October Newsletter

Proud to announce the Toronto District School Board has unanimously voted to provide free menstrual products to all students (free of cost to the Board)

‘Period poverty’ is the motivating factor behind the Toronto District School Board’s new policy of providing free menstrual products to students in elementary and secondary schools. The initiative is in partnership with the charitable organization, Physical and Health Education Canada, which will be providing the products at no charge to the TDSB.

Period poverty refers to barriers faced by menstruating girls and women who are unable to access or afford feminine hygiene products. A meeting to put forward the initiative was held the last week of August, the motion passed unanimously. Ward 9 Trustee Stephanie Donaldson and Ward 1 Trustee Harpreet Gill were the individuals who lead the initiative and helped pass the motion. The adoption of this policy sends the message to all students that TDSB trustees are unanimous in supporting the health and well-being of TDSB students. Similar initiatives are also being explored at the provincial level, in hopes of getting all school Boards in the province to adopt a similar policy.

The issue of readily available menstrual products in schools should not only be viewed as issue of economic access. Rather, it is also very much about helping remove the stigma surrounding periods. The Toronto District School Board is currently working on the details of how to implement the initiative, but the plan is to provide the products this Fall starting with students in Grades 7-12.

iWalk to School Day

On October 2nd, students, families and staff are encouraged to join schools across Canada to celebrate International Walk to School Day (IWALK/IWHEEL), a day that celebrates all forms of active transportation including walking, cycling, scootering and/or travelling using a mobility device.

October is also International Walk to School Month. If you're up for the challenge, consider celebrating active transportation all month long.

As fall arrives, the days become shorter and increasing visibility on city streets becomes especially important. The following are some safety tips from Toronto Public Health to keep in mind on:

Wear comfortable walking shoes and bright, reflective clothing
Cross streets at traffic lights, stop signs or crosswalks-always walk facing traffic

Avoid using headphones and cell phones while walking

Start-of-Year Forms Can Now be Completed Online

How does it work?

After your child’s first day of school, an email will be sent to the parent/guardian that is the primary or secondary contact with an email address on file with the school. The email will come from TDSB Online Form (noreply@tdsb.on.ca) and will take you to a secure site to complete and submit your child’s forms.

What forms can be completed online?

Consent Form Package

Permission to participate in off-site walking excursions
Student media release consent
Permission to leave school in severe weather conditions
Use of parent/guardian email address

Medical Information Form
Acknowledgement and Declaration of:

Digital Learning Tool Consent
Code of Conduct
Code of Online Conduct

Back To School tips: Improving literacy

Primary students:

Ask your children to read to you while you prepare a meal.
Get your children excited about reading by taking turns reading pages or acting out characters.

Intermediate/Middle Students:

Set up a daily homework routine. Designate a homework area away from distractions like the television and Internet, and with adequate lighting and supplies
When it is time for your children to do their homework, reinforce strong study habits by also doing yours: balance your chequebook, pay your bills or immerse yourself in a book.

Secondary Students:

Continue with an established homework routine. Make adjustments as needed, such as after-school or weekend time set aside for working on big projects.
Encourage your teenagers to take 20 minutes each night to read over their notes from that day, or rewrite them using colours to highlight important information so they retain it longer.

Contact Information

Phone: 416-395-8787

E-mail: anu.sriskandarajah@tdsb.on.ca

Address: 5050 Yonge Street, Toronto ON M2N 5N8

Twitter: @AnuSriTDSB