A year to remember.
I think it is safe to say that this has been a year like no other. From deep provincial budget cuts, labour action, tragedies at home and abroad, ongoing pandemic lockdown, and horrific reminders that violence against Black and Indigenous Peoples, and other minorities is ever present, has impacted all our families and students. Despite the tragedies and challenges there is hope to be found - we have seen communities come together, locally and on an international level, to protest, to speak up, to support each other, to create new communities, find new ways to celebrate, and most importantly to learn from each other. We have seen creative and innovative approaches to engage, pushing many of us, as individuals, communities, and systems, to change gears, adopt new technology, and step outside our comfort zones. We have continued to engage in important work including marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II and the Holocaust. One of the reasons I wanted to join the Board was to start the work downstream of the 2017 Enhancing Equity Task Force and the Multi-Year Strategic Plan, taking broad steps to challenge leadership and change systems with ingrained bias and inequity. The EETF findings are being used review and overhaul of Urban Indigenous Education, French, Academic Streaming, Caring & Safe Schools , Secondary Programs, and most recently have resulted in the Board unanimously approved the creation and funding for The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement and the recommendation to write to the province to advocate for Genocide Education as Compulsory Learning. The Centre of Excellence is needed now to address anti-black racism that is both pervasive and systemic and is experienced in a variety of ways by students and staff who identify as black.
“Now more than ever, we – as part of the public education system – have the responsibility to educate against hate. Our calls to action to the Ministry of Education will help ensure that students have the necessary knowledge of past atrocities so that they can actively fight against hatred of all forms, now and into the future.”
- Robin Pilkey, Chair, TDSB
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"Let's Talk about Race, Racism, and Resources"
Joint Ward Forum - June 24th 6:30pm - 8:30pm - online WebEx
Last week Toronto elected to declare anti-Black racism a public health crisis. This is a significant step in the right direction but much more work needs to be done across our public systems to combat racism and oppression. The conversations cannot keep fading into memory without the work to fix our systems. Please join myself and Trustee Story for a Joint Ward Forum and workshop addressing bias and oppression, including how to self-reflect, how to engage in difficult conversations at home, and how to affect systemic change. This workshop will feature two of the TDSB's most dynamic speakers and advocates for equity - Centrally Assigned Principals Karen Murray and Angela Gaymes San Vincente - who will ask us to question your own biases, take away resources to use at home, and commit to taking steps to address systemic racism and oppression in our communities.
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In June We Celebrate...
People across the country mark National Indigenous Peoples History Month in recognition of the rights, histories, contemporary realities, and extraordinary achievements of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The unique cultures and perspectives of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities are celebrated nationally and locally. On June 21st, Summer Solstice, the TDSB also recognizes National Indigenous Peoples Day. June 21st is a day of significance for many Indigenous Peoples in the country we call Canada today.
Pride gives us an opportunity to celebrate diversity and raise awareness among all staff and students about the rich culture and history of our LGBTQ2S community. The TDSB strives to be a leader in supporting our LGBTQ2S community. We continue to make changes at the system level to ensure an equitable and inclusive system for everyone.
Italian traditions are shared throughout the City of Toronto and enjoyed by our students, staff, TDSB communities and beyond. The TDSB passed a motion to recognize Heritage Month in June in May 2012. As stated in the Heritage Act, 2010, “Ontario is home to more than 1,350,000 Italian Canadians. Since the 1880s, the Italian Canadian community has made and continues to make significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of the Province of Ontario.”
The contributions of the Portuguese-Speaking Canadians are significant as they include the arts, sports, and public life. Canadians, along with all TDSB students, staff, and its communities and beyond all enjoy the energetic and vibrant traditions that are shared through the customs of this heritage. Over 1,400 TDSB students speak Portuguese as their mother tongue or as a primary language.
Black Student Achievement Awards, Graduations, Retirements, and New Beginnings
In June we mark not just the end of another school year and welcome summer - we celebrate the accomplishments of our students and staff and mark significant milestones... just in a different way this year... On June 18th at 3pm we'll be celebrating the first Black Student Alliance Awards (online) and many schools are opting for graduation videos, remote clap-outs, lawn signs, class shirts, digital yearbooks, or online ceremonies to commemorate the 2020 grads. Larger events for secondary schools have been postponed until late fall or winter, more along the lines of a homecoming. Please join me in extending a hearty congratulations and well wishes to all our Ward 16 grads as they move on to new adventures!
June is also notable as many staff opt to retire, transfer, or try new challenges at this time. We have many changes coming to Ward 16 schools. I would like to thank Superintendent McNamara for her decades of service and leadership within the TDSB. She has been tireless in her dedication to student achievement, equity, and wellbeing. It has been a pleasure to work along side her to support Ward 16 schools.
I also want to thank our retiring and transferring Administrators for their dedication and hard work in their school communities and in our system - Principal Hanson (Kimberley/Beaches), Principal Vanderlugt (Kew Beach), Principal Koziol (Selwyn), Principal Chiang (Parkside), VP Myrvold (Crescent Town), Principal Shaw (Malvern CI), VP Dagonas (EYCI), and congratulate VP Newnham-Kanas (Adam Beck) on her new baby girl.
I would like to extend a hearty welcome to our new Administrators - Principal Myrvold (Parkside), Principal Zimmerman (Selwyn), Principal Hassan-Bismilla (Kimberley/Beaches), Principal Kearns (Kew Beach), VP Mavrou (Adam Beck), Principal Kaskens (Malvern), and VP Maestri (EYCI) - I look forward to working with you in the coming years.
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TDSB Webinars on Wellbeing, Routines, and Talking Race
TDSB families are invited to join PIAC and the Community Engagement Office for a series of engaging and informative conversations on topics we heard you want to learn more about.
Hear from leading experts and participate in question and answer sessions online on the following topics:
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School Reopening Plans and Surveys
Families and students are of course anxious about what the summer and September might bring with regards to the economy and schools reopening. While the TDSB is closed by Ministerial mandate we must wait for the Ministry of Education to announce reopening criteria before we can local communications with staff and families. But rest assured that within the TDSB we have been working on safe reopening plans over the last months, considering multiple education models and all aspects of continuity of learning, wellbeing, and needs. Please be sure to respond to the TDSB return to school survey that was released yesterday!
The Director and our Chair meet weekly with other Boards and Ministry staff and the TDSB Board of Trustees in turn meets weekly with our staff to review and discuss updates. These Special Committee of the Whole on emergency planning meetings occur each Tuesday at 4:30pm, or as needed, are full of timely updates. The meetings are live broadcast, and archived for review. The most recent meeting (June 17th) contained information about Focus on Youth funding, Federal Service programs for Gr. 12 students, and Provincial funding for mental health supports for schools. Anyone may watch the broadcast and all are welcome to delegate (with notice) to the committee.
The Integrated TDSB Return to School & Work Committee, and sub-committees, is made up of both Operations and Academic staff who incorporate all major functions within the Board. Staff are using a collaborative, holistic, and integrated approach to reopening plans. The various scenarios being considered ensure that we can adapt to any Ministry or public health requirements in a manner that keeps student achievement, well-being, and equity at the forefront. This committee incorporates all major functions of the board on both the learning & instruction side as well as the operational departments. Between the steering committee and the sub-committees, several different areas of expertise will be represented, including technical experts and operational staff, educators, administrators, and senior management. The guiding principle for the work of all committees is ensuring the health, safety and well-being of all students and staff. For a more detailed overview of the staffing structure of the steering committee and chairs of the sub-committees, please refer to the attached list.
Members of TDSB staff are also on Ministry of Education Committees that are working to explore a number of possible scenarios for re-opening, including health and safety protocols, alternate schedules for students, the ability to switch between remote and in-person learning, and transportation. The work of TDSB Return to School & Work Committee will contribute to work of the Ministry of Education Committees.
Although TDSB final plans will be guided by direction and health and safety requirements from the Ministry of Education, Toronto Public Health, and/or other public health agencies, the work of the Return to School & Work Committee will ensure that the Board is well prepared.
Other experts, including the Ontario Public School Boards Association and the Hospital for Sick Children, are also advocating for collaborative, thoughtful return-to-school planning that supports student wellbeing. You can read their recent publications by following the links below:
Childcare
While the Province announced that childcare centres may reopen they did so with virtually no notice to providers. As schools are still engaging in the retrieval of personal belongings many spaces are not ready to be reopened for childcare. The reopening process will require time to plan and operationalize. It is an important that Toronto Children’s Services, Toronto Public Health, TDSB, and child care operators work together to ensure that the reopening of child care centres prioritizes the safety and well-being of all children, families and staff - please watch for further announcements in TDSB Update or specific emails.
Student Transportation
While we do not yet know what transportation will look like in the fall, we are committed to keeping parents/guardians informed of all changes and safety practices for the upcoming school year. All parents/guardians 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. If you have moved this past year, or plan to move over the summer, please complete the Student Transportation Application form
with your new address, and email it to your school and studenttransportationapplications@tdsb.on.ca
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