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| Shelley Laskin, Trustee
Toronto District School Board
Ward 8: Eglinton-Lawrence & Toronto-St Paul's
416-395-8787
Shelley.Laskin@tdsb.on.ca
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In this Issue:
- Mother's Day
- Education Day Debates
- Student Vote Ontario
- COVID-19 Reminders
- Student Interest Programs Policy
- Committee Meetings this Week
- TDSB System Calendar
- Policy Consultations
- School Building in Toronto: Where Are We Now? Ward 8 & 9 Virtual Ward Forum - This Thursday, May 12, 2022, 6:30-8:00 pm.
- Excellence Awards Are Back!
- New Invitations - Budget Town Halls - May 19; COVID-19 Check-In; COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics co-hosted by Councillor Matlow; Free Virtual After-School Programming; Elections Ontario Recruiting
- Worth Repeating - Asian Heritage Month Virtual Celebration; TDSBcares: Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal; Summer School Updates: Elections 2022 - Are You on the Voters Lists?; Respect the Rules - No Dogs Allowed on School Grounds
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Mother's Day
"Mother's Day is a celebration honouring the mother of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society." Thinking of all those fortunate to celebrate and be celebrated... Hoping all of you have people in your lives to influence and support and love unconditionally... and who give it right back. Happy Mother's Day.
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Education Day Debates in Eglinton-Lawrence and Toronto-St Paul's
The Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA) is declaring May 18 as Education Day in Ontario. On that day and other dates during the week of May 16 to 20, local candidates from major provincial parties will be invited to local schools and to virtual and in-person all candidates meetings to share their views and answer questions on the issues affecting public education. Due to a Committee conflict, we are holding debates on May 17 and May 18 for the ridings that make up TDSB Ward 8.
As mentioned in last week's update, I have invited the candidates from the 4 major political parties nominated in Eglinton-Lawrence and Toronto-St Paul's to participate in virtual debates focused on education moderated by Caroline Alphonso, Education Reporter with the Globe & Mail.
As a non-partisan association, OPSBA advocates for and represents the voice of our public school boards on the diverse range of issues that affect students and communities, regardless of which political party forms government. Throughout the provincial election campaign, OPSBA is encouraging parents, students, seniors, and other members of school communities to learn about the issues impacting Ontario’s public schools, before Election Day on June 2, 2022. OPSBA has reached out to the four main parties - the Progressive Conservatives, New Democrats, Liberals, and Greens – elected to the Ontario Legislature with a questionnaire on six key education issues this election. Answers will be posted on our website as they come in.
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Student Vote Ontario
Student Vote is a program of CIVIX, a national charity dedicated to strengthening democracy through civic education. Student Vote uses the election as a teachable moment and enables teachers to bring democracy alive in the classroom. This hands-on learning program empowers students to learn about democracy, levels of government, political views and political parties, and the election process. Students experience the voting process firsthand and cast ballots for the official candidates running in the election.
The Student Vote program is flexible and adaptable to any grade or course. It provides free learning materials such as lesson plans (in print and digital formats), videos, slides, and interactive tools. This year, there more activities are included to reach learners in Academic-only or de-streamed classes, as well as new lessons focusing on themes of perspective and pluralism. Student Vote has also partnered with Elections Ontario to support educators in organizing activities for 16 and 17-year-old students for the Ontario Register of Future Voters list!
- If you missed the virtual Democracy Bootcamp professional development event for educators on March 18, please view the recordings here.
- Registration for Student Vote Ontario 2022 is now open at: https://studentvote.ca/registration/
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COVID-19 RemindersPlease Wear a MaskStaff at the Toronto District School Board have developed a new “masking” webpage with more information, including a Questions and Answers section, that will help answer a number of the questions about masking. We have asked all students and staff at its schools to go back to wearing masks inside to help limit the disruption caused by a sixth wave of COVID-19. Face masks combined with other preventive measures, such as getting vaccinated, frequent hand-washing and physical distancing, can help slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Masks are strongly recommended and effective. Please wear a mask to protect yourself and others, especially those that cannot yet be vaccinated.
Updated Information from TPH
Please get VaccinatedDaily Screening
Mental Health and Well-Being
COVID-19 Case Reporting - Adding TDSB-wide Totals
TDSB-wide weekly total of COVID-19 numbers will be reported on the COVID-19 Reporting webpage. This, in tandem with the daily COVID-19 notification letters from schools, will further provide our community a comprehensive picture of what is happening locally and system-wide, while preventing stigmatization of particular schools or areas. Weekly totals will be updated every Tuesday for the preceding week, here is the data from May 6.
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Student Interest Programs Policy
All students deserve access to engaging programs and inspiring learning opportunities they need to succeed.
Throughout its long history serving the students and families in this diverse city, the Toronto District School Board has offered outstanding specialized schools and programs – highlighting the Arts, athletics, science, math, technology and more – that foster each student's individual academic, social and emotional growth as they pursue a high-quality, focused education. These programs have flourished and are revered in our board. And while they have offered incredible benefits and experiences to the students who have attended, exclusivity has been a long-recognized issue in some of these programs. For a variety of reasons, systemic barriers entrenched in TDSB processes and policies have prevented some students, not only from attending, but from even applying or envisioning some of these specialized opportunities as a possibility.
As a publicly-funded organization, we must ensure that no student experiences barriers to success and that is why changes need to made to how these programs are offered to make them available to all students. Our revised Student Interest Programs Policy aims to do just that. Developed over several years, through data and extensive community consultation, we have drafted a policy that promotes access for all, not some.
Notably, the application process has long-advantaged students who have access to previous formal training in specific disciplines. Moving to an interest-based model will ensure that this prerequisite is no longer a barrier to students who may not have had those same opportunities, but still bring an interest, passion, and commitment to those fields. There are multiple specialized programs and/or schools in the TDSB, including some in the arts, math, science and technology, that do not require auditions, entrance exams, review of previous marks, etc. – and staff and students produce outstanding results. We are expanding this approach across the Board, which will address some of the challenges (e.g., geographical and financial constraints) faced by some students, particularly those who have been historically underserved.
In recent days, I have read about students’ and parents’ positive experiences with their specialized programs. Some of these students and their families have, however, connected this change in policy to a negative impact on their personal experience with specialized programs. This policy is not designed to take away from any student's positive learning. Quite the contrary – specialized schools will still meet the needs of these students who are passionate and have prior experiences which fostered their program choices. I have every confidence that TDSB educators will continue, with support where needed, to deliver high quality programming to all students. It simply means that more students across the TDSB will have a fair chance to learn through these enriching programs.
It is critical to note that this policy does not work in isolation. The very nature of specialized schools and programs has created an imbalance in the TDSB and in many cases, it has been at the expense of local schools being the best they can be for their students. Growing and supporting local school programs is a Board priority so that students have access to a range of high-quality programs/courses and possibilities at their local school and are not solely reliant on acceptance to a specialized program in order to develop a particular interest, talent or skill. This is the focus and ultimate goal of our Secondary Program Review, which is currently underway, but its outcomes will take time – we are looking ahead more than 10 years – to benefit students with us now and future students who aren’t even in our system yet.
Understandably, changing traditional, long standing processes can be difficult, but we know that improving access for all students is our obligation. All children deserve access to multiple pathways to pursue their dreams, discover new passions, and realize their full potential, as soon as possible.
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Committee Meetings This Week
Wednesday, May 11 - Program and School Services Committee
4:30pm - Agenda
- 5. Community Advisory Committees and Statutory Committee Reports
- 6.1. Indigenous Education: Annual Report
- 6.2. Caring and Safe Schools: Annual Report 2020-21
- 6.3. Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement Update
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TDSB System Calendar
There are many ways for parents/guardians and school community members to get involved, learn, connect and participate in TDSB activities and events. Visit this page often and see what's coming up!
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Policy Consultations
You are welcome to read the draft policies, provide your comments, including suggestions on the wording and provisions of the draft policies, questions or recommendations using the contact information below.
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Next Ward Forum this Thursday - May 12, 2022School Building in Toronto: Where Are We Now?
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Excellence Awards are Back!
This year, the Excellence Awards have been refreshed to align with the shared system priorities of everyone in the TDSB and include nomination categories which reflect our focus on student achievement, engagement, and wellness all centered by our commitment to equity, anti-racism, anti-oppression and human rights. Our desire is to recognize those who have demonstrated excellence and whose actions have had a positive impact on underserved students, community, staff, and/or other groups, especially considering all we have had to navigate around the pandemic.
We know there is outstanding work happening across the TDSB every day and I encourage you to consider submitting a nomination to recognize those who go above and beyond. Please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/excellence to learn more and to access the online nomination form. The deadline for nominations is Friday, May 20, 2022 at 4 p.m.
I look forward to joining award recipients at the Excellence Awards Celebration on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at the Forest Valley Outdoor Education Centre.
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Budget Town Halls - May 19
Staff have posted budget materials on the TDSB budget website. Staff will continue to update this document following each FBEC meeting throughout May and June.
TDSB will be holding two virtual Budget Town Halls on May 19, 2022 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. to ensure that all members of the community have the opportunity to hear directly from staff about the 2022-23 budget and ask questions.
How to Get Involved
Two virtual Budget Town Halls have been scheduled for Thursday, May 19, 2022 to accommodate as many community members as possible.
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COVID-19 Check-In
Sinai Health Foundation invites you to join us for a virtual panel taking place on Thursday, May 26 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m., hosted by Melanie Ng of Breakfast Television & CityNews.
This virtual session will feature an expert panel - including Dr. Vanessa Allen, Dr. Erin Bearss and Dr. Howard Ovens - providing updates on COVID-19 and answering questions from the community. Register here - Thursday, May 26, 2022 - 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. If you have questions about this event, please reach out to the Sinai Live team at sinai.live@sinaihealthfoundation.ca.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics co-hosted by Councillor Matlow
Every Tuesday 12-4pm until May 10th, Councillor Matlow is co-hosting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Fairbank Memorial Community Centre with some remarkable partners. To learn about eligibility & details, check out the flyer or contact York-Fairbank Centre for Seniors 416 - 651- 8300 / yorkfairbank@on.aibn.com
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Free Virtual After-School Programming
North York Community House, a non-profit organization is offering free after-school programs, which focus on promoting healthy living programming for middle-years children, 6-13 years old. Our after-school programs offer children with activities around physical activity (sports), wellness, personal health, and many opportunities to socialize and make new friends. In addition to the activities we offer in program, we also pride ourselves in our ability to support children and families through gift cards, incentives for participation, prizes, and tools which help keep participants engaged! We currently have 8 different after-school program sites located across North York, including TDSB school spaces and community spaces.
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Elections Ontario Recruiting
Elections Ontario are recruiting election officials to come work for them during the election.
- All jobs are paid positions and will include training
- Positions will require the use of either paper-based or technology tools (ePoll books and vote tabulators)
- Elections Ontario poll officials and revising agents who work in long-term care facilities or hospital settings must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as per Government of Ontario requirements
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Asian Heritage Month Virtual Celebration
We are proud to celebrate the numerous achievements of Asian-Canadians and their significant role on the global stage. This year our theme is Many Voices United as One. Please join us for the Asian Heritage Month Virtual Celebration:
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TDSBcares: Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal
Since the start of the conflict, a number of schools across the TDSB have been holding fundraisers and collecting donations in support of the ongoing relief efforts in Ukraine. The launch of TDSBcares: Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal complements these school initiatives and streamlines the process for schools and central departments to make new or additional donations.
The TDSBcares: Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal will run until May 31, 2022. Tax receipts will be issued by the Canadian Red Cross (for all donations of $1 or more) and UNICEF (for all donations of $10 or more).
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Summer School Program Updates
Continuing Education Secondary Credit Summer Programs - Please note that space is limited and courses may fill up prior to the close of registration.
In Person & Remote Incoming TDSB Grade 8 Summer Reach Ahead Opportunity
TDSB Grade 8 students are eligible to register for the TDSB Continuing Education, In Person or Remote Secondary Full Credit Summer Reach Ahead course, GLD2O1. In-Person & Remote Full Credit High School Program: Students can enroll in one full-credit course that is offered in July, either remotely or in person at multiple locations. Should an announcement be made that only remote learning can take place, in person students need to be prepared to pivot to remote learning.
In Person & Remote Summer Full Credit Adult 18+ Program
Adults can enroll in one full credit course that is offered in July in-person at Yorkdale Adult Learning Centre or remotely. Should an announcement be made that only remote learning can take place, in person students need to be prepared to pivot to remote learning.
Remote Credit Recovery - For TDSB Students ONLY
Current TDSB students have the opportunity to recover one or two credits for the month of July. Remote summer credit recovery courses are open to current TDSB high school students who have taken the course in the past two years but have not earned the credit.
Summer Dual Credit, SWAC and Coop
These programs will be offered during the month of July. Students can register through their day school guidance counsellors. For more information, including registration dates, please visit our secondary summer page.
e-Summer School
The e-Summer program provides full credit courses for secondary school students in Ontario, aged 13-20 years old. e-Summer courses count toward the mandatory graduation requirement for students who entered Grade 9 in the 2020-2021 school year or later. Courses are fully online. Most of the class time is asynchronous with about one hour/day of synchronous, live lessons delivered by the teacher. e-Summer offers two full sessions, one in July and one in August. Mandatory program orientation for students takes place online for one hour in the week before the course begins. e-Summer course count toward the new graduation requirement of two e-Learning credits.
Elementary Summer SchoolThe focus of the Elementary Summer School Program is to continue student learning and engagement through the month of July. Programs, embedded in Literacy and Numeracy, are developed by the local summer school principal to reflect the local school focus. Programs are offered in-person to students in K to Grade 8, from July 4 to July 29, 2022.
Registration Information - Program Dates: July 4-29, 2022 - Registration is online. Program delivery method is in-person this year. One remote (online) program is available. Please see full list of programs.
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Elections 2022 - Are You on the Voter List?
The upcoming year will be a busy one for Ontario voters, with the Ontario Provincial Election and Municipal and School Board Elections happening just a few months apart. Are you on the voter's list?
For the Ontario Election on June 2, 2022. Ontario residents can visit Elections Ontario - Voter Registration to add, update or confirm your information on the voters list for individuals who are 18 years of age or older, Canadian citizens and residents of Ontario; Register of Absentee Voters for voters temporarily living outside Ontario who intend to return to the province; or Ontario Register of Future Voters for eligible 16- and 17-year-olds who will be automatically added to the voters list when they turn 18.
For the 2022 Municipal and School Board Elections on October 24, 2022, Ontario residents can visit Voterlookup.ca at any time to find out whether their information is accurately reflected for inclusion on the Preliminary List of Electors for the 2022 Municipal and School Board Elections. Eligible electors can also update their information, add a name to an address, or change their school support for electoral purposes. Let's be ready.
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Respect the Rules - No Dogs Allowed on School Grounds
Dogs are not allowed on school property at any time. Many people are surprised to learn that City of Toronto By-Laws and TDSB Policy prohibit dogs (leashed or unleashed) being on school property.
Please respect children’s play spaces. And please do not verbally abuse TDSB caretaking staff - I am hearing that when members of the public and caretakers onsite try and inform dog owners, they are met with threats and intimidation.
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School Year Calendar 2021-2022- The last day of class for elementary students is June 30, 2022
- The last day of class for secondary students is June 29, 2022
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Community Safety & Support
If you should you ever see any suspicious activity around school buildings after school hours, please contact 311, Toronto Police Services Dispatch at 416-808-2222, or the TDSB’s 24-hour Call Centre at 416-395-4620.
If you or a family member is in crisis, please contact Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or get support right now by texting CONNECT to 686868.
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