Week of January 15th, 2024

Virtual Ward Forum - February 1, 2024 (6:30-7:00 PIAC Election / 7:00-8:30 Discussion on Literacy & Numeracy)

Source: Shelley Laskin's Weekly Updates

Please join Trustee, Shelley Laskin, and Superintendents Felsen, Howard & Pividor for Ward 8 PIAC and FSLCAC Elections at 6:30 followed by a conversation on Numeracy and Literacy in our classrooms. Register here.

Election for PIAC and FSLCAC Representatives: We will be electing Ward 8 Co-Representatives for both TDSB Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) and French as a Second Language Community Advisory Committee (FSLCAC).

Parents/Caregivers interested in becoming PIAC & FSLCAC Representatives must complete the Nomination Form for Ward 8 PIAC and/or FSLCAC or https://forms.gle/6GMd4FPoKcG4UiGf8. No nominations will be taken from the floor at the meeting. The deadline to submit the Nomination Form is: Monday January 22, 2024 at 12 noon. A list of candidates and their bios will be posted on Thursday January 25 , 2023 on the Trustee's page at: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Ward8.

If you are interested in participating for this election and vote, you must complete Ward 8 Voter Form https://forms.gle/TD7sKaVegqQr1jzs6.

17th Annual Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) Conference

This year’s PIAC conference is dedicated to empowering School Councils through leadership, support, and advocacy. Join PIAC for a day of insightful discussions, collaborative learning, and celebration of the crucial role that School Councils play in the success of schools, children, and the community.

Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024

Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Venue: Earl Haig Secondary School

To join us, please register here.

If you have any questions, please contact central Co-ordinator, Michelle Munroe.

Online Interpreter Training Program

The Parent/Caregiver Engagement Office is excited to offer the Online Interpreter Training program again. We will be offering the opportunity to 85 TDSB parents/caregivers to receive online interpreter training in TDSB's most requested languages! 

Are you a parent/caregiver with a child registered in the TDSB who:
-has full proficiency in English and another language (i.e., Pashto, Farsi, Roma, Ukrainian);
-is interested in being trained as an interpreter to work with the TDSB;
-is comfortable with virtual/online learning;
-has access to a computer, and the internet and has, at minimum, intermediate computer fluency;
-has a recording device, headphones, and dictionaries (hard copy and/or online).

TDSB is the largest school board in Canada and one of the most diverse. 23% of our students were born outside of Canada and there are over 120 languages spoken by TDSB students and their parents/caregivers. Research also identifies communication between the home and the school as essential to student success. Ensuring equitable engagement opportunities for our multi-lingual parents/caregivers, while maximizing their language assets, will enable the TDSB to improve communication between parents/caregivers and the school/Board.

Please join us on January 25, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. Please see the attached flyer for more details.

flyer 

Thai Ponal

During Tamil Heritage Month, is the harvest festival of Thai Pongal, a multi-day Hindu harvest festival celebrated by Tamils. It is observed in the month of Thai according to the Tamil solar calendar. This year it begins on January 15. To all celebrating பொங்கல் கவிதைகள் Happy Pongal!

Middle French Immersion (Grade 4 Entry) Application Deadline

For families interested in the system-wide French Immersion Program, we offer an online process to apply for Middle French Immersion (begins in Grade 4). To apply for September 2024, applications must be completed online between January 8 and February 2, 2024. Families with an older sibling currently in a Middle French Immersion program are still required to complete an online application for the new student. For more information, please visit: Middle French Immersion or the Application Process. Interested families can apply via the Application Link.

Out-of-Area Admissions

Online applications for Out-of-Area Admissions now available! Students can access schools outside of the school designated to serve their home address. Acceptance is subject to space availability and transportation is the responsibility of the applicant. Learn more about the Random Selection Priorities and Virtual Learning Q&A. The Elementary application window is from January 8 to 31, 2024 and the Secondary application window is from January 8 to 26, 2024. 

High Performing Athlete Program Application

The application for the High Performing Athlete Program is now available online for student athletes who wish to apply for admission in February or September 2024. Visit the website to learn more, including eligibility requirements. The application deadline is January 31, 2024. https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Going-to-High-School/High-Performing-Athletes

Elementary Alternative Schools Online Application

The TDSB offers a wide range of elementary alternative schools. The application process is managed centrally and the online application form for September 2024 admission is now open. The deadline to submit an application is Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 4 p.m. For questions or additional support, contact the school directly or EAS.Application@tdsb.on.ca

For more information about Alternative Schools in the TDSB, please visit https://www.tdsb.on.ca/alternativeschools
To view the Secondary School Open Houses and Information Sessions, please visit https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Going-to-High-School/Open-Houses-and-Information-Nights
For more information about transitioning from Grade 8 to 9 in the TDSB, please visit https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Going-to-High-School/Beyond-8
For Grade 8 to Grade 9 Transitions Information Session Recording, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkIsivNdcPM