Celebrating Good News
Read about some of the recent events, initiatives and great things happening across the Toronto District School Board, including:
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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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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 Budget Consultations: Public Engagement OpportunitiesWe Want to Hear from You!
Virtual Budget Town Halls
Public consultations are an important part of the budget process, and we want to hear from you! Please join us for a Virtual Budget Town Hall to share your ideas and feedback:
Public Delegations
We welcome members of the public to bring forward issues and concerns they have through a delegation, which is addressing a committee of the Board of Trustees (by speaking or submitting a written statement). Register to address the Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee on March 26, 2024. Learn more and register here. Please note: the deadline for delegations to be considered is 12 p.m. on Monday, March 25. Watch for the Budget Survey coming soon!
Online Budget Survey
Check back in late February to complete an online survey about the TDSB budget.
Updated Budget Schedule - see below
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2024-25 Budget Section 231 of the Education Act requires school boards to adopt a balanced budget. According to the Ministry, “when preparing and adopting budgets (estimates) for the fiscal year (September 1 to August 31), school boards are required to ensure that estimated expenses do not exceed estimated revenues unless any in-year deficit can be covered by accumulated surplus of a prior year and the in-year deficit is less than 1% of the school board’s operating budget.” We begin this year's budget process with a deficit of $34.8M. Staff removed one-year funding from that total, but at last week's Finance and Budget Enrolment Committee Meeting two motions have the potential to change that -
- Addition of Vice-Principals Allocation and Safety Positions - Laskin/MacLean
Be it resolved that in preparation of the detailed options to balance the 2024-25 Budget that will be coming to a Special FBEC on March 19, that staff reconsider assumptions presented to Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee on January 29, 2024 in preparation of the projected 2024-25 Financial Position, specifically the removal of the Vice Principal positions added through the 2023-24 budget process and the safety positions that were added in January 2023.
- Requesting Increased and Sustainable Funding for Student Safety in High Priority Neighbourhoods for the 2024-2025 Budget & Beyond - Chernos Lin/MacLean
Whereas, advocacy by our Board led to Ministry of Education funding of $1.8M for the 2023-2024 budget for violence prevention work supporting partnerships between community organizations and schools in high priority neighbourhoods; and
Whereas, the Enhanced Student Safety Funding Grant allocated through the 2023-2024 Priorities and Partnerships Fund expires in March 2024; and
Whereas, this community partnership work with schools and students is making a significant difference for TDSB students, yet needs in priority areas remain high; and
Whereas, March Break and spring programming is at risk without emergency funding for these programs;
Therefore, be it resolved that
- That the Chair write a letter to the Minister of Education requesting immediate attention to the Enhanced Student Safety Funding Grant, to ensure programs continue this spring and through the 2024-2025 school year. As much of this work is proactive, that the letter also requests this funding be moved into the Grants for Student Needs to ensure stable and predictable funding into the future given the high need for such programming.
- That letters be sent to all community partners supported by the 2023-2024 Enhanced Student Safety Funding Grant requesting these organizations also write to the Minister of Education requesting renewal funding for 2024-2025 and beyond to ensure proactive work can be realized to its full potential.
The two motions above, are critical to the success of students - staff will continue to review all areas of the budget where spending exceeds funding. The public will have an opportunity to provide feedback from February 20-23 related to the budget. Staff will report back to Trustees regarding this feedback on March 4, 2024. Staff will then come back to a Special Meeting of FBEC on March 19th with a detailed budget showing options to balance which is their obligation.
There is no question there continues to be a shortfall between what the province provides and what TDSB students need. The City of Toronto got a new deal from the Province. Don't our students deserve the same?
I encourage you to participate in our public consultations, which are an important part of this budget process. There are at least four areas that are outside of the Board's control that contribute to the deficit:
Statutory Benefits - We ask that the Ministry provide additional funding to support costs (e.g. employer portion of CPP, EI, OMERS) which the Board has no control over.
School Closure Moratorium - Since 2017, there has been a moratorium on school closures imposed by the Ministry. The TDSB requests that the school closure moratorium be lifted so that boards can review schools with low student enrolment that face programming challenges that limit our students' choices as well as a financial burden to the Board.
Increased Supply Teacher Costs - Supply costs, premiums and LTDI claims continue to increase. To address increasing costs in these areas, school boards require resources to manage absenteeism, and to ensure staff have the support and accommodations they need to return to work.
Difference Between Actual TDSB Teacher Costs and What the Ministry provides - Since amalgamation, there is a gap between provincial funding and the actual salaries of TDSB teachers - the province must review the salary and benefit benchmarks.
Please visit the budget website for more information. Budget surveys and new information will be posted as they become available so please visit often.
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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 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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Dogs Are Not Allowed On School Property - How to ReportAt 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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Winter Outerwear Drive
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
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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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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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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Steps to Address Your Questions and Concerns
Here at the TDSB, we are always open to hearing your questions and concerns and make every effort to address them as quickly as possible. Your child's classroom teacher is the first point of contact, followed by the school's principal, the school superintendent, and me, your Trustee! For more information, visit www.tdsb.on.ca/Contact-Us/Steps-to-Address-Questions-Concerns.
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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.
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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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