Week of January 8th, 2024

Welcome Back

Dear Families,

Welcome back! We hope that each of you had wonderful winter break and enjoyed special time with family and friends. It has been a joy seeing staff and students return to school with renewed enthusiasm and vigor. As we head into this next stretch of the school year, we wish all of our students the best as they set new goals, accomplish new tasks and bring out the best in themselves. 

Land Acknowledgment: Going Beyond a Script

This past week, students in Ms. Johnson's class deepened their understanding of the Land Acknowledgement. Students acknowledged ancestral lands, learned about the importance of reconciliation and discussed the ongoing impact of colonization on Indigenous peoples and lands. As students have learned, the Land Acknowledgement is more that just a statement. It is an expression of gratitude, understanding, reconciliation and acknowledgement. In addition to Ms. Johnson's class, all other classes at both Davisville and Spectrum are dedicated to making our Land Acknowledgement more meaningful and an expression of our recognition for the lands that we are visiting as well as our show of gratitude to Indigenous peoples. 

Holocaust Survivor Shares His Story at Spectrum

This past week, Holocaust survivor, Elly Gotz, shared his experiences and story of survival with us and educated our Spectrum students about the Holocaust. Thank you, Elly, for reminding us of the dangers of hate, racism and antisemitism. Exploring the Holocaust and educating our students about it reaffirmed the need for continued conversations about antisemitism and the need for us all to collectively disrupt and combat antisemitism and stand against hate in all forms. Elly has inspired us all by his courage, resiliency and strength. 

Middle French Immersion (Grade 4 Entry) 

Source: TDSB Website

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.

Tamil Heritage Month

Source: TDSB Website

Tamil Heritage Month is proudly recognized during January at the TDSB. This year, the theme is Our Memories, Our Truths, Our Paths Forward: A Mosaic of Tamil Identity. The theme is a reminder to pause and reflect on our memories and narratives, to consider how they shape us individually, and to look at ways that we can come together to honour and celebrate our individuality while moving forward with our collective humanity in mind. To learn more, visit the Tamil heritage month webpage

17th Annual Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) Conference

Source: TDSB Website

The 17th Annual PIAC Conference is on Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Earl Haig Secondary School. The PIAC Conference is a unique opportunity to deepen understanding of the educational landscape, connect with fellow parents/guardians/caregivers and staff, and contribute to the continued success of our community. More information: www.torontopiac.com/whats-happening/conferences and review our conference flyer.

Salat in Secret

Source: TDSB Website

 Love and Belonging in Community Spaces - The Islamic Heritage Month Committee, in partnership with the Equity, Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Department, is offering students (Grades K-8), families, and staff the opportunity to attend the virtual session of Salat in Secret: Love and Belonging in Community Spaces. The community session is available Monday, January 29, 2024 from 1 - 2 p.m. Sessions commemorate the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia. To register, sign up via myPATH. Spots are limited.