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| Shelley Laskin, Trustee
Toronto District School Board
Ward 8: Eglinton-Lawrence & Toronto-St Paul's
416-395-8787
Shelley.Laskin@tdsb.on.ca
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"The actions we take today will guide the way we live tomorrow. Schools must be equity warriors if true change is to occur."@TechnologyToday
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In this Issue:- We will remember them
- COVID-19 Vaccinations
- TPH Update
- TDSB Winter Clothing Drive
- Board Meeting this Week
- TDSB System Calendar
- Operational Updates
- Advocating for Additional Changes
- School Open Houses and Information Nights
- Save the Date - November 18 Virtual Ward 8 Forum - PIAC/FSLCAC Elections and "Combatting Hate"
- New Invitations - Virtual St Paul's Summit - November 14 @3pm; TPH Webinars about COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Aged 5-11; TDSB Student Senate Information Meeting – November 15, 2022 from 4:30-5:30; Making Evidence-Based Choices for Black Children’s Health & Education - November 16 from 6-8pm; Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement – Community Consultations; Save the date for November 27 and 28 for the PIAC Parent Conference
- Items From Last Week - Worth Repeating - Indigenous Education Month; Share Your Voice: Consultation on the new Specialized Schools and Programs Policy; Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Awards; Early French Immersion; School Council Training; Restarting School Immunization Programs; No Dogs Allowed on School Property
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We Will Remember Them
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month... we will remember them... Remembrance Day is observed since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty. On November 11, we will remember them.
November 8th is Indigenous Veterans Day, a day to honour First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people who have served and continue to serve... we will remember them. Traditional teacher Clayton Shirt will honour Indigenous veterans for their contributions during times of conflict and the sacrifices they made both overseas and upon returning to their own land. Register.
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COVID-19 UpdateVaccines have always been about public health. It’s not about you. It’s about us.
The most important thing we can continue to do for ourselves and others, especially children who cannot yet be vaccinated is to get our shot.
Vaccine Opportunities This WeekThe TDSB will continue to help facilitate vaccination opportunities and clinics within our schools, together with local health partners as we have over recent months. This week's clinics are for those born in 2009 and earlier - no appointment is needed.
COVID-19 AdvisoriesCOVID-19 Advisories - This page provides a list of the active confirmed cases and resolved cases of COVID-19 among students and/or staff in TDSB schools. Please note that all schools where there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 will receive a letter from Toronto Public Health (TPH) to inform them about the possible exposure.
- As of November 5, 913 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Ontario's publicly funded schools in the past 14 days. Of those cases, 816 are students, 92 are staff, and five are not identified. Four of the 4,844 schools in the province are currently closed.
- In the TDSB, as of November 5 at 5:30, there were 253 student cases and 36 staff cases with 196 cases resolved. No schools were closed.
Update on the Implementation of the Mandatory Staff Vaccination ProcedureThe TDSB continues to connect with staff who are not in compliance with the TDSB’s COVID-19 Vaccination Procedure while focusing on service continuity.
As of 8:30 a.m., November 5:
- 95 permanent staff are still unattested
- 609 occasional staff are still unattested
All unattested staff are on non-disciplinary administrative leave of absence without pay. We continue to connect with all staff who are not compliant with the procedure to provide guidance, as well as reaching out to Principals and Managers to identify any pressure points in advance of the November 21 timeline to ensure that we are able to continue to support schools and the system.
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Toronto Public Health Update
TPH Information:
- Call Toronto Public Health 416-338-7600 8:30 am to 8:00 pm / 7 days a week
- Text the word VACCINE to 1-833-750-0888 to be connected with resources including appointment bookings & information on vaccines
- Follow TPH on Instagram/Twitter (@TOpublichealth)
- Visit toronto.ca/covid19
- Vaccine Clinics in Toronto
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TDSB Winter Clothing Drive
One in every three children lives in poverty right here in our city and too many children come to school without proper clothing to keep them warm during the winter months. In addition, many TDSB students are new to Canada and this may be their first time experiencing a Canadian winter.
Our need for winter outerwear is greater this year. Canada is welcoming newcomer families from Afghanistan and the TDSB is welcoming many of these newly arrived students into our schools. The newcomer students are adjusting to their first Canadian winter and can benefit from your generous support. The students need proper winter outerwear such as coats, boots, mitts and hats to be able to attend school. This year’s Winter Clothing Drive will run from October 2021 to the end of February 2022.
We will also accept new winter outwear items. Tax receipts are available for these donations. Contact the Business Development department at BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca for more information about how to donate new outwear items.
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Board Meeting This Week
November 10 - Board Meeting - Public Session 7:00pm - Agenda
- 15. Reports From the Office of the Integrity Commissioner
- 16.1. Appointment of External Member to the Audit Committee
- 17.1. Integrity Commissioner Selection Committee, Report No. 02, October 22, 2021
- 17.2. Governance and Policy Committee, Report No. 08, October 27, 2021
- 17.3. Program and School Services Committee, Report No. 07, October 28, 2021
- 17.4. Board Self-Assessment Committee, Report No. 01, November 1, 2021
- 17.5. Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee, Report No. 15, November 2, 2021
- 17.6. Planning and Priorities Committee (Special Meeting), Report No. 19, October 28, 2021
- 17.7. Planning and Priorities Committee, Report No. 20, November 3, 2021
- 18.1. Discharge of Committees: Director Search Committee and Board Self-Assessment Committee (Trustees Mammoliti and Brown)
- 18.2. Bylaws Review Ad Hoc Committee and Integrity Commissioner Selection Committee: Term and Membership (Trustees Mammoliti and Brown)
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TDSB System Calendar
There are many ways for parents/guardians and school community members to get involved, learn, connect and participate in TDSB activities and events. Visit this page often and see what's coming up!
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Operational Updates
As the school year continues, a number of operational updates have been made informed by both Toronto Public Health and consideration by the Operational Guidelines Committee who listens directly to what schools are experiencing and asking about. All principals in the TDSB follow the same operational guidelines although they may look slightly different in schools and there are separate guidelines for elementary and secondary schools. Some recent updates include:
- Reopening of school pools, supported by specific reopening guidelines to ensure pools provide a safe physical literacy space for students led by the school team including administration, aquatic instructors and teachers.
- Now that school routines are established and with the winter months approaching, the responsible use of student lockers is permitted in both elementary and secondary schools.
- Hosting curriculum nights and parent-teacher interviews virtually.
- Updating Optional Program and Materials Fee information indicating that schools may charge activity and course fees for curriculum-based and co-curricular activities beyond what is necessary to meet the learning expectations. However, these costs should be kept at a minimum and waived in order to: align with the TDSB’s commitments to equity, anti-racism, anti-oppression and Truth and Reconciliation; and ensure that all TDSB students experience equity of access to these enhancements to programming.
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Advocating for Additional Changes
On the Board Agenda is approval of a recommendation to write to the Minister of Education regarding modified semesters:
- to echo our support for the Ontario Public School Boards Association’s (OPSBA) October 28th, 2021 letter to the Minister of Education, which recognizes that the positive learning and social opportunities for students provided by in-class learning cannot be equaled in a virtual setting for the majority of students, calls for measures to improve the learning experience and voices of our students, including local decision-making for the elimination of pandemic-related schedules such as the modified-semester schedule for Term 2, and
- reiterates the request to add the Covid-19 vaccine to the list of designated diseases in Ontario Regulation 261/13 Designated Diseases under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA); and
- to request that the Ministry of Education release pandemic funding grant dollars for the second half of the school year so that the TDSB can plan accordingly knowing we can afford to ensure that risk mitigation measures remain effective and support our pandemic education recovery plan.
We continue to hope that with improved vaccination rates, we can return to more "normalized" operations with the support of Toronto Public Health - and will continue to update.
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School Open Houses and Information Nights
To help you make an informed decision when choosing a school, TDSB schools will host virtual open houses and information sessions (live or pre-recorded) for parents/guardians and students between November and January. Learn everything you need to know about our 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. Please check this page regularly, as schools will continue to post information about virtual open house dates/times and available pre-recorded information sessions. You can view the prerecorded sessions at any time by clicking the link provided. If you have questions about a specific school or open house, please contact the school directly for more information.
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Save the Date - Virtual Ward 8 Forum - PIAC/FSLCAC Elections and "Combatting Hate"Thursday, November 18 from 6:30-8:30
At the Ward Forum from 6:30-7:00 we will be holding elections for both our representative and alternate of the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) and an alternate for the French as a Second Language Community Advisory Committee (FSLCAC). These are critical positions to ensure our Ward is well represented and are 2-year terms.
- The purpose of the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) is to support, encourage and enhance parent engagement at the board level in order to improve student achievement and wellbeing. O. Reg. 330/10, s. 6.
- The French as a Second Language Advisory Committee (FSLCAC) is a parent advisory committee of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to support parents and to be their voice on French programs at the Board.
If you are interested, please complete the Nomination Form. The deadline to submit the Nomination Form is: Friday, November 12, 2021 at 12 noon. A list of candidates and their bios will be posted on November 15, 2021 on the Trustee's page at: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/ward8/.
From 7:00 - 8:30 we will host a session for parents and caregivers on "Combatting Online Hate" - program description:
- The internet and social media are confusing and everchanging spaces for parents, guardians and caregivers to understand! This presentation will explore how young people use social media, the challenges they face, and how hateful content manifests online. We will explore resources which will help you support young people in becoming responsible digital citizens and managing difficult situations online. Bring your questions and concerns and connect with others to work towards supportive and empathetic strategies to guide your children through the online world.
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Virtual St Paul's Summit - November 14 @3pm
Please join me and my colleague Toronto-St. Paul’s elected officials from all orders of government to discuss how we can continue to work together to ‘Build Back Better’ economically, socially and environmentally.
Visit facebook.com/carolyn.bennett.stpauls/live on November 14 at 3:00pm to watch the Summit Live. You do not need a Facebook account to view the broadcast. A recording of the event will be posted to our website.
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TPH Webinars about COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Aged 5-11
Toronto Public Health is hosting a webinar for parents and guardians about the COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11. Please see the flyer from Toronto Public Health for more information. Presented by Dr. Vinita Dubey, TPH Associate Medical Officer of Health, the webinar will cover:
- Information on COVID-19 vaccines in children
- Facts about vaccines and fertility
- COVID-19 vaccination and schools
- Tips and approaches to address vaccine hesitancy
No registration is required. There are two session dates:
- Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Click here to join online or join by telephone: 416-915-6530 Access Code: 3469 793 2249
- Monday, November 15, 2021 - 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Click here to join online or join by telephone: 416-915-6530 Access Code 2460 732 7459
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TDSB Student Senate Information Meeting – November 15, 2022 from 4:30-5:30
Interested students in Grades 7 – 11 are invited to an information meeting to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of Student Senate Executive, Student Senate mandate and the upcoming election. Students will also have an opportunity to ask questions.
This meeting will be held via Zoom and will be hosted by Indigenous Student Trustee Isaiah Shafqat and Student Trustees Evan Woo and Jyoti Dadhich.
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Making Evidence-Based Choices for Black Children’s Health & Education - November 16 from 6-8pm
The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement in collaboration with Black Physicians’ Association of Ontario, the Black Scientists’ Taskforce on Vaccine Equity and the Black Health Vaccine Initiative is hosting a webinar to share information with Black families, caregivers and staff about the COVID-19 infection and vaccine - this webinar will explore vaccine hesitancy and support families in making evidence-based choices for Black children's health and education.
Participants are invited to ask questions directly to health care professionals about the vaccine and children’s health. Event Details and Registration. Zoom details will be provided by the event organizer leading up to the event. Parents, caregivers, students, community members and staff are cordially invited.
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Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement – Community Consultations
The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement in collaboration with select community partner organizations are facilitating a series of community consultations. Community members and parents of students who self-identify as Black are invited to register for a virtual session.
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Save the date for November 27 and 28 for the PIAC Parent Conference
Bridging the Gap is a two-day virtual event with speakers and workshops focused on bridging the gap in our schools in mental health, parent engagement and school councils. Engage with other parents and caregivers from across the TDSB as we learn and share best practices on reconnecting mentally and socially with ourselves, students, schools and communities. More information will be available online at www.torontopiac.com.
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Indigenous Education Month
Days of Significance for Indigenous Education Month
- International Inuit Day, November 7
- Indigenous Veterans Day, November 8
- Louis Riel Day, November 16
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Share Your Voice: Consultation on the new Specialized Schools and Programs Policy
Students from across the TDSB are welcomed into a variety of specialized programs including arts-focused schools, specialized programs in math, science and technology, CyberArts and International Baccalaureate. These specialized programs and schools are part of our commitment to ensure students have opportunity and variety in their school experiences.
You’re invited join our online consultations to learn more, ask questions and share your feedback:
- Thursday, November 18, 2021, 7:00-9:00 pm – Public Consultation Webinar
- Monday, November 22, 2021, 1:00-3:00 pm – Public Consultation Webinar
- Monday, November 22, 2021, 7:00-9:00 pm – Public Consultation Webinar
- If you are unable to register online and participating by phone, please call 416-395-3626 to pre-register
- If you require an interpreter on November 18 or 22, please complete this google form by Friday, November 12 at 3:00pm
- Included on the policy consultation website is a link to a feedback survey which will be live from November 1, 2021 and December 17, 2021.
- If you require a paper copy of the survey, please contact your child’s school after November 8. A paper version will be sent home with your child within a few days along with an envelope for its confidential return to the school.
This feedback will be used to inform the draft policy, which will then be presented to Trustees for review at the Governance and Policy Committee in Winter 2022. If passed, it will be presented to the full Board of Trustees in Winter 2022. If approved, it would be in place for the student application process for the 2022-23 school year.
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Early French Immersion
Students who will be entering Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten in 2022 will be eligible to apply to the Early French Immersion program during the November 2021 application period. All information and the online application are available at www.tdsb.on.ca/french website or click on Early French Immersion. Early French Immersion: Applications must be completed online between November 1 and November 26.
French Immersion Virtual Web Chat Information Sessions for families interested in the application and placement process for the Early French Immersion program (JK and SK Entry for September 2022 only) will be held in November 2021. Please note: To participate in a live scheduled web chat, please visit this web page and a link will be available to join on the dates/times as outlined.
- November 8, 2021 - 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- November 15, 2021 - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- November 23, 2021 - 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Awards
The TDSB would like to honour the creative ways in which Gender Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) across the Toronto District School Board(TDSB) have supported 2SLGBTQ+ students throughout the pandemic. Apply now to the Director's Gender and Sexuality Alliance Awards.
TDSB GSAs have provided unwavering support to 2SLGBTQ+ students during this pandemic. To help ensure that support continues and expands, this fall/winter eight prizes of $1,000 each will be awarded to GSAs from across the TDSB that operated during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 academic school year. Then in the spring of 2022, another four prizes also valuing $1,000, will be awarded. The application deadline is Friday, December 3, 2021 at 4 p.m. Please send applications to GSAAwards@tdsb.on.ca.
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School Council Training 2021-22
Welcome to School Council! We are here to support you. For more information please contact your Community Support Worker (CSW). Find these events with more information and links on the tdsbHUB.ca calendar.
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Virtual Drop-Ins
Our Professional Support Services team offers weekly virtual drop-in times where you can connect directly with a staff member to help answer questions and provide support to help you and your child. The drop-ins are beginning this week.
➡️Tuesdays 10-11 am
➡️Wednesdays 7-8 pm (Complex Needs)
➡️Thursdays 7-8 pm
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Restarting School Immunization Program Clinics
Have a child in grade 7 & above attending in-person learning? Toronto Public Health is restarting its publicly funded school vaccination program to protect students in grades 7 and up from hepatitis B, human papillomavirus and meningococcal disease. Students can receive these vaccinations by appointment only at city-run immunization sites. You can now book their appointment here http://tphbookings.ca.
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Respect the Rules - No Dogs Allowed on School Grounds
Dogs are not allowed on school property at any time. Many people are surprised to learn that City of Toronto By-Laws and TDSB Policy prohibit dogs (leashed or unleashed) being on school property.
Please respect children’s play spaces. And please do not verbally abuse TDSB caretaking staff - I am hearing that when caretakers onsite try and inform dog owners, they are met with threats and intimidation.
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School Year Calendar 2021-2022- Board-wide PA Day - November 19, 2021
- The last day before the Winter Break is December 17, 2021
- First day back from Winter Break is January 3, 2022
- The last day of class for elementary students is June 30, 2022
- The last day of class for secondary students is June 29, 2022
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