CODE is extremely disappointed by the cancellation of Indigenous Education curriculum writing sessions. CODE advocates for equity and inclusion and supports the Truth and Reconciliation recommendations and Calls to Action. We are incredibly disheartened that this government would halt this important work. Embedding Indigenous education in the curriculum is crucial for healing and reconciliation, and teaches essential truths about our Canadian history and current realities.We stand in solidarity with our First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Education Association of Ontario colleagues and partners.We encourage our members to continue to fight and engage in reforming Indigenous Education for reconciliation and social justice. As #TeachersforTRC we must come together and speak up. Please write to your MPPs as well as the Minister of Education for Ontario Lisa Thompson urging them to reconsider and rectify their decisions.Your CODE Equity Committee.Please see statement from the FNMIEAO: https://mailchi.mp/f608361d70f2/concerns-for-the-future-of-indigenous-education

For 70 years, OELC/CASO has been empowering leadership province wide.  They believe that all youth have the opportunity to lead and to become incredible leaders.  Accessing their interests and/or passion for the arts is a wonderful way to explore their sense of self and harness their leadership program.  OELC's majestic site and experienced teacher facilitators help provide incredible opportunities for experiential learning, making for a memorable experience for all involved.  This year they have added brand new escape rooms and a life size maze to complement their low ropes course and other experiential learning opportunities on the site.  The differentiated program is conducive to having participants return year after year and have a fresh experience.Click through for details!

Get a 15% discount on this 6-day workshop on Teaching Drama to Children and Youth, led by acclaimed director Andrew Lamb. Running August 5-10, the workshop will focus on proven ways of drawing young people into theatre. Click through for details!

Last month, CODE members had a chance to participate in a Directing Intimacy Workshop at Port Credit Secondary School led by Siobhan Richardson. Intimacy Direction focuses on navigating emotionally charged subject matter in the rehearsal room, whether that involves touch, kissing, scenes of violence/abuse, etc. This approach focuses on safety, communication, and consent. Participants explored protocols for approaching this work in the rehearsal room/classroom. 

The Young People’s Theatre in Toronto is holding a ‘Children, Youth, and Performance’ conference which includes a full-day of workshops, networking opportunities, panels, performances and roundtable discussions for educators on Sunday June 24th. This event, held at the oldest and most well-known children’s theatre in the country, provides teachers with ideas and resources to use drama in classrooms, networking with researchers, performers, educators and industry experts, and participating in unique workshops. The day includes light lunch and refreshments.

The tdsbCREATES Dance and Spoken Word Showcase happens from 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM on Thursday May 3rd at the Lyric Theatre at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St. Original works od dance and spoken word by students in grades 7-12 will be feautured in the showcase. Click through for more details!

The tdsbCREATES Art and Film Opening Reception will be taking place on Tuesday April 17th from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM at Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw St. The showcase runs from April 14-25 and features original works of art and film by TDSB students in grades 7-12. Click through for more details!

On Friday April 27th, the Shaw Festival will hold its spring teachers' day feauting a workshop by past CODE Conference presenter Alan Faigal! Go to https://www.shawfest.com/event/teachers-day/ for details.

The Stratford Festival’s annual teachers' conference will be taking place on May 4th. This year the conference examines To Kill a Mockingbird. This event will allow participants to engage with fellow teachers, playwrights and company members in a full-day symposium featuring play readings, workshops and discussions on contemporary approaches to teaching To Kill a Mockingbird. It also includes a ticket to the 2pm performance. To find out more and to register for the conference, click here http://bit.ly/2GRseXs.

 You are cordially invited to attend the Pulse Ontario Dance Conference which is returning to York University May 10 - 13, 2018.  The Pulse bi-annual conference brings together secondary students and their teachers for an immersive experience in dance.