Ward 16 newletter header
Happy 2019!
I am proud to represent Beaches and East York as your TDSB Trustee. I look forward to working with our local schools, families, and community groups to foster student success and a healthy community. The past month has been exceptionally busy getting to know the inner workings of the education system and setting up shop as Trustee. In addition to supporting our local school community I will be working this year with the Finance & Budget Committee, the Audit Committee, Community Use of Schools, French as a Second Language, and Special Education to meet the challenges of maintaining comprehensive education in the face of Provincial funding cuts.
You can find more information about me as well as useful links to education and community resources on my website www.aarts.ca.
For more Ward 16 News and Events, sign up for my newsletter!
For those that have asked "What does a Trustee Do?" here is a quick video on the advocacy role of public school board Trustees.

How do I Address My Concerns?

The TDSB is a large organization but we want to help ensure that your questions and concerns are addressed by the appropriate person.
The most effective way to address concerns is to use the Parent Concern Protocol:
https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Contact-Us/Steps-to-Address-Questions-Concerns
Caring and Safe Schools Protocols:
https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Caring-Safe-Schools/SchoolClimateSurveys
Find your local School Information and School Superintendents: 
https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/School
Ward 16 Community News and Events
Community Meeting with Councillor Brad Bradford
  • Tuesday January 22nd, 6pm at Crescent Town
  • Focus on Community Safety 
*Ward 16 Forum and PIAC Elections*
  • Tuesday January 29th at 6:30pm at George Webster P.S.
  • Ward 16 currently has 2 vacancies on the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC). PIAC is a parent-led committee that advises the TDSB and the Ministry of Education on matters that impact student success and family engagement in education. More information here: www.torontopiac.com
  • Childcare provided by request
  • RSVP HERE
Which School or Community Programs do you want to hear more about? Want to share your Ward 16 News and Events? Email me at michelle.aarts@tdsb.on.ca to include updates in the next newsletter.
Agnes Macphail
Agnes Macphail Award

Nominations for the 2019 Agnes Macphail Award are now open. Completed nominations must be submitted by midnight on Thursday, February 7, 2019.
The purpose of the award is to recognize the importance to the East York community of the issues that Agnes Macphail espoused in her long career. The award is presented to an East York resident who has made outstanding contributions as a volunteer in one or more of the following interests:
Women’s rights
Fairness to seniors
Criminal justice system and penal reform
International peace and disarmament
Access to adequate housing, health care and education
The nominee must be a resident of the former Borough of East York.
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/awards/agnes-macphail-award/

Pam McConnell Award for Young Women in Leadership
The Award is open to young women residing in the City of Toronto, between the ages of 19 and 26 upon the application deadline (February 8, 2019)
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/awards/pam-mcconnell-award-for-young-women-in-leadership/
Active & Safe Routes to School Pilot
The Active and Safe Routes to School pilot project is led by the Transportation Services Division in collaboration with Toronto Public Health, Green Communities Canada, Toronto District School Board, Toronto Police Service and Toronto Hospital for Sick Children. The goal of this project is to promote active travel to school and increase safety on designated walking/biking routes. 
The pilot project is based on the five ‘Es’ of an effective road safety strategy – Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Engagement and Evaluation and is in addition to a number of other Vision Zero initiatives focused on increasing back-to-school safety in Toronto’s communities.
More information here: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/road-safety/vision-zero/safety-initiatives/programs-pilots/active-and-safe-routes-to-school-pilot/ 

Community Advisory Committees

The TDSB has 12 Community Advisory Committees (CACs) that provide consultation to the TDSB on matters that affect student success. CACs are a great way to get involved in the education system and excellent resources for parents and families.Find more information here: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Community/How-to-Get-Involved/Community-Advisory-Committees
PIAC POST - PIAC's Monthly Newsletter
TDSB EVENTS & UPDATES
 January 2019
The TDSB Recognizes Tamil Heritage Month
Education Funding Announcements
The TDSB has received further memos from the Ministryof Education regarding the status of Education Program Other (EPO) grants and other funding. Highlights include:
February 2019 
African Heritage Month
Opening Celebration - February 1 at Downsview Secondary School - 5:30pm; Black Student Empowerment Conference - February 28, 2019; Ibada Marketplace - March 27, 2019 at Lawrence Heights PS
Chinese Heritage Month 
The theme selected by the planning committee for this year is Year of the Pig - Happy, Easy Going, Honest, Trusting, Sincere, Optimistic & Sociable. Opening Celebration - Friday, February 1, 2019 at Kennedy Public School, 20 Elmfield Crescent 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
High School Open Houses and Information Nights
https://www.tdsb.on.ca/OpenHouse 
Application for Optional Attendance forms due at secondary school(s) on February 1st.
Grade 8 Course Selection
Grade 8 Course Selection through myblueprint (www.myblueprint.ca) will begin mid-January and continue into February at most schools. Students will complete their course forms for all their desired Grade 9 courses at desired schools. Contact your school's administration or Guidance Counsellor for more information. https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Guidance/Choices
Junior Extended French
Application process opens: Monday, January 7, 2019 Deadline: Monday, February 4, 2019
https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Elementary-School/School-Choices/French-Programs/Application-Process/Junior-Extended-French
Middle School Info Nights
Bowmore Rd. P.S. - January 24, 2019 at 6pm
Glen Ames S.P.S. - January 23, 2019 at 6:30pm
Gordon A. Brown M.S. - May 8, 2019 (Gifted) at 2pm and May 23, 2019 (General) at 6:30pm
Contact your School Principal for more information about your area's designated Middle School
Optional Attendance
If your child is interested in applying to a school other than your home school then you will need to follow the optional attendence procedure and take note of application dates and deadlines. More information can be found here: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/School/Optional-Attendance.
Student and Parent Census
Details about who TDSB students are, their school experiences, relationships at school, physical health and emotional well-being are all part of the 2017 Student and Parent Census.https://www.tdsb.on.ca/research/Research/Parent-and-Student-Census
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten Registration begins in February 2019. https://www.tdsb.on.ca/earlyyears/kindergarten 
TDSB Employment Opportunities Fair
Date: Saturday, January 26, 2019   Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Montecassino Hotel & Event Venue, 3710 Chesswood Dr
REGISTER HERE

TDSB Governance and Program Updates

Special Education - Inclusive Education at the TDSB
Inclusive Education refers to an educational model in which students’ special education needs are met, where appropriate, in the regular classroom comprised of students with and without formally identified special needs. Inclusive Education recognizes diversity within all educational cohorts and embraces the opportunity to meet individual students’ needs as locally as possible in neighbourhood schools.  
Creating an LGBTQ2S Community Advisory Committee
In June 2018 Trustees proposed a new LGBTQ2S-focused CAC as a strong, relevant voice to guide the Board’s decision-making on issues related to the unique needs of LGBTQ2S students, families and staff members. The proposal to develop this new CAC will be presented at the Jan 16th Program and School Services Committee Meeting: 
https://www.tdsb.on.ca//Leadership//Boardroom//AgendaMinutes.aspx?Type=A&Folder=Agenda%2f20190116&Filename=8.pdf 
Public Consultations on Revised Policies - Have your say
The TDSB is currently accepting feedback on the following new and revised Policies. 
  • Restrictions on Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco Use Policy (P0XX ) - Deadline January 31, 2019 
  • Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (P0XX) - Deadline February 4, 2019
  • Home Instruction Policy (P060) - Deadline February 22, 2019   
  • Student Dress Code Policy (P042) - Deadline February 28, 2019
To review the draft policies and provide feedback follow this link to the TDSB website: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Policies-Procedures-Forms/Policy-Consultations
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