|  | Trustee Rachel Chernos Lin Chair •Trustee, Ward 11 • Don Valley West
Toronto District School Board
416-395-8787 • Rachel.ChernosLin@tdsb.on.ca |
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Dear friends,
Just a friendly reminder -
Ward 11 Virtual Ward Forum: Mathematics & Numeracy, February 8, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Please join us for an evening of learning about Mathematics and Numeracy at the TDSB and in our Ward 11 Schools. Featuring presentations by: Superintendent of Mathematics, Denise Humphreys; Vice-Principal Lisa Rossiter-Thornton (Hodgson MS); Teachers Sherryl Vroom (FDK, Maurice Cody JPS, with DECE Samanthi Wanniarachchi), Karen Ho (grade 3, Bessborough Drive EMS), and Winona Magno (grade 4/5, Thorncliffe Park PS). Please see the flyer for information, and register online
More Ward Forums and Coffee MorningsWard Forums are evening events, and in order to make it as easy as possible for all to attend, these will be virtual for the remainder of the year. Unlike my coffee mornings, which can be wide-ranging in topic, ward forums tend to be structured around a specific topic. Below is the line up for the rest of the 2023/2024 school year: March 28 (date tentative; focus: The Right to Read and Literacy);May 2 (date tentative; focus: Kindness Matters! How Ward 11 Schools are Building Kindness and Empathy).
Additional Coffee Mornings are also scheduled or February 28 (in person), April 17 (virtual) and May 29 (in person).
Information and registration for these events will be available in future newsletters closer to event dates and will also be posted in similar timelines on my Ward 11 web page at www.tdsb.on.ca/ward11.
Below you will find more information on recent TDSB initiatives, including the approval of a new Capital Revitalization Strategy, kindergarten registration, and more!
Hope to see many of you Thursday evening, ~ Rachel
Rachel Chernos Lin, TDSB Trustee, Ward 11, Don Valley West
Rachel.ChernosLin@tdsb.on.ca
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TDSB Approves Historic School Repair Plan
The TDSB has launched a historic Capital Revitalization Strategy which aims to have no school buildings classified as “requiring extensive improvement” by 2035. Trustees approved the ambitious 10-year strategy during last week's Board Meeting.
The strategy aims to address the significant challenges posed by aging school buildings through the modernization of spaces that are safe, accessible and welcoming. This includes providing consistent program spaces for all schools, making TDSB buildings barrier-free, and modernizing components for energy efficiency and sustainability.
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TDSB To Create New Cellphone / Mobile Device Policy
At last week's Board meeting, the full Board of TDSB Trustees also approved my motion (with Trustee Ehrhardt) to develop a comprehensive Cellphone/Mobile Device policy which will build on the existing Board Code of Conduct. This new policy aims to strike a better balance between educational use and minimizing distractions in classrooms. Staff will now create a policy development plan that will outline next steps including timelines and opportunities for students, staff and families to provide feedback as part of an extensive public consultation process. More information on this process will be shared as soon as it is confirmed.
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Before- and After-School Program (BASP) Interest Survey
The TDSB recognizes Before- and After-School Programs (BASP) are an integral part of Early Years learning (see our P.022 Early Learning and Care Policy). These programs also play an important role in supporting our students, families, and school communities.
The TDSB would like to better understand the Before- and After-School Program (BASP) needs of Kindergarten to Grade 6 children. Families who are interested in a fee-based BASP at schools that currently do not have a program are able to express their interestPlease note, completing this survey does not guarantee that a BASP will be offered at your child’s school. If there is sufficient initial interest, families will be notified, and a separate registration to determine viability will take place through a third-party licensed before- and after-school program.
Families who have questions about this survey and would like to speak to one of our team members may contact the TDSB Child Care Services Office at 416-394-2072 option 2 or CCS@tdsb.on.ca.
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TDSB Student Elections 2024-25
Student Trustees represent the voice of approximately 238,000 students in the Toronto District School Board. They are elected members of the Board of Trustees and sit alongside the adult trustees at board and committee meetings and act as a link to students, the Board and school communities. Student Trustees are members of the Student Senate and work closely with Studen Senate Executives and school communities to empower and promote student voice and engagement across the district. Candidate applications for the Student Trustees election for the 2024-25 school year closed on January 26, 2024, and we have 51 student trustee candidates who have expressed interest.
The election will be promoted to students and school communities through various mediums, including web, social and direct email.
Key Dates
- February 12 to 19, 2024 – Campaigning Period
- February 20, 2024 – Voting Day to determine 10 Runoff candidates
- February 22-27 – Campaigning period for 10 Runoff candidates
- February 28 – Voting Day to determine two Student Trustees
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TDSB Budget Consultations
Over the next few months, TDSB Trustees, in collaboration with staff, will be working together to establish a Board budget for 2024-25.
At our Special Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee on February 14, staff will present their suggestions for dealing with a $35M deficit that begins the 2024-2025 budget. Staff provided this detail in their Report - Projected 2024-25 Financial Position which was presented at the Special FBEC on January 29, 2024.
By law, school boards are required to balance their budgets by June 30.
Funding for education is determined through a set of provincial benchmark costs for the major components of education operations, as well as the number of students. The benchmarks has never worked for Toronto students as they do not reflect the real costs of education. Staff are currently updating the Financial Facts document which outlines the gaps in ministry funding.
I encourage you to participate in our public consultations, which are an important part of this budget process. As always, we want to hear from you! Please visit the budget website to learn about opportunities to participate in the budget process in mid-February. See you there!
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2023 Director’s Annual Report Released
I am pleased to share that TDSB Director of Education, Colleen Russell-Rawlins, shared the latest Director’s Annual Report at the January Board Meeting. I encourage you to read the report which outlines academic milestones, community engagement initiatives and all the new ways our community has continued to support high levels of achievement for every student.
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English Kindergarten Registration Underway
Starting on the school journey is an exciting milestone, and TDSB schools are proud to offer a vibrant learning space for every child's development – inside and outside the classroom.
Registration for English Kindergarten programs starts in February. For Junior Kindergarten enrollment in September, children should be four years old by December 31. Senior Kindergarten registration requires children to be five years old by December 31.
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Summer CampTO registration starts February 7
Registration for Summer CampTO opens on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 for facilities in all districts. Programs start in early July 2024. At CampTO, children and youth can be active, learn new skills and make fun memories close to home at the City’s seasonal camps.
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Building Mathematical Minds Part 1: February 7
TDSB Community Support Workers (Model Schools) invite you to Building Mathematical Minds Part 1. This session will provide parents/caregivers with strategies to make learning math at home a positive experience for everyone.
Wednesday, February 7th, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
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First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Secondary ID Clinic: February 13
The TDSB’s Urban Indigenous Education Centre has organised an ID clinic for secondary First Nations, Métis and Inuit from across the district. The ID clinic will take place on Tuesday, February 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Celebrating Good News
Read about some of the recent events, initiatives and great things happening across the Toronto District School Board, including:
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Winter Well-Being Guide
The Winter Well-Being Guide is filled with activities, games, wellness tips, resources and community agencies to support wellness for all students, parents/guardians/caregivers, and school communities. The Guide provides accessible resources and is available in the top 20 TDSB spoken languages.
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Chinese Heritage Month
TDSB’s Chinese Heritage Month is proudly recognized in February each year. This year we celebrate the Year of the Dragon: Majesty, Brilliance, Confidence, Leadership.
Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most important celebrations for Chinese communities around the world. I encourage you to visit and follow @tdsbChineseHM on Twitter/X for daily messages, and more information on festivities throughout the month.
Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations of the year among East and Southeast Asian cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean communities, among others. The New Year celebration is usually celebrated for multiple days—not just one day as in the Gregorian calendar’s New Year. In 2024, Lunar New Year begins on February 10. China’s Lunar New Year is known as the Spring Festival or Chūnjié in Mandarin, while Koreans call it Seollal and Vietnamese refer to it as Tết
To all celebrating, Happy Lunar New Year! Xīnnián hǎo (新年好). Kung Hei Fat Choi (gōng xǐ fā cái).
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African Heritage (Black History) Month
At the TDSB, we are proud to celebrate African Heritage (Black History) Month during the month of February. African Heritage Month is an occasion to commemorate present and past individuals who helped shape the path of our future student leaders, while also celebrating the many achievements and contributions of numerous individuals with this heritage!
This year’s chosen theme is Our Black Is… Our Black Is Resilient, Community, Beautiful, Unity, Joy, Self-Determination, Excellence, Empowering, Purpose, Brilliance, Engaging, Creative, Belonging, Tenacious, Powerful, Faith, Audacious, Powerful, Me…
For more information and activities, please visit the TDSB webpage, or follow the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement @tdsb_cebsa) on Instagram and X/Twitter.
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Somali Heritage Month Event
You’re invited to participate in a celebration of Somali Heritage at TDSB on February 9, 2024 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Kipling Collegiate Institute. This immersive event, themed "Educate. Elevate. Excel.," is a rich exploration of Somali culture organized by the Somali Heritage Month committee and the Somali Centre for Culture and Recreation. The evening will feature diverse talents in spoken word, digital and visual arts, and photography. A panel discussion will delve into the layers of Somali heritage, fostering insightful conversations. Enjoy!
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School Year Calendar 2023-2024
See below for all dates there is no in-school learning.
P.A. Day on February 16
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.
Please note that the first next P.A. (Professional Activity) day is February 16:
- Target Audience: All Staff – Elementary
Topics: Assessment and Reporting
Description: Elementary teachers will be engaged in Assessment and Reporting activities. - Target Audience: All Staff – Secondary
Topics: Literacy, Mathematics, and Curriculum Implementatio
Description: Educators will engage in a variety of professional learning sessions focused on effective strategies to support student learning. The sessions are centred on the following: Literacy: K-12 instructional strategies (i.e., critical and comprehensive literacy, CRRP, comprehension, striving/struggling readers, literacy across the curriculum, etc.), and universal design for learning. Mathematics: The implementation of high-impact instructional practices in mathematics Curriculum implementation.
Family Day on February 19
Family Day occurs on the third Monday in February each year to celebrate the importance of families taking time to be together. Please remember that Monday, February 19, 2024 is a province-wide statutory holiday and there will be no classes.
P.A. Day on April 8
Updated School Year Calendars for 2023-2024 are available online. These include PA days, exam days for final evaluations, Board and Statutory holidays, and other notable school year details.
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Steps to Address Your Questions and Concerns
Here at the TDSB, we are always open to hearing your questions and concerns and make every effort to address them as quickly as possible. Your child's classroom teacher is the first point of contact, followed by the school's principal, the school superintendent, and me, your Trustee!
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Stay Connected with your school and the board
TDSB Update
Sign-up for TDSB Update and stay informed about recent Board decisions and district-wide news.
Upcoming Meetings
The next Regular Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2023. For a list of upcoming meetings, including many about the Budget, please click on the meeting schedule and/or the calendar on the main webpage of www.tdsb.on.ca. Board and Committee Meetings can be watched online.
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 (@TDSB), Facebook (@toronto.dsb), Instagram (@Torontodsb), and Threads (@Torontodsb) accounts
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If you notice anything at a school that concerns you, please call the TDSB 24-hour Call Centre (416) 395-4620, Toronto Police Services Dispatch (non-emergencies via 416-808-2222), and/or Toronto 311.
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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