Trustee Anu Sriskandarajah
Toronto District School Board
PA Day Moved Due to Solar Eclipse
Trustees recently approved changes to the 2023-24 school calendar, moving the Professional Activity Day on April 19 to April 8 due to the total solar eclipse on April 8. This decision is in line with similar changes announced by other school boards in the Greater Toronto and Golden Horseshoe Area, including the Toronto Catholic District School Board, with which we share student transportation services.
Capital Revitalization Strategy Approved
This ambitious plan, approved at January’s Regular Board Meeting, will address challenges posed by aging school buildings, with safety, accessibility and energy efficiency and sustainability as priorities. The 10-year strategy aims to have no school buildings classified as “requiring extensive improvement” by 2035. Improvements will range from light retrofit to deep retrofit, replacement, or new construction. The initial phase is set to conclude by December 2024, paving the way for the commencement of the first projects in January 2025.
New Cellphone/Mobile Device Policy
You may have heard that TDSB Trustees have approved the development of a comprehensive Cellphone/Mobile Device policy that will build on the existing Board Code of Conduct. This new policy aims to strike a better balance between educational use and minimizing distractions in classrooms. Staff will now create a policy development plan that will outline next steps.
Climate Action
In 2017, the TDSB formalized its long-standing collaboration with the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto (OISE/UT) to support professional development in environmental and sustainability education for TDSB educators. Through this collaboration, over 800 TDSB educators have been engaged in climate and environmental educational professional learning experiences.
Director’s Annual Report Released
I am pleased to share that TDSB Director of Education, Colleen Russell-Rawlins, shared the latest Director’s Annual Report at the January board meeting. I encourage you to read the report, which outlines academic milestones, community engagement initiatives and all the new ways our community has continued to support high levels of achievement for every student:
tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Director-of-Education/Annual-Reports
TCDSB Trustee Garry Tanuan
With March Break upon us, it won’t be long before we prepare once again for school graduations! Last month we entered the Holy season of Lent on Ash Wednesday and Valentines Day on February 14.
Forgiveness is March’s Virtue of the Month.
St. Joseph’s 170th Anniversary
2024 marks 170 years of St. Joseph’s Church serving the communities of Highland Creek, West Hill and surrounding areas. The yearlong parish celebration will kick off with a Special Commemoration Mass on March 10 at 11 a.m. by Archbishop Francis Leo, followed by a reception. One of the oldest churches in Toronto, St. Joseph’s was established in 1854. For a walk down memory lane, see the history of St Joseph’s at Highland Creek: stjosephstoronto.org/our-parish/a-walk-down-history/
Join the celebration. We will be celebrating throughout the year!
March 19 – St Joseph’s Feast Mass at 7:30 p.m. followed by light refreshments.
May 19 – Feast of Pentecost – Feast Mass at 11:00 a.m. followed by a reception.
June 23 – Anniversary Extravaganza – Mass at 11:00 a.m. followed by Outdoor Celebration of Fun for the whole family.
November 16 – Anniversary Gala – Dinner Dance.
First place in Short Video Contest
Francis Libermann Catholic High School has achieved top honours in the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association short video contest. Their submission, centred around the theme “We are Called to Love,” stood exceptionally among approximately 100 entries from across Ontario.
The winning video was a collaborative effort by the school’s Intensive Support Program students, under the auspices of their special education teacher, Alexandra Gavalas, showcasing their vibrant creativity and loving dedication. Congratulations to these outstanding students on this well-deserved recognition.
FAQs and Questions? www.tcdsb.org/page/parents
Contact: Trustee Garry Tanuan 416-512-3408 or 416-222-8282 ext. 2660