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Week of October 4, 2015

Days of Significance

In October TDSB joins in celebrating Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the achievements of heroic and extraordinary women in our communities; Islamic History Month, a time to share in the history,heritage, and diversity of Muslim Canadians; Hispanic Heritage Month, cwhere we join with the City to acknowledge the many significant contributions Hispanic-Canadians have made and to enjoy and experience the rich heritage of Toronto's Hispanic cultures. Many other days of significance take place over the next week. And Thanksgiving is next Monday! Please see below -

October 5th is World Teacher Day

In 1994, UNESCO inaugurated October 5 as World Teachers’ Day to commemorate the joint UNESCO and International Labour Organization’s (ILO) signing of the Recommendations Concerning the Status of Teachers.

Read Commonwealth SG's statement for World Teachers' Day 2015

In marking World Teachers Day, the Commonwealth recognises that teachers are a national professional treasure and key to quality education and learning in our societies. Thank you...

In the wake of the adoption of the new Sustainable Development Goals, we are reminded of the vital role teachers play in the global education agenda. Approximately 3.4 million additional teachers... will be required by 2030 to achieve universal primary education and 5.1 million more will be needed to achieve universal lower secondary education.The Commonwealth Secretariat continues to support teacher development programmes as we understand our social goals hinge on qualified, motivated and professionally supported teachers.

We have developed professional standards for teachers and school leaders to guide countries in defining requirements in technical knowledge, teaching skills and personal attributes that education professionals must demonstrate to achieve their objectives. It is hoped these tools will go a long way in assisting countries to supporting their teachers.

At the 19th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers in June, ministers acknowledged the central role of teachers in quality education. Ministers were committed to raising the status of teaching as a profession in supporting professional development and conditions of service to ensure teachers are motivated and supported in the classroom. Ministers also reaffirmed the importance of effective governance of teaching to promote accountability and transparency. I salute all teachers for their work in mentoring and shaping our future generations. Statement by: Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma

October 7 is International Walk to School Day

International Walk to School Month (IWALK) is an annual global event of the Active & Safe Routes to School program, taking place each October. It is a mass celebration of active transportation and its related issues are used to introduce communities to the Active & Safe Routes to School (ASRTS) program. Visit www.iwalktoschool.org and the International Walk to School Facebook page for more information. In the Fall of 2013, Trustees approved a Charter for Active, Safe and Sustainable Transportation (ASST). Please click on the link for a summary of some of the ASST projects and initiatives the TDSB has been involved in since the adoption of the charter.

October 10 is World Mental Health Day

We all have mental health - we must continue to stop the stigma and support everyone's wellbeing and to offer help. Please click to read the TDSB strategy. Raising awareness is only the first step...

October 11 is the International Day of the Girl

TDSB Celebrates International Day of the Girl - 400 girls ranging from grades 7-12 will celebrate the Fourth Annual Day of the Girl by attending a fun and informative workshop called Navigating Life with Your GPS – Great Personal Strength. Facilitated by Cheryl-Ann Webster, creator of the Beautiful Women Project, the workshop will help guide all participants to a deeper appreciation of their unique inner strengths and learned skills and talents and help clarify and prioritize life goals.

Labour Negotiations Update

Job action is currently being taken by teaching staff represented by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents education workers. Both unions are in ongoing province-wide labour negotiations with the Government of Ontario and public school boards, represented by the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA).

Members of ETFO are participating in a work-to-rule campaign and members of CUPE are taking part in a partial withdrawal of services, both of which will impact our schools. Read a full list of ETFO’s job actions. Read a full list of CUPE’s job actions.

At this time, schools remain open and instructional programs continue to run. As always, student safety and learning remain the top priorities of all TDSB staff, and superintendents are in daily contact with our schools to assess any concerns. As you can imagine, principals and vice-principals have had to take on additional tasks as a result of the ongoing job action and we appreciate your patience. During this time, there may be some delays when trying to contact your school office.

The TDSB will continue to update parents and guardians on the implications of the work-to-rule and partial withdrawal of services in our schools. Read the latest letter to parents. For more information and updates visit www.tdsb.on.ca/labour.

2015 Federal Election (from the OPSBA Website)

The 42nd federal general election will be held on Monday, October 19, 2015. We encourage all Canadian citizens in Ontario to exercise their democratic right to vote. OPSBA has a strong history of advocacy for student achievement and well-being and takes pride in the contributions that have been made to shape the education policy in Ontario. We're also connected to our partners in provinces across the country via our membership in the Canadian School Boards Association.

The Elections Canada website is a helpful hub, where you can find out more about how and when to vote, what ID is required as well as information about accessibility voting.

As well, OPSBA continues to support the work of Student Vote, which operates parallel elections for students under the voting age, coinciding with federal, provincial, territorial and municipal elections.

Additional Resources

Fix our Schools - Conversation starters and questions about the federal election

Campaign 2000 - Key federal issues regarding child and family poverty
Online Voter Registration - Check if you're registered to vote
Equal Voice - A national, bilingual, multi-partisan organization dedicated to electing more women to all levels of political office in Canada
Pollenize - A non-partisan guide to the 2015 federal general election
Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada - Guide to Child Care Platforms

Revised Health and Physical Education Curriculum

In February, 2015, the Ministry of Education released the revised Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum to all school boards in Ontario for implementation beginning September 2015. The TDSB began implementation this fall with staff training, followed by delivery in the classroom. Parents/guardians are encouraged to learn more about the curriculum by visiting the TDSB website, which has recently been updated to include additional information, resources, links to informative web sites as well as a message from the Director. And as included earlier in an Update, the Ministry of Education has also prepared very comprehensive resources on the curriculum. Visit the Ministry website to find the full curriculum, parent guides and quick facts.

This year Local Government Week takes place October 18-24, 2015

Local Government Week aims to increase youth and public awareness about the important role local government plays in our communities. The week provides a range of opportunities particularly for Grades 5 and 10 to educate students on the operation and importance of our civic institutions.

Other examples of what communities and schools can do to celebrate local government.

Debate a school board trustee on a school issue
Hold a Mayor for a Day student essay contest
Host a mock council
Tour your Town Hall
Organize a “Lunch and Learn” on local government

While we celebrate Local Government Week from October 18-24 this year, we encourage schools and municipalities to participate in local government activities throughout the school year. I'd be happy to attend Grade 5 or Grade 10 Civics classes! Please invite me!

College Fair October 19 -- 5:00-9:00pm; October 20 -- 10:00am-3:00pm

All the Ontario Colleges in One Place! Meet college faculty, staff and students at the Enercare Centre (formerly Direct Energy Centre) which is at Exhibition Place in Toronto 100 Princes' Blvd.For more information, click on http://www.ocif.ca/.

PIAC – Hold the Date – 9th Annual Parent Conference – November 14, 2015

TDSB’s Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) is currently organizing the 9th annual Parent Conference. This is a wonderful conference for parents – you have the ability to attend a variety of workshops that can help you understand your child’s school and the system. PIAC meetings are public – the next one is October 13 at 5050 Yonge.

Worth Repeating

tdsbCARES: Refugee Crisis Appeal - This TDSB fundraising appeal will run until December 11. The federal government has announced that they will match all eligible donations made by that date (up to $100 million) and set aside each dollar in its own Syria Emergency Relief Fund. For more information or to make a donation online, please visit the TDSB website at www.tdsb.on.ca and click on the Refugee Crisis Appeal banner. With thousands of people impacted by this ongoing crisis, the need is great. With that in mind, we are asking students, staff, parents and our school communities to do what they can. No gift is too small or insignificant. Your donations are much appreciated.

Learn more about the Toronto Ward Boundary Review at www.drawthelines.ca.

Legislative Page Program for students in Grade 7 and 8 http://discoveryportal.ontla.on.ca/en/page-program/apply-now.

Celebrate Your Healthy School - Deadline has been extended to October 9th! Ophea’s Healthy Schools (HS) Certification recognizes and celebrates school communities for promoting and enhancing the health and well-being. https://www.ophea.net/node/1418.

People for Education – Making Connections 2015 – Saturday, November 7, 2015
Rotman School of Management, 105 St. George Street, Toronto - Special Guest. Dr Allan Sears, Professor of Social Studies Education at the University of New Brunswick, and the lead researcher for the citizenship domain in People for Education’s Measuring What Matters project. Click here for informtion and to register.

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