NEWS

Enhancing Equity Task Force Recommendations

In October, the Enhancing Equity Task Force’s draft report and recommendations were shared with our communities and the public online. Read and comment on the draft recommendations until November 20, 2017. This Task Force was created to help identify the changes that are needed in our system to improve learning outcomes for all students and to address disparities that impact our students. Read Director of Education John Malloy's message. 

New School Traffic Management Program to Improve Safety in School Zones

The TDSB and the City of Toronto are working together to improve traffic management, and make school zones safer, to encourage more students and families to walk and bike to school. Compared to previous generations, fewer students are walking and cycling to school. With more children being driven, there are rising environmental concerns, due to pollution from cars, and health and safety concerns, as children have less physical activity in their daily lives.

Learn more about how the TDSB's traffic management program and the City's Vision Zero Road Safety Plan are supporting active and safe routes to school.

To help students and families make informed decisions when choosing a high school, TDSB schools host information nights each year between October and January. Find the dates and times for all High School Information Nights online.

French Programs Application Deadline

For families interested in the TDSB's French Immersion or Extended French programs, we offer an online process for applying to Early French Immersion, which begins in Senior Kindergarten and Junior Extended French, which begins in Grade 4. Applications for Early French Immersion must be completed online between October 30, 2017 and November 30, 2017. Learn more.

Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Survey

If you are a parent/guardian of a current or former TDSB student with special needs, SEAC would like to hear about your experiences and ideas as they make recommendations on how to improve Special Education at the TDSB. Complete the SEAC Survey.

International Walk to School Day (October 4)

Body Confidence Awareness Week (Second week in October)

International Day of the Girl (October 11)

Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day (October 25)

November

Remembrance Day (November 10)

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week (November 19-25)

BOARD MEETING NOTES

Marijuana Stores Should Not Be Located Near Schools 

As part of the TDSB's commitment to providing safe and healthy environments for all students and staff, Trustees are calling on the City of Toronto and Province of Ontario to ensure marijuana dispensaries are not located near schools. In a letter to Premier Kathleen Wynne and Mayor John Tory, Trustees formally requested that TDSB Trustees and staff be consulted and included in discussions about regulation and locations of marijuana dispensaries. Read the Board decision (page 15). Read the media release. 

Board Opposes Public Health Recommendations in Provincial Report

Recommendations put forward in Public Health Within an Integrated Health System, a report from the Minister’s Expert Panel on Public Health, include integrating public health units with Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs), which would require separating the City of Toronto into three and dividing some TDSB wards. In a letter Premier Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Health and Long-term Care Eric Hoskins and Minister of Education Mitzie Hunter, Trustees opposed these proposals as they could have a negative impact on programs that are vital to student health and well-being. Read the Board decision (page 1).

Addressing Extreme Heat in Schools

The Board has asked staff to engage with the Ministry of Education to devise a severe weather strategy for school boards that includes high temperatures and to continue the conversation about predictable and sustainable funding for school repairs. Read the Board decision (page 12).

Leasing Properties to Private Schools

A report on the implications of not leasing surplus school properties to private schools will come before the Board in 2018. Read the Board decision (page 15).

Board Requests Convening of Ontario Student Transportation Consortia

In order to share and address common concerns about student transportation in Ontario, the Board has requested that the Ontario Public School Boards' Association convene the province's student transportation consortia and other stakeholders. Read the Board decision (page 13).

Additions Approved for Norseman JMS and Terry Fox PS

Norseman Junior Middle School and Terry Fox Public School will both receive additions to accommodate pupils. The addition at Terry Fox PS will also be used for a child care centre. These projects will be funded through the Ministry of Education Capital Priorities funding.  Read the Board decisions (page 10).