November 2022
Welcome to my monthly newsletter! As the newly elected Trustee for Ward 4, Humber River - Black Creek, I’m pleased to share my first newsletter with you. Together with other Trustees, I am looking forward to advocating for the needs of our ward and all Toronto District School Board (TDSB) students, families and communities.
Humber River - Black Creek is a diverse community with unique needs, priorities and educational requirements and I hope to share monthly updates with information that will be of interest to our community.
To help you and your child navigate this school year, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca for information on the school year calendar, transportation, health, and safety and getting involved, as well as resources for homework and more. You can also visit my Trustee website.
Reducing Spread of Respiratory Illness
Recently, there has been an increase in respiratory viruses among children, including Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza and COVID-19. Please review this important message from Toronto Public Health about the steps that can be taken to help keep children and others safe. Please note that Toronto Public Health, together with Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, strongly recommends wearing a well-fitted mask in indoor public settings, including in schools and childcares. The TDSB continues to provide medical masks to staff and students who want to wear one.
Long-Term Program and Accommodation Strategy 2022-2031
The Long-Term Program and Accommodation Strategy document (LTPAS) was approved by the Board of Trustees on October 26, 2022. It has been posted in its entirety on the TDSB website.
Parents/guardians/caregivers, and community members can find the names of schools that could be involved in future reviews by using the links below to access sections of the LTPAS document:
School Council Innovation Grant
School Councils may submit one request for support up to $1,500 to support innovative (the development of new ideas or the improvement of existing ideas) projects/activities that engages parents/caregivers (in-person, virtual and hybrid) and builds School Councils’ parents/caregiver/guardian capability around:
- Anti-Black racism
- Anti-Indigenous racism
- Anti-racism
- Equity/anti-oppression
- Food sovereignty
- Human Rights
Continuing Education Programming
Stay Connected with your School
The TDSB now offers two new ways to stay connected with your school and the TDSB. Learn about opting in for text messages and using the School Messenger app, which provides a faster and easier way to report absences.
Mental Health and Well-Being
Supporting students is our priority. The TDSB is here to help with anything students need to support their mental health and well-being and to help them navigate the tools and resources they may need. Check out our mental health and well-being website for resources, webinars and drop-in times to help support families’ and students’ well-being all year.
Indigenous Education Month
Indigenous Education Month is celebrated during the month of November at the Toronto District School Board. Students and staff have the opportunities to learn from Indigenous perspectives on treaties, Indigenous leadership, achievements, resurgence, futurities, and creativity. To learn more about Indigenous Education month, please visit the TDSB webpage.
Hindu Heritage Month
The TDSB is proud to celebrate Hindu Heritage Month during the month of November. The theme this year selected by the TDSB Hindu Heritage Month Volunteer Planning Committee was ‘Bhoomi Devi: Our Sacred Mother Earth.’ To learn more about Hindu Heritage Month at the Board, visit the TDSB webpage.
After-School Recreation Care at Gracedale
In the ARC After-School Recreation Care program at Gracedale Public School, your 6–12-year-old child will:
- Receive quality care from 2:45-5:45pm
- Receive healthy snacks everyday
- Participate in Local Programming,
- Physical Activity, Outdoor Programming, Nutrition Programming, and Health & Wellness Programming
Upcoming Meetings
The next Regular Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. For a list of upcoming meetings, please click on the calendar on the main webpage of 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.
