Have your say on the TDSB's equity framework

You may have heard about the TDSB's Enhancing Equity Task Force in the news recently. In October, the task force released draft recommendations that, among other things, called for the elimination of specialized programs in schools.

After a public outcry and a series of outraged news reports, TDSB director of education John Malloy sent an email to parents to reassure us that the TDSB has no plans to close specialized schools, and conducted a series of media interviews to that effect. 

It seems that the tempest was largely a miscommunication, but it had the useful effect of sparking debate about equity within the TDSB. A public consultation is currently underway. You are encouraged to review the recommendations and weigh in with your thoughts before November 20. 

Ward 18 forum on Sept 27

Our school board trustee, Parthi Kandavel, is hosting a Ward 18 Forum on Tuesday September 27 at Norman Cook Jr PS.

Topic: Early Years Education and Learning Centres Strategy

Featuring:

• Jim Grieve, former assistant deputy minister of education, early years division (a dynamic talk on the importance of early years on a child's growth)
• John Malloy, TDSB's director of education
• Colleen Russell-Rawlins, executive superintendent of Learning Centre 3 (that's us)

Tuesday September 27
7:00pm-9:00pm
Norman Cook Jr. Public School
725 Danforth Rd (east of Kennedy)

Trustee Parthi Kandavel's ward forum - June 1

TDSB trustee Parthi Kandavel will host a Ward 18 forum on June 1, 7pm at H.A. Halbert Public School (31 McCowan Road).

On the agenda:

1. Introductions 
2. Trustee Update 
3. Year End updates by Parent Council Chairs (if any) 
4. Discussion on idea sharing for new school year in September and succession planning/torch passing 
5. PIAC reps selection 
6. Mingling

The trustee has also communicated that the province is looking for our input and consultation on the TDSB. You can submit your opinions via the link above, or attend one of the public consultation meetings:

• In north Scarborough (Midland & 401): May 28, 7pm-9pm at the Centre For Immigrant & Community Services
• In south Scarborough (Lawrence & Birchmount): May 30, 11am-1pm at McGregor Park Community Centre 

"PA" Day ?

Today is a PA Day, which as far as I know stands for "professional activity day" - or is it a PD Day for "professional development day"? Either way, that's not what's happening today. Today is an unpaid day off for most TDSB teachers. 

This Toronto Star article explains. 

The TDSB's 2013-2014 calendar can be found here. 

Results of the TDSB's 2012 Parent Census

You may recall responding to a Toronto District School Board survey last year about your perceptions of your child(ren)'s experience in school.

The results of that 2012 Parent Census are now out. They paint a fascinating picture of life within Toronto schools, looking at a range of issues, including children's emotional well-being and feelings about school, their tiredness and anxiety, sense of safety inside and out of school, participation in sports, arts and school events, and parent-school relationships. Many of the responses are broken out by gender, family income and race; these results suggest a  disturbing degree of inequity across our city.

Learn more about the TDSB's parent census on their web site.

Newsletter for parents of students in French

The French as a Second Language Advisory Committee (FSLAC) to the Toronto District School Board has published this newsletter... Click here for the full version.

For the full version (including remaining pages) click here  http://www.tdsb.on.ca/wwwdocuments/parents/parent_groups/docs/FSLAC%20Newsletter%20with%20graphics-%20June%202012.pdf   

UPDATED: Ward Forum: preparing for budget cuts

Update March 23, 2012 - the presentation from this meeting is now available - click here. Thank you to Trustee Moyer for sending. 

March 5, 2012 -- I attended the Ward 18 forum tonight, and although I had to leave just as it was getting interesting, I came away with this message loud and clear: there are going to be budget cuts in the TDSB next year, to the tune of more than $80 million. It's not going to be easy.

By law, the TDSB must balance its budget, and it must meet the commitments required by the Ministry of Education. There are scant few revenue sources, so the shortfall must be found in expenses. The majority of the TDSB's expenses are salaries, most of which are governed by collective agreements; the elementary teachers' contract is up for negotiation now.

School trustees are in a consultation phase now, so if you have ideas for new revenue sources or ways to cut expenses or want to stand up for a certain program, now's the time to voice your opinions to Ward 18 school board trustee Elizabeth Moyer, at 416-393-8815 or Elizabeth.moyer@tdsb.on.ca. http://trusteeelizabethmoyer.blogspot.com/.

I'll see if I can get a copy of the presentation given tonight; it contained some interesting facts. UPDATE: here is the presentation.

Trustee Moyer mentioned that the all-day kindergarten plan is moving ahead as the province has planned, although it's possible the implementation schedule may shift somewhat. If your child is currently registered in all-day kindergarten, that will not change. Nearly half of TDSB kindies are currently in all-day programs....no word yet about Clairlea, at least not that I've heard. (Post below if you know something I don't!)

The TDSB's 2010-11 Annual Report

Director of Education Dr. Chris Spence has released the TDSB's 2010-2011 Annual Report:
http://www.tdsb.on.ca/microsites/annualReport/index.asp

What do you think? Have you seen the impact of the TDSB's new strategic direction here at Clairlea? Do you believe that student achievement at Clairlea is on the rise?

Parent and Community involvement is another key theme. Have you had sufficient opportunity to become involved? What other opportunities would you like to see? What ideas would you like to share?

TDSB Community Consultation - Sept 21, 22

French as a Second Language Advisory Committee

If you are the parent of a student in core French or French Immersion, you might want to know about the French as a Second Language Advisory Committee (FSLAC) of the Toronto District School Board.

It's a parent advisory committee of the TDSB. Its mission is to consult with and advise the TDSB on matters related to French education (core, extended and immersion).

Parent representatives are elected by each ward. There is also a mailing list you can join. Email fslactoronto@gmail.com for more information or to join their list.

Scarborough Parent Conference this Saturday April 24

Register at www.tdsb.on.ca/spc.

Parent engagement survey

When you have a moment, please fill out the Toronto District School Board's parent engagement survey.

Parent engagement workshops

Please see below, a flyer from the TDSB's Parent and Community Involvement Office. The closest session to us is on March 9, but there are other dates elsewhere in the city too. 

Parent and Community Involvement  Office (PCIO)

Student and Community Equity Department

5050 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, M2N 5N8  · Tel:  (416) 397-3529 · Fax:  (416) 397-3085

Parent Engagement in TDSB Responding to Parents’ Unanswered Questions

This session will enable parents to get information on the following:

§  Getting Involved in their child’s education

§  School Council (Regulation 612/613)

§  Volunteering in Schools

§  School Council Budgets/Funding/Insurance

§  Parent Protocol (process for dealing with parent concerns)

  

DATE	LOCATION	TIME
February 17, 2010	Downsview SS (Library) 7 Hawksdale Road	6:30 P.M
February 24, 2010	Richview Collegiate (Library) 1738 Islington Avenue	6:30 P.M.
March 4, 2010	Jarvis Collegiate   (Library) 495 Jarvis Street	6:30 P.M.
March 9, 2010	David & Mary Thomson C.I. (Library) 2740 Lawrence Avenue East	6:30 P.M.

  

Please indicate your name and the location you will be attending

To register please call  416-397-3529 or

E-mail:  outreach@tdsb.on.ca

For interpretation or child-minding contact:  416-397-3529 or e-mail Debbie.alli@tdsb.on.ca

For further information visit:  www.tdsb.on.ca/parents/parent_community

Dec 2 - Ward 18 Forum

On Wednesday, Chris Spence, the TDSB's Director of Education, will speak at the Ward 18 Meeting at Birchmount C.I. at 7pm. This is a rare opportunity to learn about the TDSB's vision for our children's education. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. (Details in the poster below.)

School Board summary of decisions

The Toronto District School Board posts meeting minutes and other documents on its web site. The most recent posting is a summary of decisions from the March 11 2009 meeting. Clairlea is in Ward 18, and our trustee is Gary Crawford. He, too, has a web site.

Teacher negotiations

As you probably know, the Toronto District School Board is in negotiations with the elementary school teachers of Toronto. Anyone who has questions about this can visit www.tdsb.on.ca/negotiations for information. Thanks to Ward 18 school board trustee Gary Crawford for the link.

Scarborough Parent Conference - April 25

School Board Trustee Gary Crawford and his fellow Scarborough trustees are holding a free Scarborough Parent Conference on Saturday April 25. Details are at www.tdsb.on.ca/spc.