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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 -- Happy Lunar New Year
- Today - International Day of Women and Girls in Scienc
- OPSBA Statement on Mandatory Black History Learning
- 2024-25 Budget
- 2022-23 School Budget and School Generated Funds
- Combatting Hate and Racism
- Newly Developed Community Advisory Committees (CAC) Operational Procedure (PR742)
- Committee Meeting This Week
- Reporting Hate - In Schools; In Communit
- New Invitations - Let’s Connect About Mental Health and Well Being Webinar Series: Parent Voices - Feb 22, 7-8:30; Challenging Stories Special Event - Feb 28, 7-8:30pm; Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Session #2 - March 5, 10-11:00am or March 6, 6:30-7:30p
- Worth Repeating - PA Day - February 16; Family Day, Monday, February 19; Come Learn With Us! February is Kindergarten Registration Month; Chinese Heritage Month; African Heritage (Black History) Month; Before- and After-School Program (BASP) Interest Survey Now Open; Winter Well-Being Guide; Winter Outerwear Drive; Please Keep Safe... and Keep Others Safe; Get Your Kids' Immunizations Back on Track; Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline; Useful Links; 2023-2024 Calendar; 2014-2025 Calendar; Dogs Are Not Allowed On School Property - How to Report; Community Safety & Support
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Happy Lunar New Year!
Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations of the year among East and Southeast Asian cultures. The New Year celebration is usually celebrated for multiple days. In 2024, Lunar New Year began yesterday, 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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Today - International Day of Women and Girls in Science
"The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated on February 11 every year. The day is observed by the United Nations to promote full and equal access and participation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
This year will be the ninth International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly. Recognising the role of women and girls in science as agents of change, including in view of accelerating progress towards the achievement of SDGs 16 and 17, the 9th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly’s main theme is: “Women and Girls in Science Leadership, a New Era for Sustainability” and the subtheme is “Think Science … Think Peace”, a statement on the un.org said."
Please note the TDSB is actively supporting girls in science - Admission priorities for central student interest programs include 50% of spaces for students identifying as female in Math, Science and Technology programs.
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OPSBA Statements on Mandatory Black History Learning
"Since its inception, OPSBA’s Black Trustees’ Caucus (BTC) has been advocating for this enhancement to Ontario's curriculum and we are thrilled it has come to fruition. The minister has said it before, and BTC strongly affirms, Black history is Canadian history.
The Canadian identity is not a singular story. Learning about Canada’s Black communities and Black leaders will help all students be prepared for a future that is not limited to the confines of their immediate surroundings, but one that encompasses an appreciation of how this country’s rich heritage was formed.
Learning about the Black experience, both past and present, will help all students move beyond the awareness that celebrating Black History Month entails. In strong public education systems, students learn their true and full histories, they recognize how lessons from the past can help create better futures, and they understand how diverse historical and current perspectives help build strong foundations in democratic societies." OPSBA Media Release
"We are grateful that the ministry will continue to modernize Ontario’s curriculum through consultation and engagement with Black communities as it is vital for a range of voices and perspectives to be honoured and valued in the creation of this new curriculum." - Kathy McDonald, Chair, Black Trustees’ Caucus of OPSBA
“OPSBA welcomes this announcement, which is an important moment for all Ontarians. Embedded curriculum will help ensure our students learn about the history, contributions, and excellence of Black Canadians.” - Cathy Abraham, President, OPSBA
Added from TDSB - "This announcement is an important reflection of the current and historical work of TDSB schools and departments to support the needs of Black students and address disproportionate outcomes and discrimination, including through our Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Strategy. I want to particularly recognize the leadership of the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement for their trailblazing work in making connections between resources and curriculum to support the meaningful and authentic integration of Black history."- Colleen Russell-Rawlins, Director, TDSB
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2024-25 Budget
At this week's Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee, staff are presenting, for the first time, options to balance the budget for 2024-25.
Section 231 of the Education Act requires school boards to adopt a balanced budget. According to the Ministry, “when preparing and adopting budgets (estimates) for the fiscal year (September 1 to August 31), school boards are required to ensure that estimated expenses do not exceed estimated revenues unless any in-year deficit can be covered by accumulated surplus of a prior year and the in-year deficit is less than 1% of the school board’s operating budget.”
From Financial Facts - "Funding for education is determined through a set of provincial funding costs for the major components of education operations. Provincial funding is determined by establishing average costs of school boards across Ontario. Costs in Toronto are higher, as is reflected throughout this document. Since 2003, labour discussions have taken place at a provincial discussion table. Accordingly, the Province has adjusted salary fundings for these discussions. The Province has never addressed the initial salary and benefit gap prior to the provincial discussion table agreements. The cost of supply teachers is also under funded as the Province does not provide funding for the increase in absenteeism that is occurring throughout the sector. School boards across the province continue to struggle to support the needs of their students as there is a significant gap between provincial funding and the actual expense of school boards."
At this time, the projected deficit is $34.8 million for 2024-25.
To achieve a balanced budget, staff have identified areas to review in order to present trustees with options to balance the budget.
- Continuing Education
- Outdoor Education
- Additional Opportunities for Other Revenue
- Review of Board Administration and Governance
- Reduction in Replacement Costs for Staffing Absences
- Reduction in Renewal Costs Charged to Operating
- Additional Areas of the TDSB Budget Where Spending Exceeds Funding
Staff will continue to review all areas of the budget where spending exceeds funding. The public will have an opportunity to provide feedback from February 20-23 related to the budget.
Below are the dates and times for upcoming virtual meetings.
Staff will report back to Trustees regarding this feedback on March 4, 2024.
I encourage you to participate in our public consultations, which are an important part of this budget process. Please visit the budget website for more information. Budget surveys and new information will be posted as they become available so please visit often.
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2022-23 School Budget and School Generated Funds
On an annual basis, staff present information on sources of funding that schools have access to for supporting student achievement. The 2022-23 actual school budgets and school generated funds data are presented in this report for information.
The significant reduction in school budget ending balance in 2022-23 is a result of the change made to carryovers. Prior to 2022-23, schools were entitled to carry forward their entire unspent school budgets. Beginning in 2022-23, school budget carryovers were capped at 25% of the school budget. Principals were given the opportunity to request permission to carry over beyond the 25% cap for identified projects by submitting a business plan.
It is important to note that this restriction does not apply to school generated funds. Even though it is best practice that school generated funds be spent within two years of collecting them to benefit the students that generate the funds (exceptions for funds designated for future needs or long-term projects, such as school yard improvements), all school generated funds are carried forward in their entirety.
This report also analyzes the impact of Learning Opportunity Index (LOI) on school budgets and school generated funds. As you can see by the chart, School Budget Allocations and Other Grants help minimize fundraising disparities across TDSB schools. Racd the full report.
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Combatting Hate and Racism
As noted earlier, the TDSB’s Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Strategy is a community-led and TDSB staff facilitated initiative that uses data from the TDSB’s Racism, Bias and Hate reporting portal, which tracks incidents of racism, bias, and hate, which are submitted by staff. In turn, this data will help establish a comprehensive two-year strategy and action plan for the TDSB.
How we address specific forms of hate, racism, and discrimination needs coherency, community partnership, and cross collaboration within the diverse groups impacted. The strategy encompasses six pillars:
- Affirmation of Identities
- Student Learning Strategy
- Professional Learning
- School-Community Relationship
- Employment Equity
- School Culture and Climate
The TDSB aims to be responsive to the voices of communities by developing tailored action plans each based on the pillars of the strategy. This plan will allow communities to see themselves in the actions and will require ongoing collaboration and support of families, communities and partner organizations. These distinct strategies are underway.
Procedure PR728 - Reporting and Responding to Racism and Hate Incidents Involving or Impacting Students in Schools, was established by staff in October 2020. Nearly two years ago, staff made the decision to change the process that involved routinely distributing a letter to inform the entire school community that an incident had taken place.
When there are instances of racism, hate, and discrimination staff are to continue to immediately provide support to impacted students, restore the learning environment around the incident where appropriate, and report the incident so that an investigation can be launched. Depending on the findings of an investigation, disciplinary action is taken, up to and including suspension and expulsion. Staff do recognize that in some circumstances a letter to the entire school community may be appropriate. Principals and Superintendents in conversation with the Executive Superintendent and Associate Director may approve the creation of a letter.
Please know that staff are currently discussing how to establish clearer guidelines for administrators to better support this decision-making process.
I feel strongly that educating against hate is critical... but so is communication to the community. That was why it was included in the original motion - Dealing with Incidents of Racism and Hate - approved by the Board in June 2019.
We hope to receive an update on changes to PR728 and Board’s Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Strategy during the next few weeks and I will continue to keep you informed.
Professional Learning
The TDSB is dedicated to working with internal and external partners to establish equitable learning spaces where all students thrive. In light of this ongoing commitment, the Equity, Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Department offers a vast array of professional learning opportunities, student programming, and community workshops for the 2023-2024 school year. I am happy to include this menu of offerings.
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Newly Developed Community Advisory Committees (CAC) Operational Procedure (PR742)
On January 23, 2024, Executive Council approved the newly developed Community Advisory Committees Procedure (the “Procedure”). The Procedure outlines the CACs’ advisory role and relationship to the Board and sets out parameters for CAC structure, operation, and reporting. The Procedure also provides details on the function and role of Community Advisory Committees (CACs’) and the relationship with Statutory committees PIAC and SEAC at the TDSB. The newly developed Operational Procedure is aligned with Regulation 612/00 and 464/97 under the Education Act and supports the implementation of the Community Engagement Policy (P078).
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Committee Meeting This Week
Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee - Wednesday, February 14, 2024 - Board Meeting - 4:30 p.m. Boardroom Agenda - 5.1 Contract Awards Facilities
- 5.2 First Quarter Interim Financial Report 2023-24
- 5.3 2022-23 School Budget and School Generated Funds
- 5.4 Student Device 1 to 1 Program
- 5.5 Potential Areas of Focus to Balance the 2024-25 Budget
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Reporting 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 centralized 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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Let’s Connect About Mental Health and Well Being Webinar Series: Parent Voices
Let’s Connect About Mental Health and Well Being Webinar Series: Parent Voices-Creating fun opportunities to connect and boost positive mental health, joy and happiness on February 22, 2023 from 7pm-8:30pm.
7:00pm - 8 pm
Intro and Break Out Sessions
8-8:30pm
Pet Show and Tell
Audience: Students, families, parents, guardians, caregivers and staff; ALL are welcome! Click here to join.
Members from our Mental Health and Well-being Parent Partnership Committee will add their voices on the importance of exploring fun activities for positive mental health and wellness. In addition, please come and enjoy break out rooms, which will be co-lead by Professional Support Staff and community partners, on different ways we can enhance overall mental health and wellness.
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Challenging Stories Special Event February 28, 7-8:30pm
Liberation75 is hosting a session on practical strategies for teaching the Holocaust in Grade 6 classrooms using video games. Join a discussion with Luc Bernard, developer of the first Holocaust-themed video game, The Light in the Darkness, and creator of the first Holocaust museum within a game, The Voices of the Forgotten (Fortnite). Learn how these free games can teach students about the Holocaust.
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Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Session #2
Special Education and Inclusion is pleased to offer their second engagement session for parents/guardians/caregivers this year.
Please see the below for details:
Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Session #2
Morning Session - Tuesday, March 5th, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Webinar Link
Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Session #2
Evening Session - Wednesday, March 6th, 2024 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Webinar Link
If you require a language interpreter, please send in your request by February 20th to SpecialEd@tdsb.on.ca.
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PA Day - 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. The next elementary PA Day is on Friday, February 16th.
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 Implementation
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 2024
Remember that Monday, February 19, 2024 is a province-wide statutory holiday and there will be no classes. Family Day occurs on the third Monday in February each year to celebrate the importance of families taking time to be together.
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Come Learn With Us!
English Kindergarten Registration is Now Open - TDSB schools provide a rich learning environment for all children to learn and grow. In the Kindergarten program, your child will develop their skills and abilities through inquiry and intentional play-based learning that includes math, science and literacy. Teachers and early childhood educators plan learning experiences where children are actively engaged in learning and thinking creatively.
To attend Junior Kindergarten in September, children must turn four-years-old by December 31. To register for Senior Kindergarten, children must be five-years-old by December 31. Learn more about Kindergarten at the TDSB. If you would like to register a student to begin school immediately, please visit the registration page.
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Chinese Heritage Month
TDSB’s Chinese Heritage Month continues this month. This year we celebrate the Year of the Dragon: Majesty, Brilliance, Confidence, Leadership.
Congratulations to Sophia Zhang, grade 3 student from John Ross Robertson Jr PS has been selected as the winning poster in the first-place category (Kindergarten – Grade 3) in the Chinese Heritage Month Poster Challenge. Please learn more here.
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African Heritage (Black History) Month
We are proud to continue African Heritage (Black History) Month through February.
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…Learn more.
View Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement's menu of offerings during the month of February. Please join us!
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Before- and After-School Program (BASP) Interest Survey Now Open
In alignment with P.022 Early Learning and Care Policy, the TDSB recognizes Before- and After-School Programs (BASP) are an integral part of Early Years learning. 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 interest.
Please 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. For more details, click here.
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Winter Well-Being Guide
The Guide is filled with activities, games, wellness tips, identity affirming resources and community agencies to support wellness for all students, caregivers/guardians, families, and school communities over the winter months. Created by Professional Support Services Staff who are part of the Mental Health and Well-Being Committee, the TDSB Mental Health Leads and the System Leader for Mental Health and Professional Support Services, this Guide provides accessible resources and has been translated into the top 20 TDSB spoken languages. Also from TDSB Psychology please see the December issue of Hearts and Minds: December Newsletter.
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Winter Outerwear Drive
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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Please Keep Safe... and Keep Others Safe
Layers of protection work to help reduce virus spread. For example:
😷wear a well-fitted mask
🧼wash hands often
🏠stay home if sick
💨choose well ventilated spaces
🛡️stay up-to-date with your vaccines
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Get Your Kids' Immunizations Back on Track
Routine vaccinations play an important role in keeping your child safe against serious infections. Get your kids’ immunizations back on track by booking an appointment for any missing vaccines at a community clinic.
Book now: http://TPHBookings.ca
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Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline
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. Learn More.
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2023-2024 Calendar
Please ensure you check these dates before scheduling events. Please also note the PA Day originally scheduled for Friday, April 19, 2024 has been rescheduled and will now occur on Monday, April 8, 2024.
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Dogs Are Not Allowed On School Property - How to Report
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.
At our recent Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee, the staff report confirmed the following -
Dogs on school properties have been an ongoing challenge for many years despite the “no dogs permitted” signage. 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.
Signage is posted near the entrances, such as gates or openings in the school ground fencing (refer to Appendix A for a copy of the signage) that clearly indicates 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).
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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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