November is...

Not just the month between Hallowe'en and winter break. It is a time of quiet reflection, commemoration, and thankfulness before the busy-ness of December sets in.

In November the TDSB recognizes Indigenous Education Month to help bring Indigenous perspectives to the curricula and reflect on the legacy of residential schools. The TDSB has one of the largest populations of self-identified Indigenous students in Canada and it is important to reflect on the histories that we share with First Nation's, Metis, and Inuit peoples. This year the events recognize of the selfless contributions of Indigenous Veterans to Canada's war efforts and recognition of Louis Riel Day and November 15th - 18th students and families have the opportunity to Rock your Mocs on social media.

November is also Hindu Heritage Month in Ontario and the theme for this year's TDSB celebrations is Om Shanti: Living in Peace Together. OM Shanti refers to experiencing peace at the level of the body, mind and spirit, and it is also a prayer for peace in the whole world.

School Councils

Things look quite a bit different this year, not just for classrooms but also for school councils and connections to families across two school systems. The Parent and Community Engagement Office and PIAC are continuing to refine resources to help school councils, please watch for regular updates online and through your school's Principal.

Ward 16 - Meetings and Forums

Reminder - Wed Nov 18th, 7-8pm - Ward 16 School Council Meet & Greet - for School Council members - Register Here or email michelle.aarts@tdsb.on.ca for more information.

December 2nd, 7pm - Joint Ward 15/16 Forum - "School Council Effectiveness; Current Realities" with guest speaker Michelle Munroe, Parent and Community Engagement Office - Register Here

January 2021 - "Becoming an Anti-racist School Council" - Part 2 of the Ward 15/16 Anti-racism Workshops - TBD

PIAC Parents Conference

Ready, Set, Engage!

On November 21st and 22nd PIAC invites all parents and caregivers to take part in their 14th annual parent conference – Ready. Set. Engage! Navigating the School Year Together – in partnership with TDSB. Join us in our first-ever virtual conference with workshops for parents and school councils.
Register Now!
View the Workshops

There is an opportunity to connect directly with trustees, parents and community members during the final session on Sunday, November 22 2:45pm EST, in designated Ward breakout rooms with our PIAC Ward Representative as moderator, to learn about our community’s successes and challenges as we continue adapting to a new educational landscape and school year, unlike any we have experienced before! See you there!

Board and 2020-21 Board Calendar

On Monday November 16th the Board held its annual Organizational Meeting to elect a new Chair and Vice Chair, appoint members to Statutory Committees, Community Advisory Committees, External Agencies, and approve the 2020-21 meeting calendar.

The Board has acclaimed Trustee Alexandar Brown as Chair and elected Trustee Christopher Mammoliti as Vice-Chair for 2020-21.

A full list of Committees and membership can be found here.

The new Board Calendar (Board meetings, committee meetings) can be found here.

Upcoming:

November 24th - Planning & Priorities Committee (Special Meeting) - COVID updates (Live Webcast)

November 25th - Finance, Budget & Enrollment, Special Meeting - Staff will provide updates on the 2020-21 enrollment, budget pressures, and COVID costs (Live Webcast).

December 9th - Full Board Meeting

Motion to be decided - "Use of Outdoor Spaces for Instructional Time" from Trustees Story and Aarts.

Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week

November 15 - 21 is Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week in Ontario. The TDSB joins other school boards in prevention efforts and creating a welcoming school community – both in-person and online. Learn more about TDSB Caring & Safe Schools including support for students, bullying prevention programs, and associated policies & procedures.

Stay Home, Stay Safe!

Toronto is now in the "Red – Control" category of the Province’s new colour-coded system for COVID-19 restrictions. Monday saw more than 1400 new cases in Ontario and further 1200 cases today. Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health has issued a mandatory Order imposing further restrictions in order to reduce COVID-19 activity in the City. Learn what to expect and how you can help reduce the spread. Read a summary of the enhanced measures.

Schools will continue to implement COVID prevention measures and work closely with Toronto Public Health. You can find more information on TDSB COVID safety and updates here. We thank staff and families for their ongoing efforts to keep students safe but keeping COVID out of our schools means that we need to reduce community spread. Please continue to be vigilant and stay safe at home.

As the pandemic continues it is important to focus on wellness for ourselves and our children. Please click on the images below to find City and TDSB wellness supports or contact 211 to find supports in your area:

Virtual Open Houses

TDSB schools will host virtual open houses and information sessions for parents/guardians and students between November and January.

Learn everything you need to know about an incredible variety of schools, programs, and courses. Please note that some schools are hosting “live” virtual open houses that families can join in real time, during the specified date and time. Some schools have pre-recorded information sessions that you can view at any time.

A full list of middle schools and secondary schools and open houses, sorted by date, can be found here: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/openhouses

Optional Attendance

The TDSB Optional Attendance Policy provides a mechanism for students to attend schools and programs outside of their home catchment (by residential address). Optional Attendance for individual schools is listed as

"Open" - accepting applications
"Limited" - accepting applications but with limited capacity
"Closed" - no room for optional attendance

**For 2020-21 students who returned to their "home school" by address from an optional attendance school - parents will have the choice keeping their child at the designated home school or returning to their Optional Attendance school for 2021-22. A decision will need to be made by January 15, 2021 so that schools can determine the available space for the 2021-22 Optional Attendance process. Re-entry into an intensive French program is subject to Operational Procedure PR597 (French Immersion/Extended French) and cannot be guaranteed.

Early French Program Registration

Virtual Web Chat Information Sessions have been scheduled for families interested in the Early French Immersion (SK) application and placement process.
The next scheduled session is November 19, 2020, 10-11 a.m.

Deadline for Applications to Early French: November 27, 2020

More information about Early French Immersion (Senior Kindergarten Entry) and the application process can be found here: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Elementary-School/School-Choices/French-Programs/Application-Process/Early-French-Immersion

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Trustee Update

Optional Attendance