March 1, 2021

Attached is the updated Senior Team Organizational Structure effective Monday, March 1. The name of the Acting LC Executive Superintendent for LC3 will be added as soon as possible. Once it is updated, it will be posted to our website.

Welcome Jose

A HUGE congratulations and warm welcome Jose Acosta on your promotion to Acting Principal at Burrows Hall JPS. We are thrilled to keep you in LN14!

LN14/16 Calendar

Black Mental Health Day – March 1, 2021

Black Youth Helpline • https://blackyouth.ca/ • 416-285-994
TDSB Student Safety Line • 416-395-SAFE(7233)
For counselling support, call Kids Help Phone • 1-800-668-6868

As we embark on the 2nd anniversary of Black Mental Health Day on March 1, 2021, initially recognized by the City of Toronto, Taibu Community Health Center, CAFCAN and Strides Toronto in 2020, TDSB also recognize the impact that anti-Black racism has on the mental health of individuals, students and families. The pandemic has drawn global attention to the harsh realities of anti-Black violence, injustices and systemic anti-Black racism.

As the pandemic continues into 2021, the impact of such racial traumas and social inequities on the mental health and wellbeing of Black communities, continues to be highlighted. Our collective work requires us to learn and support the healing of racial trauma, while it also requires us to challenge our biases and assumptions that fuel anti-Black racism. With this significant impact of anti-Black racism on Black mental health, seeking support from professionals who provide culturally relevant and responsive care, can offer strategies in managing overall personal and professional wellness. This is by no means the end of the discussion, but rather the beginning of why Black Mental Health in Youth needs to be discussed. Learn more Black Mental Health Day.

Greek Heritage Month – March 2021

Congratulations Mikaeel from LN14's Heritage Park PS - 2021 GHM Media Contest Winner!

GHM 2021 Calendar of events

March is Greek Heritage Month at the Toronto District School Board. It is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Greek Canadians to Canada, and an occasion to mark and enjoy the history of Greek culture. This year marks the 200th year of Independence for Greece.

The theme for this year is:

1821-2021

Freedom and Unity – Ελευθερíα και Ενóτητα

Learning From Our Roots…Shaping Our Future

This year’s calendar includes “Word of the Day” and “Daily Announcements” along with featured focussed days with activities:

Mondays – Greek Language, Culture & Traditions
Tuesdays – Greek History & Mythology
Wednesdays – Sports, Arts & Entertainment
Thursdays – Greek Geography & Tourism
Fridays – Greek Cuisine

For more information and resources, please visit the GHM website.

If you have any questions, please contact Executive Superintendent Sandy Spyropoulos.

Mowat Junior Strings Orchestra

Below are 2 pieces that the Mowat Junior Strings Orchestra performed and recorded, an on-line video of Modest March by Richard Meyer and Little Symphony by Carold Nunez. In the midst of the pandemic, Mowat musicians have pivoted to continue their journey of making music together under the direction of our amazing Dr. Leong. These virtual ensemble videos are a celebration of their resilience, creativity, and dedication. Enjoy!

Agincourt African Caribbean Club's Virtual Presentation

It's Not A Moment, It's A Movement.

As the month of February drew to an end, the Agincourt African Caribbean Club (AACC) would like to present the annual Black History Month assembly.

The assembly is a 35 minute virtual presentation It's Not A Moment, It's A Movement.

Covid Testing Line List - available on Web Report Generator

~thanks for the information David Ragoonath , Principal @ Joseph Brant PS

A new Report has been created in Trillium Web – Web Report Generator to assist Toronto Public Health in the event of a positive COVID case and classes are dismissed. - for more information click HERE

Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy Services Memo Re: Clarification of the Use of Specialized Custom Chairs and Trays

The attached memo is for any of your school communities that have Specialized Custom Chairs & Trays (are in many special education programs). The attachment outlines the prescribed purpose for the use of Specialized Custom Chairs and Trays as recommended by the Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist (OT/PT) consultants. These chairs & trays are to be only used with the individual student for whom it was recommended for by OT/PT staff.

TDSB Summer School 2021

TDSB Summer School Registration 2021

Planning for Summer School 2021 has begun. Detailed information is anticipated to be available after the March Break

e-Summer School Program registration information regarding our 2020/21 e-Summer Program will be updated in April, 2021. Please check the page for updates.

The focus of the 2021 Elementary Literacy and Numeracy Summer School Program is to address student learning gaps and to continue student engagement through the month of July. Programs, embedded in Literacy and Numeracy, are developed by the local summer school principal to reflect the local school focus. Programs are offered to students in K to Grade 8, from July 5 – 30, 2021. Registration is online. A list of schools and registration information will be added in the coming weeks.

City of Toronto Automated Speed Enforcement Redeployment

The City of Toronto will soon be redeploying Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) systems in new school zone locations. 'Coming Soon' signage will be posted in the area within the next few weeks and enforcement at these locations is expected to begin in early May 2021.

Refer to the city-wide listing, for a breakdown of these new ASE locations by city ward.

ASE uses a camera and a speed measurement device to detect and capture images of vehicles travelling in excess of the posted speed limit. Images are then reviewed by Provincial Offence Officers and tickets are issued to the owner of the vehicle. Upon conviction, the penalty is a fine. ASE is focused on altering driver behaviour to decrease speeding and increase safety.

More details on Automated Speed Enforcement in the City of Toronto are available at www.toronto.ca/ASE.

Upcoming Committee Meetings

The Toronto District School Board is committed to developing opportunities for our wider school community to connect and engage in conversations about education issues. Meetings will be broadcasted live to the public. Click HERE at the start time to view.

Special Finance Budget and Enrolment Committee

March 2, 2021
4:30 PM

Planning and Priorities Committee

March 3, 2021
4:30 PM

Regular Board Meeting

March 10,, 2021
4:30 PM

Worth Repeating

Virtual Schools Staff Directories

Please note that Virtual School administrative team directories are available online and are updated on an ongoing basis. A number of new staff have been welcomed to the teams this week. Please continue to refer to the links shared below for the latest directories:

Learning Centre 1 Virtual Elementary School

Learning Centre 2 Virtual Elementary School

Learning Centre 3 Virtual Elementary School

Learning Centre 4 Virtual Elementary School

Virtual Secondary School

Ongoing - Call Out!

Real Equity Case Scenarios

The equity committee is looking for submissions of real equity case scenarios. These will be (anonymously) shared during our LN meetings together. If you have an experience from your school that would be valuable for our collective learning, we welcome the submission. Please email it to my attention violet.mari@tdsb.on.ca

Submissions can be ongoing,as our committee work with happen monthly.

Thank you

Policy Consultations

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is committed to open and inclusive policy decision-making and values community input and participation through consultation. Consultation is a two-way communication process between the Board and external participants, including students and their parents/guardians, school councils, advisory committees, community members, different levels of government, service agencies, professional organizations and union partners. The objective of consultation is to gather public input regarding options, alternative courses of action, as well as to identify unintended effects for various participants and to find solutions. Please see revised the Policy Review Schedule.

New Consultations

Human Rights Policy (P031) - Deadline: April 5, 2021 - Draft Revised Policy - Email: Anu.Sharma2@tdsb.on.ca Objective: To protect, promote and advance the human rights of all TDSB members to learn, function and work in an equitable, accessible, respectful and inclusive environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of the prohibited grounds of discrimination specified in this Policy and protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code. To enhance the capacity of the TDSB to meet its positive human rights obligations, including to proactively identify, address, and prevent all forms of discrimination, including individual and systemic discrimination.

Workplace Harassment Prevention for Non-Human-Rights-Code Harassment (P034) - Deadline: April 5, 2021 Draft Revised Policy - Email: Ros.Salvador@tdsb.on.ca Objective: This Policy is designed to promote a healthy, respectful and supportive work environment. It highlights conduct that may amount to non-Code workplace harassment (i.e., harassment that is not covered by the Board’s Human Rights Policy or the Human Rights Code) and outlines the system’s shared responsibility for fostering a harassment-free workplace. The goal is to prevent non-Code workplace harassment from taking place and, where necessary, to investigate and respond to instances, potential instances, and complaints of such behaviour in a fair, timely and effective manner.

On-going Consultations

Parent and Community Involvement Policy - Objective: To establish a framework for building and supporting parent and community involvement in the Toronto District School Board. We are currently reviewing P023 – Parent and Community Involvement Policy and are inviting feedback from our community as we develop the first draft of the policy. Learn more, and share your voice, at www.tdsbengage.ca

Specialized Schools and Programs Policy - Draft New Policy - Objective: Video: Improving Access for all Students: Overview of the Secondary Program Review - To affirm the Board’s commitment to providing focused specialized programming in both local schools and in district-wide specialized schools or programs, and to improving access for all students to these programs. Learn more: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Secondary-Program-Review and Email: secondaryreview@tdsb.on.ca

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