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I hope you had the opportunity to attend curriculum nights, parent-teacher interviews, and school council meetings, last month. Throughout October, I connected with students, staff, and families at a number of schools and events. Among those was the Youth Participatory Action Research Conference, which builds off the 2024 Black Student Summer Leadership Program, and which showcased a research presentation by Ursula Franklin Academy students, Saffiya and Sydney.
This month, we acknowledge Indigenous Educaton Month, Hindu Heritage Month, Holocaust Education Week, and many days of significance. It was my honour to attend the Remembrance Day Commemoration at Swansea Town Hall, lay a wreath on behalf of TDSB, and share remarks with the community. Also in attendance was Katy Whitfield who is an educator and co-founder of the "They Walked These Streets. We Will Remember Them" project in Bloor West Village.
November is a quieter month in the boardroom, but a busy one for program applications and community engagement. See the sections below for highlights from the boardroom, program application dates, and events for parents and caregivers. I've also included information on our November 28th Ward Council and Community meeting and invite you to join us.
Yours in Community,
Debbie King
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- Presenting to Humbercrest PS students during Local Government Week
- Meeting with Councillor Perks and MPP Karpoche in Parkdale-High Park
- Congraulating former Chair of the Board, Rachel Chernos Lin
- Speaking at the Swansea Town Hall Remembrance Day Commemoration
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Indigenous Education Month
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We are proud to celebrate Indigenous Education Month throughout the month of November. Students, staff, and community members are encouraged to honour a number of important days to deepen knowledge, to learn from our shared histories, and to strengthen relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples. It is important to remember to center First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives, voices, histories, and contemporary realities across the TDSB every day. Please visit the website for more information.
On Tuesday November 5th, the Urban Indigenous Education Centre hosted a launch of Vol.3, Issue 2 of O.K., K.O., O.K., a magazine of writing and art by students in courses from the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies curriculum. This issue features an original poem by a Humberside student, written in response to themes and texts explored in the Grade 11 English course.
Superintendent of Indigenous Education, Tanya Senk, will attend our upcoming Ward Council & Community meeting on November 28th. I encourage all families to join us.
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Hindu Heritage Month
At the Toronto District School Board, we are proud to recognize Hindu Heritage Month during the month of November. This is an opportunity to celebrate the Hindu way of life, examine its impact and contributions to the world culture, and recognize values which promote compassion, tolerance, and inclusion. This year’s theme is Antah Shanti for Vishwa Shanti. This Sanskrit phrase conveys that to foster World (Vishwa) Peace (Shanti) we need to have Inner (Antah) Peace (Shanti). Visit the Hindu Heritage webpage for more information.
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Ward 7 Council & Community Meetings
Thank you to each of the school council reps, families, and staff who attended our Ward Council & Community Meet and Greet in October. Hosted at Howard Junior Public School, it was a productive meeting during which parents were introduced to their School Superintendent and representatives within each family of schools. We began discussing priorities acoss the ward including belonging, facility conditions, and parent engagement. Meeting notes and presentation slides are linked on my TDSB Ward 7 page.
Mark Your Calendar! Future Meeting Dates:
- Thurs Nov 28 (6-8pm hybrid)
- Thurs Jan 23 (6-8pm online)
- Thurs Feb 20 (6-8pm online)
- Thurs Apr 10 (6-8pm hybrid)
- Thurs May 22 (6-8pm hybrid)
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From Ward 7 PIAC Representative, Alice Romo
What is PIAC? The Parent Involvement Advisory Committee was formally established in 2010 under the Ontario Education Act "to support, encourage and enhance parent engagement in order to improve student achievement and well-being" (R.330/10,s.27).
We will soon be holding elections for a Parent Co-Rep for our Ward. We encourage anyone interested to apply to be elected! Learn more about the opportunity at our upcoming ward council and community meeting.
- Connecting Math and Literacy Learning at Home and School
- Personal Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy Draft Consultation Session
- Supporting Your Child / Teen Through Stress & Anxiety
- Talking to Kids about Race
- Talking to our Children about their Bodies and Sexual Health
- The Urban Indigenous Education Centre presents Indigenous Perspectives on the Journey to Joy, Wellness, and Wholeness
- Supporting Your Child Through a Neurodiversity-Affirming Lens
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Good News in Math!
The TDSB is committed to providing exceptional, inclusive, empowering and culturally responsive mathematics education. Every classroom should be where students from diverse backgrounds and abilities can excel, fostering a deep appreciation for mathematics and promoting collaborative problem-solving while maintaining high expectations for student achievement. The 2023-24 school year marked the introduction of the TDSB Math Achievement Action Plan — a comprehensive mathematics strategy — with targeted support for Math Learning Partner schools. Some highlights from the first year of implementation include:
- Improvements in EQAO results at TDSB Math Learning Partner schools, after just one year of Ministry Math Learning Partner support.
- Collaboration with experts and working with Ontario’s leading math researchers to develop math learning sessions for Kindergarten to Grade 12 teachers.
- Focused programming on the new Ontario math curriculum and continuing to build teacher expertise in content and pedagogical skills.
- Adoption of innovative tools for learning and now offers 12 digital math tools for students and teachers to explore math concepts in the classroom and at home (accessible via the Digital Math Tool Page).
- Promotion of the Mathematics for Families & Caregivers website to provide families with access to interactive tools and activities to support math learning at home, including TVO Mathify (free online tutoring).
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In the Boardroom
Regular Board Meeting
At our regular board meeting on November 6, trustees congratulated colleague Rachel Chernos-Lin on her election as City Councillor - Don Valley West. I have appreciated her leadership as Chair of the Board and wish her all the best on Toronto City Council.
Of note among several reports and committee recommendations approved by Trustees, were these relating to Ward 7:
- Contract Awards, Facilities: Contract awards for facility work at Humberside (power repair), Western Tech (parking garage), Humbercrest PS (roof replacement), and Runnymede Collegiate (air handling replacement)
- Long Term Program and Accommodation Strategy: The Annual Planning Document that accompanies the strategy document provides details about the specific studies that are planned for the 2024-2025 school year. This includes exploring a review of the shared attendance area that is assigned to both Humberside CI and York Memorial CI to determine a single designated secondary school. Note: a public meeting will be held on Monday, November 25 to provide information and an opportunity to ask questions. Local families will receive the notice through their schools.
Following a staff report on the Math Achievment Action Plan, I moved a business arising motion, seconded by Trustee Dawson.The resolution,which passed unanimously, asks staff to consider a communication strategy for families and communities, and the Chair to request additonal funding from the Ministry of Education to support Math Learning Partners and grade 9 de-streaming.
You can access previous meeting agendas, materials, and videos here.
Organizational Meeting
The annual Organizational Board Meeting was held on Wednesday, November 13th. Trustee Shan was acclaimed as Chair of the Board, and Trustee Patel elected to the vice-chair role. It's my pleasure to continue serving as Vice-Chair of the Programs and School Services Committee (PSSC) and to contribute as a member of:
- Director Peformance Appraisal Commitee
- Negotiations Steering Committee
- 2SLGBTQ+ Community Advisory Committee
- Black Student Achievement Advisory Committee past year
in additon to continued roles on the Director Search Commitee and Ontario Public School Board Association.
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Early French Immersion Registration (JK Entry)
If your family is interested in the Toronto District School Board's system-wide French Immersion Program, we are pleased to offer an online process to apply for Early French Immersion (which begins in Junior Kindergarten).
Within Ward 7 Parkdale-High Park, the Early French Immersion Program is offered at the following schools:
- Fern Avenue JSPS
- Howard Junior PS
- Humbercrest PS
- Parkdale JSPS
- Runnymede JSPS
While admission to the Early French Immersion (JK entry) program is guaranteed at the entry point to all eligible on-time applicants, admission to a specific school is NOT guaranteed.
To apply to the Early French Immersion Program for September 2025, complete the online applications online between November 4 and November 29, 2024. Families with an older sibling currently in an Early French Immersion program must complete an online application for the new student. Visit the Early French Immersion page for more information.
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Central Student Interest Program Applications
Within Ward 7 Parkdale-High Park, there are a variety of Central Student Interest Programs offered at the following schools:
To learn more about each program, review program and application requirements, get dates for upcoming open houses and view webinar recordings, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/csip.
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High School Open Houses and Information Nights
Please join us between November and January for organized open houses and information sessions aimed at aiding your decision in choosing the right school for your child. These events are tailored to provide information for parents/guardians/caregivers and students.
Within Ward 7 Parkdale-High Park, open house and information nights are as follows:
- Nov 5: Western Technical-Commercial School
- Nov 12: Parkdale CI
- Nov 19: Runnymede CI
- Nov 19: Ursula Franklin Academy
- Dec 12: Humberside CI
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Cost Recovery of International Baccalaureate Fees
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP) is a two-year pre-university program that “aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect” through a program that includes courses in six areas (Studies in Language and Literature, Individuals and Societies, Language Acquisition, Sciences, the Arts and Mathematics), an Extended Essay, a Theory of Knowledge, and Creativity, Activity, Service component.
The program provides an internationally accepted qualification for higher education, is recognized by many universities worldwide, and is significantly valued by students, parents and the community. The IB program is offered at five TDSB schools, including Parkdale Collegiate Institute.
Since IB fees were paused in 2020, families have been informed annually that fees would be reinstituted on the TDSB website and, for the past three years, through the annual Student Interest Program webinar.
Currently, the average cost of running the International Baccalaureate program is $3300/student. The International Baccalaureate Organization sets the fees and the program requires ongoing IB training for teachers, the use of approved textbooks and other resources, IB exams which IB-trained teachers mark, and an Extended Essay.
Staff are communicating to students and their parents/guardians/caregivers that a fee of $3300 will begin for attendance in the International Baccalaureate program beginning for students entering Grade 9 in September 2025. Grade 9 and 10 students currently enrolled in the program will be required to pay a portion of these fees. Subsidies will be available for students whose household income is under $50,000, supporting student access to programs. The School Principals will provide more information to families currently enrolled in the program, during the week of November 18th. I am aware that this implementation of cost-recovery fees has raised concerns over the years, and am available to address questions you may have about the Board decision.
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Personal Mobile Device Use Policy Consultation
The TDSB is developing a Personal Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy, and we want to hear from parents/guardians/caregivers, students, and community partners. Visit the website to read the draft policy and provide feedback by December 10, 2024.
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Pathways to Care for Mental Health: Virtual Drop-in Hours
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 website to view session dates and themes.
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Special Education and Inclusion Drop-In Sessions for Parents/Guardians/Caregivers
Special Education and Inclusion is pleased to offer drop-in sessions for parents, guardians, and caregivers. These sessions 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 this flyer for upcoming dates, times and links.
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