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Hello Ward 7 Families,
Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! I hope you had a wonderful summer break and are feeling refreshed and excited about the year ahead.
This summer, I enjoyed attending professional learning at the Canadian School Board Association conference and graduation celebrations at the Karma Sonam Dargye Ling Summer Language Camp, among other events. And while there were many positive highlights over the break, I also acknowledge those mourning the tragic loss of a young life in our community, I have provided informaton to support those impacted, in the Communuty Safety and Student-Well Being section below.
Looking ahead, I am excited to build on our successes and continue confronting challenges affecting public education and our TDSB schools. I have included a schedule of ward meetings and encourage you to join me and felllow parents and caregivers in discussions on program, policy and community topics. New this year, I am also sending out a short "week-at-a-glance" email to keep you updated on board agenda items and to help faciliate engagement.
As always, I hope the updates and resources included below are helpful to you. I wish everyone a positive start to a successful school year in which your children enjoy a strong sense of belonging, well-being and achievement. You can also read my full back-to-school letter here.
Yours in Community,
Debbie King
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Celebrating Karma Sonam Dargye Ling Summer Language Camp graduation in July
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Celebrating Director Russell-Rawlins at her last board meeting in August
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2024-25 School Year Calendar
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National Day of Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day
Monday, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.
This day is an opportunity for us to publicly recognize and reflect on the intergenerational impact and trauma of the Indian Residential School System, and to deepen our learning and reflect on how we can contribute to meaningful and lasting reconciliation.
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Cell Phone/Mobile Device Use in Schools
Beginning on September 1, 2024, the Ministry of Education has provided new direction around cell phone and mobile device use in all Ontario schools. By reducing the distraction of cell phones and mobile devices, together we can create more focused and engaging learning environments for students.
You may recall that prior to the announcement from the Ministry of Education, TDSB has begun a process of developing a cell phone and mobile device use policy. This past Spring, staff conducted a pre-consultation to gather important input from school and community partners. Staff must also consider legislative requirements, government policy directives, and the Board’s operational requirements.
The pre-consultation process was completed in June 2024. Over the summer, staff prepared a draft policy that will be shared with school communities in upcoming consultations to gather essential feedback and reflect local needs. The proposed policy is informed by a jurisdictional scan of comparable policies, procedures, and best practices in school boards across Canada and internationally.
This new direction will take time to implement in our classrooms. Teachers will be working together with students to determine specific classroom practices and make sure that expectations are clear about how to make this the best possible learning environment for everyone. While cell phones will not be permitted - how that is done from classroom to classroom may look different. For example - one teacher may ask for them to remain out of sight and in your knapsack, while another may have a large bin at the front where they’ll be placed during the class. We want classes and schools to do what works best for them and their students, while remaining consistent with the provincial direction.
The direction around cell phone and mobile device use will also support the achievement and mental health of all students. I was pleased to see Principal Tyrell of Humberside CI underscore the importance of family and student support in enforcing the cellphone ban, in a recent CBC article. Her focus on promoting peer engagement and student well-being highlights the critical balance needed in our classrooms,
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Class Organization
Upon return to school, some families may be wondering "why is my child's class so large and will it be fixed?"
In late spring of every year, the TDSB plans for the number of students expected to attend school the following September. We then allocate the number of teachers required for each school and class, based on projected enrollment. The number of teachers required in each school and class is primarily determined by class size limits as per Regulations in the Education Act or through Collective Agreements.
JK/SK - the average class size in each school year shall not exceed 26; the limit is 29. However, in each school year, 10% or fewer of the classes may have a size that is greater than the limit, but that does not exceed 32 students.
Grade 1-3 – There is a class size cap of 20, however, 10% of these classes can have up to 23 students.
Grades 4-8 – The average size in each school year shall not exceed 24.5; there is no maximum class size.
Grades 9-12 – Secondary school class caps are specified in the Workload Accord negotiated between the Board and OSSTF District 12. Class caps vary based on the course type (i.e., Academic, Tech, College, Workplace, Special Education, etc.). These class caps must be honoured before the end of October.
Once the school year begins, schools track an accurate count of their enrolment (students who are registered at the school and are attending). Class sizes can either be larger than average or smaller than average at the beginning of each new school year, as planning is done six months in advance. In some exceptional cases where planning numbers were significantly different than registrations, verified before the start of the year in a specific school, an additional teacher can be added to the school before the beginning of the school year. However, the system as a whole reorganizes in September.
As the school year starts, if your child is in a large class, please know that in September, as noted, schools review the actual number of students attending schools and in each class, and the number of teachers who were allocated to each school. This year, the count date is during the third week of September - after this date schools will be provided with an understanding of system reorganization and will inform affected classes as soon as possible.
Balancing the teacher-pupil ratio is absolutely necessary to ensure more equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. The TDSB will make every effort to better balance our schools with as little disruption to your child’s learning as possible. However, for some students this may mean being assigned to a new teacher, a different class or, in some cases, in elementary school, a mixed grade. The same care will be taken in placing students in classes to build the best possible classroom community during reorganization as it was initially during the placement process.
Please speak with your teacher or Principal if you have questions or concerns related to your child's learning and well-being.
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Back to School on the TTC
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Pedestrian Safety Tips
As we enter a new school year, families are encouraged to teach children of all ages the rules of the road. Children under ten should be accompanied by adults or older children when crossing the street, as their judgment and perceptual skills are still immature. By starting to learn the rules of road at a young age, by age ten when a child can act independently, these rules will be second nature. Visit the City’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan webpage to learn more.
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West Parkdale Cycling Connections
Installation of the City Council-approved bikeways began in August. Families in the Fern, Garden and Parkdale elementary school communities are reminded about roadway changes in your areas. Following installation, the City will continue to gather feedback from communities, should there be any concerns, and will consider further changes as necessary. I also continue to be in contact with the project team and Councillor's office for updates. Learn more at toronto.ca/westparkdalecycling
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New Family of Schools and School Superintendents in Ward 7
A new Family of Schools configuration has been implemented across the TDSB, to support achievement of the renewed Multi-Year Strategic Plan. The concept of a Family of Schools refers to an organizational structure where schools are grouped based on specific criteria. This approach is designed to foster deeper collaboration, create a more cohesive educational environment, where best practices are shared, resources are streamlined, school community connections for students and staff are enhanced. While this is largely an internal change, it does affect Superintendent assignments. Each of our Ward 7 schools has a new Superindent (per below). I have met with all three Superintendents and look forward to introducing them at our October ward meeting.
(pictured left to right)
Superintendent Gaymes San Vincente oversees: (FOS07)
- Humbercrest PS
- King George JS
- Mountview Alternative
- Runnymede Collegiate
- THESTUDENTSCHOOL
- Ursula Franklin Academy
- Warren Park JS
- Western Technical-Commercial School
Superintendent Altosaar oversees: (FOS09)
- Dr. Rita Cox - Kina Minagok PS
- Fern PS
- Garden JS
- Howard JS
- Parkdale PS
- Parkdale Collegiate
Superintendent Currie oversees: (FOS08)
- Annette PS
- High Park Alternative
- Humberside Collegiate
- Indian Road Crescent JS
- Keele Street PS
- Lucy McCormick Senior
- Runnymede PS
- Swansea PS
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Collaborative Approach to School and Community Safety
(Content Warning: relates to an incident of violence and loss of life)
As you may know, the Parkdale community experienced a tragic loss this summer, with the sudden death of a 16-year-old who was to begin grade 12 this year. I am deeply saddened by this tragedy and share my condolences wiith his family, friends and school community.
The local schools have issued community letters with resources to support families, and have social work support in place to support students. Please reach out to your school principal if you would like more information. We also encourage you to visit the City of Toronto’s Crisis Response Program webpage for more information about community agencies and supports available to you. Additonally, a group of local parents invite families to join them at a community-organized healing event on September 21 (see flyer at bottom of newsletter).
Like many of you, I am also concerned about social conditions underpinning the level of violence across the city, and want to provide the following updates regarding TDSB's collaborative appraoch to school and community safety across the system and in Parkdale—High Park.
Prior to the start of school this year, school leaders across TDSB attended a meeting with City of Toronto, Toronto Transit Commission and Toronto Police Services for updates on trends and activities happening across the city, available resources, and local police division contacts. This will support staff in being proactive and responsive to emerging safety issues. All schools will continue to uphold Caring and Safe School policies and procedures and you are encouraged to reach out to your school principal with any questions.
The Parkdale community is also supported by a Parkdale Safety Table, which was created as part of our Collaborative Approach to School and Community Safety, in 2023. Principals at DRCKM, Parkdale PS and PCI have made connections with local agencies and can share more with you about youth programs, volunteer opportunties, employment, and other resources available to engage and support local students and families.
And finally, together with fellow TDSB Trustees, I continue to advocate for support from various levels of government to address the root causes of youth and community violence and provide safe learning environments. Unfortunately, funding previously provided to TDSB from the Ministry of Eduation to support youth programming with community partners has not been renewed for the 2024-25 school year. TDSB is continuing to explore opportunities for enhanced community partnerships which will allow for this desperately needed programming to continue.
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Ward 7 Council and Community Meetings
Our Ward 7 meetings are a great opportunity to learn about, discuss, and collaborate on board and community matters, to support student achivement and well-being.
What to Expect:
- Meeting agendas will include parent rep updates, trustee updates, and various topics of discussion, supported by staff and guests.
- In-person meetings will be conveniently located and include dinner, child care, and language interpretation as requested.
- All Ward 7 school council representatives and families are welcome to join and participate respectfully.
- Flyers and sign-up links will be provided leading up to each meeting.
- Additional Ward Forums and Community Meetings will be planned as needed.
Tentative Schedule:
- Thu Oct 24 (6-8pm in person meet and greet)
- Thu Nov 28 (6-8pm hybrid)
- Thu Jan 23 (6-8pm online)
- Thu Feb 20 (6-8pm online)
- Thu Apr 10 (6-8pm hybrid)
- Thu May 22 (6-8pm hybrid)
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Board and Advisory Committee Meetings
Trustees and staff returned to the boardroom for the first Regular Board Meeting of the school year in August. The next Regular Board Meeting is Wednesday, October 9 @ 7pm.
The September cycle of standing commitee meeting dates are:
- Wed Sep 11: Governance and Policy
- Wed Sep 18: Finance, Budget and Enrollment
- Wed Sep 25: Programs and School Services
- Tue Oct 1: Planning and Priorities
- Wed Oct 9: Regular Board Meeting
New this year, I am sending a short "week-at-a-glance" email to keep you updated on board agenda items and to help faciliate engagement.
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