Celebrating Good News
I encourage you to read about some of the recent events, initiatives and great things happening across the Toronto District School Board, including:
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Greek Heritage Month at the TDSB
At the TDSB, we are proud to recognize Greek Heritage Month during the month of March. During the month of March, we have several activities that will be shared to mark Greek Heritage Month. This year’s theme is: “Greek Thought and Civilization: From Myth to Logos” ---- λληνική Σκέψη και Πολιτισμός: Από τον Μύθο στον Λόγο» This year’s website includes Daily Announcementsalong with featured focused days with activities.
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TDSB Budget Update
The budget process is underway at the TDSB and we want to hear from you! Please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/budget for all the latest information, including meeting schedules and recordings of the online Budget Town Halls that took place on February 20 and 21. There is also information available about how to register for a public delegation to address the Finance, Budget, and Enrolment Committee on March 26, 2024.
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2024-25 Budget
Section 231 of the Education Act requires school boards to adopt a balanced budget. As the 2024-25 budget process continues, there are several important meetings upcoming and we encourage parents/ guardians/caregivers, staff, and the wider community to learn more and engage in the budget process.
This Tuesday, March 19 at the Finance, Budget, and Enrolment Committee (FBEC), staff will present their options to balance the 2024-25 budget.
When this year's budget process began, the projected financial position was a deficit of $34.8M. Since then, staff have updated some of the projected revenues and expenditures that bring the updated projected financial position to a $20.8M deficit - that means staff are looking at reductions of $20.8M in order to balance. Appendix F - Updated Financial Position.
Included in the Report is Appendix E - 2024-25 Budget Summary by Department showing the variances between budget years.
What is clear about staff options is their ongoing support of protecting programs and services for students - Appendix D - Major Areas Where Board is Spending More Than Funded.
I can support many of the staff options as they are based on structural reorganization and efficiencies (reorganizing Adult Education, change to permits, staffing, school renewal and sick leave) - I however cannot support the elimination of General Interest/Seniors Daytime Programs through this process. I have heard from too many who have truly valued having these programs available locally in our community.
Policy 019 outlines, “The Board will provide…community programs for adults 18 years of age and older to provide them with opportunities to develop knowledge and skills and to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle…Community programs should be fully funded by user fees and other revenues.” Currently, the TDSB is not meeting this requirement.
In 2022-2023, General Interest/Seniors’ Daytime Programs experienced a $680,000 deficit. In order to sustain programs operating in deficit, funds are redirected from the board’s other revenue sources (i.e., funds are redirected from areas such as staffing and school based funding to support the deficit with General Interest/Seniors’ Daytime).
Course fees were raised by 20% in 2023-2024 in an effort to become fully funded, however, enrolment has declined by 15%. General Interest/Seniors’ Daytime Programs are projected to have an in-year $694,454 deficit. Given the provision of interest courses available in Toronto to interested community members, the needs of TDSB students, and a projected persistent deficit, it has been recommended that the TDSB no longer provide General Interest/Seniors’ Daytime programming.
While I understand and acknowledge that our core mandate at the TDSB is to serve students, we also have a commitment to supporting lifelong learning and to enrich our communities with affordable learning opportunities. Eliminating a long standing program like this should undergo careful consideration and consultation with the public, I do not feel comfortable supporting such a change.
I will be in support of increasing the fees to these programs to keep them available and in service to those who wish to enrol - as the original policy 019 intended.
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Structural Deficit
The TDSB's projected financial position will continue to be a deficit. In addition to the provincial government underfunding benchmarks since amalgamation, the structural deficit is compounded by a combination of other factors including higher wages, aging facilities, transitioning from COVID, escalating costs and inflation. In addition, the demand for mental health and special education services for students in addition to investing in safe schools have led to increased necessary staffing.
Students in Toronto need the province to fully-fund expenditures that are out of the Board control. As noted in the graphic above, there are predominantly four areas responsible – three of the four – underfunding of statutory benefits, replacement costs for sick leave and the inability to close under-utilized schools are provincial.
We know OPSBA continues to advocate for these issues – but specifically for TDSB, it is worth repeating that prior to central provincial bargaining in 2014, the TDSB teacher grid was higher than the provincial average. Since 2014, TDSB supplements provincial funding received for teachers and this increases every year – in 2023-24, the amount that is underfunded is projected to be $22.3M.
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Next Steps
As noted below, the following week, on Tuesday, March 26, FBEC is for public delegations and members of the public are welcome to attend to speak in person or to submit a written delegation. And on Wednesday, March 27, staff will present recommendations on the 2024-25 operating budget at FBEC. Learn more and access all meeting agendas. A Special Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 2 for approval of the 2024-25 operating budget.
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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.
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Learn4Life Adult Community Programs - Spring Registration Now Open!
Did you know the TDSB offers lots of adult programs? Spring 2024 registration is now OPEN for Learn4Life's Adult General Interest Program! Open to adults 18 years of age and seniors, the Learn4Life program offers a unique and valuable opportunity for individuals to pursue their interests, expand their knowledge, and engage in lifelong learning with a wide range of courses and activities designed to cater to diverse interests and passions.
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Committee Meetings This Week
Special Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee - March 19, 2024 - 4:30 p.m. Boardroom Agenda
- 5.0 Proposed Options to Balance the 2024-25
Governance and Policy Committee - March 20, 2024 - 4:30 p.m. Boardroom Agenda
- 5. Staff Reports
- 5.1 P067, Learning Opportunities Index Policy Review, Phase 3
- 5.2 P021, Fundraising Policy, Phase 5
- 5.3 P072, Workplace Violence Prevention, Phase 1 - Annual Review
- 5.4 P048, Occupational Health and Safety Policy, Phase 1 - Annual Review
- 6. For Information Only
- 6.1 PR686, Revised Barbeque Safety Procedure [4681]
- 6.2 PR743, Employee Interim Measures Pending Investigation: New Procedure
Special Planning and Priorities Committee - March 21, 2024 - 4:30 p.m. Boardroom Agenda 9 (TBC)
P021, Fundraising Policy: Phase 5
The revised Fundraising Policy (P021) is before the Governance and Policy Committee (GPC) Wednesday. On May 3, 2023, staff provided preliminary revisions at the GPC before proceeding with public consultation. A pre-consultation survey was conducted with the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) in Spring 2023 for one month to obtain initial feedback. An extended term of public consultations was initiated on May 29, 2023 and concluded on October 20, 2023.
Revisions to the Policy (see Appendix A) include:
- Updated definitions;
- Commitment to equity through a proposed System Priorities Fund (formerly the Central Equity Fund) - To facilitate improved equity of resources among schools, a System Priorities Fund will be maintained to redirect undesignated donations from external sources and/or for schools to voluntarily direct surplus School Generated Funds.
- Alignment with Ministry guidelines; and
- Provisions regarding online donations.
What hasn't changed is the school principal is ultimately responsible for all fundraising activities conducted in the name of the school, including school council activities and will have financial oversight of all school generated funds. Fundraising activities must be accountable and transparent, with school/student councils and their local school communities being informed about how fundraising proceeds are used by the school and funds must be raised for a designated purpose and used for that intended purpose. In addition, school generated funds will be used within a two-year period unless specified for a specific project or use. Please let me know if you have any questions.
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Ramadan Continues
Ramadan is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity that exists within our school communities. For many Muslim students (and staff), observing Ramadan through fasting brings a great sense of fulfillment and community. Please see these shared tips that schools can use to support students who are observing and promote inclusion throughout Ramadan.
For more information on the duty to accommodate, please click here.
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Dogs Are Not Allowed On School Property - How to Report
Attention Ward 3 families and residents! Please spread the word and discussion on the persistent dog problem at all of our schools. We understand that school properties are wide open enclosed fields perfect to let your pet zoom around free - but these grounds are intended for our students. Please take your dog to an off leash park - not school playgrounds.
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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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 behavior 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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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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Summer Company Grant
Are you an Ontario student with a business idea? The Summer Company program supports eligible young student entrepreneurs, aged 15 to 29, looking to launch and operate a small business during the summer. The Summer Company program provides:
- Business fundamentals training
- Group and one-to-one mentorship sessions with a trained business professional
An opportunity for a grant of up to $3,000 to help launch your small business. For more information, review the program overview and detailed guidelines. Begin the process by April 1.
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High Water Levels Bring Increased Risks
We are inching closer to Spring and milder weather. The Toronto and Region Conservation monitors hazardous ice conditions as thaw begins and are reminding everyone to be very careful around all bodies of water. The first hint of warming weather and the promise of spring thaw can bring extreme danger to the shores and surfaces of streams, rivers, ponds and lakes, according to Toronto and Region Conservation. As warmer temperatures arrive, stream banks become increasingly slippery and unstable. Lake and river ice weakens, becoming thinner or with higher flows breaking with little or no warning.
During this time, the potential for flooding and ice jamming is high. Higher, faster-flowing water and extreme cold temperatures combine to create increased dangers on or near rivers, streams and ponds for people wishing to enjoy the seasonal changes. I encourage you to speak to your children about staying safe and staying away from stream banks, ponds and lakes.
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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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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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