Week of February 22, 2021
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This Week's Update- Screening Update
- Update to Asymptomatic Testing
- Committee Meetings This Week
- Stronger than Hate: Live, Virtual Program – February 25, 2021
- LTPAS Updates in Ward 8
- Development in Ward 8
- Updates on Projects in Ward 8
- Capital Projects Follow-up to Minister Lecce
- Connect with Professional Support Staff
- Connect with a Child and Youth Counsellor
- Virtual Consultations Procedure (PR731)
- Policy Consultations
- Early French Immersion – Late Applicant Opportunity
- 2021-2022 Staffing
- Policy Consultations
- Coping Through Covid - Feb 11, 2021
- PRO Grant Applications Now Open
- Next Ward 8 Forum March 11 - 'Mental Health'
- February is Kindergarten Registration Month
- Download the COVID-19 App
- School Year Calendar
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Screening Update
To add protections for our school communities from COVID-19 and its variants, Toronto Public Health has made some important changes. As schools in Toronto re-opened for in-person learning on February 16th, 2021, please note the changes that have been made to the school screening tool for staff/visitors and students JK-12.
Changes to the school screening tool include the following:
- Household member has symptoms: If anyone in your household has one or more COVID-19 symptoms, all children and adults who attend a school setting must stay home from school until COVID-19 has been ruled out. If the household member with one or more symptoms does not go for testing, the children and adults in the home who attend a school setting must stay home for 10 days.
- Household member has travelled: If anyone in your household has travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days, all children and adults who attend a school setting must stay home from school until the person who travelled completes the federally-required 14 days of self-isolation. If the individual is exempt from this self-isolation because they perform an essential job (e.g. truck driver, pilot), the rest of the household can still attend school.
- Close contact of someone who had COVID-19: If anyone in your household is self-isolating at home because they were a close contact of someone who had COVID-19, all children in the household will need to stay home from school until the person who was a close contact completes the 14 days of self-isolation.
The best way to help keep school buildings open - stay home if you or your child is sick. Wash hands frequently. Keep your distance. Wear a mask - and ensure it fits well. Take advantage of asymptomatic testing.
Thank you to all teachers and education workers, administrators and staff supporting students and their families in both bricks and mortar and in virtual school. Your support of student learning and well-being is sincerely appreciated, especially during these pandemic times.
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Update to Asymptomatic Testing
There have been recent changes to the process for asymptomatic testing in TDSB schools. With the return of in-person learning, testing is being expanded to include the asymptomatic testing of staff and students in schools and in high priority neighborhoods. This testing will help with early case identification to inform public health measures and ultimately prevent the spread of COVID-19 within our schools.
Asymptomatic testing will be made available at pop-up testing centres in schools. These school pop-ups will function as hubs that will serve the host school as well as other nearby schools. They are meant to augment the existing testing locations that are available across the city, including COVID-19 Assessment Centres, community pop-ups and pharmacies ( https://covid-19.ontario.ca/assessment-centre-locations). This past week, John Polanyi CI served as a testing hub for the neighbourhood. Great tweet of the Principal supporting!
Selection of the school pop-up hubs will be done based on indicators in the COVID-19 Neighborhoods Composite Index (the Quintiles) which helps to identify areas requiring testing. ANY student/staff who is attending in-person school is encouraged to visit a pop-up school site for testing and does not need to be a student/staff at that location. As part of the model that has been developed, both TDSB and TCDSB schools will serve as hubs, with students from either board’s neighbouring schools invited to attend for testing at the hub.
Please see the list of schools that have been identified as hubs for next week, as well as the schools that have been invited to attend for asymptomatic testing at one of the identified hubs. Please note: this information, including the site locations and dates, is subject to change. Once confirmed, school principals (of both hub schools and nearby schools) will receive a letter from the testing partner to share with students and parents/guardians to communicate this information.
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Committee Meetings This Week
Delegation requests will still be accepted during the closure of all schools and administrative sites at the TDSB; however, oral delegations to address a committee of the Board will be presented by phone. To submit a delegation request (written or oral), please refer to the information found here https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Delegations and email delegates@tdsb.on.ca. If your request is approved, further details will be provided to you via email.
Planning and Priorities Committee (Special Meeting) Tuesday, February 23, 2021 4:30 p.m. Electronic Meeting
The purpose of the meeting is to provide strategic advice and recommendations to the Board on COVID-19 related matters.
- 4. Report From the Director of Education - Oral update
- 5. Report From the Chair of the Board - Oral update
- 6. Report From Representative on the City's Board of Health - Oral update
- 7. Report From the Directors on the Ontario Public School Boards' Association - Oral update
- 8. Report From the Chairs of the Governance and Policy Committee, the Program and School Services Committee, and the Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee - Oral update
- 9. Report From Representatives on the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee and the Special Education Advisory Committee - Oral update
- 10. Reports From Student Trustees - Oral update
- 11. Other Questions, Insights and Advice From Trustees to Staff - To be presented
- 12. Written Notice of Motion for Consideration
- 12.1. COVID-19 Recovery Plan (Trustees Rajakulasingam and Sriskandarajah)
- 12.2. Schedule of Meetings for Regular Board and Standing Committee Meetings, 2021: Date Change re Planning and Priorities Committee Meeting (Trustees Brown and Mammoliti)
Finance and Budget Enrollment Committee, Wednesday, February 24, 2021 4:30 p.m. Electronic Meeting
- 5. Contract Awards
- 5.1. Contract Awards, Facilities
- 5.2. Contract Awards, Operations
- 5.3. Construction Contract Award for Sir Sandford Fleming Retrofit: Interior Improvements to Facilitate Relocation of Baycrest Public School - Contract award for the General Contractor - The goal of the project is to renovate portions of the former Sir Sandford Fleming secondary school building and site to facilitate the transfer of the current Baycrest PS school program, along with Baycrest Childcare.
- 6. City of Toronto Funding for Site Improvements at Bruce Public School -
Toronto City Council has approved two motions directing $150,000 in Section 37 funding for site improvements at Bruce Public School. The City-funded enhancements to the schoolyard include a track for running, additional storage and new play equipment.
- 7. Jones Avenue Learning Centre Emergency Reconstruction: Update -
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Jones Avenue Learning Centre
Emergency Reconstruction project. - 8. First Quarter Interim Financial Report 2020-21 - At this time, staff do not project significant changes from the Revised Estimates figures as reported at January 20th , 2021 Financial, Budget & Enrolment Committee (FBEC).
- 9. Proposed Strategic Drivers for 2021-22 Budget -
The proposed strategic budget drivers, which are based on the drivers identified and
approved in April 2019, highlighted seven key areas of importance to student
achievement and well-being. Those key areas are:
-Early years
-Differentiated approaches to serve our students, including Indigenous Education
-Student Success
--Staff allocation to support all students
-Modernization and accessibility
-Professional development
-Parent engagement and student voice
- 10. Three-Year Enrolment Projections 2021-22 to 2023-24 - Elementary ADE enrolment is projected to experience a decline of 1,016 students for 2021-22 and then to remain fairly stable over the next two years; Secondary enrolment is projected to increase by 794 students in 2021-22, followed by continued increases over the next two years.
- 11. 2021-22 Financial Forecast - Prior to the pandemic, staff informed Trustees that there was a structural deficit of $41.5M prior to savings planned in 2020- 21, as reported to Board on March 12, 2020 for the 2020-21 school year. The initial planned savings were $10.0M for 2020-21, however savings of only $5.2M were achieved, leaving a structural deficit of $36.3M prior to the pandemic. Draft Financial Position Based on the information above, TDSB is currently forecasting a projected deficit of $57.3M or 1.9% of the operating budget in 2021-22. Staff are exploring options to address the deficit and will report back at a later date.
- 12. 2020-21 Pandemic Funding Update - The total Federal funding to be distributed across Ontario is $381.0M. This funding focuses on priorities to support the learning, health and safety of students for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. The total allocation to the TDSB is $24.4M. This represents approximately 12.2% of the $199.4M in total funding allocated to all Ontario school boards to date. Staff will continue to update Trustees as information becomes available regarding the remaining funding allocation.
- 13. Financial Facts: Revenue and Expenditure Trends February 2021 -
It is recommended that Financial Facts: Revenue and Expenditure Trends February
2021 report be received. - 14. For Information Only
- 14.1. 2021-22 Education Funding Guide: Final Response
Community Advisory Committees and Statutory Advisory Committees:
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Stronger Than Hate: Live, Virtual Program – This Thursday, Feb 25
While the pandemic has quite obviously captured headlines this past year, so has the dynamic of systemic racism, intolerance, and hate, particularly anti-Black racism. As such the TDSB Jewish Heritage Committee, in partnership with the TDSB’s African Heritage Committee and the Peel District School Board, is presenting Stronger Than Hate on February 25 (during African Heritage Month) – a one hour live virtual show produced by the Shoah Foundation and Liberation75.
Our world has seen an increase in Anti-Black racism and Antisemitism. This conversation will help us consider what we have learned from history and witnesses to genocide, and reflect on how that knowledge can help us take action to counteract hate.
Moderator: Dr. Stephen D. Smith, Executive Director Chair, USC Shoah Foundation
Special Guests:
- Max Eisen, Toronto-based Holocaust Survivor, author of the award-winning “By Chance Alone”
- Joe Wilson Jr., Author of “The 761st “Black Panther” Tank Battalion in World War II, Son of Joe Wilson Sr, a member of the 761st Tank Battalion
- John L. Withers II, Author of “Balm in Gilead”, former UN Ambassador to Albania and son of Lieutenant John L. Withers, a WWII soldier who befriended and saved two Jewish Holocaust Survivors
The 761st Tank Battalion was the first all African-American Tank Battalion in World War II. They were instrumental in helping defeat the Nazis as well as liberating several concentration camps. Holocaust survivor Max Eisen was in one of the camps they liberated. Student participants in this program (Grades 6-12) will explore how stories create the possibility to learn about ourselves and others, and how we can affect change right now.
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LTPAS Updates in Ward 8
The studies to be undertaken in the Ward approved in the Long-Term Program and Accommodation Strategy are beginning. They include the grade change study to expand Armour Heights PS from JK-6 to JK-8; the boundary change study to ensure the cohort attending John Ross Robertson PS is kept together through middle school and secondary school (Otter Creek area); and a n ew program study "Phase 2 of the Yonge-Eglinton review" will begin with a staff study and will focus on options to balance enrolment within local elementary schools in Wards 8 and 11, and will include consideration of the Bannockburn building to resolve ongoing accommodation pressures.
- The review is included in the Long-Term Program and Accommodation Strategy or identified as a new issue during the year.
- The TDSB notifies the school community about the start of the review.
- The Superintendent of Education forms a Program Area Review Team (PART).
- The PART meets to discuss different options.
- The TDSB invites the school community to at least one public meeting.
- The PART develops its recommendations.
- TDSB staff reviews the PART’s recommendations and writes a report with its own recommendations, which may or may not be the same as those developed by the PART. (The PART report is attached to the staff report.)
- Staff presents its report to the Board of Trustees for approval.
- The Board makes decisions regarding staff’s recommendations.
- The TDSB implements the decisions made by the Board.
Please watch for information regarding the dates of public meetings associated with these reviews coming to each affected community through the school.
For the list of all studies for Ward 8 included in the 2020-2029 LTPAS, please click here.
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Development in Ward 8
In Ward 8 alone there are 39,000 new residential units either under construction, approved or proposed. The highest concentration of new development is within the catchment areas of Eglinton Jr PS with over 8,300 new units in 23 development projects, followed by Flemington PS, Baycrest PS, Davisville Jr PS and Deer Park Jr & Sr PS. To see the map, click here. To see the list of all the developments, click here.
A new school for the area was first tabled when the Midtown in Focus planning process began in 2014-15. It was first included in the LTPAS in 2016-17 and it was recognized in the Midtown in Focus final report to City Council in July 2018. A new elementary school in Midtown is a critical piece of infrastructure that is required accommodate the projected levels of population growth in the area, and to fulfil the City’s vision of establishing a complete community, which the TDSB supports
Through the Toronto Lands Corporation (TLC) we are exploring opportunities to secure space for up to 800 elementary pupil places within the Yonge-Eglinton area. This will include the pursuit of innovative partnerships with the City of Toronto and the broader development community. This will require a long-term capital funding solution and the acquisition of a site and/or strata ownership to ensure that the ability to accommodate long-term enrolment growth is secured. This work is currently underway, with a focus on the Canada Square redevelopment. This is a large area of over 9 acres that provides ample opportunity to include vital community infrastructure like a new elementary school and parkland, alongside new residential and office uses.
We are also in discussions with the Ministry to support our business case for the construction of additional pupil places (5 classrooms) at Davisville Jr. PS. This is a previously-approved replacement school that will require additional pupil places in a few years due to continued development in the area.
For the actual and projected enrolments in TDSB Ward 8 Schools as of June 2020, please click here.
Please note I am in the middle of confirming a date for a Ward Forum in April focusing on planning in the Ward.
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Update on Projects in Ward 8
Improvements are made to facilities and school sites through School Condition Improvement (SCI) funding received by the province. These projects include everything from window replacement - to roofing - to upgrading plumbing and HVAC - to playground and school ground upgrades - to paving - to interior facility renovation. Please see this list of the current projects in Ward 8 schools.
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Capital Projects Follow-up to Minister Lecce
On February 18, Chair Alexander Brown wrote to Minister Lecce as a follow-up to their meeting last month with regard to capital projects and COVID-19.
The TDSB has been advocating for improvements to the Approval to Proceed process. An expedited process would mean that we can address accommodation needs earlier while saving funds which can be redirected back into the classrooms to support student achievement.
The Chair also provided some further insight into the need to increase benchmarks for construction in large urban settings and the direct financial impacts on the TDSB. As well, lifting the moratorium on school closures is a significant and much needed step for the TDSB if we are to right-size our system. Together, these two actions will help the TDSB make the necessary changes to support our current and future students.
Finally, the Chair asked for consideration to allow Boards to submit Capital Priorities projects based on their size. Over the past two years, the Toronto District School Board has received funding for only three of the 10 projects submitted for consideration, resulting in a strain on capacity and programs for students in the remaining seven areas. As the largest school board in Ontario, an opportunity to be considered based on our size would, hopefully, lead to more projects being approved and ultimately supporting more students.
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Connect with Professional Support Staff
Every Tuesday morning from 10-11am and Thursday evening from 7-8pm you are invited to join our virtual office hours to connect with staff from the TDSB Professional Support Services. PSS colleagues are here to support our Caregiver community on the topic of mental health and wellbeing.
Click the link and click on either Tuesday or Thursday to connect.
Mental Health matters.
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Connect with a Child and Youth Counsellor
Every Friday from 12-1pm, students to connect virtually with a Child and Youth Counsellor and have an opportunity to talk about their mental health, relationships etc
- Sign in with your TDSB email on Friday’s from 12pm - 1pm
- No registration required Meeting ID: 925 8258 8047
- Password: ICYC
Mental health matters.
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Virtual Consultations Procedure (PR731)
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Policy Consultations
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is committed to open and inclusive policy decision-making and values community input and participation through consultation. Consultation is a two-way communication process between the Board and external participants, including students and their parents/guardians, school councils, advisory committees, community members, different levels of government, service agencies, professional organizations and union partners. The objective of consultation is to gather public input regarding options, alternative courses of action, as well as to identify unintended effects for various participants and to find solutions. Please see revised the Policy Review Schedule.
New Consultations
Human Rights Policy (P031) - Deadline: April 5, 2021 - Draft Revised Policy - Email: Anu.Sharma2@tdsb.on.ca Objective: To protect, promote and advance the human rights of all TDSB members to learn, function and work in an equitable, accessible, respectful and inclusive environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of the prohibited grounds of discrimination specified in this Policy and protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code. To enhance the capacity of the TDSB to meet its positive human rights obligations, including to proactively identify, address, and prevent all forms of discrimination, including individual and systemic discrimination.
Workplace Harassment Prevention for Non-Human-Rights-Code Harassment (P034) - Deadline: April 5, 2021 Draft Revised Policy - Email: Ros.Salvador@tdsb.on.ca Objective: This Policy is designed to promote a healthy, respectful and supportive work environment. It highlights conduct that may amount to non-Code workplace harassment (i.e., harassment that is not covered by the Board’s Human Rights Policy or the Human Rights Code) and outlines the system’s shared responsibility for fostering a harassment-free workplace. The goal is to prevent non-Code workplace harassment from taking place and, where necessary, to investigate and respond to instances, potential instances, and complaints of such behaviour in a fair, timely and effective manner.
On-going Consultations
Parent and Community Involvement Policy - Objective: To establish a framework for building and supporting parent and community involvement in the Toronto District School Board. We are currently reviewing P023 – Parent and Community Involvement Policy and are inviting feedback from our community as we develop the first draft of the policy. Learn more, and share your voice, at www.tdsbengage.ca
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Coping through Covid
Parents and caregivers were invited to join our TDSB mental health professionals to learn and discuss coping strategies to support mental health and well-being through the pandemic. If you were unable to join the Webinar on Thursday, February 11, it is available for viewing here. https://www.tdsb.on.ca/stream/archives/2021/liveWebcastCopingC19.html.
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Early French Immersion – Late Applicant Opportunity
Families still interested in the Toronto District School Board's Early French Immersion Program (begins in Senior Kindergarten), the online application portal, PARS, remains open until February 26. Consideration for late applicants will be done centrally after all the on-time applications have been accommodated, space permitting. Late applications that cannot be accommodated will be held on a late waitlist by date of the application. To apply, please click here - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Elementary-School/School-Choices/French-Programs/Application-Process/PARS. Please note, however, that there may not be room in your preferred school as numbers in Ward 8 schools continued to be high.
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PRO Grant Applications Now Open
School Councils may submit one request for supports up to $1,500 to support initiatives/activities that engage parents/caregivers (including virtual), and builds School Councils’ capacity around Human Rights, Equity, Anti-Racism, Anti-Indigenous and Anti-Black Racism. School Councils may collaborate and submit one application, however allocation will remain at a maximum of $1,500 per school. Applications are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 1, 2021. Applications must be submitted virtually using the application and submission form and platform. No hard copies will be accepted. Applications will be reviewed and will be approved upon a first come first served basis. Please apply early, funds are limited. Click here for details and the application form - https://tdsb.on.ca/Community/How-to-Get-Involved/School-Councils/Parents-Reaching-Out-Grants.
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February is Kindergarten Registration MonthCome Learn With Us!
Registration for all TDSB Kindergarten programs begins on Monday, February 1, 2021. Children who will be four by December 31, 2021, can start Junior Kindergarten in September 2021.
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Download the COVID ALERT APPTogether, let's limit the spread of COVID-19. COVID Alert is an additional tool to protect yourself and your loved ones. COVID Alert helps us break the cycle of infection. The app can let other app users know of possible exposures before any symptoms appear. That way, we can take care of ourselves and protect our communities. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-alert.html. Please note, unfortunately, the app is only available on certain phones/operating systems.
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Next Ward 8 Forum March 11 - 'Mental Health'
- November 12, 2020 - Ward 8 Virtual Ward Forum 'Equity'
- January 21, 2021 - Ward 8 Virtual Ward Forum ‘Parent/Caregiver Engagement’
The next Ward Forum is on March 11 – it will focus on 'Student Mental Health & Well-Being During COVID' and feature a presentation by Shameen Sandhu, System Leader of Mental Health and Professional Support Services. Please watch for details.
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School Year Calendar 2020-2021The official school year calendar for the Toronto District School Board runs from September 1 to June 30, inclusive and has now been approved by the Ministry.
The last day of class for elementary students is June 29
Secondary Quadmester Calendar
- Quad 3: Feb 8 - April 22
- Quad 4: April 23 - June 28
Note: Passover 2021 will begin in the evening of Saturday, March 27 and ends in the evening of Sunday, April 4. Ramadan 2021 will begin in the evening of Monday, April 12 and ends in the evening of Wednesday, May 12.
PA Days & Holidays Remaining
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April (formerly March) Break
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