City-School Boards Advisory Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 5 items in the clerk’s order. Each carries the city’s own words: the staff recommendation, what the body decided, and its status. Nothing below is written by us.
TS3.1received
Update on the Implementation of Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement
Stefany Hanson, Manager Policy and Planning and Karen Gray, Director Service System Planning and Policy Development, Children's Services will provide an update presentation on phases one, two and three of the implementation and impacts of Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. Also, the presentation will discuss implications on child care expansion and the role of schools.
The City-School Boards Advisory Committee received the item for information.
TS3.2received
Community Recreation Youth Programs in Schools in Summer 2024 - Update
Cathy Vincelli, Acting Director, Community Recreation, Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division will present on the work undertaken on advancing community creation violence prevention programs and opportunities in Summer 2024.
The City-School Boards Advisory Committee received the item for information.
TS3.3deferred
Building a Universal Student Food Program in Toronto
The Director, Toronto Public Health will be giving a presentation on Building a Universal Student Food Program in Toronto. City Council, on its October 9 and 10, 2024 meeting, considered Item EX17.1 , and requested the City Manager, in coordination with the Medical Officer of Health, to report to the November 5, 2024 meeting of the Executive Committee on funding including intergovernmental contributions and operational considerations required to deliver student food programs by January 2025 in the schools that applied for the 2023/4 or 2024/5 school years, were deemed eligible, but were denied due to funding constraints, and make a presentation to the October 21, 2024, meeting of the City-School Boards Advisory Committee.
The City-School Boards Advisory Committee deferred the consideration of the item until its next meeting on February 26, 2025.
TS3.4received
City-School Boards Advisory Committee 2025 Meeting Schedule
The Terms of Reference for the City-School Boards Advisory Committee state that the Committee will meet a minimum of three times per year at the discretion of the Chair. The Chair has scheduled the following meetings for 2025: February 26, 2025 , at 9:30 a.m. June 18, 2025 , at 9:30 a.m. November 5, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. City Council on July 24 and 25, 2024, approved the 2025 schedule of meetings for City Council and its Committees. The schedule of meetings for the City-School Boards Advisory Committee has been developed to avoid dates, whenever possible, that conflict with the approved City Council schedule; and to avoid days of cultural or religious significance.
The City-School Boards Advisory Committee received the item for information.
TS3.5referred
City of Toronto Cricket Background and Strategy
Cricket has been a popular sport in many countries. There are 27 cricket pitches in the City of Toronto. Cricket is popular in Toronto and is one of the fastest growing sports. As part of the 20-year Facilities Master Plan (FMP), City staff reviewed Toronto's existing cricket facilities to determine if improvements and/or new facilities are required to keep up with demand. Cricket Strategy. The review recommended the following action: • Create up to five new cricket pitches. ◦ new pitches will be regulation size and may be shared with other recreational activities; and ◦ accommodating new pitches may require the City to explore opportunities for land use partnerships, acquiring new land and or redesigning existing parks Partnerships with School Boards There are opportunities for partnerships with school boards for new cricket facilities. Schools can transform the game of cricket for generations to come. Gender Equity Fostering gender equality in sport is about creating equal opportunities. The City of Toronto and school boards seek to generate a positive environment for the participation of girls, women, and gender diverse people. 62 percent of Canadian girls do not participate in any kind of sport. There is a lack of playing fields in schools and city facilities making it more difficult for girls, women, and gender diverse people to engage in sports like cricket. Women's cricket has gained popularity. Regardless of growing popularity, women's cricket still faces challenges. The fight against ingrained sexism in cricket remains a daunting obstacle. Gender stereotypes and biases continue to undermine the achievements of female cricketers, marginalizing their contributions and questioning their place in a sport that has long been dominated by men. Despite significant strides in recent years, women's cricket often finds itself in the shadow of the men's game. By creating more opportunities, eliminating gender bias and creating role models, cricket can be promoted so it can thrive thereby helping to create a more equitable and sustainable future for the sport. Lack of Facilities There is a lack of adequate playing facilities in schools and city facilities. Major conditions plaguing public schools is lack of school facility space. Facilities in desperate need of long overdue maintenance and renovation are primary reasons for the need for partnerships and innovative solutions. Single Gender High School Madonna Catholic Secondary School is one of six single gender high schools for female students in the City of Toronto. It is located on the north side of Wilson Avenue, east of Keene Street. It is abutted by a cemetery, shopping plaza and TCDSB's Downsview Secondary School. Discussions to engage the school community are underway. Initial conversations have been held with the local Councillor, James Pasternak, school Superintendent, TCDSB facility staff and some members of the community. Should the exploration and discussions yield a plan, then the provincial and federal governments would be requested to fund the project. Unlocking Opportunity In an age where technology and screens dominate youth, the significance of providing sporting facilities in schools cannot be emphasized enough. Collaboration between the city and school community will most certainly reduce gender bias, create role models and break barriers for girls, women, and gender diverse people. The Government of Canada adopted an action plan action plan for Reducing Poverty and Improving Health and Well-Being: Moving towards an inclusive sport system by setting a target to achieve gender parity in sport by 2035. Building a cricket pitch at a single gender school in Toronto will reduce the existing hurdles and roadblocks for women in cricket and sport. The need for cricket pitches in deprived areas in the city or where facilities are currently unavailable will be addressed with the discussions between city and school board officials. Students would use the pitch during the day and the facility can be available to cricket users outside of school hours. This will create a vibrant hub for both students and the local community. Moreover, the opportunity to integrate school developments into wider social and community regeneration projects benefit students, community members, and cricketers alike.
The City-School Boards Advisory Committee: 1. Referred the item to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and requested them to continue the engagement of school boards on this item.
Staff recommendation as filed
That the City-School Boards Advisory Committee recommends that the Executive Committee: 1. Request the General Manager, Parks Forestry and Recreation to begin discussions with the Toronto Catholic District School Board to actively explore opportunities and engage in discussions to build a cricket pitch at Madonna Catholic Secondary School. 2. Request the General Manager, Parks Forestry and Recreation to begin discussions with all four school boards to pursue future cricket field partnerships in under serviced communities or where facilities are currently unavailable. 3. Request that City Council request the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada to consider funding for capital infrastructure for a cricket pitch at Madonna Catholic Secondary School and other identified cricket partnership schools.