December 8, 2024

The Toronto District School Board is committed to developing opportunities for our wider school community to connect and engage in conversations about education issues. Meetings will be broadcasted live to the public. Click here at the start time to view - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Live-Webcast-of-Meetings.

Full Agenda and Reports for meetings are available here - click on the appropriate meeting https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Agenda-Minutes

View full schedule of meetings for 2024-2025 here https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Live-Webcast-of-Meetings

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 – Regular Board Meeting - Public Section 7:00pm - Boardroom, 5050 Yonge St - Agenda

We have revamped the Resources for Parents, Guardians & Caregivers webpage! Content is now organized by helpful topics like Student Well-Being, Learning, and Engagement, making it easier than ever to find valuable resources.  I encourage you to explore this new page and take advantage of the resources available to help you and your children thrive. You can easily access these resources by clicking the “Parents & Caregivers” button on the top bar of the TDSB homepage.

The Special Education and Inclusion public site offers a number of ways for families of children with special education needs and/or disabilities to find information and connect with resources. 

Learn more by clicking the links below or see the following link for a guide with screenshots: Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities and/or Special Education Needs.

Special Education and Inclusion: The department’s homepage is organized with priority links as the first items on the page, including links to the Parent Engagement Sessions, Parent Newsletters, and Frequently Asked Questions pages referenced below.

Parent Engagement Sessions: These sessions are offered as monthly drop-ins and also as more formalized webinars, designed to support families in navigating special education services in the TDSB. Topics include occupational therapy and physiotherapy resources, supporting transitions for students with disabilities, literacy strategies, and ASD support.

Guides for Parents/Guardians/Caregivers: Parent guides cover a range of topics, including Individual Education Plans (IEPs), the Referral Process, Identification, Placement and Review Committees (IPRCs), and specialized services like Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy. Videos and translated versions are also available for some of the guides, as we work to create the same for the other guides.

Parent Newsletters: Monthly newsletters for parents/guardians/caregivers are designed to help families navigate the journey of supporting students with special education needs. Each edition features valuable resources, tips, and strategies that families can access and use at home to support their children.

Intensive Support Program Locations and Maps: A list of TDSB’s Intensive Support Programs and where they are located across the TDSB for families to easily locate what programming is offered in their area.

During this respiratory virus season, I encourage you to review tips from Toronto Public Health (TPH) to help prevent the spread of infections in schools and communities.

Here are a few suggestions from TPH to help keep everyone safe:

This Report, presented at Wednesday's Special PPC transforms the way reports will be provided to the Board. Relevant reports will be included in new annual reports related to the strategic directions of the current MYSP proposed below. Appendix B (below) outlines the annual reports that have been previously reported on and where the information will be provided moving forward. It was recommended by the Committee and will be presented to the Board on Wednesday:

"In recognition of Partnering with Parents/Guardians/Caregivers and Community, Effective Communication, and Accessibility and Inclusion as conditions for success which contribute to the successful implementation of the MYSP, the TDSB will:

1. Streamline the framework to monitor and report on progress towards the achievement of the MYSP. (Consistent with the requirements of the Broader Public Sector Business Documents Directive.)

2. Standardize the format of annual reports across each of the strategic directions, which will include a dashboard of key performance indicators. (As presented to the Board of Trustees on October 9, 2024, through the Annual Operating Plan for the Multi-Year Strategic Plan.)

3. Strengthen communication across the TDSB community by developing a communications plan to support trustees in engaging with their school communities and champion board achievements.

The approach will enable the Board of Trustees and members of the TDSB community to readily assess how the board is doing across each of the strategic directions and key performance indicators. This allows the board to be more accessible and transparent on progress towards realizing the collective vision for students and staff served by the TDSB." To read the complete report, click here.

This report also came through committee earlier and will be presented to the Board Wednesday. 

The submission responded to six Ministry of Education priority areas for feedback and twelve TDSB additional areas that should be prioritized to support all students to belong, achieve and thrive.

Below, please find our Response Summary. Click here for TDSB's full Funding Consultation Response.

Ministry Priority Areas

Core Education Funding Model Reform - Efforts to simplify funding streams have been helpful, but there are remaining complexities and misalignments for benchmarks that account for inflation and labor costs. The funding model must better support transportation, facilities, and local priorities to ensure equitable access and efficient resource allocation.

Special Education - Special education is underfunded and as a result, funds are reallocated from other budgets. Recommendations include more flexible funding, reducing administrative burdens and re-evaluating what is allocated to urban boards to address complex student needs.

Efficiencies and Reducing Administrative Burden - Providing school boards with reporting templates in advance and adding more functionality to reporting platforms would help staff collect and report data more efficiently.

Community Use of Schools - Increased funding for the Community Use of Schools initiative can support stronger community engagement and after-school programming, which is vital to communities.

Student Safety and Well-Being - Funds are essential for staff to support student well-being, yet many TDSB schools lack access to Urban and Priority High School funding to address growing needs.

Safe and Accepting Schools - Funding is needed to appropriately address emerging needs in schools, given the rise of violent incidents in communities.

Other Priority Areas

Mental Health and Well-Being - There is a growing demand for mental health supports for students and staff. Increased investment in social workers, psychologists and other support staff is critical to ensure timely assistance and care for our communities.

Curriculum Support and Professional Development - Improved literacy and numeracy outcomes depend on continued investment in resources, teacher training, and tutoring programs. Expanded support is needed for implementing the 'Right to Read' recommendations and professional development aligned with Ministry goals.

Statutory Benefits and Absenteeism - Unfunded increases in statutory benefits and rising absenteeism costs strain school board budgets. Additional funding for sick leave and employee wellness programs is vital to manage these growing pressures.

Technology and Cybersecurity - The TDSB's 1:1 Student Device Program ensures equitable technology access, but sustained funding is essential for its success. Additional resources are required to strengthen cybersecurity and protect school operations from digital threats.

Lifting the Moratorium on School Closures - The moratorium on school closures restricts the TDSB's ability to optimize resources and review schools with low enrolment. Lifting this would allow for better long-term planning efforts.

Addressing Inflation and Rising Costs - Rising costs for utilities, materials, and labor after affected by inflation. Funding benchmarks should be adjusted annually to take into account increases in inflationary costs, across all areas.

School Facilities and Accessibility - Funding is needed to ensure that buildings of all ages remain accessible to all students, staff and community members. Dedicated, multi-year funding is needed to modernize facilities and ensure compliance with accessibility standards.

Priority on Ventilation Improvement - Mechanical ventilation is essential to student health and safety. Consistent funding is needed to upgrade ventilation systems and complement ongoing efforts to maintain HEPA filters and air quality.

For more details, please see the submission on the Toronto District School Board’s budget page. 

Registration for the winter semester of the Learn4Life program opened on November 13th. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) offers a wide range of Adult General Interest and Seniors Daytime classes through the Learn4Life program.

These classes provide an excellent opportunity to learn new skills, stay active, and connect with others in your community.

Led by expert instructors, Learn4Life offers courses in Arts, Business, Computers, Cooking, Crafts, Dance, Finance, Fitness, Languages, Music, Sports, Sewing, and much more!

Registration is now open and we really need to fill the courses to ensure the viability of the programs.

Please visit learn4life.ca to learn more.

Night School 2024-2025 Semester 2 for Secondary Students

Registration opens Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. and closes Friday, January 31, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.  

For more information, please visit https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/conedsecondarycreditprogram/Night-School

Elearning is still open: https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/elearning/e-Learning-Day-School

November is the start of the Grade 8 to 9 Transition period. Over the next few months, secondary schools will be hosting Open Houses and Information Nights for current Grade 8 students and their parents/guardians and caregivers. You should be receiving information from your school - but the information and links below will assist Grade 8 students and families in planning for a smooth transition from Grade 8 to 9:

Open Houses and Information Sessions

TDSB Beyond 8 website

Beyond 8 Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Elementary Out-of-Area Admissions website - Online application form is open from January 6 to January 31, 2025 at 4 p.m.

Secondary Out-of-Area Admissions website - Online application form open from January 6 to January 24, 2025 at 4 p.m.

Secondary Schools without a Boundary

Elementary Alternative Schools Online Application Process 

Did you know the TDSB offers a wide range of Elementary Alternative Schools available to students? The application process is managed centrally and includes an online application form. Complete information about the central online application process is available on the Elementary Alternative Schools Application and Admissions Process webpage.  

The online application for admission for September 2025 will be open from Monday, January 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to Friday, January 31, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. 

We encourage you to take part in information sessions and/or open houses for students and parents/guardians/caregivers in late November 2024 to mid-January 2025. More information is available on the Elementary School Open Houses and Information Nights webpage.  

TDSB staff hosted two Elementary Alternative Schools live webinars - a recording of the webinars are posted on the Elementary Alternative Schools Application and Admissions Process webpage. 

Elementary Out-of-Area Admissions

The Elementary Out-of-Area Admissions application process will open on January 6, 2025.

Students have the opportunity to access schools outside of the school that is designated to serve their home address by applying for Out-of-Area Admissions. Acceptance at these schools is subject to space availability. Find more information and details here.

If you are interested in attending a school other than your designated school by address, applicants can submit one online application. When applying for Out-of-Area admissions, applicants may include one (1) school choice in their application.

Transportation is the responsibility of the applicant when attending an Out-of-Area school.

Applicants may select Regular program, Early Immersion or a Middle/Extended Immersion Program. If selecting a French program, the applicant must already be enrolled or registered for the selected French program.

Students applying for Out-of-Area Admissions in JK should also still register at their local/designated school by address in case they are not selected at their requested school. If selected, the parent/guardian/caregiver must notify the local school.

Secondary Out-of-Area Admissions
The Secondary Out-of-Area Admissions application process will open on January 6, 2025.

Students have the opportunity to access schools outside of the school that is designated to serve their home address by applying for Out-of-Area Admissions. Acceptance at these schools is subject to space availability. Find more information and details here.

If you are interested in attending a school other than your designated school by address, applicants can submit one online application. When applying for Out-of-Area admissions, applicants may include one (1) school choice in their application. Applicants may also include one (1) Secondary School without a Boundary choice in their application.

Transportation is the responsibility of the applicant when attending an Out-of-Area school.

I included all the Qs and As in last week's update - please click here to access them all - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Going-to-High-School/Beyond-8/FAQ.

To help you make an informed decision when choosing a school, TDSB schools will host in-person open houses and information sessions for parents/guardians and students between November and January. Learn everything you need to know about our incredible variety of schools, programs and courses. If you have questions about a specific school or open house, please contact the school directly for more information.

Note: Please check this page regularly, as secondary schools will continue to post information about open house dates/times.

To locate your designated elementary home school by address, please Find Your School - By Address. Schools that offer Central Student Interest Programs and local programs will host open houses and information sessions for parents/guardians and students between November and February. Learn everything you need to know about our incredible variety of schools and programs. If you have questions about a specific school, please visit the school’s website or contact the school directly for more information.

Note: Please check this page regularly, as elementary schools will continue to post information about open house dates/times.

As winter approaches, many members of our community will face the harsh realities of cold weather without adequate clothing. That is why TDSB is organizing a Winter Outerwear Drive to collect funds that will be put towards the purchase of warm coats, hats, gloves, and boots for students. The TDSB Winter Outerwear Drive has raised over $1.3-million in monetary and in-kind donations since 2021. 

It has made a difference in the lives of more than 15,424 students in 307 schools. This campaign and others furthers TDSB’s mission to remove barriers to student’s learning to ensure more students feel a sense of well-being to focus on achievement in and out of the classroom. The needs of TDSB families are greater than ever. These items represent a difficult purchase for many families, especially this year.

How You Can Help:

Donate: To make a monetary donation, please click the link below. 100% of the donation value is eligible for a tax receipt. 

Spread the Word: Share this message with friends and family and help us ensure everyone stays warm this winter. 

Donate to the Winter Clothing Drive 100% of all proceeds and in-kind donations benefit TDSB students

This year’s Winter Outerwear Drive will run from November to the end of February 2025. 

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is committed to open and inclusive policy decision-making and values community input and participation through consultation. Consultation is a two-way communication process between the Board and external participants, including students and their parents/guardians, school councils, advisory committees, community members, different levels of government, service agencies, professional organizations and union partners. The objective of consultation is to gather public input regarding options, alternative courses of action, as well as to identify unintended effects for various participants and to find solutions. 

Personal Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy - NEW

Objective - To outline requirements for the appropriate use of Personal Mobile Devices by students, staff and other members of the TDSB School Community at schools; to advance a conducive learning environment and promote responsible Digital Citizenship; and to reduce negative impacts of excessive screen time and social media use on students’ achievement, well-being, and mental health.  

Draft New Policy [docx] Draft New Policy [pdf]

Please provide your questions, comments and suggestions related to the draft Policy to: mobiledevicepolicy@tdsb.on.ca by December 10, 2024.

Student Leadership Policy (P070)

Objective: To further the Board's commitment of expanding platforms for student voice and establishing a governance framework for equitable, effective and efficient student representation and leadership across the system. To affirm the leadership roles of Student Council, Student Presidents’ Council, Student Senate and Student Trustees in advancing interests and aspirations of TDSB students and the promotion of effective communication. To provide resources and opportunities in order to build and foster a diverse group of student leaders.

P070 -Draft for Consultation

Please provide your questions, comments and suggestions related to the draft Policy tol: tdsbpolicyconsultation@tdsb.on.ca by December 13, 2024.

As I repeat in every update, the TDSB collects data through the Bias and Hate (RBH) Portal, and the increase in antisemitic incidents is also being experienced in our schools - on my website I have excerpted from all our public reports on the data - TDSB Public Reports with RBH Portal Data 2018-2023. Principals and Superintendents are being reminded of their responsibilities in documenting incidents and educating against them. All students and staff - all students and staff - must be safe in our schools and free from discrimination, harassment and hate. 

You can read more on TDSB's Combating Hate and Racism Strategy on our website. It is important that there is accurate information about Board updates and decisions as they relate to combating hate and racism. Questions and Answers have been prepared to provide additional information - should you have any additional questions, please email me. 

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 the portal I previously referenced 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. If you are concerned your complaint is not being taken seriously after you follow the Parent Concern Protocol, please let me know.

For incidents involving and impacting students, the following procedures can apply: Reporting and Responding to Racism and Hate Incidents Involving or Impacting Students in Schools, PR728 Parent Concern Protocol, PR505 Caring and Safe Schools related procedures

For employee complaints, the following procedures can apply: Workplace Harassment Prevention and Human Rights, PR515 (for employee conduct alleged to be a human rights violation or Code-based workplace harassment) Non-Code Based Workplace Harassment, PR740

In some circumstances an incident entered into the RBH portal may be a breach of the Criminal Code through the incitement of hate; in which case, the incident must also be reported to the police in accordance with PR728.

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.

If you witness something inside the community, report any allegations of hate-motivated crimes to police for investigation at 416-808-2222 or 9-1-1 in an emergency. The Police state they 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.

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.

As you may be aware, during the school year, school staff participate in a number of Professional Activity (PA) Days. On these dates, students remain at home and schools are open for staff to engage in professional learning. As per Ministry requirements, detailed information about planned activities will be posted to the TDSB public website at least 14 days in advance of each scheduled PA Day during the 2024-25 school year. I encourage you to visit the PA Day web page to learn more and check back throughout the school year. 

Note: the next PA Day for the 2024-25 school year is January 17, 2025 for elementary students and January 30, 2025 for secondary students.

Please ensure you check for Days of Significance before scheduling student and community events - as the TDSB is currently reviewing ours - for 2024-25, the TDSB will only publish a Faith/Creed-Based Holy Days Calendar and an Indigenous Days of Significance Calendar. For now, please check the Multi-Faith calendar available online https://multifaithcalendar.org/cal/index.php.

I have been communicating issues we have been having with dogs on school property with every update. Now, as part of our ongoing efforts to maintain a safe and welcoming environment on TDSB properties, we would like to update you on the policies and new reporting procedures related to dogs on school grounds.

The TDSB enforces a strict policy regarding dogs on its properties. Dogs are generally not permitted on TDSB grounds, with the exception of service animals as defined by the Student Use of Service Animals in Schools Policy (P096) and the Use of Service Animals by the General Public Procedure (PR604). These guidelines are in place to ensure proper management and support for service animals within our schools.

New Reporting Process for Dogs Off-Leash

To effectively address incidents of dogs being off-leash on school properties, a new reporting process has been established through the City of Toronto’s 311 service. Community members can report such incidents either by phone or online:

Phone Reporting: Call 311 to report dogs off-leash on school property

Online Reporting: Visit the City of Toronto Service Request or Feedback webpage.

Have your Say - Let the Province Know What to Prioritize in the Budget

The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs will meet to conduct Pre-Budget Consultations. The Committee intends to hold public hearings in Toronto on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 and other places in Ontario on different days. Interested people who wish to be considered to make an oral presentation to the Committee in Toronto are required to register by: 5:00 p.m. (EST) on Friday, January 17, 2025.

Those who do not wish to make an oral presentation but wish to comment on the issue may send a written submission by 7:00 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. To register or send a written submission, please visit the following link: ola.org/en/apply-committees. 

Kindergarten Registration 2025

New this year, registration for all TDSB English Kindergarten programs will begin in January.

We are opening the registration window a month earlier to better align with other system-wide application processes such as Out-of-Area and Alternative Schools.

This alignment will streamline timelines for families and support their decision-making around possible program options for their child(ren). 

Children who will be four by December 31, 2025, can start Junior Kindergarten in September 2025. Learn more about Kindergarten at the TDSB, Before- and After-School Programs and Extended Day Programs.

2025 Prime Minister's Awards for Teachers and Early Childhood Educators

Teachers and ECEs are inspiring children in all areas of life, from science and math to schoolyard interactions. Consider nominating an educator for a 2025 Prime Minister’s Award! 

Diverse Minds 2025

Calling all high school students, bring your words to life with the power of storytelling. Enter our Diverse Minds Creative Writing Competition for 2025! For more details or to enter the competition, click here: http://diverseminds.ca.

Special Education and Inclusion is pleased to once again offer a series of drop-in sessions designed for parents/ guardians/caregivers on navigating special education resources and supports within the TDSB.

These informal gatherings provide a welcoming space for parents to learn about available services, ask questions, and connect with other families.
Facilitators will guide discussions on topics such as supporting student
transitions and exploring occupational therapy/ physiotherapy strategies to use at home with students. All drop-in sessions for the 2024-2025 school year can be found here.

TDSB Special Education Department Family Sessions
Drop-In Q & A with Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy Staff - Receive general OT/PT strategies for your child(ren) / Chat with other parents/caregivers; Ask questions.

If you require translation services or have any questions or concerns, please email:
Learning Centre 1 - Rhanda Craig: rhanda.craig@tdsb.on.ca and Leslie Hopkins: leslie.hopkins@tdsb.on.ca Learning Centre 2 - Anna Lin: anna.lin@tdsb.on.ca and Andrea Wiltsie: andrea.wiltsie@tdsb.on.ca
Get the link here Sensory and Motor team parent/guardian/caregiver VOH flyer

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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