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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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In this Issue -- PrideTDSB
- Portuguese-Speaking Heritage Month at the TDSB - June 2024
- Italian Heritage Month at the TDSB – June 2024
- TDSB Celebrates National Indigenous History
- School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week
- 2024-25 Operating Budget Update
- Cell Phone/Mobile Device Use in Schools Police
- Elementary PA Day June 7
- Committee Meeting This Week
- Reporting Hate - In Our Schools and In Our Communities
- New Invitations - Unplugged - Waiting for Smartphones - June 5 at 6:30; Summer International Language Programs; Learn4Life - Adult General Interest Courses - Summer 2024; Applications for Ontario's Page Program; Backpack and School Supplies Drive
- Worth Repeating - Summer Programs; Need for Aquatic Instructors; Please Keep Safe... and Keep Others Safe; Vaccinations; Useful Links; 2023-2024 Calendar; 2024-2025 Calendar; Dogs Are Not Allowed On School Property - How to Report; Community Safety & Support
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PrideTDSB
June is Pride Month at the TDSB! It’s an opportunity to celebrate diversity and raise awareness among all staff and students about the rich culture and history of our 2SLGBTQ+ community. TDSB school communities are encouraged to hold intentional sessions with their students about issues related to 2SLGBTQ+ communities as well as the impact of homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia on TDSB students, staff, and community members.
All people should be proud of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Diversity is a gift. Sexual orientation and gender identity are inherent and cannot be intentionally altered. The use of the abbreviated Gay Pride and Pride have since become mainstream and shorthand expressions inclusive of all individuals in various 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
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Portuguese-Speaking Heritage Month at the TDSB - June 2024
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 Unidos/United!
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. Canadians, along with all TDSB students, staff, and its communities all enjoy the energetic and vibrant traditions that are shared through the customs of the Portuguese-speaking community. Over 1,400 TDSB students speak Portuguese as their mother tongue or as a primary language. Internationally, there are 250 million Portuguese-speaking people, making it the fifth-most spoken language in the world.
An invitation is being extended to all students, staff and the larger TDSB community to attend the annual Portuguese Parade taking place on Saturday, June 8th, 2024! This vibrant and colourful parade brings the Portuguese-speaking community together and experience traditional music, dance, and food! All wishing to participate in the parade are asked to meet at 8:00 am in the Lansdowne and Bloor Street area. There will be clearly identified parade volunteers in the area to assist to locate the TDSB vehicle. The parade starts at 9:00 am and the parade route starts at Lansdowne Avenue and College Street, and continues along Dundas Street West to Ossington Avenue. A limited amount of TDSB: Unidos/United t-shirts will be provided to participants!
An in-person celebration will be held with significant guest speakers, dignitaries, and performances to mark Portuguese-Speaking Heritage Month committee at the Toronto District School Board. Stay tuned for a video of this special occasion to be shared with you! Please follow us on Twitter @TDSB_PSHM.
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Italian Heritage Month at the TDSB – June 2024
Italian Heritage Month has been proudly recognized during the month of June at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) since May 2012. The Province of Ontario also marks Italian Heritage Month and as a result the Italian Heritage Month Act was passed in 2010.
This year’s theme for Italian Heritage Month is Sharing Our Stories and Embracing Our Future/Condividere le nostre storie e abbracciare il nostro futuro.
We are excited to share the many stories from Italian ancestors whose contributions helped shape our Canadian cultural mosaic. Italian stories and traditions reaffirm identity and connect us to one another. These stories allow us to walk for a moment in someone else's shoes, and to see ourselves in others. Stories unite future generations while they evolve and create new customs and traditions for us to embrace. Together, the past, present and future will redefine what it means to be an Italian-Canadian.
To commemorate this year’s theme, we invite all TDSB students from all TDSB schools to submit a video that captures their special memory or tradition with their nonni (grandparents) or an elderly caregiver/guardian. We look forward to sharing the videos with you! Additionally, we invited two authors to some of our schools to share their recent books on their Italian heritage with our students. More information on these events to come.
June is also Seniors Month, and the TDSB has launched an activity for students from Runnymede Junior and Senior Public School. Participating students were asked to draw and write a message on a postcard that features a white lily, the national flower of Italy. These postcards will be distributed to the residents of Villa Colombo Home for the Aged during the month of June. Let us continue to share our stories and embrace our future.
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TDSB Celebrates National Indigenous History
June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. It is a time to celebrate and learn from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples’ diverse cultures, histories, experiences, creations, perspectives, and achievements.
Join the Urban Indigenous Education Centre (UIEC) throughout the month of June for opportunities for staff and students to engage with Indigenous artists, authors, and speakers through various virtual workshops and panel discussions.
All month long, the UIEC is hosting several events and celebrations with David A. Robertson, Alyssa and Conlin Delbaere-Sawchuk, Theola Ross, as well as Two-Spirit & Indigiqueer Pride launched by Elder Blu Water.
On Friday, June 21, the TDSB recognizes National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day of significance for many Indigenous Peoples in the country we call Canada today. It marks the day when the Sun is closest to the Earth. It is the longest day of the year and the shortest night. Many First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples celebrate the Summer Solstice. It is a time that reminds us to remain grounded, humble and appreciative. It is usually celebrated by coming together with family and community for a feast.
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School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week
School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week is a week-long event dedicated to recognizing and honouring the essential contributions of School Crossing Guards in our communities. This initiative goes beyond a simple “thank you” and strives to create a heightened awareness of these unsung heroes’ critical role in promoting safe and active travel to school.
On your walk/roll to school this week, please take a minute to show your appreciation.
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2024-25 Operating Budget Update
The Board is required to submit a balanced budget to the Ministry of Education and this report meets the Director of Education’s statutory requirement to present a balanced budget to the Board of Trustees.
The TDSB has a structural deficit, meaning that the Board spends more than it receives in funding. Some reasons for the structural deficit include the underfunding of statutory benefits, the TDSB teacher grid and replacement costs for sick leave and the inability to close underutilized schools.
In addition, the Board does spend more than funded in other areas. And I think we all would agree, even with that not all student needs are met.
On April 2, 2024, the projected deficit for 2024-25 was $26.5 million. This included $17 million in reductions approved by the Board. At that time, there were $6.4 million of additional reductions recommended that were not approved by the Board.
The Ministry released the Core Education Funding (Core Ed) on April 26, 2024. The Core Ed is a restructured version of the Grant for Student Needs (GSN). The Core Ed reduced the number of grants from 18 to 6 pillars and reduced the number of allocations from 77 to 28. Even though there were significant changes to the structure of the grant, there were limited changes in total funding from 2023-24 to 2024-25. In addition, the Ministry has changed the previous grants called Priorities and Partnership funding (PPF) to Responsive Education Programs (REP) to “enhance transparency in type and purpose of funding”.
Based on staff calculations using the Ministry EFIS forms, the Core Ed has increased by approximately $58.3 million over the original projection. The majority of the increase relates to negotiated increases in salaries. The increase in expenditures for salaries is approximately $52.3 million.
Other changes in the projection include:
- The elimination of the Responsive Education Programs (REP) grant (formerly Priorities and Partnerships Funding) for staffing to Support Destreaming and Transitions to High School represents a decrease of $11.1 million for which staff has already been allocated to schools.
- Bill 124 will increase the unfunded cost related to salaries by approximately $5.5 million each year.
- The use of the 2021 census had a negative impact on TDSB, an REP will offset this reduction in the amount of $3.2 million.
- Changes to the enveloping provisions in Special Education funding allows the Board to use $2 million of carry forward to offset the special education deficit.
- Adjustments in budget related to replacement costs and “gapping” as a result of the actual current year expenditures.
Based on the changes above, the revised 2024-25 projected financial position is a deficit of $35.3 million. If we use $22M of Proceeds of Disposition, that leaves a deficit $13.3M.
Staff will use the feedback from Trustees, previous feedback from the public and students and bring back a budget for approval on June 13, 2024. The budget is due to the Ministry on June 29, 2024.
And a reminder - Adjusted for inflation, per-pupil funding is lowest in recent history - please read here.
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Cell Phone/Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy
The TDSB recognizes the importance of fostering safe and inclusive learning environments for all students, and is developing a Cell Phone/Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy that will play a critical role in supporting student success, belonging, and well-being.
Development of a new Cell Phone/Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy includes a pre-consultation phase where staff will gather input from school and community partners. Staff will also consider legislative requirements, government policy directives, and the Board’s operational requirements. The proposed policy content will be supported and informed through a jurisdictional scan of comparable policies, procedures, and best practices in school boards across Canada and internationally.
Upon completion of the pre-consultation phase, staff will prepare a draft Policy and conduct regular consultations on the draft Policy for approximately 50 calendar days (see detailed timeline below).
Public Webcasts
To learn more, ask questions, and share input, please attend an upcoming webcast:
Online Survey
Please consider completing an online survey to share feedback and provide input around the development of the new Cell Phone/Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy.
When responding to the survey questions, please think about broad use of mobile devices in the classroom during instructional time and during school hours (i.e. recess, lunch). All answers are anonymous and feedback received will be summarized for consideration in the new policy.
Timeline
April 2024
- Jurisdictional scan to inform draft policy begins
- Policy work plan established and shared at Governance Policy Committee for approval
- Ministry of Education releases a revised PPM128
May 2024
- Policy work plan shared at Regular Board Meeting for approval
- Pre-Consultation with staff, and school and community partners begins to gather input on PPM128 (including electronic cigarettes)
- Pre-Consultation continues for 65 days
June-July 2024
- Pre-Consultation continues with wider community
- Student focus groups take place during summer school in secondary schools
- Board Code of Conduct (PR585) is revised with new information and shared with all stakeholders
- Jurisdictional scan completed
August 2024
- Draft policy prepared and shared with internal TDSB committees for input
- Draft policy and report shared at Governance Policy Committee for receipt
- Public Consultation on draft policy begins (60 days)
September 2024
- Revised Board Code of Conduct (based on PPM128) in effect on Sep 1
November 2024
- Public consultations end
- Draft policy shared with internal TDSB committees for approval
February 2025
- Draft policy shared at Governance and Policy Committee for approval
- Draft policy shared at Regular Board Meeting for approval
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Elementary PA Day June 7
As you know, beginning this school year, boards of education are now required to publicly share detailed information about PA Days, as outlined in Policy and Program Memorandum (PPM) 151. All information and details will be posted to www.tdsb.on.ca/PAdays at least 14 days in advance of the scheduled PA Day. The next PA Day is scheduled for Friday, June 7, 2024.
Target Audience: All Staff - Elementary
Topics: Assessment and Reporting
Description:Elementary teachers will be engaged in assessment and reporting activities.
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Committee Meeting This Week
Wednesday, June 5 - Program & School Services Committee - 4:30pm - Boardroom, 5050 Yonge St - Agenda
- 5.1 The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement, Year 2 Update, 2024
- 5.2 Combating Hate and Racism: Student Learning Strategy Update, 2024
- 5.3 Mental Health and Addiction Strategy, 2023-2026
- 5.4 Amendments to the Special Education Plan, 2024-2025
- 5.5 Caring and Safe Schools: Annual Report, 2022-2023
- 6.1 Annual Reporting on Student Attendance (Trustees King and Shan, on behalf of Trustee Ehrhardt)
- 6.2 Review of the Current Financial Literacy Implementations Within the Curriculum (Trustees Williams and Shan, on behalf of Student Trustees Bell, Zhou and Indigenous Student Trustee Secord)
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Reporting Hate
In Our Schools
If you are a staff or a student or a parent/caregiver, and you are a victim of/or witnessing an incident of racism, bias, or hate in our schools, please report it to the school's principal, who has a duty to investigate all incidents. Each time an incident takes place in a school, it is to be recorded in a portal which then begins a system response. We have a responsibility to educate against hate. For more information, please visit the webpage for Reporting an Incident of Hate or Discrimination Involving or Impacting Students. If you experience it, or witness it, report it. Please.
Complaints regarding social media postings should be sent directly to the TDSB's Human Rights Office at humanrightsoffice@tdsb.on.ca. The intake process is being centralized in the Human Rights Office to ensure for consistency of process.
In Our Communities
Report any allegations of hate-motivated crimes to police for investigation at 416-808-2222 or 9-1-1 in an emergency. We will not tolerate any intimidation, harassment, or hate-motivated behaviour aimed at specific communities. You can also call 1-800-222-TIPS to Crime Stoppers anonymously.
Toronto Police provide new online option to report hate-motivated graffiti
Toronto Police Service is launching a new option for the public to provide information to police about hate-motivated graffiti in their neighbourhoods. The web form, available on the Service’s website, provides an additional avenue for the public to alert police to hate-motivated graffiti, so officers can attend, gather evidence and arrange for the hate-motivated graffiti to be removed as quickly as possible. This reporting mechanism will be monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please remember TDSB's Mental Health and Well Being Professional Support Staff (PSS) are here to support your mental health and well-being and to help you navigate the tools and resources you may need. Please see resources on their website.
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Unplugged - Waiting for Smartphones - June 5 at 6:30
You are invited to join Hillcrest PS on Wednesday, June 5 at 6:30pm for a panel discussion about fostering a rich childhood, some of the challenges created by smartphones and various tech alternatives that are available.
We hope this will be a really informative evening for all. Ultimately, we hope that individuals will leave feeling empowered and supported in being part of making a collective cultural shift for our kids. Please use this link to register.
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2024 Summer International Languages Elementary & African Heritage Program (In-person learning only)
When: July 2 to July 26, 2024 (Monday to Friday)
Who: Senior Kindergarten (as of Sept 2024) to Grade 8 students (TDSB and non-TDSB students)
Cost: $20 (for materials fee)
Please note that a minimum of 25 students is required to open a class. For more information and to register.
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Learn4Life - Adult General Interest Courses - Summer 2024
Learn4Life's summer term's registration is open.
Have you registered for the Learn4Life newsletter? Visit our website and enter your email address at the top of the page: http://learn4life.ca
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Applications for Ontario's Page Program
Applications for the fall 2024 term are now open. We are accepting applications until June 15th, 2024. For the Fall 2024 period, applicants must attend school in Ontario and be entering Grade 8 in the Fall of 2024 and have an academic average of Level 4 or 80 % (or higher).
Each year approximately 150 young students from across Ontario are selected to participate in Ontario's Legislative Page Program. This unique educational program for Ontario students provides an opportunity to experience the provincial legislature in action and forge new lifelong friendships with peers from all over the province! The program is designed for outgoing, high-achieving, community-involved students who have demonstrated responsibility and leadership. Legislative Pages meet key parliamentary and political figures, and learn first-hand about Ontario’s Parliament and the legislative process.
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Backpack and School Supplies Drive
This year’s Backpacks & School Supplies Drive will run from March 1, 2024 to the end of September 2024. Individual donors and companies can help our students by making a monetary donation and/or a donation of new backpacks and school supplies. Tax receipts are available for these donations.100% of all proceeds and in-kind donations go to benefit our students. NOTE: Due to potential health & safety, hygiene, sorting and storage limitations, the TDSB can only accept new items. For more information about how to donate new items, please contact the Business Development department at BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca.
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Summer Programs
At the TDSB we provide a wide range of enriching summer programs for children, youth and adults.
Elementary
Secondary
Special Education and Inclusion
Adult
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Need for Aquatic Instructors
In order to operate swim programs in our schools with pools, we need two on-site aquatic instructors. Sadly, the TDSB has had a shortage of aquatic instructors since schools reopened from COVID. If you know of any aquatic instructors, please, have them complete the application - the board has been advertising and I have been advertising on Twitter since the end of last year. Here’s the link directly to the posting for applicants to apply. https://tdsb.sabacloud.com/Saba/Web_spf/CA1PRD0033/jobs-Support/career/jobdetail/jobrq000000000002580. Thanks!
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Please Keep Safe... and Keep Others Safe
Layers of protection work to help reduce virus spread. For example:
😷wear a well-fitted mask
🧼wash hands often
🏠stay home if sick
💨choose well ventilated spaces
🛡️stay up-to-date with your vaccines
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Vaccinations
Measles is increasing and spreading in every region of the world. It can cause a fever, rash, runny nose, red eyes & more. It spreads through the air and close contact when a person infected with measles breathes, coughs, or sneezes. If you think you have the virus, stay home & contact your doctor. Learn more: http://toronto.ca/measles-fact-sheet.
Vaccines are available from your primary health care provider or at a TPH community clinic for school-aged children, by appointment. Visit TPHbookings.ca for more information.
All children attending school between ages 4 to 17 need to be immunized according to Ontario's Immunization Schedule. If you are unsure of your child’s vaccination status, check their yellow card (Ontario Immunization Record), TPH’s Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) or by speaking with their primary health care provider.
Updated COVID-19 vaccines and flu vaccines
We are still in the midst of respiratory illness season, and it is not too late to get vaccinated against both COVID-19 and the flu. Both of these vaccines continue to be available at your local pharmacy and doctor’s office. The updated COVID-19 vaccine better protects against the new Omicron XBB variant. You can get the updated COVID-19 vaccine if you are aged six months and older and it has been at least six months since their last COVID-19 dose or infection (whichever is longer). It is safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine at the same time or around the same time. Learn more about where to get the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine.
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Dogs Are Not Allowed On School Property - How to Report
Please contact 311 if you see dogs in school grounds so they can log the concerns and please also call TDSB’s 24-hour Call Centre at 416-395-4620. Tracking the concerns will allow us to build the case for increased surveillance.
At our recent Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee, the staff report confirmed the following -
Dogs on school properties have been an ongoing challenge for many years despite the “no dogs permitted” signage. There have been examples of dog owners taking their dogs off leash or even leaving their dogs unattended in a school yard, or within the kindergarten or childcare enclosures. There have been incidents of off-leash dogs chasing as well as biting students, members of the public and staff. Dog feces and disposal bags are frequently left on the school grounds impacting the student use and enjoyment of outdoor activities.
Signage is posted near the entrances, such as gates or openings in the school ground fencing (refer to Appendix A for a copy of the signage) that clearly indicates TDSB school grounds are private property and dogs are not permitted on school board property. Section 6.10 in PR523, Access to School Premises prohibits canines on TDSB properties at any time (except service animals).
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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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