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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 -- International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
- Diwali
- Central Student Interest Programs - More Updates
- Parents as Partners Conference
- Student Transportation Update - Week 5
- Latest Budget News
- School Mental Health Ontario
- Health and Safety - Updates from TPH
- Committee Meetings This Week
- Policy Consultations
- School Year Calendar 2022-23
- New Invitations... School Council Professional Learning - October and November; Virtual: Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) Conference: Using Student Voice to Inform School Policies and Practices
- Worth Repeating... Preparing for High School Information Sessions for Grade 8 Families; Early French Immersion Application Process; Better Together: Inspiring hope and climate action in our school communities; Legislative Page Program; Design a Bookmark; Useful Links; Grade 12 - Postsecondary Information 2022; PSS Virtual Drop-In Hours; Respect the Rules - No Dogs Allowed on School Grounds; Community Safety & Support
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International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
2022 Theme: Dignity For All in Practice - The commitments we make together for social justice, peace, and the planet
"Dignity for all in practice is the umbrella theme of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty for 2022-2023. The dignity of the human being is not only a fundamental right in itself but constitutes the basis of all other fundamental rights. Therefore, “Dignity” is not an abstract concept: it belongs to each and every one. Today, many people living in persistent poverty experience their dignity being denied and disrespected."
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Diwali
This year, Diwali falls on Monday, October 24. It's the first of the season's festivals of light. Read more from the Hindustan Times - The most significant and holy festival of Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is almost here. Hindus celebrate this auspicious festival to observe the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil and hope over despair. Diwali also marks the death of many demons like Narkasur by Lord Krishna, the arrival of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after killing Ravana, and Lord Vamana defeating Bali. People pray to Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali by performing the auspicious Lakshmi Puja at their homes and offices and ask the goddess to bless them with prosperity, happiness, peace and wealth. In most places in the country, Diwali is celebrated for five days. To all celebrating, Happy Diwali!
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Central Student Interest Programs - More Updates
Admissions to Central Student Interest Programs
When the Board voted to improve access to specialized schools and programs at our meeting in May, Chair Alexander Brown articulated the why - “It is our responsibility to take action to improve access for all students where we identify systemic barriers. This new policy will ensure a greater number of students have access to these high quality programs and schools while reducing barriers that have long-prevented many students from even applying.”
Central Staff continue to work with school teams and the various programs to collaboratively set the admission criteria for each program.
The following programs have finalized application details and are now available online:
Program webpages will continue to be updated as soon as application details are finalized in the coming weeks.
- November 1, 2022 - Grade 8 to 9 Information Webinar
- November 3, 2022 - Student Interest Programs Webinar 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.(elementary and secondary)
- November 7, 2022 - Central student interest programs Online Application opens
- November 25, 202 - Central student interest programs Online Application closes (4:00 p.m.)
Virtual Support Sessions are available via Zoom:
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Parents as Partners Conference
Registration is now open for #TDSB's Parents and Caregivers as Partners Conference!
Join us on October 22 and 23, 2022 to learn strategies to support your child, to connect with experts and other parents, and to hear our inspiring keynotes. Find all of the details at http://www.parentsaspartners.ca/.
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Student Transportation Update - Week 5
The Toronto Student Transportation Group has provided an update regarding the status of open routes as of October 14, 2022. There are currently 51 open routes (servicing both TDSB and TCDSB schools), down from 59 open routes last week. This is approximately 3% of all routes. To cover the open routes, operators have been doubling routes to ensure that all students are able to access transportation services. Doubling routes means that bus drivers pick up and drop off one group of students first, and then pick up and drop off a second group of students. This has resulted in delayed drop offs and/or pick ups for some students. Parents/Guardians/Caregivers are encouraged to visit the Toronto Student Transportation Group website for up-to-date information on daily delays.
Reminder: Sign up for the Transportation Portal! If you are the parent/guardian/caregiver of a child who takes a school bus, please remember to create an account for the Transportation Portal to access important information and updates. The portal contains your child’s transportation details (e.g. route details, bus operator contact information, etc.) and you can sign up to receive email notifications of bus delays and cancellations directly to your inbox. For more information about student transportation, please contact The Toronto Student Transportation Group or your local school.
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Latest Budget News
This week, the Ministry of Education released the 2023-24 Education funding guide to school boards. The 2023-24 Education Funding Guide focuses on three government priorities: Efficiencies and Reducing Administrative Burden; Capital: Reducing Time to Completion for Capital Projects; Capital: Joint Use of Schools. We want to hear from you regarding your education funding priorities. Please complete the TDSB’s Education Funding Feedback form by November 4, 2022. Your feedback will help inform the TDSB budget consultation submission to the Ministry. Information to the Ministry is due back on November 15. The final response, along with a copy of all feedback received through the survey will be presented at the November 23, 2022 FBEC meeting for information.
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School Mental Health Ontario
School Mental Health Strategy 2022-2025. The School Mental Health and Addictions Strategy is visually depicted in the wheel. It follows the MTSS approach, with tier one supports noted in green, tier two supports in blue, and tier three supports in purple. The school mental health supports and services included in the strategy are meant to wrap around every student, as noted in the centre of the figure. Also at the centre, noting the primacy of its importance, is a focus on the intersection of equity, identity, and student mental health. A brief description of each of the elements of the strategy is offered in the chart. Everything we do is evidence-informed and student-centred. Our work is aligned with the Ontario curriculum. Every Ontario school district has a mental health leader and superintendent with a shared responsibility to create and implement their board’s mental health strategy and action plan - in the TDSB, ours is led by Superintendent Shameen Sandhu.
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Health and Safety - Updates from TPHPlease continue to follow Toronto Public Health (TPH) guidance - check for symptoms daily, if you are sick stay home until you have no fever and your symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours for nausea/vomiting/diarrhea), and wear a mask when returning to work or school following illness. TPH strongly recommends wearing a mask indoors and schools continue to provide medical masks and rapid test for students and staff. You can find a full list of protocols on the TDSB Health & Safety website - including daily screening, rapid tests, ventilation, enhanced cleaning, handwashing etiquette, masking, and supporting vaccinations. It is important to note that TDSB protocols can change based on a change in guidance.
Vaccines are another way to protect against COVID-19. Appointments to receive a bivalent booster can be booked now through the Provincial booking system for individuals age 12 years and older for the week of October 17. More information is available on the Province’s How to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment webpage. According to guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI):
- Adults age 65 years and older and individuals 12 years of age and older who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes should receive a fall booster dose, regardless of the number of booster doses previously received.
- All other individuals 12 to 64 years of age may be offered a booster dose too, regardless of the number of booster doses previously received.
- NACI recommends that individuals 12 years of age and older who are receiving a fall booster dose should get an Omicron-targeting vaccine.
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Committee Meetings This Week
Wednesday, October 19, 2022 - Program and School Services Committee - 4:30 p.m. Electronic Meeting - Agenda- 5. Opportunity for Oral Updates From Co-Chairs of Community Advisory Committees - Timed Item at 6 p.m.
- 6. Staff Reports
- 6.1. Update on Kindergarten Transition Supports for Young Learners
- 6.2. COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Plan Update: October 2022 - The Toronto District School Board’s COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Plan is a three phase plan that identifies which groups have been most impacted, interventions put in place, and initial outcomes. As we continue to move forward from the pandemic and the disruptions of the past few years, this report speaks to the ongoing, critical work underway across the TDSB. As a system, our work is centred around two overarching priorities: developing a sense of joy, engagement and belonging in every student and eliminating disproportionate outcomes for students.
- To do so, our own system data tells us that we must focus on the following: Student Mental Health and Well-Being; Early Reading Enjoyment and Fluency; STEM Achievement Trajectories from Grade 4 to Grade 9; Pathways to Post Secondary Education and Learning Recovery
- 6.3. Audit Plan Survey - Oral Update
Wednesday, October 20, 2022 - Planning and Priorities Committee -
4:30 p.m. Electronic Meeting - Agenda to be posted Monday
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Policy Consultations
- Sexual Misconduct Policy - To prevent sexual misconduct from taking place and to investigate and respond to incidents and complaints of such behavior in an accountable, timely and effective manner. E-mail comments until January 8, 2023 to Maria.Valente-deSa@tdsb.on.ca
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School Year Calendar 2022-23
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School Council Professional Learning - October and November
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Virtual: Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) Conference: Using Student Voice to Inform School Policies and Practices
The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement in collaboration with the TDSB’s Research and Development Department and Continuing Education - Focus on Youth Toronto Program (FOYT) is hosting its first virtual Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) Conference: Using Student Voice to Inform School Policies and Practices. Join us on Thursday, October 27 from 4 to 6 p.m. for 14 exciting presentations across five panels that focuses on Pathways and Transitions; The Black identity in K-12 education; and Equitable learning opportunities for Black students.
This conference is created and moderated by Black student leaders in TDSB. Hear from YPAR scholar Dr. Nombuso Dlamini from York University and student moderator, Melanie Bennett as they discuss the key factors in creating a successful experiential learning opportunity for students to create action-oriented change. To RSVP to this exciting event, please fill out the Google Form.
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Preparing for High School Information Sessions for Grade 8 Families
To support our Grade 8 students and families, the TDSB will be hosting a series of Preparing for High School Information Sessions. Students and families from any grade are welcome to attend. The series includes:
The Grade 8 to Grade 9 Transition Information Session, taking place on November 1, 2022, will share the Top 10 Tips and Considerations in the Transition to High School. This presentation is designed to augment the work already taking place through secondary open houses and at the Grade 8 schools.
The Student Interest Programs Information Session, taking place on November 3, 2022, will help students and families learn more about local programs, Facilitated Access to Skilled Trades programs, out-of-area admissions and applying to centralized programs and schools, including:
- Arts Focus Programs/Schools (elementary and secondary)
- CyberARTS Programs (elementary and secondary)
- Elite Athlete Programs (elementary and secondary)
- Integrated Technology School
- International Baccalaureate Programs
- Leadership Pathway Program
- Math, Science & Technology Programs
To further support students and families with the application process, central TDSB staff will be hosting three (3) Centralized Program Admissions Support Sessions to answer any questions that students or families may have when completing the Centralized Program Application. Live, online support will be available on the following dates:
- November 8 - 4:00pm – 5:30pm (LINK)
- November 15 - 7:00pm – 8:30pm (LINK)
- November 24 - 4:00pm – 5:30pm (LINK)
The Virtual Secondary Alternative Schools Fair, taking place on November 9, 2022, will introduce families to the Alternative schools in the board that offer Grade 9 to 12 programming. Alternative schools are highly engaged, smaller school environments. They use non-traditional hands-on approaches to learning. Each school has a distinct identity and focus, such as democratic education, holistic learning, physical art, mindful living, entrepreneurship, social justice, community outreach and more. These schools are ideal for students seeking an alternative to mainstream education and who want to take an active role in their own learning.
Webinar Details:
Resources:
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Early French Immersion Application Process
The entry point to Early French Immersion for September 2023 is Junior Kindergarten as it was this year. The application to the Early French Immersion program will remain an online process managed by the Central French Department and applications must be completed online between October 31 and November 25, 2022. An offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) is guaranteed to all on-time applicants. Families with an older sibling currently in an Early French Immersion program are still required to complete an online application for the new student. Visit the TDSB website for more information about Early French Immersion, Virtual & In-Person Information Sessions or the Application Process. Note registration for regular JK programs happen in February.
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Better Together: Inspiring hope and climate action in our school communities
Elementary October 19 (EcoTeam staff advisors)
Secondary October 20 (staff and student EcoTeams)
All sessions 9am to 11:30am Register on myPATH
Kick-offs are half-day morning virtual sessions and are open to all staff (including daycare, caretaking, and office administrators), parents, Trustees and Superintendents. Release will be provided to two staff members per school upon registration (via myPATH - login required).
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Legislative Page Program
Being a Legislative Page means being a part of Ontario’s parliamentary traditions. This hands-on learning experience is open to Grade 7 & 8 students from across the province. Applications for the Spring 2023 term are being accepted until November 30. Learn more and apply today: ow.ly/7ByS50KY3Iw For more information email pageprogram@ola.org.
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Design a Bookmark
Every year, the library prints bookmarks featuring original artwork by kids. Deadline is Monday, Oct 31, 2022 at 8:30 pm. Winners will be announced in early 2023. For more information, click tpl.ca/designabookmark.
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Grade 12 - Postsecondary Information 2022
Please see below dates for upcoming Toronto events with information for postsecondary education, travel, and career options:
- Ontario Universities Fair - Virtual Information Sessions (November 9, 5-8 pm, December 1, 5-8 pm)
- Ontario Colleges Fair - October 19th and 20th, Enercare Centre, 100 Princess Blvd
- Skilled Trades and Manufacturing - Career Fair and Training EXPO, December 21st - Sheraton Centre Toronto, 123 Queen St W
- After High School - Your relationship with the TDSB does not stop after graduation. Whether you are off to college, university, an apprenticeship, or direct-to-work, we are here to help you build your future and to help you transition into life after high school. Find out more here
- OSAP - Ontario Student Assistance Program
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PSS Virtual Drop-In Hours
We are here to help you in any way we can. Our Professional Support Services team offers monthly virtual drop-in times where you can connect directly with a staff member to help answer questions and provide support to help you and your child.
Wednesdays once a month: from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Virtual Drop in Hours
Virtual Drop-In Hours for Students with Special/Complex Needs
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Respect the Rules - No Dogs Allowed on School Grounds
Dogs are not allowed on school property at any time. Many people are surprised to learn that TDSB Policy prohibit dogs (leashed or unleashed) being on school property. Section 6.10 PR523 Access to School Premises prohibits canines on our properties “at any time” (except service animals).
Please respect children’s play spaces.
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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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