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January Update – Trustee Sara

I hope everyone is keeping warm.

In sharing this update, I wish to acknowledge the politics all around us: the political shifts of our southern neighbour, provincial and federal political shifts including prorogation of federal Parliament and a potential provincial election.

Added to this are continued ramp-ups of Ontario Line work deeply affecting school communities, the start of budget discussions, and a literal polar vortex.

All of this impacts vulnerable people and children in our communities. Please know that come what may I persist in the work to uphold the safety and well-being of all kids and to advocate for public education and services we all know are needed across all orders of government.

I see the extraordinary efforts in our community, particularly those of educators and parents, to keep on and to support each other, and I am grateful to be representing our wonderful community.

Take care,

-Sara

Sara Ehrhardt
TDSB Trustee, Toronto-Danforth

Take Action

Ontario Budget Consultation: I hope everyone will complete Ontario’s 2025 Budget Survey that closes February 3 and indicate that you wish for increased funding for education.

Upcoming Events

Ontario Line Community Meeting Monday, January 27, 2025, 7 pm: Join me, Councillor Paula Fletcher, and MPP Peter Tabuns for an update on Ontario Line construction across Toronto-Danforth. The meeting starts at 7 pm and will be hosted on Zoom. Register for the Ontario Line Community Meeting here.

Board News

You can see agendas and minutes for all committee meetings once they are posted on the TDSB Boardroom Agendas and Minutes webpage and information on delegating during committee meetings is available on the Boardroom Delegations webpage.

Items I am anticipating in upcoming board agendas include the updated Mobile Device policy and a report around Artificial Intelligence (AI) and our schools.

Clayton La Touche Appointed TDSB Director of Education: Clayton La Touche will start as the new TDSB Director of Education starting February 10, 2025, I am excited to begin our work together. Read the full update here.

Pape School Relocation: At TDSB’s Board meeting on January 22, Trustees approved the temporary relocation of Pape Avenue JPS and Pape Children’s House (PCH) to the Jones Avenue building (540 Jones Avenue) due to the ongoing Metrolinx construction. The relocation will begin in September 2025 and was approved for two years. TDSB staff have put together a short survey that was sent to the Pape school community to share views on next steps here: Pape Avenue JPS Relocation Survey. I remain committed to working with Pape school and all school communities impacted by Ontario Line through this.

Learn4Life: I want to thank everyone in our community who has been writing and advocating to save Learn4Life programming. I am sad to share that in a January update to board, it was shared that staff will be increasing the programming fees. Despite advocacy to the Ministry of Seniors, the school board is not funded for these important adult and community programs. These fee increases will have negative impacts in our community. At our January board meeting, I moved a motion to try to reduce the impact of these fee changes and requested that the cost to those accessing these programs through subsidy not be changed.

Our Community

Agnes Macphail Award: I wish to congratulate Jason Ash, a co-founder of Save Ontario’s Science Centre, who is the recipient of this year’s Agnes Macphail Award. Thank you to Jason and everyone in our community for all of your work and advocacy. You can find out more and take action here: Save Ontario’s Science Centre.

ROM Auschwitz Exhibit free access January 25 and January 26: Ahead of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, ROM is offering free visitor admission to the Canadian presentation of the featured Museum exhibition Auschwitz. Not long ago. Nor far away. More information on the ROM Auschwitz Exhibit is available here.

East York Historical Society Celebrates Black History Canada on Tuesday, January 28 at 7pm at the S. Walter Stewart Library at 170 Memorial and Durant Aves. This free event includes a presentation from the Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine, all are welcome, more information at http://www.eastyorkhistoricalsociety.com/

Save the Date - East Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade: The annual Lunar New Year parade is scheduled to take place in East Chinatown on Saturday, February 8, I look forward to seeing many of you in celebration.

If you notice anything at a school that concerns you, please call the TDSB 24-hour Call Centre (416) 395-4620, Toronto Police Services Dispatch (non-emergencies via ‪416-808-2222), and/or Toronto 311.

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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