Trustee Shelley Laskin Weekly Updates

Saturday, 14 December 2024

Week of December 9th, 2024


Middle French Immersion Application Process

System Announcement: 

The entry point to Middle French Immersion is Grade 4. Middle French Immersion (Grade 4 Entry) Application Deadline - For families interested in the Toronto District School Board's system-wide French Immersion Program, we offer an online process to apply for Middle French Immersion (begins in Grade 4). To apply to the Middle French Immersion Program for September 2025, applications must be completed online between January 6 and January 31, 2025. Families with an older sibling currently in a Middle French Immersion program at the same school are still required to complete an online application for the new student. For more information, please visit: Application Middle French Immersion.

Please find an AODA poster and flyer card with QR Code that may be used in any and all communications and/or forwarded digitally.

At any time, please visit the TDSB French Language Programs webpage to view a video that provides information about the TDSB French Language programs as well as the application and placement process in the Early French Immersion and the Middle French Immersion programs. More information about the Middle Immersion Program is available in 22 languages, or view the application timelines video.


Winter Well-Being Guide 2024-2025

System Announcement:

The Winter Well-Being Guide 2024-2025 is now available. The Guide is prepared by the Mental Health and Well-Being Committee, In collaboration with the Mental Health Leads and the System Leader for Mental Health and PSS. The Winter Well-Being Guide 2024-2025 offers updated, culturally relevant, and responsive resources to support students and parents/caregivers/guardians in fostering mental and physical wellness during the winter months. It also includes specific supports tailored for students with disabilities and complex needs.

To ensure accessibility for our diverse community, the guide has been translated into the top spoken languages within the TDSB. You can access it here: The Winter Well-Being Guide 2024-2025


Resources for Parents, Guardians & Caregivers

System Announcement:

We have revamped the Resources for Parents, Guardians & Caregivers webpage! Content is now organized by helpful topics like Student Well-Being, Learning, and Engagement, making it easier than ever to find valuable resources. I encourage you to explore this new page and take advantage of the resources available to help you and your children thrive. You can easily access these resources by clicking the “Parents & Caregivers” button on the top bar of the TDSB homepage.

The Special Education and Inclusion public site offers a number of ways for families of children with special education needs and/or disabilities to find information and connect with resources.

Learn more by clicking the links below or see the following link for a guide with screenshots: Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities and/or Special Education NeedsSpecial Education and Inclusion: The department’s homepage is organized with priority links as the first items on the page, including links to the Parent Engagement Sessions, Parent Newsletters, and Frequently Asked Questions pages referenced below.

Parent Engagement Sessions: These sessions are offered as monthly drop-ins and also as more formalized webinars, designed to support families in navigating special education services in the TDSB. Topics include occupational therapy and physiotherapy resources, supporting transitions for students with disabilities, literacy strategies, and ASD support.

Guides for Parents/Guardians/Caregivers: Parent guides cover a range of topics, including Individual Education Plans (IEPs), the Referral Process, Identification, Placement and Review Committees (IPRCs), and specialized services like Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy. Videos and translated versions are also available for some of the guides, as we work to create the same for the other guides.

Parent Newsletters: Monthly newsletters for parents/guardians/caregivers are designed to help families navigate the journey of supporting students with special education needs. Each edition features valuable resources, tips, and strategies that families can access and use at home to support their children.

Intensive Support Program Locations and Maps: A list of TDSB’s Intensive Support Programs and where they are located across the TDSB for families to easily locate what programming is offered in their area.

Join Us for the School Council Holiday Market!

Message from School Council...

Celebrate the season with the School Council's Holiday Market on December 18th! Kick off the festivities with our Coffee & Cocoa Booth from 8:00 to 9:00 AM in the Atrium, featuring freshly brewed coffee and hot cocoa to warm you up, along with delicious baked goods like muffins and croissants for a sweet morning treat.

In the evening, starting at 5:00 PM and continuing after the concert, enjoy a bake sale featuring an assortment of sweet and savory treats, hot beverages, and our very own Davisville Spirit Wear—perfect for gifting or showing your school pride. Please note that the Holiday Market will be closed during the concert.

We’re accepting donations of baked goods! Drop off your delicious contributions in the kitchen starting the afternoon of December 17th and during the day on the 18th. If a council member is available you are welcome to leave them in the Atrium during Market hours.

Interested in volunteering at the Holiday Market (morning or evening shift)? Reach out to us at davisvilleschoolcouncil@gmail.com.

Come for the treats, stay for the fun, and support the School Council’s efforts this holiday season! 

Classroom Highlights From Room 113

On Tuesday, December 10th,  Mme Kimi's and Mme Samuel's class visited the Salvation Army Seniors' residence next door to the school to sing some festive songs for the residents!

The class sang five songs for the seniors, who thoroughly enjoyed the performance. They even got to meet a therapy dog who was visiting the residence! Thank you so much to Ms. Kang, who spent the past two weeks working with our students to perfect their songs.


Room 113 Sponsored a Birthday Box for a child in a remote Northern community!



For the past few weeks, students in Mme Kimi's and Mme Samuel's Kindergarten class have been collecting funds to send a box full of birthday goodies to a child in Shamattawa, a remote First Nations community in Northern Manitoba.

Since Shamattawa is only accessible by air or by snow road, even basic items are very expensive there. Through The Northern Birthday Box Project, the class was matched with a 4 year old boy. They sent him everything he would need to have a wonderful birthday party -- cake mix and frosting, lots of decorations, plates and cups, a storybook and a Davisville t-shirt as gifts! As part of the discussion, students also spoke about Shamattawa's lack of clean water and that access to healthy food is often too expensive for some families there.

Learning About Different Celebrations






Kwanzaa: In Ms. Preketes' class, students have been learning about the special celebrations that take place during the winter break, including Kwanzaa. They discovered that Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 to January 1 and was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga. Its purpose is to celebrate African heritage and culture while introducing and reaffirming the 7 principles of Kwanzaa.

The students explored the importance of the Kinara, a candleholder that holds seven candles, each representing different aspects of African culture and values. The three main colors of Kwanzaa candles are red, black, and green. The red candles represent the bloodshed in the struggle for freedom by African people. The black candle symbolizes African people themselves, the earth, and the source of life. The green candle represents the fertile land and the hope for the future.

Students also learned the order in which each candle is lit during Kwanzaa, and they wrote down the name of the principle associated with each candle as it is lit each night.

Happy Kwanzaa!

Hanukkah: Ms. Preketes' class also learned about Hanukkah, a Jewish celebration that takes place each December. This year, Hanukkah begins on December 25 and lasts for 8 nights, ending on January 2. Students discovered that Hanukkah is a festival that celebrates Jewish values and traditions. One of the most recognized traditions during Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah, a special candleholder with 9 candles. The students learned about the significance of each candle and how the menorah is lit each night.

Another fun part of Hanukkah that the students explored was the dreidel game. A dreidel is a spinning top, and each time it spins, it lands on a letter that tells the players what to do next—either take the whole pot, take half the pot, do nothing, or add more coins. The students enjoyed making their own paper dreidels and writing the Hebrew letters used in the game.

Happy Hanukkah!

Snow/Cold Weather

From time to time it is necessary to cancel student transportation, classes and/or programs due to severe weather. On rare occasions, severe weather makes it necessary to close schools, administrative offices or sites. Please note that when schools are closed, there will be no staff (such as principals and teachers) on-site to supervise students. Should a cancellation or closure be necessary, information will be posted on the TDSB website and TDSB social media by 6 a.m.

TDSB's Procedure for Severe Weather

 How are school-based child care programs affected by weather decisions?

If there is a decision to close TDSB schools due to severe weather, schools also will be closed to all programs, including child care. The TDSB communicates any decision to close schools to child care partners, who will communicate directly with the families of their programs. Please speak directly with your child care provider if you have any questions about their programs and operations.


School & Board Happenings

We want to ensure that you stay informed about all the exciting events and important updates happening at our school and board. To keep you well-informed, we will be using a variety of communication channels to share information about school and board-wide events. We encourage you to stay tuned and engage with these updates to stay connected with our school community. In addition to the school blog, Twitter is another platform that will be used to engage and communicate with our families.  


Please follow us on Twitter at @davisville_jps & @SpectrumAltern2





































Sunday, 8 December 2024

Week of December 2nd, 2024


Important Update: Snack Program Winter Break Pause

Dear Families,

We’d like to let you know that our incredible snack program will be taking a pause for the winter break. The last day of snacks will be December 13th, so please remember to pack an alternative snack for your child starting December 14.

Our morning snack program is something we are incredibly proud of, serving 600 students daily with a nutritious combination of whole wheat grains, protein, and fresh fruits or vegetables.

This wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our amazing volunteers, staff, and school council. Thank you for making this initiative such a success!

We’ve included a photo below that showcases one of the wholesome snacks your child enjoys every morning.

Davisville JPS-Snack Program Team




Join Us for the School Council Holiday Market!

Message from School Council...

Celebrate the season with the School Council's Holiday Market on December 18th! Kick off the festivities with our Coffee & Cocoa Booth from 8:00 to 9:00 AM in the Atrium, featuring freshly brewed coffee and hot cocoa to warm you up, along with delicious baked goods like muffins and croissants for a sweet morning treat.

In the evening, starting at 5:00 PM and continuing after the concert, enjoy a bake sale featuring an assortment of sweet and savory treats, hot beverages, and our very own Davisville Spirit Wear—perfect for gifting or showing your school pride. Please note that the Holiday Market will be closed during the concert.

We’re accepting donations of baked goods! Drop off your delicious contributions in the kitchen starting the afternoon of December 17th and during the day on the 18th. If a council member is available you are welcome to leave them in the Atrium during Market hours.

Interested in volunteering at the Holiday Market (morning or evening shift)? Reach out to us at davisvilleschoolcouncil@gmail.com.

Come for the treats, stay for the fun, and support the School Council’s efforts this holiday season!


Reminder: Dressing for Winter Weather

Dear Families,

As winter settles in, it’s important to ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the season. Please send your child to school with warm winter essentials, such as gloves, snow pants, hats, scarves, and mittens, to help them stay cozy during outdoor recess.

To support your child’s independence and readiness, we kindly ask that you practice with them, especially our younger students, on how to dress themselves and put on their winter gear. This is a wonderful way to foster their confidence and self-sufficiency!

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students stay warm and prepared for the season.

Morning Drop-Off Routines

Dear Families,

A friendly reminder: Supervision begins at 8:40 AM each morning. To ensure the safety of all students, we kindly ask that families refrain from dropping students off before this time, unless they are participating in school-directed initiatives or field trips where supervision is specifically arranged.

Helpful Tips for Parents/Guardians/Caregivers

Your support is essential to maintaining a safe environment for all students. Here are a few ways you can help:

Use the Front Office for Entry
Parents, guardians, or visitors entering the school building must do so through the front office and sign in upon arrival.

Book Appointments to Speak with Staff
If you need to speak with an educator or staff member, please make an appointment or send an email to address your concerns.

Follow Parking and Drop-Off Rules
Please avoid parking or stopping in the bus loading zone on Millwood Rd. This area must remain clear to ensure student safety. Adhering to posted parking signs helps us maintain a safe environment for everyone.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping our students safe!

TDSB Winter Outerwear Drive

TDSB System Announcements...

As winter approaches, many members of our community will face the harsh realities of cold weather without adequate clothing. That is why TDSB is organizing a Winter Outerwear Drive to collect funds that will be put towards the purchase of warm coats, hats, gloves, and boots for students.

The needs of TDSB families are greater than ever. By supporting the drive, your donation will help students receive warm winter outerwear to carry themselves with confidence into the school day. This year’s Winter Outerwear Drive will run until the end of February 2025. For more information, visit https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Partnership-Opportunities/Business-Development/Winter-Outerwear-Drive


Sunday, 1 December 2024

Week of November 25th, 2024


Spirit Days at Davisville JPS

We have planned a number of Spirit Days for the month of December. Spirit Days/Weeks really bring a lot of joy to the school and promote school spirit. They also allow students and staff to have fun and have a positive impact on school connections, collaboration and creativity. It is simply a great way for students to show spirit and school pride and to simply have fun! At our school, we strive to create spirit days that are inclusive of all our students regardless of their unique identities and pick themes that are respectful of all students and where all can participate.

This year, we will be having 3 spirit days in December to help foster our sense of community and provide a little bit of extra fun for the month. Spirit Days are a great way to show our energy, enthusiasm and pride at our school. Here are some upcoming dates to note:

Friday, Dec. 6- Sports Jersey/Team or Davisville Spirit Wear Day

Friday, Dec. 13- Holiday Themed Clothing/Favourite Sweater Day

Friday, Dec. 20- PJ or Comfy Clothing Day

Thank you to Ms. Harnick and Ms. Casselman for organizing these events. We are looking forward to a fun filled December.

Grade 8 Open House at CTA (Central Toronto Academy)

Attention Grade 8 Families!

Please note that there is an upcoming Open House taking place on Thursday, December 5th, at 6:00 PM. This is an exciting opportunity for families to learn more about CTA and the programming they offer. Please see the information below from the CTA team:

We’re excited to invite you to the Central Toronto Academy (CTA) Open House on Thursday, December 5th, at 6:00 PM. This is your chance to learn more about CTA’s innovative programs, meet our staff, and explore why CTA could be the perfect fit for your child’s high school journey.

For more information, visit our website.

Important: Change to Application Process
Please note that ALL students must apply to attend CTA. This year, there is no longer a right of access to CTA based on home address or previous attendance patterns. To learn more about the new application process, visit:
https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Going-to-High-School/Secondary-Schools-Without-a-Boundary.

Recap of Our Last Tea & Talk Session

At our last Tea and Talk session, we were deeply honored to have Indigenous Elder, Dr. Bob Phillips, join us to teach about the Seven Grandfather Teachings. This year, we are working closely with Dr. Phillips, leveraging his expertise to incorporate Indigenous knowledge into our school culture and curriculum.

One key initiative, as shared during the session, is aligning our character education program with the Grandfather Teachings. Students are actively learning about these teachings in their classes and are being recognized for demonstrating them during our Recognition Assemblies. This approach not only enriches their understanding but also fosters a deeper connection to the values of respect, humility, honesty, wisdom, truth, bravery, and love.

We look forward to continuing this important journey together.


Class Excursion to Little Canada



This past Monday, Ms. Casselman, Ms. Hatcher and Mrs. Sullada's classes visited Little Canada. Students had the opportunity to see Canada from a smaller perspective! The students really enjoyed completing a scavenger hunt to find the different places, significant buildings and people in Canada. A field trip to Little Canada offers an immersive experience where visitors explore miniature models of iconic Canadian landmarks and cities. The exhibits showcase Canada's diverse culture, history, and geography through intricate and interactive displays.

Infusing Indigenous Knowledge into Our Curriculum & Daily Teaching 

Like all of our other classes at both Davisville and Spectrum, students in Ms. Preketes’ class are learning about the 7 Grandfather Teachings. This month, the focus has been on the teaching of Respect represented by the Buffalo in Indigenous teachings.

After learning about the importance of the Buffalo and how it is interconnected to all other teachings, students were asked to create a piece of writing sharing how they show respect in all areas that Indigenous teachings have taught us- respect to our elders, respect to each other, respect to ourselves and respect to the environment.






Students in Ms. Preketes’ class are also learning about the importance of the Wampum in Indigenous culture. Students learned that Wampum’s are a symbol of peace, recording events, togetherness and treaties. The colours that are featured in the Wampum are purple, which represents treaties and white which represents peace and friendships. Students then created their own Wampum belts to represent peace and friendships amongst each other and their class.