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Tragic Events in Sri LankaSunday, April 21, 2019 News Release
The thoughts of the Toronto District School Board are with the victims of today’s targeted attacks on innocent people around Sri Lanka that sadly took the lives of more than 200 people and injured hundreds.
Our hearts go out to the victims’ families and loved ones, the people of Sri Lanka and those in the Sri Lankan community here in Toronto.
We stand with the larger global community in condemning these senseless acts of terror and stand against hate in all its forms.
Media coverage at times like this can also be very challenging for some students. Our Professional Support Services staff have assembled tips for parents that may help with discussions with children.
John Malloy, Director of Education and Robin Pilkey, Chair
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Earth Day, Monday April 22“In nature, nothing exists alone.”
— Rachel Carson, 1962
This year's theme for Earth Day is to Protect our Species. At the TDSB, the EcoSchools department is part of the Sustainability Office. As many of you know, EcoSchools is a school greening program with a very broad scope covering not only what is taught, but also how we run our schools and how we design and use our schools grounds. Its central focus is supporting students and staff in learning about, caring for, and protecting the environment starting right in their own school - Earth Day every day. I am very proud of the number of schools in Ward 8 attached to the program.
Clean Toronto Together
On Friday, April 26th at 2:00 p.m. students, staff, and parents from across Toronto are encouraged to help rejuvenate our city’s green spaces by picking up litter in their schoolyard, neighbourhood park, or local community. You'll be amazed at what we can accomplish in as little as 20 minutes! (Note: Schools may opt to do their clean-up event at any time). Parents are always welcome to participate with the school. Families can also join Toronto’s annual spring cleanup events on Saturday, April 27th and Sunday, April 28th. Thank you to the Ward 8 schools that registered by April 3 - Fairbank, JPCI, Joyce, Cedarvale, JR Wilcox, McMurrich, North Prep, West Prep, Winona, Allenby, Davisville, Glenview, John Ross Robertson and LPCI.
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TDSB Committees This Week
Special Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee, Tuesday, April 23, 2019 4:30 p.m. Boardroom, 5050 Yonge Street 4.1 School Based Staffing Allocation: Non-Classroom and Support Staff - The Second Stage of School-Based Staff Allocation will include recommendations for non-classroom teachers, as outlined in Appendices A and B, and other support staff as follows:
Vice Principals Elementary
Vice Principals Secondary
Education Assistants (Caring and Safe)
Special Education Support Staff
School Office Clerical
School-Based Safety Monitors
Lunchroom Supervisors
Aquatics Instructors
Food Program Assistants
Caretaking
While the Provincial government tabled a budget on April 11, 209 we are still waiting for
information about the Grants for Student Needs. As a result of this, some allocations will still need to be determined once information on the Board’s broader budget is better understood.
Governance and Policy Committee - Wednesday, April 24, 2019, 4:30 Committee Room A, 5050 Yonge Street 5. P069, Accessibility Policy – Annual Review 1 - The Accessibility Policy (P069) (the “Policy”) was last revised on March 21, 2018.The Policy was approved by the Board of Trustees with an annual review requirement as recommended by staff. During this review, staff merged three accessibility related policies into one single policy.
Timed Item: 5 p.m. (Suzanne Craig attending for Items 6 and 7)
6. Revisions to Governance Procedure PR533, Election Activities and Use of Board Resources -It is recommended that the revised Election Activities and Use of Board Resources
Governance Procedure (PR533), as presented in this report, be approved. 7. P075, Board Member Code of Conduct: Re-affirmation - It is recommended that the Board Member Code of Conduct (P075), dated November 2, 2017, be confirmed without change, effective May 22, 2019, in accordance with Ontario Regulation 246/18. 8. Status Update on the Review of the Distribution and Display of Materials for Students and Parents from External Groups Policy (P041) and Advertising Policy (P006) - The purpose of this report is to provide the new Board of Trustees with an update, and seek policy direction, on the review of both the Distribution and Display of Materials for Students and Parents from External Groups Policy (P041) and the Advertising Policy (P006) 9. P042, Appropriate Dress Policy Review, Phase 5 - It is recommended that the revised Appropriate Dress Policy, renamed to the Student Dress Policy (P042), as presented in this report, be approved. 10. P062, Alternative Schools Policy Review, Phase 1 - It is recommended that the Work Plan for review of the Alternative Schools Policy (P062), as presented in this report, be approved. 11. P043, Charitable Foundation Policy - It is recommended that the Charitable Foundation Policy (P043), as presented in this report, be rescinded. 12. Allegations of Sexual Harassment and Misconduct, New Policy, Phase 1 - To follow
13. For Information Only
13.1 Student Health Support Procedures Update - It is recommended that the Student Health Support updated Operating Procedures for prevailing medical conditions, as presented in this report, be received for information. 13.2 PR691, Licensed Child Care and Before- and After-School Programs: New and Expanded Programs in Schools - It is recommended that the updated Licensed Child Care and Before- and After-School Programs: New and Expanded Programs in Schools (PR691) be received. 13.3 PR557, Behaviour on Buses - It is recommended that the revised Behaviour on Buses Procedure (PR557) be received.
Special Meeting - Thursday, April 25, 2019 7 p.m., Boardroom, Main Floor, 5050 Yonge Street 3.1 Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee, Report No. 33, April 23, 2019 - To be presented
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Honouring Victims of the Yonge Street AttackTuesday, April 23, 2019 marks the one year anniversary of the tragedy that took place on Yonge Street. Following the events of that day, the board of Trustees approved that April 23 of each year, or the nearest school day, be memorialized as a day of remembrance for the victims of this tragic incident. So many of our staff at 5050 Yonge were first responders on the scene that day doing whatever they could to support the victims. On April 23, from 10:00 – 11:00 am, coffee will be served in Committee Room B, on the main floor, to allow staff the opportunity to spend time with each other, share and connect in an effort to continue the healing process. We will be flying all flags at half-staff and observing a moment of silence in all schools and administrative buildings. It is important to remember that on anniversaries of traumatic events, many will be impacted again by the memories and emotional distress felt following the tragedy.
The City of Toronto is also organizing a ceremony to honour the victims of the Yonge Street van attack. Please click on the link below for the schedule of events taking place on April 23. https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/tributes/commemoration-of-the-yonge-street-tragedy/.
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2019-2020 BudgetAs you know, at our Board Meeting last Wednesday, we approved the budget strategic drivers that staff will now use to prepare the 2019-20 operating budget for consideration by Trustees on May 13 (assuming we get the GSNs the end of April).. During the Board meeting, Director John Malloy spoke to the challenging budget - he is sharing these thoughts in his latest Toronto.com column - here are excerpts...This year’s budget decisions are going to be far more challenging than any in the last several years. For one thing, we have a structural deficit that affects us every year. Its cause, primarily, is that we have funding programs and services that respond to the unique and at times extraordinary demands of urban education. Some of the services we provide are outside of the Ministry funding envelope and most school boards don’t offer these programs and services. In the past, we have made up the shortfall by finding savings and efficiencies during the course of the year in other areas of the budget – cuts that have not affected classrooms and students. But now we are running out of options. Our hope is to keep our programs and services but we may have to deliver them differently.
Challenging decisions will need to be made by the Board of Trustees to balance the budget while ensuring student learning and achievement and providing equitable allocation of resources so that all students, including those with special needs, receive the support they need to be successful.
In short, we are projecting at this time an approximate $54 million revenue shortfall. Half that amount is due to Ministry grant reductions to our budget that happened just a month ago. We will know the full details of our government grants at the end of April, 2019. For now, we have to plan for this budget shortfall. After April 30, our financial situation might improve, it might stay the same, or it may get worse.
While the Ministry changes have reduced our revenue, other changes will affect our service levels. Among those changes, the Ministry is increasing the secondary school class size average from 22 to 28 students over the next four years. The magnitude of this change in class size means the TDSB will have 800 fewer high school teachers by the 2022-23 school year. This reduction in high school teachers is unprecedented and will have significant and far-reaching challenges to overcome including the potential for fewer course offerings, managing higher class sizes, and finding the time for individualized student attention. Working with our teachers and principals we are going to do our very best to manage these challenges. TDSB has great schools and very talented and committed teachers and support staff in our schools and working centrally to support our schools. All of us are dedicated to ensuring the education and well-being of each and every student. Remaining Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee Meetings (FBEC) re Budget
- April 23, 2019 Tuesday 4:30pm Approval of School Based Staffing Allocation - Non-Classroom and Support Staff
- April 25, 2019 Thursday 7:00 p.m. Board Meeting: Approval of School Based Staffing Allocation - Non-Classroom and Support Staff
- April 29, 2019 Monday 4:30 p.m. Tentative GSN Funding Analysis Presentation on Capital Budget Process
- May 13, 2019 Monday 4:30 p.m. Presentation of Draft 2019-20 Capital Budget and Presentation of Draft 2019-20 Operating Budget
- May 15, 2019 Wednesday 6:00 p.m. Hold for Delegations and Additional Budget Discussions
- May 27, 2019 Monday 4:30 p.m. Hold for Delegations and Additional Budget Discussions
- June 11, 2019 Tuesday 6:00 p.m. Approval of 2019-20 Budget for Operating and Capital
You are welcomed to make a presentation in person to FBEC or send us your written comments. Meetings have been scheduled for May 15 and 27 after the Operating Budget is public specifically to hear from you. Both meetings begin at 4:30 p.m. in the TDSB Boardroom. Additional meetings may be scheduled. For information, please click https://www.tdsb.on.ca/leadership/boardroom/delegations.
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PIAC POST - What you can do...
Education is a partnership involving students, parents, teachers, principals, staff, trustees, school boards, government, and the community. The Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) is committed to strengthening this partnership and is committed to assisting parents and school councils in ensuring student success in education. In their latest PIAC POST, PIAC speaks to Supporting Parents as Partners in Education - APRIL 2019 | VOL 18 - 19 | ISSUE (SPECIAL EDITION: CHANGES TO PUBLIC EDUCATION) in response to the many questions PIAC has received from parents about the proposed
Provincial Government education cuts. They have put together some information on what has happened to date and resources on how you can have your say. It is replicated below, but for the complete text, please click here for the Accessible Version.
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Davisville/Spectrum Rebuild
Thank you to all the parents/caregivers, staff and community members who attended the public meeting on April 16 - the slide deck has been posted on the school website at https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/davisville/The-New-Build. The Qs and As will be posted shortly and will continue to be updated.
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Policy Consultations
We would like to know your thoughts about our policy decisions by inviting you to our policy consultations. Please click on the policy of your interest to see the current draft. You are welcome to provide your comments, including suggestions on the wording and provisions of the draft policies, questions or recommendations using the contact information below. Caring and Safe Schools Policy (P051) Closes April 30, 2019 Draft Policy Share your feedback using the survey here: Survey Link - Email: ted.libera@tdsb.on.ca
Objective:
To ensure that all students feel that they belong, are heard, accepted, safe, supported and cared for through the creation of positive school climates that reflect themselves, value their voices and foster a culture of mutual respect and healthy relationships; and to enhance and maintain working and learning environments that embed principles of equity, anti-oppression, anti-racism, acceptance and inclusion in procedures, practices and programs that support the safety, dignity, health and well-being of all. Excursions Policy (P033) Closes May 24, 2019 Draft Policy - Email: michel.leblanc@tdsb.on.ca
Objective:
Outlines the requirements for organization and execution of out-of-school excursions and field trips within the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) system and; establishes the Board’s commitment to and a basis for the full and equitable inclusion of all students in curriculum-based excursions while ensuring that all barriers to access are removed and that safety, accountability and transparency are paramount.
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Worth RepeatingExcellence Awards
Do you know a TDSB staff member who goes above and beyond to support our students? Now is the time to honour that outstanding individual with an Excellence Award Nomination. Deadline is April 26, 2019.
Brown Jr Public School invites you to join them for a presentation by Brenda Simon - Let's Talk About Play - Why Promoting Freely Chosen Self-Directed Play is Essential for the Development of the Autonomy and Anxiety Relief in our Kids - on Wednesday, April 24th at Brown - 454 Avenue Rd at 7p,m. Register at www.eventbrite.ca search Brenda Simon.
Ledbury Park Elementary and Middle School Marketplace - 95 Falkirk St. You are all invited to join the Ledbury Community on Thursday, May 23rd from 5:00 – 8:00 - more to come, but please hold the date.
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Worth Repeating TDSB Summer ProgramsAt the TDSB we provide a wide range of enriching summer programs for children, youth and adults.
Elementary Secondary School
Adult
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School Year Calendar 2018-2019The official school year calendar for the Toronto District School Board runs from September 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019, inclusive.- The last day of class for elementary students is June 27, 2019
- The last day of class for secondary (full-year) students is June 25, 2019
- The last day of class for secondary (semestered) students is June 26, 2019
2018 - 2019 Dates to Remember: Official Holidays and PA Days
Remaining PA Days & Statutory Holidays
- Easter Monday April 22, 2019
- Victoria Day May 20, 2019
- Elementary School PA Day June 7, 2019
- Secondary School PA Day (Full Year Schools only)* June 26, 2019
- Secondary School PA Day June 27, 2019
- Board-wide PA Day June 28, 2019
- Passover 2019 will begin in the evening of Friday, April 19 and ends in the evening of Saturday, April 27 (first 2 and last 2 days are considered holy)
- Ramadan 2019 will begin in the evening of Sunday, May 5 and ends in the evening of Tuesday, June 4 (Dates may vary)
- Eid al-Fitr celebrated at the end of Ramadan will begin on Tuesday, June 4
EQAO - The following dates have been established:
- Gr. 9 Math: 2nd Semester: June 5-18, 2019
- Primary/Junior EQAO: May 21-June 3, 2019
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