Coping through Covid Webinar Parents and caregivers are invited to join our TDSB mental health professionals to learn and discuss coping strategies to support mental health and well-being through the pandemic.
- Thursday, February 11, 2021
- 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Web Cast Schedule
Greetings
- Alexander Brown, Chair
- Curtis Ennis, Associate Director, Equity, Well-Being and School Improvement
Coping Through COVID
- Shameen Sandhu, System Leader for Mental Health and Professional Support Services and Adolph Williams, Manager, Social Work and Attendance Services provide insight and practical strategies to help you and your family continue to cope through the pandemic
Questions and Answer Session
Ask your questions directly to our mental health professionals in our online chat and join the conversation with other parents and caregivers
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Letter: Vaccinations for Congregated Sites and Intensive Support Programs StaffOn behalf of the Toronto District School Board, Chair Brown wrote to Minister Lecce, Minister Elliot, Dr. Williams and Dr. De Villa, to ask for further protection for the students and staff in our congregated settings and Intensive Support Programs against the spread of COVID-19.
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Introducing the New Student Senate (2020-21)
The Toronto District School Board is pleased to announce the newly elected members of Student Senate for the 2020-21 school year:
- President - Evan Woo, Earl Haig SS
- Vice-President - Yi Lin, Dr. Norman Bethune
- Secretary/Treasurer - Jessica Yuan, York Mills CI
- Communications Officer - Simeon Xiao, Lawrence Park CI
- Conference Chair- Jason Wong, Earl Haig S
- LC1 Co-Chair - Helen Ziomecki, Glen View Senior Public
- LC1 Co-Chair - Zina Kittaneh, Bloordale MS
- LC2 Co-Chair - Anita Du, Earl Haig SS
- LC2 Co-Chair - Shafiya Khan, Earl Haig S
- LC3 Co-Chair - Zain Khurram, Sir Wilfrid Laurier
- LC3 Co-Chair- Tahir Syed, Sir Wilfrid Laurie
- LC4 Co-Chair - Audrey Platteel, Glen Ames PS
- LC4 Co-Chair - Lisa Doan, Etobicoke School of the Arts
Congratulations!
On January 27 and 28, students from across the system participated in an online election. Students were encouraged to watch the campaign videos submitted by each candidate to ensure informed decisions were made when voting. This modern, electronic way of voting resulted in about 3000 votes, which is a major increase in participation from when student elections were held in-person.
Please note that this election was delayed due to the pandemic and was held separately from the election of Student Trustees. For a full list of Student Senate members, including Student Trustees, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/high-school/tdsb-student-senate.
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Live Webcast of Meetings
The Toronto District School Board is committed to developing opportunities for our wider school community to connect and engage in conversations about education issues. Check out the Live Webcast of Meetings webpage to view upcoming regular board meetings and standing committee meetings that are live broadcasted to the public. These meetings are also recorded and uploaded to Webcast Archives.
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Family Day – Monday, February 15, 2021
There will be no classes on Monday, February 15 to reflect the province-wide statutory holiday called Family Day. The holiday occurs on the third Monday in February of each year for the purpose of emphasizing and celebrating the importance of families taking time to be together.
Students will also not be attending school on February 12 as this is a board-wide PA day. This means all TDSB students will not be at school on Friday, February 12 or Monday, February 15.
For more information about the school year calendar visit https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Calendar/schoolyearcalendar.
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Kindergarten Registration Begins in February!
Registration for all TDSB Kindergarten programs begins in February. We look forward to welcoming you and your child at our school in September!
To attend Junior Kindergarten in September, children must turn four-years-old by December 31. To register for Senior Kindergarten, children must be five-years-old by December 31. You may choose to register in person at the school or begin the process online.
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Continuing Education - International Languages Elementary and African Heritage Programs
The International Languages – Elementary / African Heritage Program is offering online language classes to students (TDSB and non TDSB) Kindergarten to Grade 8. One day each week, students have live face-to-face interactive lessons with their instructor and classmates for approximately 30 minutes. Activities are focused on building student’s abilities in oral communication, reading and writing.
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Continuing Education - Community Programs
Online Learn4Life winter registration begins December 2. Take up a new hobby or learn a language from home. Stay active with our many fitness classes or gain knowledge on how to invest in the stock market. Classes are for adults 18 + and seniors.
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Adult ESLGaining proficiency in English is a critical skill for many newcomers to our city. Every year, nearly 20,000 adults benefit from the TDSB's English as a Second Language classes. Through general language training, and a host of specialized courses, we serve learners at all levels - from those with little or no formal education to those with post-secondary degrees. Currently, all Adult ESL classes are online.
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February is African Heritage Month at the TDSB
During the month of February, the Toronto District School Board is proud to recognize and celebrate African Heritage Month. It is an occasion to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of peoples of African descent to Canada and the world. The chosen theme for 2020-2021 is Kujichagulia: Self Determination.
During the month of February, several activities are being planned and they include; a launch to kick-off African Heritage Month, Know Your Worth Conference: Black Resistance in collaboration with Black Law Students Association of Osgoode Hall Law School (York University) for secondary students; and the expansion of the Black Student Alliance. We are especially proud of the establishment of the Know Your Worth Scholarship fund and Black Leadership Council at the Toronto District School Board.
The African Heritage Month Volunteer Planning Committee continues to name, notice, and disrupt anti-Black racism through their organized initiatives shared throughout the TDSB and commitment to hold space for Black students, staff, parents, families, and elders to heal, to celebrate and to thrive.
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Chinese Heritage Month at the Toronto District School Board
The Toronto District School Board is proud to recognize Chinese Heritage Month (CHM) during the month of February 2021. This year is the Year of the Ox: Loyal, Honest, Responsible, Hard-Working and Logical. Many Chinese Canadians will celebrate Lunar New Year on Friday, February 12. The Lunar New Year is also known as the spring festival and begins with the first moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar 15 days later. Though celebrations will be altered this year because of the pandemic, the spirit and joyfulness will remain the same through virtual events and in-home family-based festivities.
Follow us at Twitter (@tdsbChineseHM). Further information about these initiatives are currently available on our official CHM site https://bit.ly/2021CHM
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In-Person Learning Reopens Feb 16, 2021
The Minister of Education announced that in-person learning will resume for schools in Toronto on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. Until that time, schools will remain closed to most students and staff and remote learning will continue. For students in the virtual learning model, classes will continue as normal during the closure and when in-person learning resumes.
It is important to reiterate that learning has continued since the Christmas Holidays ended. Virtual School continued as usual and in-person school 'pivoted' to remote learning. And the pivot to remote learning was no small feat - deep gratitude to all teachers and education workers and administrators in both Virtual School and via Remote Learning who continue to do their best to support student academic achievement and mental well-being.
In the days ahead, we will be sharing additional information with families with regard to health and safety measures at all TDSB schools — both those that are already in place and those that will be implemented when students return.
The pandemic has been difficult in so many ways for so many people. Access free mental health supports or call or text 211 to be connected to mental health or other social services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please also check Mental Health and Well-Being Resources During Covid-19 on the TDSB Website.
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Ministry Update: Federal Funding
On February 1, 2021, the Ministry of Education released the B01 Memo, outlining the second funding allocation of the federal Safe Return to Class fund and information regarding expanded targeted testing in schools.
Of the announced $381M second phase funding, only $199.4M was directly allocated to school boards at this time. The TDSB received $24.4M (approximately 12.2%) of the allocations announced in the following areas:
Staff will provide an update at the Planning & Priorities meeting on February 9 and the Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee meeting on February 24 on next steps as to how the funds will be used as we work through the options and receive more information from the Ministry.
It is important to note as presented at the last Finance, Budget and Enrollment Committee, we spent about $49.43M in total on teachers/school based staff due to COVID. $14.19M of which (or approximately 132 FTEs) are through COVID funding. The other $35M will be funded mainly through our Board’s bottom line. We continue to ask the Ministry (as does the Ontario Public School Board Association) to fully fund the pandemic related costs.
Education Finance Memos
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Now Open: TRREB $5K & $2.5K Scholarship ApplicationKothai Gunaratnam is one of 46 deserving students who has been awarded a scholarship through TRREB's Past President's Scholarship program since it first launched in 2007. Holden Kunde, Anika Shenoy and Eric Xu also received scholarships in 2020 to further their education (see Current Winners button).
Each year, TRREB grants $15,000 to four graduating high school students pursuing post-secondary education, including two $5,000 first-place and two $2,500 second-place scholarships.
Kothai is attending McMaster University for Integrated Science with a plan to pursue a career in medicine, research or health policy. After a rewarding co-op experience at the St. Michael's eye clinic, Holden is studying Medical Science at the University of Western.
Anika is using the money to help pay for her tuition at the University of Toronto and is studying Engineering Science. As an engineer, she is eager to develop unique solutions to help improve our communities. And Eric is studying Economics at the University of Western and hopes to work in consulting, tech or the public sector to help to better peoples' lives.
Since the program's inception, $185,000 in scholarship money has been awarded to students.
To qualify, students must demonstrate academic achievement, leadership skills and community involvement, plus, write a 1,500-word (minimum) essay on one of two timely topics. This year's topics focus on the dream of home ownership and impact of a growing population on housing in the GTA.
The scholarships will be presented to the four winners in the spring.
For information regarding the scholarship, please contact Christine Shallhorn in the Communications and Government Affairs Department at cshallhorn@trebnet.net.
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An Update on Ventilation
I reached out to the staff that have expertise in mechanical systems, and asked for an update regarding measuring air quality. Please see below.
Though we do not measure every building - we do have an understanding of the level of ventilation and air exchange in our buildings. As noted below, this can be measured in buildings that have mechanical ventilation systems. In older buildings, that do not have mechanical ventilation for example, this information is understood in more general engineering terms – to the age of building, the average class room size, room occupancy, whether there is any exhaust in the building and air infiltration through the building envelope, including gaps around windows and exterior doors. TDSB, like many boards in the province also turned to expert organizations such as American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Engineering (ASHRAE) to review their recommendations regarding school reopening. We have also followed guidance from Toronto Public Health, who have recommended opening windows in classrooms, for a short period of time, a few times during the day, to provide fresh air into the space.
From the TDSB Mechanical Engineering staff:
- Firstly, the quality of the indoor air depends on many factors, such as air filtration, ventilation rates and CO2 concentration:
- Air filtration is not difficult to assess; filters are rated by various agencies based on their efficiency and so, we can tell with a fair degree of accuracy the size of particles which are captured and the ones which can pass through.
- The air exchange (generally known as air changes per hour) are also easy to calculate based on the capacity of a mechanical ventilation system. Where natural ventilation only is employed, assessing the air exchanges is more involved, but empirical data is abundant and predictions can be made with a reasonable degree of confidence.
- Finally, the CO2 concentration in a given space can be measured directly by specialized sensors. This is a technique which we employ in all new schools and whenever we replace older ventilation equipment. More to the point, the CO2 sensors give us a measure of occupancy levels and allow us to tailor the amount of fresh air supplied to various spaces to the number of occupants. Gyms, libraries, cafeterias and other spaces with intermittent occupancy are the best examples for this approach. In technical terms, this is known as demand-controlled ventilation. There is very little scientific evidence showing a direct correlation between CO2 levels and the risk of COVID-19 transmission. What we do see is an indirect link between the two, in the sense that high CO2 levels may indicate a high occupancy rate in a space, and a high occupancy rate may facilitate the spread of the virus. But one must exercise caution, for example, a greenhouse may have high CO2 levels without a corresponding increase in COVID-19 spread. Similarly, large number of people which congregate outdoors (where CO2 levels are the lowest) may lead to elevated risks of COVID-19 spread.
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Free individual in-person tutoring at Tecumseh Senior Public School
Please see this wonderful opportunity to receive free individual in-person tutoring in Math and Literacy exclusively for Tecumseh Students.
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Switching Schools - In-Person and Virtual
We are committed to completing as many requests as possible, with priority given to students who live in neighbourhoods which are at higher risk for COVID-19 based on recent data from Toronto Public Health. Schools will be working to find appropriate classroom spaces for students who requested a switch, however it is important for families to understand that it will not be possible to accommodate all requests. Additionally, we know that families need stability and we want to ensure as little disruption to learning as possible, including for those students who have not requested a switch. Please visit the Switching Webpage for more 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.
Governance and Policy Committee, Wednesday, February 10 4:30 p.m. Electronic Meeting
- 5. P006, Advertising Policy and P041, Distribution and Display of Materials for Students and Parents From External Groups Policy: Review, Phase 5
- 6. P073, Respectful Learning and Working Environment Policy
- 7. PR677, Records and Information Management: Revised Operational Procedure
- 8. PR597, French Immersion/Extended French: Revised Procedure
- 9. PR523, Access to School Premises: Revised Procedure
- 10. PR731, Virtual Consultations Procedure: New Procedure
- 11. Committee Reports
- 11.1. Bylaws Review Ad Hoc Committee, Report No. 01, January 27, 2021
- 12. Written Notice of Motion
- 12.1. Renaming Schools Celebrating the Diversity of Toronto (Trustee Rajakulasingam, on behalf of Trustee Smith and Trustee Mammoliti)
Community Advisory Committees and Statutory Advisory Committees:
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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://www.tdsb.on.ca/Community/How-to-Get-Involved/School-Councils/Parents-Reaching-Out-Grants
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Important Links
TDSB Update
Sign-up for TDSB Update and stay informed about recent Board decisions and district-wide news.
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School Year Calendar 2020-2021 The 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
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