Partnerships in Action

Educational Partnerships in TDSB are mutually beneficial collaborative relationships between schools and community, business, labour or other organizations that support students' well being and achievement in many different ways.

Please read about some of our current partnership programs below.

The Archived Partnerships section highlights past and long running partnership programs.

How do partnership programs support students?

They...
  • help students learn to study so they can achieve their academic goals
  • provide interesting activities that give a practical focus to the curriculum
  • bring students into the workplace so they become aware of career choices and develop employability skills
  • help students develop social/emotional skills through supportive interventions
  • involve community members and links to cultural organizations
  • help students overcome barriers in their lives

Although each partnership is unique and special, we have grouped them according to the Focus Area that indicates the main purpose of the partnership program.

Academic Improvement
Career Awareness and Devlopment
Community Involvement
Curriculum Enhancement
Interpersonal Skills
Social Emotional Skills
Student Engagement
Research

ACADEMIC IMPROVEMENT

Programs that help students reach their potential  

Centre for Community Partnerships, University of Toronto and Department of Student Life UTSC

The U of T Tutors and Mentors in our Schools program provides trained tutors and mentors to 17 schools to support academic achievement, and ease transition to secondary school or to post-secondary. Activities on U of T campuses help motivate students to consider post-secondary choices.The U of T Tutors and Mentors in our Schools program provides trained tutors and mentors to 17 schools to support academic achievement, and ease transition to secondary school or to post-secondary. Activities on U of T campuses help motivate students to consider post-secondary choices.

 



Licensed to Learn
L2L Tutor Training and Certification

This renewal will see tutor training taking place in over 50 schools. Collaborating with classroom teachers and guidance counsellors, L2L supports selected students or whole classes to learn the skills of being a tutor. This renewal will see tutor training taking place in over 50 schools.  Collaborating with classroom teachers and guidance counsellors, L2L supports selected students or whole classes to learn the skills of being a tutor.

 

 

 

CAREER AWARENESS AND DEVELOPMENT

Programs that focus on the world of work, employability skills and preparation for a career. Each of the four pathways (apprenticeship, college, university and direct to work) is valued.

Villa Colombo, Hellenic Home for Seniors, and Vermont Sq  
Personal Support Worker program at Yorkdale Adult Learning Centre

Adult students in the PSW program complete their work experience placement at one of these centres; and benefit from the instruction and experience they receive.Adult students in the PSW program complete their work experience placement at one of these centres; and benefit from the instruction and experience they receive.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Programs that allow students to participate in local/global community life and engage with community members.

MSIC Pediatric Health Clinic @ Sprucecourt JPS
St Michael’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics

The on-site, school-based health clinic at Sprucecourt JPS has been renewed for another five years providing health care for referred students and siblings up to 12 years in the Sprucecourt Model Schools cluster community. A pediatrician and a general practice physician will consult with families on a variety of medical, behavioural and developmental school-related concerns. The on-site, school-based health clinic at Sprucecourt JPS has been renewed for another five years providing health care for referred students and siblings up to 12 years in the Sprucecourt Model Schools cluster community.

A pediatrician and a general practice physician will consult with families on a variety of medical, behavioural and developmental school-related concerns.

 

Centre for Information and Community Services of Toronto (CICS) 
NE3 Family of Schools collaboration with CICS

Opportunities are provided for students to earn volunteer hours and/or credit(s) through planned programming at CICS’s “Community Kitchen and Garden". Students will engage with community members through the community garden, co-op and intergenerational volunteer activities. Students also learn how to use community resources and how to contribute as responsible citizens. Opportunities are provided for students to earn volunteer hours and/or credit(s) through planned programming at CICS’s “Community Kitchen and Garden".  Students will engage with community members through the community garden, co-op and intergenerational volunteer activities. Students also learn how to use community resources and how to contribute as responsible citizens.

 

CURRICULUM ENHANCEMENT

Programs that provide additional opportunities in specific subject areas to enrich curricular outcomes, increase relevancy and student participation


Arts
Ontario Arts Council - 3 Artist in Residence Programs

The Partnership promotes the TDSB Go Green Climate Change Action Plan by providing expertise and services for EcoTeams in more than 400 certified EcoSchools as they work towards transforming their school yards into vibrant spaces where students learn to live more sustainably. Since its inception eleven years ago, the partnership has been indispensable in the ongoing development and implementation of the program.

EngageARTS provides professional learning for elementary teachers with a dual focus on literacy and the arts. It involves co-teaching with artists and demonstration classrooms for 48 visiting teachers.

Arts and the Early Years is a collaboration between the Music department and Early Years to build arts-infusion capacity of JK-Grade 1 teachers to encourage thinking and emotional expression in young children.

Across Experiences Arts Co-op: Dance, Theatre, Media and Film cultivates cross-cultural connections between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students. Students create original Theatre, Dance and Media Arts work which they tour through gr 7/8 classes and perform at YPT. Aboriginal worldviews and perspectives are embedded within the program. Visiting artists and Elders provide ongoing support to the program.

OCAD University mentors

Through tutoring/mentoring activities provided by volunteer OCAD students in collaboration with the classroom teacher, TDSB students receive support and encouragement for their visual arts activities. OCAD University recruits and trains the volunteer tutors and mentors. The pilot program enriches the visual arts curriculum at Clinton St Jr PS.

Through tutoring/mentoring activities provided by volunteer OCAD students in collaboration with the classroom teacher, TDSB students receive support and encouragement for their visual arts activities. OCAD University recruits and trains the volunteer tutors and mentors. The pilot program enriches the visual arts curriculum at Clinton St Jr PS.

 

No.9: Contemporary Art & the Environment
-Imagining My Sustainable City
This interdisciplinary program enhances ecological literacy through an architecture and urban design project for grade 7 classes at 16 schools. Students document the way components of their community function (transportation, waste and water management, building types, green spaces, energy use etc.) and develop ecologically sustainable models to address these issues in their community. A Public Exhibition of Student Models will be held at Metro Hall.

This interdisciplinary program enhances ecological literacy through an architecture and urban design project for grade 7 classes at 16 schools. Students document the way components of their community function (transportation, waste and water management, building types, green spaces, energy use etc.) and develop ecologically sustainable models to address these issues in their community. A Public Exhibition of Student Models will be held at Metro Hall.

 

Music
We Are One Jazz Project
Three hundred Grade 3-6 students from 7 schools in ER19 & 20 are invited to join the weekly jazz choir rehearsals led by professional music educators. The student choir joins the We Are One Jazz Project's adult choir, big band, string section and world-renowned guest soloists for a public performance at the project's conclusion. Dr. Barry Harris, will conduct three of the congregated choir rehearsals. Students develop self-confidence, concentration, improvisation and memory skills, personal enjoyment of and a life-long appreciation for the arts.

Three hundred Grade 3-6 students from 7 schools in ER19 & 20 are invited to join the weekly jazz choir rehearsals led by professional music educators. The student choir joins the We Are One Jazz Project's adult choir, big band, string section and world-renowned guest soloists for a public performance at the project's conclusion. Dr. Barry Harris, will conduct three of the congregated choir rehearsals. Students develop self-confidence, concentration, improvisation and memory skills, personal enjoyment of and a life-long appreciation for the arts.

Toronto Centre for the Arts and SOCAN- Canadian Songwriting Program

Students will be engaged in songwriting, creative self-expression activities and in performance opportunities through workshops facilitated by well-known Canadian songwriters. They will learn about the legacy and impact of Canadian songwriters on Canadian culture and beyond, thus raising the awareness of Canadian songwriting achievement. Schools across TDSB may apply.

Students will be engaged in songwriting, creative self-expression activities and in performance opportunities through workshops facilitated by well-known Canadian songwriters. They will learn about the legacy and impact of Canadian songwriters on Canadian culture and beyond, thus raising the awareness of Canadian songwriting achievement. Schools across TDSB may apply.

 

EcoSchools
Evergreen
School Yard Greening Projects
The Partnership promotes the TDSB Go Green Climate Change Action Plan by providing expertise and services for EcoTeams in more than 400 certified EcoSchools as they work towards transforming their school yards into vibrant spaces where students learn to live more sustainably. Since its inception eleven years ago, the partnership has been indispensable in the ongoing development and implementation of the program.

The Partnership promotes the TDSB Go Green Climate Change Action Plan by providing expertise and services for EcoTeams in more than 400 certified EcoSchools as they work towards transforming their school yards into vibrant spaces where students learn to live more sustainably. Since its inception eleven years ago, the partnership has been indispensable in the ongoing development and implementation of the program.

School-based
University of Toronto, Faculty of Arts and Science, Department of Mathematics and Bloor Collegiate

This ground-breaking Math Advancement Program provides ten students in Bloor CI’s TOPS program, who have completed all their secondary mathematics courses at high levels of achievement, with the opportunity to take a university mathematics course that will give them a University of Toronto credit while still in grade 12. Additional support from U of T and from Bloor’s Math department will ensure success for the students. University of Toronto, Faculty of Arts and Science, Department of Mathematics and Bloor Collegiate

This ground-breaking Math Advancement Program provides ten students in Bloor CI’s TOPS program, who have completed all their secondary mathematics courses at high levels of achievement, with the opportunity to take a university mathematics course that will give them a University of Toronto credit while still in grade 12.Additional support from U of T and from Bloor’s Math department will ensure success for the students.

Daily Bread Food Bank and Sir Robert Borden BTI

This Collaborative Outreach is the first innovative collaboration of its kind in Toronto. Borden students in the foods program learn to prepare and serve a weekly meal for their local community with food and support provided by DBFB. This Collaborative Outreach is the first innovative collaboration of its kind in Toronto. Borden students in the foods program learn to prepare and serve a weekly meal for their local community with food and support provided by DBFB.







Early Years
Humber College, School of Health Science  
Young Families Health Placements

Humber field placement students collaborate with kindergarten teachers to address specific health topics. This renewal supports TDSB kindergarten classes in 10 schools with additional health related activities. Humber field placement students collaborate with kindergarten teachers to address specific health topics. This renewal supports TDSB kindergarten classes in 10 schools with additional health related activities. 

 





Continuing Education
Confucius Institute of Toronto

Confucius Classrooms will offer students and teachers a place to learn Mandarin and participate in cultural exchanges; and where teachers can expand teaching methodologies in language acquisition. The Education Department of Hunan Province, China, constructs the Confucius Institute that will provide instructors and resources that will be housed in TDSB centres.

Confucius Classrooms will offer students and teachers a place to learn Mandarin and participate in cultural exchanges; and where teachers can expand teaching methodologies in language acquisition. The Education Department of Hunan Province, China, constructs the Confucius Institute that will provide instructors and resources that will be housed in TDSB centres.  

 


Equitable and Inclusive Schools; Science and Technology
Earth Rangers  
Priority Neighbourhood School Program
Ten elementary schools will engage in enriched science activities for Grades 3-5 for the next three years; classroom visits with animal ambassadors and after-school activities help students learn about bio-diversity and the need to care for our environment and animals.

Ten elementary schools will engage in enriched science activities for Grades 3-5 for the next three years; classroom visits with animal ambassadors and after-school activities help students learn about bio-diversity and the need to care for our environment and animals.

 

 



Science Teachers’ Association of Ontario (STAO)
Elementary Science Safety Resource

STAO and TDSB collaborated to develop this document for use in elementary schools. The resource is anticipated to be completed and printed for use by both parties in the 2012-13 school year.STAO and TDSB collaborated to develop this document for use in elementary schools.  The resource is anticipated to be completed and printed for use by both parties in the 2012-13 school year.

 

 

 

 

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Programs that strengthen communication and facilitation skills, support healthy relationships; and provide leadership opportunities

OISE in collaboration with University of Windsor
Shanghai Twinning

Teachers and administrators in 5 participating schools have renewed their cross-cultural communication activities with the Shanghai twinning project for another year.Teachers and administrators in 5 participating schools have renewed their cross-cultural communication activities with the Shanghai twinning project for another year.

 

 

 

George Brown College
School of Community Services Field Placements 

The renewal of this agreement sees Behaviour Science Technology and Social Service Worker field placement students in special education classrooms in 70 schools. GBC faculty supervise the students who collaborate with the Special Education teacher to support the learning plans for special needs students. The renewal of this agreement sees Behaviour Science Technology and Social Service Worker field placement students in special education classrooms in 70 schools. GBC faculty supervise the students who collaborate with the Special Education teacher to support the learning plans for special needs students.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS

Programs that help students learn to understand themselves better and relate to others in positive ways.

New Leaf Yoga
WR9 Elementary Schools

Weekly yoga classes by certified instructors and daily mindfulness activities improve the well-being of referred students in 3 WR9 elementary schools. Students’ ability to focus, relax and maintain self-control increases. This program supports the Model Schools mental health initiative. A research project will investigate the impact of the program.Weekly yoga classes by certified instructors and daily mindfulness activities improve the well-being of referred students in 3 WR9 elementary schools. Students’ ability to focus, relax and maintain self-control increases. This program supports the Model Schools mental health initiative. A research project will investigate the impact of the program.

 

 

Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities 
MSIC Pediatric Health Clinic at Willow Park Jr PS

This service provides on-site, health care for referred children and their siblings. A nurse practitioner and/or family physician consult with families on a variety of health, mental health and developmental concerns. Clinic services are coordinated by the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, and evaluation of the program, which includes research and data tracking, will be conducted through the MSPHI Research Committee.This service provides on-site, health care for referred children and their siblings. A nurse practitioner and/or family physician consult with families on a variety of health, mental health and developmental concerns.  Clinic services are coordinated by the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, and evaluation of the program, which includes research and data tracking, will be conducted through the MSPHI Research Committee.

Rexdale Community Health Centre
Primary Health Clinic at North Albion CI

This service provides weekly on-site health care with a focus on health promotion to support achievement and healthy active living. A nurse practitioner and/or family physician will consult with youth individually on a variety of their health issues and concerns. RCHC community health educators will conduct health promotion sessions for classes or groups of students. Clinic services are coordinated by the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, and evaluation of the program, which includes research and data tracking, will be conducted through a partnership between RCHC, TFSS and TDSB MSPHI Research staff.

This service provides weekly on-site health care with a focus on health promotion to support achievement and healthy active living. A nurse practitioner and/or family physician will consult with youth individually on a variety of their health issues and concerns.  RCHC community health educators will conduct health promotion sessions for classes or groups of students.  Clinic services are coordinated by the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, and evaluation of the program, which includes research and data tracking, will be conducted through a partnership between RCHC, TFSS and TDSB MSPHI Research staff.

South Riverdale Community Health Centre and CALC
South Riverdale Primary Health Care and Clinical Services Centre at CALC

The centre will provide a nurse practitioner to serve students on site. A SRCHC social worker or social services worker will see adult students; and collaborate with the School Support team to plan and provide customized programs to meet the needs of Ed Vance students. The centre will provide a nurse practitioner to serve students on site. A SRCHC social worker or social services worker will see adult students; and collaborate with the School Support team to plan and provide customized programs to meet the needs of Ed Vance students.

Humber College; George Brown College; and Centennial College
Child and Youth Worker Field Placements

57 schools were accepted to have a second year CYW student complete their field placement with an experienced TDSB CYW or CYC. 57 schools were accepted to have a second year CYW student complete their field placement with an experienced TDSB CYW or CYC.