School for Children

Every child has the right to go to school in Canada regardless of status. The Toronto District School Board has passed a Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy which states that all children will be treated equally, even if they (or their parents) have no immigration status, and that they will not disclose this information to any enforcement agency or government body. However, this policy has not yet been fully implemented. Please visit the No One Is Illegal website at http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org for updates.

Toronto District School Board

Office phone:                (416) 397-3000
Fax:                              (416) 393-0889
Website:                       www.tdsb.on.ca
Address:                       Head Office, 5050 Yonge St, Toronto, Ontario, M2N 5N8
Location:                      North York Central (Yonge St-Sheppard Ave W)
Hours:                          Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30
Language of service:     English
Physical access:            Wheelchair accessible building including main entrance and barrier free washrooms
Service description:       Academic, commercial and technical day and night credit and general interest classes * day schools and programs for adults * academic upgrading * English as a Second Language (ESL), literacy, citizenship and heritage language classes * intensive ESL programs * special education including education programs for children and youth 14-21 years with developmental disabilities * special services -- home instruction, social work, psychiatry, psychology, guidance counselling, reading and speech correction, transportation for persons with physical disabilities, interpreting services for families and schools * after school programs * Alternative Schools programs * literature in many languages

Adult services -- additional services for adults who are not students include employment readiness coaching, career counselling, direct job placement * reception centres for immigrants and refugees * ESL resource centres -- information, assessment and referrals to adult ESL programs * Managing City Life 416-397-2750 (Beverley School) -- literacy, numeracy and life skills programs for adults with developmental disabilities * half day programs, by referral

Career Solutions 905-764-4797 -- serves York Region * employment counselling services

Food program -- breakfast and lunch programs * daily hot meal provided in some schools * nominal charge for parents able to pay

Metropolitan Toronto School for the Deaf -- elementary school that operates completely in American Sign Language (ASL)

Parenting and Family Literacy Centres, 416-394-2067 -- family literacy and numeracy activities, multilingual book libraries, art, music and active play * offered at various schools

Triangle Program -- 416-406-6228 ext 169, fax 416-466-5207, triangleprogram@hotmail.com, schools.tdsb.on.ca/triangle * full time alternative secondary school program for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth 14-25 years who are affected by homophobia

Virtual School -- www.tdsbvirtualschool.com * secondary credit courses, tutorials and homework help offered through the Internet

Youth alienation programs -- special services in some alternative and regular secondary schools for students who have dropped out and wish to re-enter or who are not benefiting from their current school program * flexible programs * open registration daily, weekly or monthly * information sessions * housing project for students in dire need * counselling * advocacy * streetworkers * outreach to youth in community agencies and shelters * all services may not be available in all locations

Toronto Catholic District School Board
 
 
Office phone 416-222-8282 ext 5314 ; 416-222-8282 ext 5320 Admissions ; 416-222-8282 ext 5348 Adult Education Programs
Crisis phone 416-229-5360
TTY phone 416-229-5337
Fax 416-229-5345
 
Email webmaster@tcdsb.org
Web site www.tcdsb.org
Address Catholic Education Centre, 80 Sheppard Ave E, North York, ON, M2N 6E8
Location (Intersection) North York Central (Yonge St-Sheppard Ave E)
 
Hours Mon-Fri 8:30-4:45 * after hours -- answering service, emergency calls responded to immediately
Languages of service English ; French -- school programs * Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Ukrainian -- interpreters available
Eligibility Elementary level -- Roman Catholic children and children of Roman Catholic parents * secondary level open to all
How to apply Contact nearest Catholic school for appointment * contact admissions department if appropriate documentation lacking -- proof of citizenship/landed immigrant status, residency, and (elementary students only) baptism into Roman Catholic faith

Fees Continuing education programs -- small tuition fee * extended day international languages program -- $15 per year * tuition for foreign students -- $10,000 elementary, $11,500 secondary
Physical access Wheelchair accessible building including main entrance and barrier free washrooms * lowered elevator buttons * designated and street parking close to entrance
 
Service description Full academic program in a Roman Catholic environment * junior kindergarten through grade 12 * single gender and coeducational secondary schools * Catholic family life education * Balanced Literacy and Fifth Block -- remedial literacy instruction for children up to Grade 3 * French from senior kindergarten * English as a Second Language (ESL) classes * citizenship and international language classes * night and summer classes * cooperative education and apprenticeship * international baccalaureate program * specialty programs focusing on the arts, technology, leadership development and independent study * special education programs for exceptional children

Special services -- child care and after school programs, nutrition programs, home instruction, social work, psychological and psychiatric services, guidance counselling, program for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, reading, speech and language correction, community liaison, chaplaincy and peer ministry programs, interpreter services and transportation for persons with physical disabilities * adult upgrading centres * after school literacy clubs * individual schools listed in the telephone directory under Toronto Catholic District School Board

Mazemaster -- www.mazemaster.on.ca * employment, training and education information for youth

Caregiver and child drop-ins at some schools -- call 416-222-8282 ext 2687 for information * parenting workshops * parent relief * parenting resource libraries

If you are having difficulty enrolling your child in school, contact:

Justice for Children and Youth

Office phone:                (416) 920-1633
Toll-free phone:            1-866-999-5329;1-866-999-JFCY
Fax:                              (416) 920-5855
E-mail:                          info@jfcy.org
Website:                       www.jfcy.org
Address:                       415 Yonge St, Ste 1203, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2E7
Location:                      Toronto Central (Yonge St-Gerrard St E)
Contacts:                      Mary Ann Paterson, Office Manager
Area served:                 Ontario
Hours:                          Mon-Fri 9-5
Language of service:     English
Eligibility:                      Children and youth 17 years and under * their parents only for special education matters * must meet financial eligibility guidelines * clients must sign retainer
How to apply:               By telephone only
Fees:                            Services -- free * clients may be required to pay court costs
Physical access:            Wheelchair accessible building including main entrance and barrier free washrooms * braille elevator * street parking
Service description:       Community legal clinic * legal representation in the areas of residential care, education, criminal matters, child welfare, human rights and constitutional law, financial assistance or support * legal information and assistance to youth, professionals and community groups * also to parents for education issues only * community development and outreach * advocacy * public resource centre * seminars * accepts collect calls * funded by Legal Aid Ontario

Street Youth Legal Services (SYLS) -- legal advice and outreach to street-involved youth at shelters and youth services

The following organizations located in the West End also provide a school readiness programs for young children:

Davenport Perth Neighbourhood Centre

Office phone: (416) 656-8025
Fax: (416) 656-1264
E-mail: dpnc@dpnc.ca
Address: 1900 Davenport Rd, Toronto, Ontario, M6N 1B7
Location: Toronto West (Lansdowne Ave-Davenport Rd)
Area served: Medical and community services – North to Toronto Community Council Boundaries South to Bloor St W; East to Ossington Ave/Alberta Ave- West to CN/CP railway tracks (Keele and Old Weston Road)
Hours: Mon-Thu 9-9, Fri 9-5 * medical services -- Mon-Tue 9-8, Wed 9-5, Thu 1-5, Fri 9-5
Language of service: English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish * interpreters for other languages available for medical and settlement services
Physical access: Wheelchair accessible building including main entrance and barrier free washrooms * braille and tone elevators, lowered buttons * designated parking

Service description:
Settlement Program -- counselling and settlement services for status and non-status newcomers * workshops

Ontario Early Years Centre - Davenport, local lead agency for Ontario Early Years Centres * early learning and literacy programs * parenting programs * parent relief * child care training * school readiness programs * Growing Up Healthy Downtown (see separate entry) * information and referral * for parents and caregivers with children birth-6 years Children's program -- for children 6-12 years * summer and March break day camps

Multi-Service community centre, including health centre and neighbourhood programs * volunteer skills development and training opportunities * free membership Early Years 1 and 11 Programs.Family programs with children 0-6 years*Carribean /African moms groups* Portuguese Spanish speaking moms group*pre and post natal groups

Growing Up Healthy Downtown (GUHD), Ready for School Connects (RfSC) RfSC is a school readiness program for newcomer families living in downtown Toronto and is offered each summer at four GUHD locations. Includes a school readiness program for children and a parent workshop series. Children must be attending school in September to participate in the summer programs. The project also includes support and follow up once children begin school. (416) 588-3755 x23 or r.mcgarry@dpnc.ca

Adult Services -- Everyone is welcome to join programs through Adult Services. meet new friends and enjoy a cup of coffee, find support around housing or information about programs and services. Social Club meets Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Community dining -- nutritious meals Wednesday 5p.m. Friday 12 noon * $1 to dine * access to community services Literacy programs offer free help for adults with improving reading, writing and math skills for English speaking clients* 1 on 1 tutoring or group learning available. Choose part time or full time programs: mornings, afternoons, evenings, Saturdays.

Community Health Centre 416-658-6812 -- call for appointment * individual and family medical and nursing services * palliative care * psychiatric services * doctor on call Monday-Sunday 24 hours * house calls when appropriate * health education and promotion * outreach to isolated persons * community action on identified community health issues * Ontario Health Insurance required for general services* can provide general services and some referrals to specialists for people without Ontario Health Insurance. Seniors program -- 55 years and over * health education * Fitness Classes *advocacy * social, education and recreation activities *

Italian and Portuguese women's group * Women and Men Spanish-speaking group * arts program * Soup Social* trips/outings Youth program -- 11-24 years * social, recreation, education and arts activities * leadership training * life skills * information and referral* volunteer program Alternative to Suspension Program in Conjunction with Toronto District School Board

Rexdale Women's Centre
School Readiness Program
 
Office phone 416-745-0062 ext 504
Fax 416-745-3995
Email srivera@rexdalewomen.org
 
Address 45 Kingsview Blvd, Etobicoke, ON, M9R 1T7
Mail Address 23 Westmore Dr, Ste 400, Etobicoke, ON, M9V 3Y7
Location (Intersection) Etobicoke North (Islington Ave-Dixon Rd)
Hours Mon-Fri 1-3
 
Area served Etobicoke
Languages of service English ; other languages may be available
Eligibility Newcomer children 2-1/2 to 5 years
How to apply Call to register
Fees None
 
Physical access Not wheelchair accessible
 
Service description School readiness and recreation * also activities for parents including conversational English * parenting support