| Dance Kids Toronto | "Dance Day" Workshops for Kindergarten | These action-packed 40 minute dance sessions set the stage for an exciting journey into the world of dance through an exploration of the physical and emotional benefits of dance and an opportunity to perform their choreography for their peers. Students will have the opportunity to learn dance movement and choreography while learning about different cultural dances, highlighting the rich traditions of various regions. Students will have a chance to explore space and movement and create a space for self-discovery. The class culminates in a 2-minute choreography, which students perform in small groups, fostering teamwork, boosting confidence and showcasing their learning. Suitable: Kindergarten/Early Years |
| 180 Change Street | 180 Change Street | This program engages referred youth in a targeted intervention strategy designed to inspire positive and comprehensive change. Working with TDSB Caring & Safe Schools, these motivational and educational sessions include one-on-one mentoring, life coaching and training. Sessions cover topics such as grief, trauma, culturally-relevant mental health and well being, self-awareness, conflict resolution, critical thinking skills, culturally-responsive wrap-around services. Emerging from behind the walls of Canada's prison system, this program is built on its "E to the Power of 5 (E5)" framework and "PURPLE" life-skills acronym, helping youth to turn the stumbling blocks of life into the stepping stones of success. Created for the streets, by the streets, referred students are engaged in examining street culture through a comprehensive lens. The program has a history of successfully keeping participants from returning to or staying out of the justice system. Many referred youth have completed their education and graduated or found employment. Serving: Grades 7 - 12 |
| Urban Minds Planning and Design Studio | 1UP Youth City Builders Program | A youth leadership program that educates and empowers secondary students to become urban changemakers by giving them the skills to contribute to making our cities more livable, equitable and sustainable. Students learn about city building, urban planning, architecture and gain practical skills in civic leadership. Workshops lead students to identify urban issues/challenges and using design jam process to think of possible solutions. Activities may include a neighbourhood walk. Program is suitable for Grades 9-12 Geography or Civics classes. |
| CANVAS Arts Action Programs | 2SLGBTQ+ Inclusion and Consent Workshops | Interactive, arts-based workshops on 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion, consent, and gender equity engage an anti-oppression framework to support students in creating safer, more inclusive communities. Four series are available: “Speak Out” enhances students’ understanding about LGBTQ2S+ identities, how to be an ally, and ways to challenge homophobic and transphobic bullying. “The C-Word” : prepares students for real-life social situations; equipped with tools to enact consent, develop consensual relationships, recognize sexual pressures, challenge social expectations, and support survivors of assault. “RelateABILITY” : for students with developmental disabilities, this series engages arts-based education and role play to educate on consent, communication, and creating safe, positive relationships. Youth Equity Support (YES) Teacher 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion training session available to school community. Serving: Grades 6-12; Professional Learning for staff/parents/caregivers |
| Soulful Color Corp. | A Soulful Colour Connection | Through engaging classroom sessions, Sophia SoJay Jackson, Trinidadian and Jamaican Creator, shares her journey of creating affirmation colouring books; sessions are designed to support the emotional well-being and sense of belonging of Black students (Afro-, Caribbean-, Canadian) and all equity-deserving students, while welcoming students of all backgrounds. Students participate in a guided colouring activity focused on building confidence and self-expression, followed by a Q&A session. These workshops inspire students to take initiative, recognize their inner strength, and harness their experiences—both positive and negative—as tools for growth and meaningful contributions to the world. Sophia connects this message to STEM and creativity, encouraging students to envision diverse pathways to success. Suitable for: Grades K–12. |
| York U | A Vaccine Against Fake News | A Vaccine Against Fake News is a three-part series that supports students' media literacy development in secondary classrooms. Led by professionals such as Canadian non-fiction filmmakers and professors who will facilitate learning about the ways editing can impact the ways stories are shared, provide space for students to create and alter their own media stories, and then consolidation through the screenings of a selection of scenes. Suitable: Grades 9-12. |
| Variety Village | Ability in Action | These workshops offer an increased awareness of accessibility, inclusion and adapted sport for teachers and all students. Sessions provide a unique interactive experience to increase awareness of inclusive participation, adapted games and sport activities for everyBODY. Sessions offered support physical and social inclusion learning to engage, excite and empower students to play, participate and/or compete in accessible and inclusive initiatives together. Teachers learn first-hand from Variety Village staff on how to incorporate these ability-based approaches in the classroom including Intensive Support Program (ISP) classrooms. Students participate in 2 physical activities - wheelchair basketball/games and sitting volleyball or floor curling. Suitable: Kindergarten, Grades 1-12; staff
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| York University | Aboriginal People, Identity and Education | This advanced credit experience includes both university and secondary school courses that provide students with the opportunity to learn from Aboriginal authors, filmmakers, and artists who are telling their own stories. What does it mean to be an Aboriginal/Indigenous person in Canada? What does it mean to be an Aboriginal person living in an urban environment like Toronto? The dual course includes reading books, watching films, and going to art galleries. Students investigate and develop their own responses to questions of identity and Aboriginality. They explore Aboriginal perspectives of "identify", "history", "literature", and "traditions"; and, allows them to develop their own understanding of Aboriginal worldviews. Students register with TDSB Continuing Education for either (NDA3M) Current Aboriginal Issues in Canada or (NDW4M) Issues of Indigenous Peoples in a Global Context. Delivered in person or virtually. Suitable: Grades 11-12
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| Human Moves Inc. | Accessible Mini Ping Pong | Program is suitable for all grades and abilities. It provides specially designed tables, racquets and ping pong pickup tools, targets and containers of different size. Students learn ball movements, direction control, deflection, bounce control, catching and targeting. Progression moves to racquet and ball timing. As students get more advanced, students learn rally challenges with others, 50 rally challenge, forehand/backhand rally switching providing foundation skills. All participants are given achievable motivational challenges according to their abilities. The design of equipment is wheelchair friendly and can accommodate a wide spectrum of disabilities including movement disorders and cognitive challenges. Serving: Kindergarten - Grade 12
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| Zahra Brown Consulting | Accommodation Matters | Presentation for students with disabilities to learn self-advocacy tools to access accommodation as they transition into post-secondary pathways. Sessions focus on legal and practical tips such as understanding rights and responsibilities, how to advocate for yourself, duty to accommodate and strategies for success. Presentation shares how to find solutions that support each student’s individual needs. Suitable: Grades 9-12; staff; parents/caregivers
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| ALPHA Education | Addressing Anti-Asian Racism | These virtual and/or in-person workshops focus on the successes, contributions, excellences in Asian communities as counter narratives to discrimination, exclusion, oppression and racism. Students will examine causes, consequences, and changes in historical and current racism and its intersectionality and explores positive and negative power dynamics. Suitable: Grades K-12.
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| Junglesport Inc. | Adventure Learning | A multi-day program with a series of one hour sessions offered each day. Students take part in wall climbing and vertical challenges, the Gorilla Gym individual swinging challenge, Ascending Lines, and challenges such as the Commando Course, Cable Ride and Obstacle Courses. Students are separated into groups by their age and complete age-appropriate activities. The initiative offers programs that engage students of all ages and abilities in climbing and ropes course activities in school gyms. Junglesport's staff supervises the activities. Suitable: Grades 1-12 |
| Isaac Akrong | African Dance Ensemble (ADE): Dance, Drumming, Music, and Stories | The cultural history, meaning and context of African music and dance comes alive in these presentations and workshops to the school community. The group performs a number of pieces from their repertoire which spans the continent of Africa, specialization in West Africa. The performance incorporates rich and vibrant costumes, beads, masks, and instruments such as a variety of types of drums, xylophone, shaker, bell and flute. Workshop series and residencies are available for those classes that wish to develop and perform a polished performance piece. All instruments are provided and facilitator demonstrates the song, rhythm and dance so each student has the opportunity to participate in playing, dancing and singing. Delivered in-person or virtual. Serving: All Students |
| Drums Et Al | African Drumming, Dance, and Storytelling | The themes of leadership, character development and connection with those around us are explored in these interactive African drumming, dance and storytelling presentation and workshops. African philosophy – Ubuntu – an understanding of ourselves in relation with the world are underpinned in the presentations which are brought to life using songs, music, chants, drumming and story-telling. Workshops provide opportunities for students to further enhance the following skills: hand-drumming technique, West-African dance fundamentals, listening, reflecting and responding, and creating and performing. Presentations are suitable for Black History Month and professional development in drumming may be available. |
| Alpha Rhythm Roots | African Musical Journey | Guinean music, dance, traditions and culture are explored in these African drum circle and dance sessions. Presentations discuss the Guinean percussion orchestra, manufacturing and origins of instruments and history alongside live demonstrations of the instruments played in Western Africa. Performances bring history alive through full traditional outfits, drumming and dancing to the entire school. Workshops provide students the opportunity to participate in collective drumming and dance that develop teamwork, memorization, hand coordination and creativity. Students learn a full orchestra rhythm and/or choreographed dance routine. All sessions are available in English and French, year-round, and professional learning may be available to staff. Suitable: All students; staff; parents/caregivers |
| West African Cultural Exchange | African Traditional Music (Drumming, Dancing and Singing) | These workshops are an enhancement to TDSB Community Music Program and/or for those schools that wish to further enhance their learning beyond the 3 classroom visits. Drummer Fred Kwasi Dunyo leads workshops that are designed to fully immerse students in African culture through music, rhythm, song and dance. Step-by-step instructions provide opportunity to progressively advance students' musical skills while fostering team building and self-confidence. Five instruments are featured: kpanlogo drums, gankogui (bell), axatse (shaker), fritsiwa (finger bell), tokei (bell). Facilitator brings instruments for full classroom participation (if required). Workshop series provides an opportunity for students to showcase their learning to the school community. Professional learning is also available. Gr. K-12; staff
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| C-Flava Inc. | Afro-Caribbean Dance Fit With Flava | Dance sessions, fitness workshops, and performances, introduce students of all ages to traditional West-African and Caribbean dance steps infused with
modernized choreography through a high-intensity workout routine. Students of all fitness levels celebrate freedom of expression and improve their cardiovascular endurance and core strength by moving to the sounds of afrobeats, soca, dancehall, and hip-hop, as well as more traditional rhythms and sounds from West-Africa and the Caribbean, experiencing first-hand the modernization of traditional dance as well as the diversity of movement that exists between cultures. Serving: Kindergarten - Grade 12 |
| ALPHA Education | ALPHA Project | ALPHA engages staff and students of diverse backgrounds to foster awareness of an often overlooked aspect of WWII history, in the interest of furthering the values of justice, peace, and reconciliation, both for survivors of the past and for those who shape the historical narratives of the present and future. Curriculum resources, in-school workshops, international guest speakers, professional learning sessions, assembly presentations; and conferences are all available to enhance understanding and critical analysis of the events of WWII in Asia.
Staff and students are inspired to make connections between these important historical events and the atrocities of war that continue in the present. Through experiential learning, students are enabled to connect what they learn in classrooms with local, Asian, and world events as contexts for their application of what they know, do, and value. It is also learning that is personal and creative as students engage in interdisciplinary historical inquiry on the complexities of war, security, power, and identity to understand how our world works today as part of being responsible citizens who advocate for peace and humanity over violence and war. |
| Community Music Schools of Toronto | Alternative Music Enrichment @ Wandering Spirit | Alternative music enrichment programming provides students at Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School and staff in the Urban Indigenous Education Centre opportunities to further develop their musical skills as individuals, mentors and in ensembles; and, by participating in unique music theory sessions. Serving: Kindergarten, Grades 1-12, Staff |
| Dwayne Morgan | Amplifying Student Voice | In his youth, Dwayne Morgan found his voice, and has used it to carve out a life filled with unique experiences. In these motivational sessions, he shares the blueprint for creating a life built around our passions, based in love for self and others. Fused with spoken word poetry, Morgan weaves an inspirational and attainable story; challenges new thinking related to students' use of social media; and evokes engagement in students' sense of self and ability to develop their creative writing skills as an expression of their own voice and their own story. Sessions include spoken word performance and an introduction to poetry slams, with a passion for encouraging Black Student Achievement. Serving: Grades 4 - 12 |
| Oshoiseh Indigenous African Educational and Cultural Consulting Services | An African Indigenous Education on Pre-Colonial Africa | Through the lens of African Indigenous ways of learning, this program equips students with the knowledge and skills to understand the origins and reasons of anti-Black racism and racism as documented by African Indigenous Peoples over 2000 years ago. It will inform learners of the perspectives of their African Indigenous Ancestors about their Black racial identity and history outside what is found in Western academia. Using an inquiry-based approach, students will engage with material based on their topic of interest regarding precolonial Africa and its implications for the global world and our lives today. Program entails 9 sessions and may be customized according to school need. Suitable: secondary students enrolled in IDC4U Deconstructing Anti-Black Racism; staff. |
| Magic Live Inc. | Anti-Bullying Magic Show | This one-hour professional magic show is an assembly for elementary students which embeds an anti-bullying message and shares ways students can help each other. The presentation is designed to enhance student engagement and positive school climate. Professional magician/illusionist Coby also talks about his personal story of being bullied as a child and how magic helped him overcome bullying. Students will be engaged in discussion and presentation on identifying bullying, verbal, physical, social, and cyber bullying, while providing clear and practical anti-bullying strategies. Serving: Kindergarten, Grades 1-8 |
| Foresight Partners Inc. | Anti-Vaping Presentation | This interactive presentation educates students about the harmful risks and consequences with vaping that is optimistic, informative and provocative. Session challenges students to make better choices and to steer in a positive direction for their future selves to see. Presentation covers risks, facts, prevention, dealing with peer pressure and stressors that lead one to vaping. Professional Support Staff are informed and can support with customization of the presentation. Suitable: Grades 6-12
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| Toronto Art Therapy Institute | Art Therapist Practicum Field Placements | This program provides field placement opportunities for graduate students in Art Therapy. Field placement students collaborate with TDSB staff to enhance their understanding of curriculum; to plan and implement activities for students; and to foster positive relationships with students, staff and parents. Art Therapist Practicum graduate students may support referred TDSB students in any of the following activities: enhance communication and self-expression, self-discovery, and problem solving; encourage development of healthy coping strategies in working through specific issues, such as depression & anxiety, addictions, grief/loss, or trauma; help children relieve stress, increase emotional literacy and awareness of self, and develop healthy and effective coping skills. Using imagery, colour and shapes; thoughts and feelings can be expressed that may be otherwise difficult for children to articulate. |
| Liwi68 Inc. | Art with Mark Stoddart: Visual Communication | Workshops use the creative process to explore the multiplicities and complexities of student identities, experiences and cultures. As a Black visual communicator, graphic designer and painter, Mark is committed to educating, empowering and uniting through art. Students enhance their understanding of the deconstruction of symbols within media arts and developing advanced skills in storytelling. Students create their own artwork while thinking about themselves and their intersectional identities. Culminating projects may be murals, apparel, graphic design and/or products. Suitable: Grades 1-12; staff; parents/caregivers
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| Francine Peltier | Arts & Culture Based Murals for Indigenous Students | Francine Peltier, an Ojibwe artist from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory, provides Indigenous students with half-day cultural based arts programming that enables students to build meaningful relationships with their peers, their culture, and within themselves by participating to learn the creation of new skills. Students can engage in various art activities including designing and creating murals based on the 7 Grandfather teachings. Mentorship and portfolio development are also available along with professional development related to visual arts. Suitable: Grades 6-12. |
| Centauri Summer Camp Inc. | Arts & Culture Career SHSM Workshops | SHSM certifications are available to grade 11 and 12 students exploring a variety of careers in the Arts & Culture Sector. In-person or virtual sessions provide students with an opportunity to explore arts and culture skills as they relate to specific careers and to connect with an industry professional who has first-hand experience working in the arts and culture. Students get a taste of the techniques, technology and art forms that enable success in the sector and instructors provide insight into various career paths, including traditional routes, and self-generated opportunities. Offerings include: Cosmetology & Make Up for Film & Television, Graphic Design, Animation, Podcasting as a Career, Digital Art Software, Writing for TV & Film, and Sector Partnered Experience (formerly ICE). |
| The Arts Access Fund | Arts Access In The Schools | These free arts-focused workshops are facilitated by professional artists in a variety of disciplines in select schools. Students participate in various activities that include mixed media, photography, sculpture, architecture, performing arts and creative movement. Workshops integrate cross-curricular subjects such as media literacy, language, social studies, science and math; and creativity and self-expression through creative expression. Students develop a greater understanding of the world around them through their own creativity. Consultation with teachers prior to sessions occur to ensure enhancement to the curriculum. Suitable: Kindergarten; Grades 1-8 |
| Jennifer Kay | Arts-Based Mental Health and Wellness Workshops | Jenni Kay offers engaging wellness and mental health workshops that teach practical tools students can start incorporating right away. TASAM workshops (Tackling Anxiety & Stress through Arts and Mindfulness) focus on self-regulation, mindfulness and building coping skills to manage stress and anxiety. Bloom workshops focus on character development and social-emotional learning, addressing common issues like bullying and prejudice through empathy and resilience. Each workshop is adapted to students’ needs and includes a hands-on creative activity. Jenni brings her compassionate approach and 20+ years of experience working with children and families in mental health settings. Workshops for parent communities, and professional development for educators, are also available. Suitable: Gr 3-12; Staff; Parents and Caregivers |
| Naomi Chorney | Art-To-Go | Art-To-Go features fun and dynamic, curriculum-based workshops in Visual Arts, Ceramics and Dance in English or French by a bilingual, multi-disciplinary artist and community arts facilitator. Visual arts workshops feature printmaking, relief printmaking, relief painting and paper making. Students are guided and coached through a design project, technique and process to create an individual art piece. Ceramic workshops feature air-dry clay projects from decorative animals, character faces and gargoyles to mask-making and birchbark canoes. Air-dry clay projects include slab, coil and pinchpot-making techniques as well as a brief history of clay use. Dance workshops include Hip Hop, Dance Fusion and Creative Movement and Storytelling. Students engage with choreography and principles of dance while learning a routine for a group performance. Serving: Kindergarten - Grade 8
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| Moving EDGEucation Inc. | Bachelors, Masters, Ph.Ds in EDGEucation! | Health and well-being, movement based learning, dance and healthy school climate sessions for school communities. Bachelors: A highly engaging, inclusive community building experience where the whole self is engaged (the physical, cognitive, social/emotional) moving to multiple music styles. Students create a positive community environment by unifying together on the same movement, then expressing and exploring their own individuality. Masters: Interactive movement sessions with a “numeracy” or “literacy” focus, plus a Professional Learning Session for staff to build the capacity of teachers to integrate movement into lessons. Ph.Ds: Continue the learning through interactive movement sessions with multiple subject areas, and an extended Professional Learning Session to integrate movement into multiple subjects throughout the day. Parent engagement sessions build community, and provide an experiential opportunity for families to become informed about movement & learning while being active at the same time. Serving: Kindergarten to Grade 12, Staff, Parents/Caregivers |
| Quantum Sports And Learning Association | Ballmatics | This unique physical education and mathematics programming mixes sports and math skills. Each session provides warm-up, math lesson/drill, basketball skill development and math activity to reinforce the math lesson. Singular sessions or series, provide an academic enrichment program that develops students’ self-efficacy and self-confidence in math through basketball. Program was developed and is facilitated by certified instructors and athletic specialists. When scheduled as a series of sessions, the programming provides progressive development of students' proficiency in math exercises and physical development. Suitable: Grades 4-12 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto | BBBST Mentoring Programs | Children and youth living in challenging circumstances face multiple barriers and may experience distress, depression, or not achieving their full potential for student success. These long-standing individual and/or group Mentoring Programs allow referred children and youth, to benefit from the power of mentoring while remaining in the safe and familiar environment of their own school. BBBST mentors provide weekly sessions that improve students’ connection to their school community, improved academic performance, improved attendance and higher educational attainment. BBBST Program Coordinator monitors each individualized match as well as group programming led by mentors. Serving: All Grades, students referred by TDSB PSS staff and/or students already on BBBST roster. |
| Audrey Gabay | Bee Connectionzzz | Play-based workshop using storytelling, drama exercises, games, bee equipment, videos and visual aids to convey information about bees in our ecosystem. The aim is to create a fun experience so students develop a curiosity and fascination for all things bees and pollinators. The workshop explores the bee life cycle, social structures and diversity of bees (social honeybee, solitary bees, natives bees), habitat destruction and regeneration. In addition, the facilitator will talk about bees as a keystone species, review their importance in our ecosystem, and the interdependence among bees, plants pollination and animals, the reasons for their decline and how we can help. Suitable: Grades 1-4 |
| Roland Bibeau | Beebo Music: French Music Concerts | The interactive French and bilingual language music concerts give students the motivation and confidence to sing along to French-language songs. Students learn traditional and contemporary French songs and they lyrics are projected onto a wall or screen to help students sing along. Performances focus on music as a learning tool, and demonstrate how music can be used in teaching students a second language. Serving: Kindergarten - Grade 8; French Immersion and FSL classes |
| S-Quire Media Group | Behind the Lens | This interactive digital media workshop series instructs African/Caribbean/Black (ACB) students from grades 7-12 the fundamentals of photography and videography to create a reflective social media campaign that speaks their truth. Students engage in dialogue to encourage critical thinking around messaging in traditional and new media that shape the way ACB communities are depicted, and identify strategies that can be utilized to incorporate more positive representational images on popular social media platforms. Delivered by a Black media professional, this culturally responsive media program aims to provide a safe space for students to share their authentic experiences and highlight how vital collective school and community support is to their aspirational growth. The 6 part workshop series finishes with students sharing their own edited student creations. |
| Believe Initiative Inc. | Believe Initiative Inc. | This program engages and inspires students to adopt a mindset of resiliency, self belief and learning through challenges in order to be successful through presentations. Believe initiative founder Sarah Wells, an Olympic hurdler, is no stranger to overcoming obstacles as she shares stories of her success in her sport in the Olympic Games and how she dealt with heartbreaking defeat and unforeseen challenges. This equipped Sarah with the knowledge and tools on how to build and foster resilience. Schools may choose from just a keynote or the full program which includes keynote and follow-up workshops on various leadership traits culminating in an interdisciplinary project where students apply their learning to develop and implement their own belief passion project. Suitable: Grades 4-12 |
| Biodun Sam Ashaolu | Beyond The Court | Sam Ashaolu shares, in these 1-hour presentations, his remarkable story of overcoming adversity to remind students to push through adversity, build strong character, and believe in themselves. Sam describes challenge after challenge including experiencing poverty, gun violence, and losing scholarships as well as his many successes along the way including full scholarships, professional sport, earning degrees, and the belief in himself that helped him overcome the odds. Suitable: Grades 6-12.
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| CultureLink Settlement and Community Services | Bike to School | The program offers educational activities and resources that enable the entire school community to discover the personal, social and ecological benefits of cycling for transportation. Activities include assemblies, classroom workshops, seminars, and on-bike training in the schoolyard. Topics include helmet fit, safety checks on bicycles, the Highway Traffic Act, awareness of other road users, the City of Toronto Cycling Map, and the basic physical skills of bicycling. Many activities align with Bike to School Week, beginning the last Monday of May annually. Sessions for elementary audiences: Ready to Ride: Fun and Safe Cycling; “ABC” Bike Safety Check; Bike Rodeo; Walk and Roll Rodeo. Sessions for secondary school audiences: Ready to Ride: Fun and Safe Cycling; “ABC” Bike Safety Check; Riding Skills I & II. Serving: Kindergarten - Grade 12 |
| Real Talk Learning Experiences | Black History - A Canadian Perspective | Sessions delivered in person or through video-conferencing focus on the experiences of African people in Canada to share the rarely discussed history of the African diaspora in Canada. Presentations, altered by grade level, covers a number of interesting topics, including the success of African interpreters working with early Europeans, interactions of Black Canadians in community building, the escape of African people from the southern United States and their experiences in Canada. Serving: Kindergarten, Grades 1-12 |
| Blank Canvases | Blank Canvases | The program offers students specialized visual arts workshops on the history of local Toronto artists alongside Artist Educators. The program uses the inspiration of local Toronto artists to engage students. Art workshop offerings include painting portraits, painting landscapes, collage, sculpture, environment focused projects, up-cycling projects, urban graffiti art, arctic animals and multicultural mixed media projects. Afterwards, students are led through an art workshop inspired by the technique of the artist culminating in students creating their own unique art pieces. In addition, Artist Educators are available to plan and design a mural project to showcase the artwork of the students. Serving: Kindergarten - Grade 12 |
| Brave Education Inc. | BRAVE | BRAVE goes class-by-class in schools, inspiring resilience through social and emotional skills. Through a small group approach, scenario-led learning, and participant centered lens, these sessions go past general messaging to provide students with practical, in-the-moment strategies. Workshops include: Setting Healthy Boundaries, Bullying, Conflict, and Relationships, Bystander, and Building Emotional Regulation. Referred students in Gr. K-12. |
| OneChild Network & Support Inc. | Break the Chains | Presentations introduce the complexities of the sexual exploitation of children (SEC). They enhance understanding of strategies to prevent sex trafficking and to increase early intervention supports. Sessions introduce the topics of human, sex, and child trafficking; and, the root causes of sexual exploitation of children such as gender inequity. They outline the signs of child sex trafficking, how to ask for help, how to identify children who need help, how to access community resources. The focus of these presentations is to give tangible ways so every one (students, staff, parents/caregivers) can take action in their schools and communities. (TDSB Professional Support Services’ staff must be in attendance for these presentations that are available for middle and secondary school communities.) |
| Young Yogis Toronto | Breathe-Stretch-Rest-Repeat | Workshops bring yoga, mindfulness and meditation to staff and students, following a pattern proven to yield powerful results, both mentally and physically, in a wide range of students with varying abilities and needs. Each class begins with a body-smart safety check, followed by a mini-meditation, active practice and ends with a closing relaxation / guided meditation. A play-based approach is used for Primary and Junior students. Middle and Senior school students enjoy classes focusing on positive visualization using a variety of mindful themes. These curated accessible programs are inclusive and very effective in helping students learn positive coping mechanisms, for our fast-paced world, in a safe, noncompetitive and nurturing environment. We have experience with both MID and DD students. These adaptive programs are very effective in meeting their unique needs and abilities one breath at a time. Suitable: Kindergarten - Grade 12 |
| Diversified Youth Initiative | Bring The Beat Back | This entrepreneurial program focuses on the Art of Creating Music by teaching the fundamentals of production, song writing/arrangement, sampling and instrument layering to re-engage and re-energize students from equity-deserving communities in LC1. Using our grassroots holistic approach, our Black mentors will engage, develop and support students in-person or virtually by enhancing their creativity, innovation and ingenuity. Students will benefit through a series of educational sessions to increase their business, branding, marketing, money management and performance capabilities. Sessions culminate with a project completed by students and presented to school community. Community engagement initiatives may occur for the entire school community (i.e. parents/caregivers). Suitable: Grades 9-12
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| Chess Institute of Canada | Bringing Chess to Life | Workshops introduce the game of chess - and a variety of chess-related activities and challenges - to the whole class. Students demonstrate remarkably high levels of engagement and focus, communication of complex logic, and performance of sophisticated calculations in the chess context. Curriculum-specific math skills are enhanced through these joyful experiences with logic and design, which provide a basis for later confidence in pursuing STEM careers. Chess workshops also include discussion of the inner game, opening opportunities for self-reflection and providing tools and perspectives to help students become more successful at taking on challenges, dealing with setbacks and losses, solving problems, and building healthy relationships. |
| Centennial College | BST, DSW, SSW Field Placements | This program provides field placement opportunities for post-secondary students in the Behavioural Sciences, Developmental Services, & Social Services Worker with TDSB Special Education staff and educator teams. Field placements within TDSB sites provide post-secondary students who are considering a career with youth, including youth with special needs, an opportunity to gain direct experience in understanding the learning strategies employed in classrooms. Field placement students collaborate with the TDSB staff to facilitate TDSB students' developmental skills for everyday life; support the promotion and maintenance of health and well-being in classrooms; and, provide resources to assist TDSB students to successfully transition after high school.
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| George Brown College | BST, DSW, SSW Field Placements | This program provides field placement opportunities for post-secondary students in the Behavioural Sciences, Developmental Services, & Social Services Worker with TDSB Special Education staff and educator teams. Field placements within TDSB sites provide post-secondary students who are considering a career with youth, including youth with special needs, an opportunity to gain direct experience in understanding the learning strategies employed in classrooms. Field placement students collaborate with the TDSB staff to facilitate TDSB students' developmental skills for everyday life; support the promotion and maintenance of health and well-being in classrooms; and, provide resources to assist TDSB students to successfully transition after high school.
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| David Lowe | Bucket Drumming | This interactive hands-on workshop delivered by Black professional drummer, David Lowe enhances listening and teamwork skills. Participants learn basic drumming skills, including grip and proper striking technique, rhythm reading, composition, rhythmic dictation and effective practice techniques. Progressive skills are built upon through fun rhythm challenges, as groups and individually. Sessions are also effective for those with varying degrees of disabilities or special needs. Suitable: Kindergarten, Grades 1-8 |
| Scarborough Women's Centre | Building Strong Futures | Interactive workshops engage students identifying as female in Grades 7-12, in Scarborough schools. A support network is built, through discussion, life skills development, and information that enhances their confidence to make positive life choices, plan for their futures, become independent, and navigate the challenges that arise in the lives of young women on their pathways to adulthood. Topics include, but are not limited to: Building Self-Esteem and Confidence, Body Image, Healthy Relationships, Conflict Resolution, Future Planning, Self-Care Practices, and Personal, Educational and Career Goal Setting. Workshops for all-gender audiences are also available. Women's and Gender Issues are raised and analysed from an intersectional perspective. Grades 7-12.
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| Alair Homes | Building Together | These 2 hour sessions delivered by a variety of professionals aims to introduce students to careers in construction as an expansive field and industry. This program will show students various roles that exist (i.e. supply chain, management, leadership, entrepreneurship, finance, HR, plus all of the hands-on trades), moving towards building new understandings of construction and who belongs within the industry. These sessions will move through icebreakers, building of a product, and deepening understandings of construction. Suitable: Grades 6-8 |
| Curtis Carmichael | Butterflies in the Trenches | Keynotes and motivational assemblies encourage students to find their passion and purpose. Sessions provide practical strategies for students to feel prepared and motivated to succeed in school, life, and prepare for the future. Curtis shares his personal story of a young Black man who breaks the cycle of poverty and how he refused to give up because of the deep love for his community. The focus of his strategies are grounded in community service, leadership, entrepreneurship, STEM education, financial literacy, equity, anti-racism, and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. Suitable: Grades 4-12; staff |
| Zakera B | Calligraphy/Art Workshops | Muslim facilitator, Zakera Bulbulia, shares the aesthetic and creativity of Arabic calligraphy combatting Islamophobia through awareness and education of Muslim identities. Sessions begin with a reading of "In My Mosque" to provide context of where one might see Arabic calligraphy in today's world. Students hear the origins, learn about the Arabic alphabet and then begin to practise the basic strokes. Students receive a copy of their name in Arabic calligraphy to close the session. Suitable: Kindergarten - Gr. 12 |
| Gallery 44 | CameraReach Residencies | CameraReach is a 5-day arts residency program delivered by professional photographers working with middle school classes. Over the course of 5 half-day sessions per class, students learn a variety of skills including technical functions of a camera, elements of photography, narrative building through image-making and how to download and edit photographs to create a finalized art piece. These workshops are incorporated into the school curriculum and aim to engage students in the world of digital photography, providing them with valuable technical and conceptual skills. The program is organized sequentially, to build cumulative skills and develop visual literacy through hands-on learning, dialogue and production. Artist instructors work with students to explore an annual theme which results in an exhibition of the students' artwork at a professional gallery. |
| The Starfish Environmental Society | Can You Hear The Eco?: Environmental Solutions Workshops | The workshop uses a guided inquiry-based learning approach to help students develop new solutions to age-appropriate real-world environmental challenges. Students will be presented with a challenge faced by our local community, distill their ideas, and prioritize their solutions. They will work together in small groups to create and refine a presentation to the larger class. Facilitators will help students explore the different threads within the interconnected tapestry of our social, economic, and political worlds. The workshop can be adapted to all levels, K-12 and may be offered in French. |
| Canadian Tamil Youth Development Centre | CanTYD Programs for Tamil Youth | Programming and services for Tamil Canadian secondary students fosters student leadership and student engagement opportunities, as well as providing connections for students and their families to culturally specific Tamil resources in the community. Weekly programming of presentations and workshops use the arts, group discussion, and recreation activities to engage students in topics and issues of their choosing. CANTYD staff are also available during instructional time, as requested by TDSB staff and students to provide particular equity supports.
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| ICON Talent Partners | Career Development Program Speakers Series | Facilitated by BIPOC business leaders, these presentations provide insight and knowledge on careers and career paths to bridge the gap between under-represented communities and corporate opportunities. Topics include various career paths including law, venture capital, business, banking, startups, technology. Each one hour session includes a presentation by each industry expert, their career journey and how they arrived to their respective field and job, followed by question and answer. Suitable: Gr. 9-12
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| Nikki Ray Media Agency Inc. | Career Opportunities in Film and TV | Presented by diverse professionals in the field, this session shares information on the film and television industry and non-traditional career paths that connect with their skill set and passion. Students will learn about the various roles of a production team and the roles in front and behind the camera and how they build to tell the story. Professionals who are BIPOC share their experiences and career pathways to get to where they are and ways to advance into such careers. Suitable: Grades 9-12 |
| Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging Foundation | Careers in Long-Term Care | In-person or virtual presentations by professional staff in the long-term care sector provide information on long-term care and the variety of careers available in the sector to secondary students. Presentation addresses and tackles real day challenges to the industry. Staff from long-term care homes may be available alongside partner staff to provide first-hand information about their roles and experiences. Presentation provides career profiles, person-centred vocabulary, videos, resources followed by a question and answer period. The partner is affiliated with the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation (OCLRI).
SPE (Sector Partner Experience) may be available. |
| Festival Management Committee | Carnival Arts and Literature | These workshops celebrate Caribbean culture and diversity by shining a light on Carnival history and Carnival arts to all students. Through hands-on sessions, students learn about the history, artistry and craftsmanship of costume-making and Mas costumes. Various professional artists share their expertise and their role in Carnival Arts from conception to implementation (including music making, costume design, construction, band leading). The program also highlights the contributions of individuals from the Caribbean community. Suitable: Kindergarten, Grades 1-12
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| TruDYNASTY Carnival Dolls Ltd. | Carnival Costume Making | Demonstrations and workshops offer students an opportunity to learn Carnival costume making from Black artist/designer Thea Jackson. Sessions start with the history of Caribbean Carnival, how costumes are developed and showcases present day costume designs from around the world. Workshops offer a hands-on opportunity for each student to create their own costume piece (tiara) and to keep their creation. Students get a glimpse of behind-the-scenes work, learn how costumes are made and hear from a professional designer about how the Arts and Culture can be a viable career. Suitable: Grades 9-12 |
| Carrying Holocaust Testimony from Generation to Generation | Carrying Holocaust Testimony Presentation | Centring first-hand personal testimonies of Holocaust Survivors to students through the voices of their descendants, video footage of the survivor sharing important elements of their history, and photographs, these presentations provide opportunities for students to engage deeply with the history, learn the lessons of the Holocaust and the personal messages of Holocaust survivors. The presentations are typically 45 minutes followed by a 15-minute question and answer period. The program aligns well history, social studies, language arts and equity education. Suitable: Grades 6-12. |
| Dori Ekstein | Carrying on the Legacy: Sharing My Parent's Testimonies | As a descendant of Holocaust survivors, Dori Ekstein shares her father's and mother's oral testimonies and teaches students about the lessons of the Holocaust and the dangers of hate. Students can connect to the past, reflect on the present to help them build a better future. This presentation covers a variety of themes and important elements of the Holocaust while helping students understand the consequences of hatred, racism, prejudice, antisemitism, genocide and stereotyping in any society. This interactive session includes powerpoint presentation, maps, documents, photos, video clips and oral testimony. Professional Support Staff may be present for this workshop. Planning occurs prior to delivery to ensure conditions are set for student well-being. Suitable: Grades 6-12 |
| University of Waterloo | CEMC Math and Computer Science Workshops | Facilitators from the Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing (CEMC) meet in person or virtually with students to develop their problem-solving skills and highlight the importance of mathematics and computer science in the real world. Topics include special math topics, real world applications and careers. Students discuss how mathematics is used to solve real-world problems and the various professions that utilize it. In addition, presenter provides insight into the careers and education pathways associated with the diverse careers. Suited for students in grades 7 to 12. |
| Chef Education Inc. | Chef à l’École | Creating French-inspired recipes from scratch, students practise French speaking skills in these hands-on cooking or video-conferencing workshops. Students follow step-by-step instructions in preparing a delicious food and learn the tools and ingredients to make it or watch as a French Chef provides instructions and creates a delicious recipe. This enriching experience comes alive with French facilitators sharing cultural stories and music through songs and playing les cuillères (traditional French musical instrument). Facilitators provide recipes, tools, ingredients and portable oven (if applicable). Workshop culminates in a Q&A with a French Chef. Workshops are suitable for students in core, extended and French immersion Gr. 1-12 |
| Association Echec et Mathematiques | Chess 'n Math Association Schools Program | Learning to play chess in French or English, helps students develop mathematical, logistical and analytical skills. It improves their concentration and memory. It bolsters their self-esteem and their ability to collaborate and interact with others. Programming is offered as singular, introductory sessions; or as a series of sessions for students who then take part in the culminating event of a chess tournament. Using games, exercises and worksheets students learn the rules of the game, how to solve problems, work in teams, and use critical thinking skills including decision-making and judgement. Students learn to think ahead and anticipate the moves of their opponents by developing their logic and reasoning skills. Serving: Grades 1 - 8 |
| Centennial College | Child and Youth Care (CYC) Field Placements | This program provides field placement opportunities for students in Child and Youth Care post-secondary programs. Field placements within TDSB sites provide post-secondary students who are considering a career in their specialized area, an opportunity to gain direct experience in understanding the learning strategies employed in classrooms. Field placement students collaborate with TDSB staff to enhance their understanding of curriculum; to plan and implement activities for students; and to foster positive relationships with students, staff and parents. These placements satisfy post-secondary course requirements for field placement experience.
Child and Youth Care field placement students may support TDSB students at any of the following activities: workshops; presentations; life skills development projects, campaigns and/or resources development.
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| George Brown College | Child and Youth Care (CYC) Field Placements | This program provides field placement opportunities for students in Child and Youth Care post-secondary programs. Field placements within TDSB sites provide post-secondary students who are considering a career in their specialized area, an opportunity to gain direct experience in understanding the learning strategies employed in classrooms. Field placement students collaborate with TDSB staff to enhance their understanding of curriculum; to plan and implement activities for students; and to foster positive relationships with students, staff and parents. These placements satisfy post-secondary course requirements for field placement experience.
Child and Youth Care field placement students may support TDSB students at any of the following activities: workshops; presentations; life skills development projects, campaigns and/or resources development.
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| Seneca College | Child and Youth Care (CYC) Field Placements | This program provides field placement opportunities for students in Child and Youth Care post-secondary programs. Field placements within TDSB sites provide post-secondary students who are considering a career in their specialized area, an opportunity to gain direct experience in understanding the learning strategies employed in classrooms. Field placement students collaborate with TDSB staff to enhance their understanding of curriculum; to plan and implement activities for students; and to foster positive relationships with students, staff and parents. These placements satisfy post-secondary course requirements for field placement experience.
Child and Youth Care field placement students may support TDSB students at any of the following activities: workshops; presentations; life skills development projects, campaigns and/or resources development.
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| Sheridan College | Child and Youth Care (CYC) Field Placements | This program provides field placement opportunities for students in Child and Youth Care post-secondary programs. Field placements within TDSB sites provide post-secondary students who are considering a career in their specialized area, an opportunity to gain direct experience in understanding the learning strategies employed in classrooms. Field placement students collaborate with TDSB staff to enhance their understanding of curriculum; to plan and implement activities for students; and to foster positive relationships with students, staff and parents. These placements satisfy post-secondary course requirements for field placement experience.
Child and Youth Care field placement students may support TDSB students at any of the following activities: workshops; presentations; life skills development projects, campaigns and/or resources development.
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| RAK Education | Chris James' Stage Combat | Secondary students can engage in stage combat workshops within a safe and structured drama class environment. With experience in TV and film, Chris James, a Black-identifying actor, guides students in simulated combat by focusing on the goals of stage combat, safety within this skill set, repeated choreography through knaps, and focused tutorials of each kind of move and fall in order to prepare for student fight-scene performances . Following their performances, students will engage in self evaluation and reflections on their progress. Suitable: Grades 9-12 |
| Toronto Wildlife Centre | Co-existing with Wildlife | Through discussions and activities designed to encourage critical thinking and broaden student learning, our grade-based programs explore a variety of curriculum connections. Facilitators discuss myths and truths surrounding urban wildlife, raise awareness of the urban ecosystem and promote understanding and compassion towards wildlife. The one-hour long program examines environmental issues that affect wildlife and provides action-based solutions to empower students to take action to help. Students learn about sick, injured and orphaned wild patients at our centre, and will have the opportunity to meet a wild ambassador – options include a species-at-risk snapping turtle, groundhog, pigeon, or garter snake. Suitable: Kindergarten, Grades 1-8 |
| Corp of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall | Collaborations | Collaborations pairs mainstage artists with your classroom to help students compose an original song. Artists like Royal Wood, The Good Lovelies, and Elise LeGrow visit your classroom with a teaching artist to teach your students more about songwriting, taking the students through their process to create an original composition together.
This experience is tailored and varies by grade level.
K-3 – Learn about the basics of rhythm and melody while making a song. We’ll use body percussion or items in your room to create the rhythm, and write a chorus plus one to two verses collaboratively.
Gr. 4-8 – Explore elements such as pitch, dynamics, and harmony through the songwriting process with your visiting artists.
Gr. 9-12 – Collaborations in Secondary Schools will not only teach students about the artist’s individual process, but allow space for a masterclass element where students may demonstrate their own personal songwriting and receive feedback from the artist.
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| Common Compass Pro-Social Programs | Common Compass | Workshops and training promote belonging, inclusion, social-emotional well-being and positive mental health. They empower students to show empathy as they interact with their peers in their school and beyond. They seek to enhance students’ self identity and self esteem; strengthen connectedness and positive school climate; and, support assertive communication. It promotes social inclusion, and positive decision-making. Students learn strategies to manage their mental health and well-being, social emotional learning; understanding their emotions, developing coping skills, improving emotional expression and communication skills; and, developing leadership skills. Iidentity-affirming practices are utilized to support student needs. Professional Learning and Parent sessions available to provide further supports to the entire school community. Suitable: Kindergarten; Grades 1- 12; Professional Learning for staff; Parents/Caregivers
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| The Concerned Kids Charity of Toronto | Communicating Through Puppetry to Create Safe School Communities | The Concerned Kids educates children about important social issues like bullying, mental health, celebrating differences, self-esteem, cyber safety, cyberbullying, respect, and inclusion through the uniquely engaging art of puppetry. Our cast of diverse puppets educates students in Kindergarten-Grade 5 about making kinder choices using our TCK ‘heart’ values of humility, empathy, allyship, respect, and trust to create safer school communities for all. Each presentation is followed by a question and answer session to allow students to ask questions about the issues raised, and solidify the learning objectives of the performance. Suitable: Kindergarten Grades 6 |
| George Brown College | Community Worker Field Placements | This program provides field placement opportunities for students in the second year of the Community Worker program. Field placements within TDSB sites provide post-secondary students who are considering a career in their specialized area, an opportunity to gain direct experience in understanding the learning strategies employed in the Board, schools, and classrooms. Field placement students collaborate with TDSB staff to enhance their understanding of curriculum; plan and implement activities and foster positive relationships with parents/caregivers, students, and staff These placements satisfy post-secondary course requirements for field placement experience. |
| Lumenus Community Services | Community-based Treatment and Support Services | Services offer a continuum of support to select students, their families and care providers. Supports include accessible services that can take place in the home, school, or community and for students whose school or home placement is at risk of breakdown due to mental health and other issues. Lumenus staff work one-one-one with referred students and/or with key adults in the students' lives, to support their optimal functioning based on goals from the students' treatment plans. Lumenus staff connect students and key adults to needed community resources. In particular, the program provides strategies to address difficulties in social, emotional, behavioural, communication, cognitive, learning and/or developmental domains of functioning. Services can include observation and assessment in the home; support and training for parents, teachers and other school staff as needed; and individual student program planning for the classroom and at home, service coordination, and transition support from treatment into classroom setting. Lumenus staff work in collaboration with TDSB Professional Support Services staff in order to facilitate a coordinated service for referred students (any grade).
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| Joseph "Joze" Piranian | Confronting Adversity, One Word at a Time | As a lifelong stutterer, Joze shares his story of transformation in this inspirational keynote as a way for students to learn how to face their fears and embrace what makes them unique. Students learn resilience, courage, persistence, and coping skills and enhance their capacities for empathy, inclusion, self-expression, and self-acceptance. In sharing his story, Joze provides the tools to overcome life's obstacles alongside the wisdom that allows us to see them as opportunities for personal betterment; that our fears and insecurities cease to control us when we choose to act in spite of them. Keynote can be presented in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic. Serving: all grades, staff and parents |
| X Movement Inc. | Connected Movement | Connected Movement provides full-day workshops and events that integrate physical, emotional and social literacy to the school community. These include: Australian cultural and sports explores cricket, aussie football and netball; ‘X-ME Experience’ incorporates fitness alongside breathing exercises; ‘X-Other’ forges friendships and healthy relationships; ‘X-World’ utilizes play to work collectively together; ‘Extravaganza’ utilizes creative moment, mindful movement and expressive movement to allow students to celebrate themselves. Suitable: all grades; staff; parents/caregivers
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| Taking IT Global Youth Association | Connected North | Educators, staff and students at the TDSB Urban Indigenous Education Centre are supported in the use of collaborative technology and virtual visits from Connected North lead staff, Waukomaun Pawis, or designate. Through collaborative project based learning, unique content and connections are developed for schools in the north and in the south to access cultural exchange opportunities and curriculum enhancement. Urban Indigenous students and staff connect through visiting partners and online video-conferencing with Indigenous school communities in remote locations, providing them access to expertise that might otherwise have been very difficult to acquire. Serving: Grades 1-12, Staff |
| Toronto Biennial of Art | Contemporary Indigenous Arts Programming | Available during the Biennial season, Sept 21 - Dec 01, 2024, these half-day sessions focus on amplifying Indigenous Allyship and Artists of Colour. The Toronto Biennial of Art (TBA) connects learners with locally and internationally-based artists' projects and provides an opportunity to learn through decolonizing practices that showcase multiple histories and the many forms of 'knowing.' These learning opportunities for students from pre-Kindergarten to grade 12 will deepen their social, geopolitical and peacemaking understandings in the contexts of the city of Tkaronto/Toronto and surrounding areas. TBA's Mobile Arts Curriculum learning tools, developed by Biennial artists and available for free year-round, centre decolonization through the arts and the multiple voices of Indigenous and counter-archival histories. Students will engage in practices, techniques and approaches in art-making. Staff professional development is also available.
Suitable for: K-12. |
| Real Talk Learning Experiences | Content is King | Having a sound understanding of how social media works, both on the front-end and the back-end, allows young people and parents/guardians to employ best practices and make good decisions about utilizing the medium. The Digital Age has affected the way many industries do business. The marketing industry has changed from outbound methods that cast a broad net to an undefined target audience, to inbound tactics to attract a desired customer to products and services. Content marketing by way of videos, written content and podcasts, in conjunction with social media marketing and search engine marketing has become a standard in contemporary marketing. Topics in these student and parent workshops include - Content is King, Media Literacy & Technology, Let's Take a Selfie: Social Media and You. Serving: Grades 7-12, Parents/Caregivers |
| Kids Help Phone/Jeunesse J'Ecoute | Counsellor in the Classroom/Intervenant·e dans la classe | Presentation that helps to break down any preconceptions and stigma around Kids Help Phone while promoting discussion of mental health and well-being in students. The counsellor provides an overview of Kids Help Phone, services offered, discuss why it is hard to reach out for help, and provide some common questions and concerns that young people have when seeking help. The class has an opportunity to engage with the counsellor by asking any questions they discussed in the preparation activity. Teachers receive a resource package to support the learning as well as optional extension activities to expand their learning. Sessions may be offered in French. Suitable: Grades 4-12
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| Naseeha Youth Helpline | Countering Anti-Muslim Racism | Workshops counter anti-Muslim racism and Islamophobia to promote students' sense of well-being. Through activities, workshops and question & answer sessions, students build confidence and joy with their identities and culture. Three workshops are available: Did You Know? talks about the achievements of Muslims around the world; More Than Just Shawarma discusses identity in a safe and engaging space and Not Even Water? breaks down stereotypes, myths and bias while exploring identity and understanding. Planning with teachers to ensure workshops meet curriculum needs of staff and classrooms. Professional learning and parent/caregiver sessions also available. Suitable: Grades 6-12; staff; parents/caregivers |
| James Mandarino | Courage to Dream | Jay Mandarino shares his life story of overcoming obstacles, achieving success, and giving back to the community in this free inspirational assembly. Students hear a positive message to not let any obstacles stop them from achieving their dreams. Jay Mandarino talks about business and entrepreneurship, confidence and self-esteem and how to live with a learning disability such as dyslexia and ADHD and the life challenges these diagnoses often present. His message empowers students to strive for success in the face of adversity, through the real life examples of lived experience. Presentation is followed by a question and answer period. Serving: Grades 5 - 12 |
| Trinity Theatre Toronto | Creating Communities We Want | Referred students become peer leaders in conflict mediation techniques through workshops that engage them in a variety of art and drama-based activities. Trained student peer leaders facilitate workshops, talking circles and presentations with other students in their school, improving both their communication and conflict resolution skills alongside the development of their leadership capabilities. Handling Conflict peer mediation training through the arts, sessions refine students' skills in understanding emotions like anger through active listening and empathy, as well as open and closed questioning. Sessions for staff include resource: Making Connections, a substance abuse toolkit for students. Serving: Grades 7 - 12. |
| VIBE ARTS | Creative Classrooms | Children and youth from schools in neighbourhood improvement areas engage in high-quality, tailor-made, hands-on arts workshops conducted by professional artists. Students of all levels of ability create works of art through mediums such as dance, drama, dub poetry, environmental art, visual and integrated arts, murals, video and filmmaking, and photography, while also learning to reflect their cultural heritage and personal identity into their works. Suitable: select schools
Professional learning is also available, leading teachers through a series of hands-on experiences which include art appreciation, studio techniques, and lesson planning, as well as sharing and discussing effective strategies for integrating arts into core curriculum areas.
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| Nia Centre for The Arts Incorporated | Creative Connect | Sessions available for Kindergarten - Grade 12. In elementary schools, workshops are designed to expand knowledge around artistic traditions from across the Afro Diaspora. Guided by professional artists, students will engage in a hands-on learning experience, creating and exploring traditional arts. In secondary schools, workshops support Black, African, Caribbean and Afro Diasporic students who have found their purpose in art by providing post-secondary and employment pathways, career exploration and mentorship opportunities. Established professional artists who work in the creative arts guide students to identify pathway connections, build career networks, and the skills needed to stay motivated to succeed. Professionals also provide career advice, support and mentorship opportunities. SHSM & SPE opportunities are available.
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| Jessica Dubeau | Creative Dance Solutions | Dance enrichment workshops provide choreography in historically black influenced dance genres such as: Hip Hop, Jazz, African, Caribbean (Soca, Dancehall), Contemporary, Musical Theatre, and Disco styles. In a safe, inclusive and encouraging environment, students learn the characteristics of each style through choreographic sequences and fundamental dance and sport movements built into exercises, routines, and rhythmic drills that provide athletic building components that are unique to dance. At the end of a workshop series, students will perform a choreographed routine that was created during the unit. Each type of sessions promotes cultural acceptance, Black awareness and enrichment as well as diversification and anti-racism through practiced mediums and techniques. Serving: Grades K - 12
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| Kaeja d'Dance | Creative Movement and Dance Film | Professional trained dancers provide dance and movement workshops that touch on fundamental concepts of dance – body, space, time, relationship, and energy – to get all students active and engaged in the creative process. Sessions are delivered in person or virtually. We offer workshops in Dance Improvisation (intuitive movement in response to text, images and soundscapes), Express Dance (creating dances using natural movement vocabulary), Kaeja Elevations (partner work that allows students to soar safely through the air), and Dance Film (choreographing, directing, and editing short dance pieces for the screen). Professional learning for teachers is also available. Serving: Kindergarten - Grade 12 |
| Laura Beglin | Creativity, Confidence, Artistry Through Dance | In these dance workshops, students build leadership skills as they create their own choreography and creative composition. Each session typically concentrates on one dance style or tradition, providing instruction in technique and dance history. Styles available include jazz, ballet, hip hop, disco, modern, musical theatre, country line dance, Western-style folk dance, and creative movement. With elementary students the instructor focuses on body and spatial awareness, form and style, and physical conditioning. With secondary students the instructor places greater emphasis on proper dance technique and history. All workshops seek to provide new and diverse perspectives to teachers and students in the classroom. Serving: Kindergarten, Grades 1-12, Staff |
| Mario Rigby | Crossing Africa: Overcoming An Impossible Journey | Canadian adventure explorer, Mario Rigby, shares his story of how he trekked across 12,000 km across Africa by foot and kayak using his three pillars of success: vision, preparation, action. He conquered what was considered an impossible feat and his continued work as an Adventure Explorer, achieving his dream. Students hear advice on how to overcome challenges and fears to discover their own passion. The presentation highlights Mario's journey, interactions with various African ethnic groups, and the bio-diversity of the various environments in his trek. Serving: Kindergarten - Grades 12 |
| Crossroads Theatre | Crossroads Productions | Crossroads Theatre's Production, The Assembly, is an interactive theatre-meets-board-game experience about environmental sustainability, teamwork and decision-making. During every 75-minute performance, the student audience forms “the assembly” and are invited to work together to critically assess their city’s current and future needs. Students will have the opportunity to collaborate, deepen their understanding and explore shared citizenship. Suitable: Grades 6-8. |
| Central Toronto Youth Services | CTYS RITES (Middle School) Program | A 12-week evidence-based program that supports and empowers Black students with an understanding of themselves, their cultures, and the varying issues that impact their mental health. R.I.T.E.S. stands for Resilience, Identity, Transformation, Empowerment and Self-Determination. Students build their identity, practical skills of leadership, conflict transformation, resilience, self-care and problem solving, in a positive and healthy environment. Sessions utilize individual, group activities, discussion, video/music/storytelling that is culturally responsive and empowering. The program aims to foster pride, increase self-esteem and instill hope for the future. Referrals will be made by TDSB PSS staff or school staff. Suitable: Referred Grades 7-8 students |
| Dance 'N' Culture Inc. | Cultural Dance Workshops | Dance workshops either introduce or further explore a variety of cultural dances, history and culture. Dance styles offered include Bollywood, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Chinese Folk, West African, Soca, Afrobeats and Colombian Folk. Workshop touches on brief history and present day context, geography, traditions, basic movements, songs, and dance expressions (hand gestures, foot patterns, facial expressions). Basic introduction introduces foundational movement and concepts while the workshop series allows students to create, learn choreography, and perform to the school community. Workshops may be used to celebrate a history/heritage month. Suitable: Kindergarten, Grades 1-12
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| Luana Shirt | Cultural Teachings | Luana Shirt is a Plains Cree/Anishinaabe Indigenous Knowledge Educator and Artist. Through interactive teaching circles, she brings focus and better understanding of Anishinaabe cultural teachings that are centered around the Indigenous world views of traditional roles of women and men, rites of passage of girls and boys, 7 stages of life, 7 grandfathers story and teachings, understanding of water, traditional use of medicines and 13 moon grandmother teachings. Indigenous arts workshops include songs, games and interactive teaching circles. Professional learning available to teachers. |
| SMILE Canada - Support Services | Culturally Responsive Disability Support Workshop | Presentation and workshops raise awareness on the intersectional needs of racialized families with children and youth with disabilities for the school community. It provides an overview on the intersections of xenophobia, racism, Islamophobia, and ableism, while speaking about the importance of incorporating culturally responsive support within all models of service delivery. Sessions generate conversation, use case studies, share examples and experiences and increase participants' understanding of how they can contribute to the journey towards a more accessible and inclusive society. Topics such as language, assumption and bias, ableism, intersectionality are covered in this workshop. Suitable: All grades; staff; parents/caregivers |
| Dairy Farmers of Ontario | Dairy Education | This presentation, in-person or virtual, provides students an opportunity to discover a variety of aspects to the dairy industry. Delivered by a trained dairy educator, the presentation uses songs, experiments, hands-on props, games, Power Point activities and videos. Three topics are available including Dairy Farming – all things about the farm and how cows produce milk; Dairy Goodness - health benefits and nutrition of milk; and Processing - milk is processed into milk and other food products. Presentation materials are available in English and French. Suitable: Kindergarten - Grade 8. |
| University of Toronto | Dalla Lana School of Public Health: Outreach and Access Program | The program addresses the representation gap in public health leadership and the health system by providing mentorship, access to networks and further support to Gr. 10-12 students from underserved communities. Delivered by faculty members and current students, the program aims to raise awareness of non-clinical, less known, but highly influential careers in healthcare. Students learn fundamental disciplines and themes of public health, hear from diverse professionals and receive life skills training for their post-secondary pathway. Suitable: Grades 10-12
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| University of Toronto | Dalla Lana School of Public Health: Pathways to Public Health | In collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement, this program supports Black-identifying students in grades 9-12 with their pursuit of careers and opportunities in public health and health systems. This 10-week program explores pathways into fields of health and health systems (i.e. Clinical Epidemiology, Health Economics, Social Epidemiology, Bioethics and Health Informatics etc.). Students develop life skills along with a deeper understanding of public health concepts and receive ongoing mentorship and support from Black professionals. Sessions also offer students a deeper understanding of health equity and social determinants of health and health policy. Further networking opportunities and engagement with faculty members may be available. |
