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Autism Awareness
On Tuesday the TDSB will raise the flag at 5050 Yonge St at 10:15am along with Autism Ontario and 300 schools and municipalities across the province in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day. Raising a flag helps school communities recognize this day and bring to light people who live with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Let’s help support TDSB students who have ASD and increase awareness and understanding of this disorder.
In light of recent announcements about upcoming changes to Autism funding, this is an opportunity not only to recognize World Autism Awareness Day but also to illustrate the TDSB’s ongoing commitment to supporting families and students transitioning into schools and classrooms in the months ahead.
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April Heritage Months - Celebrate Sikh HM, Hispanic HM and Latin-America History HMSikh Heritage Month is celebrated at the TDSB during the month of April. It is an opportunity to provide an opportunity for staff, students and community members to learn more about Sikh traditions and history, and celebrate the many contributions of Sikh Canadians. The theme for the year is A Century of Pioneer Families. We acknowledge that in 1919, Prime Minister of Canada Robert Borden at the Imperial War Conference was pressured after the great Valour of Sikh soldiers to ease restrictions of wives and children to join their husband and fathers in Canada. During the month of April, the TDSB also recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about the outstanding achievements and contributions of Hispanic people. We’re pleased to share resources available through our TDSB Professional Library with all staff through our TDSBWeb at Hispanic Heritage Month. Latin-America History Month is celebrated at the TDSB. During the month of April, the Latin-America History Planning Committee has organized many educational opportunities for our students, staff and the TDSB community to attend and learn about their history, culture and customs. They year’s theme is The Universal Language of Art / Arte: El Idioma Universa. Details of the many educational opportunities, including a launch and a closing event, will be shared with you in the near future. We also look forward to sharing the name and poster from our poster competition with you as well.
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TDSB Committees This WeekFinance, Budget and Enrolment Committee (FBEC) Wednesday, April 3, 2019 4:30 p.m.
Committee Room A, 5050 Yonge Street
Note: Section 37 of the Planning Act allows the City to collect funds from a development
application in return for additional density. The City policy requires that Section 37 funds be earmarked for community benefits in the host ward of the development application. The City has prepared general guidelines for staff and the development community to work within. Examples of appropriate use of Section 37 funding include:
• Parks (Park Improvements, Playing Field, Open Space, Playground)
• Roads and Streetscapes (Road and Streetscape Improvements, Parking Area, Traffic Calming, Road Allowance)
• Environment Improvements (Re-naturalization, Trail and Path Improvements, Greening Initiatives)
Section 37 cash contributions from the City may also be used appropriately towards the capital costs of facilities on school properties or within school buildings. The current process to transfer Section 37 funding from the City to the Board is initiated by a Motion at City Council and requires the Board to enter into a Community Use Agreement with the City that speaks to community access requirements and the duration of the Board’s commitment to uphold community access.
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Your Opinion CountsWe are asking parents/caregivers, students, staff and community members to complete our Budget Survey so we can use your opinions to confirm the budget drivers that will be used to develop this year’s Operating Budget in alignment with our Multi-Year Strategic Plan. At the Parents as Partners Conference on Saturday, Director Malloy spoke specifically to concerns how the Ministry of Education decisions will affect our flexibility - and the importance that the Board base its decisions on the principles behind the budget drivers. More details about the Budget Survey here. The deadline to respond is Tuesday, April 2, 2019.
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Budget UpdateAs the consultation on the budget drivers continue and staff continue their analysis of the Ministry announcements with respect to funding in anticipation of the provincial budget on April 11, Director John Malloy was on CBC Radio last Wednesday with Matt Galloway speaking about recent education announcements, how they could affect staff and students and how we are preparing for September. He tweeted "This conversation was a great opportunity to share insights from a TDSB perspective and further highlight some of the concerns that were expressed by both Chair Pilkey and I at the Board meeting earlier this month."
Director Malloy spoke to concerns over the magnitude of change with respect to the average staff-pupil ratio across the system in secondary schools increasing from 1:22 to 1:28 – he especially focussed on reduction of course options for students and concern over their well-being with fewer teachers in the building to support them. He spoke to the recent student census data that told us our students don’t feel connected – and how reducing teachers reduces opportunities to build those relationships that support student success. He noted, he and other Directors are trying to influence the decisions of government by ensuring the Deputy Minister understands the impact of raising class sizes especially as it relates to course offerings - when you lose one teacher you lose 6 courses – when you lose 6 courses you lose electives. And he went on to confirm the notion of e-learning not being for all – and with many arts and music courses not conducive to e-learning – it means taking even more choice away from students. To listen to Director Malloy's interview, please click here - Head of the TDSB talks about changes to education system. Please see below for the remaining Finance, Budget & Enrolment Committee (FBEC) Meetings for the 2019-2020 Budget Process - April 15, 2019 - 4:30PM - Special FBEC - Approval of Final Strategic Drivers (following Community Consultation)
- April 17, 2019 - 7:00PM - Regular Board - Approval of Final Strategic Drivers
- April 23, 2019 - 4:30PM - Special FBEC - School Based Staffing Allocation – Non-Classroom and Support Staff Report for Approval
- April 25, 2019 - 7:00PM - Special Board - Approval of School Based Staffing – Non-Classroom and Support Staff
- April 29, 2019 - 4:30PM - Special FBEC - Presentation on Capital Budget Process
- May 8, 2019 - 4:30PM - Regular FBEC - Regular Business (i.e. Contract Awards, etc)
- May 13, 2019 - 4:30PM - Special FBEC - Presentation of draft 2019-20 Operating Budget and Presentation of draft 2019-20 Capital Budget
- May 15, 2019 - 4:30PM - Special FBEC - Discussion and Delegations on Operating Budget
- May 27, 2019 - 4:30PM - Special FBEC - Discussion and Delegations on Operating Budget
- June 6, 2019 - 4:30PM - Regular FBEC - Regular Business (Contract Awards, etc) and Summer Approval Process
- June 11, 2019 - 4:30PM - Special FBEC - 2019-20 Operating and Capital Budget Approval
- June 19, 2019 - 7:00PM - Regular Board - Approval of 2019-20 Operating and Capital Budget
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Can you help?
In her remarks at the Parents as Partners Conference yesterday, Chair Robin Pilkey told those in attendance the Board is continuing to advocate on behalf of our students, staff and communities... should you want to help us, there are a number of ways.
You may choose to support an advocacy group. Thanks to Leslie Wolfe, below are the links to a number of pro-publicly funded education parents’ groups are springing up around the city. In addition, you may also want to contact Campaign For Public Education, the organization that is working to help coordinate parent groups across the city. We all do what we can to ensure our voices are heard to ensure the government realizes that their announcements do not support student achievement and wellness - in fact, removal of teachers is quite the opposite.
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Join with us Saturday
TDSB Trustees are planning to attend Saturday's rally - please join us, along with students and their families, staff and other community members - when we partner together in support of all our students, our presence speaks volumes.
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Reminder re French Immersion and Extended FrenchIn response to some recent inquiries about French Immersion and Extended French program and pathways, please be aware that locations for French Immersion and Extended French programs are governed by PR597- French Immersion/Extended French which outlines the criteria for making program and pathway decisions for Immersion and Extended French. There are several implications with pathway changes that must be considered across the system. In addition, please be reminded of the FSL Review that will be coming forward to Board in May with recommendations that may influence possible changes moving forward.
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TDSB Excellence AwardsEvery day, nearly 39,000 committed professionals support our students and help them achieve their very best. Their focus, enthusiasm and dedication help build strong and healthy relationships and allow our school communities – and students – to thrive. It’s important that we recognize their great work. Recognizing our staff not only celebrates their efforts, it inspires others to excel in their own roles. Every year, we invite staff, students, parents and community members to nominate a TDSB staff member or team whose effort to go above and beyond has made a difference in their lives. This year nominations will begin on April 1, 2019 and close April 26, 2019 with the awards reception being held on May 23, 2019.
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Cedarvale Marketplace Day Saturday, April 13Join us for a memorable shopping and food experience at the annual Cedarvale Marketplace Day on Saturday April 13th from 10:00-4:00! A fabulous way to spend the day! There will be professional vendors with an array of sensational items available in time for Mother's Day. Come and shop for beautiful art, giftware, jewelry, apparel, accessories, children's items, and so much more. Savour lunch at one of our gourmet food trucks. Buy a gift for a friend, something for yourself, and enjoy this amazing local shopping experience. A raffle with incredible prizes and a whole lot more. Location: Cedarvale Community School, 145 Ava Road, Toronto. Check our Instagram and Facebook pages for regular updates to the incredible vendor list: @cedarvalemarketplace, http://www.facebook.com/cedarvalemarketplace. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Clean Toronto TogetherIn 2018, 363 TDSB schools participated in the Clean Toronto Together Campaign. This year, we want to increase the number of participating schools and encourage them to collect as much waste as possible by going beyond their school yard. On Friday, April 26th at 2:00 p.m. students, staff, and parents from across Toronto are encouraged to help rejuvenate our city’s green spaces by picking up litter in their schoolyard, neighbourhood park, or local community. Register your school today and celebrate Earth Day by joining over 500 schools that are helping to keep our City clean and green! You'll be amazed at what we can accomplish in as little as 20 minutes! (Note: Schools may opt to do their clean-up event at any time). Parents are always welcome to participate with the school. Families can also join Toronto’s annual spring cleanup events on Saturday, April 27th and Sunday, April 28th. How Schools register: Complete the School Clean-Up Day Form by April 3rd. Come on Ward 8 - let's do this!
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Worth Repeating - School Council PD
The TDSB Parent and Community Engagement Office is hosting three webinars coming soon to help parents/guardians learn more about how school councils work, bylaws, and effectiveness. Click on the links below at the specific times to join in. - Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 7:00 p.m.: School Council Effectiveness This webinar examines how communication, committees and volunteers will connect with your community and will ease your workload.
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School Year Calendar 2018-2019The official school year calendar for the Toronto District School Board runs from September 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019, inclusive.- The last day of class for elementary students is June 27, 2019
- The last day of class for secondary (full-year) students is June 25, 2019
- The last day of class for secondary (semestered) students is June 26, 2019
2018 - 2019 Dates to Remember: Official Holidays and PA Days
Remaining PA Days & Statutory Holidays
- Good Friday April 19, 2019
- Easter Monday April 22, 2019
- Victoria Day May 20, 2019
- Elementary School PA Day June 7, 2019
- Secondary School PA Day (Full Year Schools only)* June 26, 2019
- Secondary School PA Day June 27, 2019
- Board-wide PA Day June 28, 2019
- Passover 2019 will begin in the evening of Friday, April 19 and ends in the evening of Saturday, April 27 (first 2 and last 2 days are considered holy)
- Ramadan 2019 will begin in the evening of Sunday, May 5 and ends in the evening of Tuesday, June 4 (Dates may vary)
- Eid al-Fitr celebrated at the end of Ramadan will begin on Tuesday, June 4
EQAO - The following dates have been established:
- Gr. 9 Math: 2nd Semester: June 5-18, 2019
- Primary/Junior EQAO: May 21-June 3, 2019
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