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From the Chair re: Education DayProvincial Education Debates in Support of Education Day. In many ways, the Ontario Government has significant responsibility for the funding and direction of public education. That is why it is important that our communities have the facts needed to make an informed decision on Thursday, June 7 – the 42nd Ontario general election.
To raise awareness about public education issues, the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association has declared May 23 as Education Day. In support, many Toronto District School Board Trustees are organizing All Candidates’ Meetings across the system to offer the public an opportunity to: • Learn more about issues affecting public education in Ontario;
• Hear from each of the local candidates from the four major provincial parties; and
• Understand their position on key issues.
These non-partisan events are being held across the city and we hope that you will join us.
Education Day for Toronto-St Paul’s on Tuesday, May 22 at Forest Hill Jr/Sr Public School’s auditorium, 78 Dunloe Rd, Toronto at 7:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30)
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Excellence Awards
Every day, we see excellence in our system. It happens in classrooms, schools, offices and work sites and it is in all 40,000 TDSB staff members who share a common goal: to help our students achieve their very best. The Excellence Awards recognize outstanding staff achievement. Each year, staff, students, parents and community members are invited to nominate a TDSB staff member or team whose efforts. This year there were over 140 nominations for the Excellence Award - I want to congratulate all those nominated from the Ward -
- Sarit Lindenbaum - Brown Jr PS
- Janet Ing - Hillcrest Community School
- Allan John Valdoria - Hillcrest Community School
- Sherine Burgher - McMurrich Jr PS
- Wing-Yee Hui - Forest Hill Jr/Sr PS
- Joanna Hopkins - Eglinton Jr PS
- Belinda Longe - Winona Dr Sr PS
The awards will be presented Thursday. Congratulations to all!
Excellence Winners 2018
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Bike to School Week
Bike to School Week is coming up from May 28 to June 1. Schools can participate in Bike to School Week by encouraging their students to walk and roll to school, and by holding events both inside and outside the classroom to promote the benefits of active transportation. Here are some resources to share with your schools and communities: Students, families, educators - register your school’s activities to support your EcoSchools and Healthy Schools programming. Schools that register their events and complete the school reporting survey by Friday, June 15 will receive a certificate of participation. In 2017, 117 TDSB schools registered their events and we hope to see even more students and staff engaged this year. Schools can register their events and access additional resources by visiting www.biketoschoolweek.ca.
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Board and Committees This WeekHealth and Mental Well-Being Committee, Tuesday, May 22, 2018, 4:30 p.m. Committee Room A, Main Floor, 5050 Yonge Street
Board Meeting, Wednesday, May 23, 2018, 7:00 p.m. Public, 5050 Yonge Street
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Jewish Heritage Month Events
In recognition of Jewish Heritage Month – May 2018 – the Jewish Heritage committee of the TDSB, in collaboration with the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC), will host 1500 grades 5 and 6 students at the riveting multi-media presentation - Simon’s Story – Heroes Among Us. The goal of this 90 minute workshop is to introduce elementary school students to historical episodes of hate and injustice, including the Holocaust, slavery in Canada, and residential schools, in an age-appropriate manner. Students will learn techniques to deal with injustice and ideas for creating positive change through models like Malala Yousafzai and Martin Luther King Jr. and the everyday hero. Students will be encouraged to identify characteristics of a hero and suggest ways in which they can be a hero each and every day. Stereotypes, Anti-Semitism, racism and prejudice are defined and discussed. Students will begin to develop an understanding of anti-oppression, treatment of marginalized groups, and human rights issues. This workshop is available for two days only: May 22 and May 23, 2018 at Northern Secondary School and I look forward to joining the students for Wednesday afternoon's presentation.
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Asian Heritage Month Closing Event
The Asian Heritage Month Committee and Leaside High School are hosting the culminating event showcasing the diversity within the TDSB on May 30. At the celebration, students will be taken on an engaging journey with traditional and contemporary performances from a multitude of Asian cultures which span numerous different countries. Students will have an opportunity to experience the cultural significance of each performance. This year’s celebration will feature an exciting presentation from the keynote speaker, Raging Asian Women (RAW), a Japanese Taiko Drum ensemble!
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2017 Census
This week at the Planning & Priorities Committee meeting the Director provided an update about the TDSB Census. While full results will be released in Fall 2018 so that the information can be reflected in operational plans, as a follow-up he has shared some initial information about the response rate. In April 2017, the TDSB conducted its third Parent Census for parents of JK-Grade 6 students, and third Student Census for Grade 7-12 students. For the first time, Grade 4-6 students also participated in the Student Census. Over 220,000 completed survey forms were received representing 91% of Grade 4-6, 94% of Grade 7-8, and 85% of Grade 9-12 students, as well as 63% of JK-Grade 6 parents.
We know that TDSB students are benefiting from the programs and supports we already have in place, but the results of the Census will help identify what we still need to do to help our students succeed and make our system even stronger.
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Director's GSA AwardsEvery year, three outstanding trans-positive GSAs/QSAs in the Toronto District School Board are recognized through the Director’s GSA Awards. Three $1,000 awards are awarded to student-led groups that have demonstrated a committed effort in helping create a school climate that is safer and more positive for students and staff of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Applications are now open for 2018! Submission deadline is June 8, 2018.
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STEM Conference
The STEM Conference Planning Committee would like to cordially invite you and members of your Ward to the 4th annual Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Parent Conference, on SATURDAY MAY 26th, 2018 at RICHVIEW COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE
Address: 1738 Islington Ave.
(Registration begins 8:30am - 9:30am)
CONFERENCE TIME: 9:30am- 3:30pm REGISTER HERE
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Worth RepeatingThe Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) is a volunteer, parent-led committee whose mandate is to support student success through parent engagement in education. PIAC is drafting a set of "Best Practices Recommendations" around school board consultations. To better inform our writing we are gathering feedback on school council and parent experiences and preferences with regards to school board communications. Please follow the link below to complete PIAC's Survey - Best Practices for Parent Consultation. Survey Deadline May 31st, 2018: https://goo.gl/forms/wjxoM9tv78dofGqd2
French Review - In collaboration with the TDSB Research Department, we are collecting information from parents/guardians, community members, staff and students about our FSL programs as part of a board-wide review process. The information collected will form the basis of a report to Board in the fall. We are conducting three more consultation meetings with parents and community. To view the presentation, click here. To read the Questions and Answers to date, click here. For details on the upcoming meetings, please click here. You are also encouraged to complete the survey here.
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Ward Forum on May 29th
Please join us on May 29 to learn about Pathways Planning and Experiential Learning programs in TDSB. Ron Felsen, Centrally Assigned Principal in the Teaching & Learning department, will share highlights from the Ministry's Creating Pathways to Success career development policy document and discuss how the TDSB supports students’ career life/planning in their journey from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
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Community Fun Fairs
Please know that our public schools welcome their neighbours to join with their school communities for these "fun raising and fundraising events - thanks in advance to all the volunteers and donors who support their local schools... and make memories for all the kids.
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School Year Calendar 2017-18
The official school year calendar for the Toronto District School Board runs from September 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018, inclusive. Before you set school events, please also ensure you check the Days of Significance Calendar which includes religious holidays.
Ramadan* May 16-June 14
Eid al Fitr* June 15
Victoria Day May 21, 2018
Elementary School PA Day June 8, 2018
Secondary School PA Day (Full Year Schools only) * June 27, 2018
Secondary School PA Day June 28, 2018
Board-wide PA Day June 29, 2018 For the complete School Year Calendar, click here. For the School Year Calendar 2018-19 click here.
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As always, I look forward to your comments, questions and
suggestions for topics to explore at ward forums and in future updates.
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