PIAC – Parent Involvement Advisory Committee

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PIAC Newsletter
March 1, 2016
Online Budget Forum
The TDSB will be hosting an Online Budget Forum to hear from parents, students and the community on the 2016-17 budget.
When:    Thursday, March 3, 2016 at 8 p.m.
Where:   bit.ly/1L2AGEl
The forum will allow participants to submit questions which will be answered live by Budget staff.
Trustee Budget Ward Forums
Many trustees scheduled budget ward forums to hear feedback from students, parents and the community.  Trustees will then vote on a balanced budget plan at their March 22 meeting.
Online Schedule of Trustee Budget Forums

For more information on the TDSB’s budget process, please visitwww.tdsb.on.ca/budget
School Council Appreciation and Information Evening
Thank you to all those who attended our event on Thursday, February 25th, 2016.  We hope all the attending school council representatives found the evening informative and were able to make useful connections.
If you didn’t have a chance to fill out a feedback form at the event, we’d still love to hear from you!  Your ideas and suggestions are important for planning future events.
Appreciation Event Online Feedback Form
Download a copy of the 2016 Useful Links for School Councils document, included in the information package given out at the event.
Resources for School Councils
If you have any pictures from the event that you would like to share with PIAC, please email them to: info@torontopiac.com

This year, the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC), Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), Mental Health and Well-Being Parent Partnership Committee and Model Schools for Inner Cities’ Parent Academies are thrilled to join together to bring one all-inclusive conference to TDSB parents and caregivers.

All parents/guardians and caregivers of TDSB students are invited and welcome to attend this FREE conference.

When:  Saturday, April 16th, 2016  8:00am-4:00pm
Where: Allstream Centre, 105 Princes’ Blvd

The Parents as Partners Conference 2016 is planned by parents, for parents and we are so pleased to be able to offer a selection of 80 sessions that cover a broad range of topics to provide parents with useful information and resources to help children improve their achievement and well-being at school and at home.

More information at: http://www.parentsaspartners.ca/
Register Now
Parent and Community Engagement Office (PCEO) Bulletin
Parents are invited to a demonstration of a parent portal on:
Date: Thursday March 10, 2016
Time: 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Location: 5050 Yonge Street, Boardroom

What is a parent portal ?
A parent portal is a web site providing parents with access to student records including achievement, attendance and school communication.   The portal will be made available from any internet enabled device including desktops and mobile devices.

Please confirm your attendance at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RCKPL7X
Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grant
School Councils can apply online for a provincial grant of up to $1000 to fund parent engagement activities during the 2016-2017 school year.  Funds can be used to host parent workshops, bring in guest speakers, run family science/math/literacy nights, produce parent handbooks, pay for babysitting and food for parent meetings, and many other activities that increase parent engagement in our schools.

Grant applications for the 2016-17 school year are now open and will be accepted until May 29, 2016.

Learn more about the guidelines, terms and conditions athttp://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/reaching.HTML

2016 Excellence Awards:
Nominations Now Open

Do you know an exceptional  teacher, principal, or other staff member?
Parents, students, staff, and community members are invited to nominate a TDSB staff member or team whose work has made a difference in your school.

The awards ceremony will be held on May 3, 2016 at 5050 Yonge St.

Online nomination forms can be found here: bit.ly/1SfA1B5
Nominations due by March 22, 2016.

Want to know more? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions page at:bit.ly/1UwEUX1

TDSB Summer Programs

The TDSB Continuing Education Department provides a wide range of enriching summer programs including:

Elementary Programs

  • Elementary Summer School, July 5 – July 29, 2016
  • International Languages Elementary Summer Program, July 4 – July 29, 2016
  • Model Schools for Inner Cities Summer School Program
  • Student Heritage Summer Camp in China, July 5 – 20, 2015
  • Adoptive Families Summer China Heritage Tour, July 8 – 13, 2015Summer ESL Program for International Students July 11 – July 29, 2016
  • TDSB Music Camps

High School Programs

  • Credit Courses for Summer High School, July 5 – July 29, 2016
  • e-Summer School
  • Summer EduTravel Programs
  • Summer ESL Program for International Students July 11 – July 29, 2016

To learn more about these opportunities please visit:
www.tdsb.on.ca/AboutUs/Innovation/SummerPrograms.aspx
TDSB Appoints First-ever Integrity Commissioner
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has appointmented Suzanne Craig as Integrity Commissioner. Serving the Board of Trustees, the Integrity Commissioner will provide advice on the application of the Board Member Code of Conduct, applicable policies and procedures, and provide information with respect to trustees’ obligations under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. Her job is to ensure that all conduct by trustees is held to the highest standards of accountability and transparency.
TDSB “Mental Health And Well-Being Belongs To Us” Newsletter
Please check out the February edition of the TDSB “Mental Health and Well-Being Belongs To Us” newsletter. This month’s publication features “Connection = Kindness + Friendship”.
About PIAC
The Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) is mandated pursuant to the Education Act, Ontario Regulation 612/00, last amendment: O. Reg. 330/10.  The purpose of PIAC is to support, encourage and enhance parent engagement at the board level in order to improve student achievement and well-being. PIAC achieves its purpose by: providing information and advice on parent engagement to the board; communicating with and supporting school councils of schools of the board; and undertaking activities to help parents of pupils of the board support their children’s learning at home and at school.
PIAC Meetings
PIAC Website