Category: News

The optimism and excitement that often accompanies a new school year is overshadowed by great sadness this September. It is with a heavy heart that we inform you about the death of Charles MacKenzie.  Charlie was our beloved caretaker who passed away unexpectedly over the weekend.  He leaves behind his wife and three daughters. We mourn the loss of a key member of our school community

Charlie started his career in 1976 and joined the Glen Ames/Williamson Road team in 2003 where he remained as a dedicated and respected staff member who valued his colleagues and students at both schools.  Charlie looked after our buildings and school grounds, but most importantly, our students, staff, and community.  He will be dearly missed.

This letter is to assure you of our continuing concern and support for all the staff and students. Our students and staff were informed today.  Death is a difficult issue to share with children.  Some of our children knew Charlie better than others and their reactions may be different.  Toronto District School Board (TDSB) staff were at the school today to offer support and counselling and will remain for as long as they are needed. I know you will support your children in every way possible through this difficult time. We encourage families to discuss what happened in whatever way is appropriate for each family.  The following are some guidelines that might assist you in your conversations:

• Allow children to express as much concern and grief as they wish;
• Listen carefully to what your child is saying and respond appropriately;
• Be empathetic. Your child’s grief responses and concerns may be different to those of an adult;
• Remember that grief reactions sometimes last beyond the initial days of the loss.

On behalf of the Glen Ames/Williamson Road community, we have reached out to his family to express our deepest condolences.  At this time, details regarding the funeral have not been confirmed.  Information will be shared with the school community based on the wishes of the family.

Thank you for your support. Please feel free to contact the school if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Mark Duwyn

Principal

Welcome to the 2019-20 school year! Today has been a busy, but successful first day here at the Toronto District School Board as we welcomed new and returning students into our schools for another year of learning and experiences.

To help you throughout the year, we have developed a webpage that will provide you with resources for both parents and students, including homework tips, the school-year calendar, transportation information and updates, and supports for mental health, healthy living and bullying. Here, you will also find ways you can get involved in your child’s education and school life, such as taking part in your local school council, volunteering to coach sports or supervising field trips. Your involvement in your child’s education and school life can contribute to their success.

This year, we are pleased to continue the important work of the Multi-Year Strategic Plan. This plan, and the many action plans that accompany it, will help us provide students with equitable access to programs and resources, and increased opportunities for success.

To join the conversation and keep up-to-date on all the great work that is happening at the TDSB, we encourage you to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. From board-wide updates to school activities, good news stories and more, our social media accounts are the perfect way to stay informed. And, if you’re looking for more great things happening at the Board, you should check out Trending@TDSB.

Throughout the year, we will also keep you updated via email, webcasts and ward forums.

Health and Physical Education Curriculum: On August 21, the Ministry of Education released the Health and Physical Education (HPE) Curriculum for Grades 1-8. Learn more about the HPE curriculum. A more detailed description of the changes will soon be available. ​​​​​​​

New Student Dress Policy: The TDSB’s new student dress policy is now in effect. The new policy provides students with learning environments that are safe, equitable, welcoming and inclusive and recognizes that decisions about dress reflect individual expression of identity, socio-cultural norms, and economic factors and are personal and important factor’s to a person’s well-being and health.

Vaccination Clinics: Toronto Public Health is implementing an important change in their consent for immunization policy. Starting this year, secondary students aged 14 or older will be able to give informed consent to receive immunizations at TPH clinics hosted in TDSB secondary schools.

Start of Year Forms: School start up forms, such as consent packages, medical information and more, can now be completed online! This new model is easy, simple and secure and will help streamline the process of a number of standard forms as well as save paper and resources.

Student Transportation: Are you a parent/guardian of a child who takes the bus to school? Login or register to access the Transportation Portal to confirm transportation details (e.g. bus stop location, stop times, operator contact information, etc.), and to sign up receive email notifications of bus delays and cancellations. For more information about student transportation, please contact The Toronto Student Transportation Group or your local school.

Changes to French and Gifted Transportation – Grades 9-12: Due to budgetary pressures, the TDSB will no longer be providing tickets/tokens to students in Grades 9-12 in the French Immersion, Extended French and Gifted programs as of September 2019. In cases of financial need where the student was previously eligible (living beyond 4.8 km from their French/Gifted school), schools may continue to provide TTC tickets/tokens. Please contact your school Principal if you require more information.

Revised Policies: On June 19, 2019, the Board approved the following revised policies – the Home Instruction Policy (P060), Excursions Policy (P033) (i.e. field trips) and Workplace Harassment Prevention Policy (P034). To learn more about the documents, including a contact for more information, please visit the individual webpages for each policy. For more policies and procedures, please visit the Policies, Procedures and Forms section of the TDSB website.

Changes to Password Procedure (Staff and Students): As of Aug. 6, 2019, changes to Passwords for Network Access Security (PR573) for all staff and student network accounts came into effect. Highlights of these changes include: All students and most staff will no longer have a maximum password age. This means that passwords will not expire and staff/students will not be forced to change their passwords. To learn more about the procedure, including a contact for more information, please visit the TDSB webpage for the procedure.

Free Menstrual Products to Students: The Toronto District School Board will soon be providing menstrual products free of charge at all of its schools. For more information, please read the news release.

School Zone Safety: Help us keep school zones safe by being alert and slowing down. Learn more about road safety.

The silent auction takes place on the day of Junefest and has proven to be very successful in raising funds for our school in the past three years since it started.

We need a lot of help to make this happen. Firstly, each class is responsible for providing an item. We are asking for donations through the cashless schools system. A notification has been sent and the system is open to accept donations. The amount raised by each classroom is then used to purchase a voucher or item on behalf of the classroom.

Secondly, we need a parent volunteer for every classroom to make this purchase. We aim to support our local businesses when making a purchase, and most of them are very generous in topping up to add value to the items. Please visit our signup sheet.

If you are able to get a donation from your place of work, or you have your own business that you would like to promote, or have any items that you would like to donate, we will gladly accept it. Please feel free to drop of any donations in the office with Frances.

Questions? Please feel free to email janet.theunissen@gmail.com

Welcome to TDSB Connects, an update on news and events from across the Toronto District School Board.

1. Proposed Budget and Consultation: The Toronto District School Board is projecting a shortfall of $54.4 million and on Monday, May 13, Trustees will be provided with a proposed budget plan that outlines the reductions and changes to the delivery of services and programs. This meeting will be broadcast live starting at 4:30 p.m. On Tuesday, May 14, the plan and recorded meeting from the night before will be available on the 2019-20 Budget webpage. We kindly ask that you – parents, guardians and community members – review this information and provide input on the proposed budget reductions. For more information on how to participate in this consultation, please visit the TDSB Budget Consultations webpage.
2. Budget Community Survey Results: The Toronto District School Board would like to thank all the parents, guardians, students and community members who participated in the 2019-20 Budget Community Survey. For an overview of the results, please read the web story Parents and Staff Identify Early Years, Student Success as Top Priorities.​​​​​
3. Chair Urges Province to Consult on Public Health, Pause Cuts: Chair of the Board Robin Pilkey issued a letter to various Ontario Cabinet Ministers and all Toronto Members of Provincial Parliament urging them hold off on cuts to Toronto Public Health until there can be further consultation. For more details, including a list of programs and services that may be impacted, please read the full letter.
4. PIAC Newsletter: The Parent Involvement Advisory Committee will be issuing an on-going newsletter, PIAC POST, for parents and school communities. The April 2019 edition is now available online.
5. Revised Procedures: To align with the new Student Health Support Policy, the TDSB has revised its procedures related to medications, anaphylaxis management, diabetes management and asthma management.
6. Policy Consultations: The TDSB is currently looking for public input on the Excursions Policy (P033). To learn more, including how you can participate, please visit the TDSB webpage for Policy Consultations. Your input is welcomed and appreciated.
7. Bike to School Week: Ride, walk or roll to school along with thousands of students across the province to celebrate Bike to School Week from May 27 to 31. Learn more about how the TDSB is supporting active, safe and sustainable transportation.
8. Celebrate and Recognize: In May, the TDSB recognizes Asian Heritage Month and Jewish Heritage Month. This week, we also recognize Education Week and Children’s Mental Health Week.

Welcome to TDSB Connects, an update on news and events from across the Toronto District School Board.

1. Updates on Public Education Funding, Teacher Reductions: Recently, the Ministry of Education announced upcoming changes to class sizes for Grades 4 to 8 and high schools, and reductions in funding for public education. To keep you well informed, we have created a webpage that will be updated as more information becomes available.
2. Ministry’s Consultation – Class Sizes and Hiring Practices: Parents, students, educators and community members are encouraged to participate in the Ministry of Education’s consultation on class sizes and hiring practices. To learn more, including how to participate, please read the consultation guides. Deadline: May 31, 2019.
3. Excellence Awards: Do you know a TDSB staff member who goes above and beyond to support our students? Now is the time to honour that outstanding individual with an Excellence Award Nomination. Deadline is April 26, 2019.
4. Policy Consultations: The TDSB is currently looking for public input on the Caring and Safe Schools Policy (P051). To learn more, including how you can participate, please visit the TDSB webpage for Policy Consultations. Your input is welcomed and appreciated.
5. Earth Day: On April 22, #FreeYourPlay by encouraging children to get out, connect with the environment and experience the natural world around them. For resources and to learn more about Earth Day, please visit the website for Earth Day Canada.
6. Celebrate and Recognize: In April, the TDSB recognizes Sikh Heritage Month, Hispanic Heritage Month and Latin-America History Month. Learn more about how we’re celebrating!
7. TDSB Update: Sign-up for TDSB Update and stay informed about recent Board decisions and district-wide news.