Greetings Ward 12

In this month’s update:

Addressing School Safety
Hearing from Toronto Public Health
Inclement Weather
Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC)
Middle French Immersion Application Process
e-Learning Course Preference Survey for the 2023-2024 School Year
Mental Health and Well Being
OPSBA Advocacy Day - November 29, 2022
School Year Calendar 2022-23

Addressing School Safety

Addressing School Safety - From the Board Website

All students and staff have a right to feel safe at school and work. The TDSB is committed to working together to ensure every student has what they need to be successful in school and to keep our schools safe through the presence of caring adults, maintaining positive relationships, creating connections, solving problems, and promoting respect.

The TDSB has a strong foundation for school safety that we have progressively built on for years. We have – and will continue to – invest considerable resources in school safety in addition to programs and opportunities that connect with and engage students.

We have among the most evidence-based policies and procedures to support student safety and well-being. We have made ongoing and significant investments to resources, staffing and programs, including an investment of $5.9 million for additional staff.

On March 23, 2022, Trustees held a Special Board Meeting to discuss student safety, focusing on what work has been done and how we can continue to improve. Trustees' approved a motion that the Chair write to the Prime Minister of Canada, the Premier of Ontario, the Mayor of the City of Toronto and the chairs of Toronto school boards to request the creation of a partnership table between all three levels of government and Toronto school boards.

On Monday, December 5, a report, A Collaborative Approach to School and Community Safety: Report 1, was presented to a Special Meeting of the TDSB Planning and Priorities Committee. This report provides an overview of current research trends and data related to Caring and Safe Schools in Toronto District School Board and beyond. It also presents Phase One of an action plan which intends to urgently address issues of school and community violence. This action plan includes interventions which are being implemented immediately. Watch the Director of Education’s opening remarks. [Note: Two additional motions passed the Committee and were approved at Board - An Urgent Call for Ministry of Education to Reinstate Priority Schools Initiative Funding; and Establishment of Local Safety Tables.]

Schools are a reflection of the larger community within which they exist. As such, when communities are challenged by issues of violence, schools will also be challenged. Creating safer schools goes beyond the work of a single school board. It is the collective responsibility of all levels of government, communities and all Greater Toronto Area school boards.

TDSB Staff Supporting Safe Schools - In addition to the caring adults that are present in all 583 TDSB schools, the board has many specially trained staff that help support safe schools and student well-being including: School-Based Safety Monitors in every Middle and Secondary school; Child and Youth Counsellors; Child and Youth Workers; Caring and Safe Schools Centrally Assigned Principals that oversee and support schools in school safety and disciplinary issues in each of the TDSB’s 4 Learning Centres; Caring and Safe Schools Advisors that support schools in school safety and disciplinary issues in each of the TDSB’s 4 Learning Centres; Social Workers; Psychologists; and Court Liaison Workers.

Community Partnerships - TDSB has worked very closely over many years and continues to work with established community agencies to deliver programming that supports students in unique community driven ways. We are also focused on continuing to expand partnerships with culturally responsive community organizations and faith-based groups in support of school and community safety.

Current Steps to Address School Safety - At the Toronto District School Board, we are taking a number of additional steps to address school safety including: Creating a Safe Schools Audit Team to work with schools to ensure Caring and Safe Schools policies, practices and procedures are being followed appropriately and work with school teams to provide feedback and address concerns; Ensuring every secondary school has a student engagement/safety team so that students are informing local school-based safety initiatives; Formalizing a network of existing experts and organizations that directly work to reduce risk factors that lead to youth disengagement and violence through the creation of an expert reference group; Expanding a new initiative that works with community groups during and after school to offer a variety of programs focused on supporting youth; Working with Toronto Police to update the existing Police-School Board Protocol; Continuing to be an active participant in the City of Toronto's SafeTO community safety plan; Allocating additional resources to schools where concerns have been raised, further building on an initial investment of $5.9 million made last year to add staff such as School-Based Safety Monitors, social workers, child and youth counsellors/workers; Anticipating recommendations arising from a review of recent violent incidents in and around schools, which will be finalized in the near future.

Read the Joint Statement Re: Meeting with City of Toronto on Youth Violence (November 28, 2022). [Please note the next meeting will be held at the end of December.]

Hearing from Toronto Public Health

We were very glad that Dr. Vinita Dubey, Associate Medical Officer of Health and Nicole Welch RN MSc Director and Chief Nursing Officer of Toronto Public came to our Board meeting last week to provide us with the latest information - please see the complete deck here - below are some highlights -

There has been an increase in respiratory viruses among children

this season including influenza, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and

COVID-19, known as the Triple Threat

- Current percent positivity for RSV has been increasing since mid-Sept

- Current percent positivity for influenza is 11% (epidemic level)

- They can cause serious illness, especially in children 5 years of age

and under

Anyone over six months of age can now get their Flu vaccine available at many local pharmacies and primary care clinics, and at City of Toronto immunization clinics - you can get your Flu vaccine and COVID vaccine at the same time.

The rate of COVID-19-related hospitalizations higher among unvaccinated individuals compared to those who have completed their primary vaccine series or received one or more booster doses.

Staying up-to-date means you have completed your primary series and

have received a fall COVID-19 booster 6 months after a COVID-19 vaccine dose or a COVID-19 infection; 3 months based on age, risk and health status.

As the risk to Ontarians increases, we need to get back to the basics we know work:

- Vaccinations: fall booster & flu vaccine

- If sick stay home: wear a mask around others as recovering

- Masking: Wear a well-fitted mask in all indoor public settings, including schools and child care.

- Ventilation: Choose well-ventilated spaces. Outdoors is lower risk.

- Clean hand often

- Clean & disinfect surfaces

- Testing & treatments: If higher risk – if you have symptoms, get tested and treatment, if eligible

Masking Recommendations - Well-fitted, high-quality masks protect ourselves and others from COVID and respiratory infections. It is strongly recommended to wear a well fitted, high quality mask in all public settings, including schools and childcare. Recommended for 10 days from the first day after any symptom started, even if test negative or did not test for COVID.

Special consideration for:

- Anyone who is at higher risk of getting very sick from a respiratory virus

- Schools and childcare settings.

- Anyone who lives, works or spends time with someone who is at higher risk,

such as someone who has a weak immune system or is a senior.

Parents/caregivers - do you have a child in grade 7-12 who needs to catch up on their school based vaccines? Learn more here: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/immunization/get-immunized-children-youth/grade-7-vaccination-program/. Contact public health - Telephone 416-338-7600 TTY 416-392-0658 email PublicHealth@toronto.ca.

Inclement Weather

Winter is coming! With our cold Canadian winter comes snow, ice, and severe weather. It is occasionally necessary to cancel student transportation, classes and/or programs. Occasionally, severe weather forces the closure of our schools and administrative offices. Visit the website to learn more about Snow/Cold Weather and the Procedure for Severe Weather.

Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC)

PIAC welcomes you to share the voice of your ward, to advise the Board, support school councils and parents/caregivers with events and resources.

Please visit PIAC’s redesigned website at www.torontopiac.com.

View PIAC vacancies and contact your Trustee to join!

Middle French Immersion Application Process

The entry point to the Middle French Immersion program for September 2023 is Grade 4. The online application process for Middle French Immersion will take place between January 9 and February 3, 2023. An offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) is guaranteed to all on-time applicants. Families with an older sibling currently enrolled in a French program and who will be in attendance next year are still required to complete an online application for the new student. Please select the “sibling option” within the online application.

Visit the TDSB website for more information about Middle French Immersion, Virtual & In-Person Information Sessions or the Application Process.

e-Learning Course Preference Survey for the 2023-2024 School Year

On February 1, 2022 the Ministry of Education shared details of the new graduation requirement of two e-Learning credits as part of the 30 credits required to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). This applies to students who started Grade 9 on or after September 1, 2020-2021. Students, with the agreement of their parents/guardians, can opt-out/withdraw from the requirement and still graduate with an OSSD by submitting the opt-out/withdrawal form to the school.

Please watch for information from your school as they will be surveying students to ensure elearning options reflect the interests and needs of their students. Please note that e-Learning courses are done independently, with a flexible schedule and do not involve direct teacher supervision. Whether or not you have opted out of the graduation requirement, you are able to select an e-Learning course in 2023-2024.

Mental Health and Well Being

The TDSB's Professional Support Staff (PSS) are here to help with anything you need to support your mental health and well-being and to help you navigate the tools and resources you may need. During these times it is especially important. For more information, please click https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Elementary-School/Supporting-You/Mental-Health-and-Well-Being-Professional-Support-Staff-PSS.

Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 for ages 5-29 for anonymous care from professional counsellors. Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868.

Let's Put Our Heads Together 2022

From the Executive Summary - The Ontario Coalition for Children and Youth Mental Health (the Coalition) is a multi-sectoral network of provincial partners in education, mental health and addictions, health, public health, justice, community and social services, and research. These partners work together to promote integrated public policy on child and youth mental health and well-being. Supporting the social and emotional development of children and young people is a shared responsibility. Not one organization or sector can do this work alone.

For the last three decades, the mental health needs of Ontario’s children and youth have been steadily increasing (Comeau et al., 2019). Evidence gathered through the pandemic tells a consistent story: living through COVID-19 has negatively young people’s mental health (Boak, Elton-Marshall, Hamilton, 2022; De France et al., 2022; Saunders et al., 2022). For years, Coalition partners have collaborated to create clearer pathways to mental health care for Ontario’s children, young people and families. Now, more than ever, as we transition through and beyond COVID-19, we need to work as a coordinated system, across sectors, to support every child and young person to receive the best care in the most effective and timely way. Read the full report here.

OPSBA Advocacy Day - November 29, 2022

The purpose of OPSBA’s Advocacy Day meetings are to re-introduce the Ontario Public School Board Association's (OPSBA) and its priorities to the government and the opposition parties. On November 28, OPSBA representatives met with over 50 MPP offices either in meetings or at the reception. This includes meetings with the Minister of Education, the two Parliamentary Assistants, and the education critics from the New Democratic Party, the Ontario Liberal Party and the Green Party of Ontario. This year’s MPP package included handouts that focused on:

Capital and Facilities

Student Transportation

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

The day began with OPSBA and Nanos Research releasing new survey data regarding several public education issues ranging from education funding to curriculum, special education, equity, and governance. The results indicate that nine in ten Ontarians agree (61%) or somewhat agree (29%) that spending on public education is an investment in the future. This is consistent across all demographics. A strong majority of Ontarians say a variety of education funding priorities are important with about nine in ten saying more funding is important/somewhat important for the maintenance, repair and renewal of schools, special education programming, and mental health supports, among other opportunities and supports.
TDSB OPSBA Directors also provided key information about the TDSB and current issues facing the Board. Information included advocacy for Education Development Charges, Secondary Program Review, Renewal Needs Backlog, and more - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Home/ctl/Details/mid/42864/itemId/49.

And a last note re OPSBA - so pleased to let you know the appointment of Stephanie Donaldson to the position of Executive Director of OPSBA, commencing December 12, 2022. As the announcement states, Stephanie brings outstanding experience in the world of public education to OPSBA as a leader and innovator in Ontario’s public sector. As a former elected school board trustee with the Toronto District School Board (an OPSBA member board), a member of OPSBA’s Executive Council, and Vice-Chair of the Toronto Board of Health, Stephanie has worked at both the local and provincial levels to safeguard and enhance the education, health and well-being of young people, their families, and their communities. Welcome Stephanie!

School Year Calendar 2022-23

Click on Key Dates for more information. Please also see the Days of Significance - click here for the complete 2022-23 list prior to setting your school community events. You may also find this Days of Significance Resource Guide helpful.

Stay Connected with your School

The TDSB now offers two new ways to stay connected with your school and the TDSB. Learn more about opting in for text messages and using the School Messenger app, which provides a faster and easier way to report absences.

Upcoming Meetings

The next Regular Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. For a list of upcoming meetings, please click on the calendar at www.tdsb.on.ca.

Follow the TDSB

Join the conversations happening on TDSB's social media communities. You'll find the most up-to-date information about us on our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.

Instagram @Torontodsb

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Trustee Weidong Pei

Addressing School Safety

Join the conversations happening on TDSB's social media communities. You'll find the most up-to-date information about us on our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.

Instagram @Torontodsb