Last night we attended the first parent/teacher interviews of the school year & now that the kids older they are more involved in the process so I really enjoyed them. My oldest's conference was completely student led and it was great. The teachers, caretakers and admin staff are all so amazing at their school. I feel very lucky that my kids are a part of such a strong school community. However, being a student (or a parent of a student) within the TDSB can come with it's fair share of frustrations. I find being 'in the know' helps to navigate a system that can be discouraging at times. Here's a brief look on what's happening at the TDSB Ward 7 where our kids go to school.

TDSB Ward 7 update

As with everything, the media plays a big role in what information we get about the TDSB and how it is presented to us. A habit of checking in on the TDSB website monthly can help to keep you informed and often times provides an opportunity for feedback on issues as well.

Enhancing Equity Task Force

There has been a lot in the media lately about the Enhancing Equity Task Force and some of the recommendations. This is still in draft form and you can go to the website and submit feedback until November 20th, 2017. The goal of this effort between the TDSB and communities is to provide an equitable education experience to all students across the board. Although some of the recommendations may not be met positively by all, there is a great need for increased equity, inclusivity, and transparency within the TDSB and this task force does have the best interest of all students in mind.

Trustee Ward Boundary Review

Before you panic, this boundary review has nothing to do with school catchment areas or school closings. This is a boundary review of the Wards so that the TDSB wards align with the new City of Toronto ward boundaries approved by city council. The number of "wards" in the city will increase from 44 to 47. What this does mean however, is that some TDSB trustees will have more schools or fewer schools within their ward boundaries. In our area, Ward 7, Trustee Robin Pilkey predicts she may see a few more schools fall under her but doesn't see any major changes from an operational point of view. Again, the TDSB has a survey / feedback form open to all of us on their website.

Parents make a difference conference 2017

Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) is hosting the 11th annual Parent Involvement Makes a Difference Conference on November 25th, 2017. The keynote speaker is Dr. Stuart Shanker this year and I would have loved to have been there to hear him speak and attend a few workshops. The conference is now full, but so you know, registration is free and you can easily do it on the TDSB website so keep it mind for next year. In the meantime, the PIAC website has loads of helpful information for parents, school councils etc.

Senior Kindergarten French Immersion Information Nights

There is a new process for SK French Immersion info nights this year. No longer are parents attending the local school to learn about the program, the TDSB is having central info nights at larger auditoriums. Two are being held in Ward 7; November 6th at Etobicoke C.I and November 20th at Central Tech. Things like childcare, busing, application process and general information will be discussed. The deadline for applications in November 30th, 2017.

EQAO results

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the EQAO results have been posted online and can be reviewed here. The overarching theme yet again is that students in Ward 7 didn’t score as well in math as students in some other TDSB wards did. However, the good news (to me) is that students did well on the higher level learning questions and verbal responses. It is the multiple choice questions where they came short. Personally, I would rather have students performing well at higher level thinking questions but knowing that multiple choice questions were difficult for students will effect programming and how math curriculum is delivered.

Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence

Let's finish up on a positive! If you have one of those teachers at your child's school, you know, the one that goes above & beyond and inspires those wee minds day in and day out, check this out. Until January 12th, 2018 you can nominate an educator that is bringing their A game in to our school system everyday.Chatting about the Toronto District School Board can be a bit dry but our hope is that you find this information useful, and if you are a parent of a child within the TDSB you get involved! It does make a difference. The next TDSB Ward 7 meeting is fast approaching so we'll shoot you another update soon.

Kirsten and I attended a fund-raising event at a new store in the east end of The Junction (or the 'West Bend' as it has started to be called) last week and I was struck by how vibrant & hip this stretch of Dundas, east of Keele and continuing under the bridge over to Dupont and the Junction Triangle, has become! No longer the Junction's less popular sister, the Junction Triangle and surrounding area has carved out an identity and vibe all it's own.

Of course food & wine were our first order of business, so we began our evening at

The Farmhouse Tavern

, located at the corner of Dupont and Edwin. It describes itself as:

a hip eatery serving a changing menu of farm-to-table Canadian food, craft beers & local wines

That's a perfect description for this laid-back local restaurant focused on serving excellent Canadian food, wine & beer. Their changing menu is written on chalkboards which hang on the walls, and they mean it when they say everything is Canadian, the parmesan that I requested for my pasta was substituted with a delicious Canadian cheese equivalent. Kirsten and I were both eyeing the burger that the guy at the table next to us ordered, but since the burger is always on menu, our waiter suggested the pasta of the day. The pappardelle noodles with pulled shortrib, and a little Canadian cheese sprinkled on top, was to die for. The Farmhouse Tavern is only open Thursdays & Fridays for dinner and on the weekends for brunch & dinner, so plan ahead. They serve a hangover poutine on the weekends that I am dying to try and I'm looking forward to enjoying their side patio when the warm weather hits!

After dinner we made our way west under the bridge, to a new lifestyle store called

Simply Beautiful

, which is part of a new strip of shops on Dundas Street West, between Edna and Chelsea. Simply Beautiful is a visually stunning store with a gorgeous selection of housewares, clothing and jewellery; and is the brain child of it's owner and Chief Curator, Deborah Ross.

Simply Beautiful is a lifestyle store focused on curating collections sourced from small design companies and artisans that make beautiful products with a mindful philosophy. Every product has a rich story.

It shares the block with a number of new businesses including, The Butternut Baking Co., the first all-natural baking company in Toronto; Inspire Event Rental & Design; and The Plant YYZ, which provides plant-based take-out meals. Together they have formed The Venture Block, a group of complementary businesses run by entrepreneurial men & women, with a focus on local and Canadian-based products.It was a lovely event, with complimentary make-up provided by Maria at Marvelous You; head shots by Heather at Fun Love Photography; and delicious cupcakes provided by The Butternut Baking Co. All the proceeds went to the very worthy cause, The Period Purse, which provides feminine hygiene products to women in need.

The area has certainly become a destination unto itself, definitely worth checking out....and look what else has moved onto the block!

TDSB - Ward 7 news