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| Shelley Laskin, Trustee
Toronto District School Board
Ward 8: Eglinton-Lawrence & Toronto-St Paul's
416-395-8787
Shelley.Laskin@tdsb.on.ca
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August 27, 2023 - First Update of 2023-24
One more week!
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I hope you are having a wonderful break. While we've been off, I have appreciated the efforts of all central staff who worked over the summer keeping the system running and all caretaking and facilities staff for all you have done in preparing schools for this coming year.
Secondary school offices opened this past week and Monday, elementary school offices will open. Thank you to all the office staff and administration following up on emails and messages over the summer and along with teachers and education workers who will come in early to prepare classrooms this week, the system is working to get ready for students.
Yes, there will continue to be challenges, no doubt, but I will continue keep Director Colleen Russell-Rawlins' system priorities top of mind - the importance of joy, engagement and belonging in our schools as a foundation for academic achievement and student success; and eliminating disproportionate outcomes for students. If we commit to centring students in all we do, I am confident, together, we will help them achieve success.
First day of school, Tuesday, September 5, 2023
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In this Issue -- Labour Negotiations Updates
- Statement by TDSB
- Student Transportation Update for September
- Update on Ventilation
- TDSB Meetings This Week
- Provincial Government Recent Announcements
- Get Vaccinated
- New Invitations - Learn4Life - Fall 2023; TDSB Backpacks & School Supplies Drive; Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants
- Worth Repeating - Fundraising Policy Consultation; Useful Links; 2023-2024 Calendar; Community Safety & Support
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Labour Negotiations Updates
School boards and unions share a commitment to public education and work together towards positive labour relations. The collective bargaining framework for the education sector features a two-tier bargaining process, involving both central and local bargaining. Learn more about the process.
- Latest ETFO Updates - August 16, 2023 - The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has announced that they will conduct central strike votes during in-person meetings being held across the province from mid-September to mid-October. It is important to note that this is just one step in the collective bargaining process and does not mean elementary teachers are going on strike. We remain hopeful that all sides (Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA), Government of Ontario and ETFO) will reach an agreement prior to any possible strike action. Learn more about the stages of the collective bargaining process
- Latest OSSTF Updates - August 25, 2023 - The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) and the Ontario Government have agreed to a tentative process to extend provincial bargaining until October 27, 2023 . If the process is approved by OSSTF membership, all remaining items that are not agreed to in bargaining by that date will be moved to binding arbitration, thus avoiding possible strike action. Local discussions will continue until March 2024 and any items not agreed to will also be sent to binding arbitration
- Please note TDSB and CUPE Local 4400 reached an Agreement in June.
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Statement by TDSB
At the July 28, 2023 Special Meeting of the Toronto District School Board, the Board unanimously resolved to reaffirm the TDSB’s commitment to the Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Strategy, including anti-Black racism and all forms of racism and hate.
Everyone at TDSB deserves to be treated with dignity and respect so that they can achieve equitable outcomes and thrive in learning and working environments free from discrimination.
Experiences of anti-Black racism and other forms of racism and hate are evident in schools and communities. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring students and staff feel supported, safe, and included.
The responsibility of Ontario school boards to create inclusive classrooms that support student achievement and well-being is legislated by the Education Act, guided by the Ontario Human Rights Code, and prioritized in TDSB’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan and Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Strategy. Higher levels of achievement and success are attained through student engagement and feelings of belonging at school.
Our commitment to an inclusive, equitable and accessible education for all students is unwavering. Students need our resolve in continuing to understand their lived experiences. We are all informed by our individual identities but through our collaborative efforts we can best support our students and staff to create positive and sustainable change.
Note: Professional learning for educators supports them knowing who their students are, their identities, abilities and lived experiences allows educators to create the conditions necessary for dynamic, deep learning and create environments that reflect, and are based on, the assets and gifts they bring in ways that honour them. TDSB’s goal is to do this in a partnership between students, families, community, elders and staff. We know we have work to do.
The Combatting Hate and Racism Strategy The TDSB’s plan will include:
- Specific objectives tied to actions, measurable outcomes, and timelines for meeting those objectives;
- Actions and measurable outcomes to reduce the incidences of bias, hate, racism and discrimination in classrooms, schools and work environments that affect students and staff;
- Actions and measurable outcomes tied to the Combatting Hate and Racism Student Learning Strategy and staff job embedded learning;
- Identifying an employee or employees who would have responsibility for working to achieve the objectives laid out in the plan;
- Strategies for supporting employment equity to achieve a diverse, respected, and engaged team of TDSB employees;
- Specific strategies for engaging families/caregivers and community as contributors and partners which include internal (e.g., Heritage committees) and external (e.g., agencies, organizations, etc.);
- Building, developing understanding and planning, processes/purpose of affinity spaces in school communities; and
- Continuing to advance student learning through the Student Learning Strategy for Combatting Hate and Racism.
The TDSB aims to be responsive to the voices of communities by developing tailored action plans each based on the pillars of the Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Strategy. Each plan will be developed to distinctively honour the issue of injustice being addressed. For example:- Anti-Indigenous Racism
- Anti-Black Racism
- Antisemitism
- Islamophobia
- Ableism
- Anti-Asian Racism
- Homophobia & Transphobia
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Student Transportation Update for September
The Toronto Student Transportation Group (TSTG) will once again be implementing a phased-in start for student transportation to provide a more consistent service for families and to ensure that students with special education needs are prioritized and receive bus service beginning the first week of school.
Starting September 5, 2023 – student transportation services will be provided for the following students:
- Students with special education needs (excluding those in the gifted program) who travel to school on minibuses, minivans, taxis, and wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
- Students at relocation schools (Hodgson PS), specific buses for new Canadians, The Island Public School, and Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School.
Starting September 11, 2023 – all other eligible students will be provided with student transportation unless there is a significant impact on driver availability.
TSTG will inform families should there be any service changes or delays due to driver shortages or other unforeseen issues.
Transportation Portal: Access information specific to your child’s transportation, including route number, stop location, times and bus company contact details. Learn more and register.
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Update on Ventilation
Ventilation is the process of supplying or removing air from a space for the purpose of controlling the indoor air quality within the space. Ventilation is one strategy to help reduce the number of contaminants in the air and improve indoor air quality.
The TDSB has nearly 600 schools that use a variety of ventilation systems; the complexity and reach of the ventilation systems in each building varies with the age of the school and subsequent additions. For details on ventilation systems and more information, click here.
Regardless of ventilation, HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are clinically proven to reduce the spread of airborne infections in health care facilities by removing viruses, bacteria and allergens as small as 0.3 microns from the air and support a safer environment for staff and students.
Over the summer, the HEPA filter units were checked by caretaking staff and the filters were replaced (where required) as per the manufacturers’ guidelines. The HEPA units will remain in schools for the 2023/2024 school year. School administrators and Caretaking staff have been provided with guidelines regarding the care and use of the HEPA units, as well as the process to report and replace any non-functioning units.
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TDSB Meetings This Week
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 virtually, in person or submitting a written statement). Our Delegation Procedure is designed to set out a consistent and easily understandable process for the public and to manage the process in a fair and equitable manner https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Delegations
Delegates are encouraged to make their needs for accommodation known in advance of the Committee meeting when they send their request by e-mail to delegates@tdsb.on.ca by 4 p.m., two (2) working days before the committee meeting day.
Monday, August 28, 2023 - Special Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee - 12:00 p.m. Boardroom - Agenda
- 4.1 Contract Awards, Operations
- 4.2 Contract Awards, Facilities
- 4.3 School Banking Resolution: Transition From PACE Savings and Credit Union to Alterna Savings and Credit Union Limited
- 4.4 Updated Consultant Contract Award – Mass Timber Replacement School at Poplar Road Junior Public School
Wednesday, August 30, 2023 - Regular Board Meeting - 7:00 p.m. Public Session - Boardroom - Agenda (will be posted Monday)- 15. External Organization Reports
- 1 City of Toronto SafeTO - Oral Update
- 16. Committee Reports 16.1 Audit Committee, Report No. 3, June 26, 2023
- 1. 2023 External Audit Services Plan and Public Sector Accounting Standards Update
- 2. Insurance and Enterprise Risk Annual Update
- 3. PowerSchool Student Information System Project Update
- 4. Internal Audit Department Status Update, June 2023
- 5. School Operational Audit, Semester 1, 2022-23 Summary
- 6. Regional Internal Audit Team (RIAT) Engagement and Status Update
- 7. Agreed Upon Procedures Report, March 31, 2023
- 8. Audit Committee O. Reg 361/10 Requirements, Work Tracker
- 16.2 Finance, Enrolment and Budget Committee (Special Meeting), Report No. 13, August 28, 2023 - To follow
- 17. Written Notices of Motion
- 1 Student Nutrition (Trustees Sriskandarajah and Rajakulasingam)
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Provincial Government Recent Announcements
Revisions to the Elementary social studies, history and geography Curriculum - Learn about Ontario’s revised social studies, history and geography curriculum for Grades 1 to 8. The curriculum will be implemented starting September 2023. Please click here for the Parent Guide.
Revisions to the Social Studies, Grades 1 to 3 Curriculum ‒ Mandatory Indigenous-focused learning - As announced on September 29, 2021, the Minister of Education has issued updates to the Social Studies, Grades 1 to 3 curriculum to introduce mandatory Indigenous-focused learning. These updates to the curriculum will strengthen learning on residential schools and foster greater understanding of the contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit individuals, communities and nations to our province and country while learning about their histories and cultures. The new learning is available to all parents, teachers and students on the Curriculum and Resources website at Ontario.ca/curriculum.
Launch of 2023-24 Capital Priorities Program - The Ministry of Education (“the ministry”) recently announced the launch of the 2023-24 Capital Priorities Grant Program (CP). The 2023-24 Capital Priorities Program has been enhanced to reflect key government commitments and advocacy from school boards. The deadline for capital funding requests is October 20, 2023 and projects are for addressing current pupil accommodation needs and can include the creation of new licensed child care spaces – there is no limit to the number of projects that can be submitted. This is a big win for the TDSB who had been restricted to submitting 10 projects as all other boards. Boards are also asked to provide details of their longer term growth plans linked to the Ontario Housing Action Plan and municipal growth plans.
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Get Vaccinated
Vaccine preventable diseases are still spreading globally. Vaccines help build and strengthen our immune system, protecting us against diseases. For more information on timing of recommended vaccinations visit Ontario’s Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule.
Toronto Public Health now has four fixed-site vaccination clinics across the City:
✔️Scarborough ✔️ Metro Hall ✔️ Cloverdale Mall ✔️ North York Civic Centre
Book an appointment: toronto.ca/immunization
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TDSB is Renewing its Multi-Year Strategic Plan - Join our Ward Forum on October 3rd from 6:30-8:30
TDSB is Renewing its Multi-Year Strategic Plan
All members of the TDSB school community are invited to Have Your Say!
We encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities to contribute to the conversation. Learn more at: www.tdsb.on.ca/MYSPRenewal
Please REGISTER HERE to let us know you will be attending and if you require any accommodation to participate in this discussion.
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TDSB Backpacks & School Supplies Drive
We know that backpacks and school supplies can be expensive and represent a difficult purchase for some students and families. I encourage you to participate in TDSB’s Backpack & School Supplies Drive. The drive will run until the end of September. We are accepting donations of new products, including backpacks (gender neutral coloured with no commercial logos preferred), lunch bags, crayons, calculators, notebooks and basic school supplies. If you are interested in supporting this great cause, please complete an online donation form. For more information contact BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca.
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Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants
The Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants aim to increase awareness and engagement on climate action at the local level by funding resident-led projects, activities and events that:
- Reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change
- Educate and engage the public on climate change and climate action
- Advance the principles, priorities and actions of TransformTO Net Zero Strategy and the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy
Youth, school-based groups, and parent councils can receive up to $7500 for emission reduction projects & educational initiatives like repair clinics, swap events, carpooling challenges, and lobby displays. Groups will be matched with a local community organization to trustee the funds. Applications are open until September 15, 2023. Click for more information.
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Fundraising Policy Consultation
The Fundraising Policy (P021) is currently being reviewed. It supports the TDSB’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and financial viability and promotes student learning opportunities when planning and implementing fundraising activities. The Policy is aligned with the Education Act and the Ministry of Education’s Fundraising Guidelines.
The objective of the Policy is to outline expectations and provide directions to TDSB staff and members of school communities when planning and implementing fundraising activities.
Please share with us your thoughts, questions and recommendations through the online survey or by email to businessdevelopment@tdsb.on.ca on or before October 10, 2023.
2022-23 TDSB Approved Fundraising & Fun Fair Vendors Directory
The Toronto District School Board recognizes that school-based fundraising is a local activity, and believes that the goals of fundraising go beyond money to reflect the creative and collaborative efforts of parents, students, teachers and the school community. Underlying these efforts is the belief that it is not the responsibility of parents or school communities to raise funds for basic educational requirements but rather that school communities may raise funds to enhance programs and support school initiatives. All TDSB fundraising initiatives must be approved by the school principal before they move forward. Fundraising proceeds should not be used for expenses required for completion of the curriculum or for capital infrastructure improvements funded through renewal grants from the Ministry of Education. Fundraising is intended to enhance programs and support school initiatives or to support other external causes. Click here for approved vendors.
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2023-2024 Calendar
Please ensure you check these dates before scheduling events.
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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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