report from trustee maria rizzo · report from trustee maria rizzo volume 1• issue 1 winter 2004...
TRANSCRIPT
Report fromTrustee Maria RizzoVO L U M E 1 • I S S U E 1 W I N T E R 2 0 0 4
Maria Rizzo was elected schooltrustee in the municipal election held lastyear. Since her election she has been busyimplementing initiatives that benefit stu-dents.
One of her election issues was, andcontinues to be, class sizes and splitgrades, which have become the normrather than the exception. Larger classsizes and split grades hurt the quality ofeducation students receive.
During this past year she has beensuccessful in reducing class sizes and elim-inating split grades in some schools.
Some school buildings are crumbling –new windows and coverings are needed;boilers, old carpets, roofs, toilets, doors andelectrical work should be replaced. Thereare over 3,000 outstanding work ordersand too few dollars to complete the work that must be done. Declining enrolment has hitthe board hard. With fewer students in the system, and fewer grant dollars generated, itbecomes a challenge to educators to provide a quality educational program in schoolbuildings that are safe and healthy for our students.
She is extremely pleased to announce that every elementary school in the ward willget $5,000 and every secondary school will receive $10,000. These funds will be a one-time allocation only. The (CSAC) parent advisory committee, in consultation with the par-ent community, students and principal, will recommend to Trustee Rizzo how the moneyshould be used.
�Trustee Maria Rizzo with her daughterSamantha (13) who attends St. AntoineDaniel Catholic School.
Trustee Maria Rizzo: Improving the Quality of Education for her Family and Yours
May your holiday season be filled with joy. Best wishesto you and your family for a safe and wonderfulChristmas and New Year. Peace, hope and love be
with you today, tomorrow andalways.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Blessed TrinityDebating Team WinsBronze (2003-2004)
Three teams of gifted studentsfrom Blessed Trinity competedin the Junior ProvincialDebating Championship heldin Kitchener. The team ofAlexa Goldson (St. Gabriel)and Kathryn Chan (St. AntoineDaniel) won the bronze.
PAGE 2
Trustee Maria Rizzo would like to sendher strong support to the students of HolyRedeemer Catholic School for all theirhard work and show of support to a stu-dent with a life-threatening illness.In an effort to help in any way possible,the students have been makingChristmas cards, which have been pack-aged and sold to the community. Thisproject has raised $1,000 since it wasestablished.As well, Maria Rizzo is proud of the sup-
port that the community has offered to thefamily of this student. The IT departmentof the TCDSB has installed a computer inthe student’s home and a teacher has vol-unteered to be his instructor. In addition,financial support has been donated by theGood Sheppard Parish.Trustee Rizzo would like to thank every-one for their overwhelming compassion,and would like to send her heartfelt wish-es to the family and student. Our thoughtsand prayers are with you.
When Trustee Maria Rizzo was first electedlast November, she made it a priority of hers toimprove the nutrition of children within theTCDSB.As such, she has fought hard against the con-tract with Coca-Cola, which the TCDSBentered into five years ago. When signed, the contract offeredtickets to special events, jobopportunities for our stu-dents, and cases of freepop. Now all that isgone, yet the schoolboard is still stuck pay-ing for the deal. However, beginning nextyear the board will no longerbe paying these costs (whichCoca-Cola took credit for paying),and Trustee Rizzo will ensure that thehealth of your kids comes before anydollar.“At a time when an alarming number ofchildren are overweight, the last thing weneed is to make it easier for kids to buy pop,”says Rizzo. “It is absolutely crazy to haveschools sponsor a habit that undermines stu-dents’ health.”Now, her fight has caught on, with theMcGuinty government agreeing that junk foodhas no place in our schools.“Getting junk food out of elementary schoolvending machines is the next step in our planto make all of Ontario’s schools healthierplaces to learn,” said Gerard Kennedy,Ontario’s Education Minister.Trustee Rizzo is pleased to see that schoolswill be getting healthier, and emphasizes theneed for having better foods in our schools.“If we’re going to teach nutrition, we should beserving nutrition,” concludes Maria Rizzo, who
has been fighting this very issue since herelection to the board.Experts in the health field agree with TrusteeRizzo that nutrition is extremely important to
your child’s learning.“Nutrition is one of the major factorsaffecting a child’s growth and devel-
opment,” commented LaurieCurry, Chair of the Dietitians of
Canada Board of Directors.Trustee Rizzo would like to
congratulate Cardinal Carteron becoming the first
school to have wateronly in beverage
machines.
�Touch of Magic pre-
sented by Mr. De Vuono at
Regina Mundi’s Catholic
School Annual BBQ
�From left to right:
Samantha Iannelli, Trustee
Maria Rizzo, and Kathryn
Chan, the winner of the
bronze award for debating.
�Trustee Maria Rizzo
with parents, CSAC, and
staff of St. Antoine Daniel
Catholic School.
PAGE 3
• International LanguagesThe TCDSB and CentroScuola e Cultura Italiana willbe offering a full semester ofcredit courses in Rosetodegli Abruzzi, Italy beginingin February for threemonths. Students who arecurrently in Grades 10 and11 will be able to earnOntario credits whileimmersed in the daily life,culture and traditions ofItaly. The cost has beenreduced to $4,999 from$10,000 and includes air-fare, accommodation, mealsand excursions throughoutItaly. For more informationvisit the web site atwww.centroscuola.ca
• Secondary SchoolLibraries to be Staffed FullTimeThe board recently approvedfunding for additional staffingat all secondary schools andis awaiting a report on how toincrease the staffing oflibraries in elementaryschools.
• Free Skating for StudentsThe TCDSB is proud toannounce that students willbe skating in city operatedarenas for free, effectiveimmediately. The City ofToronto, in partnership withthe TCDSB, worked out anarrangement to provide freeskating in arenas inexchange for use of schoolsfor summer recreational pro-grams. The only locationsthat this would not apply arein some parts of the formerCity of Toronto.
• New Addition at DanteAlighieri The CSAC, staff and stu-dents worked hard to get a
new arts wing. CouncillorHoward Moscoe donated$1,500 for a mural to theaddition. The new stage floorwas recently installed andthe soccer field will be con-structed by next year.
• Loretto Abbey needsRenovationsThe CSAC, staff and studentsof Loretto Abby have beenorganizing a campaign to getmuch needed improvementsdone to the school. A presen-tation was made to the boardand a report with recommen-dations will be brought for-ward in the New Year.
• New Windows for St.MargaretThe parent community haslobbied for this improvement,which has been approved bythe board. The replacementswill occur this school year.
• New Playground andField to be BuiltThe City of Toronto has pur-chased land at the St. Cyril’sSchool property and willbegin construction of a newservice road in the spring,which should be completedby December 2005. As partof the plan, the creation of anew playground and grassplaying field will occur, whichwill be made available to allcommunity members. Thanksto Councillor John Filion andthe CSAC at St. Cyril’s.
• Bullyproofing Web SiteUpdatedPlease visit the site atwww.tcdsb.org
• Christmas Break SchoolImprovementsThe board approved $533,000
worth of school maintenanceprojects that will take placeover the Christmas break,mainly painting and carpetreplacement. The gymnasium,hallways and auditorium willbe painted at St. CharlesCatholic School. More fundswill be allocated for the Marchand summer breaks for otherschools in our ward.
• Trustee Maria RizzoBrings Parent LeadersTogetherTrustee Maria Rizzo will beholding a Ward 5 Councilmeeting on January 27, 2005,to bring all school parent advi-sory groups (CSAC) togetherto network and share informa-tion.
• Increased TransportationFundingThe board would receive atransportation fundingincrease of more than $6 mil-lion under Ontario’s proposedTransportation Funding Model.The board has sent theMinister a letter of support forthis new formula.
• Spending $750,000 forCampaign a Waste of Timeand MoneyThe board recently approveda plan to spend three quartersof a million dollars in a mar-keting campaign in the down-town area of Toronto. MariaRizzo opposed this actionbecause she does not believethat education dollars shouldbe spent on subway ads, tele-marketing and direct mail.There is only one solution toeducation woes: The provin-cial funding formula mustchange to address the educa-tional needs of all the stu-dents.
Board, School and Community News
Fighting the Cola Wars in Schools
Community Shows Support for Family
Comments:______________________________
________________________________________
Your name:______________________________
Address:__________________________________
__________________________________________
Postal Code:____________________________
Telephone:_____________________________
E-mail address:_________________________
Trustee Maria Rizzo would like to know youropinion on the following:
• At the present time, the board collectsEducation Development Charges from non-profit housing. This money can only be usedto purchase land. Do you think the boardshould continue collecting these charges?
Yes No Do not know
Do you think that the board should be reduc-ing the number of standardized tests inschools?
Yes No Do not know
Please return this questionnaire to Trustee Maria Rizzo at:80 Sheppard Ave E., Toronto, Ontario, M2N 6E8
�Mayor David Miller
addresses the board on the
very important issues facing
our community today. Jobs
for youth, safe schools,
exemption of education
development charges from
social housing, community
use of schools, and a new
partnership with cities.
On April 21, 2004, Louise Russo, a TSDSB community member, was the vic-tim of a shooting which has left her in a wheelchair. Russo had worked tire-lessly for the community as an advocate for all students with special needs.Maria Rizzo and all of the TCDSB community would like to recognizeLouise’s endless hours of work, which she pursued with passion and dedi-cation.Her faith and heart are something to be admired by all, and we can all thankher for benefiting a great many lives.
If you would like to send a message to Louise and her family, you may do soat: [email protected]. If you would like to make a donation, pleasemake the cheque payable to the TCDSB Louise Russo and Family Fund, andsend it to: TCDSB – Russo Family Fund C/O the CommunicationDepartment, 80 Sheppard Ave. East, Toronto, Ontario, M2N 6E8
ATTENTION
Recently, the boardentered into anotherridiculous contract witha company to provideflavoured and caf-feinated drinks underthe guise of a milk pro-gram. These productswill be available in sev-eral schools for a trialperiod. Thankfully, theschools in our areahave decided not toparticipate. We need tomake sure that we sayNO to unhealthy prod-ucts in our schools.
Louise Russo
ALL PARENTS
•
Have Your Say!
Blessed TrinityDebating Team WinsBronze (2003-2004)
Three teams of gifted studentsfrom Blessed Trinity competedin the Junior ProvincialDebating Championship heldin Kitchener. The team ofAlexa Goldson (St. Gabriel)and Kathryn Chan (St. AntoineDaniel) won the bronze.
PAGE 2
Trustee Maria Rizzo would like to sendher strong support to the students of HolyRedeemer Catholic School for all theirhard work and show of support to a stu-dent with a life-threatening illness.In an effort to help in any way possible,the students have been makingChristmas cards, which have been pack-aged and sold to the community. Thisproject has raised $1,000 since it wasestablished.As well, Maria Rizzo is proud of the sup-
port that the community has offered to thefamily of this student. The IT departmentof the TCDSB has installed a computer inthe student’s home and a teacher has vol-unteered to be his instructor. In addition,financial support has been donated by theGood Sheppard Parish.Trustee Rizzo would like to thank every-one for their overwhelming compassion,and would like to send her heartfelt wish-es to the family and student. Our thoughtsand prayers are with you.
When Trustee Maria Rizzo was first electedlast November, she made it a priority of hers toimprove the nutrition of children within theTCDSB.As such, she has fought hard against the con-tract with Coca-Cola, which the TCDSBentered into five years ago. When signed, the contract offeredtickets to special events, jobopportunities for our stu-dents, and cases of freepop. Now all that isgone, yet the schoolboard is still stuck pay-ing for the deal. However, beginning nextyear the board will no longerbe paying these costs (whichCoca-Cola took credit for paying),and Trustee Rizzo will ensure that thehealth of your kids comes before anydollar.“At a time when an alarming number ofchildren are overweight, the last thing weneed is to make it easier for kids to buy pop,”says Rizzo. “It is absolutely crazy to haveschools sponsor a habit that undermines stu-dents’ health.”Now, her fight has caught on, with theMcGuinty government agreeing that junk foodhas no place in our schools.“Getting junk food out of elementary schoolvending machines is the next step in our planto make all of Ontario’s schools healthierplaces to learn,” said Gerard Kennedy,Ontario’s Education Minister.Trustee Rizzo is pleased to see that schoolswill be getting healthier, and emphasizes theneed for having better foods in our schools.“If we’re going to teach nutrition, we should beserving nutrition,” concludes Maria Rizzo, who
has been fighting this very issue since herelection to the board.Experts in the health field agree with TrusteeRizzo that nutrition is extremely important to
your child’s learning.“Nutrition is one of the major factorsaffecting a child’s growth and devel-
opment,” commented LaurieCurry, Chair of the Dietitians of
Canada Board of Directors.Trustee Rizzo would like to
congratulate Cardinal Carteron becoming the first
school to have wateronly in beverage
machines.
�Touch of Magic pre-
sented by Mr. De Vuono at
Regina Mundi’s Catholic
School Annual BBQ
�From left to right:
Samantha Iannelli, Trustee
Maria Rizzo, and Kathryn
Chan, the winner of the
bronze award for debating.
�Trustee Maria Rizzo
with parents, CSAC, and
staff of St. Antoine Daniel
Catholic School.
PAGE 3
• International LanguagesThe TCDSB and CentroScuola e Cultura Italiana willbe offering a full semester ofcredit courses in Rosetodegli Abruzzi, Italy beginingin February for threemonths. Students who arecurrently in Grades 10 and11 will be able to earnOntario credits whileimmersed in the daily life,culture and traditions ofItaly. The cost has beenreduced to $4,999 from$10,000 and includes air-fare, accommodation, mealsand excursions throughoutItaly. For more informationvisit the web site atwww.centroscuola.ca
• Secondary SchoolLibraries to be Staffed FullTimeThe board recently approvedfunding for additional staffingat all secondary schools andis awaiting a report on how toincrease the staffing oflibraries in elementaryschools.
• Free Skating for StudentsThe TCDSB is proud toannounce that students willbe skating in city operatedarenas for free, effectiveimmediately. The City ofToronto, in partnership withthe TCDSB, worked out anarrangement to provide freeskating in arenas inexchange for use of schoolsfor summer recreational pro-grams. The only locationsthat this would not apply arein some parts of the formerCity of Toronto.
• New Addition at DanteAlighieri The CSAC, staff and stu-dents worked hard to get a
new arts wing. CouncillorHoward Moscoe donated$1,500 for a mural to theaddition. The new stage floorwas recently installed andthe soccer field will be con-structed by next year.
• Loretto Abbey needsRenovationsThe CSAC, staff and studentsof Loretto Abby have beenorganizing a campaign to getmuch needed improvementsdone to the school. A presen-tation was made to the boardand a report with recommen-dations will be brought for-ward in the New Year.
• New Windows for St.MargaretThe parent community haslobbied for this improvement,which has been approved bythe board. The replacementswill occur this school year.
• New Playground andField to be BuiltThe City of Toronto has pur-chased land at the St. Cyril’sSchool property and willbegin construction of a newservice road in the spring,which should be completedby December 2005. As partof the plan, the creation of anew playground and grassplaying field will occur, whichwill be made available to allcommunity members. Thanksto Councillor John Filion andthe CSAC at St. Cyril’s.
• Bullyproofing Web SiteUpdatedPlease visit the site atwww.tcdsb.org
• Christmas Break SchoolImprovementsThe board approved $533,000
worth of school maintenanceprojects that will take placeover the Christmas break,mainly painting and carpetreplacement. The gymnasium,hallways and auditorium willbe painted at St. CharlesCatholic School. More fundswill be allocated for the Marchand summer breaks for otherschools in our ward.
• Trustee Maria RizzoBrings Parent LeadersTogetherTrustee Maria Rizzo will beholding a Ward 5 Councilmeeting on January 27, 2005,to bring all school parent advi-sory groups (CSAC) togetherto network and share informa-tion.
• Increased TransportationFundingThe board would receive atransportation fundingincrease of more than $6 mil-lion under Ontario’s proposedTransportation Funding Model.The board has sent theMinister a letter of support forthis new formula.
• Spending $750,000 forCampaign a Waste of Timeand MoneyThe board recently approveda plan to spend three quartersof a million dollars in a mar-keting campaign in the down-town area of Toronto. MariaRizzo opposed this actionbecause she does not believethat education dollars shouldbe spent on subway ads, tele-marketing and direct mail.There is only one solution toeducation woes: The provin-cial funding formula mustchange to address the educa-tional needs of all the stu-dents.
Board, School and Community News
Fighting the Cola Wars in Schools
Community Shows Support for Family
Comments:______________________________
________________________________________
Your name:______________________________
Address:__________________________________
__________________________________________
Postal Code:____________________________
Telephone:_____________________________
E-mail address:_________________________
Trustee Maria Rizzo would like to know youropinion on the following:
• At the present time, the board collectsEducation Development Charges from non-profit housing. This money can only be usedto purchase land. Do you think the boardshould continue collecting these charges?
Yes No Do not know
Do you think that the board should be reduc-ing the number of standardized tests inschools?
Yes No Do not know
Please return this questionnaire to Trustee Maria Rizzo at:80 Sheppard Ave E., Toronto, Ontario, M2N 6E8
�Mayor David Miller
addresses the board on the
very important issues facing
our community today. Jobs
for youth, safe schools,
exemption of education
development charges from
social housing, community
use of schools, and a new
partnership with cities.
On April 21, 2004, Louise Russo, a TSDSB community member, was the vic-tim of a shooting which has left her in a wheelchair. Russo had worked tire-lessly for the community as an advocate for all students with special needs.Maria Rizzo and all of the TCDSB community would like to recognizeLouise’s endless hours of work, which she pursued with passion and dedi-cation.Her faith and heart are something to be admired by all, and we can all thankher for benefiting a great many lives.
If you would like to send a message to Louise and her family, you may do soat: [email protected]. If you would like to make a donation, pleasemake the cheque payable to the TCDSB Louise Russo and Family Fund, andsend it to: TCDSB – Russo Family Fund C/O the CommunicationDepartment, 80 Sheppard Ave. East, Toronto, Ontario, M2N 6E8
ATTENTION
Recently, the boardentered into anotherridiculous contract witha company to provideflavoured and caf-feinated drinks underthe guise of a milk pro-gram. These productswill be available in sev-eral schools for a trialperiod. Thankfully, theschools in our areahave decided not toparticipate. We need tomake sure that we sayNO to unhealthy prod-ucts in our schools.
Louise Russo
ALL PARENTS
•
Have Your Say!
PAGE 4
To contact Josie Nespolo call (416)222-8282 Ext: 2267 or e-mail her [email protected]
Elementary Schools:
Blessed Trinity: (416) 393-5289Holy Redeemer: (416) 393-5353St. Agnes: (416) 393-5345St. Antoine Daniel: (416) 393-5339St. Cyril: (416) 393-5270St. Edward: (416) 393-5255St. Gabriel: (416) 393-5256St. Pachal Baylon: (416) 393-5283
Secondary Schools:
Brebeuf College: (416) 393-5508St. Joseph’s Morrow Park: (416) 393-5516
To contact Mark Fenwick call (416)222-8282 Ext: 5370 or e-mail him [email protected]
Elementary Schools:
Blessed Sacrament: (416) 393-5226D’Arcy McGee: (416) 393-5318St. Bonaventure: (416) 393-5263St. Monica: (416) 393-5224St. Thomas Aquinas: (416) 393-5236
Secondary Schools:
Marshall McLuhan: (416) 393-5561
To contact Douglas Yack call (416)222-8282 Ext: 5371 or e-mail him [email protected]
Elementary Schools:
Our Lady of Assumption:(416) 393-5265Regina Mundi: (416) 393-5362St. Charles: (416) 393-5250St. Margaret: (416) 393-5249Sts. Cosmas and Damian: (416) 393-5398
Secondary Schools:
Cardinal Carter: (416) 393-5556Dante Alighieri: (416) 393-5522Loretto Abbey: (416) 393-5510
Speak to the SuperintendentsSpeak to the Superintendents
If you have a problem andwant to discuss it with theSuperintendent all youhave to do is call.They would be pleased todiscuss any educationalconcern you may have.
There are two standing committees of the board –Administration and Corporate Services and Program andReligious Affairs.Board and committee meetings are usually held on the first,second and third Thursday of every month. They begin at7:00 p.m. and are held at the Catholic Education Centre, 80Sheppard Ave. East (parking is available underground).You can register to speak by calling the secretary at (416)222-8282 Ext. 2293.Trustee Maria Rizzo is in attendance at board and standingcommittee meetings, representing the best interests of par-ents and their children. She also attends CSAC meetings andschool functions. If you would like to have Maria Rizzo visityour school, please e-mail her at: [email protected]
Board and Committee Meetings
�Trustee Maria Rizzo at the swearing in
ceremony following her election last
November.
�From left to right: Josie
Nespolo, Mark Fenwick, Trustee
Maria Rizzo, and Douglas Yack,
Superintendents in Ward 5.
Toronto Catholic District School BoardContact Information for Trustee Maria RizzoAddress: Catholic Education Centre
80 Sheppard Ave. EToronto, Ontario, M2N 6E8
Telephone: (416) 512-3405Cell: (647) 221-5293Fax: (416) 512-3405E-mail: [email protected]
�Toronto Cardinal
Aloysius Ambrozic and
Trustee Maria Rizzo
celebrating at the
mass of the new
board.
From left to right:
Officer Mike, Trustee
Maria Rizzo, and John
Visano, Principal of St.
Agnes Catholic School,
at their annual BBQ.
�
The best way to contact Trustee Rizzo is via e-mail