Director’s Updates to Parents/Guardians: COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
The Toronto District School Board is committed to keeping all parents/guardians updated on the impact of COVID-19 on schools and any developments with regard to remote learning. Below are the recent updates from Director of Education John Malloy:
- Update on Remote Learning (https://www.tdsb.on.ca/News/Article-Details/ArtMID/474/ArticleID/1455/Remote-Learning-Update---Message-from-the-Director-of-Education )(May 1, 2020)
- Extension of School Closures Announced (https://www.tdsb.on.ca/News/Article-Details/ArtMID/474/ArticleID/1451/Update-Extension-of-School-Closures-Announced)(April 26, 2020)
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Remote Learning
My family and work situation do not allow for me to provide designated support or time to help my child learn. What should I do?
We recognize that every family is in a different situation and has different time and ability to support their child. Educators will be considering all these scenarios and will strive to be thoughtful in how and when learning is delivered. Please work with your child’s teacher to help them understand what’s feasible, right now, in your home.
Will there be set hours for when my child has to participate in learning?
We recognize that timed learning may be difficult for a lot of families. One option for educators is to record live instruction and have it available during other times or have resources available any time. We hope students will be able to build connections with their teacher and classmates through some classroom-style online learning though, but we realize that may not be possible for everyone.
I requested a device and now I no longer need it. What should I do?
If you have not yet received your device and it is pending delivery, the only option is to refuse the delivery and it will be returned to the TDSB. If you have already accepted your device but no longer need it, we are not able to pick it up due to physical distancing requirements and ask that you keep it and return it to your school when schools reopen
I received a TDSB Chromebook but am having problems. Who can I contact?
To receive assistance with questions about logging in, account issues or connecting to wi-fi, please email studentdevicesupport@tdsb.on.ca please be sure to include your child’s name and school along with your name. Learn more here (https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Remote-Learning/Student-Device-Support). Questions about digital learning tools such as Google Classroom, Brightspace etc. along with questions about school work should be directed to your child’s teacher.
I only have one device at home and multiple children. How do I support their learning?
Setting an at-home schedule for each child may be helpful and helping their teachers understand the limitations will help ensure that non-digital options are also available to support learning
My child is in French Immersion. What supports are there for parents to help continue learning?
All French as a Second Language programs (FSL) are designed for families who do not speak French at home. Families may support their children in French Immersion/Extended French in much the same way they would in the English program. It is not necessary that families speak French for a child to continue learning at home. A family may create an account on IDELLO https://www.idello.org/en by selecting “Parent” or students can create an account using their TDSB email account. This would allow them to explore the resources on their own (parent or student). For additional French resources, families may explore the TDSB Virtual Library www.tdsb.on.ca/library.
Are students being assessed on this learning?
For elementary students, teachers will use approaches to gather evidence of student learning and will provide meaningful feedback to students on their progress. Evidence of significant improvement in learning, during the closure period, may be taken into consideration by the teacher when assigning a final grade in a subject area. Otherwise, students, in Grades 1 to 8, will be assigned the grades earned based on their learning of the expectations in the curriculum up until schools closed on March 13, 2020. All students, Kindergarten to Grade 8, will receive a June report card. Mid-term marks will be entered only for Grade 12 students by April 23, 2020, to meet the deadline to report grades to the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) and the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS). Marks will reflect work done up until March 13, 2020. However, formative assessments done post April 6 can be used to improve a student’s mark should students demonstrate further achievement of expectations.
For students in secondary school, teachers will assign learning tasks, projects and culminating activities. Teachers will communicate results and feedback to students about these marked assignments and results will inform students’ final course marks. Only demonstrated improvements in learning will be taken into consideration when assigning a final mark. Final marks will be entered in June, and will be based on work done until March 13, 2020, as well as after April 6, 2020. Summative and culminating tasks can be used for these final marks. All subjects a student is taking will be reported on in a June report card?
Will students be at risk of not graduating?
The Government of Ontario has made very clear that no student will have their graduation compromised by COVID-19 and the Ministry of Education continues to work with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to ensure that there will be no barriers to accessing post-secondary education.
