2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee

African-Canadian Advisory Committee

Catholic Social Justice Committee

Child Care Advisory Committee

Filipino-Canadian Advisory Committee

Indigenous Education Advisory Committee

Portuguese-Speaking Communities Advisory Committee

Spanish-Speaking Communities Advisory Committee

Ukrainian-Canadian Advisory Committee

If you are looking to access previous meeting minutes, please contact us.

Purpose: The Advisory Committee for Portuguese-Speaking Communities works alongside the Board of Trustees and staff of the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) to advance equitable education practices that are responsive to the diversity of Portuguese-speaking students and students of Portuguese-speaking ancestry and foster greater student achievement and success.

The advisory committee applies a strength-based model and works mostly, but not exclusively, on matters pertaining to the following:

1. The continuity and implementation of the plan and recommendations accepted by the Board at its meeting of May 22, 2012.

2. The consultation with and the engagement of the larger Portuguese-speaking communities in regard to student achievement and success.

3. The assessment of the effectiveness of steps taken to improve the academic success of students of Portuguese-speaking background.

4. The recommendations for programs, services and advocacy.

5. To make recommendations for the allocation of funds for the implementation of identified strategies and programs.

6. The sharing of best practices across the Toronto Catholic District School Board and throughout Toronto’s Portuguese-speaking communities.

7. To meet a minimum of 4 times per year as an advisory committee with TCDSB staff.

The Advisory Committee shall have a TCDSB Chairperson and a TCDSB staff liaison/ to ensure due process, leadership and effective functioning of the Committee's responsibilities.

The Advisory Committee for Portuguese-Speaking Communities shall be comprised of staff of the Toronto Catholic District School Board as follows:

1. One current TCDSB student selected from the Catholic Student Leadership Impact Team (CSLIT).

2. One or more parents, up to a maximum of three, who has/had children in the TCDSB system.

3. A maximum of seven community members appointed by the Board of Trustees. Voluntary membership on this committee must be mindful of gender representation, Portuguese-speaking background, and including:

   • Post-secondary student(s) (i.e., undergraduate, graduate, doctoral candidate),

   • Health promotion and/or social services representatives and or

   • Related service organizations such as but not limited to Toronto Public Health, Abrigo Centre, West Neighbourhood House, St. Stephen’s, Working Women Community Centre.

The Advisory Committee for Portuguese-Speaking Communities seeks to reflect the diversity of the Portuguese-speaking community and attract candidates that complement the skills and experience of current members. All positions are voluntary and candidates must be of Portuguese-speaking background. In nominating members, the committee shall consider the ability of the individuals to carry out the role effectively and to make the time commitment involved. While current members of the Advisory Committee on Portuguese-Speaking Communities will nominate candidates, the appointment process reflects the TCDSB screening policies on Parent Volunteer Committee members.

The members are appointed for a maximum of 2 terms, a term being 3 years, by the Board of Trustees. An extension may be approved, if needed, to support transition of new members and ensure the functioning of the Committee. Appointed committee members contribute by developing meeting agendas and following up with action items and regularly attending meetings.

1. An appointed member wishing to terminate membership shall put their request in writing with 30 days’ notice to the Chairperson.

2. The Committee shall have a mechanism by which to review an appointed member’s performance and terminate their membership for diverse reasons, including absenteeism, conflict of interest, and/or other behaviour that does not comply with the Terms of Reference and recommendations of April 23, 2012 and/or new recommendations approved by this Committee.

The Committee shall meet at least four times per year or more frequently at the discretion of the Chair. Quorum for committee meetings will be 50% plus one of committee members. The appointed Committee members and the TCDSB liaison/coordinator shall have ad hoc meetings to follow up on action items and coordinate future advocacy efforts.

The Advisory Committee shall be accountable to the TCDSB for the effective performance of their role and responsibilities. The Committee shall develop an annual work plan that shall be presented to the TCDSB for approval. The Committee shall communicate openly with TCDSB to ascertain the progress in achieving the work plan and make revisions as needed.

David Letra
Communication Relations Officer
Email: david.letra@tcdsb.org
Phone: 416-222-8282 ext. 2687