In This Edition
- Message from your Trustee
- Playground tragedy turns to triumph
- Rougeville school ground-breaking
- Agnes Macphail new field, play area
- Special guests visit Henry Kelsey
- Parents as leaders in education
Message from your Trustee
Dear Scarborough–Rouge River Residents,
Another school year is just around the corner, and I hope you enjoyed your summer with family and friends.
The past year at the TDSB has been a challenging one to say the least. Issues around labour contracts, facilities services, capital projects and the search for a new Director of Education have resulted in difficult debates and decisions.
Nonetheless, I am reminded each and every day when I visit schools and talk to students, parents and educators that we are united by a common goal: to serve our children and youth.
The story in this newsletter about the Mary Shadd Public School playground fire shows the power of community in turning tragedy into triumph. When we care for and help one another, we can accomplish great things.
With this in mind, I am looking forward to the year ahead of us. Where there may be challenges, I know we will work together to ensure the success and wellbeing of our students.
As your Trustee and as Vice Chair of the Board, I hope to hear from you and answer your questions and concerns.
Sincerely,
Shaun Chen
Vice Chair and Trustee
Ward 21, Scarborough–Rouge River
Playground tragedy turns to triumph
$80,000 donated to rebuild Mary Shadd play equipment destroyed by arson
It took five years to raise enough funds to build a new kindergarten playground, and the stroke of one match to ruin it.
On the night of May 6, local residents of Mary Shadd Public School watched helplessly as a fire engulfed $20,000 worth of play equipment at the front of the school.
Firefighters quickly arrived at the scene, but little could be saved. The once colourful slides and tunnels were reduced to ashes. “Such acts of vandalism pose a threat to the safety of our students and place a burden on our hard-working staff and limited school resources,” Principal Annessa Ali wrote to parents the next day.
Unfortunately, she added, “the cost of a replacement is not covered by our insurance company.”
Upon hearing the news, TDSB Vice Chair and Trustee Shaun Chen launched a fundraising campaign during an unrelated interview on Newstalk 1010 with radio host John Tory, who immediately pledged $500 and urged Torontonians to donate.
The response was overwhelming. By the next day, almost $80,000 was pledged by individuals, businesses and organizations from across the city.
Among the major donors were Canadian Tire ($22,000), Kids in Sports Foundation ($20,000), Newstalk 1010 staff and listeners ($20,000), TD Bank ($10,000), and CUPE 4400 ($5,000).
“From a terrible day yesterday to a wonderful day today, the people of Toronto have opened their hearts to help Mary Shad Public School build a brand new playground that the school community will enjoy for years to come,” said Chen.
Donna Quan, TDSB Director of Education, thanked the community for their outpouring of support. “The fact is, strong community relationships are an integral part of successful schools,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Police Service called on local residents to help find the perpetrators, noting reports of a group of people seen in the area on the night of the fire.
On May 21, two men and one young offender were arrested and charged with arson related to the destroyed playground.
After consulting parents and students, the school has decided to use the monies raised to build a more durable kindergarten play structure and install security cameras on the site.
Any remaining funds may then be used to help replace aging play equipment behind the school.
On May 30, Mary Shadd students and staff were treated to an unexpected visit from Christine Sinclair, captain of the Canada women’s national soccer team that won bronze at the 2012 Olympics.
The Olympian says she was there “to interact with these kids, hopefully let them realize that crazy wild dreams do come true. I’m living proof of that.”
Sinclair talked to the students about her Olympic experience, showcased her soccer skills, and signed soccer balls donated by Canadian Tire.
“We know that playgrounds are the start of getting kids active at an early age,” said Duncan Fulton, Senior VP of Canadian Tire.
Rougeville school ground-breaking
School ground-breaking marks beginning of new chapter for Rougeville neighbourhood
It was all smiles as the shovels hit the ground at the November 1 ground-breaking for the TDSB’s newest elementary school for students from kindergarten to grade 8 in Rougeville.
Funded by a Ministry of Education capital grant and TDSB proceeds from land sales, the $15.2 million school is scheduled to open its doors for occupancy in January, 2014. MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan, MPP Bas Balkissoon and Councillor Raymond Cho joined Trustee Shaun Chen and Principal Wayne Leavey to offer congratulations.
Uniquely situated alongside a ravine in close proximity to the Toronto Zoo, the two-storey building will accommodate 654 pupil places in 22 classrooms, 5 full-day kindergarten rooms, 2 special education rooms and an instrumental music room
On April 17, the Board approved naming the school as Alvin Curling Public School.
Agnes Macphail new field, play area
Goldhawk community school receives new kindergarten play area, renovated field
Agnes Macphail Public School students now have a new kindergarten play area, outdoor classroom and renovated school field thanks to $300,000 in funding earmarked by the TDSB following the sale of an adjacent site, where a new French elementary school and residential homes are currently under construction.
“As I look around this evening, I see just what communities can accomplish when strong minds are committed to an outcome beneficial to all,” Principal Bill Parish told a large crowd of students and community members gathered for the June 13 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Trustee Shaun Chen thanked former Principal Priscilla Yu, School Council Chair Eskay Saravanakumar, and Goldhawk Committee Chair Lothar Maier for their advocacy and support. “Our students will benefit for years to come,” says the TDSB Vice Chair.
Special guests visit Henry Kelsey
Jamaica’s consul general and former Idol judge pay special visit to Henry Kelsey
Thirteen-year-olds Elain Cai and Ruchika Kumar were proud student ambassadors on February 22 during a visit by Jamaican Consul General Seth George Ramocan and former Canadian Idol judge Farley Flex to Henry Kelsey Senior Public School, where posters and exhibits lined the halls to commemorate Black History Month.
The students in teacher Yvette Blackburn’s grade 8 class have spent the year studying diverse cultures. “From September until now, we have learned about all different types of cultures,” says Kumar. “I now have a better understanding of the world around us,” adds her classmate Kai.
“It is important for us to know about each other’s cultures,” says Ramocan, who sampled Jamaican patties prepared by the students. On May 17, Trustee Shaun Chen returned to Henry Kelsey for drama and musical performances celebrating Asian Heritage Month.
Parents as leaders in education
Leadership program enables parents to make change in school system
After eight weeks of discussions, workshops and guest speakers, the participants in the first-ever MENTORS parent leader training program in Scarborough graduated at a ceremony held on April 11 at Alexander Stirling Public School.
“The leader training has provided the parents a better understanding of the workings of the TDSB, and the opportunity to navigate the system to receive support for their children,” says MENTORS executive director, Alimamy Bangura, who coordinated the program.
At their first workshop on January 24, parents shared their experiences in the education system and raised questions and concerns. In February and March, there were workshops and guest speakers including TDSB senior staff from such departments as teaching and learning, special education, and parent and community involvement.
Guest speaker Michelle Munroe, TDSB Central Coordinator, Parent and Community Involvement, reviewed the Board’s protocol for parents to raise issues and discussed the role of School Councils, which are legally required in each and every school in Ontario.
“My hope is for the parents to be informed and inspired, to drive change and also engage others in their schools and beyond,” says Trustee Shaun Chen.
“It was a good program,” says parent Samy Ramachandran, who hopes to have a follow-up meeting with the other participants to talk about suggestions on taking next steps.
The MENTORS parent leader training program was funded through a Ministry of Education grant and supported by Trustee Chen.