Next School Council TBA

Summer School

Launch of Parent’s Guide to Ontario’s Education System

The Ministry of Education has launched a new parent/caregiver resource. This new resource will provide parents/caregivers with helpful information that supports them to have a stronger role and actively participate in their children’s education. The guide covers several subjects such as knowing how their child is doing in school, learning about suspension and expulsion processes, attending a school council meeting or parent involvement committee meeting, and knowing about specialized supports to help all children succeed. The attached information and link below provide access to all tools.

Please share this resource (in English and French) with your parent/caregiver community.

Parents/Caregivers as Partners Conference (PCasP)

Each year the Board organizes the annual Parents/Caregivers as Partners Conference.  As we begin planning for the 2024-2025 Conference,  we would like to hear ideas and suggestions from parents/caregivers, on how we can improve and how we can enhance this Conference. Your feedback from our last Conference provided us with some guidance.

Please take a moment to complete this survey (https://tdsb.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eGbOZqswZVHNKyq).  The survey has been translated into several languages.  It was created for you to provide us with your insights. Your participation will go a long way in making the event value added for parents/caregivers.  Please complete the survey no later than Friday, April 5, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

For further information, please contact PCEO@tdsb.on.ca.

TDSB, Youth Mental Health Strategy (2023-2026) Survey

The Board, is in the process of developing  a 3-year TDSB, Youth Mental Health Strategy (2023-2026). Parents’, Guardians’ and Caregivers’ perspective about their children’s mental health is very important. We would love to gather your input as we formalize this new strategy. We have developed a confidential Google survey and we are kindly requesting your ideas, thoughts and insights, which are imperative in supporting the well-being of ALL students at TDSB.

Please complete the survey at Survey Link: https://forms.gle/bqa4UjziTf4jSSGS7 by Tuesday April 2, 2024. 

If you have any questions, please email: Imani.hennie-Hamadi@tdsb.on.ca or Annette.Grossi@tdsb.on.ca

Thank you,

Parent/Caregiver and Community Engagement

Toronto District School Board

5050 Yonge Street

PCEO@tdsb.on.ca

Launch of Parent’s Guide to Ontario’s Education System

The Ministry of Education is pleased to inform you that the Parent’s Guide to Ontario’s Education System was launched today.  

This new resource will provide parents with helpful information that supports them to have a stronger role and actively participate in their children’s education. The guide covers several subjects such as knowing how their child is doing in school, learning about suspension and expulsion processes, attending a school council meeting or parent involvement committee meeting, and knowing about specialized supports to help all children succeed.

This initiative is part of the government’s recent efforts to increase transparency and accountability in our school system.

The full guide can be found at www.Ontario.ca/educationguide.

The attached promotional flyers available in 10 different languages (English, French, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Punjabi, Tagalog, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese and Hindi) include a QR code that links to the full guide.

This flyer was also shared with communications contacts in school boards to help promote the guide to parents. This will also be shared with Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) chairs/co-chairs.

In addition, the Ministry of Education will be posting content on our social media channels starting this week, highlighting this new resource. Please consider reposting or retweeting our content on your channels if appropriate and timely.

• Facebook – facebook.com/OntarioEducation

• Instagram - instagram.com/Ontario_Education

Black Mental Health Week Resources 2024

TDSB acknowledges Black Mental Health Week, which is from March 4th to March 10th, 2024. This important acknowledgment began with Black Mental Health Day which was initially recognized by the City of Toronto, Taibu Community Health Center, CAFCAN, and Strides Toronto in 2020. In 2021, Black Mental Health Day was expanded to a full week.  At TDSB we recognize the global impact Anti-Black racism continues to have on the mental health and wellbeing of individuals, students, and families of African descent. 

A day or a week is not sufficient and supporting Black mental health and well-being must be every day. Positive Black mental health, wellness, and well-being, are adversely impacted by Anti-Black racism, which is woven into the fabric of our institutions and systems and we recognize and understand this emotional impact is real, present, and daily.

In this link, you will find numerous resources, information, and videos that support Black mental health and well-being!

  Snow Rules (Parents please review with your children)

• • • • • Snow stays on the ground 

        • Building snow forts are ACCEPTABLE snow play

        • THROWING SNOWBALLS isn't something we do at SERVICE as students can get hurt!

TDSB Virtual Community Fair for Parents/Caregivers of  Children, Youth and Young Adults with Special Education/Complex Needs: Introduction to Lead Community Agencies

Come Meet with Lead Community Agencies and Learn about their Community Programs, Respite, Social Skills and Recreational Programs that support Children, Youth Or Young Adults With Special Education/Complex Needs. Get started on accessing much needed supports that will aid with the overall development of your child/youth/young adult.

Guests: Surrey Place, Community Living Toronto, ConnectABILITY, Holland Bloorview, Geneva Centre.

When: Monday, November 13th, 2023, from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon and the same information will be repeated on Monday, November 20th, 2023, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 255 846 447 429
Passcode: 3BWFVF

Download Teams | Join on the web

For more information send email to virtualfairinfo@tdsb.on.ca

  REGISTER NOW! PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS AS PARTNERS CONFERENCE - OCTOBER 21 & 22, 2023

Join us at our annual Parents and Caregivers as Partners Conference. Parents, guardians, caregivers, and staff are invited to participate in a weekend of learning, connection, and engagement and to learn strategies to support your child throughout the year.

We have partnered with the TDSB’s Outdoor Education team, the City of Toronto, and numerous other community partners to bring a unique in-person experience to the conference. Attendees may engage in experiential in-person learning by choosing from 20 locations across the city. The in-person sessions are scheduled between 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Transportation from central sites will be available to all venues, leaving the location at 1:00 p.m. and returning at 3:30 p.m. 

Dr. Gholnescsar (Gholdy) Muhammad, an Associate Professor of Literacy, Language, and Culture will open the virtual conference on Saturday, October 21, 2023, with a dynamic keynote on Unearthing Joy in Learning. Sarah Baldeo, an accomplished Neuroscientist, Technologist, corporate Strategist, and a successful Entrepreneur, will challenge our views and assumptions on artificial intelligence in education on, Sunday, October 22, 2023.

Visit www.parentsaspartners.ca to register and for more information.

Resources

Hello Everyone!

It’s that time again when Social Workers host the Virtual Community Fairs which are created for Parents/Caregivers of Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Special Needs and/or Complex Needs. Please share with your colleagues, your schools, and with caregivers this important information about the upcoming fair to be held on October 16th and 23rd.  Please make sure to include this information in newsletters as well as sending the flyer home to families who don’t have access to technology and who will need some planning to get connected.

TDSB Virtual Community Fair For Parents/Caregivers of Children, Youth and Young Adults with Special or Complex Needs

Topic: Let’s Talk about your Child/Youth/Young Adult’s Special or Complex Needs Supports at TDSB

Come meet with our very own TDSB Professional Support Services and Special Education and Inclusion Consultants who will discuss crucial supports at your child/youth/young adult’s school. Get an opportunity to talk to a TDSB Psychologist, Occupation Therapist and Physiotherapist, Speech and Language Pathologist, Social Worker and a Special Education and Inclusion Consultant.  

Guests: TDSB Professional Support Services and Special Education and Inclusion Consultants

When: Monday, October 16th, 2023, from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon and the same information will be repeated on Monday, October 23rd, 2023, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Join on your computer, mobile app, or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 255 846 447 429
Passcode: 3BWFVF

Download Teams | Join on the web