|  | Trustee Rachel Chernos Lin Chair •Trustee, Ward 11 • Don Valley West
Toronto District School Board
416-395-8787 • Rachel.ChernosLin@tdsb.on.ca |
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Join us next Wednesday, June 14, for the Coffee (lunch) meeting!
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Dear friends,
June is a busy season for trustees, as we scramble trying to make it to as many year end events and graduations as possible, but also a time filled with meetings, especially related to the Board's budget.
As explained in previous newsletters, trustees are tasked with passing a balanced budget by June 30 of each year. This year has been particularly challenging, due to the ending of the COVID Learning Fund (accounting for 485 staff positions), our very large deficit (over $71M spent on COVID-related expenses not reimbursed by our funder, the Province), and gaps in statutory benefit funding not fully covered by the Province but over which the TDSB has no control. Trustees and Staff have worked hard so far to limit cuts to non-program supports for students as best as possible, but we don't yet know what the full budget will look like. We continue to advocate to the Ministry of Education, and while this has proved fruitful on certain counts (we have received a commitment to increase our Special Incidence Support funding, which will help to offset our special education expenditures to some extent), our deficit still requires us to make some very hard decisions, especially since we know our student needs remain significant in this COVID recovery period.
In an effort to provide more information to families about this year's budget, Trustees Laskin and Rajwani and I held a Ward Forum this past Monday evening focusing on the Board's budget and finances. The presentation from Executive Officer Craig Snider and the meeting notes (with Q&A) will be posted on my Ward web page at tdsb.on.ca/ward11 shortly. To learn more about our financial situation and the budget process, please surf to tdsb.on.ca/budget.
Members of the public can also sign up to delegate at a Special FBEC meeting on Monday, June 12 at 4:30 p.m. The deadline to register a delegation for this meeting is Friday, June 9 at 12 p.m.
Learn more about delegations.
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Final Coffee meeting (Lunch) June 14.
Please join me for the last Ward event of the school year -- an end of year luncheon/coffee meeting, set for this coming Wednesday, June 14, from 12 noon to 2:00pm. As we alternate between in-person and virtual meetings, this one will be in person, upstairs in the Loft at Longos, 94 Laird Dr. Because it is the last meeting of the year, it will be over lunch!
I will be joined by my two Ward 11 Superintendents, Roni Felsen and Andrew Howard. We will have the opportunity to all catch up, share in casual conversation about all things education in Ward 11 and TDSB, and celebrate the end of the school year.
Please note: The Ward 11 Coffee meetings are a chance for parents and community members to ask questions, share ideas and for us to update you on what's happening at the Board and in schools. And this one includes lunch!
We do kindly ask guests to register so we can plan accordingly.
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Index - to update
Worth Repeating
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Director’s Leadership Report
At the last Board meeting, Director of Education Colleen Russell-Rawlins shared her monthly Leadership Report (see the full recording) where she expressed her gratitude for the invaluable contributions made by community organizations in delivering impactful tutoring programs to TDSB students. She provided an update on the Year 1 Report of the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement, which outlines significant actions taken since June 2022. She also reaffirmed the TDSB's commitment to supporting student pathways in skilled trades and apprenticeships. And lastly, she acknowledged and celebrated the winners and participants of the first-ever Innovation Challenge.
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Summer 2023 Well-Being Guide
The Summer Well-Being Guide is created by TDSB Mental Health and Well-Being-Professional Support Services Committee & Systems leadership team.
As we look toward the end of the school year, there may be excitement as well as thoughts and feelings that bring forward a need for support. Our Summer 2023 Well-Being Guide is a place to learn about Culturally Responsive and Identity Affirming resources and activities to make the most of this time of year, while supporting and improving our mental well-being.
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Learn4Life – Summer Registration Now Open!
TDSB’s Learn4Life provides a wide variety of general interest courses for adults 18+ and seniors. Courses, offered remotely and in-person, allow learners to take up new hobbies, learn new skills, and meet new friends. Summer courses include: Introduction to Community Interpreting, Bollywood Dance Fitness, and Tennis for True Beginners.
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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. We 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 for TDSB students, please complete an online donation form. For more information contact BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca.
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June is Pride Month
In June, the TDSB marks Pride Month across all TDSB schools and sites. Pride Month is a time to celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and reflect on the important work that must continue to make our schools and workplaces more inclusive, welcoming and affirming for all.
Please join the TDSB contingent as we march in the Pride Parade on Sunday, June 25th. Stay tuned for more details!
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Heritage & History Months
In June, The Toronto District School Board proudly celebrates National Indigenous History Month, Italian Heritage Month, and Portugese-Speaking Heritage Month.
National Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to celebrate and learn from First Nations, Métis and Inuit people about the diverse cultures, histories, experiences, creations, perspectives, and achievements.
Join the Urban Indigenous Education Centre (UIEC) throughout the month of June for opportunities for staff, students and educators to engage with Indigenous artists, authors, and speakers through various virtual workshops and panel discussions.
Learn More. The TDSB Urban Indigenous Education Centre is also on Twitter: here.
Italian Heritage Month
Italian Heritage Month is proudly recognized during the month of June at the TDSB since May 2012. The Province of Ontario also marks Italian Heritage Month since 2010 because the Italian Heritage Month Act was passed. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Christie Pits riot that took place in Toronto in August 1933. To commemorate this moment in history, the TDSB’s Jewish Heritage Committee in collaboration with the Italian Heritage Committee are offering TDSB students a chance to learn about the largest race riot in Canadian history.
Portugese-Speaking Heritage Month
Portuguese-Speaking Heritage Month is proudly recognized during the month of June at the TDSB and has been since 2011. The Province of Ontario passed the Celebration of Portuguese Heritage Act in 2001. This year our theme is Alegria / Joy! The contributions of the Portuguese-speaking community to Canada are significant as they include the arts, sports, music, culinary arts, and many professional contributions to education and medicine.
An invitation is being extended to attend the annual Portuguese Parade taking place on Saturday, June 10th! This vibrant and colourful parade brings the Portuguese-speaking community together and experience traditional music, dance, and food! All are welcome to join the fun and celebrate Luis de Camoes, poet and writer of Portuguese heritage who is regarded as a national literary icon. All wishing to participate in the parade are asked to meet at 9:30 am on Lansdowne between Bloor and College.
Learn more. The TDSB Portoguese-Speaking Heritage Month is also on Twitter: here.
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2022-2023 School Year Calendar|
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School Year Calendar 2023-2024
For the 2023-2024 school year, no PA days are scheduled before the first day of classes.
The first day of school is Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
See below for all dates there is no in-school learning.
Updated School Year Calendars for 2023-2024 are available online. These include PA days, exam days for final evaluations, Board and Statutory holidays, and other notable school year details.
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Stay Connected with your school and the board
The TDSB is offering 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. Learn more.
TDSB UpdateSign-up for TDSB Update and stay informed about recent Board decisions and district-wide news.
Upcoming MeetingsThe next Regular Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. For a list of upcoming meetings, including many about the Budget, please click on the meeting schedule and/or the calendar on the main webpage of www.tdsb.on.ca. Board and Committee Meetings can be watched online.
Follow the TDSBJoin the conversations happening on TDSB's social media communities. You'll find the most up-to-date information about us on our Twitter (@TDSB), Facebook (@toronto.dsb) and Instagram (@Torontodsb) accounts.
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If you notice anything at a school that concerns you, please call the TDSB 24-hour Call Centre (416) 395-4620, Toronto Police Services Dispatch (non-emergencies via 416-808-2222), and/or Toronto 311.
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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