Week of September 12, 2016 

Eid Mubarak to our Muslim students, staff and community as Eid al Adha begins today.

JR Wilcox Community School is officially an  IB - PYP Authorized School

I am very happy to share more good news as J.R. Wilcox Community School received official notice that is is now authorized by the International Baccalaureate Schools (IB) as a Primary Years Program (PYP) school for all students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6. I'd like to share the letter that went to the community from current Principal Andrew Paladino and former Principal Robert Nigro (now at Cody)... would like to thank all those who played a role in making this happen. Regardless, of what role was played during this process, it is truly a team effort. Thank you to our IB partners from Cedarvale CS, the Superintendents of Education, Ian Allison and Sandra Tondat as well as Trustee Shelley Laskin  for their support and guidance. In addition, I would also like to thank the  JR Wilcox staff, past and present as well as the previous administration, IB Coordinators and of course you, the parent community for your determination, persistence, perseverance and support. But most of all, I would like to thank our amazing student body who embodied what the teachers have  taught our students through their Primary years in becoming Learners, Leaders and Global Citizens. We are all thrilled at this amazing accomplishment! 

First Week Issues - Bus Delays and Heat!

On September 6, 2016, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) was unexpectedly informed of a serious shortfall in the number of school bus drivers employed by three of our transportation providers: Attridge Transportation, Wheelchair Accessible Transit and Sharp Bus Lines. As a result, some students attending the city's public and Catholic schools have experienced significant school bus delays and, in some cases, cancellations. It is not uncommon to experience minor and isolated transportation issues at the start of every school year, which are resolved within a short period of time.This year, the level of disruption caused by the shortage of bus drivers cannot be solved immediately. As of Friday, approximately 1,275 students attending 50 TDSB schools continue to be directly impacted by the bus driver shortage. Parents/guardians of these students received a separate letter from their school with information and instructions on morning and afternoon pick-ups and drop-offs for next week. They will also receive assurances that students transported to school by parents/guardians early and students leaving school late due to bus delays will be supervised by school staff. Chair Robin Pilkey acknowledged the bus companies were accountable, but made it clear "They have contracted to do this for us, and the expectations were pretty damn clear, but that is not the focus right now. The focus is on getting kids to school." Happily there have not been too many issues reported in our Ward's schools.For more information, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca.

With the high temperatures last week, our schools without air conditioning were very hot and I know it was very difficult for teachers to teach and for students to learn in those conditions. Everyone is frustrated and uncomfortabled… but unfortunately, the cost to install complete building air conditioning at all schools that don’t currently have it would reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars – not to mention the added maintenance, replacement and operational costs associated with the installation of AC in all schools.As the TDSB is currently facing a $3.4 Billion repair backlog, air conditioning of all buildings cannot be considered at this time. The ministry does not allow fundraising for air conditioning either - "Capital projects supported by fundraising proceeds should be complementary to publicly funded education, but not result in an increase in the student capacity of a school or an increase in school or TDSB operating or capital costs (e.g., air conditioners)." I know that Principals are doing their best to accommodate specific concerns of both students and staff. But with global warming, the issue of heat in schools in the spring and fall is not going away and we understand that – and we began discussing it at Policy Committee last week as part of the larger conversation with the student trustees on the Severe Weather Protocol review…I will ensure to keep the community informed and will continue to seek advice and suggestions. 

Hoping Week 2 has improved bussing and cooler temperatures... and thank you all in advance for your perserverence.

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario Model Parliament is an educational program designed for civic-minded high school students in grades 10 to 12, who are interested in current events and provincial issues. This unique educational experience will bring together 107 students, representing each of the province’s ridings, for a three-day Model Parliament Program in Toronto. You will have the opportunity to meet key figures in Ontario’s parliament as well as learn about the history of the provincial legislature and the legislative process through workshops and presentations. Students will also have the opportunity to forge new friendships and meet like-minded students from across Ontario. To apply, click here.

HOLD the Date - First Ward 11 Forum September 29, 7-9pm at Hodgson Sr PS

Our first Ward Forum of the 2016-17 school year will be held on September 29th, at Hodgson Sr PS.It is an opportunity to meet our new Superintendents and each other. I am so pleased that Zélia Capitão-Tavares, a Grade 6 teacher from McMurrich Jr PS (who is a Google Education Certified Innovator) with a few of her students will share their final projects using coding and then they will support parents as they explore the code.org site. DIdn"t you always want to learn Computer Science?!

We will also need to elect new Ward representatives to both the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (Information on PIAC is available by clicking here) and the French as a Second Language Advisory Committee (information on FSLAC here). it is important that our Ward is represented at the table. If you are an interested parent who would like to interact directly with trustees and senior staff at the Board level to provide us with your best advice, please contact me for more information. 

Please hold November 28th for the next Ward Forum. Do you have any ideas for a presentation or topic you wish to be discussed? I'd be happy to hear from you.

Worth Repeating...

Parents and residents of the Davisville/Spectrum community are encouraged to attend a public open house at Hodgson Sr PS to receive information about the status of the project and provide community feedback on site planning parameters for the design of a new school, child care and midtown hub. Shortly following this public open house, consultants will begin preparing options for review by TDSB and narrowing of options.  A New School Review Team (NSRT), including representatives from the school and local community, will be formed to review, comment on and sign off a preferred option.