September Update – Trustee Sara

Welcome back to school!

I hope that the 2023-24 school year has been off to the best possible start. Although the first weeks saw some very hot classrooms, summer now seems further away. You can read my back-to-school letter here.

Beyond hot crowded classrooms, this school year started with Premier Doug Ford stoking fear in trans kids and families, and accusing elected school boards of ‘indoctrination’. I am horrified by these statements, but I am heartened that so many in our community are showing up for 2SLGBTQ+ children and youth. We must keep it up!

Provincial funding cuts took effect this year, and our schools are now operating with fewer resources while the needs of children and youth through the pandemic have only increased. This is a heartbreaking situation that affects everyone. You will see some of the updates this month relate to motions I led and supported for advocacy to the province, I will continue to pursue all avenues to advocate for adequately funding for the education, health, safety and well-being of children and youth.

On Wednesday of this week police placed some schools in our community in enhanced security protocols related to a reported threat at City Adult Learning Centre. I want to sincerely thank staff and everyone working to ensure student safety – Wednesday and always. You can find out more about school safety measures here.

In closing, and in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I’d like to share a link to a CBC feature for the 10^th anniversary of Orange Shirt Day. Students at William Burgess were given the opportunity to ask questions to Phyllis Webstad, an author from Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, and the creator of Orange Shirt Day.

Take care,

-Sara Ehrhardt

TDSB Trustee, Toronto-Danforth

Sara with Trustees Debbie King, Neethan Shan, and Alexis Dawson at Queen’s Park

Board News

Respiratory Viruses in Schools

On August 30, I was proud to introduce a motion on reducing respiratory viruses in schools. The motion was unanimously supported, and I am pleased to learn that other school boards are seeking to adopt similar. I want to thank the many members of our community who continue to advocate for cleaner air in our schools. You can read the motion on page 1 here, and you can find the letter that the TDSB Chair wrote to the province on this here.

Mental Health and Assessments Backlog

At the same meeting, the TDSB passed an advocacy motion around mental health and psychoeducational assessments backlogs. I have heard from so many members of our community worried while their children wait in this backlog before they can access supports – it is unacceptable and we must advocate for more to be done. You can read the motion on page 2 here and the letter that the TDSB Chair wrote to Ontario’s Minister of Health here.

Upcoming at the Board

You can see agendas and minutes for all committee meetings once they are here, and information on delegating during committee meetings is here.

Fundraising Policy Review

The TDSB Fundraising Policy (P021) is currently being reviewed. You can find the draft policy posted for comment until October 10, 2023 here. I am particularly hopeful that our community will complete the survey and send supportive messages around the importance of each school community contributing a portion of funds raised to a central fund.

Strategic Plan Consultations

The province requires school boards to develop multi-year strategic plans. You can complete an online engagement survey and find out more information here.

In Our Community

Truth and Reconciliation Fire Ceremony

Thank you to Blake St JPS for bringing our community together in truth and reconciliation on September 29 at 6.30pm in Kempton Howard Park.

Vision Zero Improvements on Dundas and Gerrard

A big thank you to Councillor Paula Fletcher for continuing to champion pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements in our communities, an update that we shared together on vision zero improvements near Dundas and Gerrard is here.

School Safety During Ontario Line

I’d like to acknowledge the work of Pape School community members who delegated to TDSB Committee this month around the need for school safety during Ontario Line construction - you can watch them present here and you can see Metrolinx’s plan to build a wall around the periphery of Pape School here - I continue to request Metrolinx provide the public with further details on this noise wall.

Get Up-to-Date on Vaccinations

Toronto Public Health has reported a steep decrease in vaccination rates for routine vaccinations for everyone. It is so important to ensure our vaccinations are up to date at every age and stage. If someone in your family missed a required life-saving vaccine during the pandemic, you can find more information here.

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