This Week's Update
- Happy Nowruz
- COVID Testing Update
- School Mental Health
- Advocacy Day
- Urgent Request to Vaccinate all Education Staff
- Education Development Charge (EDC) Hearing
- TDSB Earth Hour 2021
- HEPA Unit Update
- OSSLT Update
- Committee Meeting This Week
- Happy Passover
New Invitations - Apply Now to Join the Equity Policy Community Advisory Committee
- Play or Coach with Canadian Girls Baseball!
Worth Repeating - EnVision Conference
- EECOM 2021 Exploring the Nature of Cities April 21-24, 2021
- Prime Minister's Awards Deadline Extended
- TDSB Summer School Registration 2021
- Policy Consultations
- Download the COVID-19 App
- School Year Calendar
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Happy NowruzNowruz, Persian New Year was celebrated on Saturday, March 20. Nowruz marks the first day of spring and is celebrated as the beginning of the new year by more than 300 million people all around the world. Nowruz Mubarak to all who celebrated yesterday!
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COVID Testing Update
To respond to the increase in cases, the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network working with Toronto Public Health and the testing hospitals has modified the testing strategy:
Symptomatic testing: Toronto Public Health is identifying many more cohorts and whole schools to be tested to support investigations. The testing of the dismissed cohorts and the whole schools is being done by the testing hospitals.
Asymptomatic testing: The asymptomatic testing plan continues to evolve and school boards continue to adapt to these changes. The current change to the plan involves the addition of LifeLabs that has recently been commissioned by the Province to provide asymptomatic testing for schools. Approximately two schools will be identified each week to be used as testing hubs to provide voluntary testing to students and staff. Schools that are adjacent to the hubs can participate in the testing. Students and staff from all four school boards can attend. The Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network and the testing hospitals are identifying schools where they are less likely to be active in conducting testing related to investigations. The schools for asymptomatic testing are chosen from this list by the school boards working with the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network and the testing hospitals.
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School Mental Health
We recognize that these are difficult times and that students have many questions related to COVID-19, the impact for themselves, for schools and their friends. This Kit contains answers and resources to address the following questions:
- What can I do to take care of myself during the Covid-19 pandemic?
- How do I know if I should reach out for help about my mental health?
- What do I do if I’m worried about a friend?
Click here for new online versions:
Mental Health Virtual Drop-ins - You can connect directly with staff from TDSB Professional Support Services to explore ideas regarding your child or youth's mental health and well-being:
Students - Connect with a Child and Youth Counsellor Every Friday from 12-1pm, students can connect virtually with a Child and Youth Counsellor and have an opportunity to talk about their mental health, relationships, etc. Sign in with your TDSB email account on Friday’s from 12pm - 1pm
No registration required - Zoom meeting ID: 925 8258 8047 - Password: ICYC
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Advocacy Day
Following the provincial meetings, OPSBA Directors representing the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) reached out to their local government MPPs to set up a virtual meeting. I was proud to be part of the meeting. The following document was developed to highlight various issues that are impacting the Board and ways that government could help alleviate them: OPSBA Advocacy Day 2021: Toronto District School Board.
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Urgent Request to Vaccinate all Education Staff
Speaking of advocacy, on Friday, March 19, 2021 TDSB Interim Director Karen Falconer wrote to Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, the Toronto Central LHIN and the Deputy Minister of Education about the urgency of prioritizing COVID-19 vaccinations for education workers in our Board.
As the March Break has been delayed until the week of April 12, 2021 this year, we believe vaccinations would be best timed to coincide with this period (Saturday, April 10 to Sunday, April 18). This would maximize the number of education workers who wish to be vaccinated during this period, to be able to do so, while also allowing for a more timely and straightforward process given all schools will be empty. Providing greater access for education workers to receive the vaccine will demonstrate support of our employees and also minimize challenges that can be created when larger numbers of staff must be absent from work...
We are committed to supporting local health partners in any way we can to help facilitate these requests, including making TDSB schools and/or buildings available for use as vaccination hubs for staff, so that access to vaccinations can be maximized without creating strain on already existing sites.
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Education Development Charge (EDC) Hearing The EDC (Educational Development Charges) hearing is set to take place on March 25, 2021 at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Divisional Court), commencing at 10:00 am. In the hearing, TDSB seeks to have the court declare certain provisions of the Education Act regulations invalid and permit TDSB to charge Educational Development Charges. The Court hearing will be conducted via Zoom - http://www.ontariocourtdates.ca/daily-docket.aspx.
The Toronto District School Board is advocating for access to Education Development Charges (EDCs) as a source of revenue to sustain our ability to make adequate investments in our schools as development continues in the city.
Currently, the TDSB does not qualify for EDCs because it has excess capacity when assessed on a district-wide basis, regardless of significant pressures and challenges faced in many neighborhood schools. EDCs are a critical funding tool that would help the TDSB meet growth-related infrastructure needs. Lack of sufficient space in local schools in some areas of the City has forced the TDSB to adopt different accommodation strategies for managing enrollment growth including redirecting students from new residential developments to other TDSB schools located outside the area, using portables and changing program and school boundaries. In our view, the same way that developers pay for services such as roads, transit, water, sewer infrastructure and community centres, they should also contribute to education. TDSB continues to be at a disadvantage due to its inability to collect EDCs from developers, which could generate approximately $500M in additional revenue for the Board over the next 15 years.
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TDSB Earth Hour 2021
Earth Hour is a world-wide celebration where millions of people around the world turn off their lights for one hour to tackle the dual challenges facing the planet – climate change and loss of nature.
Join TDSB schools and offices on March 26, from 2 – 3 p.m., as we celebrate Earth Hour by turning off unnecessary lights and unplugging electronic devices. Additionally, families and community members can participate on March 27, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, please visit the TDSB webpage for Earth Hour 2021. Tweet this year’s #EarthHour actions using @EcoSchoolsTDSB.
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HEPA Unit Update
The delivery of HEPA units has been proceeding very well. A total of 4,161 units have been delivered in the past two weeks. HEPA units have been delivered to all the Q5, Q4 and Q3 elementary schools. For routing efficiencies, some Q5 and Q4 secondary schools were also included in the Week 1 deliveries. The majority of Q2 elementary schools have received HEPA filters and the remaining Q2 schools will receive units by Monday, March 22. The Q1 elementary school deliveries will be completed by Monday, March 29. Any remaining secondary school deliveries will continue through the end of March into the first week of April and should be completed by April 9. Staff are also responding to schools that have requested additional units for occupied classrooms and these will be delivered through the first two weeks of April. Appreciate your patience as this has rolled out.
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OSSLT UpdateOn Friday, the TDSB sent a letter providing an update regarding the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) administered by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO). The OSSLT was not administered last school year and the literacy test requirement was waived for students graduating in 2021.
This year, the EQAO is field testing a new online OSSLT. Participation in this field test is not mandatory and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has decided not to participate. This means that eligible students will write the OSSLT during the 2021-22 school year. This decision not to participate in the field test was made with the best interests of students and families in mind. We are focused on supporting the mental health and well-being of students and families. During what has been a challenging and stressful year for many, we do not want to add another item to students’ plates.
The TDSB has also made a commitment to maximizing instructional time this year and the substantial time required to plan, prepare and write the OSSLT would take away from classroom instruction and learning for students and staff. It is for this same reason that the TDSB has moved away from administering final exams in each quadmester this year.
We feel strongly that this is the best decision for students at this time. Looking forward to next year, the EQAO has plans underway to provide multiple sittings of the OSSLT to ensure that all students can fulfill their graduation requirement. Further details on plans for next year will be shared with you once EQAO has provided this information to school boards.
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Committee Meeting 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, March 24 4:30 p.m. Electronic Meeting
- 7. Teacher Hiring Policy: New Policy - On October 29, 2020, the Ministry of Education revoked Ontario Regulation 274/12: Hiring Practices. On February 22, 2021, the Ministry of Education issued Policy/Program Memoranda (PPM) 165 – School Board Teacher Hiring Practices (see Appendix A). The PPM165 directs school boards to develop and implement fair, consistent, and transparent teacher hiring policies and processes by March 31, 2021. To ensure compliance with PPM 165, staff prepared the draft Teacher Hiring Policy (the “Policy”) for the Committee’s consideration (see appendix B).
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Happy Passover
The Jewish holiday of Passover begins in the evening of Saturday, March 27 and ends in the evening of Sunday, April 4. Pesach (in Hebrew) commemorates the exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt - a celebration of freedom that reminds of to fight on behalf of all who are oppressed and marginalized.
Like many families we will be celebrating via our Zoom Seder #AloneTogether. Chag Sameach to all observing.
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Apply Now to Join the Equity Policy Community Advisory Committee
The TDSB’s Equity Policy Community Advisory Committee (EPCAC) is looking for parents and community members from to join the committee.
EPCAC provides advice to the TDSB on matters concerning the implementation of the Equity Policy. It also identifies issues of broad community interest regarding equity in education, for the consideration of the TDSB and staff. The committee is comprised of representatives of recognized equity seeking groups across Toronto with an interest in public education, representatives from recognized Community Liaison Groups, parent members, designated TDSB staff and trustees appointed by the Board.
Membership Criteria -
- Parent/Guardian/caregivers of a current pupil who is enrolled in the TDSB and from various equity seeking communities.
- Community representatives from various and separate, equity advocacy organizations and/or alliances and social planning groups that reflect the TDSB’s Equity Policy commitments and promote as part of their core mission anti-oppression and equity for one or more of the following communities: persons with disabilities, racial and ethno-cultural, gender identity and gender expression, socio-economic, sexual orientation, any other communities identified by TDSB Equity Policy or the Ontario Human Rights Code.
The term of office for community and parent representatives of the community advisory committee will be two (2) years; this term will be renewable.
Meetings are usually held on the fourth Monday of the month from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
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Play or Coach with Canadian Girls Baseball!
Canadian Girls Baseball is a national non-profit development league for girls aged 4-16 that teaches resiliency through sport. Girls learn how to play, how to win, and how to lose. We hope to empower and inspire girls to lead, learn, and play. Visit us at www.canadiangirlsbaseball.com.
Weekend Spring League - CGB's Spring League, is a 7 week program for players aged 4-16, no experience necessary! Locations: North Toronto, Leslieville, High Hark, and Etobicoke. For more information, or to sign up, go to www.canadiangirlsbaseball.com/programs.
Coach Opportunity - Jr. Coach: Are you between the ages of 14-16 and want to gain experience as a coach, join the CGB Team as a Jr. Coach. You will receive VOLUNTEER hours and work closely with a Staff Coach.
Staff Coach: CGB is looking for energetic, passionate, and dedicated individuals to coach in the only all-girls baseball league in Canada. Age 17+. To apply: Send your cover letter and resume to info@canadiangirlsbaseball.com.
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EnVision Conference
Join us virtually at the 2021 EnVision Conference TDSB's conference for 2SLGBTQI+ students and their allies on Tuesday March 30th, Wednesday March 31st, and Thursday April 1st!
This year the conference focuses on 2SLGBTQI+ Black and Indigenous Activism and Wellness. The EnVision Conference provides middle and high-school students with the opportunity to honour and celebrate 2SLGBTQI+ communities, as well as discussing issues they face across Ontario and engage in anti-homophobia and anti-transphobia work. Students use various platforms to ask questions and explore ways to celebrate gender and sexual diversity in schools and beyond.
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EECOM 2021 Exploring the Nature of Cities April 21-24, 2021
The Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication (EECOM) is Canada’s only national and bilingual network for environmental learning that works strategically and collaboratively to advance environmental learning. Since 1995, EECOM National Conferences have been among the largest annual gatherings of environmental learning stakeholders in Canada, and provide outstanding professional development and networking opportunities.
With most of the world’s population living in urban areas, helping citizens understand their impact on their environments is key to making cities more sustainable and livable. EECOM 2021’s theme Urban Environmental Education is well-timed to address growing concerns about the climate crisis. EECOM 2021 is being chaired by EcoSchools Canada, the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE), and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Sustainability Office. It will be based out of the University of Toronto.
There is at least one session involving students on Friday April 23rd – 1:00 – 2:00 pm – Youth Forum: Climate Leaders of Tomorrow - Grades 7-12 classes from across Canada have participated in Learning for a Sustainable Future's virtual Climate Action Youth Forums throughout the 2020-2021 school year. Each class participated in interactive virtual kickoff, speaker and workshop events that engaged them in climate issues, equipped them with skills and knowledge, and empowered them to take action. Please join us as four classes share their exciting climate action projects.
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Prime Minister's Awards Deadline Extended
Canada’s educators are showing resilience and commitment to students in the face of COVID-19.
Do you know an exceptional teacher or early childhood educator? Consider nominating them for a 2021 Prime Minister's Award! This program honours innovative and outstanding elementary and secondary school teachers and early childhood educators who are helping prepare Canadian youth for the challenges of tomorrow. The nomination deadline has been extended for the 2021 competition until April 27, 2021.
Looking for inspiration? Check out previous teaching and early childhood education award recipients. 2021 nomination packages are available at www.pma.gc.ca. The nomination deadline is April 27, 2021 at 11:59 a.m. (Pacific Time).
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TDSB Summer School Registration 2021
The focus of the 2021 Elementary Literacy and Numeracy Summer School Program is to address student learning gaps and to continue student engagement through the month of July. Programs, embedded in Literacy and Numeracy, are developed by the local summer school principal to reflect the local school focus. Programs are offered to students in K to Grade 8, from July 5 – 30, 2021. Registration is online. In-person and virtual (online) classes available. Most classes run for 3 hours from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Please note: The TDSB takes direction from the Ministry of Education and Toronto Public Health related to COVID-19 protocols. We will continue to keep you informed if any direction changes that impacts our programming. All established health and safety precautions will continue through the summer. Click here for a list of participating summer schools https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Innovation/Elementary-Summer-School. To fill out an application for in-person or virtual learning, please click on the registration form link.
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Policy Consultations
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is committed to open and inclusive policy decision-making and values community input and participation through consultation. Consultation is a two-way communication process between the Board and external participants, including students and their parents/guardians, school councils, advisory committees, community members, different levels of government, service agencies, professional organizations and union partners. The objective of consultation is to gather public input regarding options, alternative courses of action, as well as to identify unintended effects for various participants and to find solutions. Please see revised the Policy Review Schedule.
New Consultations
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Download the COVID ALERT APPTogether, let's limit the spread of COVID-19. COVID Alert is an additional tool to protect yourself and your loved ones. COVID Alert helps us break the cycle of infection. The app can let other app users know of possible exposures before any symptoms appear. That way, we can take care of ourselves and protect our communities. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-alert.html. Please note, unfortunately, the app is only available on certain phones/operating systems.
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School Year Calendar 2020-2021The 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
Note: Passover 2021 will begin in the evening of Saturday, March 27 and ends in the evening of Sunday, April 4. Ramadan 2021 will begin in the evening of Monday, April 12 and ends in the evening of Wednesday, May 12.
PA Days & Holidays Remaining
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April (formerly March) Break
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