Trustee Pamela Gough May 28, 2013 update

Following text is from Trustee Gough’s office

Two files from the message:

Lanor Spring Fling (1)

David Hornell School Fun Fair POSTER[1]

Sent on behalf of Trustee Pamela Gough:

Ward 3 Trustee Pamela Gough’s Update May 28, 2013

This is quick update to give some information that didn’t quite make it to deadline with last week’s newsletter. Congratulations to ESA Grade 10 student Kalia Lenaghan for winning Best in Show in the Shaftesbury Film Awards for her film, “Chameleon.”

If your school is hosting an event or has news that you would like publicized in this newsletter, email me at Pamela.gough@tdsb.on.ca or send me a tweet at @pamelagough. Feel free to give me feedback on anything concerning education that matters to you- I am always ready to listen and help.  

In this issue:

·     Provincial change in hiring rules (Regulation 274) restricts teacher hiring

·     Full Day Kindergarten rolls out new construction

·     ESA student artwork displayed at Carnegie Hall

·     Park Lawn hosts speaker on Student Financial Literacy May 29

·     Lanor Fun Fair June 1

·     David Hornell Fun Fair June 1

·     John English Party in the Park June 18

·     Future Generation Tech Lab Grants

·     Suitcase Theatre: free performances, early booking available

·     Student volunteers needed for ROM Summer Club

·     Rotary Child of Etobicoke Child Hunger Relief concert June 27

1.         Provincial change in hiring rules (Regulation 274) restricts teacher hiring

A few months ago, the Ministry of Education imposed a new regulation on school boards, called Regulation 274. This regulation is basically part of the fall-out from Bill 115. As a bargaining chip during Bill 115 negotiations with the province last summer, the union for elementary level Catholic teachers (OECTA) put forward its interest in having rules put in place for hiring new teachers that would circumvent nepotism- the preferential hiring of family members. The rules, which the provincial government agreed to for the English Catholic boards, established that new hires for teaching positions should be drawn from the list of long term occasional teachers according to seniority. In other words, new hires could no longer be made from newly graduated teachers but must be drawn from the most senior of those in the ranks of long term occasional teachers.

These hiring rules, first put in place to satisfy the request of the Catholic teachers’ union and their concerns re nepotism, were later imposed by the Ministry of Education on the entire province- public boards as well as Catholic boards. So what we have now are some very stringent rules about hiring in the TDSB which are preventing principals all across the province from hiring new teachers who are, in their opinion, the best fit for their schools.

A number of trustees in the TDSB, myself included, feel this regulation imposes an unusual limitation on hiring and does not serve the schools and their students well. At the TDSB Human Resources and Professional Services Committee this Wednesday, May 29 (4:30) trustees will be debating what to do about the situation. Stay tuned for further developments.

2.         Full Day Kindergarten rolls out new construction

You may have noticed some heavy equipment at a school near you. We are approaching the second-to-last year of the rollout of the province’s Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) initiative. As of this September, fully 75% of the schools in the TDSB will be offering Full Day Kindergarten. Many schools will be starting FDK for the first time this fall, and will require additions to their buildings if they have large student populations in relation to the school’s capacity.

The schools that are starting FDK next fall are late in the rollout schedule because they are either housing daycare centres inside the school and/or have a need for an addition onto the school building due to insufficient space inside the school.

Schools starting FDK next fall in Ward 3 are: Etienne Brulé JS, Park Lawn JMS, John English JMS, Seventh Street JS, Sunnylea JS, Wedgewood JS, and Norseman JMS.

Sunnylea, Wedgewood and Norseman are receiving new additions in the form of modular prefabricated classrooms. These modular classrooms are the standard across the TDSB for FDK classrooms since they are relatively cost-efficient, are constructed to high standards of quality and energy efficiency, are fast to build and install, and reduce the disruption to school and community caused by bricks and mortar construction. These additions have begun to be installed over the last week and will be ready for the fall.

3.    ESA student artwork displayed at Carnegie Hall

The Visual Arts department at Etobicoke School of the Arts (ESA) has experienced unprecedented recognition this year. Student work has earned more than 250 international awards, and student art is being exhibited on three continents. More than $2M in scholarship offers have been made to the grade 12 visual arts students this year.

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is having its 90th anniversary National Awards Ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City this Friday, May 31st at 6 pm. Four ESA visual arts students have won gold medals at this very prestigious venue. Watch the webcast live this Friday: more details on ESA’s website.

ESA is hosting a show and sale of artwork this week. You are invited to come see the work, talk with students, and explore the school. See esainfo.ca for information or contact Matthew Varey at Etobicoke School of the Arts at 416 394 6910 x20100, or matthew.varey@tdsb.on.ca

Etobicoke School of the Arts Visual Art Exhibition and Sale, 675 Royal York Rd

Exhibition: May 23-30, 3:30-5:00 pm 

4.             Park Lawn hosts speaker on Student Financial Literacy May 29

All parents, friends and community members are invited to join Park Lawn JMS for a workshop given by Sandra Sgro on the Basics of Financial Literacy for kids. Seminar topics will include:

• ways in which parents can introduce the four pillars of Financial Intelligence to their kids
• activities designed to get kids thinking about money
• how to establish a kid-friendly budget
• the basic elements of fraud and fraud prevention where your kids are concerned
• what do the experts say about the importance of financial literacy?
• online and interactive resources parents can use to promote financial literacy in their homes

When: May 29th from 7:00 to 8:00 pm

Where: Park Lawn JMS school library (71 Ballacaine Drive, Park Lawn and Berry Road area).

Please RSVP by phoning (416-394-7120) or emailing (ParkLawn@tdsb.on.ca) the School Office. If you require childminding please contact Mr. Woolford, the Vice Principal.

5.         Lanor Spring Fling June 1

Come out and have FUN at the Lanor JMS Spring Fling!

When: Saturday June 1, from 10 am to 2 pm

Where: Lanor JMS, 450 Lanor Ave. (east of Brown’s Line & south of Evans Ave.)

There will be lots to do and see. Silent auction, face painting, carnival games and bouncy slide, bake table and refreshments. See flyer attached.

6.         David Hornell Fun Fair June 1

When: Saturday, June 1, from 10 am to 1 pm.

Where: David Hornell Jr. School, 32 Victoria St (north of Lake Shore Blvd. W. in Mimico)

David Hornell is planning an amazing fun fair, with bouncy castles, mini ATV’s, Sirius Theatre Company, raffles, face painting, and games. Not to be missed! See flyer attached.

7.         John English JMS Party in the Park June 18^th

When: Tuesday, June 18^th, 5:30 – 8:30 pm

Where: John English JMS, 95 Mimico Ave. (Mimico and Royal York Rd.)

With my sponsorship, the Mimico community is once again hosting a fabulous Party in the Park event in the schoolyard at John English JMS. There will be live entertainment, games, face painting, bouncy castles, a Toronto Scottish Regiment parade and display, and a BBQ. This event kicks off summer in Mimico and is lots of fun for all the family.    

8.         Future Generation Tech Lab Grants

I know many schools would love to have more technology than they currently have available to students. The Future Generation Tech Lab Grants program, run by Future Shop Canada, awards financial grants to Canadian schools seeking to update their classroom technology in order to inspire, motivate, and empower students.

Future Generation Tech Lab Grants are now available for schools from Kindergarten to Grade 8. The deadline to apply is June 28, 2013. More details are available here.

9.         Suitcase Theatre: free performances, early booking available

Founded by the creator of Mr. Dressup, Suitcase Theatre is a locally based, professional, not-for-profit children’s theatre group aimed at young audiences from toddlerhood up to age ten. Their theatre performances and workshops inspire young minds through storytelling, music and the visual and dramatic arts. Children’s imaginations are sparked through lively music, engaging puppets, and movement. Suitcase Theatre believes the arts should be accessible to all, regardless of income or circumstance.

Suitcase Theatre has recently received a grant from The Tachane Foundation to take their plays into schools and daycares in areas where students might not otherwise have an opportunity to experience live musical theatre. For the next three years, nearly 100 shows will be performed AT NO CHARGE. Schools and daycares in economically challenged areas are encouraged to book now to ensure students will have the opportunity to enjoy high quality theatre at no cost.

*** Early booking is available on May 31^st  for Ward 3 schools *** 

Email bookings will begin June 1, 2013 for 2013/2014 performances.  For more information and performance dates, please visit http://www.suitcasetheatre.com/bookings/

10.     Student volunteers needed for Royal Ontario Museum Summer Club

Are you a high school student who loves art, science, and working with kids? The ROM is looking for volunteers to help in their summer club, one of the city’s most creative and diverse summer camps. Applications are being accepted until June 4. For more information, click here.

11.     Rotary Club of Etobicoke child hunger relief concert June 27

The Rotary Club of Etobicoke is hosting a new event this year: the Toronto Sounds of Summer (SOS) Child Hunger Relief Concert on the evening of June 27th, 7 to 10 pm. Featuring a 60s and 70s music revival theme, the concert will be held in Centennial Park on the eve of Ribfest. It’s on the last day of school so it should be a popular night out!

All proceeds will go to child hunger relief. The partners/supporters are the TDSB, Second Harvest, North York Harvest Food Bank, Toronto Foundation for Student Success, Angel Foundation for Learning, Salvation Army Etobicoke, PACT, LAMP CHC, Rexdale CHC, Stonegate CHC, and the St. James Food Bank.

As one of the organizers, I have tickets to sell for this event. Advance tickets are 10 for $100, 5 for $50, or $12 each, and all proceeds will go to alleviate child hunger in Toronto. If you would like to order some tickets for this very worthy cause, please let Debbie know at Debbie.wagdin@tdsb.on.ca .

Subscribe by contacting Debbie.wagdin@tdsb.on.ca. For more information, check out my TDSB website at http://www.tdsb.on.ca/gough. Email me at Pamela.gough@tdsb.on.ca.  For the absolute latest information, follow me on Twitter at @pamelagough! Please forward this email to friends.