Tea and Talks with Mr. Finkelstein and Mrs. Moftakhar
Our monthly Tea and Talk sessions provide parents/guardians/caregivers an opportunity to connect, share, and learn about various topics driven by parent voice in a relaxed setting with our school administration—all while enjoying tea and treats. Our third Tea and Talk session took place on January 9th, and we thank all those who participated!
The topic for our last session, as requested by participants, was homework. During our discussion, we explored:
- The TDSB Homework Policy
- The importance of responsive and differentiated homework to meet family and student needs
- The different types of homework that can be assigned
- How to support family wellness and balance student well-being when assigning homework
- Your role as parents in establishing effective homework routines for your child
Our next Tea and Talk session will take place on February 6th, focusing on the topic: How are marks determined for evaluation? Interested parents/guardians should enter through Door 5 and proceed to the library.
We hope you can join us! If you cannot attend this session, please consider marking the upcoming dates in your calendar and joining us for another Tea and Talk later this year. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Finkelstein and Mrs. Moftakhar.
We look forward to seeing you at future sessions!
Warm regards,
DanceEd Grade 1-6 Showcase Spectacular!
Dear Families,
On Thursday, January 16, we held our DanceEd Grade 1-6 Showcase Spectacular, and what an incredible event it was! Our Grade 1-6 classes wowed the audience with their impressive dance moves and well-rehearsed routines. Thank you to all the families who were able to join us and cheer on our talented students.
We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the DanceEd team for partnering with us to bring this fantastic program to life. Their dedication to training our students in dance routines, while challenging their physicality, musicality, and coordination, was truly remarkable. This showcase was not only a celebration of dance but also a wonderful way to bring joy, build community, foster connections, and nurture student confidence.
A special thank you to Ms. Francesca for initiating this amazing opportunity for our students and staff, and for all her behind-the-scenes work in organizing schedules, coordinating timetables, and ensuring the final showcase was a success.
Thank you again to everyone who made this event memorable. We look forward to more moments like this that bring our school community together!
Snow/Cold Weather Procedures
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.Any decision to cancel buses, classes and/or programs or to close sites can have a significant impact on thousands of families across Toronto. This decision is not taken lightly. When schools remain open on days with inclement weather, parents/guardians/caregivers make the final decision on whether to send their children to school and they can keep children home from school if they choose.
TDSB's Procedure for Severe Weather
How does the TDSB make snow day decisions?
A number of factors are considered on days where severe weather is (or could be) an issue. Very early in the morning, a team made up of the Director, Associate Directors, transportation, and communications staff look at various pieces of information including current and forecasted weather conditions and road conditions. Should a cancellation or closure be necessary, information will be posted on the TDSB website and TDSB social media by 6 a.m.
Why are TDSB schools often still open when buses aren’t running?
The TDSB is unique when it comes to student transportation. Unlike other schools boards across the Greater Toronto Area, a vast majority of TDSB students — approximately 93 percent — do not use school buses. That means, if school buses are cancelled, it is still possible for students to get to school by walking or other means. However, if schools are closed, 236,000 students would not be able to go to school and thousands of parents are left to make child care arrangements at a moment’s notice — something we know will not be possible in every case.
Does the school board lose funding when schools are closed due to severe weather?
No. Funding remains at the same level during a severe weather-related closure.
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.
How are decisions made for school recess being inside or out?
From time to time, it is necessary to hold indoor recess or a shortened recess due to inclement weather (rain, extreme cold or heat, severe icy conditions). This decision is typically made at the school-level depending on local conditions which can vary widely across the city; however in some cases, a board-wide directive may be issued.
Typically, according to policy, when temperature and/or windchill factor indicates -28C or lower children will remain indoors due to risk of frostnip and frostbite. When an extreme cold weather alert is issued or when temperatures and/or windchill factor indicates –20 to –28C, recesses may be shortened to 10 minutes and lunch recess be 20 minutes depending on local conditions. Children should be monitored closely for signs of frostnip, frostbite or difficulty breathing.
How can school activities be affected by weather?
School activities including sport practices/games and rehearsals may also be cancelled due to severe weather. These decisions are typically made on a school-by-school basis; however in cases where board-wide activities and programs, such as Continuing Education classes, are cancelled, this will be communicated on the TDSB website and social media.
System Related News
Middle French Immersion Program
Middle French Immersion (Grade 4 Entry) - Applications to the Middle French Immersion program may be submitted, on behalf students in the English program, the year the child is in Grade 3 for entry in September of Grade 4.It is entirely an online process. All communications will be sent via the email address provided in the online process. Please check your email regularly, including junk mail and spam folders.
Application process opens: January 6, 2025 in the morning Deadline for applications: January 31, 2025 at 11:59pm
High Performing Athlete Programs
Should spaces remain available after that time, the application will re-open later in the Spring for student-athletes who qualify at a later date. Moving forward, the application is intended to remain open for continuous intake, where space is available, to meet the needs of newly eligible student-athletes. For more details about the programs and the link to the online application, visit the High Performing Athlete Program webpage.
Culturally Relevant and Responsive Community Resources
Dear Families,These resources are:
-Culturally relevant and responsive
-Organized by themes and locations, including East York, North York, Etobicoke, Toronto, and Scarborough
-Covering services such as youth shelters, food banks, and mental health agencies
We encourage you to explore the Culturally Relevant and Responsive Community Resources.
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