Keeping you engaged and informed
Keeping you engaged and informed
Ward 11 Weekly Update header
Week of June 10, 2019

2019-20 TDSB Operating Budget

The Board`s Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee (FBEC) has met 17 times since January to discuss the budget and we are currently considering TDSB staff’s proposed 2019-20 balanced budget that addresses the $67.8 million shortfall. We knew there would be very difficult decisions as everything we currently do is valued by those we serve. For that reason, the Board embarked on a very deliberate consultation to ensure the budget process would be driven by budget drivers or guiding principles. Only after staff reviewed the budget line by line did they put forward their balanced reduction plan to the Board - it includes a number of reductions and changes to the delivery of programs and services but protects special edcuation, early years and model schools. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the process and to the students, staff, parents and community members in Ward 8, I have especially appreciated your e-mails and although I have heard you, sadly we are unable to keep everything we are currently doing although I do understand the value you hold for your schools.
It is because the Board is required to approve a balanced operating budget by June 30, 2019 that the final group of delegations was presented to our Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee (FBEC) on June 6th. Written submissions will still be accepted until Monday, June 10 at 12-noon to ensure that all input can be shared prior to the next budget meeting, which is Tuesday, June 11 at 4:30 p.m. at Committee of the Whole. You can email your written submission to delegates@tdsb.on.ca. We have posted all of the oral and written delegations for the public to review. As of June 7, 2019, we have received 100 oral delegations and 195 written delegations.

On Tuesday, June 11, beginning at 4:30 p.m., trustees will meet for a Special Meeting of Committee of the Whole to consider substitutions to staff’s proposed 2019-20 balanced operating budget. Committee of the Whole may approve a recommended balanced operating budget that will go to the Regular Board meeting for consideration on Wednesday, June 19, beginning at 7 p.m. Among the substitutions are reconsideration of the cancellation of Saturday International Language Programs, re-looking at Outdoor Education with the hope to reorganize to keep more centres, and the reconsideration of transportation services to ensure access to French programming.

Please note that all meetings are available as live webcasts. To watch the live webcasts, visit https://www.tdsb.on.ca and follow the live broadcast link. If you miss a webcast, it will be posted below under “Watch Our FBEC Meeting Videos”.

We have received many questions and concerns about the $42.1 million in Ministry of Education funding reductions to the TDSB`s budget. Please remember our budget is funded through the  provincial government and the decisions approved by the Minister of Education who directs the Ministry of Education to implement the funding reductions. School boards are required by law to balance their budgets. To achieve that balance, the Board must decide where in their budget they will reduce programs, services and staff totaling the shortfall of $67.8 million.
If you have concerns or questions about the Ministry of Education budget reductions, you can also contact the Minister of Education: Hon. Lisa M. Thompson | Minister | 416-325-2600 | minister.edu@ontario.ca or contact your local Member of Provincial Parliament. Please note there is speculation that there will be a Cabinet shuffle this week and the Ministers may change.

You can learn more about the proposed program, service and staff reductions in the Questions and Answers from FBEC Meetings listed below.
For more understanding of the Budget issues, please visit the budget webpage   https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Business-Services/Budgets-and-Financial-Statements/2019-20-Budget.
And as always, you can e-mail me at shelley.laskin@tdsb.on.ca. 

Curriculum Updates

Curriculum Releases – Implementation for Fall 2019 (from OPSBA)
Indigenous Education – The Ministry of Education announced details for this on May 21 in their news release, Ontario Launches First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies Curriculum. Later this month on June 19, the ministry is hosting a stakeholder engagement session to “discuss the co-development of a strategy to support Indigenous focused curriculum revisions, including revisions to Indigenous languages curriculum.” Representatives from OPSBA’s Indigenous Trustees’ Council attending this meeting will be Vice Chair Lucille Kyle and Eric Bortlis. Note: - we will continue to pressure the government to make courses mandatory to honour the Truth and Reconcilliation Calls to Action.
 
Health and Physical Education –  The revised elementary curriculum was to be released in May. Currently information posted on the Ministry’s web site states: The new elementary Health and Physical Education curriculum will be posted on the ministry’s website in the summer of 2019. This new age-appropriate curriculum will reflect input received from more than 72,000 engagements with parents, students, educators, employers and organizations from across Ontario. Note - I think we are all anxious to actually see the new curriculum.
 
Grade 10 Career Studies – The revised mandatory Grade 10 curriculum is expected to be released by the end of June. This was last updated in 2006.
Finally, let's not forget that the consultation on Secondary Class Size ended May 31 but we have not seen, nor heard the results. We must keep the pressure up to ensure the results are public and that the government reconsiders this decision that will decimate the opportunities for our secondary students.

TDSB Meetings This Week

Special Budget Committee of the Whole, Tuesday, June 11, 2019
4:30 p.m. Boardroom, Main Floor, 5050 Yonge Street
3 Proposed Balanced 2019-2020 Operating Budget 
4 Proposed Substitutions to the 2019-2020 Balanced Operating Budget Plan
• Appendix A1: Itinerant Music Instructors
• Appendix A2: Amendment re Transportation Services - French
• Appendix A3: Transportation Services - French
• Appendix A4: Student Support Services
• Appendix A5: Outdoor Education
• Appendix A6: International Baccalaureate Program - Equity Fund
• Appendix A7: Transportation Services - Gifted
• Appendix A8: School Budgets
• Appendix A9: International Languages 

Committee of the Whole, Wednesday, June 12, 2019
4:30 p.m. Boardroom, Main Floor, 5050 Yonge Street

6.1 French-as-a-Second-Language Programs Review Recommendations - It is recommended that the French as a Second Language (FSL) Programs Review Recommendations, as described in this report, be approved.
1. Restructure the Board’s Intensive FSL Programs leading to a single intensive French Immersion (FI) Program model with two entry points, and elimination of all other entry points;
2. Establish a minimum intake and a maximum cap at the entry points to ensure program viability and account for attrition rates;
3. Develop a Core French Action Plan;
4. Ensure Inclusive Practices in all FSL Programs;
5. Strengthen the current Plan for the Recruitment and Retention of FSL Teachers.
That the Director report back to the Board in October 2019 on next steps:
1. Core French Action Plan
2. Implementation of Proposed Transportation Plan (following Board approval on June 19, 2019)
3. Development of Redistribution Plan for FI Programs to improve equity of access (following Board approval on June 19, 2019)
4. Revision of Operation Procedure 597
6.2 Secondary Program Review - The vision for secondary program recommended by staff includes fewer but stronger schools that provide greater access, better options, and rich pathways as close to home as possible. The focus will be on neighbourhood schools that offer a breadth of program while still ensuring for some specialized programs, Alternative schools, and congregated Special Education schools. Achieving this vision requires the support of the Board of Trustees. That support will set in motion the following next steps:
 Development of Vision to look at secondary program and accessibility differently Staff will continue to work strategically to further develop a vision of secondary program that will benefit all students. Staff will work at a system level to examine the distribution and viability of secondary programs and schools to determine how best to meet the needs and interests of students and move the system towards much needed focus.
 Alignment with the Long-Term Program and Accommodation Strategy (LTPAS) Staff will align the LTPAS with the secondary program vision and present a report to the Board with the updated LTPAS.
 Review of Related Policies, Procedures and Practices Staff will review related policies, procedures and practices that impact access, opportunity and outcomes. These include the Optional Attendance Policy and Procedure, Alternative Schools and Procedure and the Admission to Specialized Schools and Programs Procedure.
6.3 Boundary Review for Eglinton Junior Public School, Hodgson Middle School, and Northlea Elementary and Middle School - The schools involved in the Boundary Change Review are Eglinton Junior Public School, Hodgson Middle School, and Northlea Elementary and Middle School. 
6.4 Update on York Memorial Collegiate Institute - It is recommended that York Memorial Collegiate Institute be relocated to the Scarlett Heights building located at 15 Trehorne Drive, effective 1 September 2019, and remain there until a long-term solution has been established for the school.
6.5 Interim Expectations for Parent/Family Engagement in the School Improvement Process - It is recommended that the proposed 2019/2020 interim expectations for parent/family involvement in the school improvement process be received.
7.1 Dealing With Incidents of Racism and Hate (Trustees Moise and Laskin) - Therefore, be it resolved:
(a) That the Director set clear expectations for staff about the process to be followed and staff’s responsibilities in situations where there are acts of racism and hate;
(b) That the action at Part (a) include specific expectations:
(i) to track all incidents and actions taken,
(ii) the actions to include communication and follow-up to the specific incidents with the students and parents/caregivers within the school;
(c) That the Director present an annual report documenting incidents and actions with regard to dealing with racism and hate in schools and how students learned from such.

Bill 108 Negates Midtown in Focus Report

The City had adopted a comprehensive new planning framework for the Yonge-Eglinton area in Midtown Toronto that set out a 25-year vision for Midtown that provided policy direction to ensure Midtown developed as a complete community, maintained the diversity of Midtown's neighbourhoods and integrated land use and infrastructure planning. The Minister of Municipal Affairs changed the Plan as part of Bill 108 without any consultation with the City or community.
TDSB staff were engaged throughout the secondary plan review process (Midtown in Focus) to highlight the need for stronger and more forceful language in the secondary plan regarding the urgent need for new school capacity, to keep pace with the residential growth in the Yonge-Eglinton area.
Sadly, Bill 108 removed schools from Community Service Facilities definition – 2.2.1.b; removed policy 6.2 – “community service facilities to be provided in a timely manner and be commensurate with growth” and removed the Holding By-law section – 9.5.1. It also removed 2.2.2 that development will not be permitted to outpace the provision of infrastructure, and will not proceed until such a time as the necessary infrastructure to support development is provided.
City staff had provided the TDSB Planning Department with long-term household and population  projections for the next 30 years, which staff have been able to incorporate into local schools’ enrolment projections. All that is now subject to change - projections will need to be adjusted - and even more school capacity will be needed. The fact that the province overrode the years of collaborative work between the City and its residents is worth fighting against.
TDSB has always argued "growth should pay for growth". Please check here for our fight to receive Education Development Charges (EDCs).

Bill 5 Legal Challenge Update - City of Toronto

In late August 2018, the Board of Trustees voted to support the City of Toronto’s legal challenge to Bill 5 Better Local Governments Act, provincial legislation which reduced the number of wards in the City of Toronto from 47 to 25 in the middle of the municipal election. Bill 5 impacted TDSB trustee wards as they are aligned with the City of Toronto wards. TDSB Legal Services sought and obtained intervenor status in the legal proceedings. 
On September 10, 2018, Justice Belobaba of the Superior Court of Justice struck down Bill 5. The Province appealed this decision and brought an urgent hearing at the Court of Appeal requesting that the decision of Justice Belobaba not be immediately enforced and that the October 2018 election proceed on the basis of 25 wards as provided by Bill 5. The Province was successful and on September 18, 2018, the Court of Appeal permitted the City of Toronto election to proceed with 25 wards and temporarily “stayed” (suspended) the decision of Justice Belobaba.
The Province is continuing with its appeal of the lower court decision and the full hearing of the appeal is scheduled to take place next week on June 10 and June 11, 2019. CBC has been granted permission to live broadcast the two day hearing and a link to the live broadcast will be made available on the Court of Appeal for Ontario website. A copy of the recording will also be made available on the website for a period of 90 days following the hearing of the appeal. Stay tuned...

The Facts

On Monday, June 3, Chair of the Board Robin Pilkey issued a statement in response to a story in the Toronto Sun and comments made by the Minister of Education regarding a TDSB Cell Phone Request for Proposals (RFP) .
It is pretty clear that both the Toronto Sun and the government were wrong to suggest that the TDSB would have paid more than $5 million for cell phones if it had continued with the cell phone RFP process. The Ministry in particular would have known that is a ridiculous assertion. It is also pretty clear that the TDSB has been reviewing its RFPs both as a matter of good practice and due to its budget situation. The TDSB will continue to follow the government’s advice and keep a close watch on outstanding and new RFPs.

It is one thing for the Toronto Sun to play around with the facts and engage in “gotcha” journalism. It is another thing for the government to do so — without fact checking first. This is yet another example of the government unfairly targeting the TDSB and Toronto.


We would have been happy to have shared this information with the Minister or her staff had they reached out to us prior to issuing a statement based on a single media report. We’re confident that we could have addressed any of her concerns had that happened.

As all facts are known, it is clear that the real story before us is not a cancelled cell phone RFP. The real story continues to be that many, many school boards, including the TDSB, are now facing record budget cuts due to Ministry funding reductions. The TDSB’s budget shortfall is $67.8 million – of which $42.1 million is due to the Ministry’s funding reductions. Other school boards face budget shortfalls that are proportional to that of the TDSB’s.


The full statement is now available online. 

Student Dress Policy

The TDSB has adopted a new Student Dress Policy that applies to all schools across the Board, effective September 2019. The Student Dress Policy, formerly the Appropriate Dress Policy, has been revised and approved by the Board. The policy will apply to all TDSB schools to establish fair and equitable standards and practices for student dress across the Board. The new policy was developed to provide students with learning environments that are safe, equitable, welcoming and inclusive and recognizes that decisions about dress reflect individual expression of identity, socio-cultural norms, and economic factors and are personal and important factor’s to a person’s well-being and health. Some of the key changes in the policy include:
  • Renaming the policy to Student Dress Policy (formerly the Appropriate Dress Policy)
  • Creating a system-wide dress policy to establish fair and equitable standards in all schools
  • Ensuring the student dress code is based on the equity-centred standard and framework consistent with the Board’s commitments
  • Focusing on student voice, impact and engagement in development, review and revisions
  • Ensuring student engagement in any uniform policy development as well as an equal right to vote in any uniform policy decision
  • Enhancing knowledge and awareness of assumptions or stereotypes that are based on or reinforce bias, prejudice and discrimination and may lead to discriminatory application of dress codes
  • Providing a continuum of choices for enforcement to remedy any inappropriate dress
The policy was approved by the Board of Trustees on May 22, 2019, however its effective date will be September 2019.Have questions? Learn More

New Invitation - Movie Night 

Portuguese Speaking Heritage Month: Invitation to Movie Night  
The TDSB is proud to recognize Portuguese Speaking Heritage Month during the month of June and this year’s theme is “One language uniting cultures/Uma lingua a unir culturas.” The planning committee is excited to share with you that the celebration continues in the TDSB to recognize this heritage!  
Portuguese Speaking Heritage Month Movie Night 
Date: Friday, June 14, 2019
Time: Refreshments, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Movie: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: Harbord Collegiate Institute, 286 Harbord Street, Toronto

Spring Fairs in Ward 8

Below please find a list of the Fun Fairs and school community events this Spring - please support the schools and that the many, many volunteers (parents, caregivers and staff) who put on these events for the students - let's hope for wonderful weather!
Note - if you notice any changes or additions, please let me know!
  • Lawrence Heights Thursday 13-Jun-19 5:30 Poetry Slam and BBQ
  • Brown/Forest Hill Jr/Sr Wednesday 12-Jun-19 3:30-6:30pm Garden Fête/Falcon Fest (will take place at Forest Hill Jr/Sr site)
  • JR Wilcox Wednesday 12-Jun-19 4-8pm Fun Fair
  • Hillcrest Thursday 13-Jun-19 4-8pm Fun Fair
  • North Prep JS Friday 14-Jun-19 after school Fun Fair
  • John Wanless Saturday 15-Jun-19 11am-3pm Spring Fair
  • Cottingham Saturday 15-Jun-19 11am-3pm Fun Fair
  • Eglinton Saturday 22-Jun-19 4-7pm Fun Fair
  • Armour Heights (Fall 2019)
  • Humewood (Fall 2019)

School Year Calendar 2019-20

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.

School Year Calendar 2018-2019

The official school year calendar for the Toronto District School Board runs from September 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019, inclusive.
  • The last day of class for elementary students is June 27, 2019
  • The last day of class for secondary (full-year) students is June 25, 2019
  • The last day of class for secondary (semestered) students is June 26, 2019 
2018 - 2019 Dates to Remember: Official Holidays and PA Days 
Remaining PA Days & Statutory Holidays
  • Secondary School PA Day (Full Year Schools only)* June 26, 2019
  • Secondary School PA Day June 27, 2019
  • Board-wide PA Day June 28, 2019
Also please note Days of Significance - click for the complete list
You may also find this Days of Significance Resource Guide helpful
EQAO - The following dates have been established: 
  • Gr. 9 Math:  2nd Semester: June 5-18, 2019

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