Marking Red Dress Day 2024

Each May 5, the Toronto District School Board joins communities across Turtle Island in marking Red Dress Day and the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S). In commemoration, flags will be lowered at all TDSB administrative sites.

The REDress Project is an art installation with red dresses that was created by Métis artist Jaime Black to call attention to MMIWG2S, and today, her efforts have grown into a project that spans the continent. In memory of the victims and in solidarity with their families, red dresses are now hung from porches, trees and in windows. 

Red Dress Day is also an important learning opportunity for both students and staff. We encourage staff to continue to learn about the National Inquiry into MMIWG2S and to engage with Red Dress Day and encourage conversations about Reconciliation with students in age appropriate ways to build awareness and plans for action. Please remember that we want to engage in these conversations with particular sensitivity for the well-being of students and staff who may have lived experiences that make these conversations difficult. The Urban Indigenous Education Centre has gathered resources for learning, as well as ways to get support.

On Red Dress Day – and throughout the year – the TDSB is committed to standing alongside Indigenous communities in realizing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Actions and seeking justice for MMIWG2S.

Sincerely,

Colleen Russell-Rawlins 

Director of Education

May is Asian Heritage Month

Asian Heritage Month has been proudly recognized at the Toronto District School Board during the month of May since 2007. This heritage is also celebrated by the Province of Ontario with the royal ascent of the Asian Heritage Act, 2005 and across Canada since May 2002 when the federal Senate adopted a motion to officially designate May as Asian Heritage Month in Canada.

This year’s theme for May 2024 was selected by the Asian Heritage Month Volunteer Planning Committee as Our Journeys: Thriving Through Struggle and Triumph

The TDSB is the largest and one of the most diverse school boards in Canada. Nearly one-quarter of our students were born outside of Canada and collectively we speak more than 120 languages. According to the 2023 Student Census 46% of TDSB students self-identified as Asian.

Parent-Teacher Interviews + Activate Field Trip

Next week is busy, with the Activate Toronto field trip on Wednesday and Parent-Teacher interviews on Thursday. That means Tuesday is your absolute last day to get trip forms in!

We will be leaving at 9:30 sharp for Activate, so make sure you’re here on time and ready to go. You will also need to make an account and sign a waiver (or get your parents to sign if you’re under 18). You can do so here:

Online waiver

On Thursday, there will be an early dismissal for Parent-Teacher interviews, and on Friday there will be a late start. Here’s the schedule for those two days:

Thursday:
Period 1: 9-9:35 am
Period 2: 9:40-10:15 am
Period 3: 10:20-10:55 am
Period 4: 11-11:40 am

Friday:
Period 1: 9:55-10:55 am
Period 2: 11-11:59 am
Lunch: 12-1
Period 3: 1:05-2:10 pm
Period 4: 2:15-3:15 pm

March 8 schedule

There will be a shortened day on March 8 (which is also the last day before March Break!). The schedule is as follows:

Period 1: 9-10:05 AM

Period 2: 10:10-11:15 AM

Lunch: 11:15-12:15

Period 3: 12:15-1:20 PM

Period 4: 1:25- 2:30 PM

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