Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Linda Lacroix
Registrar and CEO
Ontario College of Teachers
101 Bloor St. West,
Toronto, ON. M5S 0A1
Dear Ms. Lacroix,
As we begin the 2024-25 school year, we are writing on behalf of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to request an urgent review and update of the Ontario College of Teachers' Professional Advisories pertaining to Mental Health, Bullying, and the Use of Electronic and Social Media. The TDSB is similar to many other school boards across Ontario in the diversity of students, communities and stakeholders it serves. We proudly welcome over 236, 000 students and over 231, 000 members of the Ontario College of Teachers. This diversity underscores the need for additional resources to create learning and working environments that respect their identities and contribute to their sense of belonging and safety.
Recent developments have highlighted the pressing need for these updates:
- Support for Anti-Hate Strategies: On November 30, 2023, Chair Chernos Lin wrote to the Ministry of Education expressing the Toronto District School Board’s full support for the Ontario Human Rights Commission's call for a comprehensive, well-resourced province-wide anti-hate strategy. This initiative is essential to counteract the alarming rise in hate incidents impacting schools and communities across Toronto and Ontario.
- Provincial Reporting Standards: On April 5, 2024, Chair Chernos Lin addressed a letter to the Minister of Education highlighting a Board motion advocating for provincial reporting standards or guidance and the development of a tool for collecting data on incidents of hate and racism. This data is crucial for our ability to respond effectively to these incidents.
- Geopolitical Tensions: Our schools have been increasingly affected by geopolitical issues, which impact both students and staff. In this context, Trustees have requested that the Ministry develop a working definition of hate activity, engage various stakeholders in developing a comprehensive Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM), and initiate training and resources to help navigate these tensions.
Given the seriousness of these issues and the need for a sound approach to managing them, it is vital that the Professional Advisories of the Ontario College of Teachers be reviewed and updated to reflect these contemporary challenges. Specifically, we seek enhancements in the following areas:
- Mental Health: Guidance should address the intersection of mental health and the current socio-political climate, providing educators with tools to support students grappling with stress and anxiety related to geopolitical conflicts.
- Bullying: Advisories should be updated to address emerging forms of bullying, including those amplified by digital platforms, ensuring that schools have clear strategies to prevent and respond to bullying in all its forms. The College should also consider providing guidance on preventing and responding to hate to its members.
- Use of Electronic and Social Media: The rapid evolution of social media requires updated advisories that guide educators on managing online interactions and addressing the spread of misinformation or harmful content.
These updates are critical to ensure that educators are equipped with the knowledge and resources necessary to create safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments for all students. The role of the Ontario College of Teachers in maintaining these standards is crucial to our collective efforts to uphold the values of democracy, human rights, and respect for diversity in education.
We appreciate your attention to this urgent matter and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Neethan Shan Colleen Russell-Rawlins
Acting Chair, Toronto District School Board Director of Education
Cc: OCT, OPSBA, OSSTF, OSSTF/PSSP, ETT, CUPE, OSSTF – Occasional Secondary Teachers’ Association OTBU, ETFO – Elementary Teachers of Ontario – Toronto Occasional Teachers and MCSTC
Response received on September 16, 2024, from the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT). OCT outlined their development of a Professional advisory on hate and discrimination, scheduled to launch in early 2025, with engagement planned throughout the year.