February 3, 2009 at 6:30 PM: Ward 5 Parent's Forum and Free Movie Night for kids at Rockford Public School

James Pasternak, Trustee
Invites parents to an essential information session (and movie night for kids)

Karen Forbes, Senior Superintendent (Interim) –
Special Education & Section Programs, TDSB
Kids first: The parent-teacher partnership in special education

Karen Grose, System Superintendent, TDSB
Successful homework strategies for parents and educators

Heather Goldberg, Early Childhood Specialist, Adventure Place
“Early Indicators” in Early Intervention

Find out about free or low-cost summer programs

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

at

Rockford Public School
60 Rockford Road
Toronto, Ontario

Dessert reception: 6:30 p.m.; Children's book reading; free books and Free Showing of Kung Fu Panda.

Please RSVP to David Horowitz at 416-395-8406 or dave.horowitz@tdsb.on.ca



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Your opinions matter: York Centre eyed as future site for Forensic Services and Office of the Chief Coroner

Recently I met with York Centre MPP Monte Kwinter to discuss the province's plans to locate Ontario's forensic services and Office of the Chief Coroner in Ward 5 (York Centre). It would be constructed on government owned land near Wilson Avenue and Keele Street. Your opinion is valued on this important decision. The public is welcome to visit an information trailor located at 1201 Wilson Avenue on Monday January 12 and Tuesday January 13 from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Here is some additional information from the ministry.

Ontario is seeking public input on the location of a new state-of-the-art
Forensic Services and Coroner's Complex.
The proposed site is a six-acre parcel of government-owned land in
Downsview at Wilson Avenue and Keele Street. It would house the Centre of
Forensic Sciences, the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Provincial Forensic
Pathology Unit. It will have the advanced technology necessary to support
growing needs and keep pace with the demands of the justice sector.
Over the next few weeks, details of the consultation and information
sessions will be communicated to area residents by mail and in local newspaper
advertisements. Information will also be posted on the ministry's website.
The proposed site will be subject to an environmental assessment study,
available for comment in January 2009. If approved, the new Forensic Services
and Coroner's Complex could be ready for occupancy in late 2012.

"We need to invest in new facilities and technology to improve
crime-solving and autopsy capabilities to keep pace with the increasingly
complex demands of the justice sector," said Minister of Community Safety and
Correctional Services Rick Bartolucci.

"The proposed Forensic Services and Coroner's Complex is an excellent use
of existing government lands and will bring construction and highly-skilled
jobs to this area," said York Centre MPP Monte Kwinter.

QUICK FACTS


- Moving this project forward supports the Goudge Report
recommendations for a new, modern facility to house the Office of the
Chief Coroner and related forensic sciences.
- The Centre of Forensic Sciences investigated more than 10,000 cases
last year involving injury or death in unusual circumstances and
crimes against persons or property.
- The Office of the Chief Coroner conducts 20,000 forensic death
investigations every year, more than one-third originating in the
Greater Toronto Area.

"Self Respect Is all you Need" Assembly at Downsview SS

Recently I had a great evening at Downsview Secondary School. The students put on a performance and unveiled a mural on the theme "Self Respect is all you Need." Accompanying me were Trustee Soo Wong, Executive Superintendent Donna Quan, Superintendent Jeff Hainbuch, and Kathleen White-Williams. The program was driven by the nursing students from Humber Health Sciences and supported from Downsview SS Principal Maria Palermo.

Here is a selection of my remarks:

This program is truly important. It not only gives young Canadians a foundation in life skills it gives everyone of us the example of what becoming a great citizen is all about.

This is the parachute that many grade nines need. And this soft landing will contribute to a more successful journey through high school.

I have sat on over 40 suspension and expulsion hearings at the board. Many of these cases are sad and dark. And I wonder here today how many of these kids we could have reached with the great work of Trustee Soo Wong and her team of nurses.

Students often have a difficult time making the transition to high school and face some challenging issues. This initiative aims to build student self-confidence, foster relationships, and enhance a smooth transition into high school.

Our great responsibility as educators is that when students enter high school they have the personal attributes and support systems to succeed and feel good about themselves.

Today we salute nursing students and their teachers who are working with students to make Downsview Secondary School a healthier and safer place. This comes about because of the way we approach defeat; respect diversity of opinion; and knowing when to turn the other cheek.

Fifteen years from now many of the students in this building will be in the workforce – putting concepts into practice; creating wealth; building better communities.

I wish all students and their educators here much success. You can take comfort in the belief that self respect and self esteem are essential ingredients to fruitful years in high school and a becoming a great member of society.

Faywood PS inspires with character building

My address to the parents, students and staff at Faywood PS on December 15, 2008.

Thank you Principal Trajkovski for this exciting invitation.


Good evening parents, students, friends. I also offer a special thanks to Ms. Uribe and Ms. Mandelbaum for putting this celebration together.

I have heard about the Toronto Police-Values Influences Peers program and it truly is remarkable. It not only gives young Canadians a foundation in life skills it gives everyone of us the example of what being a model citizen is all about.

Tonight is the celebration of an idea. A reaffirmation that character building is essential for student success and being a contributing part of our community.


When the world looks at Canada they see us as an example. At the Toronto District School Board we look to the students who fill this room tonight with a sense of pride.

Our great responsibility as educators is that when students leave our schools they take with them the understanding that the value of time in school is not only measured by a grade point average but by the strength of their heart.

Because the strength of our heart leads us to make smart choices.

And smart choices lead to restraint and restraint leads to civility. And civility leads to tolerance.

I don’t normally quote hockey players, but it was Wayne Gretzky who once said, “You can’t score from the penalty box.” And in the real world getting out in 2 minutes is just not going to happen.

It is pride that brings communities together; but it is hubris that tears us apart.

The world is just a healthier and safer because of the way we approach defeat; respect diversity of opinion; and knowing when to turn the other cheek.

Parents: students who attend this school and participated in this program will make smart choices and that you need not have a hand on a telephone waiting for a call from a son or daughter in trouble.

I conclude by once again congratulating students and their teachers and Toronto police services who helped with this program. There is a reason why I have lived in this area for over 20 years. It’s because of students like you.

To all who are here this evening, I want to wish you a safe and happy holiday season and New Year and I look forward to connecting with you in 2009.

The new inspiration of the Art Gallery of Ontario

On Educators' Night, I had the opportunity to tour the newly renovated Art Gallery of Ontario. I was thoroughly impressed with the vision of architect Frank Gehry and the composition of the various galleries. It is a great achievement. I have a lose connection with Mr. Gehry. Mr. Gehry and my father were in the same graduating class of cadets just as the Second World War was ending. As a reminder, the AGO is free on Wednesday evenings and from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM Tuesday to Friday for high school students.

Standing with India in memory of victims in Mumbai

Recently, I shared a few words with former BC premier and current Member of Parliament Ujjal Dosanjh at the Standing together with India rally on December 7, 2008. The event was held in memory of the victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India.