September 9, 2011 Dear TDSB Community, Call to Action for Disaster Relief in East Africa Throughout East Africa, more than 11 million people need immediate food aid and tens of thousands have already died. Hundreds more are perishing every single day. The majority of southern Somalia is now under famine conditions, with 750,000 people facing imminent starvation. However, the immense impact of the death and suffering caused by the drought and famine in East Africa, primarily Somalia and Kenya, is not confined to these East African nations. Family, friends and relatives of many in our city - and in our schools - have been lost or are struggling to survive, so we are all affected in some way by this catastrophe. To those who have lost loved ones, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) extends its deepest condolences. Our psychology and social work staff are working with principals to identify those students and staff who may need their assistance. At the TDSB, we will be observing a moment's silence throughout our schools and Board sites on Tuesday, September 13. Additionally, schools will coordinate Toonie Tuesday fundraising events on Tuesday, September 20 as part of our ongoing commitment to social justice throughout the world. We are asking you, our TDSB community, to pull together to support the aid effort in any way you can. No donation is too small or insignificant. The Toronto District School Board is supporting the Canadian Red Cross, UNICEF, Free The Children and the Stephen Lewis Foundation in their relief efforts. To contribute online, please visit www.redcross.ca/tdsb, www.unicef.ca/tdsb, www.freethechildren.com or www.stephenlewisfoundation.org. In addition, a collection process will be set up in each of our schools for donations in cash or cheque. Tax receipts are available for online donations as small as $10 and all online donations made by Friday, September 16, will be matched by the federal government. The need is great, so we ask students and staff, parents and area residents to do what they can. We ask that you take some time in the coming days and weeks to help people we may never meet, people who need our help more than we could ever imagine. Thank you. Chris Bolton, Chair Chris Spence, Director of Education
