Message from Chris

Upon reflection it has been a difficult, yet fruitful year, filled with many shifts and changes that have challenged myself and my colleagues, and pushed us ever-more to fight for our community, community members, and education system.

In the past year we have seen the results of a municipal election, we have welcomed twelve new dedicated and hard-working Trustees to our board, and we have had to take up the fight against the difficult changes that have been brought on by our new premiere and governing provincial government.

Throughout the past year we have worked closely with the Director of Education towards strengthening our commitment to our students, ensuring that all students have the best quality of education.

Throughout my time as a Vice Chair of the Board, I have been committed to the bettering of our communities and community-run programs.  Along with serving as the Director of the Ontario School Board Association, I have worked tirelessly to support a number of initiatives, including the the Black Student Achievement Advisory Committee and the Toronto Lands Corporation.

The sun is shining and the gardens are blooming full! I would like to congratulate all graduating students celebrating this week! The summer days are beautiful and it is time to revel in the accomplishments of all your hard work! Whether you are venturing into middle-school or high-school, or you are taking the plunge and diving into an apprenticeship or college program, know that your hard work and dedication will shine through! Keep going, keep pushing, keep learning!

I am thankful that, together with my colleagues, we are working towards a better tomorrow for everybody. I wish everyone a safe and healthy summer and very much look forward to connecting further in the coming fall months!

And don’t forget: SCHOOL BEGINS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd. See you there!

Pride

On Sunday, June 23, students, staff and Trustees came out to celebrate Pride at the parade. I am very proud of our TDSB schools, who held events and activities in support of Pride througout the month of June.

 #TDSBeYourself! 

Trustees Approve Budget Reductions to Balance Budget for 2019-20

The Toronto District School Board approved a budget reduction plan for the 2019-20 school year that required $67.8 million in staff reductions and changes to program/service delivery. The operating budget of approximately $3.4 billion will continue to support the TDSB’s commitment to equity, and the achievement and well-being of all students.

To balance the budget, trustees had to determine reductions to offset $42.1 million in Ministry of Education funding cuts and a budget deficit of $25.7 million. While the focus of the Board’s attention has been on budget reductions, the Board expects to maintain, and in some cases exceed, funding for key areas such as Special Education, Early Years Literacy & Intervention, school safety and security, Model Schools and initiatives to promote equity and Anti-Racism initiatives throughout the school system.

The TDSB is committed to aligning resources with its Multi-year Strategic Plan that includes academic achievement for students, equitable access to programs and resources and increased opportunities to be successful in school. Collectively, trustees made changes to the proposed budget reductions based on more than 100 public delegations and more than 250 written submissions, as well as many meetings, calls and emails with constituents. Trustees were also guided by the reaction of more than 15,000 online comments about the budget strategic drivers.

Quick Facts

• The TDSB’s operating budget is approximately $3.4 billion and is divided into the following categories: instruction (78%), school operations (15.5%), administration (2.5%), transportation (1.9%) and other operating costs (1.9%).
• Trustees approved a detailed list of staff reductions and changes to program/service delivery.
• Over the next few years, the Board forecasts that there will be a small growth in overall enrollment.
• Learn more about the 2019-20 Budget.

The Board approved (16.1, 5) revisions to P042 and officially changed the name of the policy to P402, Student Dress Policy. The new policy will come into effect in September 2019. For more information, please refer to the Questions and Answers available online.

Trustees referred recommendations (16.2, 3) from the French-as-a-Second-Language Community Advisory Committee to staff and asked that they be taken into consideration as part of the French review report in June 2019. The recommendations are related to the following areas:

• Improving Equity of Access to French Immersion/Extended;
• Achieving Equity: Supporting Participation (Enrollment and Retention) of Students With Special Education Needs in FSL;
• Improving Core French;
• Improving Student Achievement, Engagement and Retention in French in Secondary;
• Seamless Access to Before- and After-School Care for French Immersion/Extended Students

Excellence Awards

Each year, staff, students, parents and community members are invited to nominate a TDSB staff member or team whose efforts have made a difference in their lives. This year, the TDSB recognized 11 extraordinary individuals who truly go above and beyond for their school communities.

For more information, including a list of winners, please read the TDSB web story.

Ward 10 – Principal Alana Grossman (Beverley School) was among the 11 individuals who was recognized at this special event.

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.

The official school year calendar for the Toronto District School Board runs from September 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, inclusive.

Also please note Days of Significance – click for the complete list 2019-2020
You may also find this Days of Significance Resource Guide helpful.