January 2023
Tutoring Supports for Students
The Ministry of Education is funding tutoring programs for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 with a focus on Math, Literacy, and foundational learning skills.
Free school-based tutoring, system-based tutoring, and community-based tutoring is available to students as they continue to develop and learn concepts and skills that may have been disrupted in recent years, particularly due to COVID-19.
Middle French Immersion Application Process
The entry point to the Middle French Immersion program for September 2023 is Grade 4. The online application process for Middle French Immersion will take place between January 9 and February 3, 2023. An offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) is guaranteed to all on-time applicants. Families with an older sibling currently enrolled in a French program and who will be in attendance next year are still required to complete an online application for the new student. Please select the “sibling option” within the online application.
Out-of-Area Admissions
TDSB students can attend a school which is designated to serve their residential address but also have the opportunity to access schools outside of their area by applying for Out-of-Area Admissions. Acceptance at these schools is subject to space availability and program suitability. As of January 9, 2023, the online application is now open. Please refer to the elementary and secondary Out-of-Area Admissions webpages for more information.
Elementary Alternative Schools Online Application
The TDSB offers a wide range of elementary alternative schools available to students. I encourage you to research schools and programs to learn about the educational philosophy and distinct pedagogy. Students may apply for up to two elementary alternative schools.
The online application for admission for September 2023 will be open from Monday, January 16 at 4 p.m. to Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 4 p.m.
To learn more about the application process, please attend an Elementary Alternative Schools webinar. Registration is required and a recording of the webinars will be posted on the website.
Secondary Exams and Course Culminating Activities
As secondary schools approach the end of semester one, all our secondary students will have end-of-semester activities in each course, known as culminating activities, which are worth 30% of the final mark and can include presentations, assignments, and exams.
Reducing Spread of Respiratory Illness
Recently, there has been an increase in respiratory viruses among children, including Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza and COVID-19. Please review this important message from Toronto Public Health about the steps that can be taken to help keep children and others safe. Please note that Toronto Public Health, together with Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, strongly recommends wearing a well-fitted mask in indoor public settings, including in schools and childcares.
Inclement Weather
Winter weather is here! With our cold Canadian winter comes snow, ice, and severe weather. It is occasionally necessary to cancel student transportation, classes and/or programs. Occasionally, severe weather forces the closure of our schools and administrative offices. Visit the website to learn more about Snow/Cold Weather and the Procedure for Severe Weather.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Special programs for the TDSB
January 27th is International Holocaust Remembrance Day and we’re inviting you to virtually join us for an interview with Holocaust survivor Pinchas Gutter from 10:15 am - 11 am. This is a live webcast to all TDSB classes grades 6 and up who are interested. To join us, please use the following link: International Holocaust Remembrance Day Live Webcast
The Children of Willesden Lane concerts were previously postponed due to the CUPE strike. The concerts will now take place on January 31 and February 1. All students (grades 6 and up) and members of the TDSB community are welcome to watch the livestream on February 1 at 10am. Thanks to a wonderful donation from Liberation75 and the Shoah Foundation we received almost 10,000 books which have been distributed by teacher request right across the Board. Several VIP’s, including our Director, Chair, Trustees, associates from the U.S. Consulate and the Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany, will also be attending the concerts.
Tamil Heritage Month at the TDSB
Tamil Heritage Month is proudly recognized during the month of January at the Toronto District School Board. This year’s theme is: Community. Belonging. Joy - சமூகம் சார்ந்த சந்தோசம். This theme was selected intentionally to align with one of the TDSB’s priorities - Joy, Engagement and Belonging. To learn more about Tamil Heritage Month click here.
Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement
In My Mosque: Love and Belonging in Community Spaces
The TDSB is commemorating the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia (January 29) with this virtual session. The author and illustrator of the book, In My Mosque, will host an interactive storytelling session focused on love and belonging in community spaces on January 24. To attend this virtual session, please register now.
Save the Date: EnVision Conference
The annual EnVision Conference (in-person) will be from Tuesday, February 28 to Wednesday, March 1. The focus of this year's conference is 2SLGBTQIAP+ Indigenous, Black and Racialized Joy, Intersections, and Futurity.
All 2SLGBTQIAP+ elementary and secondary students, as well as their allies/co-conspirators are invited come together in collective care to address biphobia, homophobia and transphobia. There will be keynote speakers, workshops on a continuum for those beginning their journey in allyship and those who would like more support in student action. The entire conference will be an opportunity for students to share the multiple ways gender and sexual diversity can be celebrated within the Toronto District School Board.
Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC)
PIAC welcomes you to share the voice of your ward, to advise the Board, support school councils and parents/caregivers with events and resources. Please visit PIAC’s redesigned website at www.torontopiac.com. View PIAC vacancies and contact your Trustee to join!
Stay Connected with your School
The TDSB now offers two new ways to stay connected with your school and the TDSB. Learn more about opting in for text messages and using the School Messenger app, which provides a faster and easier way to report absences.
Upcoming Meetings
The next Regular Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. For a list of upcoming meetings, please click on the calendar at www.tdsb.on.ca.
Follow the TDSB
Join the conversations happening on TDSB's social media communities. You'll find the most up-to-date information about us on our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.
