email : Webview : November Update - TDSB Ward 9 Davenport

Hello Davenport school friends, neighbours and families,

Well, it seems November has finally brought some snow and cold. I'm trying to remember NOT to complain after such a gloriously warm fall, but despite spending my whole life in Canada (and growing up in Newfoundland where we could experience four seasons in one day!), my family somehow find ourselves in a panic on that first snowy morning, digging around for matching mitts and winter boots. I bet others can relate!

It has been a busy month. I am particularly proud of motions that the Board passed this month related to improving equity in our schools, and the review we are undertaking of the implementation of Full Day Kindergarten Before and After Care. Please mark your calendars now for the next Ward 9 Council meeting. It will take place on November 28 at Alexander Muir Gladstone JR and Sr Public School. Our special guest will be Richard Christie, Sr. Manager of Sustainability at the TDSB and our topic is Eco Schools and Active, Safe and Sustainable Transportation. Bring your questions about TDSB playgrounds, energy conservation, recycling, school yard greening, and our role in environmental stewardship. (Download Flyer PDF -- please share!)

Please note the full list of upcoming Ward 9 Davenport Council meetings below, and mark your calendars.

It was great to see so many new (and some familiar) faces at our first Ward Council meeting of the year. I want to thank Executive Superintendent Sandy Spyropolous and Superintendents Jane Phillips-Long and Sandra Tondat for joining us and providing an overview of the new Learning Centre structure of the Board. I also want to thank Prinicipal Susana Arnott and Vice-Principal Reiko Fuentes for hosting our meeting at Bloor Collegiate Institute.

We elected some new representatives to the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee -- with thanks to our amazing outgoing Rep Sophia Ruddock from Rawlinson. Our new Reps are Nahum Mann and Catherine Ford. They will be attending monthly meetings of PIAC and reporting back. Thanks to you both! Matt Forrest will continue on as our French as a Second Language Advisory Committee Rep. Go Matt!

We came up with lots of great ideas for upcoming Ward Council topics and forums. Thank you again to everyone who gave up their evening to come out, and thanks to all of you for your ongoing commitment to public education.

Regards,

Marit

FeedTomorrow Tour
Review of Full-Day Kindergarten Before-and-After School Programs
Implementation of School-Age Before-and-After School Care for 6-12 year olds‎
Update on Future of Oakwood CI
Addressing Systemic Racism Through the Curriculum Review Process
Mark Your Calendars - Upcoming Ward Council Dates
TDSB Strengthens Equity Focus to Support Student Achievement

Photos taken at Brock Jr and Sr PS during FeedTomorrow Tour with the Toronto Foundation for Student Success. Brock's wonderful rooftop garden was planted with assistance from FoodShare. The poster on this classroom door tells students they are valued, respected and loved: "You are the reason we are here".

Review of Full-Day Kindergarten Before-and-After School Programs

A few weeks ago I met with some parents from one of our neighbourhood schools who were concerned about the high cost of childcare at their school-based daycare. I get many, many questions from parents about the role of the Board, how daycare set prices, etc. The fact is, families are paying far too much for childcare throughout the province. I also hear from a lot of parents about the lack of adequate lunch time supervision and large class sizes in JK/SK.

I'm so proud to share that on October 26, 2016, Trustee Jennifer Story and I brought forward a motion to the School Board to Implement a Review of Full-Day Kindergarten Before-and-After School Programs... and our motion passed! The Board will be conducting the review before the end of this school year, and will provide opportunities for families and stakeholders to provide input. Stay tuned for more information in coming weeks.

Implementation of School-Age Before-and-After School Care for 6-12 year olds‎

The City of Toronto and Toronto District School Board's staff have been meeting regularly to get ready to begin to offer before and after school care for Ontario students starting in September 2017. Staff are awaiting the release of guidelines and policies from the Province to help guide implementation. In the meantime, Parents/Guardians of children in Kindergarten to Grade 6 will be invited to complete a ‎survey of interest in before-and-after school care. The survey will assist in assessing demand for care in each school. Please be sure to encourage families in your school to complete the survey when it is released. STAY TUNED.

Update on Future of Oakwood CI
After several years of discussion and uncertainty, I am pleased to announce that the Board review has been completed and Oakwood Collegiate Institute is no longer in danger of closure. This is thanks to the efforts of so many students, families, alumni, friends and neighbours who came together to forge a vision for the school. Since my election in 2014, we have moved Ascot Daycare into the Oakwood building (a retrofit is currently underway) ensuring a new generation of families will share in the wonderful history of this great school. We are also undertaking a landscape planning process that is really breaking new ground (!) by involving students, teachers and community (including the residents' associations, BIA and Friends of Oakwood) in a re-imagining of the grounds. The plans are still evolving, though we hope to have a Master Plan finalized early in the New Year. If you want to find out more or provide input, please email me at Marit.Stiles@tdsb.on.ca

I don't want to overlook the fact that the staff recommendation includes some sad news as well: staff are recommending the closure of Vaughan Road Academy. This is a very small secondary school (228 students), with an IB program. The IB students will be moved to Weston CI, and others will be accommodated in the schools of their choice. In future, many of the Jr schools that fed to VRA will now be directed to Oakwood CI. I've heard from many former alumni and community members who were concerned about the VRA closure and I very much appreciate your comments. If the Board does decide to close the school, a process will begin to determine whether or not to sell-off the property or maintain it as a 'core-holding' for the TDSB, in which case it will be leased out. I have worked hard to ensure that the childcare centre operating at VRA is not moved or endangered, and I will absolutely oppose the sale of this important building. Even if we can't fill the school with students now, the many baby strollers in our neighbourhoods indicate to me that we will need this school building in the future.

Addressing Systemic Racism Through the Curriculum Review Process

I've heard from many families and students concerned that the current curriculum being taught in public schools from Grade 1 to Grade 12 does not adequately reflect the ethno-racial diversity of Ontario. Trustee Neethan Shan and I brought forward a motion that was passed at the TDSB in October asking the Ministry of Education to undertake an ethno-racial, equity-based, comprehensive review of the curriculum beginning with Grade 1 and continuing to Grade 12 in all major subjects. Read the Board decision on pages 7-8 here.

Mark Your Calendars - Upcoming Ward Council Dates

All meetings take place from 6-8PM unless otherwise indicated. Locations are all still to be confirmed.

2016

November 28 at Alexander Muir Gladstone PS

2017

January 17 at Oakwood CI

February 23 at FH Miller

March 23 at Dovercourt Jr PS

April 20 at Regal Road Jr PS

May 9 at Brock PS

TDSB Strengthens Equity Focus to Support Student Achievement

The TDSB has taken a great stride forward to support students with a renewed strategic focus on equity, approved by the Board of Trustees.

The Integrated Equity Framework will help those who are not reaching their potential, while also continuing to inspire, engage and raise expectations for all students. is part of the TDSB’s overall Vision for Learning , which focuses on achievement, well-being and equity.

This is part of an ongoing conversation and community members are invited to continue to share their thoughts, ideas and feedback at www.tdsb.on.ca

Did you know?

November is Aboriginal Education Month. Check out the TDSB's Aboriginal Education Resources, including the Acknowledgement of Traditional Lands and Territories

Other Special Dates:

Nov 21 Presentation of the Virgin Mary (Russian Orthodox)

Nov 24 Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (Sikhism)

Nov 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (UN)

Nov 26 Day of the Covenant* (Baha’i)

Nov 26 National Holodomor Memorial Day (Ukrainian Canadian Association)

Nov 27 Advent (Christianity)

Dec 1 World AIDS Day (UN)

Dec 2 International Day of the Abolition of Slavery (UN)

Dec 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (UN)

Dec 6 National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Dec 8 Bodhi Day (Buddha Enlightenment)

Dec 8 St. Clements or Ohrid Patrons Day (Orthodox Macedonian)

Dec 10 Human Rights Day (UN)

Dec 12 Mawlid-al-Nabi (Islam)

Dec 13 Birthday of Imam Agakhan (Islam)

Dec 18 International Migrants Day (UN)

Dec 21 Winter Solstice – Yule* (Wicca/Pagan)

Dec 24 Hanukkah* (Judaism)

Dec 25 Christmas (Christianity and Public Holiday)

Dec 26 Ashu Zarathosht’s Death (Zoroastrianism)

Dec 26 Boxing Day (Public Holiday)

Dec 26 Kwanzaa (African Canadian and American)

October is National Principals' Month!

Nominate a great principal for Canada’s Outstanding Principals. The deadline is October 31, 2016. http://www.thelearningpartnership.ca/what-we-do/educator-program-and-executive-leadership/canadas-outstanding-principals

In our community....Toronto Youth Job Corps

Do you know a young person between 16-29 who is out of school and out of work? The TYJC is a paid employment program designed to connect youth to the work place through employment, school and/or training. The program offers team building, volunteering, life skills training, employment skills training, a simulated work environment and the possibility of a work placement. Information sessions are on Mondays. Contact them to register!

Download Flyer (PDF) TYJC_Flyer_2016.pdf

Download Initial Contact Form (PDF) TYJC_Initial_Contact_Form.pdf