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Welcome to my February Newsletter
February is Black History Month and I will be participating in many events celebrating the historic accomplishments in Ward 17 schools and our community.
I had the pleasure of representing the Board of Trustees and brought greetings to the PIAC (Parent Involvement Advisory Committee) conference this past Saturday at Earl Haig Secondary School. It was so wonderful to see so many parents in attendance and engage in meaningful discussion as well as participate in workshops around their children's education and how they can continue to support learning.
We have completed the weekly Spotlights of four schools in Ward 17 and you can now view them on social media and we will add a section on my website shortly titled "Spotlight on Ward 17 Schools". Coming soon, the TDSB will be hosting 3 Budget Town Halls across the city and I encourage you to come out and have your say and input on this important topic, the dates will be announced on www.tdsb.on.ca
I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to Ward 17 schools and the community who came out to celebrate Tamil Heritage Month. I was joined by my fellow Trustees Ghous, Patel, Rajakulasingam, Sriskandarajah and Wong. Thank you also to Wexford Collegiate Institute School for the Arts for hosting the celebration and the performers who dazzled us with their artistic talent.
I welcome your feedback, please reach out and contact me directly at;
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PA Day Moved Due to Solar Eclipse - April 8, 2024
Trustees recently approved changes to the 2023-24 school calendar, moving the Professional Activity Day on April 19 to April 8, 2024 due to the upcoming total solar eclipse. This decision, which was made following guidance and consultation with the Ministry of Education, is in line with similar changes announced by other school boards in the Greater Toronto and Golden Horseshoe Area, including the Toronto Catholic District School Board, with which we share student transportation services. Read the full parent/guardian message.
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Family Day 2024
Family Day occurs on the third Monday in February each year to celebrate the importance of families taking time to be together. Please remember that Monday, February 19, 2024 is a province-wide statutory holiday and there will be no classes.
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Historic Capital Revitalization Strategy Approved
This ambitious plan, approved at January’s Regular Board Meeting, will address challenges posed by aging school buildings, with safety, accessibility and energy efficiency and sustainability as priorities. The ten-year strategy aims to have no school buildings classified as “requiring extensive improvement” by 2035. Improvements will range from light retrofit to deep retrofit, replacement, or new construction. Schools will be categorized based on improvement needs, with identification, cost estimation, budgeting, and prioritization already underway. The initial phase is set to conclude by December 2024, paving the way for the commencement of the first projects in January 2025. Read more about the Capital Revitalization Strategy.
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English Kindergarten Registration Begins in February
Starting on the school journey is an exciting milestone, and TDSB schools are proud to offer a vibrant learning space for every child's development – inside and outside the classroom. Registration for English Kindergarten programs starts in February. For Junior Kindergarten enrollment in September, children should be four years old by December 31. Senior Kindergarten registration requires children to be five years old by December 31. To learn more, please visit the Kindergarten Registration page.
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TDSB Budget Consultations
Over the next few months, TDSB Trustees, in collaboration with TDSB staff, will be working together to establish a budget for 2024-25. I encourage you to participate in our public consultations, which are an important part of this budget process. As always, we want to hear from you! Please visit the budget website to learn about opportunities to participate in the budget process in mid-February. See you there!
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2023 Director’s Annual Report Released
I am pleased to share that TDSB Director of Education, Colleen Russell-Rawlins, shared the latest Director’s Annual Report at the January Board Meeting. I encourage you to read the report which outlines academic milestones, community engagement initiatives and all the new ways our community has continued to support high levels of achievement for every student.
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TDSB To Create New Cellphone/Mobile Device Policy
You may have heard that TDSB Trustees have approved the development of a comprehensive Cellphone/Mobile Device policy which will build on the existing Board Code of Conduct. This new policy aims to strike a better balance between educational use and minimizing distractions in classrooms. Staff will now create a policy development plan that will outline next steps including timelines and opportunities for students, staff and families to provide feedback as part of an extensive public consultation process. More information on this process will be shared as soon as it is confirmed.
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First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Secondary ID Clinic
The TDSB’s Urban Indigenous Education Centre has organised an ID clinic for secondary First Nations, Métis and Inuit from across the district. The ID clinic will take place on Tuesday, February 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information and to register, please visit the TDSB webpage.
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African Heritage (Black History) Month
At the TDSB, we are proud to celebrate African Heritage (Black History) Month during the month of February. African Heritage Month is an occasion to commemorate present and past individuals who helped shape the path of our future student leaders, while also celebrating the many achievements and contributions of numerous individuals with this heritage! This year’s chosen theme is Our Black Is… Our Black Is Resilient, Community, Beautiful, Unity, Joy, Self-Determination, Excellence, Empowering, Purpose, Brilliance, Engaging, Creative, Belonging, Tenacious, Powerful, Faith, Audacious, Powerful, Me…
For more information and activities, please visit the TDSB webpage, or follow the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement on Instagram and X/ Twitter.
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Chinese Heritage Month
TDSB’s Chinese Heritage Month is proudly recognized in February each year. This year we celebrate the Year of the Dragon: Majesty, Brilliance, Confidence, Leadership.
Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most important celebrations for Chinese communities around the world. I encourage you to visit and follow @tdsbChineseHM for daily messages, and more information on festivities throughout the month.
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Somali Heritage Month Event
You’re invited to participate in a celebration of Somali Heritage at TDSB on February 9, 2024 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Kipling Collegiate Institute. This immersive event, themed "Educate. Elevate. Excel.," is a rich exploration of Somali culture organized by the Somali Heritage Month committee and the Somali Centre for Culture and Recreation. The evening will feature diverse talents in spoken word, digital and visual arts, and photography. A panel discussion will delve into the layers of Somali heritage, fostering insightful conversations. Enjoy!
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Reducing the Spread of Respiratory Illness
We are now in the middle of cold and flu season. A reminder of the number of steps that can be taken to help keep children and others safe from an increase in respiratory viruses among children, including Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza and COVID-19. Please note that Toronto Public Health, together with Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, strongly recommends wearing a well-fitted mask in indoor public settings, including in schools and childcares.
Winter Well-Being Guide
I invite you to explore the TDSB’s Winter Well-Being Guide, which is filled with activities, games, wellness tips, resources and community agencies to support wellness for all students, parents/guardians/caregivers, and school communities. This Winter Well-Being Guide provides accessible resources and is available in the top 20 TDSB spoken languages.
Inclement Weather
As we all know, with Canadian winter comes snow and severe weather! At times, it is necessary to cancel student transportation, classes and/or programs. On rare occasions, severe weather makes it necessary to close TDSB schools, administrative offices or sites. Visit the website to learn about Snow/Cold Weather and the Procedure for Severe Weather.
Upcoming Meetings
The next Regular Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. For a list of upcoming meetings, please click on the calendar at www.tdsb.on.ca.
Stay Connected with your School
The TDSB now offers two new ways to stay connected with your school and the TDSB.Learn about opting in for text messages and using the School Messenger app, which provides a faster and easier way to report absences.
Follow the TDSB
Join the conversations happening on TDSB's social media communities. You'll find the most up-to-date information about us on our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.
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