September 1, 2024

Happy Long Weekend!

Hoping you have the best possible first week of school!

"September is the start of a new season, marked by the fall equinox on September 22. Many Indigenous communities will commemorate this event with change of season ceremonies.

The Mid-Autumn Festival or Harvest Moon Festival is a traditional festival celebrated in China, Vietnam, Japan, Korea and other East and Southeast Asian countries, as well as communities around the world, on September 17. It’s a time for communities to gather and give thanks for the abundance of the harvest.

On September 25, Franco-Ontarian Day celebrates Ontario’s Francophone community – the largest in Canada outside of Quebec – and commemorates the historical, cultural and linguistic contributions of this community to our province.

On September 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – we remember and honour Indian Residential School Survivors, their families and those who never made it home. This day is an opportunity for us to publicly recognize and reflect on the intergenerational impact and trauma of the Indian Residential School System. It is also Orange Shirt Day, in reference to the orange shirt Phyllis Webstad was wearing and had taken away from her when she arrived at St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School... National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an opportunity to deepen our learning and reflect on how we can contribute to meaningful and lasting reconciliation." - Ontario Public Service

Why is my child's class so large? Will a new class be opened? My child's class is very small? Will some classes be combined? Yes to both - it depends.

In late spring of every year, the TDSB plans for the number of students expected to attend school the following September. We then allocate the number of teachers required for each school and class, based on that projected enrolment in mid-March. The number of teachers required in each school and class is primarily determined by class size limits as per Regulations in the Education Act or through Collective Agreements.

Once the school year begins, schools track an accurate count of their enrolment (students who are registered at the school and are attending). Class sizes can either be larger than average or smaller than average at the beginning of each new school year, as planning is done 6 months in advance. In some exceptional cases where planning numbers were significantly different than registrations verified before the start of the year in a specific school, an additional teacher can be added to the school before the beginning of the school year. However, the system as a whole reorganizes in September.

As the school year starts, if your child is in a large class, please know that in September, as noted, schools review the actual number of students attending schools and in each class, and the number of teachers who were allocated to each school. This year, the count date is during the third week of September - after this date schools will be provided with an understanding of system reorganization and will inform affected classes as soon as possible. 

Balancing the teacher-student ratio is absolutely necessary to ensure more equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. Staff at the TDSB will make every effort to better balance our schools with as little disruption to your child’s learning as possible. However, for some students this may mean being assigned to a new teacher, a different class or, in some cases, in elementary school, a mixed grade. 

Please know that the same care will be taken in placing students in classes to build the best possible classroom community during reorganization as it was initially during the placement process. Factors staff consider when placing students can include student needs, students identified for special education services, students with behavioral challenges; information from parents/caregivers, student relationships, gender, and more. Teachers balance classes as best they can, and principals will do their best to ensure the workload of teachers is balanced for each class. Please know, until that date, principals are asked by the system not to make any moves of students between classrooms. Specific dates will be provided by your school.

School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) has practical, evidence-informed resources to ensure Ontario school boards are well-equipped to support student mental health and well-being as we enter the 2024-25 school year. There are resources for teachers - as well there are resources for parents/caregivers which I am including below.

How to Support a Mentally Healthy Back to School for Your Child

Information in this resource identifies ways to support your child, and how to notice and address stress that may be related to the return to school. It provides strategies and tips to cope with stress so that your child can return to school feeling happy, connected, and ready to learn. 

Beginning September 1, 2024, the TDSB will be implementing the Ministry of Education’s new direction around cell phone and mobile device use for all Ontario schools and has updated the Code of Conduct. This direction is new for us and will take time to implement in our classrooms. Teachers will be working together with students to determine specific classroom practices and make sure that expectations are clear about how to make this the best possible learning environment for everyone.

While cell phones will not be permitted - how that is done from classroom to classroom may look different. For example - one teacher may ask for them to remain out of sight and in your knapsack, while another may have a large bin at the front where they’ll be placed during the class. We want classes and schools to do what works best for them and their students, while remaining consistent with the provincial direction. The direction around cell phone and mobile device use will also support the achievement and mental health of all students. (That said, there are many other resources that should be funded by government to truly support the achievement and mental health of all students - the province is choosing to focus here.)

TDSB is developing a Cell Phone/Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy to support student success, a sense of belonging, and well-being. This past Spring, staff conducted a pre-consultation to gather important input from school and community partners. Staff must also consider legislative requirements, government policy directives, and the Board’s operational requirements. The proposed policy content was supported and informed by a jurisdictional scan of comparable policies, procedures, and best practices in school boards across Canada and internationally.

The pre-consultation process was completed in June 2024. Over the summer, staff prepared a draft policy that will be shared with school communities in upcoming consultations to gather essential feedback and reflect local needs. Learn more: www.tdsb.on.ca/mobiledeviceuse,

The TDSB is committed to helping parents, caregivers and guardians access resources and support to help all students belong, achieve, and thrive. Our Multi-year Strategic Plan and School Improvement Process reflect our commitment to you as key partners in student success.

Please explore the resources that are available (click on the links above) throughout the school year and learn more about our Parent, Caregiver and Community Engagement Office and the services they provide.

From the TDSB Website - There are many ways students can travel to and from school including walking, wheeling (e.g., bicycle, scooter or mobility device), taking public transit or a school bus; and/or, driving/taking a ride to school. Whatever option you and your family choose, please remember to be careful and share the road with other road users . The beginning of a new school year is an especially concerning time.

Walking to School - The TDSB encourages active transportation to and from school whenever possible. Walking to school can be safer than driving and have a positive impact on student’s mental wellness and academic success. Here are some safety tips from Toronto Public Health:

Cycling to School - Similar to walking, cycling is good for children’s health, the environment and our communities. According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO), bikes are considered vehicles. Therefore, cyclists must follow the same rules and laws as drivers do. To ensure a safe trip when riding a bike, consider some of the following tips from MTO:

Driving to School - A child struck by a car travelling at 50 km/hr is eight times more likely to be killed than a child struck at 30 km/hr. Children 10 and under are most at risk for pedestrian related injuries. Therefore, if you are driving your child to or from school, it is important to be alert and slow down as children are smaller and harder to see. In addition, it might be difficult for children to determine the direction of sound and judging distance or speed. Here are some safety tips from Toronto Public Health:

At the Board Meeting on August 28, Trustees received staff's budget deficit recovery plan. The 3-year deficit recovery plan is a requirement of the Ministry of Education in order for us to use $28M of Proceeds of Disposition (POD) to balance our operating budget. Details of the ministry requirements can be found in the report. Should the plan be implemented, the TDSB will be in a balanced budget position in 2026-27. Trustees look forward to receiving reports throughout the Fall in order to communicate any changes to communities.

Last week there was a special series in The Local called A Thousand Cuts. "Close to a quarter of a million students attend schools in the Toronto District School Board, the largest board in Ontario and one of the largest in all of North America. Yet decades of underfunding have left it struggling to meet students’ needs. From cuts to caretakers, to overworked school administrators, to a lack of resources for special education, our ongoing series examines how our schools got to where they are now—and what it will take to fix them." It's worth the read.

I contributed to the article and conclude with this quote “The realist in me says it will be forever thus until public education is valued yet again as the great equalizer.” It's up to all of us to continue to advocate for fully-funded public education. 

At its last meeting, Trustees also approved TDSB's Capital Priority projects for submission to the Ministry of Education as part of their Capital Priorities Program 2024-25. The Ministry’s requirements for the submission of projects are the same as in the last round of the Capital Priorities program.

School boards are required to submit business cases for each project broken down into two streams: Stream 1, shovel-ready capital projects for funding consideration (TDSB will be submitting 5); and Stream 2, future long-term growth capital projects for information. In the last round of the Capital Priorities program in October 2023 the TDSB was only approved for one project (number 4 on our priority list) and that was to construct a new JK-8 elementary school and five-room child care centre to be built on the former Cloverdale PS site in Ward 3.

Ward 8 has one project being submitted this round in Stream 1 - a 5-room addition to Davisville / Spectrum. In Stream 2, in the Self-Financing Projects through the Modernization Initiative, a replacement school for Eglinton is listed to accommodate the intensification that is occurring in the Yonge-Eglinton area. In Group 2 to address future long-term growth in the Ward, projects include a new Flemington PS (JK-8) as part of the Lawrence Heights Revitalization Project and Additions and Replacement Schools and/or Redevelopments to address 1,200 elementary pupil places that are needed in the Yonge - Eglinton area to accommodate the intensification of this designated high-density growth centre. Details are in the report.

Please check your child's vaccination record. Vaccination is important for the health of each student and the school community (recent article). Toronto Public Health is hosting community clinics to help students catch-up on their school-based vaccines. 

Clinics are appointment based - click to book an appointment.

Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires that students be vaccinated against nine designated diseases or have a valid exemption. 

In addition, with COVID and other respiratory illnesses, please check the Toronto Public Health website for up-to-date information on vaccines. Please note, the TDSB has not received any new direction from TPH to begin this school year.

I am relieved to report that Trustees unanimously approved the motion moved by me and Trustee Alexandra Lulka Rotman Requesting Support to Deal With Incidents of Hate and Geopolitical Tensions. To read the full motion and the other decisions the Board made at our meeting on August 28, 2024, click on the meeting summary. Hopefully next week I will share links to the Director and Chair letters with the requests to the Minister of Education and the Ontario College of Teachers.

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.

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.

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.

Save the date for the 2024-2025 Virtual Parents and Caregivers as Partners Conference (PCasP) taking place on Saturday, November 16, 2024! 

This year's theme is: "Journey to Joy, Wellness, and Wholeness."

Join us to explore Equity and Truth and Reconciliation, break down barriers, and build inclusive communities. Learn from experts and discover how every student, parent/guardian/caregiver can experience joy, wellness, and wholeness in education. Registration details will follow soon.

We are inviting you to submit proposals for virtual workshops, micro-sessions, and panel presentations. The PCasP will run from 10:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.  We are welcoming submissions from school districts, universities, schools, School Councils, administrators, educators, community organizations, researchers, and parents/guardians/caregivers.

To apply as a presenter, please complete the application form no later than, October 1, 2024.

Learn4Life!

Registration for Learn4Life's Fall 2024 term is NOW OPEN! Hundreds of courses available in categories like art, crafts, dance, fitness, food, languages, music, self development and more. Try something new this fall!

Register now ▶ http://learn4life.ca

Please Note - A minimum number of registrants is required to open a class. The Toronto District School Board has the right to make the final decision to open or close a class or to revise the fee structure.

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, please complete an online donation form. Contact BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca.

Model Parliament for High School Students

The High School Model Parliament program at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario is designed for civic-minded Ontario students in grades 10 to 12, who are interested in current events and provincial issues. This unique experience brings together students from across the province for a three-day Model Parliament Program in Toronto.

Students will have the opportunity to play the role of a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and learn how parliament works through a series of workshops and presentations. They will meet key figures in Ontario’s Parliament as they forge new friendships with like-minded students. Applications will be accepted from August 7 to October 6, 2024.

The upcoming Model Parliament dates are February 19 to February 21, 2025 (onsite in Toronto). The virtual component of the program starts in November 2024. The first mandatory virtual meeting will take place on November 7, 2024.

For more information, click on https://www.ola.org/en/visit-learn/programs/model-parliament-high-school-students.

Dogs on school properties have been an ongoing challenge for many years despite the “no dogs permitted” signage. 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).  

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. 

The City of Toronto also has rules for dog owners. Please click here https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/animals-pets/pets-in-the-city/dogs-in-the-city/responsible-dog-ownership/.

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.

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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