Week of September 16th, 2024

Terry Fox Run/Walk or Roll Event 

Dear Davisville Community,

Terry Fox was an example of courage, determination and perseverance. Our Terry Fox Run/Walk or Roll event will be taking place on Thursday September 26th. We are honoured and excited to take part in this annual tradition that supports cancer research while building school spirit. If possible, please support our student’s fundraising efforts and donate today at: https://schools.terryfox.ca/DavisvillePSToronto #terryfoxschoolrun #nomatterwhat @theterryfoxfoundation

Also, please take a moment to read and review the letter shared below on behalf of our Terry Fox Committee for more specific details regarding our upcoming event:

Davisville JPS-Terry Fox Event Letter

Centering Student Identity 

                               

At Davisville JPS & Spectrum Alternative, we work hard to create a culturally responsive, identity affirming space for all of our students and families. We want to ensure that our resources, materials and our learning environment reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students and families. In the first few weeks of school, our staff have worked hard to ensure they are centering students' voices and identities.

Here are some "snapshots" of the work being done in our classrooms:

• In Mr. Brinks and Ms. Abdi's FDK class, the students are learning about the significance of their names. They are also learning how to identify their names and engaging in rich literacy tasks involving the characteristics of their names (e.g., number of letters, number of syllables, etc.). Students have been engaging in kinesthetic activities where they trace their names on paper and salt trays.

• In Ms. Oelbaum's class, students are learned about the meaning behind their names, created name glyphs, and collected data about themselves and their lived experiences. The data was displayed in a bar graph showing students' similarities and differences.    

• In Ms. Haley and Ms. Limbada's class (as well as many other classes), they are constructing frayer models on identity. Frayer models help students to unpack and better understand complex vocabulary terms and concepts. *Frayer models are an important instructional strategy that will be used consistently in our school. 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on September 30, 2024

September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Together, we recognize the legacy of Canada’s residential school system and continue to learn the many truths of these institutions. Orange Shirt Day, established in 2013 by Phyllis Webstad, recognizes the legacy of the Residential Schools System for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit families and communities. By wearing orange, we acknowledge the truths of Residential Schools in Canada, we honour Survivors, and we remember the thousands of children who died, many of them buried in unmarked graves. This year, our school will honour Orange Shirt Day on Monday, September 30th. Please note that more information about this day will be forthcoming shortly.

Steps to Address Parent/Guardian Questions and Concerns

Dear Families,

The TDSB has protocols for sharing your questions and concerns. Below, you will find our board procedure for addressing educational concerns brought forward by parent(s)/guardians.

Please note that in many situations, your child's teacher is the first point of contact, followed by the school administrators (i.e., principal and vice principal), the school superintendent and finally your Trustee. It is important to note that appropriate flexibility will be given in implementing these procedures to suit individual circumstances.


Step 1 - Classroom Teacher

The first place to go about any classroom-related question or concern is your classroom teacher. They can help you with:

Any questions about the classroom
Classroom rules and consequences
Homework and assignments

Step 2 - School Principal

If you would like more information or if you have questions that are beyond the classroom, talk to your school principal. They can help with:

Concerns about an individual school
Student registration
Student schedules
Student suspensions
Report card concerns
Homework and assignments
Code of Conduct
Safety and security
Budget and fundraising
School Council



Step 3 - School Superintendents

Superintendents are responsible for a Network of Schools. They support school staff and can be contacted if you have questions that have not been answered or for help with:

Alternate attendance request
Suspension appeals



Step 4 - Trustees

Trustees are your elected community officials. They are available to help you with the following areas of the TDSB:

Concerns about your community
Ideas and suggestions for the Board
Items on Board Agendas
Board policies under review
Board budget
Collective bargaining

Entry to School for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Elementary schools may be receiving students from the Ontario Autism Program (OAP), or may have students leaving to attend the program. The program is delivered by the Toronto Autism Network (TAN), which consists of six agencies (Geneva Centre, Surrey Place, Lumenus, Strides, SAAAC and Kerry’s Place). This is a six-month, group-based, skill-building program with a focus on preparing young children with ASD who have never attended school to transition to Kindergarten or Grade 1.

Please read this information sheet on the Entry to School Program.

Professional Activity (PA) Days

As you may be aware, during the school year, school staff participate in a number of Professional Activity (PA) Days. On these dates, students remain at home and schools are open for staff to engage in professional learning. As per Ministry requirements, detailed information about planned activities will be posted to the TDSB public website at least 14 days in advance of each scheduled PA Day during the 2024-25 school year. I encourage you to visit the PA Day web page to learn more and check back throughout the school year.

Note: the first PA Day for the 2024-25 school year in on September 27, 2024. Information is posted on the webpage.

Dogs: Not Allowed on our School Property

Please note that the TDSB enforces a strict policy regarding dogs on its properties. Dogs are generally not permitted on TDSB grounds, with the exception of service animals as defined by the Student Use of Service Animals in Schools Policy (P096) and the Use of Service Animals by the General Public Procedure (PR604). These guidelines are in place to ensure proper management and support for service animals within our schools.

TDSB Special Education Department Family Sessions Drop-In Q & A with Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy Staff Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Drop-Ins and Q & A with Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy Staff - Receive general OT/PT strategies for your child(ren) Chat with other parents/caregivers; Ask questions. If you require translation services or have any questions or concerns, please email: Learning Centre 1 - Rhanda Craig: rhanda.craig@tdsb.on.ca and Leslie Hopkins: leslie.hopkins@tdsb.on.ca Learning Centre 2 - Anna Lin: anna.lin@tdsb.on.ca and Andrea Wiltsie: andrea.wiltsie@tdsb.on.ca September 17, 2024 October 15, 2024 November 19, 2024 December 17, 2024 January 21, 2025 February 18, 2025 March 18, 2025 April 15, 2025 May 20, 2025 June 2025 Get the link here Sensory and Motor team parent/guardian/caregiver VOH flyer Parent/Caregiver Session of Gr. 1 Students TDSB Speech and Language Pathologists in collaboration with Donna Cardoza invite you to Let's Talk, Read, and Write. Parents/Caregivers of Grade 1 students, Ontario has a new Language Curriculum. Come and learn how you can help your child develop early reading, writing and talking skills. Register for ALL 5 Sessions on Tuesdays from 6:30pm-7:30pm - Register here. Sep 24 - Let's Play with Sounds Oct 8 - From Sounds to Words Oct 15 - Let's Read Oct 29 - Let's Write Nov 12 - Let's Keep Learning