| Hello Ward 7 Community:
I hope you are well and in good spirits. As we approach the winter break and end of 2023, I'm happy to share a few good news stories from across the ward and 2024 dates to notes.
Director Russell-Rawlins recently shared that Sameea Jimenez from Dr. Rita Cox - Kina Minagok PS, received a 2023 Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM. Ms. Jimenez was awarded a Certificate in Achievement for Inclusion and Engagement in Education. Last week, the Fern Ave choir and strings ensemble had the joy of performing at the Hudson's Bay Eaton Centre. And over the holiday, catch Runnymede CI students and staff on CBC's The National speaking about MusiCounts, the positive power of music, and the difference it makes to students.
Coming up in January, you can elect two parents/guardians to represent Ward 7 on the Parent Involvement Advisory Commitee (PIAC). You can also learn about the technical school boundary review underway which includes Western Technical-Commercial School. Committees of the board will resume meetings in the new year. I look forward to participating in my new and re-established roles of:
- Vice-Chair, Programs and School Services Commitee (PSSC)
- Alternate Director, Ontario Public School Board Association (OPSBA)
- Co-Chair, 2SLGBTQ+ Community Advisory Committee
Until then, enjoy the winter concerts and holiday activities at your schools. Wishing peace and light to all families celebrating Hannukah this week.
Yours in Community,
Debbie King
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Ward 7 Council:
Upcoming meetings:
January 20, 2024 (virtual): Ward updates and PIAC Ward Rep elections.
February 13, 2024 (virtual): Ward 6&7 Joint Forum on Math Achievement Strategy ft. Superintendent of Mathmatics, Denise Humphreys and Math Cooridnator, Jason To.
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Ward 7 PIAC Co-Representative Elections
The purpose of PIAC is to support, encourage and enhance parent engagement at the board level in order to improve student achievement and well-being.
We are seeking two PIAC Co-Representatives for Ward 7.
PIAC Ward Co-Representatives are advocates who:
- Provide information and advice on parent engagement to the TDSB
- Communicate with and support school councils of schools; and
- Undertake activities to help parents of pupils of the board support their children's learning at home and at school.
Jan 8, 2024 - Nominations and voter registration opens
Jan 15, 2024 - Candidate bios shared with registered voters
Jan 22, 2024 - Elections at virtual council meeting
All TDSB Ward 7 parents/caregivers are eligible for nomination and voting. Forms will be shared in my January update and TDSB Ward 7 page.
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Elementary Alternative Online Application
The online application for admission in September 2024 will be open from Monday, January 8 to Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
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Middle French Immersion (Grade 4 Entry) Application
For families interested in the Toronto District School Board's system-wide French Immersion Program, we offer an online process to apply for Middle French Immersion (begins in Grade 4). Within Ward 7 schools, Middle French Immersion is offered at Fern Avenue JSPS and Swansea JSPS. While admission to the Middle French Immersion program is guaranteed at the entry points to all eligible on-time applicants, admission to a specific school is NOT guaranteed.
To apply to the Middle French Immersion Program for September 2024, applications must be completed online between January 8 and February 2, 2024. Families with an older sibling currently in a Middle French Immersion program are still required to complete an online application for the new student.
Information sessions will be held on January 11th, 16th and 22nd, 2024. For more information, please visit: Middle French Immersion.
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Literacy Strategy Consultation Survey
The TDSB is developing a Kindergarten to Grade 12 Literacy Strategy which will set the direction, priorities, and goals for learning and teaching literacy over the next three years. I encourage all parents/guardians/caregivers to share feedback anonymously through the online Literacy Strategy Consultation survey. Survey closes: Monday, December 18, 2023.
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Review of Legacy Technical and Commerical Boundaries
As part of the Long-Term Program and Accommodation Strategy, the TDSB aims to address outdated technical and commercial boundaries that exist in certain areas of the city. These outdated boundaries were established during a time of academic-vocational streamlining, but now hinder equity of access. The Board is proposing the dissolution of these legacy boundaries by September 2025 to provide equal access to all Toronto students.
The affected schools include Western Technical-Commercial School in Ward 7; as well as, Central Technical School, Central Toronto Academy, Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute, Northern Secondary School and, Victoria Park Collegiate Institute. The proposed changes would not affect current programs.
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2023 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. View Student Census preliminary results on the TDSB website.
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Major Capital & Renewal Projects Status Update
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Child Care Capital Projects
In 2017, The Ministry of Education approved 28 new child care projects on TDSB sites across the City of Toronto. 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.
In late spring of 2022, TDSB went to tender with four projects, to guage the market and see how the post pandemic cost escalations would impact pricing, 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. These concerns have also been shared with Member of Parilament, Bhutila Karpoche.
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Provincial Budget Consultations
Information has been posted regarding the province’s 2024 Pre-Budget Consultations. In addition to the online survey, Ontarians can 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.
When completing the survey, question 5 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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Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Hotline 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.
For more information about 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline, visit https://988.ca. More information is also available at 9-8-8 | CAMH and 9-8-8 number for mental health and suicide prevention | CRTC.
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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Winter Recreation Registration
City of Toroto winter recreation listings are now online! Browse programs at http://toronto.ca/WinterRec and find your nearest location using the Registered Programs Map.
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.
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Learn4Life Winter Courses
Registration is open for TDSB's Learn4Life winter courses. Choose from over 400 courses for adults including fitness, cooking and craft courses offered at Western Technical-Commercial School here in Ward 7. Classes begin in January 2024.
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Remembrance Day at Runnymede JSPS.
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Ontario Public School Board Association (OPSBA) East Region Directors at TDSB Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement.
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Mayor Olivia Chow visits Parkdale JSPS Winter Fair.
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