Date: Friday, November 27, 2020
Time: 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Location: The webinar link will be shared with you via email prior to the session start time.

Participants will gain an understanding of the external resources available for children requiring “Special Education Needs” (SEN) as well as typical developing children, and of the “Every Child Belongs” model (Service Delivery Model: Toronto Children Services).

We will talk about the process of transitioning children from childcare to full day learning and to elementary school, supporting them in childcare and school, and the importance of the collaborative relationship between parents, Resource Consultant, childcare and schools.

Facilitator: Loris Bennett, M.A. – Loris is a Doctoral Candidate in Leadership in Higher Education with a focus on Special Education and an Adjunct Professor in Disability Studies and Early Childhood Education. Loris has over 25 years of extensive experience in the human services field supervising residential programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities as well as offering comprehensive consultation to families and Early Learning Education and Care organizations that support children with special needs. Her scholarship is centered on teaching and professional activity, focusing on promoting access and equity for people with disabilities within a local, national and international context. Loris’ research interests include the areas of diversity, inclusion, access and equity for people with disabilities and expanding professional development of human services personnel.

Registration required. Current University of Toronto students, staff, faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and their partners are welcome. If you have any access needs to ensure your full participation in this event, please contact the Family Care Office and we will try our best to work with you and make appropriate arrangements.

Date: Tuesday, April 14 , 2020
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Location: The webinar link will be shared with you via email prior to the session start time.

Join us for a conversation based on your questions during this unprecedented time. The panel will share thoughts on how to both navigate the university’s systems and how you can advocate for yourself and your family at the end of term when facing difficulties asking for accommodations.

Panelists: Jodie Glean – Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office Director, Karolina Szymanski – Graduate Liaison Officer, OISE Dept of Leadership, Higher & Adult Education, Maria Jardim – Advisor (Student Focus) – Family Care Office.

Moderator: Mairi McKenna-Edwards, Student Life Coordinator, Diversity & Inclusivity Training

U of T graduate and undergraduate students with family responsibilities are welcome to attend.

To register, please email family.care@utoronto.ca with your name and department/College. Questions will be collected ahead of the discussion at registration to protect your anonymity.

Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Location: Centre for International Experience, 33 St. George Street – #101 Baldwin Rm

The workshop will focus on development of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and the Identification Placement Review Committee (IPRC) process. It will also look at how learning challenges identified in the IEP are addressed in the classroom, and provide a brief overview of the gifted program. Participants will come away with a better understanding of the language and process of Special Education in the TDSB.

Facilitator: Special Education Inclusion Consultant

U of T students, staff, faculty, and their partner/spouse are welcome to attend.

If you have any access needs to ensure your full participation in this event (examples might include sign language interpretation, mobility issues, or any other accommodations), please contact the Family Care Office and we will work with you to make appropriate arrangements.

Participants will learn:

• Different small nutritious meals and snacks to be served everyday
• To offer a variety of foods from the four food groups
• The importance of providing healthy snacks and healthy food
• Tips on how to feed a picky eater
• The importance of being a good food role model
• Easy recipes for children 4 to 8 years of age

This informal family event, hosted in the U of T Family Resource Centre, is designed for new faculty parents and their families. Join us to:

• Find out about resources and supports for new faculty parents at the University of Toronto daycare centres, home child care and nanny services
• Meet other faculty, faculty spouses/ partners, and their children in a family-friendly environment
• Give your children an opportunity to play together with others.

Please bring your whole family to this event!

The workshop will focus on development of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and the Identification Placement Review Committee (IPRC) process. It will also look at how learning challenges identified in the IEP are addressed in the classroom. Participants will come away with a better understanding of the language and process of Special Education in the public school system.

Facilitators Mitchell Curci has worked in Special Education for over 38 years in the public and independent school system. He is currently with the Learning Disabilities Association Toronto District (LDATD) where he is involved in Community Outreach and Education Advocacy.
Jordana Curci has taught for 5 years in both the Intermediate and Primary Division where she brings a fresh perspective on the learning issues that impact literacy. She is currently working in the area of Special Education in her school