Toronto Catholic District School Board–TRUSTEENEWSLETTER–Fall2007

Angela KennedyTrustee Ward 11City Wards 29, 30, 31, 32, 34

80SheppardAvenueEast,NorthYork,OntarioM2N6E8(�16)512-3�11•Fax:512-3�11•E-mail:angela.kennedy@tcdsb.org

Elementary SchoolsAnnunciation 416-393-5299Canadian Martyrs 416-393-5251Holy Cross 416-393-5242Holy Name 416-393-5215St. Brigid 416-393-5235St. Catherine 416-393-5316St. Denis 416-393-5310St. Isaac Jogues 416-393-5315St. John 416-393-5220St. Joseph 416-393-5209

Secondary SchoolsNotre Dame 416-393-5501Senator O’Connor 416-393-5505St. Patrick 416-393-5546

ParishesAnnunciationCanadian MartyrsCorpus ChristiHoly CrossHoly NameSt. AnnSt. BrigidSt. CatherineSt. JohnSt. Joseph

Elected Officials – Ward 11Toronto-Danforth, MPJack Layton 416-405-8914 Beaches-East York, MPMaria Minna 416-467-0860Don Valley East, MPYasmin Ratansi 416-443-0623

Toronto-Danforth, MPPPeter Tabuns 416-461-0223Beaches-East York, MPPMichael Prue 416-690-1032Don Valley East, MPPHon. David Caplan 416-494-6856

Toronto-Danforth, Councillor, City Ward 29Case Ootes 416-392-4032Toronto-Danforth, Councillor, City Ward 30Paula Fletcher 416-392-4060Beaches-East York, Councillor, City Ward 31Janet Davis 416-392-4035Beaches-East York, Councillor, City Ward 32Sandra Bussin 416-392-1376Don Valley East, Councillor, City Ward 34Denzil Minnan-Wong 416-397-9256

Toronto-Danforth, Public School Trustee, TDSB Ward 15Cathy Dandy 416-397-3083Beaches-East York, Public School Trustee, TDSB Ward 16Sheila Carey-Meagher 416-395-8413

Awarmandenthusiasticwelcome back and a special warm welcome to the new students in our Catholic Schools. I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer holiday and that the students are now filled with energy and eagerness to begin another year of learning.

Last year was a successful school year: our students were involved in many celebra-tions, outings and festivals in addition to all their regularly scheduled classes and activities. I enjoyed attending many of our grade 8 graduations and witnessing the achievements of our young students. As in the past, I was pleased to be able to attend many of our schools to present my Trustee Award to the student who exem-plified Catholic Leadership.

The combined efforts of students, teachers, staff and parents, provide an environ-ment in our schools where students not only achieve but surpass their academic goals. This strong determination, commitment and encouragement have produced excellent results in all areas.

I know that the coming months will be filled with excitement as we continue to support: • our teaching and administrative staff; • our Catholic School Advisory Councils (CSAC); and • our awesome students striving to achieve their best.Together we will all achieve success and look to the future with confidence.

Whether you have children currently in school or not, schools are the centres of our communities. An open and welcoming school provides a sense of community and a sense of security. I want to wish you, your family and friends an enjoyable, safe and successful Fall.

Sincerely,

Angela KennedyTCDSB Trustee – Ward 11

2 Toronto Catholic District School Board–TRUSTEENEWSLETTER–Fall2007

??Average Daily Enrollment

60,000

67,500

75,000

82,500

90,000

2007/082006/072005/062004/052003/04

Parents/ratepayers may find the following list of contact telephone numbers helpful:

Admissions 416-222-8282, ext. 5320Communications 416-222-8282, ext. 5314Continuing Education 416-222-8282 24-hour Information Line 416-222-8282, ext. 2873CSAC Access Line 416-222-8282, ext. 6634Permits 416-222-8282, ext. 4370Security 416-229-5360Curriculum andAccountability 416-222-8282, ext. 2490Special Services 416-222-8282, ext. 2486Transportation 416-229-5313

Information about programs and services, Board policies and the latest news can also be found on TCDSB’s web site at www.tcdsb.org

GENERAL INFORMATIONGENERAL INFORMATION

Student achievement results by school and school board to be released September 19th

On August 29, 2007, the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) released highlights of student achievement on the 2007 Assessments of Reading, Writing and Mathematics, Primary Division (Grades 1–3) and Junior Division (Grades 4–6), and the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics.

The EQAO said the results showed that a large majority of students are master-ing the reading, writing and math skills expected at their age and grade level; and, the focused attention schools have been giving to these subjects contin-ues to result in strong outcomes. In particular, there have been significant improvements among students learning English as a second language (ESL) and those with special needs. According to the EQAO, this suggests the supports provided to these groups of students are having a positive effect.

On September 19th, the EQAO will release their full report with a summary of findings, strategies for success and profiles of successful schools. On the same day, student achievement results by school and by school board will also be released. The information will be posted on EQAO’s website at: www.eqao.com and on the TCDSB website at: www.tcdsb.org.

Other resources reviewing academic achievement and assessment:1. Report Card on Ontario’s Secondary Schools; 2007 Edition. Published in April 2007 by

the Fraser Institute: www.fraserinstitute.com 2. Ontario’s Best Public Schools: An Update to Signposts of Success. Published February 28,

2007 by the CD Howe Institute: www.cdhowe.org

EQAO RESULTS SHOW

PROVINCE-WIDE IMPROVEMENTSEQAO RESULTS SHOW

PROVINCE-WIDE IMPROVEMENTS

DID YOU KNOW?

Look who’s walked through the doors of TCDSB schools … • Martha Joy – one of this summer’s top ten finalists on Canadian Idol and student at Cardinal Carter Academy

for the Arts• Julian Fantino – Ontario’s OPP Commissioner, former Chief of Police for the City of Toronto and graduate of

St. Matthew Catholic School• Michael Burgess – Broadway musical star and graduate of St. Michael’s Choir School• John McDermott – International recording star, one of the “Irish Tenors” and graduate of St. Michael’s Choir School• Craig & Marc Kielburger – Founder and Chief Executive Director of Free the Children (www.freethechildren.com), the

largest network of children helping children in the world – graduates of Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School and Brebeuf College School

The Toronto Catholic District School Board is the fourth largest school board in the province providing quality education to over 87,000 students. It is also one of the largest employers in the City of Toronto. Enrollment levels have been steady over the past four years showing that thousands of families in Toronto have a continued desire for Catholic education.

Here’s a look at the breakdown and some other interesting facts and figures.StudentsElementary (est. 07/08) 57,569Secondary (est. 07/08) 29,432Total(est. 07/08) 87,001

StaffTeachers 5,699Support/Academic Staff 2,771Principals/Vice-Principals 307Administrative staff 223 Totalstaff 9,000

SchoolsElementary 168 Secondary 31 Combined 2 (Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts and St. Michael’s Choir)Total 201

CatholicSchoolSupporters �75,032

EstimatedBudgetfor2007-08 $850million

Enrollment

TCDSB BY THE NUMBERSTCDSB BY THE NUMBERS*

* Data obtained from TCDSB and Ministry of Education websites.

Toronto Catholic District School Board–TRUSTEENEWSLETTER–Fall2007 3

??

Why it’s important to register your choice of school support when moving or buying a house

Moving to a new apartment or buying a house involves a lot of paperwork – change of address forms, utility bill changes, school board support registration and more! Some people leave it all up to their agents or lawyers and never realize that they have a choice when it comes to registering their school support with their new address. One of the main reasons to register is so you are given the right ballot when it comes time to vote for your local school trustee in the next municipal election.

There are four different school boards in the City of Toronto and you must register for one of them: English Catholic; English Public; French Catholic; and French Public. You don’t have to have children attending schools. Your school support choice shows the province the ongoing support of the general public to each school system.

The province uses this information to set out the number of trustees to be elected for each board to represent the interests of parents, students and the local community. If you’re Catholic and don’t register for one of the Catholic options, you won’t be

able to vote for a Catholic trustee.

Whenever you move, even if you move from one rental apart-ment to another in the same building, your school support designation does not automatically follow you. You have to make it a point to ensure your choice is registered properly. This is especially important if you are Catholic, because when no choice is made, your support automatically defaults to the public board.

There is no difference in your taxes if you register as a Catholic or public school supporter, so it doesn’t cost more to register as a Catholic supporter. The actual funding each board receives is based on student enrollment.

To ensure your registration is correct, please call the TCDSB’s Voter Registration Department at: 416-222-8282 ext 2444; or e-mail Sandra.Vitale@tcdsb.org; to find out if your school support is registered according to your choice. If it isn’t, Sandra will be able to guide you through the necessary steps.

BREAKING MYTHS ABOUT REGISTERING YOUR SCHOOL SUPPORT BREAKING MYTHS ABOUT REGISTERING YOUR SCHOOL SUPPORT

TCDSBs Student Trustee for the 2007/08 School Year

Diego Noronha is a grade 11 student from Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School in Etobicoke. He has been selected to be Toronto Catholic District School Board’s Student Trustee for 2007-2008.

Diego has a strong background in student govern-ment, having just completed his term as President of the Don Bosco Student Council. Next year will mark his fourth consecutive year as captain of Don Bosco’s Reach for the Top team. In addi-tion, he also serves as the school’s representative on the Catholic Student Leadership Impact Team (CSLIT).

“I look forward to continuing the fine tradition of lobbying for an official Student Trustee vote,” says Diego of his plans for the term ahead. He will also work to further promote and increase leadership venues within the TCDSB, expand the Voices that Challenge student leadership conference and using CSLIT to further promote the student voice at the board level.

Diego is an avid reader and cyclist. He hopes to pursue a Bachelor’s of Business Administration and eventually his MBA.

INTROCUCING

DIEGONORONHA

INTRODUCING

DIEGONORONHA

I look forward to continuing

the fine tradition of

lobbying for an official

Student Trustee vote.

How your community group can get the facilities it needs when it needs them

Community Use of Schools is an ini-tiative that supports access to school space outside of school hours for non-for-profit community groups. The Toronto Catholic District School Board makes its facilities available to parent, church and community groups after school hours, on week-ends and during holidays.

Permits are issued for:• general purpose/gymnasiums;• playing fields;• cafeterias;• auditoriums;• foyer/open areas;• access to washrooms; and• parking areas.

With the Principal’s approval you can also rent:• classrooms;• libraries;• staff rooms;• administrative offices; and• access to sports equipment rooms.

The fees collected by the Board cover wear and tear, on-site custodial personnel, processing costs and direct costs for

things like light, heat and supplies. If your community group needs a gym for an

activity, a room for a meeting or a playing field for a sporting event, just contact the Community Use of Schools Department at 222-8282 extension

4370 or go to: http://permits.tcdsb.org/facilities/.

NEED A GYM?NEED A PLAYING FIELD?

NEED A GYM? NEED A PLAYING FIELD?

� Toronto Catholic District School Board–TRUSTEENEWSLETTER–Fall2007

FEB

When you move into a new neighbourhood and you have children, one of your first questions is – where is the nearest school? The map on this page shows all the locations of Catholic schools in this Ward.

Elementary SchoolIn general, Catholic children, non-Catholic children of Catholic parents and Catechumens (those studying to become Catholic) are eligible for admission to Catholic elementary schools. To register your child at an elementary school, simply contact the principal of that school. A list of telephone numbers for each school is on the front.

Secondary SchoolAll students residing in the City of Toronto are eligible for admission to Catholic secondary schools. Secondary school application forms are sent to all TCDSB elementary schools in the fall for Grade 8 students to apply for Grade 9. If you’re new to the area and need an application, just contact the Admissions and Placement Department at 416-222-8282, ext. 5320. You can also check the Board’s website for more detailed infor-mation and a list of documents needed: www.tcdsb.org.

I’M NEW TO THE

NEIGHBOURHOODWhere are the schools and how do I register my child?

A community

of faith

anchored

in hope

with heart

& charity

Faith, Hope and Charity

There are six professional activity days throughout the school year.

Elementary PA days• November 30, 2007• October 26, 2007 • February 15, 2008• March 7, 2008

The November and March PA days are for Parent-Teacher Conferences; and, the October and February PA days are for provincial education priorities. This is where teachers and educational professionals learn and share their knowledge about provincial programs and curriculum. One of the last two PA days is to facilitate a day of re-flection. Parents will be notified of this date and it will be posted on the Board’s website.

Secondary PA daysThere are two PA days for provincial education priorities coinciding with the elementary PA days:• October 26, 2007 • February 15, 2008

Secondary schools also have three locally de-termined professional development days and one locally determined day of reflection. Normally these are set with the elementary PA day dates in mind.

High School Exam daysHigh schools also have a maximum of 10 days for exams which are scheduled according to the school’s program. No instructional days are scheduled after the end-of-year exam days.

PA DAYS…When are they and what are they all about?

PA DAYS…When are they and what are they all about?

I’M NEW TO THE

NEIGHBOURHOODWhere are the schools and how do I register my child?

School Year Calendar 2007-2008

Number of school days 194Number of Professional Activity Days 6Labour Day September 3, 2007School Starts September 4, 2007Thanksgiving Day October 8, 2007Christmas Break (inclusive) December 24, 2007 to January 4, 2008 Mid-Winter Break (inclusive) March 10-14, 2008Good Friday March 21, 2008Easter Monday March 24, 2008Victoria Day May 19, 2008Last Day for Elementary Schools June 25, 2008

The official symbol of the Toronto Catholic district School Board combines the cross, the anchor, and the heart representing the three theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. It is based on the cross and anchor symbol used by the early Christians in the catacombs, the added heart representing humanity. The symbol was designed by the internationally recognized design artist, Mr. Allan Fleming, best known for having created the Canadian National Railway logo. You can learn more about him from the library and archives at the National Gallery of Canada at: http://national.gallery.ca/english/library/biblio/ngc011.html

This paper containes recycled fibre.