YTr

ustee

’s Re

port

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable summer

The 2002-2003 school year was a challenging one for the Toronto Catholic District School Board and our school communities. The disruptions resulting from the teachers strike and board lock-out caused great difficulties for our parents and students. The board wanted to, but could not, meet the salary demands of the union without taking it from other needed areas such as textbooks, special education and facilities. A mutually agreed upon arbitrator, George Adams, QC has been appointed.

My primary focus has been, and always will be, on what is in the best interest of our students. This focus is clearly in front of me in all issues that the Board deals with.

As this year draws to a close, our communities, made of the home, school and Church, come together to mark milestones such as graduations, year-end liturgies and other special events. I pray we are once again reminded of the many reasons that we have to celebrate as a Catholic education community.

Our schools continue to strive for success in all that they do. As the Board celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, I was reminded of the long and proud history of academic excellence that we share. I was also reminded that we have had six directors in that same time, and I have had the privilege of working with all six!

I take this opportunity to thank parents, clergy and staff for their continued dedication and support, keeping in mind that we are all here for the same reason—our students. I wish all of the constituents in Ward 10 a safe and happy summer. Until next year, God bless and keep you.

Tragedy brings community together

The tragic death of Holly Jones, a student at St. Luigi Catholic School and a former student at St. Vincent de Paul, has touched the lives of all the students, staff and parents living in our Ward 10 community.

In front of St. Luigi Catholic School 34 stepping stones with handprints and initials of Holly’s classmates and teachers lead to a large engraved memorial stone and bench.

“We dedicate this bench, we dedicate this stone So we can remember and never be alone, With handmade stepping stones we’ll create Holly’s path, So that we may walk there, remembering Holly’s laugh.”

Suzanna Da Cunha (Holly’s teacher) We are working with Holly’s family to set

up the “Holly Jones Spirit Award” at the school for September.

The Holly Jones Trust Fund has been established to support her family and those interested in helping can donate through any Toronto branch of the Royal Bank—Transit #6352, Account #5076674.

Sadly there is no resolution for the community as police continue their investigation. We pray that God will continue to support her family throughout the days and months ahead.

November municipal elections

Please ensure that if you are eligible to be a Catholic school supporter, that you are registered as such. Only Catholics are entitled to vote for a Catholic school trustee. If your latest assessment notice shows that you are not listed correctly as a Catholic school supporter, you can find the information and necessary forms on the Board’s website at http://www.tcdsb.org/budget%20and%20finance/assessmentinformation.htm

Barbara Poplawski Trustee, Ward 10 Toronto Catholic District School Board 416-512-3401 (voice mail) E-Mail: Barbara.poplawski@tcdsb.org

June 2003

REPRESENTING:

Elementary Schools:

Holy Family James Culnan St. Anthony St. Cecilia St. Helen St. James St. Josaphat St. Luigi St. Pius X St. Rita St. Sebastian St. Vincent de Paul

Secondary Schools:

Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton St. Mary

Superintendents: Gerald Dagenais, Brian Johnson, Les Nemes

Parishes: Holy Family St. Anthony St. Casimir St. Cecilia St. Helen St. James St. Joan of Arc St. Josaphat St. Mary’s Polish St. Pius X St. Sebastian St. Vincent de Paul

Your Trustee’s Report—Barbara Poplawski

TCDSB celebrates golden anniversary

The Toronto Catholic District School Board recently celebrated 50 years since its incorporation as the Metropolitan Separate School Board in 1953. Among the many activities held to commemorative the occasion, was the creation of a keepsake book entitled “We Believe…We Celebrate”, which included original poems, essays and artwork created by TCDSB students. Among the Ward 10 submissions were:

Chris, Grade 6, St. Pius X Catholic School

Marlene, Grade 1, St. Rita Catholic School

Celebrating a century of service This year also marked the 100th

anniversary of Holy Family Catholic School in our own ward. I had a wonderful time meeting present and former staff, current students and alumni at the celebrations last May. I remember working on getting the first joint use—City of Toronto/MSSB –facility at this school back in 1978. We’ve certainly come a long way since then! May God continue to smile on Holy Family.

Special thank you Two Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton

students heard the feeble cries for help of a 92-year-old neighbour who had been seriously injured in a fall. Matias and Laura Herrera (and Ivana) quickly responded. They alerted another neighbour and stayed with the elderly gentleman until the ambulance arrived. Thanks for being there!

Update on new facility for St. Anthony Catholic School

Plans for a new facility for St. Anthony Catholic School are well underway. The technical drawings are being examined for cost savings. The building permit was received in March. If construction proceeds as planned, staff and students will move to the new building at the end of 2004.

Bringing Advanced Placement to St. Mary Catholic Secondary School

Advanced Placement (AP) gives highly motivated secondary students the opportunity to enrich their studies with first-year university material. Under the direction of the College Board and their AP Coordinators, students can choose from thirty-five courses and exams, which are written by students under the supervision of the AP Coordinator and assessed by the College Board. Students’ examination scores can lead to exemption from a first year university course.

This year St. Mary’s administered its first Advanced Placement Examination. The student, Jan Christian Austria, prepared for the exam with mentoring from Brian Rumboldt (AP Teacher) and wrote the Calculus BC exam on Thursday, May 8th, 2003, under the supervision of Caroline Falzon (AP Coordinator).

For the 2003-2004 school year, St. Mary's C.S.S. is preparing to offer formal AP courses which, combined with already existing courses, will provide highly motivated students with the opportunity to prepare for the Spring 2004 AP Exams. These classes – most likely in Calculus and English Literature – will present students with an enjoyably challenging enriched environment. Sowing seeds of peace

Students from across the TCDSB gathered at the Catholic Education Centre for a special prayer service to launch “Planting Seeds of Peace” on Holy Thursday. Initiated by the Board’s Religious Education and Social Work Departments, the project’s goal was to unite school communities in prayer for peace, and raise funds for humani-tarian aid for the people of Iraq. The money will be used to purchase medicine, drinking water, blankets and food through ShareLife and Caritas, an international Catholic relief agency.

Each school community received a large red and white flag portraying the map of the world enclosed in a heart. As funds were donated, students, parents and staff signed the flag as a visible sign of the contribution that they have made. The flag will remain in each school as a reminder of the school’s commitment to peace in the world.

Toronto Catholic District School Board looks to the Ministry for a financial commitment

According to recent Ministry of Education statistics, the Toronto Catholic District School Board needs approximately $410 million over the next five years to address the deferred maintenance backlog at 225 school sites. The figures were presented to Trustees at last week’s meeting of the Administrative and Corporate Services Committee.

The Toronto Catholic District School Board was able to generate $285 million in additional capital funding through sound and responsible decision-making, by eliminating its excess capacity through the closure of 20 schools in the past three years.

In the report of the Education Equality Task Force, it is recognized that the cost of repairs needed in schools across the Province is approximately $5.6 billion due to many years of inadequate funding for school renewal. The report recommends that the Ministry of Education allocate $50 million immediately so that school boards can move forward with their most pressing school renewal needs. A second recommendation is for an annual allocation of $200 million to allow boards to begin to address their deferred maintenance needs.

St. Cecilia Catholic School, long overdue for a new building, remains on the Phase 2 list, a Board priority when monies are available. Keep up the faith, and push the government for funds.

All-Native Garden to be used as outdoor classroom

The parents, students and community of James Culnan Catholic School are planning a new “Garden of Life” a 7-metre x 30-metre outdoor classroom consisting of all native species of plant material. The project is made possible through generous donations from a number of corporate sponsors. Good work!

The goal is to create a more natural play and learning environment for students. Students and staff have been involved in every aspect of the project, from designing their ideal playground to naming it the ‘Garden of Life’.

James Culnan was the recipient of the Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds Kerr Award for demonstrating exemplary community involvement, innovation and leadership in the effort to create a more natural play and learning environment.

General Information Parents/ratepayers may find the following list of contact telephone numbers helpful: Admissions 416-222-8282, ext. 5320 Communications 416-222-8282, ext. 5314 Continuing Education 416-222-8282, ext. 2491/2556 24-hour Information Line 416-222-8282, ext. 2873 CSAC Information Line 416-222-8282, ext. 88000 Permits 416-222-8282, ext. 437 Security 416-229-5360 Curriculum and Accountability 416-222-8282, ext. 2490 Special Services 416-222-8282, ext. 2486 Transportation 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

Your Trustee’s Report—Barbara Poplawski

School Year Calendar 2003-2004

Labour Day Monday,

September 1, 2003

School Begins Tuesday, September 2,

2003

Thanksgiving Day Monday,

October 13, 2003

Christmas Break Monday,

December 22, 2003-Friday, January 2, 2004

(inclusive)

Mid-Winter Break Monday, March 15-

Friday, March 19, 2004 and Monday, March 22,

2004

Good Friday Friday, April 9, 2004

Easter Monday

Monday, April 12, 2004

Victoria Day

Monday, May 24, 2004

School Ends

Friday, June 25, 2004

New Program Focus on the Arts Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton

Catholic Secondary School has made a major commitment to the advancement of the role of the Arts – visual, graphic and media art, music and drama. The new program focus reflects the long-standing excellence the school has enjoyed as witnessed in many of its public shows. The school has a wealth of related resources including drama and music rooms, a 600-seat theatre and a number of staff from other teaching areas who have artistic backgrounds--both professional and amateur.

“We believe that this commitment to the arts will have a positive impact on the intellectual, social, and moral development of our students,” says Marrocco/Merton Principal Russell Coleman. “We will be inviting elementary students and their parents who have a similar appreciation for the arts to make Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton their choice for September 2004.”

Already the junior and senior bands have performed in Ottawa, Montreal and Kingston. Three BMTM bands were involved in the Toronto Festival of the Arts. They have also played at the Skydome during half-time at an Argos football game. Next spring music students will be in competition at the Rocky Mountain Festival in Banff. Great stuff!

The BMTM choir performs at the year-end mass held at St. Joan of Arc Church on June 12th.

BMTM donated $450 to Child Save. The money was raised through an activity day where donations were collected in memory of Holly Jones.

Board reaches out to Filipino community

The Toronto Catholic District School Board will expand its community relations department for a two-year term in an effort to reach out to the growing Filipino community in Toronto. The mandate of the position will be to provide direct services to newcomer families through liaison services, translation/interpreting services and support for the Board’s admission’s department. The new community relations officer will also be working to boost enrolment in TCDSB schools.

Board approves budget The Board approved its 2003-04 Budget

Estimates in the amount of $736,495,333. Almost 80% of the total budget is salaries. The Ministry deadline for submission for the Budget Estimates is June 27, 2003 and as required by the Education Act, the Budget Estimates are balanced. The report in its entirety is available on the Board’s website at http://www.tcdsb.org (see budget and finance section).

TCDSB Appoints Student Trustee The Board appointed Kyle Iannuzzi, a

student at Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School as Toronto Catholic District School Board Student Trustee for the term of September 1, 2003 through August 31, 2004.

Board considers new science labs The Board has undertaken an extensive

review of science labs in secondary schools to determine the needs in each of its facilities. A priority list has been approved, and work on science labs will be completed based on priority order as funds are made available through the Renewal Budget.

Public Health recognizes TCDSB The Toronto Catholic District School

Board is among the organizations that were recognized by Toronto Public Health for its support of, and participation in, the Toronto Heart Health Partnership. The Board received a certificate of appreciation for its integral contributions to the establishment, imple-mentation, and sustainability of heart health programming across the City of Toronto.