikh Heritage Month.
During the month of April, in schools and communities across the district, we are marking Hispanic Heritage Month, Latin-America History Month and Sikh Heritage Month. A diverse array of learning opportunities are planned including a Khalsa Day Parade on April 30, 2017 and the annual Hear Our Voices: Our Living Experiences! Escuchen Nuestrxs Voces: Nuestrxs Experiencias! conference. Information about the history of each Heritage Month, as well as details of the events and activities planned for this year, are available online: Hispanic Heritage Month, Latin-America History Month, Sikh Heritage Month. Looking ahead to May, the Board will recognize Asian Heritage Month and Jewish Heritage Month. More information will be available in the weeks to come.
TDSB Appoints Abdul Patel as Ward 21 Trustee 
Trustees with the Toronto District School Board appointed Abdul Patel as the new Trustee for Ward 21 (Scarborough-Rouge River). Mr. Patel was the successful candidate following an open application process that was launched after the seat was vacated by the previously elected trustee.
As a long-time resident of Scarborough, Mr. Patel helped develop the TDSB’s first Faith Accommodation Guide and has acted as a resource to the TDSB’s Human Rights and Equity Office on matters of faith and cultural accommodations. He currently serves as a member of the TDSB Equity Policy Advisory Committee.
A retired imam, Mr. Patel has been a commissioner for the Ontario Human Rights Commission, member of the national Board of Governors for Scouts Canada, a police chaplain, civic leader and board member on a number of community-based, non-profit organizations. He is a father of three children — all graduates of TDSB schools —and has a passion for diversity and inclusion. 
In total, 91 people put their names forward as candidates for the position. Working together with executive search and recruitment firm Phelpsgroup, a Selection Committee made up of Trustees reviewed each person against established criteria including demonstrated community engagement, demonstrated interest and passion for publicly-funded education, prior or current involvement with the TDSB, demonstrated knowledge of key TDSB priorities, connection to Scarborough's communities, and evidence of a sense of accountability for use of public resources.
 
Quick Facts
Mr. Patel is the recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Governor General’s Award for Community Service.
He is fluent in four languages.
The Education Act requires Trustees to appoint a qualified person to fill a vacancy within 90 days of the office becoming vacant.
This appointment is for the remainder of the current Trustee term which ends November 30, 2018.
“Abdul has experience, strong Scarborough community roots and is an advocate for public education. He’s perfectly suited for the job.”
- Robin Pilkey, Chair, TDSB
“As a full time community volunteer, I am ready to bring my energy and time to this important role and serve the residents of Ward 21 with integrity and ensure that the same opportunities my children received in the public system are there for future generations across our great city.”
- Abdul Patel, Trustee Designate, TDSB

TDSB Student & Parent Census
April 2017 is Census Month at the TDSB!
We will conduct the third Student and Parent Census, which will include Grade 4-6 students for the first time, along with Grade 7-12 students. Students will complete the Census in class.
Parents of JK-Grade 6 students will also be invited to fill out the Parent Census. Forms will be sent home with students in April 2017.
Your voice counts! Complete the TDSB Census and make sure your voice is heard.
Learn more at www.tdsb.on.ca/census.

Toronto's Annual School Cleanup Day
On Friday, April 21st at 2:00 p.m. students, staff, and parents from across Toronto are encouraged to help rejuvenate our city’s green spaces by picking up litter in their schoolyard, neighbourhood park, or local community. Celebrate Earth Day by joining over 500 schools who are helping to keep our city clean and green! You'll be amazed at what we can accomplish in as little as 20 minutes! 
Learn more here:
2017/2018 Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants
Applications for 2017-18 PRO Grants are now being accepted on-line. Under the Ministry's Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants for School Councils program, school councils are eligible to receive up to $1000 to support projects to help identify and remove barriers that may prevent some parents from fully participating in their children's learning. Please see the presentation and visit Parents Reaching Out Grants for more information about the program, examples of past projects, and online application procedures.
Note: Application deadline is midnight, Thursday, 25 May 2017.

    POLICY REVIEW  - Equity Policy


    The TDSB's Equity Policy is under review and we want to hear from you! This policy is about ensuring that fairness, equity, acceptance and inclusion are essential principles of our school system and are integrated into all TDSB policies, procedures, programs, operations, and practices. Every voice matters.
    We are committed to open and inclusive policy decision-making and value 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.


    Please read the draft Equity Policy and share with us your thoughts, questions and recommendations by completing this brief survey.

     




    In response to a Motion passed by the Board of Trustees in October, TDSB is reviewing before- and after-school programs and lunchtime supervision for children in Full-Day Kindergarten (FDK) classrooms, so we can learn about areas of strength and areas for improvement.
    The project is being guided by Dr. Joel A. Lopata, an external research consultant leading the collection and analysis of information gathered.
    To date, we have already consulted an advisory group, including Toronto Children’s Services, to review and provide feedback on the research plan, and are currently collecting data using several methods including:
    - Surveys,
    - Focus groups, and 
    - Public consultation.
    With already over 200 survey responses from an array of stakeholders with direct experience in FDK classrooms collected, we can safely say that engagement in this research is very strong.
    Below, you will find a link to the on-line survey for stakeholders (e.g., parents/guardians of 4 and 5-year-old children) who have direct experience with FDK Before- and After-School Programs and/or Lunchroom Supervision in FDK classrooms: www.surveymonkey.com/r/tdsbfdk2017
    We would appreciate if you could add your own feedback. The aim is to conclude this Review by the end of the school year. The results and recommendations will then be reported to The Board of Trustees. 
    Continuing Education - Adult High School
    Find a career path and meet your educational goals every year. New semester begins April 25, 2017. Tuition is free. Earn credits in nine weeks and gain Canadian work experience. Discover programs in business & technology, social science, mathematics and specialty programs such as accounting, office administration, Personal Support Worker (PSW), and more.
    Visit www.adultschoolstoronto.ca for more information.  @TDSB_ConEd


    Elementary Summer School
    Elementary summer programs increase engagement and build self-confidence in our students. This summer, from July 5 – 28, we are opening schools across the city to help build reading, writing and math skills in students from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Visit www.tdsb.on.ca/summerfor a complete list of participating schools. @TDSB_ConEd

    Summer International Languages Elementary and African Heritage Programs
    Register your child in TDSB’s half and full day international languages summer programs. Open to all students from SK to Grade 8, our language learning programs involve cultural activities like games, songs, dance, storytelling, traditional crafts and writing. Classes begin July 4 – 28.
    Visit www.ILEprograms.ca for a complete list of participating schools and language classes. @TDSB_ConEd

    Click the picture to access the Grants for Student Needs memorandum BO4
    Grants for Student Needs (GSN) for 2017–18 
    Ministry of Education's Grant for Student Needs (GSN) for 2017-2018 - Education Funding Announced
    On April 12, the Ministry of Education released the 2017-18 Grants For Student Needs (GSN). Based on an initial analysis of the changes to next year’s GSNs by staff, the TDSB grant projections showing in the proposed budget plan for 2017-18 are aligned to the grants.

    Based on the GSN’s announcement provincial funding includes: 
    • Funding to support negotiated wage increases included in the extension of collective agreements for the next two years.
    • Increased staffing support to schools including for Special Education.
    • Changes to class size in Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) which caps class size at 30 for 90% of the classes. In grades 4 to 8 increased funding to reduce class sizes in those school boards with class sizes above 24.5. Since TDSB is below the average no changes to staff allocations are required.
    • Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction funding is immediately available to support new energy efficient building component replacement which must be completed by March 31, 2018 in the amount of $50M.
    • School Condition Improvement (SCI) funding for 2017-18 will be $200M.  It should be noted that the total grant for SCI and GHG is 2017-18 is the same as provided to TDSB this year.
    • 2% increase to offset transportation cost increases.
    • 2% increase to offset utility and non-staffing school operations costs.
    Learn more about the GSNs here
    There are still challenges for school boards across the province including Toronto. There are pressing funding pressures facing school boards and offered recommendations based on the advice of school trustees, educators, and school business officials in a number of key areas including Rural and Remote boards, Special Education, School Facility Operations and Renewal Grants, Student Transportation, Indigenous Education, and school board flexibility to meet local needs among many others.

    Chair Robin Pilkey presented Toronto-specific concerns on behalf of the TDSB and she noted concerns regarding funding for Community Hubs, transportation and capital and renewal funding through Education Development Charges (EDCs).  

    GRANTS FOR STUDENTS NEEDS MEMO - click to read the entire document

    MINISTRY OF EDUCATION WEBSITE - Click to access the Ministry website


    Remodling the Home School Program (HSP)
    In accordance with the Integrated Equity Framework, steps are being taken to remodel how the Home School Program (HSP) is delivered in 2016-2017. The original intent was that HSP would support some students with special education needs in their local school. Currently, there are 226.5 teachers at 453 schools. Most administrators use the 0.5 teacher as a half-day congregated class that serves approximately 6 to 11 students, predominantly in the areas of math and language. The majority of students in HSP are in Grades 4-8. These students return to their regular class for the other half of the day. Students in these classes are not counted when calculating Grade 4-8 average class size. Thus, the congregated HSP structure functions to lower the Grade 4-8 class average which sits at 23.24. Over the past few years, the TDSB research department has explored and identified a number of issues regarding placing students in settings based on ability grouping. The following findings generally reflect programs that group students by ability:
    • Ability grouping often imposes low expectations on students;
    • Ability groups often mirror social, ethnic and class divisions;
    • Assignment of a student to an ability group is often a permanent destination; and
    • Students placed in lower ability groups are further disadvantage based on a lack of access to behaviour/learning models and social stimulation.

    • Students placed in lower ability groups (incl. special education programs and lower academic programs such as locally developed or applied secondary programming) encounter significant barriers in accessing ANY form of postsecondary education.
    Special Education will continue to provide professional learning opportunities to address these findings. For the 2016/17 school year, samples of inclusive HSP models for administrators will be developed as they prepare for the 2017/18 school year. There will be no change to the current allocation process. In the 2017/2018 school year, no Grade 1 students will be placed in HSP. There will be no reduction in the Community Based Resource Model (CBRM) or CBRM EA at the system level because of this remodelling. In the 2018/19 school year, HSP will only support Junior and Intermediate students.
    Celebrating Jewish Heritage Month in May at the TDSB with Anne Frank: A History For Today Exhibit
    Anne Frank - A History for Today tells the story of Anne Frank against the background of the Holocaust and the Second World War. For the month of May, we are thrilled that the TDSB will be hosting this significant and powerful international exhibition at John Polyani CI. On loan from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, the bilingual exhibit is presented in partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada. It shares the story of Anne Frank and provides a history of the Holocaust including experiences of Canadian soldiers during World War II. In a real way the exhibition shows the impact of the Nazi policy on one particular family. Hosting this exhibit allows the TDSB to be very public about our beliefs of tolerance, inclusion and lack of room for hate of any kind. It will help create dialogue in our classrooms to discuss important issues like discrimination, anti-semetism, and the importance of diversity in our schools - it is very timely. School trips will be encouraged throughout the month and on May 7 and 28 the exhibit will be open to the public. Details will be available soon. Click here to learn more.

    Cheryl Webb from Adventure Place and Lynn XXX from McNicoll Child Care with Alexander. 
    With Minister of Education, Mitzie Hunter at the Provincial Announcement that SilverCreek PS and McNicoll PS will be purchased by the government of Ontario.
    GREAT NEWS ABOUT
    McNicoll & Silver Creek Public Schools 
    On April 4th the Minister of Education Mitzie Hunter made an annoucement at Silver Creek Public school. The Government of Ontario has committed to purchasuing both the McNicoll and Silver Creek properties with a commitment to keeping the services provided by the current tenants, Adventure Place and McNicoll Avenue Child Care in place and promoting the site as a community hub. The conditions set by the board of trustees for the sale of the proeprties have been met and the transfer of the properties will occur in the near future. The properties were declared surplus to the needs of the TDSB on March 22nd. The board of Trustees made the following decision based on the needs of the school board and the concerns of the community, parents and children's needs:
    Silver Creek Public School, 65 Hartsdale Drive and McNicoll Public School, 155 McNicoll Ave-nue: Declaration of Surplus Property [3058]

    The Board decided that the Toronto Lands Corporation be directed to initiate Regulation 444/98 for the disposition of Silver Creek Public School, 65 Hartsdale Drive and McNicoll Public School, 155 McNicoll Avenue on condition that the external organizations that currently serve children with special needs and their families and the child care centres will continue to operate at these two locations.

    This news ensures that the valuable services provided to families and children at these locations will continue to benefit the community, children and our education system leading to better outcomes for so many people. I am particularly proud and happy to have played a role in such an important decision NOT to sell these properties to a developer but to keep them in public hands for the benefit of the public. My congratulations to all parents, advocates, trustees and staff for working together with the province to ensure this process was successful. My special thanks to Cheryl Webb, Executive Director of Adventure Place and Lynn Lewis, Executive Director of McNicoll Avenue Child Care for their advocacy and determination in acheiveing these goals! 

    Once more details are available on the transfer of these properties to the government ministries I will provide an update. 
    Quotes:

    “Schools are at the heart of our communities. They function as natural community hubs. I am delighted that our government is investing in these former schools so that they can remain important multi-use spaces in their Etobicoke and North York communities.”

    — Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education

    “Silver Creek and McNicoll Public Schools are places where families come together to access important services. Purchasing both sites will allow these agencies to continue being hubs for children’s services, providing high-quality mental health and autism supports to the communities they serve.”

    — Michael Coteau, Minister of Children and Youth Services

    • Offering more licensed child care spaces aligns with the government’s commitment to support community hubs that provide citizen-focused, co-ordinated services such as child care, education, health care and social services.


    I want to thank all you you who have joined the last meeting at McKee on April 6th and those of you who have been following the updates regarding Willowdale and our efforts to get Education Development Charges for our TDSB schools.
    Looking at the minutes from the last meeting, we set out a clear list of Action Items, including setting two training meetings with 'team captains' from each school. I can now confirm those two meeting dates:
    School Council Captain Training session #1

    School Council Captain Training session #2
    A third meeting will probably be set to allow parents more flexibility in attending and preparing for this very important meeting. Ler me know if you have a requests.
    ***Please note that the Ministry of Education originally confirmed May 10th as the date for our meeting with Minister Mitzie Hunter - since the last meeting, that date has been cancelled. While a new meeting date hasn't been set as of yet, we are working closely with MPP David Zimmer to set a new date as soon as possible. More to come. . .



    Dear Parents/Guardians and Community Members:
    You are invited to a public meeting to discuss proposed changes to attendance boundaries that will impact the following elementary schools in Willowdale:
    • Avondale PS/Avondale Alternative ES  
    • Bayview MS
    • Cummer Valley MS
    • Finch PS
    • Hollywood PS
    • Lillian PS
    • McKee PS
    As you may be aware, several schools in the area are over-enrolled.  To help alleviate the enrolment pressure, a replacement school is being built at the Avondale site with a larger capacity of 553 students (an increase from the current capacity of 362 students).  The rebuilt school is scheduled to open in the spring of 2018, with the proposed boundary changes occurring as of September 2018. 
    A Local Feasibility Team (LFT) consisting of the Superintendent of Education, Principals from the area schools, our local Trustee, and various central departments such as Planning has met regularly between June 2016 and April 2017 to discuss possible boundary changes to help deal with the enrolment pressures. 
    For your information, school closures are not being considered.
    Please note these boundary changes would not occur immediately.  They would have to take place after the re-opening of the school at the Avondale site. 
    There will be NO CHANGES to the Earl Haig SS Attendance Area.  Addresses currently assigned to Earl Haig SS remain unchanged.  No additional addresses will be assigned to Earl Haig SS.
    We will be offering this meeting on TWO different dates and at two different locations.  Please choose the one that is most convenient for you: 

    • Monday, May 8, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at Bayview MS
      (25 Bunty Lane, North York)     
       
      OR
    • Thursday, May 11, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at McKee PS
      (35 Church Avenue, North York)

    These meetings will provide an opportunity for parents/guardians and community members to provide feedback on different attendance boundary options and to ask questions.
    The information provided at the meetings will be available on TDSB’s website: www.tdsb.on.ca/AccommodationReviews
    Click on “Avondale Public School, Bayview Middle School, Cummer Valley Middle School, Finch Public School, Hollywood Public School, Lillian Public School and McKee Public School” under the “Boundary Change Reviews” section. 
    A map of the existing attendance boundaries is available on the website. 
    If you require any form of accommodation such as accessibility, interpretation or child care at the meetings, please call 416-394-3925 by Monday, May 1, 2017.
    Meeting dates and times may change.  Please visit the website for the latest information or contact your school office.
    Regards,

    Linda Curtis - Superintendent of Education - linda.curtis@tdsb.on.ca
    Alexander Brown - Trustee, Ward 12, Willowdale - alexander.brown@tdsb.on.ca
    • This is an early notification:                                                                               
      The Boundary Change Review information may not be available on the TDSB website until April 24th, 2017.

    • An official letter will be sent to parents/guardians & community residents of the affected schools by April 24th, 2017.

    • Don't hesitate to contact me or Superintendent Linda Curtis by email at anytime to discuss the consultation process or address other questions you may have.

    The TDSB is kicking-off a two-part public consultation process where we will be sharing information and seeking advice from parents, students, staff, and the broader community that will help the Board improve equity in Toronto’s public school system.  REGISTER FOR WARD FORUM
    The Ward Forums are the first part of the consultation, and will focus on understanding people’s experience today (good and bad) with equity in TDSB schools. The second part of consultation will take place this Fall to share and seek feedback on the draft recommendations developed to address the feedback received.
    Equality means every child has a pair of shoes. Equity means every child has a pair of shoes that fit. 
    • WHAT DO WE WANT TO KNOW? We want to know: What is working? What are the things we need to protect, expand or spread for greater impact? What is not working? Where do barriers and systemic discrimination remain despite our best efforts? What bold and courageous actions must we now take to achieve greater equity for all?
     
    • WHAT’S THE BIG PICTURE?  The TDSB is always striving to treat students fairly and that all students achieve their full potential.  At the same time we know we must continue to identify and remove barriers and bias in the school system that can hurt students’ ability to succeed. We know some things are going well – like many of the Model Schools that are now celebrating 10 years in 150 communities across the city – however we know many challenges persist. To make sure we continue our efforts to improve, TDSB Trustees have created an Enhancing Equity Task Force that will be providing advice to the Board in the Fall of 2017. The Task Force will be working closely with Trustees, teachers, staff, parents, students, and the broader community to do its work.
     
    • WHAT WILL CHANGE BECAUSE OF THIS?  The public consultation advice will directly inform the recommendations that the Enhancing Equity Task Force will make to the Board in the Fall of 2017. The recommendations will lead to changes in how the Board directs its efforts in classrooms, in hallways, during and after school hours to improve equity. It will also likely lead to changes in how the Board allocates resources.
     
    • WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE? Consultation materials and feedback questions will be shared at the Ward Forums and are also online at www. 
     
    • WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? A summary of all public consultation feedback from the Ward Forums will be posted online in early July. Draft recommendations from the Enhancing Equity Task Force (based on this feedback) will be shared publicly in the early Fall, with the second round of public consultations immediately following,
     
    • WHAT’S EQUITY? It is the provision of opportunities for equality for all by responding to the needs of individuals. This means removing biases that exist depending on a person’s race, colour, creed, culture, ethnicity, linguistic origin, disability, socio-economic class, age, ancestry, nationality, place of origin, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, family status, and marital status. Similar biases have also impacted on Canada's First Nation’s and Metis and Inuit population.

      REGISTER FOR WARD FORUM HERE
    tdsbCREATES
    tdsbCREATES is a system-wide, grades 1 to 12 celebration of dance, drama, media arts and visual arts culminating in a festival which takes place in April and May 2017 in schools, communities, galleries, and performing arts venues around the city of Toronto.
    What is tdsbCREATES? (click here)

    tdsbCREATES is a Celebration of Student Voice, Creative Ideas, and Arts for All
    What will the festival include?
    • School-based and Learning Network-based arts celebrations.
    • Artist residencies in dance, drama, and visual arts in up to 60 elementary schools for grades 1 – 6
    • Subsidized performances by professional companies in approximately 20 schools
    • tdsbCREATES Art & Film: students in grades 7 – 12 will collaborate on art projects and film creation. Student work will be considered by a jury of professional artists for a culminating art exhibition and film screening.
    • tdsbCREATES Dance & Spoken Word: students in Grade 7 - 12 will collaborate on original compositions and performances in dance and spoken word

    Newtonbrook Secondary School is very proud to announce that the Brook Dance Team will be moving on to the tdsbCreates Festival on Tuesday April 25th at the Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts (Yonge and Sheppard) at 7:30pm. This is the final show!!!
     
    It would be wonderful if you and your family could join us for the event. Everyone is welcome. Tickets are free.
     
    To order your tickets, please RSVP to: alberta.monro@tdsb.on.ca
    ***The Toronto Centre for the Arts will not allow any audience members into the theatre without a ticket. Each year we run out of tickets. However, each year over 400 people do not show up and those seats remain empty


    tdsbCREATES Twitter account


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