Ward 7 Report from November 12, 2013 Meeting

Part 1 of the meeting was an engaging and energetic presentation by Child and Family Therapist, Jennifer Kolari, entitled "Connected Parenting." For more information on her C.A.L.M. approach to working with children go to her website www.connectedparenting.com

Part 2A of the meeting consisted of information from Trustee Atkinson.
  • Challenges of Regulation 274 and the effect it has on Principals in their hiring process were discussed. TDSB Director of Education, Donna Quan, submitted a letter to the Minister of Education, Liz Sandals, expressing her concerns over Regulation 274. For more information on this regulation please see the Sept. 19th Ward 7 blog posting for more information.   
  • Trustee Atkinson has submitted a proposal that would have Western Technical-Commercial School become an Institute for Excellence for the Construction Trades with a focus on skills required for apprenticeship programs and other trades related employment and educational opportunities.
  •  Review of Runnymede P.S. PAC letter to the Star regarding the condition of the school. Particular emphasis was made of the need for the Ministry of Education and the TDSB to work together to repair, maintain and rebuild the schools in Toronto.
  • Budget Report (verbal). Apparently the budget is not looking as bad as it was a year ago, and that funding will likely remain stable or be increased slightly. The budget will be announced by late spring, or possibly in June, post-election.
  • Ward 12 Trustee Rutka's letter regarding the Ministry of Education School Board Efficiencies and Modernization Consultations was reviewed.   
Part 2B of the meeting consisted of Reports from the Adivsory Committee Representatives
  • SEAC (Special Education) Nora Green spoke about the success of the recent S.E. Parent Conference and that it will become an annual event.  SNA numbers have stayed the same, but the ratio of SNA:students has increased. Please see their web site for more info.
  • PIAC (Parent Involvement) Ceyrina Craig and Rosalee Richards spoke about writing to Minister Wynne re. budget cuts,  letters to repeal Regulation 274 sent to Minister Wynne, "Principal Profiles" to be completed, Somali PLC event on Nov. 22, and PIAC representatives are available to come to local PACs to do presentations. Please see their web site for more info. 
  • FSLAC (French as a Second Language representative still needed). There is a minimal commitment, usually just one meeting a month.
The date of the next Ward 7 meeting has not been scheduled. It will be in early January 2014.

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