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Classes Lost as a Result of Class Size IncreasesAs a result of provincial changes to secondary class size averages from 22 to 28 over the next four years, secondary schools in Toronto have already had to make difficult decisions about what courses or supports they can no longer offer beginning this September. The Impact of Class Size Average Increase: Secondary Course Sections chart mentioned below shows the results of the increase to class size averages in Year 1 from 21.7 to 23.6. This is an increase in average class size of 1.9 in the first year of this four year process. This new class size average will allow us to continue to be compliant with our current Collective Agreement class size provisions as we move towards a class size average of 28 as per direction from the Ministry of Education.
This chart identifies the specific courses or programs that will be impacted in the 2019-2020 school year, including course cancellations, larger class sizes and combined grade and level courses. The staffing reduction has not only impacted course selection, but will also result in fewer supports for students who need them.
Below are the total numbers of sections and additional supports that have been impacted:
- Grade 9/10 electives - 133
- Grade 11/12 electives - 414
- Grade 9 compulsories - 123 (English, Math, Science, Geography, French, Phys. Ed)*
- Grade 10 compulsories - 64 (English, Math, Science, History, Civics, Career Studies)*
* Each TDSB secondary school will be offering all compulsory courses; however, when a section of a compulsory course has been cancelled, all remaining sections of that compulsory course will be larger
- Guidance support reduced - 35
- Library sections cancelled, resulting in closure of library during instructional day or at lunch – 58
- Reduction of periods Teacher-Librarians can work directly with students - 9
- Literacy course cancelled. Students who fail the OSSLT will be required to take this course at night school. This course often serves English Language Learners - 15
- Resource support reduced - 19
- Student Success support reduced (attendance counselling, literacy/numeracy support, gap closing, monitoring of underserved students) – 49
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Great News! Great News! Emma Mizdrak Places 1st!Students from grades 4 – 12 participated in the 35th annual provincial French public-speaking event, Concours et Festival D’art Oratiore, organized by the Ontario branch of Canadian Parents for French. On Saturday May 4th, over 300 students from 24 school boards and 11 independent schools participated in the event. Richview Collegiate Institute’s Emma Mizdrak placed 1st in the grade 9 Immersion category. Well done Emma!
Join me on Tuesday May 28, 2019 for a Ward 2 School Council Conference
Please visit https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Ward2 for detail about this upcoming event.
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History Fair at Dixon Grove JMS On April 18th it was my honour to serve as a judge at Dixon Grove Junior Middle School’s History Fair. The presentations were great. The students had studied people or events that they felt made a significant Canadian contribution. The students were extremely knowledgeable and their oral presentations were very well done. This was an excellent learning expericence for me. The picture is of student and event coordinator Ahmad Aziz, teacher Ms. Karm, and myself in front of Ahmad's exhibit. Congratulations to all the students on their projects as well as to all the organizers and volunteers. The winners advanced to the City Fair and three of the students then advanced to the Provincial competition.Congratulations!
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TEDx Youth at Martingrove Collegiate Institute
The evening of April 18th was a truly special night at Martingrove Collegiate Institute. Student co-founders Shankari Sivanathan and Isha Verma worked closely with staff advisors Janice Feller and Paul Garnich to organize TEDx Youth@MCI (x = independently organized TED event). It was an inspiring evening of talks provided by community speakers and three MCI students; James Esemu, Mark Cueto and Aysha Abdul. Emcee for the evening was Jeremy Trendoff. The broadcasting club served as the tech crew. Congratulations to all involved and thank you to the sponsors of the event.
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International Children’s DayOn April 20th it was my honour to join with the Turkish Society of Canada for International Children’s Day celebrations held at Nathan Philips Square. MPP Chris Glover and I were among a number of elected officials invited to address attendees. There were a number of games and activities for the children; I was also introduced to some dessert treats that I could not resist. There were families from over twenty different cultures making it a great day of cultural diversity.
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Kind Campaign Assembly It was my pleasure to visit John G. Althouse Middle School on April 26, 2019 for the Kind Campaign Assembly. Principal Bois brought in two presenters from the United States to speak with the female student body. The presentation was absolutely brilliant and you could hear a pin drop during the entire discussions. The focus was on how female students treat one another in person and on social media, The Kind Campaign encourages the girls to consider the long lasting ramifications that can result from negative and harsh interaction. Congratulations to Principal Bois and all those who participated in organizing such a great event that highlighted such an extremely important topic.
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Character Assembly
On April 30th I had the pleasure of joining staff and students at West Glen Junior School for the Character Assembly; April’s focus was on cooperation. I had the honour of meeting many deserving students and presenting them with their certificates. There were a number of parents in attendance which helped amplify the recognition. This picture is of myself and all the certificate winners.
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Social Justice Fair May 3rd was a great morning to visit Broadacres Junior School where the students were hosting their Social Justice Fair. Students were in teams of four or five with each group focused on one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals such as; no poverty, zero hunger, quality education, and gender equality to name just a few. Students created booths and a media outlet to promote their goal and raise funds and awareness. I was thoroughly impressed by the knowledge and creativity of the students. Congratulations to the organizers, the volunteers, and all the students for their truly inspiring presentations!
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Multicultural Day May 3rd was Multicultural Day at Wellesworth Junior School. I attended a great assembly where everyone celebrated our multicultural diversity. I then joined students as we visited many “countries” where we all learned about new foods, cultural clothing and activities. The children enjoyed the visits; the highlight was getting their passports stamped. It was a great day inspired by an important message.
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LEGO Expo(s) On May 3rd the students of Wedgewood Junior School hosted four TDSB schools for their LEGO Expo. May 8th, Westmount Junior School had a similar event hosting Eatonville Junior School. Both events featured a “Moon Challenge” for the students teams of four. Students did researched the moon to determine what would be required in a space station to sustain life. Students then used the LEGO pieces to build their moon space station as well as a robotic device to assist with their moon mission. The knowledge displayed by the students during their presentations was impressive. I was amazed by the creativity All team members received LEGO medals of recognition for their efforts. Thank you to all the staff members for all your efforts in providing such a unique educational opportunity for the students.
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Letter: Chair Urges Province to Consult on Public Health, Pause Cuts On Friday, May 3rd, 2019, Chair of the Board Robin Pilkey issued a letter to the Minister of Health and Long Term Care, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, and the Minister of Education, as well as Toronto Members of Provincial Parliament, urging them to hold off on implementing the cuts to Toronto Public Health until there can be further consultation and a full discussion about the known possible and impacts.
For more background information, please refer to the news release.
Director’s School Visits
Director of Education John Malloy is continuing to visit schools across the Toronto District School Board. Last year, he began recording and posting short video updates from each visit to showcase the innovative ways we are teaching and learning throughout the Board. Watch the latest videos of the Director’s school visits.
School Year Calendar
The 2019-2020 school year at the TDSB begins on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 following the Labour Day long weekend. For more information about important dates and holidays for the upcoming school year, please refer to the 2019-20 School Year Calendar.
Elementary Summer School
Elementary summer programs increase engagement and build self-confidence in our students. This summer, from July 3 – 26, we are opening schools across the city to help build reading, writing and math skills in our students. Visit www.tdsb.on.ca/summer for a complete list of participating schools. @TDSB_ConEd
Continuing Education
Adult High School
Find a career path and meet your educational goals every year. Register now for the new semester beginning April 23. Tuition is free! Earn credits in nine weeks and gain Canadian work experience. Discover programs in business & technology, social science, mathematics and specialty programs such as accounting, office administration, childcare assistant, and more.
Visit www.adultschoolstoronto.ca for more information.
Bike to School Week at the TDSB – May 27 - 31
Let’s get rolling! Join students and teachers across the province in celebrating Bike to School Week. Schools participate in Bike to School Week by encouraging their students to walk and/or roll to school, and by holding events both inside and outside the classroom to promote the benefits of active transportation. For more information and resources, please visit our Bike to School Week webpage.
Pedestrian Safety - Safety Tips for Parents
Children under nine should be accompanied by adults or older children when crossing the street. At this age, their judgment and perceptual skills are still immature, yet they often eagerly try to cross streets on their own in order to demonstrate some independence. Teach your children the rules of the road - start when they're young. Think of it as gradually training your children about safety until all the connections are in place. By the time your child reaches age nine and can act independently, the road safety rules will be second nature.
- Teach children how to cross the street safely. Teach them to stop (before stepping onto the road), look left, right and left again, and listen for traffic before stepping out into the street. Teach children to wait until the street is clear and to keep looking until they have crossed the street. They should also look the driver in the eye before crossing.
- Teach children to recognize pedestrian crossing signals but not rely on them. Before crossing, children should also be sure the traffic has stopped. Remind them to continue across if the light changes to "Don't Walk" while they are in the crosswalk.
- Teach children to be extra alert when crossing at a corner with no traffic lights.
- Teach your children to stop at driveways, alleys and areas without curbs and to never run out onto the street.
- Teach children about the dangers of crossing the street between parked cars or when not at a corner. Children should cross only at corners and pedestrian crosswalks, not diagonally or between parked cars.
- Teach children to respect the role of the crossing guard and to understand his/her signals.
- Teach children that wherever possible they should walk on the sidewalk. In areas without sidewalks, teach children to walk as far away from the road as possible, facing approaching traffic (when there is no choice but to walk on the road).
- Teach children that playing games at railway crossings or around trains can be deadly. Teach children that the only way to cross railway tracks is to use designated railway crossings.
Follow the same rules that you want your child to follow. You may want to cut across the street in the middle of the block, but you want your child to learn to cross at the intersection. Be a good role model.
Reprinted with the permission of Safe Kids Canada. Visit www.safekidscanada.ca for more safety tips on keeping children safe.
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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.
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