Dear Parents/Guardians/Caregivers and Students:
Welcome to TDSB Connects, an update on news and events from across the Toronto District School Board (TDSB).
Communications Survey for Parents/Guardians/Caregivers - Keeping you informed and engaged is important to us at the TDSB. We want to hear from you about what we are doing well and what we could be doing better when it comes to communication. Please take a few minutes to complete our anonymous survey to help us best communicate with you.
Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis and Inuit Voices – TDSB Trustees approved a motion that will require secondary students to take the Grade 11 English course Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis and Inuit Voices. Created by the Ministry of Education, the course has been taught with great success for many years. With this approval, TDSB staff will now prepare a report, to be presented to the Board in June, with additional details on the implementation of the course including timelines on when students and staff can expect this course to be made available across the system. Learn more.
African Heritage Month - It is an occasion to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of peoples of African descent to Canada and the world. The chosen theme for African Heritage Month for 2022-2023 is Black Joy. Learn More.
Chinese Heritage Month- This year, two significant events will be highlighted to mark Chinese Heritage Month;The Lunar New Year & Honouring a Legacy of Conviction and Fortitude to mark the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923. Learn More.
Attending an Out-of-Area School by Way of Child Care - Children attending preschool programs in a TDSB school other than the one designated by address can continue attending for Junior Kindergarten, as long as they participate in the Before- and After-School Program (BASP) until the end of Grade 3. As a reminder, students who no longer participate in the BASP are expected to move to their designated school by address to begin the next school year. To remain at the current school, the student must apply through Out-of-Area Admissions. The Elementary Out-of-Area Admissions application will remain open until Friday, February 10, 2023 at 4 p.m. Learn More .
School Safe Arrival Calls Update - The main TDSB school number is now displayed when parents/guardians/caregivers receive a Safe Arrivals call to report a student absence. Previously, a number beginning with 833 was displayed when receiving a callout. To report a student absence, parents/guardians/caregivers may call the school phone number directly or call 1-833-250-2290 and will receive the same options.
Reminder: Elementary Alternative Schools Online Application – TDSB has a wide range of elementary alternative schools available to students. Families are encouraged to research schools and programs to learn more. The online application for admission for September 2023 remains open until Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 4 p.m.
Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement - The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement offers a variety of programming for students, staff and families. Join us for upcoming events: Legacy and Excellence of Black Muslims (February 6 at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.), Webinar Wednesdays - Academic Pathways - Beyond 8 (February 15 at 6:30 p.m.), and International Decade of People of African Descent: African Canadian History in the Curriculum with Natasha Henry-Dixon (February 22 at 6:30 p.m.). To learn more, visit our website and follow @tdsb_cebsa on Twitter and Instagram.
Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) - Supporting Parents as Partners in Education, check out PIAC’s redesigned website at www.torontopiac.com. PIAC welcomes you to share the voice of your ward, to advise the board, support school councils and parents/caregivers with events and resources. View PIAC vacancies and contact your Trustee to join!