Space Coalition

TCDSB offering subsidized Community Use of Schools

lesley — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:33:14 +0000

From the TCDSB. For more information and the application see attachments.

Dear Applicant,

The TCDSB will be offering subsidized Community Use of Schools (CUS) from July 5 to August 20, 2010. Due to the overwhelming response for the Community Use of Schools program, we have adopted a new application process. Priority will be given to those groups that meet the needs of the communities they serve.

In 2007, the Ministry of Education announced funding to support
recreational and learning opportunities for children and youth in the
priority neighbourhoods of Toronto. The Community Use of Schools program allows community groups, not-for-profit organizations, and other youth organizations access, at no cost, to 60 schools identified in the City of Toronto’s priority neighbourhoods.

Last year, we had over 100 applications for 70 schools and this year we anticipate even more applications. It is important to note that many
facilities will be shared with other community groups and not for profit
organizations. To avoid this it is strongly recommended to please provide at least 2 facility options per application. Also note that there are limited double-gym facilities, priority will be given to groups whose
enrollment is over eighty percent of the immediate community.

The attached application form must be completed by each group interested in applying for free gym space this summer. Even if you have applied for the Community Use of Schools program already, this new application must be filled out as well. All applications must be completed and submitted by May 7th, 2010.

If you have any questions, please contact Andre Fullerton at 416-222-8282 ext. 2310.

Thank you,

Andre Fullerton
Supervisor of Outreach,
Community Use of Schools
TCDSB Space Information Flyer
TCDSB Space Application

Accessing School Space Information

jeremy — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:21:12 +0000

With funding provided by the Ontario Ministry of Education through this initiative, TDSB has opened the doors of 77 schools to provide not-for-profit organisations and groups, free after-hours access to school facilities in communities that need it most.

Permit information: Toronto District School Board

Priority Schools Initiative information (77 schools in TDSB with free after 6pm public use)

The Priority Schools Initiative (PSI) is a joint project between the Toronto District School Board and the Ministry of Education aimed at making TDSB school spaces more accessible to the community. The objective is to improve overall student achievement by providing quality, affordable, after-school programs for students, parents and their community.

Community Use of Schools – connecting schools and community organizations

Ugonma.Ekeanyanwu@tdsb.on.ca

Community Use of School Facilitators

Schools in North East and North West quadrants (Below the 401)
Nura Aman – 416 394 7247

Schools in East & North West quadrants (Above the 401)
Mona Khan – 416 394 7248

Schools in South West quadrant
Salin John – 416 394 7246

Schools in South East quadrant
Jamila Kyari – 416 394 7249

SPACE Recommendations to MOE Budget 2010

lesley — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:11:34 +0000

Provincial Budget Commitments to Enhance Community Use of Schools -
While Minister Wynne and the Ministry of Education have taken steps to increase access to schools more needs to be done. See the SPACE Coalition’s recommendations to improve equitable access for all Ontarians.
Final Space Budget letter Dec 18 09 SPACE Recommendations for the 2010 Budget

TDSB – Community Use of School Resources

jeremy — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:27:31 +0000

From this TDSB webpage, you can access info on a number of subjects including the new Priority School Initiatiave (PSI- free permits after school in 77 TDSB schools). This section of the site also lists the names and links to the 4 new Community Use of Schools Facilitators. Their role is to help community groups gain awareness of community use of schools and access schools. For now one of their priorities is helping groups apply and get access to the PSI free after school program if eligible. They are also meeting with Principals and Parent Councils to assess local needs/gaps and then reach out to possible agency partners to run a program. There is also a map of schools more broadly available for permitting, the permit policy, application form, pool access info, and Focus on Youth.

If you have any feedback on the site let us know and we can take to the Advisory Committee. The website also has a tool to see if a school is available for specific time period.

Facilitators-Community Use of Schools

Salin John- Southwest Quadrant – salin.john@tdsb.on.ca – 416-394-7246
Jamila Kyari – Southeast Quadrant- jamila.kyari@tdsb.on.ca – 416-394-7249
Mona Khan – Northeast and Northwest – above 401 – mona.khan@tdsb.on.ca – 416-394-7248
Nura Aman – Northeast and Northwest – below 401 – nura.aman@tdsb.on.ca – 416-394-7247

Free After-Hours Access to 77 TDSB Schools Priority Schools Initiative

jeremy — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:44:51 +0000

Community organizations can apply for free use of space in 77 Toronto District School Board schools to run programs under the Priority Schools Initiative (PSI) program.

After-hours access is for the period between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 pm on weekdays as well as Saturdays and Sundays based on availability. Agencies and community groups are encouraged to apply early and allow sufficient time for the processing of their request.

Please note that eligibility criteria has to be met and the programs offered need to be a good match to the community.

Complete listing of TDSB schools involved

If you have questions, please contact Ugonma Ekeanyanwu, Manager – Community Use of Schools, Toronto District School Board
ugonma.ekeanyanwu@tdsb.on.ca or 416-394-7245.

School Closures and Social Spatial Justice

lesley — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:34:10 +0000

Social Planning Toronto hosted a lively discussion back in September on the issue of public use of schools, community hubs and school board processes in school closure situations. The audience included not only students and community members, but also a number of senior politicians and school trustees. Below you can find the slides from the presentation of Ranu Basu, from the Geography Department at York University, who has mapped school closings and analyzed for spatial justice.

For more information on School Closures and Social Justice go to Social Planning Toronto.

Creative Thinking on School Closings

lesley — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:33:27 +0000

A recent Toronto Star editorial comments on the work of a group of rural citizens working together to try to change the way decisions to close schools are made.

The “community schools alliance,” recently started by a handful of rural Ontario politicians, wants school boards and municipal councils to work together and take into account the broader community’s interests in determining the fate of underutilized schools.

Read the rest of the article here.

Summer Camp Availability by Ward – Focus on Youth

lesley — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:28:53 +0000

The objective of the 2009 edition of the Focus on Youth program is to enhance high quality summer program opportunities for children and youth in Toronto’s high need areas by offering free use of school space for organized community-based programs. Over the 2009 summer, not-for-profit community agencies offer a variety of recreational, cultural and educational programs in 99 school sites throughout the summer.

Get more information on summer camps here.

Retooling schooling

lesley — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:19:34 +0000

Norm Beach and Tam Goossen recently published an article in NOW Magazine exploring how schools can be used as community hubs.

“As the Toronto District School Board, in a perfect storm of demographic shifts and funding shortfalls, considers putting dozens of under-enrolled schools on the chopping block, it’s time for some extra-curricular thinking.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Provincial Government Investing in Municipal Recreation Facilities

lesley — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:32:04 +0000

The Government of Ontario recently announced that it would put $195 million over two years toward the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program in Ontario and the Ontario Recreation Program.

“Local hockey rinks, soccer fields, pools, parks, playgrounds, trails and community centres across the province will receive needed upgrades and repairs because of funding under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program in Ontario and the Ontario Recreation Program (Ontario REC).”