November 2022
THANK YOU!
First and foremost, I would like to thank Scarborough-Rouge Park, Ward 22 for allowing me to serve another term as your school board trustee. This is a role I do not take lightly. I look forward to our continued partnership and the important work ahead.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
It is my pleasure to share that I have been elected by the Board of Trustees to represent the TDSB on the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Natural Science and Education Committee. The appointment is a four-year term. I look forward to providing updates from the committee.
Hindu Heritage Month
The Toronto District School Board recognized November as Hindu Heritage Month. This year the theme was Bhoomi Devi: Our Sacred Mother Earth. The following is a message from the Hindu Heritage Month:
Hinduism has a message of spiritual connectedness and oneness of the whole creation. Everything in creation, living and non-living, is seen as a manifestation of one supreme universal consciousness or cosmic energy. Hindu way of living, of being and of knowing emphasizes coexistence with nature in peace and harmony. The earth is honoured as Bhumata (mother earth) or Bhudevi (Earth as divine mother) - the divine creative force of nature.
Human interaction with mother nature is guided by remembering the law of karma (what we do to others, comes back to us) and Rtam (nature's own rhythms). Prakriti or nature, as mother, is seen as having a right to being protected - as opposed to humans having rights to use nature, as a commodity. Hindus are asked to interact with nature with a sense of reverence and gratitude, following dharma (our awareness about our duties to others, living and non-living) and Ahimsa, doing least harm.”
Toronto District School Board Updates
The Board webcasts its meetings to the public. Due to the pandemic the Board has also moved to conducting all standing committee meetings virtually, which can be watched live. Below is a list of the dates and times of the meetings. You can watch the meetings at Live Webcast of Meetings.
Upcoming Board Meetings
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Program and School Services Committee
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Pandemic Recovery Plan Fall Update
The Pandemic Recovery Plan Update (a motion I am proud to have co-sponsored) came to Board last month. The work is centered around two overall goals:
- developing a sense of belonging and
- eliminating disproportionate outcomes for students
Specific areas of focus are:
- Mental Health and Well-being
- Early reading enjoyment and fluency
- STEM achievement trajectories from grade 4 to grade 9
- Pathways to post-secondary education
- Learning recovery
Mental Health and Well-being
Examples of resources available across the system include:
- Resources for students, parents and caregivers and school communities, including, culturally responsive resources, Black Mental Health Resources, and the mental health and well being website.
- Students4WellBeing: a high school student-led group, co-facilitated by the System Leader and Mental Health Leads that supports mental health literacy learning, capacity building
- 2022-23 ReosurcesforALL Grades: Mental Health and Heritage Month Virtual Lounges, Mental Health and Well Being Tool kits, Resources for Grief and Loss, Substance Use/Abuse and Culturally Responsive Community Resources throughout Toronto
These resources can be found on the TDSB website.
Early Reading Enjoyment and Fluency
TDSB data shows that the pandemic has negatively impacted reading levels in the early years.
Some interventions so far include:
- Increased access to Reading Intervention Programs and resources developed to support evidence-based classroom instruction and assessment practices
- Family and Caregiver Early Literacy Guide and Family/Caregiver Website to support Early Reading
- French Early Reading Website for French educators to provide resources for French Immersion
- Additional Qualification Courses for teachers in Reading created and accredited through the College of Teachers
- Early intervention staff and early reading coaches placed into schools with higher needs
High School Open Houses
