February 2024
While many of us are dearly missing the snow and snowy activities this winter there is still lots to do and celebrate in the TDSB.
- Survey - Before and After School Childcare Needs
- Celebrating Good News
- First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Secondary ID Clinic
- PA Day Moved Due to Solar Eclipse - April 8, 2024
- TDSB Budget Consultations and Virtual Town Halls
- 2023 Director’s Annual Report Released
- English Kindergarten Registration Begins in February
- TDSB To Create New Cellphone/Mobile Device Policy
- Heritage Months
- African Heritage (Black History) Month
- Chinese Heritage Month
- Advocacy Letters
- Upcoming Days of Significance
- Reminder - Joint Ward 9 & 16 Virtual Forum - The Right to Read
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Survey - Before and After School Childcare Needs2024-25 Before- and After-School Program (BASP) Interest Survey for Students (Kindergarten to Grade 6) in Elementary Schools without a Program
- The TDSB Child Care Services team will be conducting a parent BASP Interest Survey to determine if there is sufficient interest in developing a viable fee-based BASP in schools that currently do not have a program. More information about the survey will be posted on our website and the survey will be available to families during the month of February.
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Celebrating Good NewsRead about some of the recent events, initiatives and great things happening across the Toronto District School Board, including:
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First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Secondary ID Clinic The TDSB’s Urban Indigenous Education Centre has organised an ID clinic for secondary First Nations, Métis and Inuit from across the district. The ID clinic will take place on Tuesday, February 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information and to register, please visit the TDSB webpage.
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PA Day Moved Due to Solar Eclipse - April 8, 2024 Trustees recently approved changes to the 2023-24 school calendar, moving the Professional Activity Day on April 19 to April 8, 2024 due to the upcoming total solar eclipse. This decision, which was made following guidance and consultation with the Ministry of Education, is in line with similar changes announced by other school boards in the Greater Toronto and Golden Horseshoe Area, including the Toronto Catholic District School Board, with which we share student transportation services. Read the full parent/guardian message.
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TDSB Budget Consultations and Virtual Town Halls Public consultations are an important part of the TDSB budget process, and we want to hear from you! Over the next couple of months, Trustees and staff will be working together to establish a budget for 2024-25 and we invite members of the public to participate in a Budget Town Hall to share ideas and feedback. Below are the dates and times for upcoming virtual meetings. Please visit the budget website for more information. Budget surveys and new information will be posted as they become available so please visit often.
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2023 Director’s Annual Report Released I am pleased to share that TDSB Director of Education, Colleen Russell-Rawlins, shared the latest Director’s Annual Report at the January Board Meeting. I encourage you to read the report which outlines academic milestones, community engagement initiatives and all the new ways our community has continued to support high levels of achievement for every student.
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Historic Capital Revitalization Strategy
In January Trustees approved an ambitious capital revitalization plan to address challenges posed by aging school buildings, with safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency and sustainability as priorities. The ten-year strategy aims to have no school buildings classified as “requiring extensive improvement” by 2035. Improvements will range from light retrofit to deep retrofit, replacement, or new construction. In the intial phase, already underway, schools will be categorized based on improvement needs, including cost estimation, budgeting, and prioritization. The initial phase is set to conclude by December 2024, paving the way for the commencement of the first projects in January 2025. Read more about the Capital Revitalization Strategy.
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English Kindergarten Registration Begins in February
Starting on the school journey is an exciting milestone, and TDSB schools are proud to offer a vibrant learning space for every child's development – inside and outside the classroom. Registration for English Kindergarten programs starts in February. For Junior Kindergarten enrollment in September, children should be four years old by December 31. Senior Kindergarten registration requires children to be five years old by December 31. To learn more, please visit the Kindergarten Registration page.
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TDSB To Create New Cellphone/Mobile Device Policy You may have heard that TDSB Trustees have approved the development of a comprehensive Cellphone/Mobile Device policy which will build on the existing Board Code of Conduct. This new policy aims to strike a better balance between educational device use and minimizing distractions in classrooms. Staff will now create a policy development plan that will outline next steps including timelines and opportunities for students, staff and families to provide feedback as part of an extensive public consultation process. More information on this process will be shared as soon as it is confirmed
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African Heritage (Black History) Month At the TDSB, we are proud to celebrate African Heritage (Black History) Month during the month of February. African Heritage Month is an occasion to commemorate present and past individuals who helped shape the path of our future student leaders, while also celebrating the many achievements and contributions of numerous individuals with this heritage! This year’s chosen theme is Our Black Is… Our Black Is Resilient, Community, Beautiful, Unity, Joy, Self-Determination, Excellence, Empowering, Purpose, Brilliance, Engaging, Creative, Belonging, Tenacious, Powerful, Faith, Audacious, Powerful, Me…
For more information and activities, please visit the TDSB webpage, or follow the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement on Instagram and X/ Twitter.
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Chinese Heritage Month TDSB’s Chinese Heritage Month is proudly recognized in February each year. This year we celebrate the Year of the Dragon: Majesty, Brilliance, Confidence, Leadership.
Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most important celebrations for Chinese communities around the world. I encourage you to visit and follow @tdsbChineseHM for daily messages, and more information on festivities throughout the month.
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Upcoming Days of Significance
Here are the days of significance for the week ahead. For the calendar of days of significance and additional information, please visit the TDSB website.
- Chinese Spring Festival (February 9-15)
- Chinese and Lunar New Year's Day (February 10)
- Sha'ban (February 12)
- Tibetan New Year (February 10-12)
- Ash Wednesday (February 14)
- Vasant Pachami (February 14)
- Lent (February 14 to March 28)
- Parinirvana Day – Buddha's Death (February 15)
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Joint Ward 9 & 16 Virtual Forum - The Right to Read
Thursday, February 22, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom
Join Trustee Alexis Dawson and Trustee Michelle Aarts for a special virtual joint ward forum. TDSB Literacy staff will be on hand to provide information on TDSB Literacy Programs and how they relate to the Right to Read Report. We will also hear about the work of our schools and how parents can access resources to help their children at home.
All in Davenport & Spadina - Fort York and Beaches - East York are welcome to attend, including parents/ guardians/ caregivers, students, staff, and members of school communities. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Steps to Address Your Questions and Concerns
Here at the TDSB, we are always open to hearing your questions and concerns and make every effort to address them as quickly as possible. Your child's classroom teacher is the first point of contact, followed by the school's principal, the school superintendent, and me, your Trustee! For more information, visit www.tdsb.on.ca/Contact-Us/Steps-to-Address-Questions-Concerns.
Upcoming Meetings
The next Regular Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. For a list of upcoming meetings, please click on the calendar at www.tdsb.on.ca.
Follow the TDSB
Join the conversations happening on TDSB's social media communities. You'll find the most up-to-date information about us on our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.
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