| Volume 23 - April 2019 NEWS
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| Updates on Public Education Funding, Teacher Reductions
Recently, the Ministry of Education announced upcoming changes to class sizes for Grades 4 to 8 and high schools, and reductions in funding for public education. These changes will result in approximately 216 fewer elementary teachers next year and approximately 800 fewer high school teachers over four years. To keep the public well informed, the TDSB has created a webpage that will be updated as more information becomes available.
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| Chair Writes Letter to the Minister, re: Large Class Sizes, Reduction of Teaching Positions and Funding
On Tuesday, April 2, 2019, Chair of the Board Robin Pilkey wrote to the Minister of Education Lisa Thompson to express the Board's deep concerns with the Ministry's announcement on Friday, March 15, regarding funding reductions and increased class sizes. The full letter is now available online.
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| Statements to the Board from the Director and Chair Re: Classroom Size Changes
At the March 20 Board Meeting, Chair Robin Pilkey and Director of Education John Malloy took a moment to address the recent Ministry of Education announcements regarding funding reductions and increased class sizes. Both statements are now available online.
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| Come Celebrate Timberbank’s 50th Anniversary
Timberbank Junior Public School will be marking 50 years of excellence in education with a celebration event and pancake brunch on Saturday, April 13, 2019. Join the Timberbank community and alumnae in an afternoon of festivities and reminiscence on this milestone occasion.
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| Watch the Director’s Webcast
Director of Education John Malloy hosted a panel discussion with TDSB educators on helping students reach their full potential. Topics included: Academic Pathways Grades 9-10, Math and Numeracy, Special Education and Global Competencies. The popular webcast previously aired live on January 29, 2019. The video is now available on the TDSB’s YouTube.
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| Chair Writes Letter to the Minister and Toronto MPPs, re: Priority Schools Initiative EPO
On behalf of the Toronto District School Board, Chair Robin Pilkey wrote to the Minister of Education and all Toronto-area Members of Provincial Parliament to express the Board’s concerns about the reduction in provincial funding for programs that help Toronto’s most at-risk communities and youth, and to advocate for the Focus on Youth Summer Program.
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| School-based Staff Allocation 2019-20: Classroom
The Board approved the following 2019-20 allocations for school-based staff:
• Elementary Teachers: 10,363.0 FTE positions;
• Secondary Teachers: 4,223.0 FTE positions; and
• Early Childhood Educators: 1,256.0 FTE positions.
Please note that the above allocations do not include the Second Stage of School-Based Staff Allocation, that include Elementary and Secondary Vice-Principals, Education Assistants, Special Education Support Staff, School Office Clerical, School-Based Safety Monitors, Caretakers, Lunchroom Supervisors, Aquatic Instructors and Food Program Assistants. The teacher categories in Stage Two are: Elementary – ESL, Learning Opportunities – Grades 4-8, Literacy/Numeracy, Guidance, Caring and Safe Schools, Profile Teachers; and Secondary – Learning Opportunities, Library/Guidance, Caring and Safe Schools, Alternative Attendance Programs, Profile Teachers and e-Learning.
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| School Year Calendar, 2019-20
The Board approved (16.2) the school year calendar for 2019-20 for elementary, secondary and year round alternative schools. This includes key dates such as PA days, holidays and winter break, which is scheduled for Dec. 23, 2019 to January 3, 2020.
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| Parent and Student Involvement in School Improvement
The Board received (16.2) the interim report on Parent and Student Involvement in School Improvement. This plan includes updating P.023, Parent and Community Engagement and developing a new Student Engagement Policy, along with other resources, that will help transform student learning, raise achievement and well-being and address opportunity gaps by involving student, parent and family perspectives.
Associate Director Colleen Russell-Rawlins presented this report. You can watch her presentation at about 1:25:51.
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