As we approach the end of another school year, I wanted to take a moment to share with you a final newsletter before summer break. I have been the Trustee for Humber River-Black Creek for over 6 months already and it continues to be a privilege and a pleasure to do this work at the TDSB for our community.
I will be attending graduations over the next few weeks and hope to see some of you there! June is also one of the busiest months for celebration for the TDSB. We celebrate Pride, National Indigenous History Month, Italian Heritage and Portuguese-speaking Heritage month.
Finally, I wanted to share we have now formally approved the expansion of the Secondary Arts programs for the 2024-25 school year. These new Central Student Interest Programs create new opportunities, making it easier for students to access arts programs across the city, including our very own Westview Centennial Secondary School.
The program will focus on various forms of arts that may include dance, visual arts, drama, film and music. The new programs will be centred around student interest and voice, inclusive curriculum, and focus on the creative process. There will be robust integration of digital media and digital arts production in each program.
Sincerely,
Matias de Dovitiis
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Christie Pits Riot 90th Anniversary Commemorative Baseball Game
You are invited to join us for a free baseball game featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Club this Sunday, June 4, 2023. A special commemorative program will begin at 1:30 p.m. followed by the game at 2 p.m. This event is one of several initiatives organized by the TDSB’s Jewish Heritage Month Committee and Italian Heritage Month Committee to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Christie Pits Riot. To learn more, please click here.
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School Year Calendar
It’s June and the end of the school year is near! But please mark your calendars - the first day of school for the 2023-2024 School Year will be Tuesday, September 5, 2023! For a full list of key dates for the upcoming school year, please visit the TDSB’s School Year Calendar web page.
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Summer Learning Programs – Inspired to Excel
The TDSB is thrilled to offer summer learning programs to provide students and families with rich Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogical (CRRP) programming alongside strong literacy and numeracy practices. Students enrolled in our Pre-Kindergarten Inspired to Excel summer programs participate in virtual African Drumming, Storytelling, Spoken Word, Visual Arts and/or Reggaecise activities with community-based arts educators. Students are encouraged to engage in activities that reinforce positive racial identity, honour the lived experiences of learners and explore methods of creative expression. Register your child in the Africentric Pre-Kindergarten Summer Learning Program or the Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pre-Kindergarten Summer Learning Program.
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National Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month, and June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is time to celebrate and learn from First Nations, Métis and Inuit people about the diverse cultures, histories, experiences, creations, perspectives, and achievements. All month long, the Urban Indigenous Education Centre is hosting several events and celebrations with David A. Robertson, Tasha Spillett, Elder Albert McLeod, along with Two-Spirit & Indigiqueer Pride launched by Elder Blu Water. I encourage you to get involved and learn more here.
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Italian Heritage Month
Italian Heritage Month is proudly recognized during the month of June at the TDSB since May 2012. The Province of Ontario also marks Italian Heritage Month since 2010 because the Italian Heritage Month Act was passed. Did you know that this year marks the 90th anniversary of the Christie Pits riot that took place in Toronto in August 1933? To commemorate this dark moment in Toronto’s history, the TDSB’s Jewish Heritage Committee in collaboration with the Italian Heritage Committee are offering TDSB students a chance to learn about the largest race riot in Canadian history. Click here to learn more.
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Portuguese- Speaking Heritage Month
Portuguese- Speaking Heritage Month is proudly recognized during the month of June at the TDSB and has been since 2011. The Province of Ontario passed the Celebration of Portuguese Heritage Act in 2001. This year, the theme for Portuguese-speaking Heritage Month is “Alegria / Joy!” The contributions of the Portuguese-speaking community to Canada are significant as they include the arts, sports, music, culinary arts, and many professional contributions to education and medicine. To join us in celebrating Portuguese-speaking Heritage Month, find more information here.
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June is Pride Month
We are celebrating Pride month in June! The TDSB marks Pride Month across all TDSB schools and sites. Pride Month is a time to celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and reflect on the important work that must continue to make our schools and workplaces more inclusive, welcoming and affirming for all. Learn more on the TDSB Pride webpage.
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Steps to Address Your Questions and Concerns
Here at the TDSB, we are always open to hearing your questions and concerns, and make every effort to address them as quickly as possible. Your child's classroom teacher is the first point of contact, followed by the school's principal, the school superintendent, and me, your Trustee! For more information, visit www.tdsb.on.ca/Contact-Us/Steps-to-Address-Questions-Concerns.
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TDSB Backpacks & School Supplies Drive
We know that backpacks and school supplies can be expensive and represent a difficult purchase for some students and families. I encourage you to participate in TDSB’s Backpack & School Supplies Drive. The drive will run until the end of September. We are accepting donations of new products, including backpacks (gender neutral coloured with no commercial logos preferred), lunch bags, crayons, calculators, notebooks and basic school supplies. If you are interested in supporting this great cause for TDSB students, please complete an online donation form. For more information contact BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca.
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Join the conversations happening on TDSB's social media communities. You'll find the most up-to-date information about us on our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.
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