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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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| June 23, 2024 - Last Update of 2023-24
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Thank you for supporting our public schools - wishing you a safe and wonderful summer!
Next weekly update, Sunday, August 25, 2024.
First day of school, Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
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In this Issue -- Happy Last Week of School
- Congratulations Graduates
- Administrative Changes - Principal and Vice-Principal Changes in Ward 8
- TDSB Approves Operating Budget for 2024-25
- Combatting Hate & Racism - Student Learning Strategy Update - What Did the Board Approve?
- Director's Remarks
- Reporting Hate
- Worth Repeating - PrideTDSB; Cell Phone/Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy Pre-Consultation; Phased-in Start for Student Transportation; 2024 Summer Well-Being Guide; Secondary Alternative School Review; Mental Health Resources to Support Students and Families; Summer Programs; Need for Aquatic Instructors; Please Keep Safe... and Keep Others Safe; Vaccinations; Useful Links; 2023-2024 Calendar; 2024-2025 Calendar; Dogs Are Not Allowed On School Property - How to Report; Community Safety & Support
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Congratulations Graduates
We are proud of all the graduates - and grateful for the support of your families, staff and administration who assisted you along the way. We wish you nothing but success in your future - grab hold of your dreams - change the world! And stay kind!
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Administrative Changes
Principal and Vice-Principal Changes in Ward 8
On June 19, 2024, the Board approved a series of promotions and transfers within the system. The following are the new leadership changes in Ward 8 schools effective September 1, 2024:
Allenby Jr PS - Nazleah Khan, current Vice-Principal has been promoted to Principal, Zion Heights MS; Laura Frew, has been confirmed as the permanent Vice-Principal at Allenby.
Bannockburn PS - Kim Pividor, Acting Superintendent of Education, Learning Network 04 will be the first Principal of this new French Centre.
Davisville Jr PS/Spectrum Alt Sr S - Mona Moftakhar, Acting Vice-Principal at Davisville Jr PS/Spectrum Alt Sr School has been confirmed as Vice-Principal
Eglinton Jr PS - Marianne Bartkiw, Acting Principal at Eglinton has been made the permanent Principal.
John Polanyi CI - Tamara Massey, currently on leave has been transferred to Vice Principal at JPCI
JR Wilcox CS - Josie Efthymiadis, Acting Principal has been made the permanent Principal.
Winona Drive Sr PS - Josie Nanfara-Grande, Vice-Principal at Brookhaven PS has been promoted to Principal at Winona Dr; Terrence Bristow, Vice-Principal at Winona has been transferred to Vice-Principal at Fraser Mustard Early Learning Academy.
Congratulations to Superintendent of Education Andrew Howard, Learning Centre 5, who is retiring - we are grateful for your service to our schools and communities and wish you health and joy in your retirement.
Congratulations to those promoted and to those transferring in. We have great community schools with engaged students, parents/caregivers and communities and excellent staff who value equity, learning and wellbeing… I hope you will enjoy your time supporting students, staff and community in your new school.
And to those leaving our ward for new schools, thank you so much for your service - we wish you all the best.
Please know existing vacancies created by leaves and retirements will continue to be filled as processes continue throughout the summer.
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TDSB Approves Operating Budget for 2024-25
Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Trustees approved a $3.5 Billion operating budget for the 2024-25 school year during a Board Meeting yesterday evening.
The 2024-25 budget prioritizes investments in key areas that directly support students. This includes:
- Maintaining more than 350 school-based staff positions
- Maintaining budgets that directly support equitable outcomes (e.g. Model Schools)
- Maintaining Special Education investments
- Maintaining school budgets
A number of cost saving measures were identified for the 2024-25 school year to balance the budget, including a reduction of $17 million for Central Staff ($5 million), School Operations ($5 million), and Replacement Costs for Sick Leave ($10.5 million that will be attained through initiatives in support of staff attendance). TDSB will also use $27.5 million in Proceeds of Disposition (money received upon the sale of TDSB property) to offset operating costs. In addition, the Board will request the use of an additional $500,000 in Proceeds of Disposition while it works toward more sustainable solutions for some historical programs.
Throughout the past year, the TDSB has advocated to the Ministry of Education and the Government of Ontario for adequate funding support that meets the unique needs of students and schools across Toronto. This advocacy will continue.
For more information on the TDSB’s 2024-25 budget, please see the approved Final 2024-25 Budget Estimates Report.
Quick Facts
The Education Act requires school boards to pass and submit a balanced operating budget to the Ministry of Education by June 30 of each year.
Budgets align both human and financial resources to system priorities.
School-based staffing was approved by the Board in March 2024, representing $2.3B or approximately 65% of the entire budget.
“As Trustees, our priority must be to focus our resources to support the academic success and well-being of all TDSB students. Through a commitment to finding efficiencies where possible outside of the classroom and our ability to use one-time funding, we have done just that. But make no mistake, we must continue to advocate to the government to fix our structural deficit and fund the true operating costs in the City of Toronto and the unique populations we serve.” - Rachel Chernos Lin, Chair, TDSB
“This approved operational budget continued to sustain and enhance our academic programs to meet the needs of students through maintaining critical positions and programs. While the TDSB’s structural deficit presents a significant challenge, staff will continue to pursue operational efficiencies.”
- Colleen Russell-Rawlins, Director of Education, TDSB
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Combatting Hate & Racism - Student Learning Strategy Update - What Did the Board Approve?
To be honest, I am still processing the outcome of the Board's decision to receive the Report - To be clear, trustees did not approve any new policy - they received an updated report from staff - below is the actual Motion passed by the Board on June 19, 2024 -
a. That the report be received;
b. That staff incorporate the following items into the work:
- centering student belonging for all students, to ensure the Combatting Hate and Racism Strategy aligns with the Multi Year Strategic Plan
- concerns raised by the Jewish community about the significant rise of antisemitism as noted in our own data and city data and the need for increased actions to combat this rise; and
c. That staff report back on how this work is being implemented in schools in future iterations.
What does receiving mean? It simply means staff provided an update for trustees on their work - they provide annual updates. We would expect the next update in the Spring of 2025.
The TDSB is one of the few district school boards that requires principals to collect and report incidents of racism, bias and hate. These data are collected from the Racism, Bias and Hate (RBH) portal. This emanated from a motion in 2019 where we asked the Director to set clear expectations for staff about the process to be followed and staff’s responsibilities in situations when there are acts of racism and hate involving students.
The Combating Hate and Racism: Student Learning Strategy was first introduced in March 2022 in response to the December 2021 motion to combat hate and the data from the RBH Portal. It focuses on student education and engagement in preventing and responding to hate and racism as a direct intervention. This strategy is a multi-pronged approach to address hate and racism in schools by placing a focus on students’ identities and lived experiences. In other words, it follows the Board’s initial motion in 2019 to educate against hate.
In March 2023, the TDSB introduced a more comprehensive plan that brings together the work happening within the Equity, Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Department and the Combatting Hate and Racism-Student Learning Strategy. Again, this framework is based on data from the RBH portal. The actions tied to the Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism strategy will be created with communities under the umbrella of the following pillars: (a) Affirmation of Identities, (b) Student Learning Strategy, (c) Professional Learning,(d) School-Community Relationships, (e) Employment Equity, and (f) School Climate and Culture.
Staff began working with communities based on data from the RBH Portal. Work has already begun on the following strategies • Anti-Indigenous Racism • Ableism • Anti-Black Racism • Anti-Asian Racism • Antisemitism • Homophobia & Transphobia • Islamophobia. This work will continue over the 2024-25 school year. In the Update received by the Board, staff added in Anti-Palestinian Racism. That work has not yet begun.
There is no Anti-Palestinian Racism Policy – there is no specific definition of Anti-Palestinian racism at this time. Staff said they added in anti-Palestinian racism to the Combatting Hate and Racism Strategy because they heard from community – Because of the hundreds of deputations we’ve received and the hundreds of people at the rally in front of the TDSB offices on on June 18, I assumed staff would be adding in an anti-Israeli strategy too. At the meeting on June 18, I asked if we think it is important to protect Palestinian students from racism, which we all do, then at the very least we have to add an anti-Israeli racism strategy into the report. However the motion I moved to add it in, seconded by Trustee Lulka Rotman failed on a tie.
The Director has committed that we will protect the human rights of all students. In other words, TDSB’s effort to combat discrimination against Palestinian students or staff must not correlate with an anti-Israel sentiment and approach. That said, I know the Jewish community needs to see this through actions and not just words.
I can't answer why staff felt only anti-Palestinian racism needed to be addressed and not anti-Israeli racism. But I can assure you - I will do everything I can to ensure that in addressing antisemitism, we include modern-day antisemitism, which can often be characterized by anti-Israel hate. And I will continue to fight against any form of hate within our schools.
No, there is currently no anti-Palestinian racism strategy in place in the TDSB as it was just added. Do not forget the Ontario Human Rights Code upholds the rights of all individuals.
No, the TDSB has not added Nakba Day to its Days of Significance. A recent report to the Planning and Priorities Committee explains the Board's next steps regarding Days of Significance.
No, there is no policy banning Jewish, Israeli or other types of symbols reflecting a student’s or staff’s faith, creed and/or culture at school and at work in line with TDSB’s Policy P031 - Human Rights and Policy P042 - Student Dress Policy.
As I have included in every update since October 7th, if students or staff feel that they are being bullied, harassed, or discriminated against, they should immediately notify their school Principal or Manager. Principals are required to report any incidents of racism, bias and hate that involve students into the RBH Portal. Students and staff can also file a complaint with the TDSB Human Rights Office (HRO).
Please contact me if you have additional questions and I will do my best to answer.
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Director's Remarks
Colleen Russell-Rawlins
Board Meeting – Combating Hate and Racism
June 19, 2024
Last night, I asked the Program and School Services Committee to refer the strategy back to staff for re-envisioning in a manner that is consistent with the Belonging pillar of the Multi-Year Strategic Plan to affirm and respect student identities. A motion to that effect was defeated and the strategy was received at Program and School Services Committee.
The report is before Board tonight for receipt. We invite the Board to provide recommendations to support our continued work to ensure that our schools are places of belonging, affirmation and care while we continue to address acts of hate and racism when they occur.
Whether through conversations with students, in-person delegations, written delegations and countless emails, we have heard from community members and listened to their worries, fears and concerns, especially for the safety and well-being of their children.
We have heard from Jewish families about rising antisemitism and the need for greater action, as well there have been serious conversions about the implications of adopting a definition of anti-Palestinian racism that could encourage further antisemitism and anti-Israeli sentiments. We have also heard from Palestinian families about the erasure, surveillance, and invisibility that their children are experiencing. These concerns have also been echoed by many allies.
It is important to be as clear as possible about the facts and address some misconceptions. The Combating Hate and Racism Strategy applies to all students and is intended to build a sense of safety, respect and inclusion in our schools, especially in classrooms.
- Staff are not recommending that the Board reopen the TDSB’s Equity Policy to introduce or revise any definitions within it.
- The use of the term “Anti-Palestinian Racism” was an effort to create a space for Palestinian students to feel safe and express who they are without diminishing any other student’s experience or identity.
- TDSB’s effort to combat discrimination against Palestinian students or staff does not correlate with an anti-Israel sentiment or approach, nor is it a position on geopolitical issues. We will continue to recognize and address all forms of antisemitism.
- Our equity work must include all equity-seeking groups, including Jewish staff and students.
- No form of hate and racism has any place in our schools. We know we must continue to do better working with our staff and our community in support of all of our students.
Our schools are places where we expect respectful conversations and welcome different perspectives. If what happens in classrooms crosses into hate speech, harassment, bullying or discrimination, we have mechanisms to address those behaviours, including in our Caring and Safe Schools Policy and Human Rights Policy.
Our expectation for behaviour must be higher than the terms in our policies. As educators, we always start from a place of affirmation and respect, and how student identities can be positively represented within their learning. That is why the first pillar of our Multi-Year Strategic Plan is belonging. This was intentional and grounds our focus on equity and the Truth and Reconciliation: Calls to Action. We want all our students and children to Belong, Achieve and Thrive.
We have begun meaningful conversations with communities on the strategies embedded within this report. It is time to re-envision our approach to a positive framework that starts from strength and pride in who we are individually and collectively and create a strategy which:
- Educates students about preventing hate and racism through classroom learning
- Respects the diverse identities of our students and staff and upholds dignity and respect when there are differing perspectives in schools
- Creates respectful global and digital citizens
- Continues to identify and address systemic manifestations of racism and other forms of discrimination, including antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Asian racism, homophobia and transphobia, anti-Black racism, and anti-Palestinian racism
- And reinforces all students’ fundamental right to be free from discrimination.
We will continue to build on the relationships that have been fostered and the important work that has been done with multiple communities on this strategy to date... This feedback from communities will play an important role in informing a new approach.
Schools must be places where we build communities of connection, compassion, and learning. Dignified discussions are possible. It won't be perfect every day. This is important, essential, and courageous work that requires all of us to be leaders. If this is what we truly want, we have to work together to act in a way that affirms the right of every child to be in school and to be who they are. This is our opportunity to show what a dignified discussion looks like and how we can surround our children with love, respect, and dignity.
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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.
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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PrideTDSB
June is Pride Month at the TDSB! It’s an opportunity to celebrate diversity and raise awareness among all staff and students about the rich culture and history of our 2SLGBTQ+ community. TDSB school communities are encouraged to hold intentional sessions with their students about issues related to 2SLGBTQ+ communities as well as the impact of homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia on TDSB students, staff, and community members. Join the conversation by using #PrideTDSB.
Join US at the 2024 Pride Parade!
We are thrilled to invite students, staff and their families and friends to join the loud and proud TDSB contingent as the Toronto PRIDE parade on Sunday, June 30, 2024. Pride Toronto is encouraging marchers this year- bikes, scooters, rollerblades or any of other energy efficient mode of transportation- are welcome! We're asking all walking TDSB participants to gather between 1:00 to 1:15pm at Asquith Green Park (west side of Church St.,1 block north of Bloor) For details, please click here.
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Cell Phone/Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy Pre-Consultation
We are currently developing a Cell Phone/Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy and your input is important to us. We want to hear from parents/guardians/caregivers, students, and community partners.
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Phased-in Start for Student Transportation
Please be advised that the Toronto Student Transportation Group will once again be implementing a phased-in start for the 2024-25 school year. Starting Tuesday, September 3, transportation will begin for students with special education needs (excluding those in the gifted program) who travel to school on minibuses, minivans, taxis and wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Bussing for all other eligible students will begin on Monday, September 9, pending driver availability.
Student Transportation Parent Portal
Parents/guardians/caregivers with children who take the bus to school are encouraged to sign up for the Student Transportation Parent Portal to access important information and updates. Note: You must register for the portal with the email address on file at your child’s school. Contact support@torontoschoolbus.org for any issues with the registration process.
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2024 Summer Well-Being Guide
You will find resources, community connections, events and ideas for parents/caregivers/guardians to promote mental and physical wellness during the summer months. The resources in this Guide are culturally responsive with many resources for students with disabilities/special education needs.
The Guide has been translated into the top 23 TDSB languages spoken and is accessible.
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Secondary Alternative School Review
There are 21 Secondary Alternative Schools across the city. These schools are designed to be small and offer unique and innovative approaches to learning. Currently, nearly 1,100 secondary students are enrolled in these programs. To support this review, we will be launching a survey that seeks to gather feedback on TDSB's Secondary Alternative School programs. Participation in this survey is entirely voluntary and anonymous, ensuring that respondents can provide honest feedback without any privacy concerns.
The data collected from this survey will be important in informing the Secondary Alternative Schools Program Review, helping us understand the strengths and areas for improvement within our alternative education offerings.
Please find the survey link here.
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Mental Health Resources to Support Students and Families
Summer Programs
TDSB summer programs are now open for registration!
Grade 8 Summer Reach Ahead Opportunity
Current Grade 8 students are eligible to register for the e-Summer Full Credit Summer Reach Ahead course (GLD2OE). Successful completion of this course counts towards the Ministry of Education’s mandatory e-Learning credit requirement. Registration for the Reach Ahead course has begun! Learn More.
e-Summer School Registration (Grade 10-12 Credit Courses)
A reminder that registration for July and August e-Summer School courses has now begun! View the list of course offerings online. To register, students should connect with their home school Guidance Counsellors. Learn More.
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Need for Aquatic Instructors
In order to operate swim programs in our schools with pools, we need two on-site aquatic instructors. Sadly, the TDSB has had a shortage of aquatic instructors since schools reopened from COVID. If you know of any aquatic instructors, please, have them complete the application - the board has been advertising and I have been advertising on Twitter since the end of last year. Here’s the link directly to the posting for applicants to apply. https://tdsb.sabacloud.com/Saba/Web_spf/CA1PRD0033/jobs-Support/career/jobdetail/jobrq000000000002580. Thanks!
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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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2023-2024 Calendar - Secondary Last Day of School - Wednesday, June 26, 2024
(PA Days June 27 and 28) - Elementary Last Day of School - Friday, Jun 28, 2024
Last Day of School June
2024-2025 Calendar
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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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