In This Edition
- Message from your Trustee
- Rankin is on pitch at Idol competition
- September 20, 2011: Education Day
- Young scouts learn about leadership at Banting and Best Public School
- New elementary school announced at Rougeville community street party
- Korean 'comfort woman' survivor speaks out at international conference on WWII history
- Chen honoured at gala
Message from your Trustee
Dear Scarborough–Rouge River Residents,
Thank you once again for allowing me the honour and privilege to serve as your public school board Trustee.
Despite these difficult economic times, the TDSB continues its track record of fiscal responsibility with yet another balanced budget, approved by the Board on June 22.
This year, Trustees and staff articulated five strategic directions to move the TDSB into the future: effective schools, leadership, strong and effective relationships and partnerships, environmental sustainability, and addressing disadvantage.
In Scarborough–Rouge River, we continue to work hard to translate these strategic directions into student success. Our Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test results this year have increased to 85%, well above the system average of 81% and provincial average of 83%.
Engaging parents is also an area of focus. On May 3, I welcomed families in the International Languages program to discuss parenting tips and creative discipline with the support of Aisling Discoveries Child and Family Centre.
In June, five new EcoSchools were certified in our ward: Chartland Jr PS, Lester B. Pearson CI, Malvern Jr PS, Percy Williams Jr PS, and White Haven Jr PS. This brings our total to 24 schools demonstrating strong environmental leadership.
I am incredibly proud of our students, educators, parents and community members. We have accomplished much over the past year, and I am excited to seek out the opportunities before us in 2011-2012.
Sincerely,
Shaun Chen
Trustee, Ward 21
Rankin is on pitch at Idol competition
Lester B. Pearson CI student performs alongside 10 citywide finalists at TDSB Idol Challenge
While her rendition of Bill Wither's "Ain't No Sunshine" did not land her in first place at this year's TDSB Idol Challenge, it sure won Deanna Rankin a lot of new fans.
The Lester B. Pearson Collegiate Institute student received an arousing round of applause after her pitch-perfect performance at the Toronto Centre for the Arts.
Rankin credits her upbringing for her success: "My family is a pretty musical family and so I grew up singing. It's always just kind of been in my blood," she says.
The March 3 event started with a group performance of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" by eleven finalists from across Toronto.
Host and Canadian Idol judge Farley Flex was on hand to judge the competition along with hip hop artist Greg "Gee Wunder" Baptiste and music industry experts David "Click" Cox, Jake Gold, and Gail E. Phillip.
Guest performances included last year's Idol winner,Talene Francis-Prettie, and a heartfelt version of "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" by the choir from Drewry Secondary School, a high school for students with special needs.
Trustee Shaun Chen arrived backstage during rehearsals to present Rankin with a certificate of achievement. "I got goose bumps listening to Deanna sing. She is incredibly talented and I wish her much success," says Trustee Chen.
Rankin's participation in the competition was supported by a business team at her school that included teacher Denise Ozden, as well as student members Anson Bidasee, Chanice Dryden, Ayesha Khan, Luckshana Kugarajah, and Clarissa Taylor.
George S. Henry Academy student Herman Wong, who performed the hit "Unintended" by English alternative band Muse, was crowned the winner.
September 20, 2011: Education Day
Before they take a seat at Queen's Park, see where your candidates stand on public education
Government policies affect the world our children and youth will inherit tomorrow. They affect their opportunities to get a good education today.
The Provincial government decides what is taught in our schools and how much of our Provincial taxes are used to pay for education. The future growth of the province depends on high quality, publicly funded education. This affects you whether or not you have children in the school system.
The results of the upcoming Provincial election are far-reaching. As a voter and citizen of Ontario, it is in your interest to know where the candidates stand on the issues. So get involved.
Education Day is a non-partisan event where the local candidates from the four major provincial parties share their views and answer questions on the issues affecting public education.
For a full summary of ridings, candidates and the education platforms of the four major parties participating in the October 6 Provincial Election, visitwww.opsba.org
Education Day in Scarborough–Rouge River is coordinated by the Ontario Public School Boards' Association and your local public school Trustee Shaun Chen.
Riding:Scarborough–Rouge River
Candidates: Bas Balkissoon, Liberal; Ken Kim, PC; Neethan Shan, NDP; and George Singh, Green
Moderator: Murphy Browne, Columnist,Share
Location: Albert Campbell CI, 1550 Sandhurst Circle (Finch and McCowan)
Time: Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Young scouts learn about leadership at Banting and Best Public School
Developing young people's confidence and leadership skills is core to the mission of Scouts Canada. For the 338th Toronto A Troop based at Banting and Best Public School, the scouting year kicked off on October 8 at the official investiture ceremony.
"The youth learn about the scouting promise, law, motto, and slogan in the beginning of the scouting year," says group commissioner Julie Chow. "When they are familiar with the information, they will be pronounced as official members of our scout group," which is 90 members strong.
Invited as the guest speaker, Trustee Shaun Chen talked to the young scouts about his role on the school board and the qualities of being a good leader. He also helped to present the scout group scarf and shoulder epaulettes to the youth members.
New elementary school announced at Rougeville community street party
It was a sunny afternoon of fun for residents like community organizer Jane Caluag who came out for the sixth annual street party in Rougeville, one of Scarborough's newest communities, complete with mini Canadian flags, games for kids, and hot dogs.
The October 16 event included updates from local politicians including Trustee Shaun Chen, who announced the Board's approval of a new elementary school for Meadowvale-Sheppard in its capital building program. On June 15, the Ministry of Education confirmed monies to support 43 new schools across Ontario, including one in Rougeville to be designed and constructed over the next two years.
"I have been working closely with staff on the local school community design process," says Trustee Chen. "My goal is to ensure the school is designed to meet the needs of our community."
Korean 'comfort woman' survivor speaks out at international conference on WWII history
Although World War II ended over 65 years ago, the wounds it inflicted on 82-year-old Gil Won Ok continue to live on. Last fall, she shared her story in an auditorium filled with TDSB students participating in Toronto ALPHA's Forgotten Voices, Living History international conference on World War II history, co-sponsored by TDSB.
At the age of 13, Gil says she was forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese Imperial Army, taken from her home in what is now known as North Korea to work as a 'comfort woman' in northeast China.
"Seeing the students give Grandma Gil a standing ovation was such a beautiful tribute to such an amazing woman," says organizer Katy Whitfield, a TDSB teacher. Dr. Joseph Wong, Toronto ALPHA's chair, says the event demonstrated to young people "the valuable humanity side of life, the courage to overcome the worst fate, the (righteousness) to pursue justice for the most vulnerable."
Chen honoured at gala
On April 30, Trustee Shaun Chen was presented with the Canadian Multicultural Council's Outstanding Asian Canadian Award. Below is an excerpt from his award citation.
Shaun Chen was born and raised in Toronto to Hakka Chinese immigrant parents who came from India in the 1970s.
During his high school years in Scarborough, Shaun emerged as a community leader advocating on social issues affecting youth.
As chairperson of the Scarborough Youth Council in 1998, he organized a youth conference on equity and citywide events commemorating the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The same year, he became a founding member of the Toronto Youth Cabinet, representing young people in municipal government.
In 2006, Shaun was elected to the TDSB as Trustee for Scarborough-Rouge River.
In 2008, he successfully proposed a motion to provide an additional $11.5 million in funding for English as a Second Language programs.
The plan also resulted in the creation of two additional newcomer reception centres to welcome new immigrant students and place them in appropriate programs to support their successful integration into Canada.
Shaun has also advocated for inclusive curriculum and culturally relevant pedagogy in public education.
On behalf of the Yin Hua Association of Ontario, please join us in congratulating Shaun Chen for his outstanding achievements and as recipient of this year's Outstanding Asian Canadian Award.