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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 -- Memorializing the Victims of the Yonge St Van Attack Five Years Ago
- Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
- Combatting Hate and Racis
- From OPSBA's Legislative Update - Bill 98 and GSNs
- Update on TDSB Expert Reference Panel on School Safety
- Central Student Interest Program Update
- Committee & Board Meetings This Week
- Vax and Sprin
- New Invitations - TDSB Sikh Heritage Month Wrap Up Celebration; Panfest Vybz: A Celebration of Music, Arts, and Community; May 16, 2023 – Joint Ward Forum - School Building in Toronto: Where are we now
- Worth Repeating - Virtual Youth Climate Conference: Make Change Happen; An Internet Safety Workshop: Upcoming Webinars; Credit Summer Programs; PIAC Conference: Save May 6! Summer School 2023; Secondary Summer Credit Programs; Elementary Summer School; Continuing Education Programming at the TDSB; Useful Links; PSS Virtual Drop-In Hours; We have a Poop Problem! School Year Calendar 2022-23; Approved 2023-2024 Calendar; Community Safety & Support
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Memorializing the Victims of the Yonge St Van Attack
As we approach the five-year anniversary of the tragic incident that happened on Yonge Street on April 23, 2018, the TDSB will mark Monday, April 24, 2023, as a day of remembrance for the victims of this terrible event. As per board motion, all flags in TDSB buildings and schools will be flown at half-mast. We will be marking a moment of silence at administrative sites and at Earl Haig Secondary School, where Renuka Amarasingha, a TDSB employee was working that day.
The anniversary of any traumatic event can be challenging for some, especially those brave TDSB staff who rushed toward the victims and students, and it is important to be aware that some staff and students may require support in dealing with the memories and emotions associated with the event. The Director will ensure the appropriate resources are provided to all schools and sites.
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Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
I was honoured to bring greetings on behalf of Trustees with the Armenian Community of Greater Toronto Area to commemorate the 108th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. On April 21, 2004, a motion was passed in Parliament stating, "That this House acknowledges the Armenian genocide of 1915 and condemns this act as a crime against humanity." It was a series of massacres and starvation of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottomans. April is Genocide Awareness & Prevention Month - "April is observed as Genocide Awareness Month because it is associated with many significant dates related to genocide. These include the Armenian Genocide (began on April 24, 1915); the Holocaust (the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising began on April 19, 1943); the Cambodian Genocide (began on April 19, 1975); the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda (began on April 7, 1994)." I spoke to the importance of genocide education and educating against hate.
We were reminded that there are currently unprovoked attacks and genocidal rhetoric against ethnic Armenians due to Azerbaijan’s assault on Armenia and Artsakh. We stand in solidarity with the Armenian community.
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Combatting Hate and Racism
Educating against hate is one of the priorities of the TDSB. Through our Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Strategy, the TDSB aims to be responsive to the voices of communities by developing tailored action plans each based on the pillars of the Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Strategy. Each plan will be developed to distinctively honour the issue of injustice being addressed. Strategies tied to this work necessitate partnerships within and across diverse community groups. This plan will allow communities to see themselves in the actions. It also requires ongoing collaboration and support of families, communities and partner organizations.
During Ramadan, there were increased attacks against the Muslim community. At our last Planning & Priorities Committee, Trustees unanimously supported a strategy to address Islamophobia to ensure it will be incorporated into the broader framework. The other strategies will include Anti-Indigenous Racism, Anti-Black Racism, Ableism, Anti-Asian Racism, Homophobia & Transphobia and Antisemitism. I know the work on Antisemitism has already begun as the Jewish Heritage Committee is involved in early discussions.
We recognize that accountability and measurable indicators are required to ensure consistency in fulfilling the actions in each plan and will be defined as the distinct plans are being developed. It is our aim as the strategy evolves further a more detailed plan will be shared. An update of the actions of the Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Strategy is planned for October/November 2023.
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From OPSBA's Legislative Update - Bill 98 and GSNs
The Minister of Education made several announcements including the introduction of Bill 98, Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act and the release of the 2023-24 Grants for Student Needs.
Bill 98, Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023 This legislation was introduced on April 17, 2023 by Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. The bill proposes changes to the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007, the Education Act, and the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996. It also suggests minor wording changes to the French version to the preamble of Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001. The bill will most likely move quickly through the legislative process and OPSBA staff will monitor for any referral to Committee. Current Status: Second Reading
With respect to the Education Act, some of the proposed amendments include:
- “set(ting) provincial education priorities on student achievement” and requiring school boards to create multi-year plans to meet those priorities. Parents will need to be consulted on the development of their local school board’s plan twice per year and receive progress reports;
- requiring school board trustees and senior officials to undergo provincially mandated training to make sure they have the “skills and competencies” to deliver on the government’s priorities;
- standardizing performance assessments for directors of education;
- establishing a new “impartial integrity commissioner-led process” for Code of Conduct complaints about school board trustees;
- creating a new, faster process for declaring school board land as surplus; and
- working with municipalities to help implement the province’s subsidized childcare agreement with the federal government.
The Ministry of Education issued several communications about this legislation including a news release and backgrounder, as well as two memos from the Minister and Deputy Minister; one is a high level overview of the legislation and the second is a list of the proposed changes.
OPSBA has an extensive consultation plan to respond to these proposed changes that involves senior staff, the Policy Development and Education Program Work Groups, Executive Council, as well as key stakeholders. It will also refer to any relevant past commentary made by the Association.
The bill was also posted for commentary on the Ontario's Regulatory Registry with a feedback deadline of May 16, 2023.
2023-2024 Grant For Student Needs (GSN) and Priorities and Partnership Fund
Also on Monday, the Ministry of Education released information about the 2023-24 Grants for Student Needs Funding (GSN) and the Priorities and Partnership Fund. Many supporting memos were issued as well and have been posted at: Education funding, 2023–24 | ontario.ca
The memos are:
[Please note that we expect an update on the preliminary analysis of the GSNs at the Special FBEC Monday].
OPSBA provides comments to the Fourth Improvement Review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
OPSBA has long been fully committed to supporting and meeting the objectives and requirements of the AODA, with its goal of an accessible Ontario by 2025, as well as the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Policy on accessible education for students with disabilities. To support this commitment, OPSBA requested feedback from member boards and staff leads to inform a submission to the Fourth Improvement Review of the AODA. On Wednesday, April 19, the Association provided its comments to the government and its appointed lead on the review, Rich Donovan.
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Update on TDSB Expert Reference Panel on School Safety and Student Well-Being
The TDSB Expert Reference Panel on School Safety and Student Well-Being has been tasked with focusing on school safety and its connections to student well-being, equity, and human rights. Director Russell-Rawlins is co-chairing the panel, along with Toronto Public Health, and SafeTO. By working together using a collaborative and public health approach, we can improve the safety, security, and well-being of our school communities that are disproportionately affected by violence and create positive learning environments across all schools.
Currently, the panel is in the midst of reviewing data from Toronto Public Health, SafeTO, and the TDSB to help inform our planning as we move to form six working groups to address the 13-point action plan that the TDSB committed to in the December 2022 board report, A Collaborative Approach to School and Community Safety: Report 1. The panel will:
- Examine data and research to broadly understand the scope of school safety and its impacts on student well-being;
- Examine who is affected and the multiple impacts;
- Identify risk and protective factors; and
- Use current evidence and research, to propose policies and program solutions/strategies to the Director and/or the Board, with the sole focus of making schools safer by reducing violence, improving mental health, and promoting well-being that is grounded in adherence to Indigenous rights, human rights, and equity.
Current members of the panel include: 1. TDSB Elders’ Council 2. City of Toronto (Social Development, Finance & Administration, Community Safety & Well-Being Unit, Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit) 3. Toronto Police Service - Community Safety Command - Field Services 4. Toronto Public Health 5. Parent Involvement Advisory Committee 6. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health 7. Canadian Safe School Network 8. Zero Gun Violence Unit 9. Naseeha 10. Toronto Community Housing 11. Generation Chosen 12. The 519 13. St. Michael’s Hospital 14. Justice for Children and Youth 15. TDSB Trustees Chernos-Lin, Pei, Patel, and Williams 16. TDSB Staff
There will be an update to Board after the next meeting in May.
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Central Student Interest Program Update
The random selection process for Central Student Interest Programs (CSIP) was successfully completed this Spring as per the Student Interest Programs Policy that Trustees revised in May 2022. The work of the Secondary Program and Admissions team is continuing. Below are a few highlights of Secondary Program work:
- Supporting school staff to improve curriculum and instruction in the CSIPs as they prepare for new students in September
- Collecting data and reviewing local secondary program offerings throughout the city to strengthen and identify possible schools for an expansion of Math, Science and Technology Central Student Interest Programs for admission in September 2024
- Reviewing all schools who requested a change in next year's school calendar model by the School Calendar Model committee, consisting of central- and school-based secondary principals and vice principals, prior to the staffing and timetabling process that began in mid-March
- Assisting with two Pupil Accommodation Review Team (PART) processes currently underway as we develop new secondary arts-focused Central Student Interest Programs with the communities at Woburn CI and Westview Centennial SS.
Please watch for an update report at Planning and Priorities Committee in June 2023.
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Committee & Board Meetings This Week
The TDSB is committed to advocacy for students, parents and communities. We welcome members of the public to bring forward issues and concerns they have through a delegation, which is addressing a committee of the Board of Trustees (by speaking virtually, in person or submitting a written statement). Our Delegation Procedure is designed to set out a consistent and easily understandable process for the public and to manage the process in a fair and equitable manner. https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Delegations
TDSB will strive to meet the accommodation needs of persons with disabilities; the delegates are encouraged to make their needs for accommodation known in advance of the Committee meeting when they send their request by e-mail to delegates@tdsb.on.ca by 4 p.m., two (2) working days before the committee meeting day.
Monday, April 24, 2023 - Special Finance & Budget Committee - 4:30 p.m. Boardroom - Agenda- 4.1 Alternative Schools Community Advisory Committee Report, March 27, 2023 - 2023-2024 Operating Budget: Commitment to Secondary Alternative School Programming
- 5. Update on 2023-24 Grants For Student Needs Announcement
- 6. Update on Child Care Umbrella Agreement
Monday, April 24, 2023 - Special Planning & Priorities Committee - 7:00 p.m. Boardroom - Agenda- 5.1 Planning for the Renewal of the Multi-Year Strategic Plan Update No.2
- 5.2 Caring and Safe Schools Annual Report 2021-22
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 - Board Meeting - Public Session - 7:00 p.m. Boardroom - Agenda - 15.1 Integrity Commissioner Annual Report for Operating Period February 14, 2022 to February 13, 2023
- 15.2 Integrity Commissioner Code Complaint Investigation Report re Former Trustee Chris Moise
- 16.1 Governance and Policy Committee, Report No. 03, March 21, 2023
- 1. Review of Policy P017, Purchasing, Phase 5 and Rescission of Policy P026, Architect Selection
- 16.2 Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee, Report No. 05 (Part B), March 29, 2023
- 1. Special Education Advisory Committee, February 13, 2023: Data Request to Inform Board Decisions
- 2. Inner City Community Advisory Committee: Allocation of Community Support Workers
- 3. Contract Awards, Operations
- 4. Contract Awards, Facilities
- 5. 2021-22 School Budget and School Generated Funds, and 2023-24 Proposed School Budget Allocation
- 1. Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care System
- 2. Board Investments Annual Update
- 3. Providing Programs to Meet Student Interest
- 16.3 Finance, Budget & Enrolment Committee (Special Meeting) Report No. 6, April 24, 2023
- 16.4 Program and School Services Committee, Report No. 4, April 12, 2023
- 1. Guest Artists in Schools: Update
- 2. Indigenous Education Annual Report, 2022
- 3. Special Education and Inclusion Annual Report 2022-2023
- 4. Science/STEM and Robotics Update
- 16.5 Planning and Priorities Committee, Report No. 05, April 19 , 2023
- 1. Human Rights, Annual Report, 2021-2022
- 2. Program Area Review for the Avondale Elementary Alternative School, Avondale Public School, Bayview Middle School, Crestview Public School, Elkhorn Public School, Finch Public School, Hollywood Public School, McKee Public School and Woodbine Middle School
- 3. Canadian School Boards Association Congress 2023 and National Trustee Gathering on Indigenous Education Expense Approval
- 4. Addressing Islamophobia
- 16.6 Planning and Priorities Committee (Special Meeting), Report No. 6, April 24, 2023
- Written Notice of Motion - Reconsideration of Previous Board Decision: Student Interest Program
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Vax and Spring
Eligible high-risk residents are recommended to get their Spring COVID-19 booster for added protection if it’s been 6 months since your last COVID-19 dose or infection. Learn more at Toronto Public Health. Read the full ministry guidance here.
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TDSB Sikh Heritage Month Wrap Up Celebration
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Panfest Vybz: A Celebration of Music, Arts, and Community
Panfest Vybz is a Celebration of Music, Arts, and Community. The event will include a concert featuring the Pan Fantasy Steel Band and WCCI student steel pan performers, as well as a series of arts workshops with light refreshments. RSVP here. Thursday, May 4, 2023, 6-8 PM Winston Churchill CI, 2239 Lawrence Ave E, Toronto
6:00 PM student and community workshops and refreshments in Centre of Excellence for Black Student 7:00 PM Concert featuring Pan Fantasy Steel Band and WCCI students in Auditorium
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May 16, 2023 - 7-8:30pm - School Building in Toronto: Where are we now?
The TDSB's Long-Term Program and Accommodation Strategy is refreshed every year - please join Trustee Alexis Dawson and me to discuss the plans for our Wards. If you are interested in participating, please Register online here - https://forms.gle/aEoGS5BcgmJXDdYo7.
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Virtual Youth Climate Conference: Make Change Happen - Grades 7-12, Wed, April 26, 9-11:30am
We are excited to invite you to the upcoming youth conference, "Make Change Happen," focused on climate action. This event will provide a platform for students to come together, discuss, and learn about climate change and the actions we can take to mitigate its effects. We will have guest speakers and interactive workshops that will inspire and equip you to take action in your communities. We encourage you to join us in this critical discussion on climate change. Teacher release provided, we will provide the code upon registration.
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An internet safety workshop with Toronto Police
Thursday, April 27, 2023 @ 6:30pm For more information, contact a Community Support Worker Register here
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Upcoming Webinars
TDSB Community Support Workers invite you to hold the date for these upcoming webinars.
Building Mathematical Minds (part 2)
Tuesday, April 25th from 6:30 to 8:00pm Click here to register
Councils Connecting for Change - Fundraising Do's and Don'ts
Saturday, April 29th from 10:00am to 11:00am Click here to register
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PIAC Conference: Save May 6!
Join the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) as it returns to the first post-pandemic, in-person conference, with speakers and workshops focused on bridging gaps in Parent Engagement and School Councils. Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Earl Haig SS. Register here.
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Secondary Credit Summer School
Registration for Secondary Credit Summer School 2023 opened April 18th at 10:00 a.m. for:
- Remote/In Person High School Students Full Credit
- Remote/In Person Adult 18+
- Remote Credit Recovery
- Remote/In Person Grade 8 Reach Ahead
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Elementary Summer School 2023
Looking to build your child’s literacy and numeracy skills? Elementary Summer School registration is now open! The focus of the 2023 Elementary Literacy and Numeracy Summer School Program is to continue student engagement through the month of July. Programs, which are developed by the local summer school principal to reflect the local school focus, are offered in-person to students in Kindergarten to Grade 8, from July 4 to July 28, 2023, in various locations around the city. This year, one remote program will also be available. For more information, including a list of schools and online registration forms, visit our summer school program page.
Elementary Summer School at Deer Park The program includes Kindergarten to Grade 8. Any student registered in an Ontario school can apply. (TDSB and Non-TDSB). Program dates: July 4 – July 28 Program time: 9:00am - 12:00pm Families should feel free to complete and send the registration by email or bring it in person to the school office.
Continuing Education Programming at the TDSB
Did you know we offer a wide variety of Continuing Education at the TDSB? I encourage you to explore learning opportunities available for children, families, adults, and visitors - click here for more information on continuing education programs and click here for more information on summer programs.
- African Heritage Elementary Program
- International Languages Elementary Program
- Learn4Life General Interest Spring Program - Adults 18+ and Senior
- Adult ESL Program
- Summer Music & Art Camps
- International Youth Summer Program
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PSS Virtual Drop-In Hours
We are here to help you in any way we can. Our Professional Support Services team offers monthly virtual drop-in times where you can connect directly with a staff member to help answer questions and provide support to help you and your child.
Wednesdays once a month: from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Virtual Drop in Hours
Virtual Drop-In Hours for Students with Special/Complex Needs
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We have a Poop Problem!Respect the Rules - No Dogs Allowed on School Grounds
A reminder to dog owners (and I know not all of you have kids at school). Dogs are not allowed on school property at any time. Many people are surprised to learn that TDSB Policy prohibit dogs (leashed or unleashed) being on school property. Section 6.10 PR523 Access to School Premises prohibits canines on our properties “at any time” (except service animals).
Please respect children’s play spaces.
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School Year Calendar 2022-23
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Approved 2023-2024 Calendar
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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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