Ministry Requirements for Reopening Schools
The Ministry of Education's Approach to Reopening Schools requires all school boards in Ontario to prepare for the 2020-2021 school year by preparing for three possible models:
Model 1: Normal school day routine with enhanced public health protocols and students going to school every day, in classes that reflect standard class size regulations.
Model 2: Modified school day routine with physical distancing and groups of no more than 15 students and a single teacher for as much of the school day as possible, with alternate day or alternate week delivery.
Model 3: At home learning with enhanced remote delivery including synchronous learning (real-time instruction).
The TDSB's Return to School and Work Steering Committee has created the Preliminary Plan for Returning to Schools. The plan will be finalized and provided to the Ministry of Education for approval by the August 4th deadline, after input is received from Trustees, Union and Federation partners, and Toronto Public Health.
Previously, the Minister had directed school boards to plan to start the year using Model 2, the modified school day routine. On July 9, the Minister of Education indicated the goal was for all students to return to the classroom full time with regular class sizes, but noted that final approval of a regular school day model is at the discretion of public health officials. On July 23 the Ministry announced that it will provide final back-to-school plans the week of July 27th.
The Ministry of Education has yet to announce any funding to address outstanding costs or additional staffing (teachers, custodians, PPE, cleaning supplies) nor a plan for childcare or parental leave if they choose to approve Models 2 or 3. TDSB Trustees have formally asked for the Province to fund the additional costs of a safe return to school, and to fund full-time learning and care. Read about the motion here.
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| Voluntary School Attendance
The return to school in the fall of 2020-21 will be voluntary and based on parent choice. For parents who choose not to send their child back to school, school boards will prepare to offer remote education. This requirement will be in place for as long as public health circumstances require adapted delivery of education.
Students who do not have access to internet and technology, or who do not wish to use technology, will be mailed units of study written by central staff, and provided check-ins with non-classroom educators.
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TDSB Preliminary Return to School PlanOn July 15, preliminary plans for reopening schools in September were shared with Trustees for discussion. This presentation outlines the ongoing plans for back to school, and TDSB's commitment to French programming. While the staffing requirements remain a challenge in some models, staff will continue to look at creative solutions to continue French programming—although it may look different than previously offered.
The TDSB plan includes all three models required by the Ministry, plus additional options and creative solutions to maximize the number of students able to return to school safely in person in September. There are separate plans for Elementary and Secondary schools.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MODELS
Model 1: Normal school day routine
This model includes options to have students return to school 5 days a week with the following class size options:
- Full class sizes
- Cohorts of 15 for Kindergarten to grade 8
- Cohorts of 15 for Kindergarten to grade 3, cohorts of 20 for grades 4 to 8
Smaller cohorts would require extra teachers and additional funding of anywhere from $20 million to $248 million. Some options may require a shortened day. Smaller cohorts may also mean schools do not have enough space for all classes and may need to use alternate spaces, such as middle schools, secondary schools, and community centres. Transportation may be required if alternate spaces are used.
Model 2: Modified school day routine This model has students on a 10-day cycle:- one week of 3 days in school, 2 days remote
- one week of 2 day in school, 3 days remote
Students will be in cohorts of 15 while in school. On remote learning days students will be taught by non-homeroom teachers, such as library, gym, or music teachers, and may require combined grades. Remote learning will be synchronous (real-time instruction) and asynchronous (independent or group work) and will use the Google Classroom and/or Brightspace learning platforms.
Model 3: At home learning
All students will participate in a structured remote learning day which will include periods of both synchronous (real-time instruction) and asynchronous (independent or group work) learning. Length and number of sessions per day will vary by grade level. Platforms used will be Google Classroom and/or Brightspace. Students will study the full curriculum including French, gym, and the arts.
SECONDARY SCHOOL MODELS
Model 1: Normal school day routine
The TDSB plan did not include a model to have high school students in school full-time.
Model 2: Modified school day routine This model is based on a quadmester structure with students taking two courses at a time for four terms of approximately six weeks, and includes two options:- cohorts of 15 with students in school for one session a day, alternating weekly between morning and afternoon sessions
- full class sizes with students in school every morning
Both options have students in school for part of the day with asynchronous learning (independent or group work) for the remainder of the school day. Students will use the Google Classroom and/or Brightspace platforms.
Students will be given a choice before the start of each quadmester to participate in this model or full remote learning. Students may not switch models during a quadmester, but my pick a different model for future quadmesters.
Model 3: At home learning
This model will also be in a quadmester structure. All students will have the following daily schedule:- Course 1 - 9:00am-11:30am
- Course 2 - 12:30pm-3:00pm
A minimum of one hour of synchronous learning (real-time instruction) will be required per day per course. Students will use Google Classroom and/or Brightspace platforms. Students will be assigned to a specific teacher for each course, but not necessarily one from your child's school.
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Special Education
- Elementary students in ISP classes with high special education needs will attend school in-person daily.
- Secondary students in Developmental Disability ISP programs will attend school in-person daily.
- Transition plans will be in place to ensure a smooth transition back to school in September
- Additional staffing will be required to support students with special education needs
- IPRC and SEPRC meetings wil continue under any model
- Schools will continue to follow the requirements to provide students with IEPs.
More information can be found on slides 12-13 of the Preliminary Return to School Plans
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