Ward 12 newletter header
REMEMBRANCE DAY 
November 11th
REMEMBRANCE DAY: November 11th
I will be attending the North York Remembrance Day Ceremony on behalf of the TDSB on November 11th. 
The Memorial is held at the George Weston Rectical Hall at the Toronto Centre for the Arts 5040 Yonge Street.
It starts at 10:45 am.
If you are interested in attending other locations, click here for the complete list of City of Toronto Services for 2017. 
Remembrance Day Services will also be held at the TDSB on Friday, November 10th so that all of our students can participate. 
The Central Remembrance Day Ceremony will begin at 10:45 am on Friday, November 10, in the Boardroom at 5050 Yonge Street.

TDSB Celebrates Aboriginal Education Month 
The history of Canada begins with Aboriginal peoples. Each year, November is Aboriginal Education Month in all our schools and workplaces across the Toronto District School Board. In recognizing Aboriginal Education Month, we acknowledge the rights of Canada’s Indigenous peoples as the original peoples of this land.

In November, we also honour Aboriginal veterans on Remembrance Day and recognize Louis Riel Day on the 16th. 
This month provides an excellent occasion to increase knowledge and understanding of contemporary Aboriginal realities, as well as to honour the cultures, histories, experiences and achievements of First Nations, Métis, Inuit peoples in Canada within our classrooms and workplaces. 
Aboriginal education is not just for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, but for all TDSB students and staff. When non-Aboriginal people learn about the rich histories, cultures and contemporary contexts of diverse Aboriginal peoples, cross-cultural understanding occurs and a common commitment is formed, leading to equitable and more inclusive learning spaces.

UPDATE on OVERCROWDING 

October 30th, 2017, Earl Haig Secondary School, 7 pm


Notes: I have included a summary of the meeting below.
Overall, the meeting was very well attended and the message was clear as to why we were meeting. There was no firm commitment to implementing changes to the Education Development Charge Regulation 20/98. The Minister stated that she is open to exploring the idea. Which needs to be followed up.  
As the trustee for Willowdale, I will remain in touch with the Ministry and MPP Zimmer to arrange a follow up meeting and further discussions on implementing a plan to tackle overcrowding. At the moment, we have the Ministry's attention on Willowdale schools. Two business cases have been submitted - McKee PS. and Hollywood PS. You can view those business cases here.

Speakers
  • Trustee Alexander Brown
  • Councillor John Filion
  • MPP David Zimmer
  • Minister of Education, Mitzie Hunter
  • Approximately 270 people were in the audience. Several TDSB Trustees also attended: Trustees Cary-Meagher, Laskin, Gershon, Lister, Arp, Wong and Catholic Board Trustees Rizzo and Del Grande.
  • David Zimmer acted as moderator. Three questions were submitted to the Ministry of Education prior to the meeting. The three questions are below. Three more questions were added to the list - but were removed since they did not come from the School Council Chairs in Willowdale. 
*Andrew Gowdy - Manager Planning TDSB was also on hand to answer questions
Welcomes
  • Trustee Brown, MPP Zimmer and Councillor Filion held a meeting last February and committed to speak to Minister Hunter about the issue of overcrowding in Willowdale schools
    TDSB has a 10 year planning document which outlines options to address overcrowding in schools: busing, portables, boundary changes

  • Minister Hunter is open to feedback on use of EDCs as a possible solution

  • This is the second meeting but the first public one

  • Councillor Filion- need to get ahead of the problem and as Willowdale has already surpassed the population growth predicted for 2041

  • Min. Hunter shared some stats: Ministry of Education has invested $300 M for 9 new schools and 17 renovations since 2003; invested $12.5M for new school in Willowdale which is scheduled to open September 2018 (Avondale) and will have space for 875 students

  • Min. Hunter emphasized the importance of renewal and repair – most schools were built in the 1960’s

  • Each year school boards submit proposals for up to 10 capital projects (this is the same number any other school board is permitted to submit even though the TDSB is significantly larger and all submissions must go through an assessment process) Generally, only 2-3 of the 10 projects are approved at the TDSB.
 
Questions:
Question 1: Does the Ministry Support Using Education Development Charges (EDCs) to Solve the Problem of Overcrowding?
Specifically, does the Ministry of Education support implementation of Education Development Charges through a regulatory change that would allow the school board to collect funds to tackle overcrowding in Willowdale schools through new building projects and expansion of existing schools? If the Ministry does not support this recommendation, please explain the reasons for this decision.

Response from Min. Hunter:

  • TDSB has never been eligible to receive EDCs – TDSB has 24% more space than students. The Ministry of Education increased number of proposals boards can submit for capital funding from 8 to 10

Response from Trustee Brown:

  • Suggests to change the regulation to allow boards to collect funds locally (i.e. in areas that are experiencing growth)
  • Toronto has 5 provincially designated growth zones
  • Toronto’s development is vertical and EDCs were designed to support horizontal development.
  • Suggestion to change it so EDCs can be used to expand, rebuild, or maintain schools.

Response from Councillor Filion:

  • Section 37 and development charges generate funds at a City level and that is how the City was able to fund the Avondale Community Centre
  • Willowdale has already exceeded population target for 2041

Response from Min. Hunter:

  • They are always willing to look at EDCs but don’t see that as addressing the immediate needs of this neighbourhood
  • The immediate need will be addressed with the new school build and expansions
  • Need to consider the impact of changing EDCs across all 72 Boards; for example, how it will affect cost and access to housing
  • View EDCs as a "tax"

Question 2: If the Ministry’s Solution is Not to Use the EDCs, then What is the Clear Solution to be Put in Place?
Specifically, keeping in mind that students in Willowdale schools are currently being negatively and inequitably impacted by overcrowding and that intense residential development in the area will continue for at least another decade, does the Ministry of Education have an alternative strategy to tackle overcrowding in schools if the EDC option is not supported?

Response from Min. Hunter:
  • Prioritizing joint use projects e.g with Toronto Catholic District SchooB
Response from Trustee Brown:
  • In the past 20 years, the TDSB sold 86 schools
  • Each school board can submit 10 proposals for capital projects (no guarantee what is going to be funded). Status Quo is not a solution.
Response from Councillor Filion:
  • Province needs to turn off the development tap
  • The OMB approves developments that the City and community don’t want
  • Gave a recent example near Yonge and Sheppard where the OMB set a terrible precedent and basically re-wrote the City’s official plan
Comments from MPP Zimmer:
  • Min. Mauro (Minister of Municipal Affairs) has an OMB reform plan which is expected to be voted on soon in the legislature and there could be a town hall on this proposed reform as early as December in Willowdale
Question 3: What are the Board’s immediate solutions?

  • Andrew Gowdy, System Planning Officer, Strategy and Planning, TDSB- gave  overview of things currently underway – proposals submitted for additions on McKee & Hollywood schools; land by Ikea currently on reserve- would cost between $10-20 M to purchase
  • Taking Direction from the TDSB's Long Term Program and Accomodation Strategy (LTPAS) the board is able to flag issues regarding overcrowding and underutilization throughout the district and actively seek solutions including boundary changes, portables, program changes, busing and applications to the Ministry for expansions and rebuilds.
Question 4: Whichever Solution is Now Put Forward by the Ministry, When and How will it be Implemented Before the Next Election?

In particular, what is the Ministry of Education's timeline to implement a strategy to deal with overcrowding in Willowdale schools - EDC recommendation or alternative strategy - before the next provincial election?

  • OMB reform and roll back as far as possible, expected to be voted on soon.
  • Suggestion not to just worry about the next election, to have a long-term plan in place.
  • Minister Hunter re-iterated the Ministry of Education's commitment to addressing issues of overcrowding in a timely manner and focusing on the immediate needs: capital grants provided to boards each year - up to 10 allowed - Status Quo.
  • The Minister remains "open" to exploring the Education Development Charge Regulation 
  • A commitment to meet with MPP Zimmer and Trustee Brown again to further consider the solutions, in particular the EDC Regulatory change. 

I will follow up with MPP Zimmer and Minister Hunter's office to find a time to sit down and review the EDC regulation and how it would affect all 72 school boards and the communities they serve. The Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA) has been advocating for EDCs on behalf of Ontario school boards. I have attached a link to the OPSBA website
There is more to come... I will keep everyone updated.
Regards,
Alexander

Queen's Park lacks bold ideas for Willowdale Overcrowding: Toronto Trustee






UPDATE on Enhancing Equity Task Force 


A draft report from the Enhancing Equity Task Force was released in September 2017. Since it's release, many parents have voiced concerns about some of the recommendations especially phasing out specialty schools/programs. I want to emphasize that the Draft Report is not a Board Report nor have the draft recommendations been approved by the Board.
The mandate of the Task Force was to bring people together, to share ideas and concerns and explore what’s working, what isn’t and how to improve it for all students. 
The draft report reflects the perspectives of those who came to the meetings and offered their voice and experience. We realize that not everyone could make it to the community meetings and so the Enhancing Equity Task Force is continuing to ask the community for feedback before the Report is presented to the Board in December. You can make comments until November 20th. 
When the draft report comes to the Board it will also include the perspectives of those who comment online using the feedback form (below). I encourage you to add your comments as well.
I want to confirm that the Board is not looking at eliminating specialized schools or programs. Before any decisions are made the Draft Report will be referred to staff for comment and a set of recommendations based on the Task Force recommendations will be brought to Trustees.
I will keep you updated as the process moves along. You can read the report and summary here in it's current form.
Read:
Let us know what you think about the draft recommendations.
What resonates with you? What's missing? What's working? What isn't? Do you share a different perspective? Please take the time to respond by November 20th, 2017.
School Information Nights
To help you make an informed decision when choosing a school, TDSB schools host information nights for parents and students each year between October and January. Learn everything you need to know about our incredible variety of schools, programs and courses. Below are the main ones for Ward 12 - but to see all, please click here
Nov 30
7:00 PM
Nov 06
6:00 PM
Claude Watson grades 9 -12 Program at Earl Haig
Jan 09
7:00 PM
Grade 8 Parent Information Night For the Grade 9 - 12 Collegiate Program

FRENCH IMMERSION INFORMATION EVENINGS

A series of public information evenings will be held across the TDSB to provide parents the opportunity to learn further information about the French Immersion program and the application process, and to ask questions of TDSB staff. You can also join us online at a Virtual Information Evening to learn the information about the program and application process and to ask questions via web chat. 
The information evening at Northview Height SS is close to the Willowdale area - see below. For a full list of all locations click here.

Northview Height SS 
550 Finch Avenue West

November 8, 2017

7:00 pm -8:00 pm

Virtual Information Evening  www.tdsb.on.ca
Wednesday, November 22 from 7:00 pm -8:00 pm  
Please note while admission to the Early French Immersion (SK entry)/Junior Extended French (Grade 4 entry) program is guaranteed at the entry points to all on time applicants, admission to a specific school is not guaranteed if the school reaches capacity and to ensure that we can support all 74 of our SK Immersion sites. Transportation is provided as per the Board's Transportation policy.
For Frequently Asked Questions, click here.
  • Early French Immersion (SK entry) For more info click here
    Application process opens: Monday October 30, 2017
    Deadline for applications: Thursday November 30, 2017


  • Junior Extended French (Grade 4 entry) For more info click here
    Application process opens: Monday January 8, 2018
    Deadline for applications: Thursday February 8, 2018


  • Intermediate Extended French (Grade 7 Entry) For more info click here
    Deadline for applications: TBD February 2018
Online Registration And Early Years Experiences Collection At Kindergarten Registration (EYE@K)
A new Online Registration (OLR) System is being implemented in early 2018. Beginning in February 2018, the option to register online will be available to parents/guardians registering students to begin Kindergarten for the 2018-19 school year. Parents/guardians who choose to use the online registration system will confirm important details (e.g., address) by providing the required documentation at the school to finalize their registration. The new Online Registration System is a two-step process that has the potential to save time and provide greater flexibility for parents/guardians and office staff.
Online Registration will also allow parents/guardians to complete the Ministry’s voluntary questionnaire on their child’s “Early Years Experiences”. This survey of early experiences is based on a recent direction from the Ministry of Education.
For more details and the implementation timeline, please see the information sheet and Kindergarten Registration website.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=2g8hUEvsgis

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Registration now open!
PIAC Parents Make a Difference 2017 Conference 
PIAC's 11th Annual Parent conference is coming to Earl Haig S.S. on Saturday, November 25th. Registration is now open!  
TDSB's Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) invites all TDSB parents/guardians to take part in our conference. Please join us for an opportunity to make connections with other parents/guardians and communities while participating in informative and empowering workshops on a wide range of topics related to parenting, student learning, and school councils. Keynote for the Conference - Dr. Stuart Shanker. Dr. Shanker’s five-step Self-Reg model, The Shanker Method®, is a powerful process for understanding and managing stress in children, youth and adults.
FREE registration includes: light breakfast, lunch, childminding, translation services, transportation, workshops,  keynote address, and information marketplace.

Date: Saturday, November 25, 2017
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Earl Haig Secondary School, 100 Princess Avenue


Child-minding, Interpretation and Busing will be available through online registration only. Workshop Schedule. If you have any questions, please contact conference@torontopiac.com
I have included the winners of the four categories for the 2017/18 Traffic Safety Poster Competition in WIllowdale. I want to thank these students for their efforts. Their posters will be used in schoosl throughout Willowdale schools starting in December. I also want to thank ALL of the students who submitted posters for the contest. The range of creativeity and ideas made it very difficult to choose only one top poster in each grade category. Thank You for all of the great work!
Alexander.
Grades 1-3
TOP POSTER: Alyssa Nae Cresthaven PS - Grade 3
Grades 4/5
TOP POSTER: Natalie Fung,  McKee PS, Grade 5
Grades 6-8
TOP POSTER: Kelly Wu,  Zion Heights Middle School, Grade 8
Grades 9-12
TOP POSTER:
Joseph Zhuang, Earl Haig Secondary School Grade 12
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