October 13, 2024

Please join me and our local Family of School (FOS) Superintendents for a joint Ward Forum Meet & Greet – Cassandra Alviani-Alvarez FOS 6, Jane Phillips-Ling (A) FOS 7, John Currie FOS 8 , Jennifer Chan FOS 10, Peter Chang FOS12, Kurt McIntosh FOS13, Nadira Persaud FOS14 & Jack Nigro, Executive Superintendent of Education for LC1.

October 28, 6:30-8:30 at Davisville Public School, 50 Davisville Avenue (one block east of Davisville Subway)

If you are interested in participating, please Register Online (https://forms.gle/74dLeEmX7TbxV18s8) 

Wednesday October 09, 2024

Categories:NewsNews Releases

The Toronto District School Board has named an Interim Director of Education to replace outgoing Director Colleen Russell-Rawlins, who is retiring from the TDSB.

During a Regular Board Meeting today, Trustees unanimously approved the appointment of Stacey Zucker, who is currently the TDSB’s Associate Director, Modernization and Strategic Resource Alignment — a position she has held since August 2022. In this role, she oversees complex, multi-disciplinary portfolios, including finance, facilities and capital management, information technology and transportation.

With more than 20 years of experience in education, Stacey previously served as Associate Director of Support Services at the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board and worked with the Halton Catholic District School Board.

The Board, through the Director of Education Search Committee, has started the search process for a permanent Director of Education. Stacey is to serve in this role for approximately three months at which time it is anticipated that a permanent Director will be named.

Quick Facts

A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Stacey Zucker also holds an Ontario Public Supervisory Officers’ Certificate.

Her new role will be effective November 1, 2024. Until that time, she is currently serving as the TDSB’s Acting Director of Education.

“Given her significant experience in education and her current work managing large-scale projects and collaboratively leading cross-functional teams, Stacey is the right person for the job. I look forward to working with her over the next few months as we transition to a new permanent Director of Education.”

- Neethan Shan, Acting Chair, TDSB

“I am honoured to step into the role of Interim Director of Education and to continue working alongside our dedicated Trustees, staff, families and communities. Together, we will continue to build on the strong foundation that makes the Toronto District School Board a leader in education where all students have the opportunity to succeed and thrive.”

- Stacey Zucker, Incoming Interim Director of Education, TDSB

Change is our only constant!

Alison Gaymes San Vicente, Family of School 7 Superintendent supporting our schools has accepted the position of Associate Director, Education Services, at the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB). We are thrilled for Alison and wish her all the best.

Jane Phillips-Long, retired Superintendent will be supporting the Family of Schools until a new Superintendent is appointed. Welcome back Jane!

As you are aware, the TDSB is developing a new Personal Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy in response to the January 2024 resolution of the Board and direction from the Ministry of Education outlined in Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 128: The Provincial Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conduct (April 2024).

The pre-consultation phase was completed in July 2024, which led to the draft policy being developed for the consultation phase, which began on Thursday, October 10.

The consultation includes two live public webcasts to provide information and answer questions about the policy, and an opportunity to submit feedback. Additionally, a package, based on the survey questions, will be made available for Trustees to support discussion at Ward Forums. Please visit the Personal Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy website for further details.

Webcast Information

Tuesday, October 22 at 1 p.m.
Register here: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_K_PaT7U4Qjy8qEYID6XN_g

Thursday, October 24 at 6:30 p.m.
Register here: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Z7SvZS7rQo227CaGcIm4rg

Submit written feedback here!

The Toronto District School Board is committed to developing opportunities for our wider school community to connect and engage in conversations about education issues. Meetings will be broadcasted live to the public. Click here at the start time to view - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Live-Webcast-of-Meetings.

To submit a delegation request (written for the Trustees to read or oral to present to Trustees) for a Board Committee (delegations are not accepted for Board meetings), please see here - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Delegations and email delegates@tdsb.on.ca. If your request is approved, further details will be provided to you via email. 

Full Agenda and Reports for meetings are available here - click on the appropriate meeting https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Agenda-Minutes

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 – Governance and Policy Committee Meeting - 4:30pm - Boardroom, 5050 Yonge St - Agenda

Date: November 4, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual or In-person (TDSB Board Office, 5050 Yonge St.)

TDSB’s Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) includes volunteers who advise the TDSB on how to improve special education programs and services. We want your feedback and to learn from your experience.

TDSB SEAC is hosting a Town Hall. This is an opportunity for families who have a child with a disability/special education needs to share their experiences at school.

We will ask you 2 questions:

1. What barriers to learning have you and your child encountered in school?

2. What recommendations do you have to enhance services and experiences for students receiving special education services?

We will use this information to help develop recommendations for the TDSB on how it can better serve these students. The Town Hall is not set up to give you advice on how to navigate TDSB services. Families needing help with this regarding their child’s services should contact their school’s principal and superintendent.

At the Town Hall, you will get up to 5 minutes to share your experiences. If you want to attend in-person or online, please complete this registration form. If instead, you would like to submit a pre-recorded video, your written comments, or even an artistic piece, email it to lianne.dixon@tdsb.on.ca.

At the Town Hall and in any feedback you send in, to respect privacy, please do not use the names of specific staff or schools. SEAC cannot investigate specific problems. We want to learn from your feedback on what system-wide reforms we should recommend to TDSB.

Special Education and Inclusion Website and Resources

In consultation with SEAC special education staff and communications have revamped the website, have built and are building new fact sheets, parent guides and video tutorials, and rewritten FAQs. The parent guides have been translated into several languages and more are coming. A lot of work has been done over the last year and is continuing.

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Learning-Equity-and-Well-Being/Special-Education-and-Inclusion

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Learning-Equity-and-Well-Being/Special-Education-and-Inclusion/Parent-Guides-to-Special-Education-and-Inclusion

The 2024-2025 School Council Innovation Grant (SCIG) is now open for applications, with a deadline of December 1, 2024.

Information sessions will be held on the following dates:

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

School Councils may submit one request for support up to $1,500 to support innovative (the development of new ideas, original and creative in thinking) projects/activities that engages parents/caregivers (in-person, virtual and hybrid) and builds School Councils’ parents/caregivers capability around:

For more information, click here. Questions? shadi.mousavizanjani@tdsb.on.ca

To assist you in preparing your grant application, please visit this link.

I have been asked about the signs appearing on schools. Please know we are required to post them - Ontario Builds signage requirements detailed in 2024: SB04. The signage is required for new-build, infrastructure projects, with all related costs incurred by the school board as a capital expense. 

Currently, the signs are costing approximately $100 each as TDSB staff are able to install them (as opposed to $1000 each if a third-party needed too. The hours of work performed by TDSB staff are charged back to the project. We have installed approximately 260 signs to date but additional signs will be installed on other schools as more renewal projects are initiated. Signage is required for projects over $250,000 or more than 90 days duration.

As you navigate the following web pages you will find answers to a number of questions you may have about Grade 9 in the TDSB, including course types, and earning a secondary school diploma. We have also provided links to some of our other helpful websites for additional information you may be curious about. As well, you will be introduced to myBlueprint (a web-based planning tool), designed to assist in the educational planning that is required to make informed decisions about your Grade 9 course selections.

The Choices for 9: Interactive Guide student video will help you navigate the Beyond 8 webpages. Together with your parents/guardians/caregivers and teachers, you can use the Choices: Planning for Grade 9 digital magazine and the Choices: Secondary Program Guide to help you make important career life decisions.

Within our site, there are embedded video clips presented by some of our TDSB students that will further help to describe the information you need to prepare for Secondary School.

Your Grade 8 Transition Year-at-a-Glance (dates are subject to approval):

To help you make an informed decision when choosing a school, TDSB schools will host in-person open houses and information sessions for parents/guardians and students between November and January. Learn everything you need to know about our incredible variety of schools, programs and courses. If you have questions about a specific school or open house, please contact the school directly for more information.

Note: Please check this page regularly, as secondary schools will continue to post information about open house dates/times.

To locate your designated elementary home school by address, please Find Your School - By Address. Schools that offer Central Student Interest Programs and local programs will host open houses and information sessions for parents/guardians and students between November and February. Learn everything you need to know about our incredible variety of schools and programs. If you have questions about a specific school, please visit the school’s website or contact the school directly for more information.

Note: Please check this page regularly, as elementary schools will continue to post information about open house dates/times.

Further to the message shared on October 1, 2024 from the Minister of Education with regard to safe and inclusive schools, senior staff provided additional information on the Ministry’s direction to all TDSB school staff. 

The Minister stated: “While everyone is entitled to their own political opinions, they are not entitled to disseminate political biases into our classrooms.” Accordingly, staff need to consider this Ministry direction while they communicate whether in-person or electronically, including email and social media. It is critical that we maintain our focus on creating welcoming and inclusive learning and working environments for all. 

While we recognize that many hold deeply personal opinions on a variety of issues, the ability to express them at work is not unlimited. Members of the Ontario College of Teachers are also reminded of their professional obligations including for example Maintaining Professionalism – Use of Electronic Communication and Social Media - Updated - Professional Advisory https://www.oct.ca/resources/advisories/use-of-electronic-communication-and-social-media.

Educators are further asked to review classroom environments with this direction.

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is committed to open and inclusive policy decision-making and values community input and participation through consultation. Consultation is a two-way communication process between the Board and external participants, including students and their parents/guardians, school councils, advisory committees, community members, different levels of government, service agencies, professional organizations and union partners. The objective of consultation is to gather public input regarding options, alternative courses of action, as well as to identify unintended effects for various participants and to find solutions. 

Personal Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy - NEW

Objective - To outline requirements for the appropriate use of Personal Mobile Devices by students, staff and other members of the TDSB School Community at schools; to advance a conducive learning environment and promote responsible Digital Citizenship; and to reduce negative impacts of excessive screen time and social media use on students’ achievement, well-being, and mental health.  

Draft New Policy [docx] Draft New Policy [pdf]

Please provide your questions, comments and suggestions related to the draft Policy to: mobiledevicepolicy@tdsb.on.ca by December 10, 2024.

The TDSB’s Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Strategy asks educators and students to notice, name and interrupt incidents of racism and hate and to work together through student voice, leadership and professional learning to promote peace, justice, and equity. The TDSB expects that all students, staff, and communities will be treated with dignity and respect so that we may learn and work in environments free from discrimination, in accordance with the Human Rights Policy (P031). Hate has no place in our schools.

As I repeat in every update, the TDSB collects data through the Bias and Hate (RBH) Portal, and the increase in antisemitic incidents is also being experienced in our schools - on my website I have excerpted from all our public reports on the data - TDSB Public Reports with RBH Portal Data 2018-2023. Principals and Superintendents are being reminded of their responsibilities in documenting incidents and educating against them. All students and staff - all students and staff - must be safe in our schools and free from discrimination, harassment and hate. 

You can read more on TDSB's Combating Hate and Racism Strategy on our website. It is important that there is accurate information about Board updates and decisions as they relate to combating hate and racism. Questions and Answers have been prepared to provide additional information - should you have any additional questions, please email me. 

If you are a staff or a student or a parent/caregiver, and you are a victim of/or witnessing an incident of racism, bias, or hate in our schools, please report it to the school's principal, who has a duty to investigate all incidents. Each time an incident takes place in a school, it is to be recorded in the portal I previously referenced which then begins a system response. We have a responsibility to educate against hate. For more information, please visit the webpage for Reporting an Incident of Hate or Discrimination Involving or Impacting Students. If you experience it, or witness it, report it. Please. If you are concerned your complaint is not being taken seriously after you follow the Parent Concern Protocol, please let me know.

For incidents involving and impacting students, the following procedures can apply: Reporting and Responding to Racism and Hate Incidents Involving or Impacting Students in Schools, PR728 Parent Concern Protocol, PR505 Caring and Safe Schools related procedures

For employee complaints, the following procedures can apply: Workplace Harassment Prevention and Human Rights, PR515 (for employee conduct alleged to be a human rights violation or Code-based workplace harassment) Non-Code Based Workplace Harassment, PR740

In some circumstances an incident entered into the RBH portal may be a breach of the Criminal Code through the incitement of hate; in which case, the incident must also be reported to the police in accordance with PR728.

Complaints regarding social media postings should be sent directly to the TDSB's Human Rights Office at humanrightsoffice@tdsb.on.ca. The intake process is being centralized in the Human Rights Office to ensure for consistency of process.

If you witness something inside the community, report any allegations of hate-motivated crimes to police for investigation at 416-808-2222 or 9-1-1 in an emergency. The Police state they will not tolerate any intimidation, harassment, or hate-motivated behaviour aimed at specific communities. You can also call 1-800-222-TIPS to Crime Stoppers anonymously.

Please remember TDSB's Mental Health and Well Being Professional Support Staff (PSS) are here to support your mental health and well-being and to help you navigate the tools and resources you may need. Please see resources on their website.

As you may be aware, during the school year, school staff participate in a number of Professional Activity (PA) Days. On these dates, students remain at home and schools are open for staff to engage in professional learning. As per Ministry requirements, detailed information about planned activities will be posted to the TDSB public website at least 14 days in advance of each scheduled PA Day during the 2024-25 school year. I encourage you to visit the PA Day web page to learn more and check back throughout the school year. 

Note: the next PA Day for the 2024-25 school year is November 15, 2024 for both elementary and secondary students.

Please ensure you check for Days of Significance before scheduling student and community events - as the TDSB is currently reviewing ours - for 2024-25, the TDSB will only publish a Faith/Creed-Based Holy Days Calendar and an Indigenous Days of Significance Calendar. For now, please check the Multi-Faith calendar available online https://multifaithcalendar.org/cal/index.php.

I have been communicating issues we have been having with dogs on school property with every update. Now, as part of our ongoing efforts to maintain a safe and welcoming environment on TDSB properties, we would like to update you on the policies and new reporting procedures related to dogs on school grounds.

The TDSB enforces a strict policy regarding dogs on its properties. Dogs are generally not permitted on TDSB grounds, with the exception of service animals as defined by the Student Use of Service Animals in Schools Policy (P096) and the Use of Service Animals by the General Public Procedure (PR604). These guidelines are in place to ensure proper management and support for service animals within our schools.

New Reporting Process for Dogs Off-Leash

To effectively address incidents of dogs being off-leash on school properties, a new reporting process has been established through the City of Toronto’s 311 service. Community members can report such incidents either by phone or online:

Phone Reporting: Call 311 to report dogs off-leash on school property

Online Reporting: Visit the City of Toronto Service Request or Feedback webpage.

Online Interpreter Training Program

TDSB is offering the opportunity to 85 TDSB parents/caregivers to receive online interpreter training in TDSB's most requested languages! Are you a parent/caregiver with a child registered in the TDSB who:

Ensuring equitable engagement opportunities for our multi-lingual parents/caregivers, while maximizing their language assets, will enable the TDSB to improve communication between parents/caregivers and the school/Board.

If interested, please join on October 21, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.  See attached for more details. 

Early French Immersion (Junior Kindergarten Entry) Application Opens November 4
If your family is interested in the Toronto District School Board's Early French Immersion Program (begins in Junior Kindergarten), we are pleased to offer an online process to apply. Applications for September 2025 must be completed online by November 29, 2024. Families with an older sibling currently in an Early French Immersion program must complete an online application for the new student. Visit the Early French Immersion page for more information.

Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement Webinar Wednesdays  Parents, caregivers and stakeholders of Black students are encouraged to join a discussion on October 30 at 6:30 p.m. about the TDSB’s Cell Phone/ Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy. The session will be led by Claudine Tyrell, Principal of Humberside CI and TDSB Cell Phone Policy Working Group member and supported by Graduation Coaches for Black Students and K-12 Learning Coaches. Register here.  

Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) Conference
I am happy to inform you of the YPAR Conference: It Takes a Village: Nurturing and Celebrating Black Youth Identity in K-12 Schools and Community on Saturday, October 26 at Toronto Metropolitan University. The conference will include research presentations that focus on themes such as Black student experiences in K-12 education, transforming student learning and more! Learn more and register here.

Register Now! Parents and Caregivers as Partners Conference 
You are invited to join us for the Parents and Caregivers as Partners Conference on Saturday, November 16, 2024. This year’s conference theme is Journey to Joy, Wellness, and Wholeness and will be a day full of presentations and workshops. Visit www.parentsaspartners.ca for more information and to register to attend.  

John Wanless School Council is thrilled to invite parents to a special presentation by Paul Davis on October 15th, 2024.

Paul Davis brings over 30 years of IT knowledge and expertise to his speaking engagements focusing on Social Media, Digital Trails, Smartphones, Online Security, Cyberbullying and more.

Paul has presented to over 895,000 students across Canada and the United States. 

Please RSVP for this session by Wednesday, October 9th. Space is limited.

MusiCounts School Music Funding Programs

School Music Grant Funding window is OPEN! Grants of up to $20,000 are available for instruments, equipment, and resources to ensure that students have access to music education. Application deadline: December 3, Learn more about the 2024 MusiCounts School Music Funding Programs https://musicounts.ca/en/posts/74-schools-across-canada-to-receive-1-million-in-music-program-grants-via-national-charity-musicounts/.

Youth Climate Action Grants

Funding applications are now open. The application takes 15 minutes to complete and will close November 12, 2024.

The Youth Climate Action Grants provides funding to TDSB and TCDSB student-led projects, activities and events that: educate and engage students, families and/or community members on climate actions; help Toronto achieve its GHG emissions reduction goals by 2030; align with the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy for net-zero emissions by 2040.

Grant funding up to $1,000 is available. This funding program is a partnership between the City and the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board.

Islamic Heritage Month
At the TDSB, we proudly recognize Islamic Heritage Month during October. This year’s theme is Sabr and Shukr in Muslim Communities. Several educational opportunities and activities are being organized for all TDSB students to further learn about Islamic traditions and customs. To learn more, visit the Islamic Heritage Month webpage. 

Latin-America History Month
We recognize October as Latin-America History Month at the Toronto District School Board. This year’s theme is Weaving Our Legacies: Returning to Our Collective Path | Enlazar Nuestres Legados: Volver a Nuestre Camino Colectivo. Activities are planned throughout the month of October for students, staff, and community members. Please click here to learn more. 

Somali Heritage Month
The TDSB proudly recognizes Somali Heritage Month in October. This year, the theme of Somali Heritage Month is Aqoon la`aani, waa iftiinla’aan - The absence of knowledge is the absence of light. Several educational opportunities are being organized for all TDSB students to further learn about Somali traditions and customs. To learn more, visit the Somali Heritage Month webpage.

Annual EcoSchools Kickoff/OISE Conference Wednesday October 30th, 8am - 3pm @ Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre

This EcoSchools conference kicks off a new year of teaching and learning by bringing TDSB educators and staff together to foster Climate Change Education in K-12 classrooms. Keynote speakers, workshop leaders and local organizations will share a range of inspiring ideas, strategies and resources to involve students in climate change learning that is authentic, interdisciplinary, action-oriented and community-driven. Join us to connect with other educators engaged in CCE to exchange ideas, foster community, and discover hopeful pathways for advancing climate action across all levels of education!

Release is provided for one educator per school - register soon as space is limited and filling up quickly! Open this document for the full description of the keynote and workshops available. Register Now!

Free Computer Workshops offered by TDSB Community Services      Essential Skills Upgrading

Please see information on free computer workshops.

Word and Excel workshops are offered in October.

To register, call 416-396-6368 or email us at upgrading@tdsb.on.ca and include your phone number please

Islamic Heritage Month at the Aga Khan

This October, to mark Islamic Heritage Month, we invite you to explore a range of programs designed to bridge the gap between the past and present, fostering a deeper understanding of Muslim culture and its global impact.

For more details, download an overview of our Education offerings, and contact us with any questions.

City of Toronto PollinateTO Grants for TDSB Schools

The City of Toronto is very excited to announce that PollinateTO grant applications are now open for online submission until October 21, 2024, 11:59 PM.

Grants of up to $5,000 are available to support community-led projects that create or expand pollinator habitat on public and private lands in Toronto. School groups looking to initiate schoolyard greening projects through the creation of pollinator habitat and rain gardens are encouraged to apply.

Learn more about the program, eligibility, past projects and application details at www.toronto.ca/PollinateTO. Important Dates:

TDSB Special Education Department Family Sessions
Drop-In Q & A with Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy Staff

Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Drop-Ins and Q & A with Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy Staff - Receive general OT/PT strategies for your child(ren)
Chat with other parents/caregivers; Ask questions.

If you require translation services or have any questions or concerns, please email:
Learning Centre 1 - Rhanda Craig: rhanda.craig@tdsb.on.ca and Leslie Hopkins: leslie.hopkins@tdsb.on.ca Learning Centre 2 - Anna Lin: anna.lin@tdsb.on.ca and Andrea Wiltsie: andrea.wiltsie@tdsb.on.ca
October 15, 2024
November 19, 2024
December 17, 2024
January 21, 2025
February 18, 2025
March 18, 2025
April 15, 2025
May 20, 2025
June 2025

Get the link here Sensory and Motor team parent/guardian/caregiver VOH flyer

TDSB Speech and Language Pathologists in collaboration with Donna Cardoza invite you to Let's Talk, Read, and Write 
Parents/Caregivers of Grade 1 students, Ontario has a new Language Curriculum.  Come and learn how you can help your child develop early reading, writing and talking skills.  Register for ALL 5 Sessions on Tuesdays from 6:30pm-7:30pm - Register here.

Oct 15 - Let's Read
Oct 29 - Let's Write
Nov 12 - Let's Keep Learning

Continuing Education Programming

Did you know the TDSB offers Continuing Education Programming in our communities?

Explore learning opportunities available for children, families, adults, and visitors at the TDSB this fall:

International Languages Elementary & African Heritage Program, Secondary Credit Night School, Learn4Life - Adult General Interest Programs and Adult ESL.

If you should you ever see any suspicious activity around school buildings after school hours, please contact 311, Toronto Police Services Dispatch at 416-808-2222, or the TDSB’s 24-hour Call Centre at 416-395-4620.

If you or a family member is in crisis, please contact Kids Help Phone:1-800-668-6868 or get support right now by texting CONNECT to 686868.

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