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| | Message from Trustee Gough
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| Dear :
This week is significant for two reasons: it's Education Week and Children's Mental Health Awareness Week. Activities are taking place across Etobicoke-Lakeshore on a theme of "Achieving Excellence: Promoting Well-Being". I've been sharing special events at our local public schools on Twitter so follow me at @pamelagough for news and pictures of some of the amazing open houses and performances at our public schools.
Children's Mental Health Awareness Week increases awareness of mental health and well-being, to reduces stigma as well as promote understanding. This year, the TDSB is focusing attention on the theme of "Belonging" which is so important for children and youth as one of their major developmental tasks is identity formation. Many schools are showcasing the ways students help others to belong.
With spring here, our local Safe Routes to School committee is ramping up activities related to school traffic and student pedestrian/cycling safety. Your school can apply for free bicycle helmets through the Trial Lawyers of Ontario Helmets on Kids Community Partnership campaign. Helmet use is key to brain injury prevention. Wearing a bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of a brain injury by 88%. Find out more about how your school can get free helmets here. Don't forget Bike to School Week starts May 30!
Did you know that the installation of speed bumps near schools is associated with a 40% decrease in collision rates in children? Strategies for school traffic safety and our local active transportation pilot projects will be the topic of an interactive panel discussion at my ward council meeting next Tuesday at Karen Kain School of the Arts, 7pm (see below). All welcome. Hope to see you there!
In this issue:
Local Education News and Updates -
Ward Council: Ecoschools and Active Transportation! May 10 2016 -
Association for Bright Children conference May 7 2016 -
School travel planning webinar May 12 2016 -
Canada Walks infographic on school traffic safety in Toronto -
Parent conference on STEM education May 14 2016 -
Parents Reaching Out grant applications deadline May 29 2016 -
Bike to School Week May 30- June 3 2016 -
TDSB summer school e-learning now open -
TDSB summer music camps -
Karen Kain School of the Arts offering arts-based summer courses
News and Updates from TDSB's Education Centre -
Learning Centres: TDSB reorganization update -
Special Education Advisory Committee news: workshops on special education -
School year calendar -
5K fun run/walk June 4 2016
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Local Education News and Updates
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| Ward Council: Ecoschools and Active Transportation! May 10 2016
Join me at Karen Kain School of the Arts (KKSA) to hear the latest on school-based environmental sustainability. KKSA is a Platinum Ecoschool where the entire curriculum is taught through an arts-based lens. The meeting will feature: -
KKSA staff and students describing their school's creative approach to sustainability -
guest speaker Richard Christie, TDSB's own "Mr. Ecoschools" -
panel discussion of school council members and staff on Safe Routes to Schools pilot projects
For those bringing children 4-10 years of age, Chef Sarah will be running a fun and free pizza-making workshop. All welcome, door prizes and refreshments provided. Please register in advance by emailing Elizabeth Betowski at elizabeth@terradom.ca.
Where: Karen Kain School of the Arts, 60 Berl Ave. (Queensway and Royal York area)
When: Tuesday May 10, 7-8:30 pm.
Association for Bright Children conference May 7 2016
ABC, an advocacy group for bright and gifted children, is having their annual conference in Toronto this weekend. Speakers include a number of noted researchers on topics such as twice-exceptional children, the problems of perfectionism, fulfilling the potential of bright children, and understanding giftedness. More information and registration here.
School travel planning webinar May 12 2016
CANADA WALKS presents a walk-through of the updated School Travel Guide and Toolkit and an overview of recent research on reducing pedestrian collisions and increasing active school transportation, 12 May, noon-1:30 p.m. Free. Jacky Kennedy, Director of Canada Walks, and Dr. Linda Rothman, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Faculty of Health, School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, will present. Space is limited. Register here.
Canada Walks infographic on school traffic safety in Toronto
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| Parent conference on STEM education May 14 2016
STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathmatics) is the theme of this free parent conference happening at Richview Collegiate (Islington and Eglinton) in Etobicoke. The focus is broadening understanding of STEM education. The day will feature keynote speakers, hands-on workshops, a Kidzone, panel discussions and more. RSVP by May 1. Register here.
Parents Reaching Out grant applications deadline May 29 2016
Each year, the Ontario Ministry of Education offers school councils the opportunity to apply for up to $1000 in order to support them in overcoming barriers to parent engagement, recognizing that parents are important partners in education. Find out more here and apply by May 29 to ensure your school doesn't miss out on this opportunity to increase funds for parent involvement.
Bike to School week May 30 - June 3 2016
The TDSB has officially declared May 30 - June 3 2016 to be Bike to School Week. Bike to School Week is part of the Bike Month celebration that is supported across the GTHA by Metrolinx. Last year, over 11,000 TDSB students in 65 TDSB schools participated. Schools can sign up here to register and those who do so early can receive free education kits including helmets and bells as well as sticker, trip tracking tools, and posters.
TDSB summer school e-learning now open
TDSB secondary level e-summer school is available to all Ontario residents aged 14-20. Dozens of free high school credit courses are offered during July and August. Registration is now open. More information here.
TDSB summer music camps
TDSB summer music camps offer students in Gr. 5-9 instrumental music opportunities in a residential camp located in a beautiful outdoor education centre near Orangeville. Three camp sessions are held each summer, each offering students a complete orchestral experience, exploring all the genres from classics to pop. Students also receive master class and small ensemble instruction. The instructors are outstanding TDSB music teachers. The Associate Camp Director is our own Mr. Samotowka, known to many schools in Etobicoke-Lakeshore for his inspired music teaching. More information is here.
Karen Kain School of the Arts offering arts-based summer courses
KKSA is hosting summer school for Gr. 7 and 8 for the first time this year, offering literacy-based program with arts integrated throughout. Drama, dance, media and visual arts workshops are part of the learning experience. More information is here.
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News and Updates from TDSB's Education Centre
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| Learning Centres: TDSB reorganization update
In support of the TDSB’s four new Learning Centres, Director John Malloy has announced changes to the portfolios of the board’s three Associate Directors as well as the new Senior Team responsibilities (effective July 1, 2016). Geographic boundaries have also been established for the Learning Centres, which will be operational for the 2016-17 school year.
The creation of Learning Centres is one of the key elements of the TDSB strategy to improve the effectiveness of our schools, make us more responsive to the needs of our communities, and increase student achievement and well-being. Learning Centres will be closely connected to the schools they support and will directly serve the needs of school staff, students and parent/guardians.Through the Learning Centres, our goal is to be more responsive, leading to improved engagement with our students, staff, parents and communities and improved student achievement and well-being. We will engage our communities throughout the implementation of the learning centre strategy and look forward to receiving feedback on how we are fulfilling these goals. For more information about the creation of Learning Centres, visit www.tdsb.on.ca/learningcentres.
Special Education Advisory Committee news: workshops on special education
This link gives access to seven workshops from the Keys to Special Education Conference, featuring: -
Keynote presentation: what’s new in Special Education from the Ministry of Education -
Effective advocacy and collaboration: Information for parents on how to advocate effectively and work collaboratively with teachers and other school staff -
Identifying potential and programming effectively -
Therapy at home and school: Developing a single plan of care that supports student success in school and at home -
Accessibility issues at school -
Implementing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for successful communication -
Developing effective Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
Handouts for the sessions are available at http://education.easterseals.org/keys-to-special-education-conference-handouts/. Many thanks to Easter Seals for this information.
School year calendar
The 2016-2017 school year at the TDSB begins on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 following the Labour Day long weekend. For more information about important dates and holidays for the upcoming school year, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/AboutUs/Calendar/SchoolYearCalendar20162017
5K fun run/walk June 4 2016
On Saturday, June 4, 2016 the Health and Physical Education Department is hosting a celebration of healthy active living. Students, staff, parents/guardians and community members are invited to come to Downsview Park for the TDSB Healthy Schools 5k Run/Walk.
The run/walk will consist of a 5k loop and participants will have the option of finishing after 2.5k. Elementary schools will participate at 10 a.m. and secondary schools will begin at 11 a.m. This day will also include a full program of activities and performances for participants from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration is required. More details are here.
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| Lambton-Kingsway JMS Springfest May 7 2016
Come out to the Lambton-Kingsway JMS Springfest Fun Fair. BBQ, games, silent auction and prizes! Details at www.lksparentcouncil.com
Where: 525 Prince Edward Drive (Prince Edward/Dundas area)
When: Saturday, May 7, 10 am - 2 pm
ESA Community Yard Sale May 28 2016
Etobicoke School of the Arts is hosting its first Community Yard Sale. All proceeds go to support the arts programs at the school. If you would like to clear out your good but extraneous stuff (home decor items, furniture, linens, dishes, sport equipment, toys etc) please price them and drop them off at the south entrance between 8-9 am and 3-6 pm from Tuesday May 24 to Friday May 27 or before 7:30 am on the day of the sale. More details here.
Where: Etobicoke School of the Arts parking lot (indoors if raining)
When: Saturday, May 28, 9 am- 1 pm
Bellapalooza May 28 2016
James S. Bell Jr. Middle Sports & Wellness Academy is hosting its 9th annual Bellapalooza fun fair!
This event has fun and games for the whole family. Come enjoy the BBQ, bake sale cafe, carnival games, jousting court, bouncy castles, yard sale, silent auction, raffle, car wash, live music and more! Community yard sale tables are still available for $25--email jsb.schoolcouncil@hotmail.com.
Where: 90 Thirty-First Street (Lakeshore Blvd. West/Thirty-First Street)
When: Saturday, May 28th from 11am to 3pm. Rain or shine.
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