Week of October 9th, 2023

Tragic Events-We Are Here to Support!

Dear Families,

We understand this is an unpredictable and challenging time for many of us in our school community. We are all deeply impacted by the tragic events that have unfolded in Israel and the Middle East. As many of our students, staff and families have connections to these tragic events through family, friends, lived experience, history and identity, we wanted to assure you that we are here to support you all. At Davisville JPS/Spectrum Alternative, we are committed to TDSB's anti-hate and and anti-racism strategy. 

As always, parents/guardians/caregivers are encouraged to contact the school administration for any additional mental health supports that they may require during this difficult time. We know this has been a very difficult time for many in our school community and we want to ensure that everyone is being supported to the best of our ability. Please contact school administration if further support is required:

David Finkelstein, Principal: David.Finkelstein@tdsb.on.ca

Mona Moftakhar, Vice Principal: Ramona.Moftakhar@tdsb.on.ca

Here are some additional resources that were shared by the TDSB to help ensure that our students, staff and families are supported.

Jewish Community Support and Resources

Arab Community Support and Resources

Mental Health Culturally Responsive & Relevant Resource Lists

How to help students after tragic events - Educators and student support staff - School Mental Health Ontario

Immediate Supports for Students

In addition, you can access the following tips created by TDSB Professional Support Services staff about speaking with children who are experiencing difficulties. 

 Family Literacy Night at Davisville JPS

Please join us for our upcoming Family Literacy Night to learn more about your children's literacy development as well as some strategies that you can apply and implement with any piece of text or book you read at home with your children. Please note that this is family friendly event where you can share the joy of reading and learning together with your child. Please refer to the flyer below for all the details surrounding this event.  

Family Literacy Night Flyer

Fostering an Identity Centered and Inclusive Space 

At Davisville JPS and Spectrum Alternative, we continue to create an inclusive space where all of our students, families and staff experience a sense of belonging and where all identities are celebrated and appreciated. This photo captures some of the work being done in Ms. Harnick's class and across other classrooms in our school, in order to create a a school environment where differences, diversity and multiple identities are celebrated within approaches to teaching, curriculum material and assessment strategies. We strive to create a school environment where our students are able to recognize their identities posted around the school and their classrooms. Thank you to Ms. Harnick's class for this beautiful display on our school walls. 

Alternative School Community Advisory Committee (Spectrum Alternative Families)

Please note that the first ASCAC (Alternative School Community Advisory Committee) meeting will take place on Monday, October 23, 2023, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on a virtual platform. 

The agenda for this meeting will include elections for the ASCAC Executive, see below for additional details.

If you are interested in attending, please fill out the ASCAC October 23 Meeting Registration Form. Deadline to register is noon on Sunday, October 22, 2023. For those who register, a confirmation email will be sent to you by 4 pm Monday, October 23 which will contain the virtual meeting link and any additional information.

ASCAC 2023-2024 Annual Executive Elections

Alternative school students and parents/guardians are​ welcome and encouraged to nominate themselves for the ASCAC Executive. As a member of the ASCAC Executive, you will vote on matters brought to ASCAC meetings in support of alternative schools. We are seeking volunteers to self-nominate for the following positions:

• Secondary Co-Chair- Open to parents/guardians of a student enrolled in a secondary alternative school (Grade 9 to 12).
• Student Elementary and Secondary School Representatives-Open to students currently enrolled in an elementary or secondary alternative school.
• Members at Large: Elementary and Secondary-Open to parents/guardians/caregivers of a student enrolled in either and elementary or secondary school. ASCAC aims to have 5-7 Members at Large, with representation from both the elementary and secondary school panel.

Elected members are required to attend at least 50% of the five formal ASCAC virtual meetings during the 2023-24 school year. The meetings will all be held virtually and following are the meeting dates for this school year:


Monday, October 23, 2023, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Monday, December 18, 2023, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Monday, February 5, 2024, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Monday, April 15, 2024, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Monday, May 27, 2024, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm

Elections will be conducted at the ASCAC October 23, 2023, meeting.

To nominate yourself for ASCAC, please click on ASCAC Election Form and complete the Google form by noon on Sunday, October 22. Self nominations will also be accepted at the October 23 meeting prior to the election. If the number of volunteers is equal to or less than the number of open positions, appointments will be made without a vote.

For additional information on ASCAC, please visit the Alternative Schools Community Advisory Committee website.