“The demand is tremendous,” TDSB trustee de Dovitiis
By Sean Delaney
Toronto District School Board trustee Matias de Dovitiis said the mental health of students, especially after covid, has sparked new initiatives and programs in Emery schools.
“The demand is tremendous,” de Dovitiis said. “And one of the things we’re going to try and do this year that’s different is look at a student means budget. It looks at the needs in the school and engages with the ministry of education on the significant demand. We’ve seen the rise, and the headlines when these mental health issues result in incidents. We want to give back and invest in mental health in a more significant way.”
The TDSB has special programs in place to deal with the effects of mental health issues, but to really get at it, de Dovitiis believes they need to define how the schools focus on it over the next few years.
“The school board has a learning opportunity index, and we rank schools by need. We use that rank in order to invest the extra resources we have in the schools that need it, so they don’t always have to fundraise for extras. We want to create equitable learning environments regardless of the school you’re in.”
de Dovitiis said though, to react to demands in the community, through covid and the difficult times it created, they are seeing a lot less fundraising success as everyone has tightened pockets and a lot less ability for communities to deal with the demand. “So, we are seeing a lot deeper effects and shortfalls than usual, due to COVID and the mental health issues.”
But the board is going to strive on, and going to attempt to push for more resources in those schools that need more things, to try and create greater equity.
“We’re going to bring in breakfast programs into several schools,” de Dovitiis said. “We’re engaging with more schools to have them develop mental health services. Several agencies provide public health services in the area. And we’ve engaged with those agencies to have a deeper relationship with the school.”
An indigenous student trustee put forward a motion that was accepted that will now see schools teaching children about reconciliation, de Dovitiis also said. And he for one is excited to see the board get this type of addition through.
“I want the next generation to learn about the history and the culture of First Nations people in a way I didn’t have the opportunity to. I am proud of that work.”
The board is also adding a middle school and a high school into the French immersion options.
“You no longer have to go to Yonge Street to continue on this educational path. Adding the local component is important for some families. It’s an amazing thing.”