Dear friends,
For a Monday, I feel like we are off to a great start! This morning started with some terrific news: the Province announced that parents can begin booking vaccinations for their children aged 5-11 years tomorrow morning at 8am on the provincial portal. Vaccination clinics will also roll out in schools later this week and next week, beginning in 30 schools in areas deemed highest priority by Toronto Public Health.
This afternoon, I held my first of two casual information sessions about the new Early French Immersion program coming to Fraser Mustard Early Learning Academy in September 2022. The second session is this evening at 7pm. These sessions give parents and caregivers a chance to learn more about the program, ask questions and discuss concerns. To attend, please register through this link.
It's a week full of community work -- on Wednesday, November 24, join me at 9:30am for my next virtual Community Coffee meeting. These meetings are informal and conversational. I'll be joined by my two Ward 11 Superintendents, Andrew Howard and Roni Felsen. We will give some brief updates and then we will answer any questions from attendees and talk about education at TDSB and in Ward 11. To attend, please: register here.
Also of interest to parents and caregivers, please note that registration is still open for the 15th Annual PIAC Parent Conference - Ready, Set Engage: Bridging the Gap, happening this weekend on November 27 & 28. The parent volunteers on PIAC have created a great program that includes keynote speakers including our very own Director of Education, Colleen Russell-Rawlins. To learn more and register, read & click the flyer below.
Finally, if you have a child entering Junior or Senior Kindergarten this September, and are interested in early French Immersion, registration closes this coming Friday, November 26. This is the only year for the double cohort, and beginning in Septermber 2023, Early French Immersion will only be open to those starting Junior Kindergarten. To learn more or to register a child entering JK or SK in September, click here.
And before I sign off, a special thank you to all the parents, caregivers, staff and students who reached out last spring, summer and again this fall to provide input on the importance of high schools returning to traditional semesters. Your advocacy informed our advocacy, and last Friday, the Minister of Education sent a memo advising all boards that we would be allowed to return to regular semesters. This is exciting and welcome news for the vast majority, and staff will begin working on implementing these changes in time for next semester.
Have a great week everyone, and hope to see many of you Wednesday morning, if not before!
Warm regards,
Rachel
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Other News / Worth Repeating
As well as:
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Mental Health & Well-Being Supports
TDSB Professional Support Services offers (among many other things) virtual drop-in hours for parents and caregivers to discuss strategies to help support the mental health and well-being of your child.There are sessions open to all (Tuesdays 10-11am; Thursdays 7-8pm) and a special drop-in for parents/caregivers of students with special/complex needs (Wednesdays 7-8pm).
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2021-2022 School Year Calendar
The last day of class is June 30 (for elementary students) or June 29 (for secondary students).
There are no classes for students on the dates listed below (first next Board wide PA day is November 19).
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As always, feel free to reach out to me with any questions, comments or concerns!Have a wonderful week,
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If you notice anything at a school that concerns you, please call the TDSB Security Call Centre (416) 395-4620 and the Toronto Police - non-emergencies can be reported by calling 416-808-2222.
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