Identity Months @ TDSB

January is Tamil Heritage Month

The theme for Tamil Heritage Month (THM) this year is Remembrance. Resilience. Recognition.   

The Tamil Heritage Month Resource Guide can be found here:  https://sites.google.com/tdsb.on.ca/thm2018/resources/additional-resources

To explore this theme, the THM Planning Committee is inviting students across the system to reflect on the importance of remembering and giving voice to our stories, feeling pride in the strength and resilience these stories and experiences demand, and recognizing that we have the collective and individual power to reconcile the past and foster change for the future. The committee is also accepting submissions for the Tamil Heritage Month series of contests in the three following categories: Creative Writing, Original Artwork, and Speeches.

Students are asked to respond to one of the following questions:

What does it mean to be Tamil?

What role has your heritage played in shaping your identity?

While cultures continue to develop and evolve over time, there is much that we attempt to preserve. What aspects of your culture do you feel need to be preserved and why? How can this be done? What would be the consequences of losing this aspect of your culture?

The civil war in Sri Lanka lasted over three decades. May 2019 marks ten years post-civil war in Sri Lanka. The civil war affected not only individuals living within Sri Lanka but the effects of the war extended beyond the boundaries of the country and continue to do so today. What are some stories of strength and resilience that you have heard through family, friends, and/or your community? What do these stories mean to you?

Further details about the contests may be found on the attached document. Please note the deadline for the Narrative and Original Artwork categories is noon on Friday, January 18, 2019. To participate in the Speeches category, students are asked to register and submit a copy of their speech via email at tdsbtamilheritagemonth@gmail.com by noon on Monday, January 14th, 2019. Speech arts contestants will have their speeches judged at a time and location to be determined.  All winning entries will be announced on Saturday, February 2nd during the Celebration of Tamil Heritage.  Should additional information be required, please contact the Tamil Heritage Month Planning Committee via email at tdsbtamilheritagemonth@gmail.com

February is African Heritage Month & Chinese Heritage Month

African Heritage Month - This year’s theme is:  Out of Many We are One.

ETFO 365 Resource - Black Canadian Curriculum Resource Collection - An excellent collection of resources.

STEM coding at Apple Stores February - April 2019

Pre-Board Opening 5050 Yonge - February 6 2019 6-7 PM

Opening Celebration  - February 1, 2019 Downsview Secondary 5:30 PM

AT NORTHLEA:  February 7th (Evening) and February 8th (Day) - African Inventors and Icons Exhibit at Northlea - South Gym in Use all Day - Schedule TBD

Chinese Heritage Month  

Celebrating the Year of the Pig on Feb 5th. Launch on Feb 1st @TDSB_KennedyPS . Pre-Board Meeting performances on Feb 6th with African Heritage & @TDSB_Tamil Heritage. 

March is Greek Heritage Month

TDSB Greek Heritage Month Multi-Media Contest

March is Greek Heritage Month.  It is an occasion to recognize and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Greek Canadians to Canada, an occasion to mark and enjoy the history of Greek culture. One of the highlights for Greek Heritage Month 2019 this coming March will be the TDSB Greek Heritage Month Multi-Media Contest, featuring original student & staff work in three creative categories:

1)   Be graphic!  Design a poster!

2)   Sharpen your pencil!  Write something!

3)   Let’s get digital!

The focus of this year’s media campaign is:  “Wisdom, Hope, Love – Σoφία, Ελπίδα, Αγάπη” How are these three virtues embraced by the Greek Culture?

Four groups qualify: K to Grade 3, Grade 4 to 8; and Grade 9 to 12; and TDSB staff.  A winning submission will be selected from each of the qualifying groups. Deadline for submitting entries is Friday, January 25, 2019.  For more information and contest entry and submission guidelines, please visit http://bit.ly/GHM_MediaContest

April is Sikh Heritage Month

Sikh Heritage Month – April 2019:  Call-Out

The Toronto District School Board recognizes Sikh Heritage Month in April, and the planning committee is currently looking for volunteers to join them in developing system-wide initiatives.  If you are interested in joining the Sikh Heritage Month Planning Committee, please contact Dani Carnevale, Service Co-ordinator at dani.carnevale@tdsb.on.ca  Should you require additional information about the Sikh Heritage Month, please contact Peter Singh, Executive Officer, Information Technology and Information Management at peter.singh@tdsb.on.ca

May is Asian Heritage Month & Jewish Heritage Month

Asian Heritage Month – May 2019:  Call-Out

The Toronto District School Board recognizes Asian Heritage Month in May, and the planning committee is currently looking for volunteers to join them in developing system-wide initiatives. 

If you are interested in joining the Asian Heritage Month Planning Committee, please contact Dani Carnevale, Service Co-ordinator at dani.carnevale@tdsb.on.ca  Should you require additional information about the Asian Heritage Month, please contact Roula Anastasakos, Executive Superintendent, Learning Centre3 at roula.anastasakos@tdsb.on.ca

Jewish Heritage Month - May 2019:  Call-Out

The Toronto District School Board recognizes Jewish Heritage Month in May, and the planning committee is currently looking for volunteers to join them in developing system-wide initiatives.   The first planning meeting details are noted below:

Jewish Heritage Month - First Planning Meeting:  Monday, January 28, 2019 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

5050 Yonge Street - Committee Room A (Main Floor, Next to Boardroom)

If you are interested in joining the Jewish Heritage Month Planning Committee, please contact Dani Carnevale, Service Co-ordinator at dani.carnevale@tdsb.on.ca