Week of June 16, 2025

End-of-Year Message from the School Administration

Dear Families,

It’s hard to believe that we are already approaching the end of the school year. This is a wonderful time to reflect on and celebrate your children’s achievements, growth, and the many memorable moments that have shaped the 2024-2025 school year.

As we close out another incredible year, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated staff, our amazing students, and our supportive families. Your ongoing commitment and partnership have helped create a caring and compassionate learning environment where our students have truly thrived.

We wish everyone a safe, joyful, and restful summer break, and we look forward to welcoming you back—refreshed and ready—for an exciting new academic year ahead.

Sincerely,
David Finkelstein and Mona Moftakhar

With Gratitude and Farewell

Dear Davisville and Spectrum School Communities,

It is with bittersweet feelings that I share my farewell with you. As I prepare to leave the incredible communities of Davisville and Spectrum, I do so with deep gratitude, pride, and reflection.

Serving as your Vice Principal has been one of the most humbling and fulfilling experiences of my career. I am so proud of all that we have accomplished together—from supporting student learning and well-being, to nurturing a strong, inclusive school culture rooted in equity, care, and collaboration.

I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you—students, families, and staff—for your partnership, trust, and support. The bonds we formed and the shared work we engaged in will stay with me always.

I wish you continued success, joy, and growth in the years ahead. Our paths may be parting, but Davisville and Spectrum will always hold a special place in my heart.

With deep appreciation,
Mona Moftakhar
Vice Principal

Graduations

On July 19th, we proudly celebrated the Graduation Ceremony for our Grade 5 English Stream and Grade 6 French Stream students! It was a beautiful event filled with pride, joy, and heartfelt memories that will remain with us for years to come.

Graduation is a pivotal milestone, marking both an ending and a new beginning. Our Grade 5 and 6 student leaders have played an integral role in shaping the tone and spirit of our school community. Their kindness, leadership, and enthusiasm have left a lasting impact, and we are so proud of each and every one of them.

To our graduates: as you continue on your educational journey, we wish you all the happiness and success the future holds. Remember that with perseverance, resilience, and belief in yourselves, there is nothing you cannot achieve. Always strive to be the best version of yourself, embrace your unique gifts, and take pride in who you are and all that you bring to the world. The world is waiting for you—and we can’t wait to see all that you will accomplish in this exciting next chapter. 

To our Spectrum Grade 8 students, who will be celebrating their graduation this coming week, we’re cheering you on! As you transition to high school and beyond, we wish you every success in the years ahead. You have shown tremendous growth, strength, and leadership, and we know you will continue to shine wherever you go.

A heartfelt thank you to our School Council, parent volunteers, and staff who have worked so incredibly hard to prepare for these special events. Your support and dedication mean so much to our school community.

Congratulations to all of our graduates—Class of 2025—you did it!
You will be missed dearly and will always be a part of our Davisville/Spectrum family. 

National Indigenous Peoples Day - June 21 

On June 21, for National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Toronto District School Board recognizes and celebrates the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada.

June 21 is a day of significance for many Indigenous Peoples. It marks the day when the Sun is closest to the Earth. It is the longest day of the year and the shortest night. Many First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples celebrate Summer Solstice. 

It is a time that reminds us to remain grounded, humble and appreciative. It is usually celebrated by coming together with family and community for a feast. Traditional foods are an important aspect of the feast as they signify connection to the land and animals.

Summer Message from Toronto Public Health

Dear Parents/Guardians, Students and Families,

Re: Stay Healthy, Active and Safe this Summer

As the 2024-2025 school year comes to a close, Toronto Public Health (TPH) would like to share some important information and health tips to help families stay healthy, active and safe over the summer months.

Protect You & Your Loved Ones Against Measles
Measles continues to spread in Ontario and around the world. Measles is a very contagious virus that spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks. The measles vaccine is safe and effective to prevent the spread of measles. One dose provides about 85 per cent protection and two doses provide more than 95 per cent protection.

Take this time to check your child’s and your family’s measles vaccinations in their yellow vaccine card, online at ICON or speak with your primary health care provider. Anyone born in 1970 or later should have two doses of vaccine. Students who are not up to date with their measles vaccinations can miss school or summer camps if there is a case of measles at their school or camp.

Visit toronto.ca/measles for more information.

Stay Up to Date with Vaccinations and Report them to Toronto Public Health With summer fast approaching, we encourage parents and students to stay up to date with all vaccinations, as outlined in the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). This includes vaccinations for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, pertussis (whooping cough), meningococcal disease and varicella (chickenpox).

If students in grades 7 to 12 missed one or more school-based vaccines in Grade 7, they can still receive them for free until the end of high school through primary health care providers or at a Toronto Public Health (TPH) summer vaccination clinic. Appointments can be made at TPHBookings.ca.

Vaccinations received from a health care provider must be reported by the parent/guardian or student (16 years of age and older) to Toronto Public Health. This can be done online at toronto.ca/StudentVaccines.

Preparing for Kindergarten
Starting kindergarten is an exciting time! TPH has information for parents and caregivers to help your young one have a healthy start to school. You can also find this information in the Healthy Start to School booklet.

Sun Safety and Hydration
This summer, the #BeSunSafe program is back, providing sunscreen and shade tents for City of Toronto camp and park recreation programs and free sunscreen at various locations across the city. Protect your skin when enjoying the summer weather by:

-Seeking shade and limiting time in the sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. or when the UV index is 3 or higher.
-Wearing clothes that cover as much skin as possible including a wide-brim hat and sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection.
-Using sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating.
-Make water your drink of choice this summer. Very hot weather can pose health risks. Encourage children to drink plenty of fluids because they may not feel thirsty while at play.

Staying Active and Preventing Injuries
Encourage everyone in the family to be active together. Children five to 17 years of age need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day (three- to four-year-olds need even more active time!). Reduce the “non-active” time children spend on computers, electronic games or watching TV to less than one hour per day for three- to four-year-olds and less than two hours per day for five- to 17-year-olds. Less is better!

Stay safe this summer while enjoying wheeled activities (bikes, scooters, inline skates/roller blades, skateboards). Wearing a properly fitted helmet will help protect your head. A head injury can permanently change the way a child walks, talks, plays and thinks. Children and youth under 18 are required by law to wear a helmet when cycling in Ontario. TPH encourages all people participating in wheeled activities to wear a helmet, regardless of age.

Did you know? E-Scooters are not allowed to be ridden in the City of Toronto regardless of your age and e-bikes are only allowed in Toronto for those 16 years and older. Visit the City of Toronto’s Electric Scooters & Electric Bicycles webpage for more information.

Resources for Teens & Parents

Sexual Health You can continue to access sexual health resources, services and supports this summer, including: Sexual Health Support for Parents & Caregivers has resources on bodies, boundaries, safety and raising sexually healthy children and teens. Sexual Health Infoline Ontario (SHILO) provides free, anonymous and inclusive information, support and referrals on sexual health topics by phone or e-Chat. It’s available seven days a week and is staffed by counsellors who provide services in multiple languages.

Safer Partying and Substance Use
As the school year comes to a close, TPH is sharing Safer Partying information to raise awareness about the risks of alcohol and drug use and encourages safer celebrations during prom, grad night and year-end events. TPH also has information and resources to help prevent youth vaping or help them quit.

Questions?
For more information, please contact us at publichealth@toronto.ca or 416-338-7600, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Service is available in multiple languages.

Wishing everyone a safe, active and healthy summer!

Summer Programs

At the TDSB we provide a wide range of enriching summer programs for children, youth and adults. Please see below:

Elementary

Elementary Summer School

Extended Day Program – Summer Program

International Languages Elementary & African Heritage Summer Program

Outdoor Education Summer Camp

Summer Music Camps

Secondary

Credit Courses for e-Summer High School (online)

Continuing Education Secondary Credit Summer Programs

International Youth Summer Program

Special Education and Inclusion

Special Education and Inclusion Summer Program

Adult

Adult ESL Summer Program

Learn4Life General Interest Courses

Week of June 9th, 2025

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father’s Day to all those in our school community who serve as father figures. Whether you're a dad, stepdad, grandfather, uncle, mentor, or any caregiver who provides love, strength and guidance, today, we honour you and the important role you play in the lives of children.

Annual Pride Parade

On Wednesday, June 18 at 2:15pm, Davisville and Spectrum will be having their Annual Pride Parade. We invite all families to come and watch the parade along the route and then we will have a dance party on the turf!

PRIDE is an opportunity to celebrate diversity and raise awareness about the rich culture and history of our 2SLGBTQ+ community. All classes will be walking in the PRIDE Parade around the block. (See the map below). Kindergarten classes will be doing their own parade around the school yard.

 

In order to demonstrate that we are a united community that welcomes, respects and accepts everyone, we are asking students from both schools to dress in the pride flag colours and to show off their pride! Students should also make sure they dress for the weather, as this will be a rain or shine event!

Happy Pride to All!

Davisville/Spectrum Achieves EcoSchool Platinum Status

Davisville/Spectrum has earned the highest level of accreditation from EcoSchools by receiving platinum status for the 2024-2025 school year! Congratulations to the Eco Club for all of their hard work over the course of this year to achieve this goal. Also, thank you to the many classes in our school who committed to eco initiatives at Davisville/Spectrum during this past year, and to all of our volunteers who supported various events to raise money for future eco projects. We could not have done this without all of you! Thank you for the great teamwork.

Eco Club Plants Pollinator Plants In The Front Of The School

During this past week, the eco club members worked through both light rain and glorious sunshine to pull out weeds, and then plant some pollinator-friendly plants in the patch just outside of our main entrance to the school. The eco club students planted perennial plants suitable for pollinator insects, which can have a positive effect on our environment.   

Kindergarten Concert  

The Kindergarten classes performed their concert on Thursday, June 12th, to the delight of many family members!  Congratulations to our Kindergarten students for putting on a wonderful show.  Your hard work and preparation was evident, and it was a pleasure to see how everyone enjoyed this event so much!  Thank you to the Kindergarten team for all of your work, to the junior students who helped out as emcees and stage crew, to Mr. Shragge and Ms. Kang for your musical contributions, and to Ms. Jackie for helping us with the format for the evening.

Summer 2025 Well-being Guide

As the school year winds down, families may experience a mix of excitement and the need for support. The TDSB Summer 2025 Well-Being Guide offers culturally responsive and identity-affirming resources and activities to help families support their and their children’s mental well-being throughout the summer. From mindfulness tips and community programs to creative and physical activities, the guide is designed to help every family make the most of the season. Available in the TDSB’s top 22 spoken languages, this guide ensures support is accessible and inclusive for all during summertime!

Community Consultations

This Spring, TDSB students, families and community members who self-identify as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community are invited to attend a consultation to support a multi-dimensional strategy that affirms diverse and intersectional 2SLGBTQ+ identities and addresses biphobia, transphobia, and homophobia within the TDSB. Learn more

Italian Heritage Month Event: July 2 Film Screening

During the month of June, the Toronto District School Board proudly recognizes Italian Heritage Month. This year, we are excited to share a special opportunity for all TDSB staff, courtesy of the Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF): a screening of Maria Montessori: La Nouvelle Femme on July 2, 2025, at 8:15 pm. as part of the Lavazza IncluCity Festival at the Distillery District (Outdoor) - Birra Moretti Theatre

Set at the turn of the 20th century, Maria Montessori: La Nouvelle Femme tells the story of the pioneering doctor and educator who revolutionized teaching methods for children with learning disabilities, forever transforming education. This inspiring bilingual film (French and Italian) beautifully reflects themes of education, inclusion, and women's empowerment. It is a meaningful cultural and social event for the TDSB community and a wonderful way to celebrate Italian Heritage Month.

Each festival ticket includes a tasting experience featuring Italy's most beloved food and beverage brands:

Your choice of Masi Prosecco, Birra Moretti, or a Campari cocktail
Tasting statins from Ferrero, Lavazza, Barilla, Eataly, and more
Sweet treats, cookies, candies, and culinary surprises throughout the historic Distillery District

Guests will enjoy an unforgettable outdoor cinema experience under the stars in an open-air theatre that seats up to 200 people. We hope you'll join us on July 2nd!

Click here to purchase tickets! Cost is $52.50 including fees. Use promo code icff5 to receive $5 off.

Note: RAIN PLAN

In the event of poor weather conditions, the screening will be relocated indoors at College Boreal for your convenience and comfort.

Week of June 2nd, 2025

 

Gr. 8 Montreal Trip

Our Grade 8 students have returned to Toronto after an unforgettable trip! They had an incredible time exploring the beautiful city of Montreal, taking part in exciting activities, and making lasting memories with their classmates.

A heartfelt thank you to our families for your continued support, and a special shoutout to Ms. McKenzie and Mr. Kule for their dedication and care in supervising our students throughout this memorable experience. We are grateful for your commitment to making this trip such a success!

Davisville Junior Choir and Soloists Perform A Concert at Isabel and Arthur Meighen Manor 

On Thursday, June 5th, the Davisville Junior Choir, along with a few solo performers from the "Davisville's Got Talent" show, performed a concert in the afternoon for the seniors living in the Meighen Retirement Residence. The students did a wonderful job of representing Davisville as they performed a number of pieces for the seniors, including songs that a number of them knew from many years ago. Some of the residents were even singing along with our students! It was clear how much they enjoyed having our students come and perform for them, and we would like to thank the staff at The Meighen Health Centre for allowing our students to have this opportunity to share music with the residents. Also, the Davisville Junior Choir got the chance to wear the new Davisville choir vests for this occasion! We thank the Davisville School council for supporting the choir with the purchase of these vests.

Annual Used Book Sale

Thank you to everyone for supporting our Annual Used Book Sale last week, especially the volunteers and the customers! Students, educators, staff, and parents/guardians were able to find many wonderful books to add to their collections! A special thank you goes out to our parent volunteers, Juli Hagen and Siobhan Ernest, for helping to sort books, setting up, and keeping the sale running smoothly all week long. It is much appreciated!

It was a great success and we were able to raise over $1500 for Ecoclub! We are in the process of determining what exciting and helpful eco-initiatives we will be able to support next year with these funds...please stay tuned!!

Twin Day – Friday, June 13th! 👯

The following is a message from our Student Council:️

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We’re excited to announce that Twin Day will be happening on Friday, June 13th at Davisville Junior Public School!

On this fun spirit day, students are encouraged to dress alike with a friend, classmate, or buddy—even from another class! And it doesn’t stop there—students can also twin with an educator if they’d like. It’s a great chance to get creative and have some fun with school spirit!

Please remind your child ahead of time so they can make any plans they need with their twin partner(s).

We’re looking forward to seeing lots of fantastic twins on June 13th!

TDSB Summer 2025 Well-Being Guide

As the school year comes to a close, families may feel a mix of excitement and the need for extra support. The TDSB Summer 2025 Well-Being Guide is here to help, offering culturally responsive and identity-affirming resources to support the mental well-being of both students and families throughout the summer.

From mindfulness practices and creative activities to physical movement and access to local programs, the guide includes a wide range of tools to help every family enjoy a healthy, balanced summer. To ensure accessibility and inclusion, the guide is available in the TDSB’s top 22 spoken languages.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out at mentalhealthandwellbeing@tdsb.on.ca.

June Learning Sessions for Staff and Families

Learning and engagement sessions continue to be made available for both staff and families, providing valuable opportunities to explore inclusive and anti-ableist practices and concrete strategies to use in the classroom and at home. These sessions are designed to support student achievement and well-being. Please click this link to access the sessions being offered.

June is National Deafblind Awareness Month

The month of June serves as a platform for raising awareness about the distinctive challenges encountered by individuals with an identified dual sensory loss. Deafblindness, a combination of sight and hearing loss to varying degrees, profoundly impacts communication, mobility, learning, and access to information. Those who are deafblind often rely on alternative communication methods, such as tactile sign language, braille, or assistive technology.

In Ontario, students are identified as deafblind when neither sense can fully compensate for the loss of the other, meaning that neither can be used as a primary means of learning. They have unique and complex needs, requiring services and support which are different from those designed exclusively for individuals who are blind or have low vision, are Deaf or hard of hearing, or have multiple exceptionalities. When both vision and hearing challenges exist, attention and consideration must be given to both senses simultaneously. Environmental adaptations, positioning adjustments, and modifications in information delivery are needed.

To learn more about the local deafblind community, please visit Deafblind Awareness Month | DBCS (deafblindservices.ca).

TDSB Celebrates National Indigenous History Month in June

June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. It is a time to celebrate and learn from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples’ diverse cultures, histories, contemporary contexts, perspectives, and achievements. 

Week of May 26, 2025

 

Davisville Fun Fair

Thank you to our incredible School Council and all the dedicated volunteers who helped make our Fun Fair a success! Though the day was cold and drafty, we made the best of it. Our students enjoyed a variety of fun activities, while families took part in the silent auction and browsed the used book sale.

We are so grateful for everyone’s concerted efforts, time, and energy in making this event such a memorable one for our school community.

June Parent/Guardian Special Education and Inclusion Newsletter

The Special Education and Inclusion team releases monthly newsletters to help keep families informed about important information, policies, and procedures related to special education.

These newsletters are designed to support families in understanding available resources, current practices, and key updates within the TDSB.

June is Pride Month

June is Pride month across all of TDSB, a time to celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ communities and reflect on the important work that must continue to make our schools and workplaces more inclusive, welcoming and affirming for all. Pride month offers learning opportunities for each of us to engage in and learn from as we strive to celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ Pride every day at Toronto District School Board.

It is also an opportunity to highlight the varied issues related to 2SLGBTQ+ communities as well as the impact of homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia on TDSB students, staff, and community members. Community based agencies such as Toronto Pflag, CANVAS Arts Action Programs, Lumenus Community Services, Get REAL Movement Inc., White Ribbon and Queer Song Book Orchestra, are also excellent resources for supporting work related to 2SLGBTQ+, students, parents and families.

Italian Heritage Month @ TDSB - June 2025

Italian Heritage Month has been proudly recognized during the month of June at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) since May 2012. Further, the Italian
Heritage Month Act was passed in 2010 resulting in the Italian heritage being celebrated in June across the province in Ontario.

This year's theme for Italian Heritage Month at the Toronto District School Board is La Dolce Vita: Celebrating the Sweet Life of Italian Culture.

Embracing life to its fullest is enjoying a simple meal made with a few modest ingredients, enriched with love and shared with family and friends with a backdrop of music and enjoying the moment. Italian culture appreciates art, fashion, elegance, and maintaining a balanced life. These all contribute to this year's theme of La Dolce Vita: Celebrating the Sweet Life of Italian Culture.

An in-person Italian Heritage Month celebration will take place at Newtonbrook Secondary School with performances, presentations, and speakers to mark the day. A video will be shared soon for all to enjoy!

June is also Seniors Month, and students from across the TDSB participate in marking this month by drawing and/or writing a message on a postcard that features the national flower of Italy. These postcards when complete will be distributed to the residents of Villa Colombo Home for the Aged during the month of June.

Portuguese-Speaking Heritage Month at the TDSB - June 2025

Portuguese-Speaking Heritage Month is proudly recognized during the month of June at the TDSB and has been since 2011. The month also coincides with the Province of Ontario's Celebration of Portuguese Heritage Act which passed in 2001.

In part the Celebration of Portuguese Heritage Act states: The Portuguese Canadian community is a vibrant community in Ontario and continues to make many significant contributions to our society and to enrich it with its history, language, culture and work ethic.

The month of June and the day of June 10, in particular, have always been a great time of celebration by the Portuguese community. The celebrations honour the life of Luis de Camoes and his famous epic poems, the Lusiads, with cultural performances, history seminars, poem recitals, street parades, and many other activities. The Lusiads are epic poems narrating the history of Portugal up to and including the era of the discoveries of the 15th and 16th centuries. June 10 is the anniversary of the death of Luis de Camoes.

As part of the celebration, an invitation is being extended to all students, staff and the larger TDSB community to attend the annual Portuguese Parade taking place on Saturday, June 7th, 2025. All are welcome to join this vibrant, colourful parade that brings the Portuguese-speaking community together to celebrate Luis de Camoes!

Those wishing to participate in the parade are asked to meet at 9:00 am on Oakwood Avenue north of St. Clair Ave. W. on Saturday, June 7, 2025. There will be clearly identified parade volunteers in the area to assist to locate the TDSB vehicle. The parade starts at 9:30 am and ends at 12:00 noon. A limited number of TDSB t-shirts will be provided to participants on a first come/first serve basis. Looking forward to seeing you there to celebrate!

This year's theme for Portuguese-Speaking Heritage Month at the TDSB is A Festa of Food. Festa is the Portuguese word for celebration, and you can't have a celebration without food. This year we will explore the Portuguese speaking world through its diverse culinary traditions. A celebration with musical performances, guest speakers, and of course a selection of food will be held to further celebrate Portuguese-Speaking Heritage Month at the Gallery of Portuguese Pioneers.

 

June Learning Sessions for Staff and Families

Learning and engagement sessions continue to be made available for both staff and families, providing valuable opportunities to explore inclusive and anti-ableist practices and concrete strategies to use in the classroom and at home. These sessions are designed to support student achievement and well-being. Please click this link to access the sessions being offered.

June is National Deafblind Awareness Month

The month of June serves as a platform for raising awareness about the distinctive challenges encountered by individuals with an identified dual sensory loss. Deafblindness, a combination of sight and hearing loss to varying degrees, profoundly impacts communication, mobility, learning, and access to information. Those who are deafblind often rely on alternative communication methods, such as tactile sign language, braille, or assistive technology.

In Ontario, students are identified as deafblind when neither sense can fully compensate for the loss of the other, meaning that neither can be used as a primary means of learning. They have unique and complex needs, requiring services and support which are different from those designed exclusively for individuals who are blind or have low vision, are Deaf or hard of hearing, or have multiple exceptionalities. When both vision and hearing challenges exist, attention and consideration must be given to both senses simultaneously. Environmental adaptations, positioning adjustments, and modifications in information delivery are needed.

To learn more about the local deafblind community, please visit Deafblind Awareness Month | DBCS (deafblindservices.ca)

Week of May 19th, 2025

National Showcase Award-Heritage Fair Recognition for Eleanor Hargreaves

Eleanor Hargreaves, a Grade 7 theatre talent. proud member of the QSA and dedicated student at Spectrum Alternative, has been selected as one of only two recipients of a National Showcase Award for her project, “Queer Rights and History in Canada,” at this May’s Heritage Fair. Months prior to the Heritage Fair, Eleanor dedicated significant time to researching, fact-checking, personalizing, and meticulously detailing a rainbow-themed tri-fold that stood out among the other exhibits at the Heritage Fair. Eleanor shared her motivation for choosing this topic, stating that it is often overlooked in the curriculum and fairs like the Heritage Fair. As an authentic voice of the community, she aimed to present her facts in a remarkable and meaningful manner. While excitement permeated the atmosphere, Eleanor experienced nerves stemming from the immense size of the board and the mixed feelings associated with the judging process. As she presented her information to the judges, fellow TDSB teachers, and students across the School Board, she gradually built her confidence. Eleanor shared her advice and takeaway message for future Heritage Fair attendees: “Do not treat this like a competition.” She emphasized that if one is not overly focused on winning, they will perform better as long as they refrain from fixating on the outcome.

We are incredibly proud of Eleanor for this outstanding achievement. Her advocacy and powerful presentation have earned her well-deserved recognition. It’s inspiring to see a student using their voice to drive awareness and change. Congratulations, Eleanor!

Celebrating Pride Month at Davisville/Spectrum!

June is Pride Month, and we’re excited to create a vibrant display that shows all students and families that Davisville/Spectrum is a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone. If you’d like to help bring this display to life, we’d love your support! Please contact jennmason26@yahoo.com to volunteer. Thank you!

SickKids Saliva Testing

The SickKids Saliva Testing Team has the results available from research samples submitted through the classroom testing.​

If you submitted a classroom sample and did not receive your results, this might be because our team was not able to read the contact information listed on the requisition. ​

Please get in touch with the research team over email at school.salivaresearch@sickkids.ca or call 647-640-8548 to receive your results.​

 

DAVISVILLE JUNIOR CHOIR AND MME. KARIMI'S GRADE 3 STUDENTS ATTEND THE TCC SCHOOL INVITATIONAL CHORAL WORKSHOP

On Friday, May 23rd, the Davisville Junior Choir, and Mme. Karimi's Grade 3 students attended the TCC (Toronto Children's Chorus) School Invitational Choral Workshop held in the morning at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church. The students learned some new singing techniques as well as how to read music using solfege hand signs and the hand staff, plus rhythm reading. They were also taught the chorus part of the song "Oye' by Jim Papoulis, including movements, and they had the opportunity to perform this piece, along with the Toronto Children's Chorus (a world-renowned children's choir), in a concert to end the session! It was a memorable experience, and we feel fortunate to have had this opportunity.

Room 203’s Visit to Greenwood:

This week, the students in Room 203 had the exciting opportunity to visit Greenwood College School. Ms. Casselman's class partnered with Mr. Farbstein's Grade 11 class, with the Grade 2 students acting as “clients” for a special project. As part of their final assignment, the Grade 11 students designed board games tailored specifically to the interests and preferences of the younger students. The result was a collection of unique and engaging games for Room 203 that made the experience both meaningful and fun for everyone involved.

City of Toronto Information on Lyme Disease

Over the last several years, we have information about Blacklegged Ticks and the spread of Lyme Disease. According to the Lyme Disease – City of Toronto: “The risk of contracting Lyme disease in Toronto, is considered to be low but has been increasing. The risk of Lyme disease can be decreased by preventing tick bites, early detection and removal of ticks.”

Ticks are typically found in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, and can also be found on animals. They are often found in areas with trees, shrubs, grass, woodpiles, and piles of leaves. Common locations include yards, lawns, and areas where forests or wooded areas meet lawns or gardens. This includes school yards.

Please find information on how to prevent tick bites and Lyme disease below.

-Wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are easy to see
-Cover up by wearing closed footwear and tucking pants into socks
-Use a repellent that contains DEET or Icaridin and follow the manufacturer’s directions
-Perform full-body checks on yourself, children, and pets
-When you get home, put your clothes in the dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes before washing them
-Find out how Lyme disease is identified and treated
-Find out how to reduce ticks around your home

May Learning Sessions for Staff and Families

Learning and engagement sessions continue to be made available for both staff and families, providing valuable opportunities to explore inclusive and anti-ableist practices and concrete strategies to use in the classroom and at home. These sessions are designed to support student achievement and well-being. Please click this link to access the sessions being offered.

Upcoming Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Engagement Session:

Strategies and resources to support students with ADHD
Special Education and Inclusion will host a session to explore strategies and resources to support students diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Date: Thursday, May 29, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Please refer to this flyer for more information.

Marking Red Shirt Day: May 28th

Red Shirt Day is an annual event in celebration of National AccessAbility Week. It is a day when people across Canada come together and wear red in schools, workplaces and spaces everywhere in order to create a visible display of solidarity: to show their support for persons and families of those who are living with disabilities, celebrate the achievements of people living with disabilities, and to pledge their commitment to help create a fully accessible and inclusive society that honours and values the contributions of people of all abilities in all aspects of life in Canada.

National AccessAbility Week - Sun, May 25 - Sat, May 31, 2025

National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) takes place every year starting on the last Sunday in May. It is a time when accessibility and inclusion is promoted across communities and workplaces and a time to celebrate the contributions of Canadians with disabilities. It is also an opportunity to recognize the efforts of Canadians who are actively removing barriers and ensuring persons with disabilities have an equal chance to participate in all aspects of Canadian society. The increased social and economic inclusion of persons with disabilities has positive economic and social benefits, for persons with disabilities, for business, the economy, and society in general.

National AccessAbility Week: May 26 to June 1, 2024 - Canada.ca

Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement

Please see the following upcoming opportunities for students, staff and community offered by the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement.

We Have Dreams Too: Black Mothers Reimagining Schools
What does leadership look like when Black mothers are at the centre of improving Black children’s outcomes? How do Black mothers’ everyday acts of care, advocacy, and resistance shape their children’s schooling experience?

Join us for an insightful webinar that centres Black mothers’ leadership and work. Together, we’ll explore how Black mothers’ dreams, stories, and community-building practices challenge exclusion and transform schooling for their children. This session highlights the ways Black mothers engage in self- and community care, as they organize for their children’s education. Grounded in Canadian research, this session affirms what we already know: Black mothers lead in ways schools often fail to see or name.

Date: May 21, 2025
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Audience: TDSB Parents/Caregivers and Community Members
Registration: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cKerb6RDQHC2mxHlnvh0xQ

Week of May 12th, 2025

Spring Concert

Our Spring Concert was a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their talents, creativity, and shine on stage. It was equally special for families to watch their children perform and create lasting memories together.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Concert Committee and all the staff of performing classes who worked so hard to prepare for this evening.

A special thank you to Ms. Jackie, Mr. Shragge, and Ms. Johnson for orchestrating a well-organized and unforgettable event. Your dedication and effort made the night truly memorable for everyone. 

Dismissal and Pick-Up Routines

Dear Families,

We kindly ask for your cooperation and support with dismissal procedures. At dismissal time, please ensure that your child(ren) are picked up promptly. Our school yard must be cleared by 4:00 p.m. to allow our After Care Program full access to the yard and playscape. Should your child(ren) wish to use the playscape area at dismissal, please ensure they are supervised at all times. As a reminder, families are welcome to return and use the playground starting at 6:00 p.m., as noted in the image above. Thank you for your understanding and continued support in keeping our dismissal routine safe and respectful for all. 

CAUGHT IN THE ACT" GREEN LEAF CHALLENGE

The number of students "caught in the act" of doing something positive for the environment is ongoing! Since last month, we are pleased to see that students have continued to do actions to help keep our school or yard clean, and they have been awarded a green leaf to add to our Eco Club tree display on the first floor. Thank you to the students for caring for the Earth, and for the staff members who have recognized their positive efforts.

Student Safety Reminder – No Active Movement in Hallways

To prioritize student safety and maintain a positive learning environment, it is important for students to remember not to engage in active movement, such as running, jogging, or dancing through hallways. This applies during physical education classes, after-school activities, and indoor recesses. While students are encouraged to be active and engage in physical activity daily, it is essential that this happens in designated, supervised spaces such as gymnasiums and outdoor play areas. Active movement in hallways can lead to accidents, injuries, and disruptions to learning in nearby classrooms. We kindly ask that you take a moment to review these expectations with your children. While our staff will continue to consistently reinforce safe movement throughout the school day through our supervision practices, your support in communicating these expectations at home will further strengthen this message.

Thank you for your partnership in helping us maintain a safe and respectful school environment for all.

Learning Sessions

Learning and engagement sessions continue to be made available for both staff and families, providing valuable opportunities to explore inclusive and anti-ableist practices and concrete strategies to use in the classroom and at home. These sessions are designed to support student achievement and well-being. Please click this link to access the sessions being offered.

Upcoming Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Engagement Session: Strategies and resources to support students with ADHD. 

Special Education and Inclusion will host a session to explore strategies and resources to support students diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Date: Thursday, May 29, 2025

Time: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Please refer to this flyer for more information.

Planning for Graduation/Graduation Fair for Students with Disabilities/Special Education Needs

Planning for Graduation/Graduation Fair for Students with Disabilities/Special Education Needs

We are hosting our inaugural grad fair for students with disabilities/special education needs! Please share this flyer with families to encourage their attendance. This event is also catered to students and families who are planning ahead for graduation.

Who? All TDSB students with disabilities and/or special education needs and their families

What?  In-Person Event Fair

Information booths featuring:

o Community support services and post-21 programs
o Employment assistance agencies
o Academic institutions and accessibility services’ offices

When and Where? Wednesday, May 14th, 2025, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Avondale Public School (barrier-free site with free parking available), 171 Avondale Ave. Toronto, ON, M2N 2V4

Families may pre-register at https://bit.ly/gradfairMay14 and walk-ins are also welcome.

Marking Red Shirt Day: May 28th

Red Shirt Day is an annual event in celebration of National AccessAbility Week. It is a day when people across Canada come together and wear red in schools, workplaces and spaces everywhere in order to create a visible display of solidarity: to show their support for persons and families of those who are living with disabilities, celebrate the achievements of people living with disabilities, and to pledge their commitment to help create a fully accessible and inclusive society that honours and values the contributions of people of all abilities in all aspects of life in Canada.

For more information: https://redshirtday.org/about-us/

National AccessAbility Week - Sun, May 25 - Sat, May 31, 2025

National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) takes place every year starting on the last Sunday in May. It is a time when accessibility and inclusion is promoted across communities and workplaces and a time to celebrate the contributions of Canadians with disabilities. It is also an opportunity to recognize the efforts of Canadians who are actively removing barriers and ensuring persons with disabilities have an equal chance to participate in all aspects of Canadian society. The increased social and economic inclusion of persons with disabilities has positive economic and social benefits, for persons with disabilities, for business, the economy, and society in general.

National AccessAbility Week: May 26 to June 1, 2024 - Canada.ca

Week of May 5th, 2025

Happy Mother's Day

We would like to extend warm wishes and gratitude to all the mothers in our school community. Your immeasurable love and the sacrifices you make daily are appreciated. We celebrate all mothers: expectant mothers, birth mothers, adoptive mothers, foster mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers and others who fulfill maternal roles in our lives. Your love and nurturing care enrich our school community in many ways, and we are truly grateful for all that you do.

JUNIOR CHOIR PERFORMS AT 3RD ANNUAL CHORAL FESTIVAL

 On Tuesday, May 6th, the Davisville Junior Choir performed at the 3rd Annual Choral Festival, which was held from 7:30-8:30 pm at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church.  The choir members did a wonderful job performing at the festival, and they represented Davisville well!  They sang the song "Stand By Me" on their own (words and music by Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, and Ben E. King;  arranged for choir by Audrey Snyder), and they participated as part of a mass choir singing "Al Tambour" with over 500 students (Panamanian Folk Song arranged by Victor C. Johnson)! It was a memorable evening. 

DOOR DECORATING CONTEST

As part of our celebration of Earth Month, the Davisville/Spectrum Eco Club organized a door decorating contest. Incorporating the theme of Earth Day this year, ("Our Power, Our Planet"), all classes were invited to decorate their doors using only recycled and repurposed materials. Classes were encouraged to use items such as cereal boxes, grocery bags, clean garbage and other found items to decorate their classroom doors. Many classes participated, and it was very difficult for the judges to choose a winner for each division. Thank you to all classrooms that took part, and congratulations to Room 207 (Kindergarten), Room 210 (Primary) and Room 308 (Junior) for winning a popsicle party for their class! In an effort to be eco-friendly, we encourage the winners to rinse off and save their popsicle sticks afterwards to use for a future project.

TDSB Heritage Fair at York University

On Thursday, May 8th, some of our Grade 7 students attended the TDSB's Heritage Fair at York University. Many students described the experience as “unique” and “cool.” They inquired into historical topics that held personal significance and delivered meaningful presentations. Their hard work was recognized and judged across various historical categories. A student attendee from Spectrum noted, “the people were nice,” and shared that they enjoyed “researching a topic they had never learned about before.”

In addition to their presentations, students engaged in a range of creative and cultural activities: they made a traditional Turkish painting as a handmade gift for our Vice Principal, created Mother's Day bookmarks, coloured Indigenous animal artwork, explored aged photography techniques, learned about Haudenosaunee history, and danced to the rhythms of Alpha Drumming.

As one Grade 7 student beautifully put it: “I got to see the things that inspired other students, and I got to share what inspired me.”

Summer Program for Newcomer Students

We’re excited to share summer programs offered by the TDSB and community partners across Toronto. These include literacy and numeracy support, fun recreational activities through Jays Camp, and language and culture exploration in the International Languages Elementary Program. There are also great options for Grade 8 students entering high school in September.

Please see the flyer for details: Summer School Flyer

Registration closes at the end of May.

Social Media and Safety Presentation for Parents/Guardians/Caregivers

Please see below for information and details on an upcoming presentation on Social Media and Safety:

Parents/families/caregivers and guardians can register in the attached flyer. The link to register is also here Social Media and Safety: A Parents' Roadmap. Aligned with TDSB’s policies on responsible technology use, including social media and cellphone guidelines, this event aims to equip parents/caregivers/guardians with strategies to navigate their children's digital engagement, and to have the tools to support safe and balanced technology use (see PPM 128 & TDSB resources on Addressing Inappropriate Social Media).

-Social Media Safety Night for Parents on May 14th, 2025, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Lambton Park Community School located at 50 Bernice Cres. 

This evening will include:
-Practical strategies for navigating social media risks
-Open discussion on online safety
-Take-home resources and giveaways
-Food and childcare

ASD Summer Skills Development Program

The summer session of the ASD Skills Development Program will run from July 2-25 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Principals are asked to share the ASD Summer Skills Development Program - Parent Letter which includes the link for registration to the families of the students with ASD going into Grades 4 -10 (currently students in Grade 3 - 9). Registration deadline is Friday, May 30, 2025. Spaces in the program are limited and enrollment is on a first-come first-serve basis.

Upcoming Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Engagement Session: Strategies and resources to support students with ADHD

Special Education and Inclusion will host a session to explore strategies and resources to support students diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Date: Thursday, May 29, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Please refer to this flyer for more information.

I See You, Mama: Black Mothers Reimagining Schools for Their Children

What does leadership look like when Black mothers are at the centre of improving Black children’s outcomes? How do Black mothers’ everyday acts of care, advocacy, and resistance shape their children’s schooling experience? Join us for an insightful webinar that centres Black mothers’ leadership and work. Together, we’ll explore how Black mothers’ dreams, stories, and community-building practices challenge exclusion and transform schooling for Black children. This session highlights the many ways Black mothers engage in self and community care, as they organize for their children’s education. Grounded in current Canadian research, this session affirms what we already know: Black mothers lead in powerful ways schools often fail to see or name.

Date: May 21, 2025
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Audience: TDSB Parents/Caregivers and Community Members
Registration: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cKerb6RDQHC2mxHlnvh0xQ