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Volume 40 - February 2021

NEWS

Return to In-Person Learning

The Minister of Education announced that in-person learning would resume for schools in Toronto on February 16, 2021. Below are various parent/guardian communications related to returning to in-person learning:

Mental Health and Well-Being

The Toronto District School Board is committed to providing mental health and well-being support for students, their families and staff. For more information, including helpful resources and coping strategies, please visit the TDSB webpage for Mental Health and Well-Being.

Stronger Than Hate – February 25, 2021

The Toronto District School Board’s African Heritage Committee and Jewish Heritage Committee, Liberation75, USC Shoah Foundation and Peel District School Board is hosting an online event on Thursday, Feb. 25. Stronger than Hate will bring together guest speakers to discuss Anti-Black racism, Antisemitism and genocide and how to take action against hate.

For more information, including a list of special guests, please visit the Stronger than Hate webpage.

TDSB Reconvenes Search for Permanent Director of Education

The largest and most diverse school board in Canada, the Toronto District School Board, has officially reconvened the search process for its next Director of Education. Interested candidates are asked to apply by Friday, March 19, 2021.

The search process, which began in the Fall of 2020, was temporarily paused because of challenges associated with the pandemic, including the inability to conduct face–to-face interviews and provide other engagement opportunities between the candidates and the hiring committee. The Board is confident that the new timeline will provide more ideal conditions to improve the process and outcome.

For more information, please read the news release.

Addressing Anti-Asian Racism

Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario and Toronto District School Board have partnered to develop Addressing Anti-Asian Racism: A Resource for Educators, a resource to empower educators to take action against anti-Asian racism.

TDSB Participates in Ontario's Budget Consultations

On Friday, February 12, the Toronto District School Board submitted the attached information as part of Ontario’s Budget Consultations, which highlighted the following key budget areas:

Special Education and Mental Health Support
Technology
Pandemic Impacts
Capital Needs
Education Development Charges

Letter to Minister of Education: Capital Projects and COVID-19

Chair Alexander Brown wrote to the Minister of Education as a follow-up to their discussions about capital projects and COVID-19. For more information, please read the full letter.

Letter to Minister of Education: Reimbursement of Reserve Funds and Pandemic-Related Costs

On behalf of the Toronto District School Board, Chair Alexander Brown wrote to the Minister of Education to advocate for the reimbursement of reserve funds and other pandemic-related costs. For more information, please read the full letter.

Letter: Vaccinations for Congregated Sites and Intensive Support Programs Staff

On behalf of the Toronto District School Board, Chair Alexander Brown wrote to Minister Lecce, Minister Elliot, Dr. Williams and Dr. De Villa to ask for further protections for the students and staff of congregated settings and Intensive Support Programs against the spread of COVID-19. For more information, please read the full letter.

Ontario Government Delays March Break

The Minister of Education announced that March Break — originally scheduled for March 15 to 19, 2021 — has been delayed by approximately a month in hopes of reducing community transmission of COVID-19. On the advice of public health officials, the break is now scheduled for April 12 – 16, 2021.

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. For a full list of Student Senate members, including Student Trustees, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/high-school/tdsb-student-senate.

Heritage and History Months

The Toronto District School Board is proud to celebrate African Heritage Month and Chinese Heritage Month during the month of February.

BOARD MEETING NOTES

The following items were approved or received by the Board of Trustees at the Regular Board Meeting in February:

For a full list of Board decisions, please read the Summary of Decisions.

Upcoming Meetings

The next Regular Board Meeting is on Wednesday, March 10, 2020. For a list of upcoming meetings, please click on the calendar on the main webpage of www.tdsb.on.ca.

TDSB Trustees