Trustee Shelley Laskin Weekly Updates

Tuesday, 11 October 2022

WEEK OF OCT. 10/22

Davisville Curriculum Night: Thursday, October 13

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Parent Council will be in the Dragons' Den (atrium) to greet parents from 6 PM.

You are invited to a special self-guided school tour/scavenger hunt sponsored and organized by School Council.  Scavenger hunt winners will get cool Davisville Swag for their children!

6:30 Presentation in gym
7:00-7:20-Classroom presentation Session 1 and 7:25-7:45 Classroom presentation Session 2
(We are holding 2 sessions to accommodate parents/caregivers with multiple children.

Pizza Lunch - Starting October 21 - ORDER by October 14th:

 Pizza lunch is available for purchase this week on School Cashonline.  You must order by Friday, October 14 to receive pizza on October 21.


There will be the traditional options: Cheese, Pepperoni, or a combo slices of Cheese & Pepperoni and new: Dairy-less cheese.  We will also have a snack for the students as well.  

You will also be able to order for the full school year (School day Fridays in October - June), or by term: October - December.

We want to make sure that financial considerations do not impede any child from receiving pizza.  Please contact Principal David or Vice-Principal Wanda and we will make sure that anyone who wants pizza receives pizza.

School Cash Online:

SchoolCash online is an easy to use, safe and convenient way for parents & guardians to pay for their children’s school fees, including class trips, and pizza lunches.

How does School Cash Online work?

All school fees applicable to your child will be posted on School Cash Online. Once you register, you can choose to purchase the items or activities using a debit or credit card. You will be able to see when the school has a new item posted online for purchase and you also have the option to be notified whenever your child has a new school event requiring payment.

If you have not done so, please find some additional information, including How to registerhttps://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/School-Cash-Online

TDSB Early French Immersion (Junior Kindergarten Entry) Application Deadline: 

The application to the Early French Immersion program will remain an online process. The application period runs from October 31 and November 25, 2022. An offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) is guaranteed to all on-time applicants. Families with an older sibling currently in an Early French Immersion program are still required to complete an online application for the new student.

Please see the following poster that contains Early French Immersion Application Poster

Visit the TDSB website for more information about Early French Immersion, Virtual & In-Person Information Sessions or the Application Process.

TDSB Central Student Interest Programs Updates:

Admissions to Central Student Interest Programs

When the Board voted to improve access to specialized schools and programs at our meeting in May, Chair Alexander Brown articulated the why - “It is our responsibility to take action to improve access for all students where we identify systemic barriers. This new policy will ensure a greater number of students have access to these high quality programs and schools while reducing barriers that have long-prevented many students from even applying.” 

As outlined in last week's update, all programs, including the Arts will be moving forward with consistent, interest-based admissions criteria in November 2022 for the 2023-24 school year. Central Staff have been working with school teams and the various programs to collaboratively set the admission criteria for each program. Applications for central student interest programs (e.g. Arts, International Baccalaureate) open on November 7, 2022 and close on November 25 at 4:00 p.m. 

The following programs have finalized their application details and are now available online:

Program webpages will continue to be updated as soon as application details are finalized in the coming weeks.

Arts Program Structure - Program structure is the way the program is organized with courses and key areas of focus, such as dance or performing arts. In secondary arts programs, each school has its own unique structure. To provide more access to programming to students in the areas where applications are higher, arts schools are reviewing and revising their program structures to provide greater flexibility and choice. Additionally, schools are considering new course offerings to further enhance the dynamic and engaging experience for students and ensure that a variety of students see themselves reflected in the curriculum.

Longstanding structures take time to change and secondary arts schools have been offered an additional year to address these complex changes to ensure that the work is successful.

While some schools will be prepared to share their new program structure with students and parents/caregivers/guardians this fall, other Arts-focused schools are still in the early stages of this work and will develop their program structure over the course of this school year for implementation in 2024-25.

During this school year, Senior Staff will continue to focus on collaborating with teachers, administrators, superintendents and central staff to manage these changes as effectively as possible while working towards full implementation of this component of the policy. Together, we will work to build culturally affirming and responsive, inclusive, modern, and high-caliber programs with equitable access and outcomes so that all TDSB students feel they belong and are successful.

Preparing for High School Information Sessions for Grade 8 Families:

To support our Grade 8 students and families, the TDSB will be hosting a series of Preparing for High School Information Sessions. Students and families from any grade are welcome to attend. The series includes:

The Grade 8 to Grade 9 Transition Information Session, taking place on November 1, 2022,  will share the Top 10 Tips and Considerations in the Transition to High School. This presentation is designed to augment the work already taking place through secondary open houses and at the Grade 8 schools. 

The Student Interest Programs Information Session, taking place on November 3, 2022, will help students and families learn more about local programs, Facilitated Access to Skilled Trades programs, out-of-area admissions and applying to centralized programs and schools, including:

  • Arts Focus Programs/Schools (elementary and secondary)
  • CyberARTS Programs (elementary and secondary)
  • Elite Athlete Programs (elementary and secondary)
  • Integrated Technology School
  • International Baccalaureate Programs
  • Leadership Pathway Program
  • Math, Science & Technology Programs

To further support students and families with the application process, central TDSB staff will be hosting three (3) Centralized Program Admissions Support Sessions to answer any questions that students or families may have when completing the Centralized Program Application. Live, online support will be available on the following dates:

  • November 8 - 4:00pm – 5:30pm (LINK)
  • November 15 - 7:00pm – 8:30pm (LINK)
  • November 24 - 4:00pm – 5:30pm (LINK)

The Virtual Secondary Alternative Schools Fair, taking place on November 9, 2022, will introduce families to the Alternative schools in the board that offer Grade 9 to 12 programming. Alternative schools are highly engaged, smaller school environments. They use non-traditional hands-on approaches to learning. Each school has a distinct identity and focus, such as democratic education, holistic learning, physical art, mindful living, entrepreneurship, social justice, community outreach and more. These schools are ideal for students seeking an alternative to mainstream education and who want to take an active role in their own learning. 

Webinar Details:

The Preparing For High Schools Series webinar details, including the link to register and request an interpreter, can be found here. Additionally, families can join the webinar link via Zoom or via the Parent & Community Engagement Office YouTube channel

Resources:

TDSB Parents and Caregivers as Partners Conference 2022: 

The TDSB’s Parents and Caregivers as Partners conference is scheduled for Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23, 2022! This year, you can attend the conference virtually and also join pre-conference sessions in person. This year’s conference has 3 themes of Affirming, Belonging and Connecting.
DPS and SPECTRUM HYPERLINKS DOCUMENT: Please make reference to the following document for frequently visited and up-to-date weblinks for Davisville and TDSB. Included is the Safe Arrivals phone number when your child is sick/absent and also the Early Pick-up/

School Bus Delays/Cancellations: 

Please Call School Messenger directly 1-833-250-2290, between (7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.) to report child(ren’s)absence for the current day or future date. If you do not report your child(ren’s) absence(s) prior to the start of school day you will be contacted by School Messenger and you must indicate the reason for the absence. Please respond to safe arrival calls. The telephone number 833-250-2290 will display on the caller ID.
Sign out GForm to be completed by 12:00 the day of for your child/children's pickup for appointments. 
TDSB website reporting delays or bus cancellations: TSTG
Davisville Spiritwear:
To order Davisville spiritwear check school cashonline, visit  davisvillepublicschool.entripyshops.com

School Trustee's Weekly Newsletter - Ward 8:
  • For updates regarding topics affecting the TDSB, please subscribe to Shelley Laskin's weekly newsletter.

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