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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 -- Thai Pongal
- Dr Martin Luther King Jr
- Opportunities with Application Deadlines - Middle French Immersion (Grade 4 Entry) Application; Out-of-Area Admissions; High Performing Athlete Program Application; Elementary Alternative Schools Online Application; Legacy Technical and Commercial Boundaries; Alternative Schools; Secondary School Open Houses and Information Sessions; Grade 8 to 9 Transitions
- Preparing for Exams and Culminating Assignments
- PA Day January 19
- Committee Meetings This Week
- Creating a Cell Phone/ Personal Mobile Device Policy
- OPSBA Advocacy Actions and Activities
- Combatting Hate
- Virtual Ward Forum - February 1, 2024 - 6:30-7:00 PIAC Election I 7:00-8:30 Discussion on Literacy & Numeracy
- Save the Dates - Holocaust Remembrance Day - January 26, 2024 at 9:30am; National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia - January 29, 2024 from 6:00-7:00pm for the Community
- Have Your Say - City Budget
- New Invitations - 17th Annual Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) Conference on February 3; Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement: 2024 BSSLP Student Application; Chinese Heritage Month at the TDSB: Chinese Canadian Memory Minute; The Jack Henshaw Award 2024; TDSB Virtual Community Fair: Let's Talk About Camp and Funding; Imagine a Canada; Diverse Minds Creative Writing Competition
- Worth Repeating - Winter Well-Being Guide; Winter Outerwear Drive; Please Keep Safe... and Keep Others Safe; Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline; Useful Links; Free Yoga! Love this Sign; 2023-2024 Calendar; Community Safety & Support
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Thai Pongal
During Tamil Heritage Month, is the harvest festival of Thai Pongal, a multi-day Hindu harvest festival celebrated by Tamils. It is observed in the month of Thai according to the Tamil solar calendar. This year it begins on January 15. To all celebrating பொங்கல் கவிதைகள் Happy Pongal!
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Dr Martin Luther King Jr
Every third Monday of January, communities celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday in the US, commemorating the life experiences and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent civil rights leader. It brings further awareness to the ongoing racial inequities experienced globally by Black-identifying communities, and the legacy of anti-Black racism in society. Learn more about the way that a dream is often an inspiration for our educational and life goals. On January 15, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, The Centre for Black Student Excellence has invited Karl Subban, Educator, coach, and hockey dad, to share empowering stories with JK-8 students - stories of family, community, and resilience to encourage students to live out their wildest dreams. My favourite Martin Luther King quote is "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." Strength to Love, 1963.
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Opportunities with Application Deadlines
Middle French Immersion (Grade 4 Entry) Application Deadline
For families interested in the system-wide French Immersion Program, we offer an online process to apply for Middle French Immersion (begins in Grade 4). To apply for September 2024, applications must be completed online between January 8 and February 2, 2024. Families with an older sibling currently in a Middle French Immersion program are still required to complete an online application for the new student. For more information, please visit: Middle French Immersion or the Application Process. Interested families can apply via the Application Link.
Out-of-Area Admissions
Online applications for Out-of-Area Admissions now available! Students can access schools outside of the school designated to serve their home address. Acceptance is subject to space availability and transportation is the responsibility of the applicant. Learn more about the Random Selection Priorities and Virtual Learning Q&A. The Elementary application window is from January 8 to 31, 2024 and the Secondary application window is from January 8 to 26, 2024. Note: Current in-person students must apply through Out-of-Area Admissions to switch to Virtual Learning for September 2024.
High Performing Athlete Program Application
Elementary Alternative Schools Online Application
The TDSB offers a wide range of elementary alternative schools. The application process is managed centrally and the online application form for September 2024 admission is now open. The deadline to submit an application is Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 4 p.m. For questions or additional support, contact the school directly or EAS.Application@tdsb.on.ca
Legacy Technical and Commercial Boundaries
There is an important community consultation beginning this coming week about the dissolution of the legacy technical and commercial boundaries that still exist in 6 schools. There will be three virtual meetings held through Zoom Webinar to share information and receive feedback from the public on this proposal. The public consultation meetings will be held between 6:30pm and 8:00pm on the following dates:
• Monday, January 15th - Register here
• Thursday, January 18th - Register here
• Sunday, January 21st - Register here
Staff are recommending these changes as of September 2025, pending Board approval. In the two affected schools that already have a collegiate boundary (regular program at Northern SS and Victoria Park CI) any available space would be filled through the regular Out-of-Area Admissions process. Staff would create a separate online application process for the four schools without a regular boundary (Central Tech, Central Toronto Academy, Danforth C&TI, and Western Technical-Commercial School).
Questions and Answers - Legacy Technical and Commercial Boundary Review
Presentation on Legacy Boundaries - Parent Involvement Advisory Committee TDSB Secondary Schools and Collegiate Attendance Areas
Commercial Schools and Attendance Areas
Technical Schools and Attendance Areas
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Preparing for Exams and Culminating Assignments
January is the time of year when secondary students are working on course culminating assignments and preparing for Semester 1 exams. For some tips and resources to help, including access to free 24/7 online tutoring support, check out the Exam and Course Culminating Fact Sheet.
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PA Day January 19
As per the Ministry of Education’s Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 151, Professional Activity Days Devoted to Provincial Education Priorities, school boards are required to designate three Ministry mandatory PA Days. This year, these PA days will focus on the priority areas of Literacy and Mathematics, Curriculum Implementation, and Student Well-being, School Safety and Violence Prevention. The next elementary PA Day is on January 19th.
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 Meetings This Week
Wednesday, January 17, 2023 - Governance and Policy Committee - 4:30 p.m. Boardroom Agenda - 5. Staff Reports
- 5.1 Special Education Identification, Placement and Appeal: Status
- 5.2 PRxxx Community Advisory Committee Governance Procedure and PRxxx Community Advisory Committee Operational Procedure: New Procedures
- 5.3 P029, Employment Equity Policy Review
- 6. For Information Only
- 6.1 Revised Out-of-Area Admissions Procedure (PR545)
- 7. Written Notices of Motion for Consideration
- 7.1 Policy on Cell Phone/Mobile Device Use in Schools to Ensure Student Achievement and Well-Being (Trustees Chernos Lin and Ehrhardt)
- 7.2 Latin-America Heritage Month (Trustees de Dovitiis and Hassan)
Thursday, January 18, 2024 - Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee - 4:30 p.m. Boardroom - Agenda (to be posted Monday)
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Creating a Cell Phone/ Personal Mobile Device Policy
Trustee Rachel Chernos Lin and Trustee Sara Ehrhardt are moving a motion at GPC this week (Agenda Item 7.1) - this information is from Trustee Chernos Lin's newsletter - "Over my five years as a trustee, one of the repeated concerns I have heard from parents and staff is student attachment to smartphones and personal mobile devices. Data now shows significant negative effects on academic success and well-being for young people. For example, the 2023 UNESCO Report outlines serious concerns around cell phone use for students in class, citing distractions, along with negative impacts on mental health and well-being, along with a growing body of research suggests that it is time we all take a second sober look at the impact these devices are having in classrooms and on the educational and emotional well-being of our students. Technically, the TDSB only allows personal mobile use for educational purposes in schools, however, this is not enshrined in policy, only in operational procedure, and as a result, has been challenging to enforce. The motion asks the board to begin working on a cell phone policy this school year. As part of the creation of all new policies, we follow a policy development protocol, which includes consultation. Assuming this motion passes at committee and board, work will begin on this new policy in the winter and spring of this year and you can expect to hear more about this process and consultation with students, parents, caregivers and staff in the months to come."
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OPSBA Advocacy Actions and Activities
This week, OPSBA sent a modified version of its 2024-25 Education Funding Consultation Guide/Grants for Student Needs (GSN) submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. Please participate in the province’s 2024 Pre-Budget Consultation online survey – please see Question 5 that asks, “When you think about your community, what services or resources could use more government support? Please choose the top 3 priorities that you feel are the most important.” One of the options is “Education supports (like before and after school programming, special education and developmental support programs).” We encourage you to list this priority should you wish to support public education. Deadline is January 31, 2024.
OPSBA senior staff had a virtual meeting with policy leads from MP Jenna Sudds office to discuss advocacy for the Government's platform and budget commitment to a National School Food Program and Policy. OPSBA also sought to connect with the MP's office on a recent federal Private Member’s Bill C-322 – National Framework for a School Food Program Act. As Minister Sudds is the lead on school food at the federal level, we sought to share our advocacy work to-date in Ontario for a national program, our upcoming food literacy sessions at the Public Education Symposium, our collaboration with Canadian School Boards' Association (who we invited to attend the meeting with us), and we also discussed strategies to support the inclusion of committed funding in the 2024 federal budget.
With regards to Bill C-322, the legislation has been sent to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. Please join us in advocating to your local Members of Parliament supporting the legislation and its passage. MP Contact Information can be found here: Find Members of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada (ourcommons.ca).
Note the TDSB is on record last writing to the Federal Government in May, 2023 regarding an urgent need to address food insecurity and for support in the creation of a National School Food Program.
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Combatting 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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Virtual Ward Forum - February 1, 2024
6:30-7:00 PIAC Election I 7:00-8:30 Discussion on Literacy & Numeracy
Please join me and Superintendents Felsen, Howard & Pividor for Ward 8 PIAC and FSLCAC Elections at 6:30 followed by a conversation on Numeracy and Literacy in our classrooms. Register here.
Election for PIAC and FSLCAC Representatives
We will be electing Ward 8 Co-Representatives for both TDSB Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) and French as a Second Language Community Advisory Committee (FSLCAC).
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Holocaust Remembrance Day - January 26, 2024 at 9:30am
“To Hope and Back” is a comprehensive Holocaust education program for Grade 6 students, in line with the new Social Studies curriculum. This nonfiction book, suitable for Grade 6 students, tells the story of he St. Louis, an ocean liner carrying over 900 Jews fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe that was turned away from every port - including Canada’s.
Join the TDSB Jewish Heritage Committee via Zoom from the TDSB boardroom at 5050 Yonge Street and hear Shari Schwartz-Maltz in conversation with:
- Kathy Kacer, the author
- Ana Maria Gordon, last living survivor of the St. Louis in Canada
- Madeline Avedon, daughter of Lisa Avedon, one of the main characters in To Hope and Back
The International Holocaust Remembrance Day on 27 January, the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp in 1945, commemorates the more than 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and the countless other victims. Never Again Is Now.
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National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia - January 29, 2024 from 6:00-7:00pm for the Community
The Islamic Heritage Month Committee, in partnership with the Equity, Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Department, is offering students (Grades K-8), families, and staff the opportunity to attend the virtual session of Salat in Secret: Love and Belonging in Community Spaces.
The sessions commemorate the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia. Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, critically acclaimed author of Your Name is a Song and many other celebrated children’s books, will engage TDSB students, along with their caregivers and families, in an interactive storytelling session focused on courage, conviction and the importance of prayer spaces. There is a session during the day designed for students in Grades 4-8 and for students in Grades K-8 with families and caregivers during the evening from 6 to 7 p.m. To register for the community event, please complete this Google Form.
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Have Your Say
City services support community - and students and families and schools need support - from partnerships on pools and school grounds, safety zones around schools, support for community centres and crossing guards... programs for youth.
Join Mayor Olivia Chow on 3 upcoming telephone town halls to discuss the 2024 budget. Call 1-833-490-0778 to participate. Learn more at toronto.ca/budget
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17th Annual Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) Conference
I encourage you to register and attend the upcoming 17th Annual Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) Conference is taking place on Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 10am – 3pm at Earl Haig High School. The PIAC Conference is a great opportunity to deepen your understanding of the educational landscape, connect with fellow parents/guardians/ caregivers and staff, and contribute to the continued success of our schools and communities. For more information, please visit: https://www.torontopiac.com/whats-happening/conferences
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Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement: 2024 BSSLP Student Application
The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement is inviting Black high school students at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to apply for the Black Student Summer Leadership Program (BSSLP). This 7-week paid leadership Program begins Tuesday July 2nd to Friday August 16th, 2024. Apply for the 2024 cohort by January 19 by clicking here https://bit.ly/bsslp24.
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Chinese Heritage Month at the TDSB: Chinese Canadian Memory Minute
Chinese Heritage Month is proudly recognized by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) in February. For this month, we invite all students and staff to submit a 1-minute video that answers one (or more) of the guiding questions posed below. Videos can be created individually or in pairs.
- What does being a Chinese Canadian mean to you?
- What aspect of the lunar new year is most important or meaningful to you?
- What does the dragon symbolize for you?
- How has identifying as Chinese impacted you in your school and/or your community?
Students must complete a Media Release Form. All entries must be received by Friday January 26, 2024, by 4:00 pm. Submit here.
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The Jack Henshaw Award 2024
This award honours Jack Henshaw, a tireless supporter and champion of the local, affordable, and accessible General Interest and Seniors Daytime programs offered by the Toronto District School Board. It is awarded to someone who has shown a similar commitment to lifelong learning and has made a significant, sustained contribution to the ongoing success of these programs. The recipient of the award may be an instructor, administrator, adult learner, school trustee or other active supporter of the programs. Nominations may be made by email using the nomination form - 2024 Jack Henshaw Award Nomination Form.
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TDSB Virtual Community Fair: Let's Talk About Camp and Funding
The virtual community fair is taking place to learn from our community partners about camp and funding options for your child or youth with special/complex needs. Get first-hand information from agency representatives about March Break Camps, Summer Camps, respite and funding options. Start your planning early!
Speakers: Geneva Centre for Autism, Community Living Toronto, Surrey Place, Toronto Parks & Recreation, Variety Village and Ontario Camp Association.
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Imagine a Canada
The Imagine a Canada 2023-2024 program invites Canadian youth from K-G12 to envision a Canada reconciled.
Youth who participate in the art and essay stream can submit an art piece, essay, or other representation to express their vision of a reconciled Canada and what they hope others will learn from their submission. Up to twelve projects will be selected from the art and essay stream to be included in an art booklet showcasing their work and message. Youth who participate in the project stream are asked to go one step further and submit a plan on how their project will address Reconciliation in their community or school. Projects for consideration include: inviting Survivors, Elders, or Knowledge Keepers to speak at a series of learning events; building a permanent art installation representing Reconciliation at the school; or supporting volunteer work in communities related to Reconciliation. Six projects from the project stream will receive $750, six will receive $1000, and three will receive $1500. Additionally, these projects will also be recognized in an art booklet. For more information, please click https://nctr.ca/education/educational-programs/imagine-a-canada/,
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Diverse Minds Creative Writing Competition
B'Nai Brith Canada invites high school students to showcase your talent in their Diverse Minds Creative Writing Competition! Craft your own children’s book to reflect on the values of diversity and inclusion by writing and illustrating a story for elementary school students (Kindergarten to Grade 5) and have your book published before graduating high school! Don't just dream it, write it into reality! Join the writing community and let your imagination flow. For more details, or to enter the competition, click here: https://bnaibrith.ca/diverseminds. Deadline for entries is April 15, 2024.
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Winter Well-Being Guide
The Guide is filled with activities, games, wellness tips, identity affirming resources and community agencies to support wellness for all students, caregivers/guardians, families, and school communities over the winter months. Created by Professional Support Services Staff who are part of the Mental Health and Well-Being Committee, the TDSB Mental Health Leads and the System Leader for Mental Health and Professional Support Services, this Guide provides accessible resources and has been translated into the top 20 TDSB spoken languages. Also from TDSB Psychology please see the December issue of Hearts and Minds: December Newsletter.
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Winter Outerwear Drive
The TDSB holds an annual Winter Outerwear Drive to help ensure that all students have warm winter outerwear to get to and from school, and are prepared to participate in all of the fun outdoor activities winter has to offer. You can support our students and their families by making a donation to provide warm winter coats, pants, hats, gloves, and boots. This year’s Winter Outerwear Drive will run from October 2023 to the end of February 2024. 100% of all proceeds and in-kind donations go to benefit our students. Tax receipts are available for these donations. Contact the Business Development department at BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca for more information about how to donate new outwear items. Please donate here.
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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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Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline 9-8-8 - On November 30, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC ) through the Canadian Radio and Television Corporation (CRTC) announced a national three digit Mental Health and Suicide Prevention hotline number, 988. Learn More.
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Free Yoga! Love this Sign
Current by-law rules don’t work for school grounds. As a result, many dog owners disregard our signage and don’t seem to care that children play on that same grass! With limited resources the TDSB must rely on dog owners to be responsible and unfortunately, so many aren’t.
Please respect children’s play spaces. Do yoga!
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2023-2024 Calendar
Please ensure you check these dates before scheduling events.
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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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