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| Shelley Laskin, Trustee
Toronto District School Board
Ward 8: Eglinton-Lawrence & Toronto-St Paul's
416-395-8787
Shelley.Laskin@tdsb.on.ca
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In this Issue -- Happy Mother's Day
- Tamil Genocide Education Week
- TDSB Budget Survey Results
- TDSB Comments on Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024
- Suing Social Media
- Ward Forum Presentation
- Committee Meeting This Week
- Review of the Legacy Technical and Commercial Boundaries
- Excerpt from the Human Rights Report - Data from the Racism, Bias, and Hate Portal
- Reporting Hate - In Our Schools and In Our Communities
- New Invitations - Learn4Life - Adult General Interest Courses - Summer 2024; Virtual Literacy Series; Jewish Heritage Month - The Mouse who Danced The Hora; Asian Heritage Month; tdsbCREATES Celebration and Exhibition Opening, May 23, 2024, 6:00 - 8:30 PM; Applications for Ontario's Page Program; Backpack and School Supplies Drive
- Worth Repeating - Summer Programs; Need for Aquatic Instructors; Please Keep Safe... and Keep Others Safe; Vaccinations; Useful Links; 2023-2024 Calendar; 2024-2025 Calendar; Dogs Are Not Allowed On School Property - How to Report; Community Safety & Support
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Happy Mother's Day
"Mother's Day is a celebration honouring the mother of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society." Thinking of all those fortunate to celebrate and be celebrated... Hoping all of you have people in your lives to influence and support and love unconditionally... and who give it right back. Happy Mother's Day.
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Tamil Genocide Education Week
"In 2022, the Canadian Parliament recognized the Genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka and established May 18th of each year as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day. On May 18, 2023, the Prime Minister of Canada declared the first Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day and all party leaders and parliamentarians statement also stated it. Tamils in Tamil Eelam, Tamil Nadu and worldwide commemorate this solemn event and continue to demand to bring the government of Sri Lanka to global court for its crimes of genocide against Tamils. Tamil Genocide Education Week Act, passed by the government of Ontario, proclaims the seven-day period in each year ending on May 18 as Tamil Genocide Education Week.
Our Ward has been invited to join TDSB Trustees Neethan Shan, Yalini Rajakulasingam and Anu Sriskandarajah as we continue to learn how genocides impact our communities and recognize the lasting impact this genocide has on Tamil communities.
Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute – Learning Session with Educators (Open to Teachers, Administrators, Senior Staff, and all Support Staff in Schools)
Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute – Youth, Young Adults, Parents and Caregivers Session
We are committed to creating inclusive and accessible meetings for everyone. If you have specific concerns related to accessibility, or interpretation services, please indicate when registering or email us at TrusteeServices@tdsb.on.ca or call 416-395-8787.
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TDSB Budget Survey Results
The TDSB Budget Survey closed on Friday, May 3. A total of 7,080 surveys were completed by parents/guardians/caregivers (80%), staff (15%) and community members (5%). Please find a summary graphic of the survey results below. We are grateful to all who shared their input.
Please note, the TDSB will next discuss the proposed 2024-2025 Operating Budget at the Special Finance, Budget & Enrolment Committee on May 30 at 4:30.
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TDSB Comments on Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024
On April 10, 2024, the Province introduced Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024. The legislation proposes to amend 15 various Acts, including the Planning Act, the Municipal Act, and the City of Toronto Act. The Province posted a summary of the proposed legislative changes to the Regulatory Registry for consultation.
TLC and TDSB staff worked together to review the proposed changes and prepare comments. A letter containing the comments was submitted to the Province on May 9, 2024.
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Suing Social Media
Last week I attended the “Democracy Forum” panel discussion held at Toronto Metropolitan University. Chair Rachel Chernos Lin participated alongside Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health staff scientist Dr. Alexia Polillo. Part of their discussion centered on the effectiveness of our recent lawsuit and cellphone ban. You can view a recording of the panel discussion here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeSh2R5DB3g.
“It is important to hold the social media giants accountable for the harm that they were creating and the disruption in our education system” - Rachel Chernos Lin
“That means self-regulation but also regulation, legislation, litigation and prohibition.” - Martin Regg Cohn
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Ward Forum
Deck
If you missed my ward forum last Tuesday, School Building in Toronto: where are we now? - you can view it from my website.
Thank you to Andrew Gowdy (TDSB System Planning Officer), Daniel Castaldo (TDSB Senior Manager, Planning), Yvonne Choi and Matt Bagnall from the Toronto Lands Corporation and Councillor Josh Matlow for your contributions.
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Committee Meeting This Week
Wednesday, May 15 - Planning and Priorities Committee - 4:30pm - Boardroom, 5050 Yonge St - Agenda
- 6.1 Affirming Toronto Land Corporation's Guiding Principles
- 7.1 Human Rights Office, Annual Report, 2022-2023
- 7.2 Attendance Boundary Changes for Niagara Street Junior Public School, Ryerson Community School, and The Waterfront School
- 7.3 Review of the Legacy Technical and Commercial Boundaries
- 7.4 Support for Newcomer Students and Families Including Refugee Claimants and Students Without Legal Immigration Status
Notices of Motion - 8.1 Leadership Regarding Artificial Intelligence and Education (Trustees Ehrhardt and Dawson)
- 8.2 Cricket Development (Trustees Shan and Sriskandarajah)
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Review of the Legacy Technical and Commercial Boundaries
After extensive consultation and analysis, it is staff’s view that these legacy technical and commercial boundaries should be dissolved to improve equity of access for all students in the TDSB. A description of the six impacted schools can be found in Appendix A. A summary table showing the enrolments, capacities and programs at the schools can be found in Appendix B. A map showing the locations of the schools can be found in Appendix C.
These former technical and commercial schools have technical and/or commercial boundaries, which are large regional boundaries that were used to determine which technical or commercial school a student would be streamed into according to their home address. A map of the legacy technical boundaries can be found in Appendix E and a map of the legacy commercial boundaries can be found in Appendix F. The remaining legacy boundaries exist predominantly in pre-amalgamated City of Toronto (Toronto Board of Education), where most of the impacted schools are geographically located.
The six schools involved are Central Technical School, Central Toronto Academy, Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute, Northern Secondary School, Victoria Park Collegiate Institute and Western Technical Commercial School. Staff recommend their commercial/technical boundaries be dissolved for the purposes of admission to the schools beginning in September 2025.
They are recommending Central Technical School, Central Toronto Academy, Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute and Western Technical-Commercial School become Secondary Schools Without a Boundary, accessible to all students in the City of Toronto, effective September 1, 2025.
And they plan for a Three-Year Transition plan.
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Excerpt from the Human Rights Report
Data from the Racism, Bias, and Hate Portal
The data shows 2,028 reported incidents were logged between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2023. In a school system of over 238,000 students, the number of logged incidents during the 2022-23 school year equates to less than 1% of the student population. It is acknowledged that for a variety of reasons the data indicates but is not a definitive picture of incidences of racism, hate or bias in schools. Indigenous people are often underrepresented in data reports because of historical and current issues, it is likely that they are underrepresented in the incident reports as well. The work to support a respectful climate conducive for all remains a priority. The TDSB has created an Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism strategy and is working on the development and delivery of initiatives to address all forms of racism, bias and hate in schools, in accordance with the commitments to human rights and equity and the MYSP.
61% of the incidents involved anti-Black racism. The next largest group involve incidents of racism towards East Asians (9% of all incidents). Compared to the previous year there is an increase in proportion of racism incidents towards Black Africans, Afro Caribbeans or African Canadians (+5%) and East Asians (+4%), while the overall number of reported cases has declined (-220).
The most reported incidents involved gender/sexual orientation specifically, homophobia (13%). This represents a drop in proportion from the previous year where homophobic incidents accounted for 17% of all reported cases. Incidents targeting Gender Identity/Gender expression accounted for 5% of all reported incidents, which is in line with the previous year.
Incidents involving disability and perceived disability constitute a small percentage of all reported incidents (1% each).
Overall, incidents due to creed/religion accounted for approximately 15% of all reported incidents, representing an increase of about +5% compared to the previous year. Antisemitism was reported the most frequently at 10% followed by Islamophobia (5%). Few incidents targeted other creeds/religions, which were each under 1%. Both Antisemitism and Islamophobia increased in proportion from the previous year (+3% and +2% respectively).
Overall, racism/hate/bias incidents were slurs/comments, which constitutes 80% of all reported incidents.
Most reported incidents took place in the classroom or school yard. The proportion of incidents in the classroom remained the same year-over-year, while incidents reported in the school yard saw a decline of -14%... Locations not previously reported (Other and Hallway) had significant proportions of incidents taking place in each locale (15% and 14% respectively). There were a few incidents that took place in multiple locations.
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Reporting Hate
In Our Schools
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 a portal 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.
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.
In Our Communities
Report any allegations of hate-motivated crimes to police for investigation at 416-808-2222 or 9-1-1 in an emergency. We 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.
Toronto Police provide new online option to report hate-motivated graffiti
Toronto Police Service is launching a new option for the public to provide information to police about hate-motivated graffiti in their neighbourhoods. The web form, available on the Service’s website, provides an additional avenue for the public to alert police to hate-motivated graffiti, so officers can attend, gather evidence and arrange for the hate-motivated graffiti to be removed as quickly as possible. This reporting mechanism will be monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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.
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Learn4Life - Adult General Interest Courses - Summer 2024
Learn4Life's summer term's registration opens Wednesday, May 15 at 8:30 a.m.
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Virtual Literacy Series
Join our teachers and staff for a virtual literacy series that will provide you the support you need from the comfort of your home. 3-Part Virtual Literacy Series 📚
Tuesday, May 14th - session 2
Tuesday, May 21st - session 3
6:00 to 7:30pm
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Jewish Heritage Month - The Mouse who Danced The Hora
This year, the Jewish Heritage Committee is focusing on students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 using the book The Mouse Who Danced the Hora by Pamela Mayer, illustrated by Christine Davenier, to teach our youngest students about diversity and equity through Jewish wedding traditions, and learning to dance the Hora.
Teach your students this unique dance and have them learn diversity and equity through the traditions of Jewish weddings.
The TDSB Jewish Heritage Committee invites those interested to participate in a wonderful opportunity to learn the Hora at:
ALLENBY JUNIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL 391 St. Clements Ave.
Please follow the Jewish Heritage Committee on X: @TDSB_JH. Please visit the JHC website for other resources.
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Asian Heritage Month
This year's theme for May 2024 was selected by the Asian Heritage Month Volunteer Planning Committee as Our Journeys: Thriving Through Struggle and Triumph.
During the month of May, the Asian Heritage Month Volunteer Planning committee members are working together to assemble various educational opportunities and resources for our students, staff and TDSB community to further learn about the Asian heritage. Stay tuned for these exciting offerings to be shared in the upcoming weeks.
All students, staff, and TDSB community members are invited to join us in at our upcoming Asian Heritage Month Virtual Launch Celebration.
Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Zoom webinar Link: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/j/98436950594
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tdsbCREATES
dsbCREATES Celebration and Exhibition Opening, May 23, 2024, 6:00 - 8:30 PM
at Daniels Spectrum - Ada Slaight Hall and Hallway Galleries, 585 Dundas St. E. Please join us for an evening celebrating student creativity through art, film, fashion, dance, music, and spoken word performances.
tdsbCREATES is a board-wide Arts initiative connecting local artists with classrooms to foster creativity while exploring visual arts, dance, drama, spoken word, film, music, and multidisciplinary arts. This program focuses on process and engagement through the Arts while celebrating student voice, powerful ideas, and creativity for all. tdsbCREATES is a project of the TDSB Arts Department delivered in partnership with the Toronto Arts Council with administrative support from Prologue Performing Arts.
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Applications for Ontario's Page Program
Applications for the fall 2024 term are now open. We are accepting applications until June 15th, 2024. For the Fall 2024 period, applicants must attend school in Ontario and be entering Grade 8 in the Fall of 2024 and have an academic average of Level 4 or 80 % (or higher).
Each year approximately 150 young students from across Ontario are selected to participate in Ontario's Legislative Page Program. This unique educational program for Ontario students provides an opportunity to experience the provincial legislature in action and forge new lifelong friendships with peers from all over the province! The program is designed for outgoing, high-achieving, community-involved students who have demonstrated responsibility and leadership. Legislative Pages meet key parliamentary and political figures, and learn first-hand about Ontario’s Parliament and the legislative process.
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Backpack and School Supplies Drive
This year’s Backpacks & School Supplies Drive will run from March 1, 2024 to the end of September 2024. Individual donors and companies can help our students by making a monetary donation and/or a donation of new backpacks and school supplies. Tax receipts are available for these donations.100% of all proceeds and in-kind donations go to benefit our students. NOTE: Due to potential health & safety, hygiene, sorting and storage limitations, the TDSB can only accept new items. For more information about how to donate new items, please contact the Business Development department at BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca.
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Summer Programs
At the TDSB we provide a wide range of enriching summer programs for children, youth and adults.
Elementary
Secondary
Special Education and Inclusion
Adult
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Need for Aquatic Instructors
In order to operate swim programs in our schools with pools, we need two on-site aquatic instructors. Sadly, the TDSB has had a shortage of aquatic instructors since schools reopened from COVID. If you know of any aquatic instructors, please, have them complete the application - the board has been advertising and I have been advertising on Twitter since the end of last year. Here’s the link directly to the posting for applicants to apply. https://tdsb.sabacloud.com/Saba/Web_spf/CA1PRD0033/jobs-Support/career/jobdetail/jobrq000000000002580. Thanks!
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Please Keep Safe... and Keep Others Safe
Layers of protection work to help reduce virus spread. For example:
😷wear a well-fitted mask
🧼wash hands often
🏠stay home if sick
💨choose well ventilated spaces
🛡️stay up-to-date with your vaccines
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Vaccinations
Measles is increasing and spreading in every region of the world. It can cause a fever, rash, runny nose, red eyes & more. It spreads through the air and close contact when a person infected with measles breathes, coughs, or sneezes. If you think you have the virus, stay home & contact your doctor. Learn more: http://toronto.ca/measles-fact-sheet.
Vaccines are available from your primary health care provider or at a TPH community clinic for school-aged children, by appointment. Visit TPHbookings.ca for more information.
All children attending school between ages 4 to 17 need to be immunized according to Ontario's Immunization Schedule. If you are unsure of your child’s vaccination status, check their yellow card (Ontario Immunization Record), TPH’s Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) or by speaking with their primary health care provider.
Updated COVID-19 vaccines and flu vaccines
We are still in the midst of respiratory illness season, and it is not too late to get vaccinated against both COVID-19 and the flu. Both of these vaccines continue to be available at your local pharmacy and doctor’s office. The updated COVID-19 vaccine better protects against the new Omicron XBB variant. You can get the updated COVID-19 vaccine if you are aged six months and older and it has been at least six months since their last COVID-19 dose or infection (whichever is longer). It is safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine at the same time or around the same time. Learn more about where to get the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine.
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Dogs Are Not Allowed On School Property - How to Report
Please contact 311 if you see dogs in school grounds so they can log the concerns and please also call TDSB’s 24-hour Call Centre at 416-395-4620. Tracking the concerns will allow us to build the case for increased surveillance.
At our recent Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee, the staff report confirmed the following -
Dogs on school properties have been an ongoing challenge for many years despite the “no dogs permitted” signage. There have been examples of dog owners taking their dogs off leash or even leaving their dogs unattended in a school yard, or within the kindergarten or childcare enclosures. There have been incidents of off-leash dogs chasing as well as biting students, members of the public and staff. Dog feces and disposal bags are frequently left on the school grounds impacting the student use and enjoyment of outdoor activities.
Signage is posted near the entrances, such as gates or openings in the school ground fencing (refer to Appendix A for a copy of the signage) that clearly indicates TDSB school grounds are private property and dogs are not permitted on school board property. Section 6.10 in PR523, Access to School Premises prohibits canines on TDSB properties at any time (except service animals).
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Community Safety & Support
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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