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Full Service Schools

An exciting new initiative at the TDSB is looking at how we use the space in our schools to fully support students, families and the community. I have the privilege of serving on the Steering Committee of this initiative, which is called the Full Service School Task Force.

As we explore the idea of re-purposing our unused school space (instead of closing it)...

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1. What school is my home school?

To find out what school to send your child to, type the name of your street into the TDSB 'Find Your School' page, which you can access here.


2. Which Superintendent or Trustee should I contact?

You can find your Trustee and Superintendent by going to the 'Schools' section of the TDSB website. When you click on the name of your school, a profile page will give you basic information such as school address and phone number, and the names of the Principal, Superintendent, and Trustee.

If you or your child goes to school in a different ward than the ward you live in, you can contact the Trustee for either ward. For issues about the school, it is usually best to contact the Trustee for the school first.


3. Who do I go to if I have a problem with a Teacher or a Principal?

If the problem is with the teacher and speaking directly to the teacher has not been helpful, set up a meeting with the principal. If, after speaking with the principal, the situation does not improve, contact the Superintendent or Trustee Cathy Dandy. They will often act as facilitators between parents and schools.

If the problem is with the principal and speaking directly to the principal has not been helpful, contact the Superintendent or the Trustee Cathy Dandy.

You also might be interested in a ward forum that is held each year called "Is Your Child Struggling in School?". Take a look at our flyer from last year to see if this might be helpful to you. Keep checking this site and communications from your child’s school for information about the next forum.

For further information about who you can contact with your concerns, please see the Who Can I Call? section on this site.


4. I would like my child to go to an out-of-district school (i.e. a school that is not your home school). How can I get her/him in?

Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that you can get your child into an out-of-district school. The TDSB guarantees space in schools for everyone who lives in district. Some schools are full with in-district students or students from community programs such as French Immersion, and therefore have no space for out-of-district students (called optional attendance students). Some schools, however, have space for optional attendance students. To find out whether or not the out-of-district school you would like your child to go to has space, find that school on the TDSB site. When you click on the name of the school it will show you a profile page that will tell you if the optional attendance status for that school is "closed" or "limited". If the school is closed, there is no space. If the school is limited, there is a small amount of space and you may apply for optional attendance.

To get more information on optional attendance, including how to apply and what students are given priority, please take a look at the Optional Attendance Policy & Procedure.


5. My child has special needs. What resources are available to me?

All students encounter hurdles in their learning career. It may be difficulty with a subject, a grade level, or social or emotional development. This does not mean that the student is abnormal or wrong but rather they need particular assistance in learning tools to succeed in the classroom. This may involve minor modifications in the way the teacher supports them or it may be a long-term effort that requires more intensive support. Either way, it is important to work with the school and get a clear picture of how your child learns and what needs to be done in order to ensure success. You can review the TDSB's special education information here (there is a particularly good chart under Special Education Process on the right). If you need assistance in understanding the process, please contact Trustee Cathy Dandy.


6. How do I appeal a suspension?

The starting point is to make a written request to the Superintendent for a suspension review. You can send it via e-mail (to find out which Superintendent is responsible for your school and how to contact her/him, see #2 above). If you are unhappy with the outcome of the review done by the Superintendent, you can make a similar request for an appeal to the Safe Schools department.


7. I would like to teach in the TDSB. How do I apply?

 You can find the information you need in the Recruitment Opportunities section of the TDSB website.


8. How can my child get into French Immersion?

French Immersion is a community program with designated boundaries that establish its catchment area (i.e. district). The TDSB offers French Immersion and Extended French programming and there are different grade level entry points for students. For more information and to view the French Immersion schools in your area, visit the French programs section of the TDSB site or the French in Ward 15 section of my site.