Effective classroom instruction

TLDSB prioritizes ensuring all teachers and support staff are regularly engaged in evidence-based professional learning opportunities to ensure that every student receives quality instruction in the classroom. In TLDSB:

• Principals are the lead instructional learners, supporting teachers with effective teaching and learning strategies.
• Teachers in both elementary and secondary are engaged in regular professional development related to effective classroom instruction in literacy and numeracy.
• A new initiative for Grade 7, 8, and 9 teachers kicked off this fall with the development of effective literacy and reading instruction to promote consistent teaching strategies, and to support effective transitions for students entering Grade 9.

Supporting student mental health and well-being

TLDSB continues to focus mental health support on promotion, prevention, and early intervention. Across our system, adults in schools are well equipped to assist students with strategies to promote well-being, and to connect students with appropriate support when needed. In TLDSB:

• All schools focus on well-being through mentally healthy classrooms, caring adult connections, and instruction in everyday mental health strategies.
• Social Emotional Learning (SEL) can be found across the Ontario curriculum, and all students are supported with strategies to help them identify and manage emotions, navigate stress, and engage in problem solving to improve learning.
• Every school has access to mental health counsellors who are available for consultations with teachers, students, and parents/guardians. Counsellors may recommend additional support strategies, provide brief individual or small group intervention, and/or connect families with community resources when more intensive support is required.

You are not alone! If you have concerns about your child’s mental health and well-being, or if your child is experiencing difficulty with school attendance/engagement, or you simply want to consult with our Mental Health Services Team, please connect with your child’s principal or teacher to access assistance.

The importance of regular attendance

Research shows that regular attendance at school is essential to student achievement. Attending school develops positive social skills, which is known to increase a person’s well-being. We appreciate families continuing to work with their child’s school to promote positive and regular student attendance, including:

• Planning ahead and arriving at school on time.
• Ensuring students remain in class until the end of the day, unless it is absolutely necessary to sign them out.
• Advising the school if your child is absent due to illness, appointments, etc. to support safe arrival practices.
• Contacting the school principal at any time if you require support with your child’s attendance.

Regular attendance and positive engagement in school sets students up for future success!

Inclement weather and attendance

A reminder that when transportation is cancelled as a result of current or forecasted weather or road conditions, elementary and secondary schools remain open. If students are safely able to get to and from school, we encourage student attendance; learning opportunities will continue to be available to all attending students on inclement weather days.

TLDSB has a zoned approach in relation to transportation cancellations; further detail about the zone your child(ren)’s school is in can be found on the Board’s Transportation Information page.

Parent/guardian engagement and voice

Engaging parents/guardians in opportunities for input, feedback, and/or discussion related to their child’s education, school community, and school board remains an important part of TLDSB’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan commitments. This fall, this has looked like:

• Teachers being in regular contact with families; especially for students who may need additional support and/or guidance. Parents/guardians are encouraged to reach out to their child’s teacher and/or principal if they feel additional communication is required to support their child’s success.
• The director of education, Wes Hahn, has invited school parent council chairs to meet with him and school principals to solicit feedback related to the direction of the system.
• The introduction of Engage with TLDSB – the Board’s new digital engagement platform created to strengthen relationships, build engagement, and collaborate with students, staff, parents/guardians, community members, and partner organizations on various Board initiatives, projects, consultations, and so much more.

Cyber awareness and online safety

Knowing how to protect yourself and others online is increasingly important. Over the past decade, the quick and vast adoption of devices and digital technology has increased cyber risks and online threats. Collectively, we can make our online and virtual lives safer for everyone by developing and maintaining safe personal online habits.

Brush up on your cyber security knowledge by reviewing these 12 infosheets found on the Educational Computing Network of Ontario’s (ECNO) year-round resources page to provide additional information on understanding and protecting yourself and others. We also encourage you to share these with your family and friends.

Poverty survey

Although not a TLDSB initiative, we wanted to share that the Government of Ontario is asking Ontarians to share their experiences, perspectives, challenges, and priorities to assess the current Poverty Reduction Strategy and to explore opportunities for the next strategy. They are looking to hear from individuals across Ontario, such as yourself, by completing the Poverty Reduction Strategy Survey on their website. The information you provide will help inform next steps and the direction of the strategy. Responses will be collected by the province until Sunday, November 30.

Upcoming events

2025-2026 Positive Parenting Webinar Series

TLDSB, in partnership with Pine River Institute, is hosting three FREE virtual webinars for parents/guardians.

Worry or anxiety?
Thursday, November 27 – 7 to 8 p.m.
Learn how to talk to your child about their emotions while confidently navigating challenging situations and knowing when it’s time to seek additional support.

Building our stretch zone
Thursday, February 19 – 7 to 8 p.m.
Explore comfort, stretch, and panic zones to help you and your child build resilience, improve communication, and know when to push or provide safety.

The benefits of positive stress
Thursday, April 23 – 7 to 8 p.m.
Not all stress is bad for us! In fact, without positive stress, we fail to learn, grow, and develop as functional humans. Learn how to spot the differences and create opportunities to introduce healthy stress for you and your kids.

Register here: If you are interested in attending (even if you’d just like the recording), complete the Positive Parenting Webinar Series Registration Form. Note, those who register will get access to all events.

EQAO webinars for parents/guardians

Math Information
Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Who: Parents/guardians of students in Grades 3, 6 and 9

The webinar will discuss math questions from Ontario’s large-scale assessments, and show how these questions help assess the skills students are learning in their math classes.

If you are interested in attending or receiving the recording, complete the Math Information Registration Form.

Literacy Session: Focus on Reading
Two dates: Tuesday, December 2 and Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Who: Parents/guardians of students in Grades 3, 6 and 9

The webinar will discuss how EQAO assesses students’ reading skills at key stages of their education. EQAO staff will discuss reading samples and questions from the primary and junior reading assessments, and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test. Staff will also highlight valuable insights and resources that can help parents/guardians support their child’s learning.

If you are interested in attending or receiving the recording, complete the Focus on Reading Registration Form.