Healthy Minds, Healthy Students. A Ward Forum on Tuesday November 23 at 6:45 PM at Rockford PS.

Please join us at Rockford Public School on Tuesday November 23 at 6:45 PM for a Ward Forum on mental health and student well being. Rockford Public School is located at 60 Rockford Road (just west of Bathurst Street and Rockford Road). There will be an exceptional line up of speakers including Lillian Freeman, a specialist in psychiatric social work; Wendy Shaw, Chief of Social Work, TDSB; and Dr. Erin Matis, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with her own Private Practice in the Greater Toronto Area. There will be a children's program including a movie. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP at james.pasternak@tdsb.on.ca or 416-395-8406.

Healthy Minds, Healthy Students. A Ward Forum on Tuesday November 23 at 6:45 PM at Rockford PS.

Free Skate and food drive at Chesswood Arena on Thanksgiving

Please join us for a family free pleasure skate at Chesswood Arena at 4000 Chesswood Drive at 4:00 PM on Thanksgiving Monday October 11 at 4:00 PM. We are tring to gather food items for the North York Harvest Food bank so please bring along non-perishable food items. Hope to see you there!

School Board passes motion that creates special education parent facilitator/advocate position

It has taken several months but my motion that was supported by the Special Education Advisory Committee in June passed full board on September 7. This motion directs staff to work towards creating an arm's length Parent Advocate at the TDSB. This position will help parents understand and decide what special education programs are available at the school board and which might be best for their son or daughter. Currently there is some confusion among parents about what programs are available and which match various exceptionalities. I will keep you informed as the process moves forward.

The Barbados High Commissioner visits Beverley Heights MS to hear about Future Aces

H. E. Edward Evelyn Greaves, GCM made a visit to Ward 5's Beverley Heights Middle School on June 11. Mr. Greaves wanted to learn more about the success of the school's Future Aces program. The entire school came out to welcome the High Commissioner. The school has had one success after another over the last three years.

The Future Aces philosophy is based on the belief that positive attention contributes to and reinforces a person's self-esteem. Future Aces focuses on the positive rather than the negative, by recognizing and encouraging attitudes and actions that are desirable and constructive. Founder Herb Carnegie says that "being a Future Ace means being a good person with feeling in your heart."

In the picture above, the High Commissioner is third from the right.

Improving Special Education in Ontario

In an effort to bring real change to the delivery of special education in Ontario I brought two motions to the Special Education Advisory Committee on Monday night. In one motion, we are asking TDSB Director Chris Spence to ask the Minister of Education and other school boards to support a Special Enquiry into the funding and delivery of special education programs in Ontario. There certainly is a long way to go. The second motion asks the TDSB to hire a special education parent facilitator to help families navigate the complex programs and options in special education. These motions will come before the Board of Trustees at our June, 2010 meeting.

Plans are underway to bring new community hub to York Centre.

The TDSB Ward 5 and city Ward 10 have been short of community space for sometime. Numerous groups providing valuable programs and services have had a tough time finding adequate space. At the same time, the Bathurst-Finch area needs strong supports in health care and healthy living. I have been working for three years to correct this program. Now we are one step closer. A TDSB land parcel near Bathurst and Finch on the Northview Heights site has been declared surplus so a new community hub can be built by New Heights Community Health Centre. It is not part of the current field on that corner. Once built, the facility will provide employment and co-op opportunities for students, public space for use, and social and medical support services. The site will have a tree-lined walkway and other “green enhancements” to improve the public space. The cost of the project is partially covered by the federal and provincial governments and the United Way.

Toronto Lands Corporation Continues to show Leadership and Fiscal Responsibility

In 2008, I was among TDSB trustees who voted to establish the Toronto Lands Corporation. This is an arms-length entity that is responsible for the management, leasing, sales and redevelopment of TDSB surplus properties. The TLC also helped the TDSB save many of its swimming pools. I joined the board in spring, 2009. My colleagues include former Toronto Mayor David Crombie, Dino Chiesa, Jane Pepino, Annie Kidder, Hugh Heron, Jane Marshall and Trustees Bruce Davis, Chris Bolton and John Campbell. As of January 2010, the TLC has sold $38.7 million in surplus property and is receiving annual rental revenues of about $11 million. The TLC is a model of fiscal responsibility and is a great example of what public entities can do to reduce the burden of taxpayers.

Community meeting will take place at Stilecroft Public School on Tuesday March 23, 2010 at 6:45 PM

Stilecroft Public School will be hosting a community meeting on Tuesday March 23 at 6:45 PM. Stilecroft is located at 50 Stilecroft Drive. Speakers include Cindy Burley, of the TDSB Special Education and Section Programs department and Robert Samery Director, VP - Parental Alienation Awareness Organization. Also speaking with be Nadine Segal, with the TDSB's student support office. To register, please e-mail james.pasternak@tdsb.on.ca.

Thank You: Skate for Haiti a Great Success

I would like to thank all the people who came out for a fundraising skate on Family Day, Monday February 15 help the people of Haiti. We also owe a great deal of thanks to Chesswood Arena for donating the ice time. The skate was free but everyone donated to Magen David Adom, a registered member of the International Committee of the Red Cross is appreciated. I have watched Torontonians from all walks of life dig deep to help this small devastated country and it says a great deal about the character of this great city.


In the picture, from left to right: James Pasternak, Trustee, York Centre, Toronto District School Board, Faith Weinberg, VP, Canadian Magen David Adom, David Horowitz, Constitutency Assistant, Toronto District School Board, Iris Ehrent, Administrative Cooordinator, Canadian Magen David Adom.

Skate for Haiti to take place on February 15 at noon

Please join us on Family Day, Monday February 15 at noon to help the people of Haiti. Skate for Haiti will take place at Chesswood Arena located at 4000 Chesswood Drive. All children 12 and under should wear a helmet. A tax receipt will be issued for all donations $10 and over. The skate is free but a donation to Magen David Adom, a registered member of the International Committee of the Red Cross is appreciated.

City looking for thousands of part-time workers for election

The next Municipal Election is Monday, October 25, 2010.

A team of more than 10,000 people will be needed to fill a variety of election positions. This is a great opportunity to serve your community, gain new skills and earn a little extra cash.

Hiring will begin in April 2010, so check back in the spring for information on how to apply. The link is http://www.toronto.ca/elections/employment/positions.htm.

Toward the Great School: Faywood Arts-Based Curriculum School hosting a ward forum on Tuesday January 19, 2010 at 6:45 PM.

Trustee James Pasternak has invited leading staff, educators, and parents to a community gathering at Faywood Arts-Based Curriculum School on Tuesday January 19, 2010 at 6:45PM. Three experts will discuss the essential ingredients that make a great school. Topics include Homework Strategies for Success, School Fundraising that Works and Special Education Success through Shared Solutions. There is a movie for children and refreshments will be served. Please RSVP at james.pasternak@tdsb.on.ca.

Building on our success in 2010

I wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season and a successful New Year. In the past year we have made great strides making Ward 5 (York Centre) a great place to live. My staff has lobbied hard to get more trees planted and preserve green space. I have worked with many community groups to save our swimming pools, to put more funds into special education, and create new opportunities through community partnerships with our schools. We are working to have a new community centre built at Bathurst and Finch and create new after-school programs for youth. As always, I am available to help out in any way I can. Once again, thank you for your commitment to our local community.

Temporary H1N1 Vaccination Clinic to be available December 15

New Heights Community Health Centres, in conjunction with its offices near Bathurst and Finch will have a temporary H1N1 clinic established on December 15. Please call 647-436-0385 to set your appointment. The address of the clinic will be provided over the phone. This clinic is open to everyone and is not restricted to at risk groups.

Ward Forum scheduled for Monday November 30, 2009 at Beverley Heights Middle School

Our next ward forum will take place at Beverley Heights Middle School on Monday November 30, 2009 at 6:45 PM. Beverley Heights is located at 26 Troutbrook Drive. Tom McCauley, Facilitator, Business Opportunities, TDSB will be speaking on fundraising strategies for schools. Also, Jon Ling, of Toronto Police Service will talk about crime and your children. There will also be an update from Melodie Anderson from Toronto Public Health on flu season.



Ward Forum on November 30, 2009

Important Community Update on H1N1 at Wilmington PS on Tuesday November 24

We will be holding an important community update on H1N1 and flu season. It will take place on Tuesday November 24, 2009 at Wilmington Elementary School, 330 Wilmington Avenue at 6:45 PM. Speakers include Melodie Anderson, Public Health Nurse, Toronto Public Health and Chris Broadbent, Manager Health and Safety, Toronto District School Board.

H1N1 flu and boys-only schools and to be discussed at Fisherville on November 3

TDSB Director Chris Spence will be our keynote speaker at Fisherville JHS on November 3 at 6:45 PM. Fisherville is located at 425 Patricia Avenue. He will talk about his new ideas to improve our education system, notably an all-boys school or gender seperated classrooms. Also speaking will be education lawyer Eric Roher. He will discuss the legal implications of H1N1 and cyber bullying.

The Ward 5 Report: Our Community Newsletter

October WORD 5.pdf‎(2MB)‎


Here is my most recent newsletter. It tries to highlight some of the great things that are happening at Ward 5 (York Centre) schools. If you have some ideas on what we can include in our next newsletter, please e-mail me at james.pasternak@tdsb.on.ca. Congratulations to all Ward 5 schools for being the best we can be.

TDSB Director Chris Spence and Education Lawyer Eric Roher headline upcoming Ward Forum

Ward 5 (York Centre) will have having a a Ward Forum on Tuesday November 3, 2009 at 6:45 PM at Fisherville JHS at 425 Patricia Avenue. These events have been very important for both educators and parents. Topics will include the growing seriousness of cyber bullying as well as an important update on the H1N1 virus and flu season. There is a free children's program and refreshments. Please contact me at james.pasternak@tdsb.on.ca to register.

Hundreds come to Tech it Away at Mackenzie

Tech it Away was a great success at W.L. Mackenize. The community filled two trailers with old electronics. By doing so the school will receive a credit of $10,000 at Best Buy. Another great program for a great school!