October 2021
TDSB Will Open Boyne Natural Science School as Indigenous Land-Based Learning Site
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Urban Indigenous Education Centre (UIEC), with guidance from the Elders Council, will open the Boyne Natural Science School as an Indigenous Land-Based Learning site. Trustees unanimously supported the initiative during this evening’s Regular Board Meeting.
This site is located on 308.5 acres of the Niagara Escarpment, adjacent to the Bruce Trail and the Boyne River Provincial Park. Its reopening supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action and supports Indigenous Education on The Land for all students, staff and Indigenous communities.
TDSB Releases Mandatory Vaccine Procedure
Through this procedure, the TDSB is taking action to protect the health and safety of employees, students, families and community members and is in line with Ministry of Education direction, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health’s instructions, and a resolution by the Board of Trustees. The TDSB also conducted consultations with several stakeholders.
By November 1, 2021, employees, Trustees, and other individuals who have direct contact with staff or students at a TDSB workplace, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (subject to approved requests for exemptions under the Human Rights Code). Until then, those who are not vaccinated or have not disclosed their vaccination status must continue to undergo rapid antigen testing at home and provide proof of a negative result, twice per week. In addition, those who do not have a medical/disability exemption will be required to undertake an education session on the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination.
Virtual Mental Health Support
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
School Immunization Program
Toronto Public Health is hosting vaccination clinics for students, in Grade7 and higher who need the following vaccines: Meningococcal-ACYW, Human papillomavirus and/or Hepatitis-B. Read the full letter from TPH and complete the consent form to access.
Parent and Caregivers as Partners Conference
Student Transportation
Are you a parent/guardian of a child who takes the bus to school? Don’t forget to register for the Student Transportation Parent Portal to access important information and updates, and to sign up to receive email notifications of bus delays and cancellations. Please also ensure that student contact information and phone numbers are up-to-date.
International Languages: Elementary and African Heritage (ILE-AH)
Daily Health Screening
Ensuring the health and safety of our students and staff is a priority and everyone plays a role. The most important thing families can do to help mitigate the transmission of COVID-19, is to screen their children daily for any COVID-19 symptoms and keep them home from school if they are sick or have had close contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19. All staff and visitors will also be required to screen themselves before entering a TDSB building.
Before coming to school each day, all students must conduct an active student health screening self-assessment and if, based on your answers you are clear to come to school, please record the information daily through the paper pass or the Health Screening App, which will allow you to enter to your school or administration building.
Keeping Kids Safe
Drivers are reminded to do their part to keep children safe near school buses.
Drivers should follow these tips:
- Stop and never pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing.
- Leave space around school buses and avoid blocking school bus loading zones so children can enter and exit safely.
- Be prepared to stop for a school bus at any time, not just during school hours.
- Always obey the rules of the road and watch for children, especially in school zones.
- Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and school crossings.
Parents can also help keep their children safe by reminding them to be aware of their surroundings when they are on or near school buses.
Halloween Safety Tips
Halloween provides an opportunity for parents and children to spend time together creating costumes, carving pumpkins, planning trick or treat activities and participating in family parties. Hallowe'en is a big event at schools and provides opportunities for parties, creative activities, art programs and impromptu history lessons. Hallowe'en is also a time for students, parents, and schools to take extra care to ensure safety and security.
TRICK OR TREAT SAFETY
If parents are concerned about trick or treating, here are some basic safety rules to follow:
- Children should NEVER eat any treats until parents have had a chance to go through them and inspect them. Parents should look for tampering of packages and discard any they believe to be unsafe or unknown.
- Have your child carry a flashlight.
- NEVER go into a stranger's house.
- NEVER trick or treat with people you do not know.
- Trick or treat only at homes you know.
- Children should always stay in groups if no parent is present.
- Younger children should ALWAYS be accompanied by an older person.
- Accompany your child when trick or treating.
- If you can not accompany your child then know the route your child will take.
- Flame resistant (retardant) costumes are in order. Keep costumes short and remind children to stay away from pumpkins with candles in them.
- Remind children to stay away from pets they do not know.
- Remind children of road safety rules. Cross only at corners. Do not criss-cross the road. Go up one side of the road and down the other side. Never cross between parked cars. Walk facing on-coming traffic if there is no sidewalk
- If adults are driving their children, drive slowly, with lights on and be cautious when pulling to the side of the road.
- Children should wear their own shoes when trick or treating. Wearing costume shoes/boots can be dangerous and uncomfortable.
- Remind children that not everyone celebrates Hallowe'en, and to avoid any homes that have no lights on. Also remind children not to run through neighbours yards or gardens.
- With older children, be sure to know what other events (such as parties) they plan on attending.
- Set time limits when children should return home.
October is Islamic Heritage Month at the TDSB