EdCamp 905

On half of the entire @EdCamp905 team thank you to everyone who attended #edcamp905 rich discussions, networking, learning. It's what #edcamp is all about! Special thanks the the amazing team of volunteers! @ONeducation teachers are amazing and commitment! It was just a start!

There’s an oft-repeated spending scandal in Canadian politics that always serves as a reminder that taxpayers care about the dollars and cents, no matter how small. Bev Oda’s $16 glass of orange juice. theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/… Today, the Ford government revealed nearly $200,000 in taxpayer dollars were spent to acquire a $28.9 million plane for the Premier, that was subsequently sold amid scandal. globalnews.ca/news/11848076/… #onpoli

Doug Ford mocked students for taking “basket-weaving courses” and blowing OSAP money on “luxury watches and colognes.” A new report shows less than 1% of OSAP funds were misused. Less. Than. 1%. He invented a crisis to cut student aid – then pulled $30 million from people’s pockets to buy himself a luxury private jet. I’ll keep fighting this government until the cuts to OSAP are reversed.

One of the toughest jobs in education is being a principal. Every day, principals are balancing mandates, district expectations, meetings, parent concerns, student needs, staffing issues, budgets, discipline, testing pressures, and a thousand other responsibilities most people never see. And somehow in the middle of all that, the best principals still find ways to encourage their teachers. They show up in classrooms. They check on people. They celebrate small wins. They protect staff when they can. They try to keep morale up even when they’re exhausted themselves. Great principals live in the tension between leading systems and leading people. And the ones who never lose sight of their staff in the middle of all the pressure deserve more appreciation than they often receive. To the principals who continue fighting for kids while also trying to support, encourage, value, and appreciate their teachers: Thank you. Your staff may not always see everything you do behind the scenes, but your presence, support, and leadership matter more than you know. Education is still a people business. And great principals never forget that. @NAESP @NASSP

Minister Calandra says he doesn't want "a big, long, prolonged strike" during the upcoming round of bargaining. @etfopresident David Mastin says the ball is entirely in the Ford government’s court, pointing to chronic underfunding of the system as a major sticking point, "I’m sure if the government came to the table and said, ‘You know what, we recognize the errors in our ways, we’re going to reinvest $6.35 billion’, I think we could have a very easy, simple round of negotiations." FULL STORY BY @TinaYazdani @Thetrilliumca: thetrillium.ca/insider-news/e… #onted #onpoli

“It started with a few racks of clothing… just something small to help.” Back in 2018, Giulia Scarola, an Educational Assistant, saw a need at West Credit S.S. - a gap between students who had access to what they needed and those who didn’t. “We started collecting donations,” she explained. “Just trying to make a difference in a small way.” But it didn’t stay small for long. Today, The Vintage Shop has grown into something much bigger. It's now run by Giulia alongside a team of dedicated fellow EAs and student volunteers. Once a week, it opens right in the school hallways. “There’s music playing. People are dancing, laughing, shopping,” she shared. “It’s not just a shop anymore, it’s also a space for connection.” Students can browse clothing, shoes, and accessories - all donated and all free. “No questions, just choice.” That choice matters. “For some students, it’s about financial support,” she noted. “For others, especially students who don’t often get the chance to shop independently, it’s about building confidence.” Inside the space, students try things on, help each other pick outfits, and slowly come out of their shells. They stand a little taller. They feel more like themselves. The shop has even grown into a co-op learning experience. Students help run it, build customer service skills, organize displays, and work as a team. “It’s student-led in so many ways now,” she added. “They take pride in it.” “Prom season always holds a special place with me,” she reflected. “They walk in one way… and then they find the outfit and something shifts. They leave feeling confident, comfortable and like they truly belong.” Rooted in staff and community donations, and a commitment to sustainability, the shop also teaches something deeper: that reusing and sharing can be both meaningful and powerful. “It started as a feel-good idea,” Giulia said. “Now it’s something students look forward to. It's a space that brings energy, confidence, and a sense of community into the school every single week.” #PDSBEducationWeek #OurStoriesInAction

“I’ve been with Peel District School Board for 23 years, but really, this journey started long before that.” Rob Ridley laughs when he says it, thinking back to a Grade 3 assignment where he wrote about becoming a park superintendent somewhere far away, maybe the Yukon. “I guess I’ve always known I wanted to stay connected to the land,” he says. “Education just gave me a way to bring others into that connection too.” Today, as the Coordinator of Land-Based Learning, Rob helps thousands of students and staff each year learn with the land, not just on it. His work stretches far beyond field centres. It’s in program design, school partnerships, pre- and post-learning, and those small, unexpected moments - like pausing with students to listen to a waterfall or marvel at a salamander. “Land-based learning matters because it reconnects us to place, to community, and to ourselves,” he explains. “It’s hands-on, relational, and grounded in the understanding that learning is holistic and lifelong.” This work is about more than outdoor education, for Rob. It’s about building relationships with the land, with each other, and with Indigenous ways of knowing that remind us learning is rooted in connection and responsibility. “If we don’t feel a relationship to the land we live, learn, and play on every day, what are we really connected to?” he asks. What keeps him going after more than two decades isn’t just the philosophy, but also the transformation. “You see it right away. The moment students step outside, something shifts. They take risks. They collaborate. They start to see the world, and themselves, differently.” He’s proud of the programs the team has helped to build - experiences that honour local ecosystems, centre Indigenous perspectives, and support students in developing a sense of stewardship and belonging that lasts long after a field trip ends. “Legacy isn’t about how long you’ve been somewhere,” he says. “It’s about what continues to grow because you were there.” And then he smiles. “I love hearing new staff say, ‘I remember coming here as a student.’ That’s when you know the impact lasted.” For Rob, that’s the goal. Not just learning for a day, but a relationship that lasts a lifetime. #PDSBEducationWeek #OurStoriesInAction

NEW: Government-supervised school board mistakenly distributes email identifying teachers at risk of layoffs, raising serious privacy concerns & prompting Ontario's privacy watchdog to look into the incident. My first official byline with @Thetrilliumca: thetrillium.ca/insider-news/e…

NEW: FOI cancellation notices have already started going out, just one week after Bill 97 - which made retroactive changes to Freedom of Information laws - took effect. Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner says dozens of cases may be impacted. #onpoli

Polish Heritage Month recognizes the deep roots, cultural traditions and contributions of Polish Canadians. Take time to learn about the history and achievements of Polish communities and to celebrate the impact they continue to have across Canada and within our school communities.

Teachers know it. Education workers know it. Students know it and parents for sure know it. Our education system is facing mounting pressures and Doug Ford isn’t doing a thing about it. Today 255,000+ education workers are wearing red to show their support for investments in publicly funded education, from elementary to university classrooms. Thank you to all the workers taking a stand today and everyday, for your students.

Tonight, more than 10,000 emails were sent through ReleaseDougsTexts.ca, asking every MPP to do the right thing and stop the FOI changes. Debate has now ended. The final vote is expected tomorrow after Question Period. The Official Opposition will keep fighting this every step of the way – because the good people of Ontario deserve a government that has nothing to hide.

Watch: The Ford government held a 14-minute news conference. 10 minutes of government remarks : 4 minutes of media questions. The news conference was quickly shut down and ministers briskly left the government's taxpayer-funded news conference room. #onpoli

📚 IN THE NEWS: OISE faculty, Dr. Beyhan Farhadi and Dr. Vidya Shah, and OISE alumni Dr. Sachin Maharaj penned this column about the education reforms being imposed on Ontario schools. theconversation.com/what-ontarians…

Here's a look at the interior of a 2016 Challenger 650. Premier Doug Ford's government spent $28.5 million of taxpayer dollars on the private jet now dubbed the "gravy plane" #onpoli

These school board changes frighten the hell out of me. #ONpoli

Looking forward to seeing what's next for this talented journalist.

NEW: The supervisors the Ford government appointed with direction to bring order and financial restraint to Ontario school boards are billing the province substantially different sums — with one charging almost $240,000 for six months of work. globalnews.ca/news/11770269/… #onpoli

Great principals do a thousand things in a given week. They solve problems, support teachers, calm worried parents, guide students, analyze data, and keep a school moving forward. It’s complex work. But when you step back and look closely, the most effective principals tend to get a few foundational things consistently right. Here are ten of the habits that set great principals apart: 1. They recognize the value of every adult in the building. From teachers to custodians to office staff, great principals know that schools succeed because of people. They notice the work others do, and they make a point to say thank you often. 2. They support their teachers—especially when it matters most. Whether the challenge is a difficult student, a frustrated parent, or a tense situation with a colleague, great principals stand beside their teachers. They trust them. They believe in them. And their staff knows they have someone in their corner. 3. They lead from the halls, not just the office. Great principals understand that leadership happens where learning happens. You’ll find them in classrooms, hallways, the lunchroom, the bus line, and at carpool—engaging with students and connecting with staff. 4. They involve others in decisions. Great principals know they don’t have all the answers—and they don’t try to. They seek input, invite perspectives, and empower others to help shape the direction of the school. 5. They stay focused on learning. Student achievement is always on their radar. They spend time in classrooms, encourage strategic instruction, and ensure assessments are meaningful. Most importantly, they help teachers use data to better meet the needs of their students. 6. They cultivate collaboration. Great principals know that teaching can’t be a solo sport. They intentionally create structures and expectations that help teachers learn from one another and grow together. 7. They refuse to settle for the status quo. The best principals hold high expectations—for themselves and for everyone in the building. They articulate a compelling vision and challenge their school community to keep getting better. 8. They protect staff morale. Great principals know that culture matters. They work to create an environment where teachers feel respected, supported, and proud to work. 9. They bring positive energy every day. Schools are emotional places, and leadership energy is contagious. Great principals understand that positivity isn’t optional—it’s essential. 10. They always keep students at the center. Every decision, every conversation, every initiative ultimately comes back to one question: What’s best for kids? Great principals build relationships with students and make sure their well-being and success drive the work of the school. None of these practices require perfection. But when principals commit to these habits day after day, they create schools where teachers feel supported, students feel valued, and learning thrives. Cheers, Danny

Global News has been engaged in a years-long transparency battle with Premier Doug Ford's office over his cell phone records. The government has lost a battle in court. The government is now changing the rules to neutralize the FOI. #onpoli