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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TDSB Budget Update
As you may already be aware, the TDSB’s budget process for 2024-25 is currently underway. During a Special Meeting on April 4, 2024, Trustees approved a motion that outlined several actions to take place over the next few weeks related to the TDSB budget.
Last week, the Chair sent a letter to the Minister of Education to highlight the budgetary challenges we continue to face as a Board and to ask that the Ministry of Education address these funding concerns. Read the full letter here.
Trustees have also created a brief survey to gather feedback from communities as they consider next steps with regard to the budget. Please find a link below and complete as many of the 7 questions as possible. Thank you in advance for your participation. The budget survey will remain open until Friday, May 3, 2024 at 12 noon.
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TDSB & Other Large Ontario School Boards Launch Lawsuit Against Social Media Companies
You may have seen that last week, the TDSB, together with the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Peel District School Board and Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, announced a lawsuit against tech giants Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook and Instagram), Snap Inc. (Snapchat), and ByteDance Ltd. (TikTok) for disruption to the students’ education. I invite you to learn more about the lawsuit here.
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Policy Consultation
I am pleased to share that the Employment Equity Policy (P029) is currently being reviewed. The purpose of the draft Policy, re-titled “Positive Organizational Culture and Inclusive Workforce Policy,” is to identify and remove systemic barriers in employment, including hiring, promotion, and retention. The Policy will help TDSB achieve a diverse workforce and create the necessary conditions to support student achievement and well-being.
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Apply for the Know Your Worth Scholarship
The African Heritage Month Volunteer Planning Committee is pleased to announce that students of African Heritage graduating from a TDSB secondary school will be able to apply for three Know Your Worth Scholarships valued at $3,000 each. To find out more, please visit the information package and visit the web article here.
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Ministry of Education’s Parent’s Guide to Ontario’s Education System
I encourage you to check out a new resource guide with helpful information on a number of subjects. This initiative is part of the government’s recent efforts to increase transparency and accountability in our school system. The full guide can be found at Ontario.ca/educationguide.
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Latin-America History Month
We celebrate Latin-America History Month during the month of April at the Toronto District School Board. This year’s upcoming theme is Weaving Our Legacies: Returning to Our Collective Path | Enlazar Nuestres Legados: Volver a Nuestre Camino Colectivo. Throughout April the TDSB has several activities planned for all students, staff, and wider communities. I invite you to find out more here.
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Sikh Heritage Month
The TDSB is proud to recognized Sikh Heritage Month during the month of April at the Toronto District School Board. This year’s the Sikh Heritage Month’s theme is Chardi Kala (The Positive and Uplifted State of Mind). Chardi Kala is a state of mind that radiates positive energy, optimistic attitude, strong confidence, and virtuosity. Activities are planned throughout the month. Please visit the TDSB webpage for more information.
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TDSB Summer Programs
Did you know the TDSB offers a rich variety of summer programs? Registration is opening soon. For more information on the programs on offer, please see below:
Elementary
Secondary
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High Water Levels Brings Increased Risks
It’s that time of year again – April showers bring May flowers. 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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Student Mental Health and Well-Being Resources
Supporting students and fostering daily positive mental health and well-being in all school communities is a priority at the TDSB. Visit the MHWB website to access mental health toolkits, identity affirming resources, and information about a variety of wellness topics. Whether you need immediate support, or want to learn more about a particular topic, there’s information and support available.
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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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