email : Webview : TDSB Ward 13 March 2023 Newsletter

Welcome back from March Break

I hope everyone has had a wonderful March Break. This year has flown by quickly and I can't believe we only have a bit more than three months to go. There are some important activities taking place at the TDSB in the coming months including our 2023 - 2024 budget season, and the renewal of our Multi-Year Strategic Plan. More details are below.

I am also very excited to have had a chance to attend many school council meetings this year, and there are still many more to go. As of now, there are 16 more scheduled visits to school council meetings before the summer with a couple more in addition that are being planned. I look forward to meeting with all of you in person or virtually throughout the remainder of this school year.

James

Multi-Year Strategic Plan Renewal

As TDSB approaches the end of its current strategic plan, we are launching the Multi-year Strategic Plan Renewal.

The strategic plan is the long-term vision for the TDSB, establishing clear priorities that will guide Trustees and system and school leaders over the next four years. The goal is to develop a four-year roadmap, driven by student-centered needs and goals that are equity-informed and evidence-based.

The most important contributor to the strategic planning process is the voice of the TDSB school community. Throughout the next few months, we will be asking students, parents/guardians/caregivers, staff, and community members to reflect on the current strategic priorities and goals and contribute to renewing the MYSP.

All members of the TDSB school community are invited to Have Your Say! We encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities listed below to contribute to the conversation.

To learn more, please also visit the MYSP Renewal Website.

2023 - 2024 Budget and Staffing Allocation

In the spring of each year, the Ministry of Education announces revisions to education funding (Grants for Student Needs) and the amounts that school boards will receive for the coming year. By law, school boards are required to balance their budgets by June 30. TDSB Trustees and staff work together to create a balanced budget that best supports the achievement and well-being of all students within the funding provided by the province.

This year, a number of additional factors, including the elimination of Ministry funding provided during the COVID-19 pandemic, have impacted our budget and staff allocation. The COVID-19 pandemic funding had provided the TDSB with approximately $31.5 million which was primarily used to hire the staff necessary to provide additional support to students during the pandemic period. This funding supported a total of 485 full-time equivalent staff members, which included teachers, administrators, special educational support staff, caretakers, safety monitors, and school based office staff. As this funding is largely expected to be discontinued, there will no longer be funding available to support these staff members. In addition, there are other one-time funding and overall budget-related pressures present that will have additional impact on staffing. See 2023 - 2024 School Based Staffing Presentation (External Link to JamesLi.Net).

The Board continues to advocate to the Ministry of Education to provide adequate and sustainable funding to support student achievement and well-being. Recently on Feb 22, 2023, the TDSB sent a letter to the Ministery of Education requesting for reimbursement of over $70 million in un-funded pandemic related costs. I encourage everyone in our community to help us advocate for adequate funding to support the needs of our students.

Visit our website for more information on TDSB's budget.

Elementary Summer School - Registration Now Open

Looking to build your child’s literacy and numeracy skills? Elementary Summer School registration is now open! The focus of the 2023 Elementary Literacy and Numeracy Summer School Program is to continue student engagement through the month of July. Programs, which are developed by the local summer school principal to reflect the local school focus, are offered in-person to students in Kindergarten to Grade 8, from July 4 to July 28, 2023, in various locations around the city. This year, one remote program will also be available.

For more information, including a list of schools and online registration forms, visit our summer school program page.

African Heritage Month - February 2023

During the month of February, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) proudly recognizes African Heritage (Black History) Month. It is an occasion to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of peoples of African descent to Canada and the world. The chosen theme for 2022-2023 is Black Joy.

The theme of Black Joy was selected this year by the African Heritage Month Volunteer Planning Committee. Joy is defined by the MerriamWebster dictionary as the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. This academic school year, “Joy” is one of the TDSB’s two overarching priorities. The importance of “joy, engagement and belonging in our schools as a foundation for academic achievement and student success; and the second priority being “eliminating disproportionate outcomes for students.” Black Joy emulates how Black People have been able to thrive as a People and as a Community, despite the systemic barriers and oppression faced.

Please take a moment to watch the heritage month launch video and review our powerpoint on African Heritage Month 2023.

Chinese Heritage Month - February 2023

TDSB’s Chinese Heritage Month is proudly recognized in February each year. This year, the Chinese Heritage Committee selected a second theme: Honouring a Legacy of Conviction and Fortitude to mark the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 (known as the Chinese Exclusion Act). This Act restricted all people of Chinese descent from immigrating into Canada for 24 years with only 15 Chinese immigrants allowed entry into Canada from 1923 to 1946.

The TDSB Heritage Month Committee created a PowerPoint presentation outlining the history of the Chinese Exclusion Act I was also fortunate to be able to present highlights of this presentation in our February board meeting.

Also, big congratulations to Claire of Zion Heights Middle School, who won first place in her age category for the 2023 Chinese Heritage Month Poster Competition.

Greek Heritage Month - March 2023

We are proud to recognize Greek Heritage Month during the month of March. During this month, several learning resources and educational opportunities are provided to our students and staff to further enhance their knowledge of the Greek culture. To learn more about what is happening in our system, please continue to monitor @TDSB_GHM on Twitter for the latest updates.

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