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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 -- December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
- Peace, Love and Light at Hanukkah
- Actual Enrolments
- Genocide Education
- PA Day December 8
- Anti-Hate Conference
- Support for the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Request for a Provincial Anti-Hate Strategy
- Board Meeting This Wee
- Major Capital and Renewal Project Status Repor
- TDSB Student Census Result
- NEW Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline 9-8-
- Child Care Project
- Elementary Alternative Schools Online Central Application Process
- Feeling under the weather?
- Revised Out-of-Area Admissions Procedure
- Combatting Hate
- Virtual Ward Forum - February 1, 2024
- New Invitations - Positive Mental Health and Academic Achievement in Children; TDSB Virtual Community Fair: Introduction to Lead Autism Supports Community Agencies
- Worth Repeating - Ontario Pre-Budget Consultations; African Heritage Month at the TDSB: Black Student Alliance Drop-in Workshop; Raise a Reader Part 3; City of Toronto Programs; Heritage Month Poster Contests; More Joy! Beyond 8; ILEP; Here to Help - Kids Help Line; Winter Outerwear Drive; Useful Links; We Have a Dog Problem; 2023-2024 Calendar; Community Safety & Support
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December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
It has been over 30 years since the murder of 14 young women at Polytechnique Montréal (December 6, 1989). This act of violent misogyny shook our country and led Parliament to designate December 6 as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. On December 6, we remember: Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz.
As we mourn their loss and remember their lives, we reaffirm our commitment to fight the hatred that led to this tragedy, and the misogyny that still exists today.
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Peace, Love and Light at Hanukkah
Hanukkah 2023 (Hebrew Year 5784) begins Thursday, December 7 at sunset and the holiday ends Friday, December 15 at nightfall. Hanukkah celebrates two miracles that happened in Judea in 139 BCE: The Jewish Maccabees beat the Syrian-Greek invaders, and a small jar of oil burned for 8 continuous days in the Temple menorah instead of just one. A candle is lit for each of the 8 nights. Wishing all those celebrating this Festival of Lights, peace, love and light.
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Actual Enrolments
Every school year, actual enrolments for the schools are collected and compiled at the end of each week in September and then at the end of each month for the rest of the year. During the Finance, Budget & Enrolment Committee, staff presented a report to provide the actual enrolments as of September 30, 2023 and contrast it with the projected enrolments for the same time period. Numbers of students are critical to school boards as the majority of grants are based on enrolment.
The projected enrolment for the system for September 30, 2023 was 235,717 head count. The actual enrolment for the system as of September 30, 2023 was 237,572 head count. This is above projection by 1,855 head count (+0.79%). This is an increase of 2,427 head count from September 30, 2022 (+1.03%). It is positive news that enrolments are going back up.
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Genocide Education
In June, 2020, the TDSB unanimously supported a motion to ask the province in part to mandate genocide education; in part "That genocide examples are a comprehensive study as part of the mandatory Canadian History Since World War I Grade 10 course".
In our letter to Minister Lecce, we wrote "Genocide Education is known to help students better understand their rights as humans, both individually and as a society, and also provide them with the critical thinking skills needed to better understand racism and intolerance. In return, this prepares students to recognize, report and combat various forms of hate in their own surroundings. For this reason, we believe Genocide Education is critical in our fight against hate and discrimination."
We were pleased when the province mandated Grade 6 Holocaust education, beginning this year and Holocaust education in Grade 10 History beginning 2024. Now we are glad to see the province mandating Holdomor education beginning in 2025. Students will learn about the significance of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide of 1932-33 as part of Grade 10 History.
In addition to the Holocaust and the Holdomor, we are hopeful student will also learn about other Genocides currently recognized by the Canadian government - the Genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda, the Armenian Genocide of 1915, the Bosnian Genocide and the ongoing genocide of the Yezidi people of Syria and Iraq. We must continue to educate against hate.
And since our motion on Genocide Education in 2020, on October 27, 2022, Canada's parliament unanimously recognized the country's residential school system as genocide. Our students must learn about residential schools as mandatory education and we have passed a separate motion on embedding all the learnings from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
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PA Day December 8
As per the Ministry of Education’s Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 151, Professional Activity Days Devoted to Provincial Education Priorities, school boards are required to designate three Ministry mandatory PA Days. This year, these PA days will focus on the priority areas of Literacy and Mathematics, Curriculum Implementation, and Student Well-being, School Safety and Violence Prevention. The next elementary PA Day is on December 8th.
Target Audience: All Staff - Elementary - Literacy, Mathematics, Curriculum Implementation, Student Well-Being and Belonging
Description: Educators will engage in a variety of professional learning workshops focused on effective strategies to support student learning centred on the following:
- K-8 instructional strategies (i.e., critical and comprehensive literacy, CRRP, comprehension, striving/struggling readers, literacy across the curriculum, etc.), early reading instructions, and universal design for learning in a manner consistent with the recommendations in the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read report.
- The implementation of high-impact instructional practices in mathematics
Curriculum implementation for Grades 1-8 Language (2023). - Professional Learning will also consider factors such as equity and human rights in education, anti-racism and anti-discrimination, Indigenous Education, and equitable learning opportunities for students with disabilities and special education needs.
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Anti-Hate Conference
This conference at Georges Vanier SS was highlighted by the Board in a News Release on Monday November 27, 2023.
"On November 9, Grade 12 students from Georges Vanier SS hosted an Anti-Hate Conference, which aimed to promote the importance of tolerance and understanding. The Conference, organized by students as part of their Grade 12 Equity and Social Justice course curriculum, was attended by 140 Grade 5 students from nearby Kingslake PS, Lescon PS, and Seneca Hill PS.
“Hate in all forms has no place in our school or any TDSB school,” said Shawn Robertson, Vice-Principal, Georges Vanier SS. “I am proud of the work that these students put into the Anti-Hate Conference, and the impact it will have on so many other students and schools.”
With the support of Melissa Mikel, Director of Education for the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre, the students created and delivered three separate, age-appropriate workshops for the Grade 5 students covering antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Indigenous racism and other forms of hate. The keynote speaker at the Conference was Holocaust survivor Andy Reti.
“The opportunity to not just study social change, but make change in our immediate community was an important part of organizing this Anti-Hate Conference and bringing it to life,” said Shivani Maharaj, Equity and Social Justice course teacher. “The students felt strongly about seeing themselves reflected and represented in the topics, themes and workshops, they wanted to bring meaningful engagement and buzz around becoming an advocate for understanding and change.”
Following the conference, the grade 5 classes were assigned the task of creating something to represent their thoughts and feelings from the day. The Grade 12 students from Georges Vanier SS are looking forward to visiting the Grade 5s at their schools to see the impact of the learning."
I am really hoping this can be modeled throughout the system as part of our commitment to educate against hate.
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Support for the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Request for a Provincial Anti-Hate Strategy
At our Board Meeting on November 1, 2023, the Board passed a motion asking the Chair to write a letter to express our full support for the Ontario Human Rights Commission's (OHRC) imperative call for the development of a well-resourced province-wide anti-hate strategy.
The Chair writes "Given the evolving landscape and manifestations of hate, both in our schools and communities, it is critical that any forthcoming strategy aligns with the most current evidence, practices, and human rights policies. We endorse the OHRC's suggestion to initiate a thorough review of existing policies, regulatory frameworks, and legal mechanisms pertaining to the identification, definition, and addressing of hate. This review is essential to ensure that our approach is comprehensive, adaptive, and reflective of today’s societal challenges.
A multi-faceted strategy, as advocated for by the OHRC, should involve not only government bodies but also public sector institutions, school boards, professional associations in education, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations. This collaborative approach will undoubtedly contribute to the development of a more comprehensive and inclusive dialogue, and result in a more impactful and effective anti-hate strategy.
In a news release of November 2022, Education Minister Stephen Lecce stressed the importance of “expanding resources and strengthening anti-hate training for Ontario students, educators, and families.” We agree, and we suggest that a provincial anti-hate strategy would be an important foundation for that work.
This strategy could then provide direction to school boards, supported by critically important provincial funding to school boards to address hate. It is imperative that resources are provided to ensure staff can get the professional development required to be competent to address these difficult, critical conversations with students, and to ensure boards are able to follow-up on incidents with appropriate education. The TDSB remains deeply committed to addressing all instances of hate within our schools, but we need your help in ensuring we are resourced to do so.
Seeing the rise in hate incidents in our schools and across the province, our board considers this matter urgent, and as such, we kindly request a response to this letter by December 31, 2023."
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Board Meeting This Week
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 - Regular Meeting - Public Session 7:00pm - Boardroom - Agenda - 15. Committee Reports
- 15.1 Planning and Priorities Committee (Special Meeting), Report No. 11, November 22, 2023
- 1. Toronto Lands Corporation Modernization Opportunities: Capital Priority Sites
- 2. Toronto Lands Corporation Modernization Opportunities: Community Partnership Sites
- 3. 2023 Student Census: Preliminary Results
- 4. Climate Action Annual Report, 2023
- 5. Business Arising: Reducing Building Related Energy Consumption 6. Math Achievement Action Plan
- 15.2 Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee (Special Meeting), Report No. 16, November 29, 2023
- 1. Contract Awards, Operations
- 2. Contract Awards, Facilities
- 3. Actual Enrolment as of September 2023
- 4. Major Capital and Renewal Projects Status Update
- 5. Ontario Public School Boards’ Association 2023-24 Annual Membership Fee
- 6. Final Response to the 2024-25 Ministry of Education Budget Consultation
- 7. Business Arising – Final Response to the 2024-25 Ministry of Education Budget Consultation
- 15.3 Audit Committee, Report No. 7, December 4, 2023 To follow
- 16. Written Notices of Motion
- 16.1 Moving From Procedure to Policy on Cell Phone/Mobile Device Use in Schools to Ensure Student Achievement and Well-Being (Trustees Chernos Lin and Ehrhardt)
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Major Capital and Renewal Project Status Report
Staff presented a report this week on the status of TDSB's major capital and renewal projects. Appendix C in the report provides a list of the 2023 - 2024 projects greater than $10,000, sorted by Ward. The list includes a brief project description, funding source and construction status, as well as a list of common abbreviations used in the project list. Appendix D provides a summary of the common abbreviations used in the renewal project list. You can find the list of all projects planned for Ward 8 on my website here.
Click here for more information on the Board's Capital Projects.
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TDSB Student Census Results
In Spring 2023, the TDSB conducted its fourth Student Census, which resulted in a response rate of approximately 58% across all grades.
The Student Census asks students important questions about school experiences and identities and is an opportunity for students to share their voice and provide valuable information to help improve our schools and system.
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NEW Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline 9-8-8
On November 30, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) through the Canadian Radio and Television Corporation (CRTC) announced a national three digit Mental Health and Suicide Prevention hotline number, 988. In the face of increased demand for crisis services, 9-8-8 provides:
- A number that’s easy to remember in a crisis situation.
- Support in English and in French, by phone and text.
- Quick access to support from trained responders, available 24/7/365.
- High quality, evidence-based, equitable suicide prevention and crisis support for everyone in Canada.
You are not alone. You deserve help - call or text 9-8-8 any time for free, confidential support without judgement.
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Child Care Projects
The Ministry of Education approved 28 new child care projects on TDSB sites across the City of Toronto in 2017. Early in the design development, TDSB met with Ministry staff to raise concerns that the funding for these childcare projects was not sufficient and there would be challenges meeting the benchmark. Trustees then voted to contribute $14.3M of Proceeds of Disposition toward the construction of 17 of the 28 new child care centres. The timeline to receive Approval to Proceed (ATP) to tender for these projects varied. To gage the market and see how the post pandemic cost escalations would impact pricing, TDSB went to tender with four projects in the late spring of 2022. The low bids received for these four projects was significantly over the approved funding. In July of 2022, Trustees directed staff to discuss with the Ministry if there was additional Ministry funding available. Staff shared revised cost estimates with the Ministry for the 17 first projects – clearly showing that estimated construction costs would be much higher than the approved funding. The Ministry did not respond to the TDSB request for additional funding until one year later – in August of 2023. The 25% additional funding offered by the Minister still does not address the estimated capital shortfall. Based on current estimates, the 17 child care addition projects are projected to cost $110.7M while the Ministry funding (including the 25% increase) is $62.9M. This amount would require additional funding of $47.8M.
In addition, the remaining 11 child care projects approved for funding would require an additional $45.3M if Proceeds of Disposition were to be used to support these projects. The TDSB cannot go to tender without having the funding available, nor is it appropriate for the TDSB to continue working on the other 11 projects, to pay consultants and to proceed with Site Plan Approval if there will not be sufficient funding provided by the Ministry of Education.
The Chair continues to meet with the Minister to address our significant concerns regarding the funding shortfall that hinders our ability to build previously agreed to child care sites in TDSB schools, and its subsequent impact on equity of access to child care services in our schools, particularly in Scarborough, York, Etobicoke, and the Northwest. See our Advocacy Letter here which lists the childcares in question.
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Elementary Alternative Schools Online Central Application Process
As you know, the TDSB has a wide range of elementary alternative schools available to students. The application process is managed centrally and includes an online application form. Information about the online application process will be available on the Alternative Schools website on December 11, 2023. The online application for admission for September 2024 will be open from Monday, January 8, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. to Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
Elementary alternative schools will hold information sessions and/or open houses for students and parents/guardians/caregivers in December 2023 and January 2024. More information is available on the Elementary School Open Houses and Information Nights web page. There will also be two Elementary Alternative Schools live webinars, including one daytime and one evening session. Registration is required, and a recording of the webinars will be posted on the website.
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Feeling under the weather?
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Revised Out-of-Area Admissions Procedure
In May, 2023, updates were made to the Out-of-Area Admissions Policy (P013). On November 14, 2023, the revised Operating Procedure, PR545 was approved by Executive Council and will be going to the Governance and Policy Committee and the Board Meeting in January 2024 for information.
The changes in the revised Procedure will be reflected on the various public TDSB Out-of-Area Admissions websites. When applying for September 2024, applicants may submit one school/program choice in their application. The online application will be available on January 8, 2024.
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Combatting 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 centralizing 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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Virtual Ward Forum - February 1, 2024
6:30-7:00 PIAC Election I 7:00-8:30 Discussion on Literacy & Numeracy
Please join me and Superintendents Felsen, Howard & Pividor for Ward 8 PIAC and FSLCAC Elections at 6:30 followed by a conversation on Numeracy and Literacy in our classrooms. Register here.
Election for PIAC and FSLCAC Representatives
We will be electing Ward 8 Co-Representatives for both TDSB Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) and French as a Second Language Community Advisory Committee (FSLCAC).
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Positive Mental Health and Academic Achievement in Children
December 7, 2023 6:30 PM
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TDSB Virtual Community Fair: Introduction to Lead Autism Supports Community Agencies
Monday, December 11th, 2023, from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon and the same information will be repeated on Monday, December 18th, 2023, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
Join us as we invite Lead Agency Representatives that support students with Special/Complex Needs. These agencies include Autism Ontario, Strides Toronto, Lumenus Community Services, Geneva Centre For Autism, and SAAAC Autism Centre. Get firsthand information about these agencies’ programs and services such as Autism Supports, Behaviour Therapy Supports (ABA Therapy), Service Navigation, Respite and much more. Get the opportunity to connect with these agencies as you continue to support your loved ones.
Speakers: Autism Ontario, Geneva Centre For Autism, Lumenus Community Services, Strides Toronto and SAAAC Autism Centre.
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Ontario Pre-Budget Consultations
More information has been posted regarding the province’s plans for its 2024 Pre-Budget Consultations. In addition to the online survey, Ontarians can also submit written submissions by January 31, 2024. Further, the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs will be conducting public meetings across the province during December 2023 and January 2024.
We ask that you complete the online survey - please see Question 5 that asks, “When you think about your community, what services or resources could use more government support? Please choose the top 3 priorities that you feel are the most important.” One of the options is “Education supports (like before and after school programming, special education and developmental support programs).” We encourage you to list this priority should you wish to support public education.
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African Heritage Month at the TDSB: Black Student Alliance Drop-in Workshop
During the month of February, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) proudly recognizes African Heritage (Black) History Month. At this time, we are excited to share with you that we are continuing with our Black Student Alliance (BSA) initiative that started in the TDSB in 2020. BSAs are student groups that increase student voice, build capacity in student leadership, and are supported by a TDSB staff member. Students support each other through ongoing discussion meetings, school assemblies, guest speakers, presentations, and other initiatives. Furthermore, BSAs contribute to ensure that the TDSB meets it commitments to equity, inclusion, and Black students' success. One session was held on November 23 - We are planning to host one more virtual BSA workshops - on December 7
4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Please join us through Microsoft Team Meets.
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Raise a Reader Part 3
TDSB Community Support Workers invite you to join us as we review and continue to learn new strategies to build and strengthen our children's reading skills. Thank you for allowing us to walk alongside you as we shared strategies to improve your child's reading skills while encouraging and building the joy of reading. We are always here to support and help in any way we can to ensure that every child thrives and achieves beyond their potential.
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 6:30pm. Register here.
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City of Toronto Programs
Winter recreation listings are now online!
Registration opens at 7 a.m. on Dec 5 (Etobicoke York, including York South-Weston, Toronto and East York) and Dec 6 (North York and Scarborough). Browse programs http://toronto.ca/WinterRec
Find out when you can register, how to get your account ready and how to search for programs on How to Register for Recreation Programs. Programs start the week of Monday, January 8, 2024. With more than 10,000 registered courses on offer and more than 128,600 spaces available, there’s something for all ages, interests and skill levels this winter. Find your nearest location using the Registered Programs Map.
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Heritage Month Poster Contests
The month of January is recognized by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) as Tamil Heritage Month. This year's theme for Tamil heritage Month at the TDSB is: Our Memories, Our Truths, Our Paths Forward: A Mosaic of Tamil Identity. All TDSB students from grades kindergarten to grade 12 are invited to participate in a Poster Challenge. Please see this document for further details that includes reflective prompts for each challenge grade categories. Deadline is Friday, December 8, by 3:00 p.m. All entries must be submitted in .pdf or .jpeg format to the Tamil Heritage Month Planning Committee at tdsbtamilheritagemonth@gmail.com.
TDSB proudly recognizes Chinese Heritage Month in February each year. Currently, we are inviting all students from grade kindergarten to grade 12 to participate in a Poster Challenge to celebrate the Lunar New Year. This year is the Year of the Dragon: Majesty, Brilliance, Confidence, Leadership. Deadline: Monday, January 8th, 2024, by 5:00 pm. Please see this document for further details that includes Poster Contest Eligibility, Guidelines, and Prizes. It also includes the submission information.
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More Joy!
TDSB Community Support Workers invite you to a 30-minute after-school family literacy series. Wednesday's from 4:30-6pm until December 6th.Click here to join.
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ILEP
Did you know that there are International Language Elementary Programs in our Ward? We have 5 sites with 15 classes in total.
- Deer Park Jr & Sr PS: 3 x Spanish
- Eglinton Public School: 1 x Arabic; 2 x Mandarin Simplified; 1 x Russian; 1 x Tamil
- J.R. Wilcox Public School: 1 x Hebrew; 1 x Spanish
- John Ross Robertson PS: 1 x Farsi; 1 x Greek; 1 x Mandarin-Simplified; 1 x Spanish and
- Joyce Public School: 1 x Mandarin Simplified; 1 x Spanish.
At JR Wilcox and Joyce we only have 2 classes and we need to expand to at least 3 classes for program viability. Each class needs 23 students. We are encouraging more parents/caregivers to participate in the program. Please contact shelly.xu@tdsb.on.ca.
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Here to Help - Kids Help Line
As conflict around the world continues, we’re here for anyone who may need support in their language. We offer phone counselling through trained interpreters in over 100 languages including Arabic, Hebrew, Yiddish, Ukrainian, Russian and more by calling 1-800-668-6868. Talking to someone about what you’re going through can be difficult, especially if you don’t use the same language. That’s why Kids Help Phone is providing our phone counselling in over 100 languages, with the help of trained interpreters. It’s all free, confidential and available 24/7 in Canada. No ID required.
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Winter Outerwear Drive
One in every three children lives in poverty right here in our city and too many children come to school without proper clothing to keep them warm during the winter months. In addition, many TDSB students are new to Canada and this may be their first time experiencing a Canadian winter. The TDSB holds an annual Winter Outerwear Drive to help ensure that all students have warm winter outerwear to get to and from school, and are prepared to participate in all of the fun outdoor activities winter has to offer. You can support our students and their families by making a donation to provide warm winter coats, pants, hats, gloves, and boots. This year’s Winter Outerwear Drive will run from October 2023 to the end of February 2024. 100% of all proceeds and in-kind donations go to benefit our students. Tax receipts are available for these donations. Contact the Business Development department at BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca for more information about how to donate new outwear items. Please donate here.
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We Have a Dog Problem
Current by-law rules don’t work for school grounds. As a result, many dog owners disregard our signage and don’t seem to care that children play on that same grass! With limited resources the TDSB must rely on dog owners to be responsible and unfortunately, so many aren’t.
Please respect children’s play spaces.
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2023-2024 Calendar
Please ensure you check these dates before scheduling events.
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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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