Another Important Week for the TDSB
As you can see in the Board Agenda, listed below, there are many important votes this week - of note is the recommendation for the TDSB to create and fund The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement and the recommendation to write to the province to Incorporate Genocide Education as Compulsory Learning.
The Centre will support the importance and significance of data-driven research ineducation is a central component of the TDSB’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan. As anti-black racism is pervasive and systemic and is experienced in a variety of ways by students and staff who identify as black, the Centre is needed now.
Hatred in all forms is on the rise and as a public education system we have the responsibility to educate against hate - Genocide education is critical in fighting against intolerance, racism and hate.
These actions will have a profound effect on supporting students in our system and both were supported by community and organizations who spoke at committee and by all trustees in attendance. Click on the links below to read more.
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Indigenous Heritage MonthAt the TDSB, the Urban Indigenous Education Centre (UIEC) is pleased to offer a variety of services with the goal of closing the opportunity gap for Indigenous students. This mandate is approached by infusing Indigenous perspectives across the curriculum for all students as well as by providing direct wrap-around supports to enhance the overall achievement of First Nation, Métis and Inuit students throughout the TDSB.
Staff at the UIEC include a Centrally Assigned Principal, a Centrally Assigned Vice Principal, an Itinerant Student Success Teacher, an Itinerant Culture and Traditions Instructor, a Child and Youth Counsellor, a Social Worker, Instructional Leaders and Community Liaison Workers who collectively offer a wide range of services to students and families, utilizing a holistic approach to support overall achievement and well-being. Please contact us at 416-393-9600 for further information.
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Wash.Distance.Save Lives.Please wash your hands.
Keep physical distance.
Stay healthy.
Save lives.
We are all in this together.
"The power to change the story is entirely in our hands. So thank you, thank you to the residents of our city, thank you to business owners, thank you all for doing this, but we can still do better, we must do better, and we need your help to get there." Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health
Other Important Links:
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Summary Notes from Covid-19 Update - June 9
Below are highlights -
Remote Learning - What do we do if families believe the learning that is being provided does not meet expectations around real time or synchronous learning as well as other challenges? Our Parent Concern Protocol is still operative. Parents should be communicating with their teacher first and then their principal and should they still have questions related to student learning, or any other concerns, the parent concern protocol expects that parents connect with their Superintendent of Education. We want to emphasize that we are preparing for all eventualities in September, remote learning, a hybrid model as well as a face to face model. We will not be able to determine next steps until we get further information from the Ministry and Toronto Public Health. If we remain in a remote learning environment, we do understand that some of the concerns that have been raised about equity of access stay front and centre and we continue to work with the concern about privacy. We also have best practices that we can share.
We understand that in order for us to have all the appropriate information to plan effectively for September 2020, by June 30th we need our students to provide insights, we need our staff to provide insights and we need our parents to provide insights. We are working on surveys to engage our staff, students and parents and believe we will gain great insights.
When surveying teachers, parents and students, we understand the Ministry is giving us expectations before the end of June. What if the TDSB wants to do something different than the Ministry is asking us to do, what happens? Director Malloy noted it would depend on how the information is shared with us. Is it a regulation, is it a policy memorandum, or are they just parameters so there is latitude. We would need to see how the information comes to us to better understand.
When it comes to the minimum standards, we have told the teachers 15 minutes in length, twice per week is minimum standard. What are the options for us to expand on this? Director Malloy acknowledged this has caused some tension for some educators. We are in the space now working with our employee groups to see what an appropriate standard and expectation would be now. The province owns the curriculum and assessment policy and if we are directed by the province, we cannot change that. We have said to our employee groups, in order for us to serve our students effectively, we need to do more work. Our goal is, should we be in a remote or hybrid space in September, we will have clearer information and expectations to do this. Director Malloy reiterated we started this in an emergency space. We are seeing that the majority of our educators continue to get better. There are Board polices that govern the work and there are the professionals that engage in the work. We will move through this time collaboratively and collectively.
Summer School -.Summer school and summer programming continues to be developed and organized. We have had little to no interest in a hybrid model for secondary schools and secondary courses will all be online. In terms of elementary students, elementary summer school will be fully remote. The interest in elementary has been huge and we have had to pivot to online learning. Our website has been updated to reflect this information https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Innovation/Summer-Programs.
Retrieval of Belongings - Provided a brief update on the retrieval of belongings initiative. Things are going very well. The pilot schools started last week and all other schools started this week. Timelines are being followed, parents and students are feeling very safe the way things are structured in the schools. Lots of people are bringing their own PPE, even though there is PPE available in the school. Not all students are opting to go into schools to retrieve their items. Approximately one third are going in and others are leaving their belongings at the schools until next year. Some asked whether schools are allowed to use parent volunteers to help with families coming in to pick up their items at school. Yes, parents are able to assist/volunteer at the schools and should they wish to do this, they should contact the school principal.
Child Care - This afternoon, the Ontario government shared that they are allowing all child care centres to re-open in support for working families and children. This announcement encompasses all child care services for children ages 0 to 12 years old. The announcement today, specified that the staff who work in these Centres may return physically to their workspace, tomorrow, to prepare to re-open their programs to children. Toronto Children’s Services and TDSB staff have been meeting weekly to discuss plans for re-opening. We have committed to working together to coordinate staff’s return to their leased space in preparation for children. Re-opening will take time and careful planning. There are many questions that still remain for child care centres and families. Upon the release of all of the criteria for re-opening child care will assist TDSB staff and partners to develop and/or finalize any protocols required. (e.g., reporting of suspected cases, additional access to space etc). Staff is currently assessing the feasibility of operating Extended Day Programs under the forthcoming requirements and/or the Summer Camp Guidelines issued 8 days ago.
In summary, child care staff will return to work shortly but programming for children will not resume yet. Considerable planning needs to take place. Specific and important information about health and safety requirements is forthcoming from the Province and Municipality. Each centre will determine their actual dates for the reopening based on the approval of their plans, program enrolment, staffing, etc.
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Planning TablesAs discussed at a recent Special Committee of the Whole meeting, a new integrated TDSB Return to School & Work Committee was established. This new committee brings together the Operations and Academic committee structures which were previously two separate committees. The importance and complexity of re-opening requires a collaborative, holistic and integrated approach. Working effectively using cross functional teams has never been more important.
Several sub-committees have been formed to ensure that staff are considering all of the key considerations and strategies possible in various areas to ensure that we can adapt to any required scenario in a manner that keeps student achievement, well-being and equity at the forefront.
The new committee structure will incorporate all major functions of the board on both the learning & instruction side as well as the operational departments. Between the steering committee and the sub-committees, several different areas of expertise will be represented, including technical experts and operational staff, educators, administrators, and senior management. The guiding principle for the work of all committees is ensuring the health, safety and well-being of all students and staff.
Below please find the list of the sub-committees:
- Administrative Buildings;
- Budget/Finance/Purchasing;
- Child Care and Before and After School Programs;
- French Immersion;
- Learning and Instruction;
- Mental Health, Well-being & Equity;
- Operations/Health and Safety – Schools;
- Professional Learning and Development;
- Secondary Experiential Learning;
- Special Education;
- Student Nutrition/Food Services;
- Summer Programming; and
- Technology.
To see the full membership of the steering committee and chairs of the sub-committees, please refer to the attached list.
As you know, members of TDSB staff are also on Ministry of Education Committees that are working to explore a number of possible scenarios for re-opening, including health and safety protocols, alternate schedules for students, the ability to switch between remote and in-person learning, and transportation. The work of TDSB Return to School & Work Committee will contribute to work of the Ministry of Education Committees.
Although TDSB final plans will be guided by direction and health and safety requirements from the Ministry of Education, Toronto Public Health and/or other public health agencies, the work of the Return to School & Work Committee will ensure that the Board is well prepared.
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Child Care Re-opening
On June 9, the Ontario government announced its plan to reopen child care centres across the province to support the next stage of the province's reopening framework. Premier Ford announced that starting Friday, June 12, all child care centres may reopen, pending direction from the local medical officer of health (Toronto Public Health). There are many factors that prevented that from happening on Friday.
Since the government’s announcement, the TDSB staff heard from many stakeholders that care centres require more information before programs can resume for children and staff to return to work to clean and prepare children’s resources, safety protocols, assess program costs and implement new operational requirements. At this time, the child care sector is still awaiting the necessary guidelines to effectively and safely reopen and as a result, cannot proceed with any openings on June 12.
The reopening process will require time to plan and operationalize. It is an important that Toronto Children’s Services, Toronto Public Health, TDSB and child care operators work together to ensure that the reopening of child care centres prioritizes the safety and well-being of all children, families and staff.
Schools are also in the process of allowing access to classrooms for students, staff and families to retrieve and move classroom resources, therefore some spaces are not yet available to be used for child care. All child care centres that use shared spaces for programs for children ages 4 to 12 years old will be notified when their rooms are available and cleaned. More information about those timelines will be shared shortly.
The TBSB remains committed to working with child care staff and Toronto Children’s Services, in their role as the System Service Manager, to support child care reopening within our capabilities as a district school board.
Rent Relief - Please also note the TDSB and Toronto Lands Corporation (TLC) informed its licensed child care centres and EarlyON Child and Family Centre tenants located in both TDSB operating and non-operating schools, that all rent obligations from March 15, 2020 up to August 31, 2020 are waived. Refunds for 50% of March’s rent will be applied to the September 2020 rent. An update will be provided when we receive more confirmation from the Provincial government regarding the reopening of schools. Preauthorized rent payments will be suspended for July and August 2020, and will resume in September 2020. Flexible payment plans will be available to operators under financial constraints.
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Black Student Alliance (BSA) Award
One of the initiatives from the African Heritage Month Planning Committee was to celebrate the achievements of Black Student Alliances (BSA) that seek to empower black students, create safer and more inclusive spaces and provide leadership opportunities for students of African heritage. BSAs are student groups that increase student voice, build capacity in student leadership and are supported by a TDSB staff member. Through ongoing meetings and discussions, school assemblies, guest speakers, presentations, and other initiatives students support each other, challenge anti-Black racism and contribute to ensuring the TDSB meets its commitments to equity, inclusion, and black student success.
This year, the BSA from Forest Hill Collegiate Institute has been recognized - as Principal Fuentes noted "the FHCI BSA’s advocacy, determination and voice have been felt and heard beyond our school walls. We are very proud of the great work that you have led and are excited for what we can do together next year." I am so proud of this example of student voice.
The other BSA Award recipients are the Africentric Alternative School, Market Lane Junior & Senior Public School, Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute, Downsview Secondary School, East York Collegiate, Etobicoke School of the Arts, Harbord Collegiate Institute, R. H. King Academy and Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute.
The Black Student Alliance Award Virtual Celebration will be held on June 18, 2020 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. I look forward to being there.
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Delegation Process - Addressing a CommitteeDelegation requests will still be accepted during the closure of all schools and administrative sites at the Toronto District School Board; 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 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.
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Upcoming Committee and Board 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. Due to the closure of all schools and administration sites at the Toronto District School Board, all standing committee and regular board meetings will be held virtually and broadcasted live to the public. Click here at the start time to view - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Live-Webcast-of-Meetings
Committee of the Whole (Special Meeting) (Electronic Meeting) Tuesday, June 16 6:30 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to provide strategic advice and recommendations to the Board on the continued implementation of services during school closures, creating a successful path to the post-COVID reopening of schools and other potential learnings from the pandemic period.
- 4. Report From the Director of Education (Oral Update)
- 5. Report From the Chair of the Board (Oral Update)
- 6. Report From Representative on the City's Board of Health (Oral Update)
- 7. Report From the Directors on Ontario Public School Boards' Association (Oral Update)
- 8. Report From the Chairs of the Governance and Policy Committee, the Program and School Services Committee, the Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee (Oral Update)
- 9. Report From Representatives on the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee and the Special Education Advisory Committee (Oral Update)
- 10. Reports From Student Trustees (Oral Update)
- 11. Emergency Motions (to be presented)
- 12. Other Questions, Insights and Advice From Trustees to Staff (to be presented)
- 15.1 Governance and Policy Committee, Report No. 26, June 2, 2020
- 15.1 (1) P085, Student Attendance and Safe Arrival Policy Review: Phase 1
- 15.1 (2) Draft Provisions for Information Flow Protocol, New Governance Procedure
- 15.2 Program and School Services Committee, Report No. 83, June 3, 2020
- 15.2 (1) ComKids Program: Update
- 15.2 (2) Annual Report on International Students, 2019-20'
- 15.2 (3) Employment Equity Annual Report 2019-2020
- 15.3 Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee, Report No. 50, June 9, 2020
- 15.3 (1) Contract Awards, Facilities
- 15.3 (2) Contract Awards, Operations
- 15.3 (3) Contract Awards: Summer Approval Process
- 15.3 (4) 2020-21 Budget Timelines Update and Transition Supports for School Re-opening
- 15.3 (5) TDSB Budget: Virtual Town Halls]
- 15.4 Committee of the Whole (Special Meeting), Report No. 17, June 2, 2020 (For receipt)
- 15.5 Committee of the Whole (Special Meeting), Report No. 18, June 9, 2020
- 15.5 (1) Supporting Non-Profit Community Program Partners
- 15.6 Committee of the Whole, Report No. 19, June 10, 2020
- 15.6 (1) French-as-a-Second Language Recommendations: Interim Report
- 15.6 (2) The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement
- 15.6 (3) Sale of Vaping Products to Teenagers
- 15.6 (4) Incorporating Genocide Education as Compulsory Learning
- 15.7 Committee of the Whole (Special Meeting), Report No. 20, June 16, 2020 (to be presented)
Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee (Special Meeting) Thursday, June 18, 2020 12:00 p.m. Electronic Meeting
- 4. Budget Matters
- 4.1 Report on the Grant for Student Needs Funding Memorandum - To be presented
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Student Transportation
While we do not yet know what transportation will look like in the fall, we are committed to keeping parents/guardians informed of all changes and safety practices for the upcoming school year. All parents/guardians with children who take the bus to school are encouraged to sign up for the Student Transportation Parent Portal (https://busplannerweb.torontoschoolbus.org/) to access important information and updates. If you have moved this past year, or plan to move over the summer, please complete the Student Transportation Application form with your new address, and email it to your school and studenttransportationapplications@tdsb.on.ca.
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Secondary Program Review Interim Report
The Secondary Program Review Interim Report, shared with Trustees in May 2020, highlights the issues, gaps, and needs facing our system that are impacting our ability to support this vision. And, while the report offers some preliminary concepts for discussion, it is not a set of recommendations on school closures or a roadmap to a one size fits all approach to our schools. Using comprehensive and data-rich information, including enrolment and population projections, this report acknowledges where we have been, where we are and where we could go, all while respecting and protecting many of the successful schools and programs that exist right across our system. A Summary Guide has been developed to help navigate the Interim Report. The complex and comprehensive report is divided into four appendices. Click here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mihLxCilt86nCCEetnEKyw6lvBGvM25W/view.
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School Year Calendar 2020-2021
Pending Ministry Approval
The official school year calendar for the Toronto District School Board runs from September 1 to June 30, inclusive.
First day of classes for all students is September 8, 2020 (please note there is no school for students on September 4)
- The last day of class for elementary students is June 29, 2021
- The last day of class for secondary (full year) students is June 25, 2021
- The last day of class for secondary (semestered) students is June 28, 2021
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