This Week's Update- Committee Meetings this Week
- Ward 8 PARTS/Community Meetings/Updates
- Transitioning from the COVID-19 School Experience - A Discussion Paper
- Repeating this Important Information - Government’s Proposed Plan for Remote Learning
- Toronto Lands Corporation: Development Applications Review: A Collaborative Success
- May is Asian Heritage Month at the TDSB
New Invitations - Breaking Barriers by Changing Biases
- Mindfulness in May
- TDSB's Asian and Jewish Heritage Committees Present: Chicken Soup, Chicken Soup
Worth Repeating - Model City Hall
- Liberation75 May 5-9
- Skilled Trade & Technology Virtual Information Night
- Summer Programs
- Hold the Date - Ward Forum - May 31, 2021
- Prime Minister's Awards Deadline Extended
- Policy Consultations
- Download the COVID-19 App
- School Year Calendar
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Committee Meetings This Week
Delegation requests will still be accepted during the closure of all schools and administrative sites at the TDSB; however, oral delegations to address a committee of the Board will be presented by phone. To submit a delegation request (written or oral), please refer to the information found here https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Delegations and email delegates@tdsb.on.ca. If your request is approved, further details will be provided to you via email.
Governance and Policy Committee, Wednesday, April 28, 2021, 4:30 p.m. Electronic Meeting
Special Planning & Priorities Committee, Wednesday, April 28, 2021, 6:30 p.m. Electronic Meeting
- 4. Ministry Direction on September School Opening and Implementation Plans - To be presented
- 5. Revised School Year Calendar 2021-2022 - To follow - It is being recommended the first day of the year for students will be Thursday, September 9, 2021
- 6. Report From the Chair of the Board - Oral update
- 7. Report From Representative on the City's Board of Health - Oral update
- 8. Report From the Directors on the Ontario Public School Boards' Association - Oral update
- 9. Report From the Chairs of the Governance and Policy Committee, the Program and School Services Committee, the Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee - Oral update
- 10. Report From Representatives on the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee and the Special Education Advisory Committee - Oral update
- 11. Reports From Student Trustees - Oral update
- 12. Emergency Motions - To be presented
- 13. Other Questions, Insights and Advice From Trustees to Staff - To be presented
Regular Board Meeting, Wednesday, April 21, 2021 - Summary of Decisions
This document is a summary of decisions made by the Board and is not intended to provide a record of information items that were received. Information items can be found in the meeting agenda and related committee meeting agendas on the Web site. Click Summary here.
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Ward 8 PARTS/Community Meetings/Updates
In addition, the following is an update on Baycrest PS.
- On Monday, March 15, 2021, the Baycrest PS community received an update on the status of the Sir Sandford Fleming relocation retrofit. At that time, the community was encouraged to voice your questions and concerns regarding the information shared at this event. The presentation and the questions received have been compiled in a Q and A and have been placed on the TDSB site. Please follow this link to access the related Q and A:
Please also know there will be a community meeting to discuss Hodgson Middle School's Planned Addition on May 3rd from 7-8:30pm. This is your opportunity to hear about the new addition, transition plans and provide feedback. Pease register by clicking this link. in advance. Read the invitation from Superintendent Andrew Howard. Three of the 4 feeder schools to Hodgson are in Ward 8 - Davisville Jr Public School, Eglinton Jr Public School and Oriole Park Jr Public School. Hodgson MS and Maurice Cody Jr Public School, are part of Ward 11 with Trustee Rachel Chernos Lin. A follow up meeting is scheduled for: Monday, May 17th, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. For more information about the new addition at Hodgson Middle School , please visit: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/AccommodationReviews: Click on “Hodgson Middle School New Addition” under “Other Reviews”.
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Transitioning from the COVID-19 School Experience - A Discussion Paper
The Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA) will be releasing a research-informed discussion paper in early June 2021 to help guide the Ontario education system as it transitions from the COVID-19 school experience. It builds on OPSBA membership boards' first-hand accounts of remote/online learning during the pandemic. Perspectives represent experiences in remote and northern boards, school boards from large urban centers and largely rural communities across the province. This process has revealed some innovative practices in pedagogy and leadership that should be preserved and implemented on a broader scale post-pandemic.
The document is designed to elicit collaborative dialogue with education partners by identifying key questions to build on current observations, identify the need for further study, and to create a frame for a new vision for school. This document builds on OPSBA’s two former documents, What if? and A Vision for Learning and Teaching in a Digital Age. I also expect it will address the inequities within the system that have been laid bare by the pandemic. I look forward to sharing when public.
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Repeating this Important Information - Government’s Proposed Plan for Remote LearningAs I have been referencing in previous updates, the recent draft proposal from the Ministry of Education regarding remote learning, and an expanded role for TVO in our education system can have profound effects on the future of public education. Although the full details remain confidential, many of the details of the proposal have been published in a variety of publications, including but not limited to the Globe & Mail and the Toronto Star.
The Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA) continues to be at the forefront and convene its work teams to review the details once they are known. OPSBA issued a preliminary statement on March 25 which I shared in last weekend's update and they also sent a letter to the Minister on April 8.
At the last Board Meeting, Trustees passed a Motion to Stop the Plans for Radical Changes to Remote Learning in Ontario - Preserve Student Achievement and Well-being through Locally delivered Public Education. I will forward the Chair's letter when available.
Be it resolved that the Chair of the Toronto District School Board write to the Minister of Education to express this board’s objection to the rushed and radical changes to remote learning that the government is proposing and that the letter include the following:
- There is no evidence to support that this policy change will improve student achievement or well-being;
- TDSB data shows that students and families prefer local in-person learning;
- Rushing through these radical changes to remote learning after a year of isolation and instability created by the Covid-19 pandemic risks causing real harm to our students; and
- The government must immediately stop its consideration of this proposal until the full impacts of remote learning on students during this pandemic are known.
Part of the conversation at the Board table was the importance of communicating to parents on the potential impacts that this proposal will have on their child/children’s education, as well as public educations as a whole. I have shared a draft template letter that school council chairs can use to inform their communities and send their concerns to the government.
We still don’t understand the full impacts of the pandemic on the mental health and wellness or on the academic achievement of students. While our data tells us some students have had a positive experience with remote learning, there are many others who have experienced significant mental health challenges and feelings of isolation - and 84% of our students surveyed in February said they learn better in-person compared to virtual learning;
As we wrote in our motion - the government must immediately stop its consideration of this proposal until the full impacts of remote learning on students during this pandemic are known.
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Toronto Lands Corporation: Development Applications Review: A Collaborative Success
Toronto Lands Corporation’s (TLC) expanded mandate assigns them the responsibility for all land use planning matters on behalf of the TDSB. As part of that responsibility, TLC’s Land Use Planning team works closely with TDSB’s Educational Planning Officers to address land use planning activities that impact school accommodation. This close working relationship necessitates regularly scheduled bi-weekly joint departmental meetings, as well as daily communication between the two teams on project specific matters that impact student accommodation, including managing the many complexities around the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) hearings.
For example, when development applications are appealed to the LPAT, TLC staff consults with TDSB staff on the merits of the appeal with respect to school accommodation. When necessary and applicable, TLC and TDSB can appeal or seek party status at the LPAT and, together with legal counsel, develop a collaborative strategy. At recent LPAT appeals in Midtown and High Park, TLC has successfully executed settlement agreements with several developers who have agreed to delay the residential occupancy of their developments to a time that aligns with TDSB’s timing for sufficient local student accommodation.
This kind of collaboration between TLC Land Use Planning and TDSB Planning continues to be the foundation of TLC’s modernization approach and will contribute towards moving TDSB forward in its ability to better serve school communities and to provide appropriate long-term accommodation for students.
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May is Asian Heritage Month at the TDSB
Asian Heritage Month is recognized formally throughout Canada through an official declaration that was signed in May 2002. The Senate of Canada accepted this motion originally proposed by Senator Vivienne Poy in December 2001. Subsequently, the Province of Ontario passed the Asian Heritage Act in 2005.
We are proud to celebrate the numerous achievements of Asian-Canadians and their significant role on the global stage. This year our theme is Discover. Share. Celebrate our Resiliency!
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Breaking Barriers by Changing BiasesTDSB’s Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) invites all parents, guardians and caregivers to take part in our Spring Event “Breaking Barriers by Changing Biases”.
Join us virtually on May 1st and 2nd via Zoom.
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Mindfulness in May
Davisville Jr PS invites you to join them and instructor Tina Carlson, an IMTA certified mindfulness teacher with UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center for a variety of programming in May.
- Thursday May 13 - 6:30 - 7:30 pm JK-Grade 2 - Mindful PJ Party
- Thursday May 20 - 6:30 - 7:30 pm Grades 3-6 - Mindful Super Heroes
- Thursday May 27 - 8:00 - 9:30 pm - For Parents and Caregivers - Mindfulness and Equity: Natural Partners
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TDSB's Asian and Jewish Heritage Committees Present: Chicken Soup, Chicken Soup
In honour of May, Asian and Jewish Heritage Months, the TDSB’s Asian Heritage Committee and Jewish Heritage Committee are pleased to present Chicken Soup, Chicken Soup. I will share the links in next week's update for you to watch at home.
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Worth Repeating...
2021 Summer ProgramsElementary Summer School Thirty-eight (38) programs are offered to students in Kindergarten to Grade 8, from July 5 to 30, 2021, in-person or online through virtual instruction. Registration is now open! Click here for a full list of participating schools and registration information - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Innovation/Elementary-Summer-School.
To learn the difference between the e-Learning Summer Program and the Continuing Education Hybrid & Remote Summer Program, please click here
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Skilled Trade & Technology Virtual Information Night
Thursday April 29, 2021 - 5:00-6:15pm for Parents/Guardians and students in grades 7-12, All are welcome! Join thought-provoking conversations to remove the stigma behind careers in the skilled trade professions, with a focus on the Motive Power sector. Through this event you will have the opportunity to:
- Take a virtual tour with Centennial College Ashtonbee Campus through their labs, and watch a live automotive demo; and
- Hear about the partnerships and opportunities between the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), Centennial College and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
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Model City Hall 2021
Model City Hall 2021! The conference is set for Saturday, May 1st, 2021 between 9 AM – 6 PM. The delegate application for the Model City Hall 2021 virtual conference is now open until the deadline of April 28! All high school and post-secondary students residing in the GTHA are welcome to apply - applications from students with 2SLGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPoC) and other marginalized and/or equity-seeking groups are encouraged.
No prior Model UN or Model Parliament experience is required to participate, and please note that position papers are not required. For more information, please click https://modelcityhall.org/apply/.
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Liberation75
GLOBAL GATHERING OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS, DESCENDANTS, EDUCATORS & FRIENDS
MAY 4 - 9, 2021 VIRTUAL. WORLDWIDE. FREE.
Liberation75 is the world's largest international event to mark the 75th anniversary of liberation from the Holocaust.
Join thousands of others as we commit to fighting antisemitism and continuing Holocaust education and remembrance.
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Prime Minister's Awards Deadline ExtendedDo you know an exceptional teacher or early childhood educator? Consider nominating them for a 2021 Prime Minister's Award! This program honours innovative and outstanding elementary and secondary school teachers and early childhood educators who are helping prepare Canadian youth for the challenges of tomorrow. The nomination deadline has been extended for the 2021 competition until April 27, 2021. Looking for inspiration? Check out previous teaching and early childhood education award recipients. 2021 nomination packages are available at www.pma.gc.ca.
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Hold the Date - Ward Forum - May 31, 2021
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Policy Consultations
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. Please see revised the Policy Review Schedule.
New Consultations
Human Rights Policy (P031) Deadline: April 30, 2021 Draft Revised Policy [pdf] Draft Revised Policy [docx] Objective: To protect, promote and advance the human rights of all TDSB members to learn, function and work in an equitable, accessible, respectful and inclusive environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of the prohibited grounds of discrimination specified in this Policy and protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code. To enhance the capacity of the TDSB to meet its positive human rights obligations, including to proactively identify, address, and prevent all forms of discrimination, including individual and systemic discrimination. Email: Anu.Sharma2@tdsb.on.ca
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Download the COVID ALERT APPTogether, let's limit the spread of COVID-19. COVID Alert is an additional tool to protect yourself and your loved ones. COVID Alert helps us break the cycle of infection. The app can let other app users know of possible exposures before any symptoms appear. That way, we can take care of ourselves and protect our communities. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-alert.html. Please note, unfortunately, the app is only available on certain phones/operating systems.
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School Year Calendar 2020-2021The last day of class for elementary students is June 29
Secondary Quadmester Calendar
- Quad 4: April 23 - June 28
PA Days & Holidays Remaining
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