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I began February by visiting eight schools together with our superintendents. I was impressed by the tech, integrated math, and Indigenous Education projects in our elementary classrooms, as well as the student leadership through Peacemakers clubs, student town halls, and more.
My visits also highlighted very real impacts of provincial underfunding in our schools like facilities in need of repair, crowded classrooms, and reductions in library resources, to name a few. As the February 27 provincial election draws closer, I strongly encourage you to research each party and consider commitments to investment in public education.
It was a joy to celebrate Lunar New Year with colleagues and staff. Huge thanks to the Toronto Education Opportunity Fund for their $50,000 donation to support nutrition programs across the TDSB.
February also marks African Heritage (Black History) Month. I'm thrilled to know students are attending assemblies, particpating in programming, and leading events to celebrate the cultures and contributions of Black people across Canada.
In addition, all Ward 7 families are invited to a joyful celebration of African, Black and Caribbean cultures which I'm proud to be hosting at UFA on February 28. I look forward to seeing you there!
Wishing you a happy Valentine's and wonderful Family Day!
Yours in Community,
Debbie King
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Upper left to right:
1. With the Runnymede JSPS student band at the Public Education Symposium gala.
2. Drumming with Indian Road Crescent staff at their Black History Month assembly.
Lower left to right:
3. Ribbon-cutting with Parkdale PS School Council to celebrate new playground.
4. With colleagues at Toronto Education Opportunity Fund Lunar New Year event.
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African Heritage (Black History) Month
The TDSB has organized a variety of events to celebrate the rich heritage of the people and nations of Africa and the African Diaspora. This year's theme is "Lift Every Voice.” The theme is drawn from the iconic first line of the Black National Anthem and encourages collective strength, unity, diversity, and resilience.
Across our ward, staff and students have also organized a variety of events such as a school-wide Love Music Initiative assembly and Black Student Alliance led traditional coffee ceremony.
Our Ward 7 community is also invited to a joyful celebration of African, Black and Caribbean cultures, including student voice, an interactive West African drumming performance, and a presentation by the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement. See flyer below. All are welcome and no experience is necessary😉!
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Chinese Heritage Month
Each February, the TDSB proudly recognizes Chinese Heritage Month. This year, the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, began on Wednesday, January 29. As we welcome the Year of the Snake, we reflect on its symbolism of tenacity and transformation. Throughout the month, we will host various activities and events to highlight the rich cultural traditions and contributions of the Chinese community. Find the full Chinese Heritage Month message on the TDSB website!
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Ward 7 Council
Thank you to everyone who attended our January Ward Forum and PIAC election. Congratulations to Emily Abrahams of Runnymede JSPS who joins Alice Romo of Howard JPS as our representatives on the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee. We look forward to their work supporting our School Councils and advising the board on behalf of parents and caregivers.
Our next ward council meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, February 20 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00pm via Zoom and will focus on community-building and parent engagement strategies. Any parent or caregiver from our Ward 7 schools may attend. RSVP here.
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Update on Implementation of Cost-Recovery Fees for IB Programs
As you may know, cost-recovery fees now apply for the International Baccalaureate program offered at five schools including Parkdale Collegiate Institute.
In addition to the detailed communications sent to current and future families within the progarm, staff have offered the following information in response to key questions and concerns.
Please know that together with colleagues, I continue to advocate for improved communication and evaluation of the impacts of fees on application, admission and retention of a diverse body of students.
- IB fees support the expenses related to providing this additional globally-recognized program, which goes beyond the Ontario Curriculum and awards students a second Diploma, offering them advanced standing at university. These expenses include implementation of the IB curriculum, training teachers, purchasing IB-specific resources, and paying for administrative oversight.
- We communicated the IB program costs to parents in October. With the full cost of the IB program set at $3,300, payments are distributed over the four years, with the bulk of the payments occurring in Grades 11 and 12.
- Fees must be paid in advance to secure a seat for students. Given the timelines outlined, if payment is not received by the deadline, we offer the space to another student, as maintaining full enrollment is a priority.
- Offers for available seats will continue until the end of February, coinciding with our staffing preparations for the upcoming school year. It is worth noting that numerous boards across the province implement similar fee structures and expect payment at the time of registration.
- Non-refundable fees help to cover administrative costs incurred while preparing for the program—this includes staff that coordinate with the IB organization, planning coursework, staff training, purchasing materials, and organizing examinations.
- If a student decides to withdraw from the program before September or within the first few weeks of school, we can offer their seat to a student on the school's local waitlist. However, we are unable to provide refunds as the associated costs must still be met, and unfilled seats can result in uncovered expenses.
- Incoming grade 8 students offered seats in January and February have approximately two weeks to make the payment, and we will proceed with a similar process as we did with the December offers.
- The IB program typically experiences attrition from Grade 9 to 10 and higher attrition from Grade 10 to 11. Vacated seats are offered to interested students for a Grade 10 entry corresponding to attrition.
- Current Grade 11 and 12 IB students have received communication stating they will not be charged IB fees as they continue to be fully subsidized by the TDSB.
- We are committed to improving communication regarding payment dates for future students and parents to ensure ample planning time. We will also explore options for returning IB students to pay the following year's fees in installments, with payments settled before mid-February.
Please contact your School Principal with questions about the program and fee payment, and myself with any policy-related questions.
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The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is committed to open and inclusive policy decision-making and values community input and participation through consultation. Consultation is a two-way communication process between the Board and external participants, including students and their parents/guardians, school councils, advisory committees, community members, different levels of government, service agencies, professional organizations and union partners. The objective of consultation is to gather public input regarding options, alternative courses of action, as well as to identify unintended effects for various participants and to find solutions.
Learning Opportunities Index Policy (P067) Consultation
The Learning Opportunities Index Policy (P067) is currently being reviewed. The revised draft Learning Opportunities Index Policy (P067) (the “Policy”) affirms the TDSB’s commitment to achieve equitable academic opportunities.
This Policy will assist with steering additional resources to schools serving students who face greater challenges and make sure all students have access to educational resources. The revised draft Policy also aims to support student learning experiences through equitable allocation of resources to schools and to provide direction to staff regarding the use of the Learning Opportunities Index (LOI).
Public Consultation Schedule:
- In Person West End LOI Public Consultation on Thursday, February 20, 6:30PM to 8:30PM. - 1 Civic Center Court, Etobicoke
- In Person East End LOI Public Consultation on Thursday March 6, 6:30PM to 8:30PM - 140 Borough Drive, Scarborough
- In Person Downtown LOI Public Consultation on Tuesday, March 18, 6:30PM to 8:30PM - Central Technical School, 725 Bathurst Street, Toronto,
- Virtual LOI Public Consultation on Thursday March 20, 6:30PM to 8:30PM - 5050 Yonge Street, Toronto
Dealing with Abuse and Neglect of Students Policy Consultation
The Dealing with Abuse and Neglect of Students Policy (P045) is currently being reviewed and reconsulted for 30 days. The revised draft Dealing with Abuse and Neglect of Students Policy (the “Policy”) supports the TDSB’s commitment to educate school communities about their Duty to Report, incidents of suspected, witnessed, and/or disclosed neglect and abuse of children to the Children Aid Societies.
The draft Policy also centres around the principles of human rights, in alignment with the Human Rights Policy (P031) and the Human Rights Code, to provide a culturally safe, nurturing, positive, and respectful learning environment focused on preventing abuse and neglect for all students. In addition, the revised draft Policy includes provisions related to: embedding Jordans and Katelynn Principles, detecting and reporting abuse and neglect, privacy and confidentiality, training and awareness, Truth and Reconciliation – Calls to Action, UNDRIP, National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, child welfare and their impacts on black students, newcomer students and their parents/guardians/caregivers and institutional accountability.
Consultation closes February 24, 2025. Read Draft New Policy. If you have any questions related to the review and consultation of the Policy, please feel free to contact: mentalhealthandwellbeing@tdsb.on.ca.
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In the Boardroom:
The February cycle of standing committee meetings is as follows:
- Feb 5: Program and School Services
- Feb 12 & 13: Planning and Priorities
- Feb 19: Regular Board Meeting
The following items being considered by trustees at the board meeting may be of particular interest to our Ward 7 school communities:
Attendance Boundary Changes for Humberside Collegiate Institute, Runnymede Collegiate Institute and York Memorial Collegiate Institute: Trustees will vote on the staff recommendation. I am in support of this change, which supports long term planning and is based on months of review and consultation with families. Find answers to FAQs here.
Update: Affirming Jewish Identities and Addressing Antisemitism and the Combatting Hate and Racism Strategy
This report is presented to trustees for receipt. It is important to note that this report does not represent the strategy; but rather a report on the recommendations heard during the consultation process. The strategy will be presented to trustees in Fall 2025. I will continue to consider this challenging item carefully, critically, and within the context of my role and responsibilities to the achievement and well-being of students.
New Personal Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy
This report is presented to trustees for approval, as the next step in the policy development work plan. Subject to approval, staff will initiate development of a new operational procedure to support implementation of the Policy.
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Advocating for a Youth-Friendly City of Toronto Budget
Last month, TDSB collaborated with Toronto Youth Cabinet (TYC) and Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) on a joint statement sent to the Mayor’s Office and Toronto City Council. Youth unemployment, housing, and food insecurity remain pressing issues that require our immediate action.
Mayor Olivia Chow recently shared Toronto's 2025 plans to increase funding for school food programs by nearly $6 million. This news is cause for celebration, as we advocated for enhanced Student Nutrition Programs in the joint letter. We must build on last year’s progress towards a youth-friendly budget and continue to invest in programs and initiatives that support the young people of Toronto!
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2025 Ontario Budget Presentation
Our school board was one of the organizations invited to a consultation event to share ideas and suggestions about the 2025 Ontario Budget. The presentation to MPP Zee Hamid, the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance, has been posted to the TDSB Budget webpage if you’re interested in learning more.
During this presentation, Chair Neethan Shan discussed ongoing financial pressures due to an inadequate funding formula. To fully support students and staff, Ontario and TDSB budgets must address the pandemic's lasting impact on mental health, the need for enhanced cybersecurity, and upgrades to school buildings. Providing the best education for Ontario's future requires significant investments in students, staff, and schools!
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Provincial Election 2025
The provincial election will be held on February 27, 2025. Everyone who is at least 18 years old, lives in Ontario and holds Canadian citizenship is eligible to vote. Most eligible voters will receive voter information cards (VIC) in the mail. They are expected to arrive in mailboxes between Feb. 17- 22. The VIC includes details about what district to vote in and the site of the local election office. In order to vote, one piece of valid ID is necessary. The Elections Ontario website, www.elections.on.ca, includes information of what ID is acceptable and how to update change of address and other information.
From the Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA)
January 29, 2025 - As a non-partisan association, we advocate for the voice of Ontario’s English public school boards on the diverse range of issues that affect students and communities, regardless of which political party forms government.
Throughout the provincial election campaign, we encourage parents, students, seniors, and other members of school communities to learn about the issues impacting Ontario’s public schools before Election Day on February 27, 2025.
The government policies of today will affect the world our children and youth will inherit tomorrow. The provincial government decides what is taught in our schools and how much of our provincial taxes are used to pay for education. The future of the province depends on high quality, publicly funded education. This affects you — whether you have children in the school system or not.
The February 27 election will have far-reaching effects. As a voter and citizen of Ontario, it is in your interest to know where the candidates stand on education issues. Read on for more information and make sure to attend local all candidates’ meetings if possible. This article will be updated as resources and links become available.
Resources - Elections Ontario I The Candidates | Green Party | Liberal Party | New Democratic Party | Progressive Conservative Party
OPSBA will be reaching out to the four main parties – the Progressive Conservatives, New Democrats, Liberals, and Greens – represented in the Ontario Legislature with a questionnaire on key education issues this election. Replies will be posted here as they come in.
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EQAO Math Webinar
Parents, guardians, and caregivers are invited to join a free, live EQAO Math Webinar on Tuesday, February 18 at 6:30 p.m. During this session, EQAO staff will discuss the types of math questions that Ontario students encounter in large-scale assessments for Grades 3, 6, and 9. This is a great opportunity to gain insights into the assessment process and learn how to support your child's math education. Don't miss out!
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Reduce the Spread of Respiratory Infections
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A message from Toronto Public Health (TPH) was recently emailed to all TDSB families. At this time of year, respiratory illness can be more common as people gather indoors. Read the full message on the TDSB website for tips and resources. To help protect our school communities, staff, students, and visitors are reminded to:
- Stay home when you have symptoms, even if they are mild.
- Wash or sanitize your hands often.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with an elbow or a tissue.
- Get your influenza and COVID-19 vaccines at a participating pharmacy or your primary health care provider.
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West Parkdale Cycle Connections - Public Meeting NEW DATE
Members of the Garden PS, Fern PS, and Parkdale PS communities may be interested in the following update and engagement opportunity related to installation of the West Parkdale Cycling Connection.
The City acknowledges that changes made as part of the West Parkdale Cycling Connections project have had impacts to traffic circulation that need to be addressed. City staff are continuing to analyze traffic data, conduct on-site observations, and review public feedback, and are preparing recommendations to address safety and operational concerns identified by the community.
A virtual public meeting is planned for Wednesday, February 19 to provide an update on observed traffic changes and public feedback received to date, discuss potential changes, and collect additional feedback. Community members are invited to attend and submit questions in advance to westparkdalecycling@toronto.ca. Frequently asked questions will be prioritized during the meeting.
Virtual public meeting details:
Date: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Format: Online via Webex – registration is required; please register here.
I will continue to engage directly with the school communities most directly impacted, as well as the project team. Thank you to all of the administrators and council reps for your collaboration and community care.
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Worth Repeating
Equity and Belonging Begins at Home with Dr. Albert B Campbell
Virtual Drop-In Hours: Pathways to Care for Mental Health
Did you know the TDSB offers drop-in hours for educational presentations that provide the knowledge and tools necessary to support the well-being of students at home and in school? Visit the TDSB website to view session dates and themes.
Special Education and Inclusion 2024-25 Drop-In Sessions
Special Education and Inclusion is pleased to offer drop-in sessions for parents, guardians, and caregivers. These sessions aim to provide information and resources for accessing special education supports and services. Participants can ask questions, share experiences, and connect with other families in a friendly environment. Please see the flyer for upcoming dates and times.
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