Trustee Shelley Laskin Weekly Updates

Friday, 5 November 2021

Week Ending Nov 5

 Hello,

 We have included some images so that you can enjoy the inside and outside view of the school:Week of Nov 1
Report Card Distribution and  Virtual Parent/Guardian-Teacher Conferences:
Progress Reports and Kindergarten Communication of Learning will be sent home with in-person students on Tuesday, November 16, 2021. Virtual students will receive Progress Reports electronically.
Teachers will be holding virtual parent/guardian conferences on the evening of Thursday, November 18 and the am of Friday, November 19. You should be receiving the information directly from your child's/childrens teacher over the next few weeks.

Picture of Happy Diwali Greeting

Happy Diwali to all the students, staff and families that celebrated on Thursday, November 4.

Diwali 2021 (Deepavali 2021) is on Thursday, November 4 in India. Diwali is derived from Sanskrit word Deepavali meaning 'Line of Lamps' and is the first of the "Festivals of Lights" celebrating the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Each year over 1 billion people — Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists celebrate these spiritual and joyous days. For those celebrating, during this time of COVID, wishing you a new year full of light.


Picture of Indigenous Education Month Poster


Indigenous Education Month:

November is Indigenous Education Month at the Toronto District School Board. It is important to centre First Nations, Métis and Inuit histories, contemporary realities and voices. For classrooms across the TDSB, this is an opportunity to learn from Indigenous perspectives on treaties, Indigenous leadership, achievements, resistance and creativity. 

Truth and Reconciliation is a guiding principle at the TDSB. Throughout November, students, staff and community members will engage in meaningful opportunities to learn together about  our shared histories and to build stronger relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples. The Urban Indigenous Education Centre (UIEC) will be hosting a number of events to support students and staff to learn from Indigenous people. 

Please see the calendar of events for details and links to myPATH to register for each event. Follow @UIEC_TDSB on Twitter for updates on Indigenous Education Month at the TDSB.

Important Dates for Indigenous Education Month:

  • Treaties Recognition Week, November 1 - 5;
  • International Inuit Day, November 7; 
  • Indigenous Veterans Day, November 8; 
Louis Riel Day, November 16.

Picture of Hindu Heritage Month Poster

Hindu Heritage Month:

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is proud to recognize Hindu Heritage Month during the month of November as the Board of Trustees voted to pass a motion in April 2018 to mark this time. On December 8th, 2016, the Province of Ontario passed the Hindu Heritage Month Act by declaring that the month of November in each year is proclaimed as Hindu Heritage Month. November is an opportunity to celebrate the Hindu way of life, examine its impact and contributions to the world culture, and recognize values which promote compassion, tolerance, and inclusion. 

The theme this year selected by the TDSB Hindu Heritage Month Volunteer Planning Committee is Sri Rama:  Epitome of love, compassion, duty, and service. Read more about Sri Rama, who lived thousands of years ago, was the 7th avatar or reincarnation of Vishnu and see the winning images from our Hindu Heritage Month Poster Contest. We’re also delighted to share with you a video on the Ramayana. Please follow us on Twitter: @tdsb_HHM

Student Census 2022:

The fourth round of the TDSB Student Census is scheduled for the spring of 2022. The TDSB Student Census is a confidential and voluntary survey that asks important identity-based questions as well as questions about experiences inside and outside of school. Students in grades 4 to 12 complete the census themselves, while parents complete the census for students in kindergarten to grade 3.

Since 2006, TDSB schools have been collecting identity-based data through the Student Census to identify and remove systemic barriers which may limit student achievement and well-being. Since 2018, this work has been encouraged for all school boards in Ontario under the Provincial Anti-Racism Act. In 2023, this work will be mandated for all school boards.

By gathering this important information through our Student Census every 4 to 5 years, school communities are able to determine what is working well in our system, where change is required, and where supports should be focused. This data can be instrumental in highlighting the various forms of systemic oppression and complex issues of human rights that impact students and families in the TDSB.

Consultations with students, staff, and community members are beginning in November. For more information and a timeline of key dates, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/research/Research/Parent-and-Student-Census.

 

Poster of Early French Immersion

Early French Immersion:

Students who will be entering Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten in 2022 will be eligible to apply to the Early French Immersion program during the November 2021 application period. Moving forward (2023), the only entry point for Early French Immersion will be Junior Kindergarten.  The application to the Early French Immersion program will remain an online process managed by the Central French Department and will take place during the month of November. All information and the online application are available at www.tdsb.on.ca/french website or click on Early French Immersion. Early French Immersion: Applications must be completed online between November 1 and November 26.

French Immersion Virtual Web Chat Information Sessions for families interested in the application and placement process for the Early French Immersion program (JK and SK Entry for September 2022 only) will be held in November  2021. Please note: To participate in a live scheduled web chat, please visit this web page and a link will be available to join on the dates/times as outlined.

  • November 8, 2021 - 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • November 15, 2021 - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • November 23, 2021 - 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

TDSB Clarification about Optional Attendance for Admission beginning September 2022:

A revised Optional Attendance policy (P013) and a new draft Specialized Schools and Programs policy are currently being finalized. The two policies will be brought to the Board of Trustees for approval in the winter of 2022 for implementation in September 2022. 

This year, the Optional Attendance process is following the existing policy document. Please refer to the policy for the lottery details that have been used and should continue to be used this year.

Poster of Ward Forum

 

School Year Calendar 2021-2022

  • Board-wide PA Day - November 19, 2021
  • The last day before the Winter Break is December 17, 2021
  • First day back from Winter Break is January 3, 2022
  • The last day of class for elementary students is June 30, 2022
  • The last day of class for secondary students is June 29, 2022

Please remember to check the Days of Significance Calendar for holy days before setting school events to be as inclusive as possible. 

School Year Calendar 2021-2022

School Trustee's Weekly Newsletter - Ward 8

  • For updates regarding topics affecting the TDSB, please subscribe
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TDSB website reporting delays or bus cancellations: www.torontoschoolbus.org

To order Davisville spiritwear: check school cashonline, or visit  davisvillepublicschool.entripyshops.com

 




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