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In November, we celebrate Aboriginal Education Month at the TDSB. This month provides an opportunity to centre Aboriginal perspectives, histories and contemporary realities across the curricula, and to focus on treaties and the legacy of residential schools.
Here are some of the ways we are marking this important month:
Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario - November 6-12, 2016
We will celebrate the inaugural Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario. It is a time for everyone in Ontario to recognize the treaties that shape our province and bring awareness to treaty rights and treaty relationships.
To mark Treaties Recognition Week, Ontario has been working with Indigenous partners to offer a series of educational resources and events. A dedicated online treaties resource library will be launched on ontario.ca/treaties featuring educational guides, videos and tools developed by Indigenous organizations for teachers and students across the province.
To complement the online resource library, we are also working with partners to offer a network of Indigenous speakers to share their perspectives on treaties in schools across Ontario. The Aboriginal Education Centre will bring a series of treaty learning presentations to schools throughout the TDSB.
A webinar series is available on November 9, titled "Treaties and the Treaty Relationship". They are both after school hours. These webinars would be helpful for educators wanting to teach about treaties. If you're interested in participating, ensure that you register. Learn more.
Inuit Day - November 7, 2016
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs issued the following statement of Inuit Day:
“Today is also an opportunity for all Canadians to reflect on the important relationship and history we share with the Inuit of Canada as we move forward in our journey of reconciliation and a renewed relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples." Learn more.
Remembering Aboriginal Veterans - November 11, 2016
On November 11, we will be remembering and honouring Aboriginal veterans as part of Remembrance Day ceremonies. Aboriginal peoples have a long history of defending Canada and supporting its war efforts here at home and also abroad. Learn more.
Louis Riel Day - November 16, 2016
On November 16, Louis Riel Day is held to honour the sacrifices and the work of Métis leader Louis Riel and to recognize the many contributions of the Métis to Canada and to highlight the continuing struggles that Métis continue to face. Learn more.
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| REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICEGeorge Weston Recital Hall
Toronto Centre for the Arts
5040 Yonge Street
Friday, November 11, 2016 @ 10:45 a.m.
I will proudly lay a wreath to honour all of our War Veterans at the North York Service - details above.
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Alexander with Chair Robin Pilkey and the Avondale "Diggers" kindergarten class. |
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Avondale Public School and Alternative Elementary School Update
Many parents have been wondering about the construction of the new Avondale Public and Alternative Elementary Schools. On October 13th, I attended an official ground breaking ceremony for the new Avondale School along with MPP David Zimmer, Chair Robin Pilkey and a representative from Councillor John Filion's office. The highlight of the ceremony was when the kindergarten class took their plastic shovels and dug into a pile of sand. One enthusiatic "digger" yelled out "This is the best sandbox ever!" Principal Michael Byrne should be commended for his efforts in preparing the students for the event. The grade 7/8 class also came and gave us a beautiful singing performance which they dedicated as the first item to be placed in the time capsule they are preparing for the new school.
The school is scheduled to open in January 2018. Due to unforseen delays, the previous opening date of September 2017 has been moved forward.
Quick Facts
- New school is scheduled to open in January 2018
- Contract to construct new school awarded to Bondfield Construction Co. Ltd. In the amount of $14,046,000
- New school will have 553 pupil places
- New school will include a childcare centre with 72 childcare spaces
- Total floor space will be 60,476 square feet
- A new school is needed because of substantial and wide-spread residential growth within the Yonge / Sheppard community
- The former Avondale Public School and Avondale Elementary Alternative School was demolished to provide the area required to build the new, replacement school
- In addition, the Oakburn Centre East Building (administrative building) was also demolished to allow the Avondale Public School schoolyard to be extended westward by approximately 10 metres
Building Features
- Mass of the building will serve to buffer the Kindergarten play space from the noise of the nearby Highway 401
- Occupied instructional rooms and offices will have ample lighting
- New school will be a two-storey building consisting of 5 Kindergarten classrooms, 16 standard classrooms, a science and technology classroom, an art classroom, a music classroom, a Home School Program classroom and a Childcare Centre for 72 children
- Capacity has been incorporated into the building’s design for a future third storey addition because the compact site precludes horizontal expansion
In the near future, the site will also be considered for the construction of a new secondary school. For more information see the Long Term Program and Accomodation Strategy (LTPAS). Emerging Capital Priority: Explore the construction of a new 1,000 - 1,500 pupil place secondary school to address existing and projected accommodation pressure at the secondary panel in the area, specifically at Earl Haig SS.
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| Special Education Services The IPRC* Do You Really Know What It Is?
Pineway Public School Library Thursday, November 24th 6:30-9:00 p.m.- Join Trustee Brown for an interactive discussion and exploration of the IPRC process. This is an area of Special Education that many parents continue to struggle to understand and navigate.
- This meeting will focus on the things parents and students need to know before and after attending an IPRC meeting, how to advocate for your child during the meeting and where to find information and support in the process.
- You are invited to participate fully, ask questions and share your experiences both good and bad about the IPRC meeting process.
- For more information about IPRC meetings click here.
Child Minding services and Translation services are available. For either of these free services contact Araz Hasserjian at: araz.hasserjian@tdsb.on.ca
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The Ward Forum on Learning Centres hosted at Earl Haig Secondary School on October 27th was well attended and informative. I want to thank Student trustee Shams Mehdi for helping me run the meeting and also give a special thanks to Director John Malloy for answering many questions from the people in attendance. I have atteched the meeting minutes below for you to review. The next Ward Forum is at Pineway PS on November 24th and the topic is on the Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) meeting process.
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Meet Superintendent Louie Papathanasakis
For over 25 years Louie Papathanasakis has held various leadership roles within the Toronto District School Board. Louie is currently working in his fourth year as a Superintendent and is currently working in Learning Centre 2 - Learning Network 14 at the Toronto District School Board. After gaining valuable experience as a high school department head, he spent three years as a vice principal at Timothy Eaton Business and Technical Institute, two and a half years as a principal at Emery Collegiate and six and a half years as principal at Agincourt Collegiate Institute. Louie provides valuable leadership and plays an integral role in supporting our families and our network of schools.
Louie is currently the Superintendent of Education for the following Willowdale Schools:
I will provide an introduction to each of the three Superintendents of Education in Learning Centre 2 in future newsletters.
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TDSB LEARNING CENTRES - MAP
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UPDATE: The Toastmaster Youth Leadership Program started on October 27th at Newtonbrook Secondary School with the maximum of 25 students from Secondary Schools in Willowdale. The eight week program focuses on building confidence and leadership skills through public speaking. It is hosted by Trustee Alexander Brown and the program is run by a volunteer form a local chapter of Toastmaster's International.
The program is catching on in neighbouring TDSB wards. It is a popluar program that I've decided to run it twice a year for Secondary School students in Willowdale.
I will be hosting another Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program in early 2017 for Secondary School students. You can find information about the program below. Updated registration information will be provided in January 2017. Keep an eye out for the announcement that will be sent out to all schools and parent councils.
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A Message from Director of Education John Malloy Integrated Equity Framework Action Plan 2016-2019
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I am proud and pleased to share that the Board of Trustees approved the Integrated Equity Framework, reinforcing our commitment to equity and giving us the support and direction necessary to continue this important work.
This work is about ensuring that all students are succeeding. It’s about helping those who are falling behind and raising the bar for everyone. This approach focuses on classrooms, schools and local communities where real change happens for students.
To do this, we must understand our students and the biases, barriers and power dynamics that limit their potential for learning and growing.
Those of you in schools will recognize this from the Vision for Learning and the conversations that you’re already having as part of the school improvement process. This plan encourages discussions that bring our equity commitment into the school improvement commitment conversation.
This framework also addresses system-level actions such as policy, budget and employment equity that will support the school-based work and directly impact student achievement and well-being.
This is a long-term plan and a long-term shift in our culture and systems, but it’s critical to note that it’s not new work. The TDSB has always been committed to equity.
This is an ongoing conversation and your feedback, ideas and perspectives are welcomed, valued and will help influence the actions we take. You will continue to hear more about this plan in the coming weeks and months as it will now guide everything we do.
Thank you for the work that you do every day to help all students succeed.
John Malloy
Director of Education, TDSB
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| The 10th Annual Parent Involvement Makes a Difference ConferenceJoin Us!!
All TDSB parents and guardians are invited to our free conference for an opportunity to make connections and participate in informative and empowering workshops.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Earl Haig Secondary School
100 Princess Avenue
Keynote Speaker: Jennifer KolariSpeaker and Author Jennifer Kolari’s inspirational address – being the parent of “that child” – will provide families with a few more tools for their toolbox that can help your child learn to be part of the team at home, at school and out in the community. By helping your child to understand the context of their behaviour they will learn better coping strategies and build success and resilience.
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ATTENTION
The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) wants to hear from you. This survey gives you a chance to give us ideas on how the TDSB can improve the education it offers to students with special education needs. It also lets you tell us what your experiences have been like for you and your children.
While SEAC members are appointed by the Trustees of the TDSB, they are independent of them. SEAC's role is to provide advice and direction to TDSB Trustees. The results of this survey will be going directly to SEAC and not to staff at the TDSB. Please fill out this anonymous survey if you are a parent or guardian of student(s) with special education needs. SEAC wants to hear from you whether your child with special needs is currently enrolled or was in the past. There are a total of 18 questions. It may take up to 20 minutes to complete if you have many comments you wish to leave. Not all questions will apply to you. You can skip any questions you don’t want to answer. If you have very limited time, please answer at least the first question which is a general question asking you to give us your recommendations on how the TDSB can better meet the needs of students with special needs.
Thank you!
Special Education Advisory Committee for the Toronto District School Board
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Parent-Teacher Interviews
Regular parent-teacher communication is an important part of student learning. Parent-teacher interviews are scheduled throughout the year after report cards are sent home. Check in with your child’s school for more information.
These interviews are your opportunity to ask questions about your child's progress and to discuss any issues. In addition to regular scheduled parent-teacher interviews, you can request a meeting at any time during the school year by contacting the school or your child's teacher directly. What are parent-teacher interviews?
Parent-teacher interviews are short face-to-face sessions between you and your child’s teacher, often only 10-15 minutes, usually after each reporting period. Specific hours and days are set aside for these interviews, but you are welcome to arrange a meeting with your child’s teacher at any time during the school year.
This is an opportunity to find out how your child is getting along in school, in the classroom and /or in the playground; it is also the teacher's chance to learn more about your child and report on your child's progress.
How are they set up?
Schools usually send a notice home with information on scheduling interviews. Interviews may be held in the teacher’s classroom, or may take place in the library, gym or other space within the school. If you are not available at the times put aside for the interviews, talk to your child's teacher (or call the office) so that other arrangements can be made.
It is helpful is you are on time and keep to your allotted time so that others can meet at their scheduled time. If you need more time to discuss a concern, a further meeting can be scheduled.
If you need a translator to fully communicate, please arrange this with the school ahead of time.
How is your child getting along with other children?
What are the children working on right now in class?
Is there anything the teacher feels your child needs extra help or practice with at home?
How are grades determined/ how will your child be evaluated?
What will you cover in this grade or subject area this year?
Are your concerned about any particular area of learning for my child?
What are your expectations for homework? Has my child missed any assignments?
How are my child’s work habits? Is the time in class spent well?
Does my child read at the level you would expect for this grade?
Is my child in different groups for different subjects? Why?
Does my child qualify for any special programs or additional supports (e.g., gifted, learning disabilities, English as a Second Language)?
Does my child get along well with the other students in the class? What is his/her attitude towards school, peers and adults?
What can I do at home to help my child be more successful at school?
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Reminder:
French Programs Application Deadline - The timelines for applying for these programs for September 2017 are:
- Applications for Early French Immersion (for a Junior Kindergarten aged child), must be completed online between November 1, 2016 and December 1, 2016.
- Applications for Junior Extended French must be completed online between January 9, 2017 and February 2, 2017.
Further information on French as a Second Language programs and the application process is available online at www.tdsb.on.ca/french
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Continuing Education
Continuing Education - Adult High School
Quadmester 2 begins November 14 and 15. Find a career path and meet your academic goals. Tuition is free. Earn credits faster and gain Canadian work experience. Explore programs in business & technology, social science, mathematics and specialty programs such as accounting, office administration, personal support worker, and more.
Continuing Education - Community Programs
Register for Winter Learn4Life beginning November 16. Take up a new hobby, learn a language, and meet people in your community. Put your hands to work and decorate and glaze your own pottery or sculpture. Take up a sport and stay active this winter.
Classes begin Saturday, January 14, 2017.
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Kick-start Your Child's Education Savings
November is Financial Literacy Month in Canada and an excellent opportunity to focus on the importance of education savings. Research shows that even a small amount of education savings can improve student achievement, well-being, equity of opportunity and outcomes. That’s why the TDSB has partnered with SmartSAVER on a board-wide campaign that helps families access free money to kick start their children’s education savings.
What free money? It’s the Canada Learning Bond, available now through www.tdsb.on.ca/SmartSAVER. This is a Government of Canada contribution to a child’s Registered Education Savings Plan. It provides up to $2,000 in savings for the post-secondary education of eligible children.
Who can get it? You are eligible if your child was born in 2004 or later and you have ever been eligible for the National Child Benefit Supplement as part of the Canada Child Tax Benefit, known as the “family allowance”. All eligible children receive at least $500 and will receive $100 more for each year they’re eligible up to age 15 or a maximum of $2,000.
How do I get the Canada Learning Bond? - SmartSAVER can help you apply for the Canada Learning Bond and start an RESP with $0 when you use the Start My RESP online tool at www.tdsb.on.ca/SmartSAVER
- You’ll need a Social Insurance Number for yourself and your child to complete the application
- There is no cost and you don’t need to contribute any money to get the Canada Learning Bond
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School Lockdowns / Hold & Secures
From time to time, police activity and/or incidents in and around schools and their communities may result in a school being put into a “Hold & Secure” or “Lockdown.” These are procedures that are designed to keep students and staff safe. Below is a brief explanation of each.
Hold & Secure
Hold & Secure is a response to a threat and/or incident in the general vicinity of a school, but not on or very near to school property. School life continues as normal inside the school. However, as a precautionary measure, outer doors are locked and no one enters or leaves the building. Note: As a result of Secure Access Systems that are installed at TDSB elementary schools, outer doors are typically locked during the learning day.
Lockdown
Lockdown is used in a serious emergency situation where the threat is inside a school, on or very near to school property. A Lockdown minimizes access and visibility in an effort to shelter students, staff and visitors in secure locations. Similar to a Hold & Secure, all outer doors are locked. However, a Lockdown requires that all students be kept in classrooms or other designated locations and that inner doors also be locked where possible. Entry to, and exit from, the building is restricted to emergency services personnel only.
During a Lockdown, lights are turned off in the classroom/office, curtains/blinds are closed where possible, cell phone use is restricted and all people inside the building should remain quiet. During a Lockdown, school phones will not be answered as the administration is tending to the ongoing situation. As cell phone use is restricted, students are asked not to use phones until cleared to do so.
It’s important to note that your school, like every school across the Toronto District School Board, is required to practice two Lockdown drills per year to ensure students and staff know what to do in case of an emergency.
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| School-by-School List of Needed Repairs Posted Online
Parents and community members now have access to a wealth of data on the condition of the TDSB's schools, including repairs listed on a school-by-school basis. The TDSB has posted extensive data on its website to align with its commitment to be more open and transparent with parents, students and community members.
I encourage you to take a look at the needed repairs which can also be found on the website of each school. The Facility Condition Index (FCI) rating is also listed on school websites. If you have any questions please contact me by email or by phone.
email: alexander.brown@tdsb.on.ca Cell: 647-391-8410
In June, the Ministry of Education announced an additional $257 million in funding for school repairs.The additional money means the TDSB will invest a total of $579 million in schools by the end of August 2017. Learn more
Facility Condition IndexThe Facility Condition Index (FCI) rating does not reflect the safetyof a school building. Rather, it is a measurement of the condition of that school. Therefore, an older school may have more needed repairs and therefore a higher FCI rating, but not one of those many repairs is a health or safety issue. At the Toronto District School Board, the average age of our schools is over 60 years and building components such as walls, lights, floors, ventilation systems, etc. continue to age requiring major repairs or replacement.
Our Facilities staff works all year round to ensure our schools are safe regardless of their FCI rating. The health and safety of students, staff and community members who use our schools are considered the highest priority in planning school repairs. Effort is made to repair building components where possible; where a component is beyond repair, it will be scheduled for replacement.
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