TDSB is grateful for new agreements with:

We asked a partners who were new or renewed in 2021 to share with us how they would complete the phrase, "Partnership Is ... "   And, we have compiled their responses in two videos! What is Partnership? Part One in this video.  (Part Two find here.)

As was noted in our last month's news item, the TDSB has established a new COVID-19 Vaccination Procedure for Employees, Trustees and Other Individuals to support the health and safety of students and staff in our schools and workplaces. Under the TDSB Vaccination Procedure, our Educational Programming Partners delivering sessions in-person are considered ‘other individuals,’ and, therefore, must comply with the procedure if they attend TDSB sites and/or have direct contact with staff or students in a TDSB workplace by being fully vaccinated against COVID.

To meet the requirements of TDSB Vaccination Procedure, as an Educational Programming Partner, you are required to: • verify proof of vaccination for each director, officer, employee, contractor, agent, representative, or any person permitted by or associated with you or your organization who is required to access school sites in the provision of the program or services under your Memorandum of Understanding with TDSB (“MOU”) • confirm that only personnel who have been fully vaccinated will enter TDSB sites and provide programming or services at TDSB sites.

If you are a current educational programming partner and have not received your Attestation Form to complete, please contact educationalpartners@tdsb.on.ca

Educational Programming Partners who provide in-person programming should not expect invitations at this time. IF partners are invited by Principals (or designates) to provide programming services in-person, partners must complete a Health Assessment form prior to entering a TDSB site each day that they enter. The local staff / Principal who invites visitors into TDSB locations must ensure that all of TDSB COVID response protocols are followed and completed. Visitors to TDSB sites must meet all Toronto Public Health screening protocols, and be clear of all COVID-19 symptoms upon entering the building. By November 1, 2021, employees, Trustees and other individuals who have direct contact with staff or students at a TDSB workplace, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (subject to exemptions approved by TDSB under the Human Rights Code ). Educational Programming Partners delivering sessions in-person frequently are considered ‘other individuals’ in TDSB COVID-19 response procedure: PR 734 COVID-19 Vaccination Procedure for Employees, Trustees and Other Individuals

Through the month of August, it was wonderful to have several renewal agreements finalized. They are ready to serve remotely. A quick list is below, but check out all the details on these partnership programs in the list of Our Partners. 

Renewed in August:

• Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity, Activism Through Education: Intersectional  Approaches to Education and Allyship
• CultureLink Settlement and Community Services, Bike to School 
  
• Education Arts Canada, Set the Stage for Learning_Musical Adventures
  
• Fusion Artz Café, Art Clay Ceramic Metamorphosis
  
• Living Rhythm, Drumming to Well Being
  
• Marianne Derow, The Art of Healthy Singing
  
• OWLware Ltd., Accessibility Now
  
• Seedling Stories, Hands in the Garden
  
• Seneca College, Immigrant & Refugee Studies SSW Field Placements 
  
• STEPS Initiative, STEPS.Studio
• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Using Literature as an Innovative Tool for Teaching Mental Health Literacy 
• University of Calgary, Masters School Psychology Field Placements
• White Ribbon, Promoting Equality, Healthy Masculinities, and Gender and Social Justice 

John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, Experiential Learning Design Program

Throughout July, TDSB continued to finalize partnerships that are able to work virtually with our schools.

• New! ACE Mentor Program of Canada - Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE) Mentors for secondary students are local industry professionals from top firms, delivering sessions in-person or virtually that help students discover the possibility of careers in architecture, construction and engineering.
• New! Digital Human Library. All grades are served by industry professionals in various sectors and content areas, for educational programs and the delivery of live, digital content.
• Renewed! New Leaf Yoga. Yoga instruction and mindfulness activities in-person or virtually, for referred students, to address chronic stress, cultivate self-awareness and build resilience. 
• Renewed! Bay Street Deconstructed. Virtual educational workshops demystify the Financial Services industry, designed by educators and industry experts for Grade 10 students.

At the annual TDSB partnership celebration event in June 2021, Associate Director Curtis Ennis and System Superintendent Jacqueline Spence extend appreciation to educational programming partners who contribute to the Strategic Directions of the TDSB Equity, Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppressions department  and the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement. Check out the Thank You video clip of their words of appreciation.

TDSB is pleased to share this brief video Thank You Card to our mental health educational programming partners. In it, Shameen Sandhu, System Leader for Mental Health and Professional Support Services, extends appreciation to TDSB Educational Programming Partners who focus on the mental health and well-being of our students, staff and school communities.

TDSB celebrates its Indigenous Educational Programming Partners! View our video Thank You, expressing the deep appreciation TDSB has for its Indigenous Educational Programming Partners, as conveyed by System Superintendent Tanya Senk, TDSB Urban Indigenous Education Centre. 

Executive Superintendent Jim Spyropoulos extends words of appreciation for the contributions made to TDSB by its Educational Programming Partners. "We couldn't do it without you!" 

This year TDSB hosted its annual Partnership Celebration Event virtually! Check out our 35 min video of the event if you missed it live!  We extended our appreciation to 215 partnerships that were new or renewed in 2020. These partners provide everything from pediatric health clinics to workshops on mental health and wellness; from career talks in a variety of sectors to financial literacy sessions; from artistic performances to motivational presentations that enhance student engagement; from small group support in literacy to seminars on nutrition, fitness and green projects; from increasing digital competencies and coding skills to planting gardens; from unpacking racism to creating 2SLGBTQ+ positive spaces. Heartfelt thanks to all of our educational programming partners for your unique and impactful work with students and school communities!

Career Development Essentials programming from this new partner provides opportunities for secondary students to learn about various industries, career pathways and the skills necessary to further their career interests and goals. Students gain exposure to new career opportunities, skills development, and industry networking sessions from a variety of sectors. Workshops include: Ace the Interview; Resume Writing; Adapting to Working Remotely; LInkedIn Strategies for Youth; Talking to Industry. As well, students have an opportunity to meet with professionals in the following industries: Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics, STEM Careers, Business and Finance and Future Technology. 

TDSB has a new partnership providing programming in Theatre and Culture for Early Years! Led by professional performing artists in French and English for early years' students, these performances and workshops engage our youngest students in theatre, dance, music, movement/dance, visual arts in a storytelling form. At this time, sessions are virtual, and explore a range of themes including friendship, the environment, loss and change, overcoming fears, embracing difference/different abilities and cultural diversity.

February continued to be a busy month of new partners being accepted to work during instructional time. TDSB was proud to finalize 11 new partnerships this month with the following remote programs delivering sessions virtually at this time: 

TREC Charitable Foundation_Relay Education: Green Collar Careers

University of Toronto_Virtual Academic Support Program in Select Secondary Schools

Poetry In Voice/Les voix de la Poesie _Poet In Class/Poet a l’ecole

The Toronto Writers' Collective _ Creative Writing Professional Learning

Canadian Foundation for Children, Youth & Law _ Justice for Children and Youth: CASA Workshops

Itah Sadu _ Stories For Our Time 

P.E.A.C.E. _ A Piece of P.E.A.C.E.

Purple Carrots Drama Studio Inc. _Purple Playspace

Agincourt Community Services Association _ Student Leadership & Youth Empowerment (SLYE)

Logics Group Inc. _ Logics Academy Professional Learning

SoundKreations Inc. _Toronto Dance Xperience

Clinics in select elementary schools address the issue of students in inner city communities who come to school with undiagnosed and untreated health concerns that prevent them from learning. Its objective is to provide students with access to a medical clinic, on site, in schools. Medical practitioners, (including but not exclusive to: nurse practitioners, physicians, pediatricians, community health workers) consult with students (and, if elementary school age, with their families) on a variety of medical, behavioural and developmental and school-related concerns. Services may include, and are not limited to: 1. Medical - providing diagnoses, prescribing medications, health counselling and referrals to other medical specialists, or dietician. 2. Behavioural and Developmental - providing diagnoses, prescribing medications, related mental health counselling, referrals to specialist and/or community agencies. 3. Clinical services will be provided on a referral basis from parents/guardians; TDSB Professional Support Services; local Principals from schools surrounding school in which clinic site is hosted. Services are customized and implemented as required based on presenting issues  Clinic practitioners are also available to meet with designated School Support Teams in schools, when needed, as mutually scheduled. Administration of clinic appointments is facilitated by clinic staff.

A new partnership with Hong Fook Mental Health Association serves referred Asian students from grades 7 – 12 to support them as they create new social connections and strengthen peer to peer relationships. Through games, group work and discussion, youth develop strategies and life skills, including communication, healthy relationships, stress management, wellness, decision-making, and goal-setting. Presentations with school communities are available to increase local school communities' engagement in issues of equity, mental health and social inclusion.

A new partnership with Special Compass has been finalized for their "What Happens Next?" presentations. These inclusive sessions are delivered in-person or by video-conferencing for student, staff, or parent audiences to help meet the needs and challenges of exceptional students, and prepare them to achieve success. Presentations demystify learning disabilities, and provide successful learning strategies that include goal setting, study skills, advocacy skills, and stress management.

We continue to finalize partnership arrangements over the summer. We look forward to a renewed partnership in the fall with The Message Inc. These educational programming sessions help youth tap into the power of mass media by enhancing their media literacy and critical thinking skills. Mass media affects the way we think, feel and act and when used responsibly, present unprecedented opportunities for connecting, sharing and learning. Through in-school and video-conferencing sessions students examine hip-hop & music messages, anti-Black racism, social media etiquette, media ownership, “fake news,” sexism, consumerism, and substance use in popular culture.

Our annual partnership appreciation reception celebrates new and renewed educational programming partners who provide unique learning opportunities during instructional time. Unfortunately, this year's event needed to be cancelled. We look forward to being able to celebrate again next year! Overall, TDSB has received nearly 3,000 proposals, of which over 600 have been accepted to provide educational programming that enhances the work we do with our students, staff and school communities. We value the ever-flowing interest in partnering with us! 

The Educational Partnership Office hopes that all partner agencies' personnel are staying safe and well during this time of school closures. 

Current Educational Programming Partners who are deepening their online capacity to serve schools are asked to provide the Educational Partnership Office with their updated url, only if their specific web portals have changed, and especially if they require TDSB staff and/or student login. Connect with us via: partners@tdsb.on.ca 

There are over 60 partners who will have new or renewed agreements finalized when the schools re-open. We look forward to these upcoming educational programming partnerships! To view the list of these, click on the Upcoming Partners banner on our Educational Partnerships web page. 

Canada has recognized the Holodomor in Ukraine as one of eight genocides it officially acknowledges and has set aside the fourth Friday every November as a day of remembrance. TDSB looks forward to our upcoming partnership in the new year with the University of Alberta_Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, through which the presentation “Genocide Denial and Cover-up: The Holodomor in the 20^th Century” will be available for schools to schedule during instructional time.

Through a new educational programming partnership with Sugu World Inc., students design, build, and develop drones in sessions that integrate computer engineering technology with state of the art approaches to robotics, electronics, and programming. Facilitated by aerospace engineers, mechanical engineers, airline pilots, and certified drone pilots, students engage both creatively and technically in the design, assembly, and implementation programming of drones for takeoff and flight. In addition, students also examine how to successfully integrate drone technology into our current world, and how these global competencies' technologies can benefit humanity.

The fall is a great time to highlight educational programming partnerships that focus on gardening. TDSB is in partnership with five external agencies for sessions in which students learn the urban agricultural skills of seeding, transplanting, irrigating, and harvesting! Thank you to : FoodShare; Green Thumbs Growing Kids; Kids' Growing City; PACT; and, Seedling Stories for your creative, hands-on workshops that enhance various curriculum areas! 

My Clothes My World is a practical workshop offering that is being renewed! It highlights the social and environmental impacts in the apparel industry. Students learn the life cycle and supply chain of the apparel industry, environmental impacts, positive and negative impact on human interactions and their communities while learning to debate and create sustainable solutions to problems. At the end of the workshop, students engage in a practical exercise to deconstruct and reconstruct an old t-shirt into a bag. 

TDSB is proud to renew its partnership with the Consulate General of Portugal! Delivered by Portuguese authors, language professors, diplomats, or government of Portugal V.I.P. guests; as scheduled, these presentations engage and motivate students in learning about Portuguese culture, and in developing skills in the speaking, reading and writing the Portuguese language. Presentations for students; professional learning for staff, resources and language certification opportunities are provided. 

Our annual partnership appreciation networking session celebrates new and renewed educational programming partnerships from the previous year that provide unique learning opportunities during instructional time.  Of the over 2,500 proposals TDSB has received, over 500 have been accepted, with programs of excellence that enhance the work we do with our students, staff and school communities. At this year's event on May 14th, we extended our appreciation to 180 partnerships!

A new partnership with CMV Media Inc. provides sessions with students, teachers, and parents on how to utilize their social apps and platforms to build their online reputations via principles of digital citizenship. Students learn how to incorporate impeccable character, integrity, kindness and gratitude into their social apps and online experience. This presentation uses relevant, real-world examples, strategies and solutions to guide participants on safe and purposeful digital use. Facilitator provides tools and tips on how to communicate and minimize risks while creating a meaningful online presence for today and in the future.

A partnership with the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto brings presentations on Indigenous culture, language and history on Turtle Island (North America) into TDSB schools! Topics include the history and cultural teachings of Anishinaabe (Ojibway, Odawa and Potawatomi); Haudenosaunee (Iroquois); and, Metis. There are 'content focused' sessions; interactive presentations that focus on an activity; and, there performance-based presentations available!

Get REAL provides interactive presentations for students in grades 5-12, with a mixed group of speakers, both identifying as LGBTQ+ and straight, who share their personal stories of growth and help students further understand that friendship and respect transcends things like gender and sexual orientation. These fun and friendly presentations focus on building inclusive spaces and peer support strategies; unlearning LGBTQ+ discrimination and bullying; and, showing through interactive activities that everyone has unique challenges in their lives, a story to share, and a chance to impact someone else’s life for the better. 

Wondering about the various ways to engage with the TDSB? Please see our Partnership Opportunities video - it may have the guidance you are looking for! 

TDSB educational programming partners include agencies that bring their expertise and specialty in engaging students and staff in learning movement, dance, and yoga techniques as physical fitness and health strategies. We are also proud to have dozens of other partners who focus their expertise in providing varied and distinctive specific mental health and well-being initiatives within our school communities. Search them all in the list of "Our Partners"! 

Our annual partnership appreciation networking session celebrates new and renewed educational programming partnerships from the previous year that provide unique learning opportunities during instructional time.  Of the over 2,000 proposals TDSB has received, 460 have been accepted, with programs of excellence that enhance the work we do with our students, staff and school communities. At this year's event, we extended our appreciation to 130 partnerships! 

Check out the workshops offered by these Eco partners: Fashion Takes Action; Green Thumbs Growing Kids;  Kids' Growing City; Planet in Focus; The Water Brothers; Enviromentum; Water First !

External agencies can engage with the TDSB in various ways! Educational Programming Partnerships are not the only recognized working relationships. Check our Partnership Opportunities Brochure to find the most common pathways!

The Learning Partnership - a national charity that supports public education in Canada - is doing its part to ensure today's kids are ready for the information age through a new program that teaches them the basics of computer coding. The program, which tasks students with creating their own video games, was run as a pilot in the GTA last year and has been rolled out across the country this year. Some 150 Toronto students showcased their finished products at a Coding Quest Arcade at RBC WaterPark Place downtown on Tuesday, May 16. Read more about the event here.

The TDSB celebrated nearly 80 new and renewed educational programming partnerships at its annual recognition event on May 11. A diverse range of partners attended, including authors, illustrators, filmmakers, accountants, entrepreneurs, lawyers, environmentalists and facilitators. Read more about the event here.

TDSB is pleased to renew its partnership with No.9 ! Their interdisciplinary program enhances ecological literacy through an architecture and urban design project for grade 7 & 8 classes. Students learn about infrastructure and design components of their communities: public art, transportation, waste and water management, building types, green spaces, and energy use. They discuss sustainability issues; design and develop ecologically sustainable models to address these issues in their community.

This season`s Sears Ontario Drama Festival is scheduled to feature 45 plays, 30 of which are from TDSB schools, with many of the plays student-written and directed.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading global IT services, consulting and business solutions organization, along with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), are ti co-host its 'goIT' student competition finale as a culmination of its partnership for the 2016-2017 school year that will engage nearly 2,000 students across 18 schools.

4/26/2017:Read more about the event here.

The criteria by which Educational Programming Partnership proposal are assessed have been newly revised. Check them out! 

Thank you to everyone who provided input on our Partnership Policy during the public consultation time in the spring. The revised policy has now been finalized. Take a look! 

To enrich the classroom learning of NAC 10 ‘Expressing Aboriginal Culture’, TDSB is please to have renewed our educational programming partnership agreement with the Art Gallery of Ontario. Partnership activities include: integrated learning days at the AGO with NAC 10 students, teachers and First Nations, Metis and Inuit Artists; professional learning sessions; guided tours of the collections and exhibitions related to NAC10 curriculum with AGO staff and guest artists; and, interdisciplinary, artist-led workshops!

The first brochure in our 'Partnership at a Glance' series is now available. "Educational Partnerships" describes how proposals are assessed, and how accepted partnerships are reviewed. 

Please take a moment to participate in the public consultation on the TDSB policy for Educational Programming Partnerships. Until early June, you can find the draft policy and the link to provide your feedback athere.

The Learning Partnership held its annual “Invention Convention” as part of its “Investigate! Invent! Innovate!” program. The program provides resources and presentations for students, and professional learning sessions for teachers, to develop students’ mathematical understanding, problem-solving skills, and related scientific and technological skills that they can apply in their daily lives and, eventually, in the workplace. Workshops for students and teachers are delivered by guest experts in the fields of science, engineering, math and technology. The culminating event is the “Invention Convention”, a showcase for students to exhibit the inventions they have created. Read more about the convention here. 

Blank Canvases, formerly Walnut Studios, held a fundraiser for its programming. Blank Canvases offers elementary students a history of local Toronto artists through workshops led by professional artists. Workshops use the inspiration of both historical and contemporary Toronto artists for engaging students in the technique of a local, historical artist to create their own unique art pieces. Methodologies which allow for children to create and express their own individuality to their utmost capability are used. This will include best practices in arts education that reflect open ended choice making, an encouragement of uniqueness, fostering of expression, and a focus on process rather than product. Blank Canvases workshops use art making as a vehicle to promote group dynamics, mutual respect, positive self-esteem, critical and creative thinking. Read more about their event here.

Sistema Toronto Academy held a fundraiser for its “Playing to Potential” program. Playing to Potential is an intensive and immersive program of instrumental, choral and orchestral instruction for students in selected schools. Students learn a stringed instrument from the choice of violin, viola, cello and bass. The program offers students one-on-one musical instruction, orchestral/group instruction as well as lessons in vocal, rhythm, music theory and history. Musical instruments are provided. Where possible, parents are encouraged to attend performances and join all other related program activities as much as possible. Read more about their event here.

Arts Express offers workshops in drama, dance and visual arts, literacy storytelling, and Tackling Anxiety, Stress and Mental Health (T.A.S.M.) to deepen students' knowledge and use of arts to express their ideas. One of their sessions during Black History Month was in the media! Read more here.

The Educational Partnership Office (CPO) is the gateway through which proposals for educational programs or services provided by external agencies in schools during the school day,  are received, assessed, documented, accepted or declined as partnerships, monitored, renewed or closed. TDSB Educational Programming Partnerships have clearly defined indicators of success. We renew partnerships that have measured learning outcomes and demonstrated impact.

TDSB works with many universities and colleges to provide placement opportunities! This month we were pleased to renew Field Placement agreements with Centennial College and Humber College. Accepted placement students collaborate with TDSB staff who have volunteered to work with them, to enhance their understanding of how their chosen profession plans and implements activities; provides resources; and, fosters positive relationships with children, staff, parents and families in the schools.

Living Together is a school twinning project between Market Lane Public School in Toronto, and Nürtingen Grundschule Berlin-Kreuzberg school in Berlin that focuses on activities that deepen students’ understanding of the questions, challenges and triumphs when different nationalities and cultures seek a peaceful life together. The project is facilitated by the German Consulate and the visiting German theatre company, SideViews, engaged by the Consulate, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of German Unification. Read more here.

Model Schools Pediatric Clinics address the issue of children in inner city communities that come to school with undiagnosed and untreated health concerns that prevent them from learning. Its objective is to provide families with access to a medical clinic, on site, in schools. With St. Michael’s Hospital as a partner, TDSB opened the sixth clinic. It is located at Nelson Mandela Park Public School in Regent Park. Read more here.

For a quick reference, see our Partnership Roles and Responsibilities chart. It provides an overview at a glance of who is responsible, consulted, informed and accountable from proposal assessment through to partnership review.

Education is a shared responsibility between the Board, parents and guardians, students, staff and the community. TDSB is committed to working in collaboration with external agencies to increase student engagement, well-being, and achievement, through the provision of programs or services that help students expand the diversity of their learning opportunities and bring relevance to their education. Educational partners share values, objectives, resources and responsibilities to achieve desired learning outcomes. Of the 1200+ initiatives that have been proposed, there are currently 300+ that have been accepted as formal partners to provide programming or services in our schools. It is our privilege and honour to acknowledge Our Partners on a public list!