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Volume 37 - Oct. 19, 2020

NEWS

Dr. Kathy Witherow is the new Interim Director of Education

On Tuesday, Oct. 6, Dr. Kathy Witherow was announced as the Interim Director of Education for the Toronto District School Board. Kathy replaces Carlene Jackson who will begin her appointment as Ontario’s Comptroller General.

Before this appointment, and since June 2018, Kathy was the TDSB’s Associate Director of Leadership, Learning and School Improvement. Kathy has been an instrumental part of the TDSB’s senior management team, leading the safe re-opening of the TDSB’s 583 in-person schools and virtual schools during the COVID -19 pandemic.

For more information, please read the new release.

Permanent Director of Education Search

The Toronto District School Board is in the process of recruiting its next Director of Education. This process is being led by a Trustee Director Search Committee, in partnership with Mandrake, an executive search firm. The job was posted on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. Interested applicants are asked to apply by Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020.

For more information, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/directorsearch and read the news release.

Return to School: In-Person Learning and Virtual School

The Toronto District School Board officially welcomed students and staff back to school last month, for both in-person and virtual learning. For the most up-to-date information, including letters to parents/guardians, please visit:

www.tdsb.on.ca/returntoschool (in-person learning)
www.tdsb.on.ca/virtualschool

Health and Safety Measures

The health and safety of students, staff and school communities continues to be the main priority of the Toronto District School Board. Read more about the TDSB’s health and safety measures, including daily health screening, mask and face covering requirements and the response plan. Please also note the revised screening guidelines for students.

For more information about COVID-19, please visit www.toronto.ca/covid19.

COVID-19 Advisories

The Toronto District School Board is committed to providing up to date information about confirmed cases of COVID-19 in schools (students and staff). This information is easily accessible by clicking on the COVID-19 Advisories banner on the main webpage of www.tdsb.on.ca.

Please note that all schools where there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 will receive a letter from Toronto Public Health to inform them about the possible exposure.

500 Air Purifiers to be Installed in TDSB Schools

Thanks to a generous donation from Danby Appliances, 500 air purifiers will be installed in TDSB schools and classrooms starting this week. The air purifiers will be installed in 37 TDSB schools.

In addition to this donation, the TDSB is currently looking to source additional air purifiers/HEPA filters to use in other classrooms without mechanical ventilation or with limited ability to provide fresh air. Once these units are procured, they will be installed in schools based on need.

For more information, please read the web story.

Heritage and History Months

The Toronto District School Board is proud to celebrate the following Heritage Months during the month of October:

Islamic Heritage Month

Somali Heritage Month

BOARD MEETING NOTES

The following items were approved or received by the Board of Trustees at the Regular Board Meeting on Sept. 23, 2020:

Back to School Update, Oral Update (1:07:30)
Borrowing Resolutions to Meet Operating and Capital Expenditures
Reconsideration of a Previous Board Decision: Phase-Out of Extended French Programs
Filling of Vacancy on the Board Self-Assessment Committee
Filling of Vacancy on the Toronto Lands Corporation

For more information, including a full list of Board Decisions, please read the Summary of Decisions.

Upcoming Meetings

Until further notice, all standing committee and board meetings will be held virtually and broadcasted live to the public. The next Regular Board Meeting is on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. For a list of upcoming meetings, please click on the calendar on the main webpage of www.tdsb.on.ca.

TDSB Trustees