Keeping you engaged and informed
Keeping you engaged and informed
Ward 11 Weekly Update header
Week of April 24, 2016 
Celebrations... Khalsa Day and Passover continues...
The word Khalsa translates to "Sovereign/Free". Another interpretation is that of being "Pure/Genuine.” The Khalsa was inaugurated on March 30, 1699, by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. Also known as Vaisakhi, Khalsa Day celebrates the Sikh New Year and the establishment of the Sikh community in 1699. Today, the Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwaras Council (OSGC) organized the annual parade along Lakeshore Blvd. This is the third largest parade in Canada and attracted thousands of participants and spectators. To all celebrating “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.”
On the theme of freedom, Jews continue the celebration of Passover this week - a retelling of the exodus from Egypt - a celebration of freedom. Chag Peasach Sameah. It is important for all of us to continue to speak out for those not truly free and to make this a better world.
So many took this to heart last Friday in celebration of Earth Day...406 schools registered with Clearn-Up Toronto - 137,634 students participated supported by their teachers, administrators and education workers. Proud of all. 

Summary of Decisions from Board Meeting of April 20 
Trustee Vacancy in Toronto District School Board Ward 5 (York Centre)
The Board decided: That the Toronto City Clerk be advised that pursuant to section 221(2) of the Education Act, the Toronto District School Board requires that an election be held to fill the vacancy created in the Toronto District School Board Ward 5 (York Centre); That the City Clerk be instructed to conduct the by-election in a scaled-down manner incurring only those costs required to fulfill the statutory provisions of the Municipal Elections Act. That the Chair send a letter to the Minister of Education with regard to the cost of the by-elections and to request financial assistance in this matter. Note – the City Clerk suggested July 25 as the by-election date
Championship Fields and Taxation
The Board decided that the following be referred back to the Community Use of Schools Advisory Committee for clarification of what is being asked for and the reason: That all information that has been presented to the board on championship fields and taxation is-sues in the last three months be sent to CUSAC members and Jeff Latto be invited to speak at the next CUSAC meeting.
Establishment of a Black Student Achievement Advisory Committee
The Board decided that a Black Student Achievement Advisory Committee be established. The committee will examine and make recommendations on strategies to create more equitable outcomes, raise achievement levels and create safe spaces for Black students.
Improving Playing Fields
The Board decided: That a playing field management plan be developed that includes both capital priorities and a strategy for improving maintenance; That the Artificial Turf Replacement Reserve be changed to an Artificial Turf Replacement and Playing Field Reserve and that the range of activities it can support be increased as presented in the report; That “That the Director explore opportunities to direct future development revenue and other potential sources of revenue into the playing field reserve” be referred back to staff to be brought back through the plicy process; That “That the Director explore opportunities to develop partnerships with local sports clubs as a potential source of revenue to improve school playing fields” be referred back to staff for the development of a policy; That an equity lens using the school learning opportunities index be added to the criteria for selecting schools for capital improvements.
Revisions to P076 Facility Partnerships Policy (now Community Planning and Partnerships)
The Board decided that the revisions to policy P076, Facility Partnerships (now referred to as Community Planning and Partnerships), as presented in the report, be approved.
Professional Development for Trustees: Background and Proposed Policy
The Board decided: That the high level trustee professional development guiding statement and proposed staff action plan, as presented in the report, be approved; That the guiding statement be reformatted to make it a policy and that it be referred to the Policy Review Committee.
Board Performance Assessment
The Board decided that a Board performance assessment, including options for self-assessments, be developed and presented to the Board for discussion.
Establishment of a Selection Committee for a Permanent Director of Education
The Board decided: That a Director Search Committee be established as follows: Mandate: to work with the executive search firm on record, The Phelps Group Inc., on the selection of a permanent Director of Education;  Membership: Seven members: the Chair, the Vice-chair and five other trustees, as appointed by the Board – Trustees Arp, Chadwick, T. Ford, Kandavel, Pilkey, Shan and Story
Autism Awareness Day Flag Raising
The Board decided that in 2017 and going forward the TDSB hold a flag raising ceremony at its office at 5050 Yonge Street to mark Autism Awareness Day.
Latin-America History Month
The Board decided: Whereas, compared to the general student population, Latin American students were more likely to agree that learning more about their own culture would make their learning more interesting (73%), help them enjoy school more (63%), and help them do better in school (51%); and Whereas, a significant number of self-identified students from the Latin-American diaspora are generally under-performing academically compared to the overall Board student population; and Whereas, in April 2010, the Board decided that April be designated as Hispanic Heritage Month in the TDSB; and Whereas, the term Hispanic is not entirely reflective of the diversities that exist within our communities; and Whereas, the histories, experiences, various languages and traditional practices of our communities from Latin-America must be more appropriately represented and reflected; Therefore, be it resolved that April be recognized as Latin-America History Month.
  
2016-17 Operating Budget
Trustees will vote on the 2016-17 Proposed Budget Plan at the Board meeting scheduled for May 25, 2016 at 7 p.m. This plan incorporates the TDSB’s specific funding amounts for 2016-17.

TDSB Sets New Transparency Standard by Posting Director’s Contract
The TDSB is one of the first school boards in Ontario to post the Director of Education’s employment agreement with the Board on the it’s website. “I believe we need to identify opportunities that promote greater transparency, openness and accountability,” said Director of Education John Malloy. Learn more.

TDSB Welcomes Integrity Commissioner 
TDSB Integrity Commissioner Suzanne Craig began her appointment on April 4, 2016. Serving the Board of Trustees, the Integrity Commissioner will provide advice, and conduct inquiries and complaint resolution in an independent manner. The TDSB is the first school board in Ontario to appoint an Integrity Commissioner. Learn more.
 
Update on By-election in Ward 14 - June 20, 2016
In order to promote and share information about the upcoming by-election in Ward 14, a number of communications tools are being shared today with Principals and Vice Principals including:
  • A letter from the Director and the Chair to be shared with parents/guardians

  • A poster designed by the City of Toronto

  • A promo button for school websites

  • Social media information


School Year Calendars, 2016-2017 Now Approved
At the March 22, 2016 Regular Board meeting, Trustees approved the 2016-17 school year calendars for elementary, secondary and year-round alternative schools. On Thursday, April 14, 2016, the Ministry of Education approved the 2016-2017 school year calendars.  For a complete list of dates, click on the following link:  http://www.tdsb.on.ca/AboutUs/Calendar/SchoolYearCalendar20162017.aspx

Summer Programs http://www.tdsb.on.ca/aboutus/innovation/summerprograms.aspx
Summer International Languages Elementary and African Heritage Programs Encourage your child’s natural curiosity and enroll them in TDSB’s half and full day international languages summer programs. Open to all students from Kindergarten to Grade 8, our language learning programs engage students in cultural activities like games, songs, dance, storytelling, traditional crafts and writing. Registration is open now. Visit www.ILEprograms.ca for more information. 
Summer 2016 ESL Program for International Students Invite your friends and family, who live in other countries, to learn English and explore Canadian culture with the Toronto District School Board this summer! International students, aged 12-17, will enjoy intensive English classes - taught by our qualified teachers - at the world's most multicultural and multilingual school board. In addition to classroom learning, students will have unique opportunities to practise their English skills, explore Toronto and experience Canadian society and history through trips, tours and social activities. Students can also live with a homestay family, to experience Canadian life first-hand.  Visit www.ESLstudytoronto.ca  for more information.  
Summer Music Camps Enrich your child’s summer vacation with music camp through three unique programs.For more information please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/summer  
Credit Courses for Summer High School, July 5 - July 29, 2016 Get ahead with secondary summer programs! Reach ahead or catch up on high school credit courses. Find out more about this summer program.
e-Summer School  Ontario high school students can keep cool and earn credits online this summer. There are dozens of courses available in July or August. For details, visit: http://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/elearning/e-SummerSchool.aspx
Summer EduTravel Programs Earn credit while you travel this summer! Be part of an exciting, affordable, experiential learning program this summer, that enables you to earn high school credits on the road. TDSB and EduTravel are offering a variety of courses in locations across Canada and the US. Find out more about EduTravel summer school programs.
Summer ESL Program for International Students July 11 - July 29, 2016 Learn English and explore Canadian culture, with the Toronto District School Board this summer! International students, aged 12-17, will enjoy intensive English classes - taught by our qualified teachers - at world's most multicultural and multilingual school board. www.ESLstudytoronto.ca

        
TDSB Healthy Schools 5k Run/Walk
On Saturday, June 4, 2016 the Health and Physical Education Department is hosting a celebration of all the healthy active living that happens in our schools and communities every day. Students, staff, parents/guardians and community members are invited to join us at Downsview Park for the TDSB Healthy Schools 5k Run/Walk. The run/walk will consist of a 5k loop and participants will have the option of finishing after 2.5k. Elementary schools will  participate at 10 a.m. and secondary schools will begin at 11 a.m. This day will also include a full program of activities and performances for participants from 9 a.m. to noon.

New Invitation -
Science of Calm - Northern Secondary School, April 26 7:30-9pm - Parents, staff and community members are welcome to join us on Tuesday, April 26, 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the Library to hear former NSS parents Ava Walters Cout, MSW, RSW and Daniel Cout, MSW, RSW, Clinical Social Workers with 30+ years experience in the field of adolescent and adult mental health. They are presenting a program they developed called the Science of Calm that is based on a new mental health paradigm informed by two decades of new research from the field of cognitive neuroscience and biology (click here to see poster). Snacks will be provided by parent volunteers.

Worth Repeating...
Hodgson’s 100th Anniversary May 13-14, 2016 - Hodgson's 100th anniversary celebration is scheduled for Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14. There will be two Open Houses (May 13, 5-8pm & May 14, 12-5pm) which will include decade rooms, decade activities by teachers and students, school tours,100th ceremonies (including cake!), presentations from local dignitaries, 100th t-shirt sales, a 100th Anniversary Photo Booth, performances by our Strings and Band ensembles and a performance by the soon-to-be-world-famous, Hodgson Alumni Concert Band.  All of these events are free and family-friendly. Please continue to check the school website (http://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/hodgson) for more details.
Celebrate Jewish Heritage Month at the TDSB Tikkun Olam Social Justice Fair - May 25, 2016 - May is Jewish Heritage Month in TDSB. In 2016, the celebrations will highlight Tikkun Olam, a classical Jewish concept that has become, “synonymous with the notion of social action, good character development, and the pursuit of social justice which is integral to the Jewish paradigm and concept of our responsibility in the world.” Please see the poster for detailson how your school can participate. For more information, please contact Shari Schwartz-Maltz, Media & Issues Manager at shari.schwartz-maltz@tdsb.on.ca
Applications for Parents Reaching Out Grants 2016-17 Now Open - Grant applications for the 2016-17 school year are now open and will be accepted until May 29, 2016. In the 2015-16 school year, the province funded more than 2,200 projects that helped identify barriers to parent engagement and found local solutions to help more parents be engaged in their children's learning. For more information, click on http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/reaching.html     
NOTE - Change of Date - Presentation by Jennifer Kolari, Wednesday, May 25, 7-8pm at Oakwood CI, 991 St Clair  Av - Oakwood Collegiate invites all parents to attend a Parent Presentation by Jennifer Kolari. This presentation will show parents the importance of communication in the parent-teen relationship and is for parents and teens. Her Website is: connectedparenting.com. Light refreshments will be provided. Chilcare available if requested at youmeweee@hotmail.com.

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