Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope you and your loved ones are all keeping safe during this time. I understand that our students and their families may feel challenged with all the uncertainty and change surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and school closures.

Premier Doug Ford has announced that all schools in Ontario, including those at the TDSB, will remain closed past the initial date of April 5, 2020. At this time, no additional details have been provided. I understand parents may be frustrated with the situation and this interruption to student learning. I want to reassure you that our senior staff at the TDSB have been working hard to establish the delivery of curriculum for an extended closure. This also includes ensuring all students have access to devices and the internet and having student mental health and well-being resources available online.

We will continue to keep students and families updated as we learn more. Please remember to limit social interactions and stay home whenever possible.

I wish to express my deepest gratitude to our frontline healthcare workers, as well as, grocery store cashiers, delivery drivers, take-out staff, stockroom clerks and janitors. Thank you for keeping our communities healthy and safe.

Warm Regards

Yalini Rajakulasingam

Student Learning Resources

The Ministry of Education has launched Learn at Home, a new online portal that provides resources for families so that students can continue learning while schools are closed.

The Toronto District School Board continues to review a number of additional online resources that support the Learn at Home initiative. TDSB staff have compiled a variety of resources that cover a range of grades and subjects that may be helpful for students and parents during this time. It’s important to note that these online resources are not mandatory or graded and are meant for families to use as optional resources to support independent learning while students are at home. We know these are challenging times for students and families and we are committed to working with the Ministry of Education to support you during this unprecedented interruption to student learning.

The TDSB Virtual Library for students and families that do not require a login or password to access. Please visit: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Elementary-School/Supporting-You/Health-Active-Living/Coronavirus/Learning-Resources.

For Students Seeking Mental Health and Well-Being Support

We care about the range of emotions and questions students of all ages may be experiencing in this uncertain and unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic and school closures. The change in routines and feelings of separation from peers, educators and other important caregivers may cause distress.

We also understand that student well-being may be challenged, and though in the interim we have invited students to call Kids Help Phone, we are also exploring how to connect our staff to students to support their well-being. Below are some key resources to help engage with and support children and youth around the impact of the pandemic on their mental health and well-being.

Covid-19 Specific Mental Health and Well-Being Resources:

School Mental Health Ontario

Visit: https://smho-smso.ca

Kids Help Phone

Call a counsellor: 1-800-668-6868
Visit: www.kidshelpphone.ca

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)

Visit: www.camh.ca

Children's Mental Health Ontario

Visit: www.cmho.org

Community Support in Scarborough North

TAIBU Community Health Centre

TAIBU is offering wellness checks by phone and in exceptional crisis situations outreach, home visits and practical support. If members of the community (within our mandate and catchment area) require assistance

Call: (416) 644-3539 (ext. 2246) – Phil Johnson
(416) 644-3539 (ext. 2223) – Liben Gebremikael
E-mail: info@taibuchc.ca

Malvern Family Resource Centre

Youth, women and newcomer programs are available
Call: (416) 281-1376
EarlyON Online Program Schedule:

TDSB Playgrounds and Park Amenities Closed

On Wednesday, March 25, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health announced the closure of a number of city amenities including all city-owned playgrounds, sports fields, and basketball and tennis courts to limit public congregation and reduce the spread of COVID-19. All Toronto schools have been called on to do the same.

For that reason, effective immediately, the TDSB will be closing all playgrounds and other amenities, including sports fields and basketball and tennis courts, on school board property until further notice. The Board will be posting signs and taping off all playgrounds and asks the public to please avoid use until further notice. Where fencing or gates exist around structures, they will be locked.

We recognize that playgrounds are important to our school communities, however we must all follow the advice of medical experts from Toronto Public Health and limit public congregation.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work together to maintain the health and safety of our communities.

EQAO & OSSLT Cancelled

As some of you may have already heard, the Ministry of Education has announced that due to the school closure period and the uncertainty beyond that point, all EQAO assessments for the remainder of this school year are cancelled.

For students who are graduating in the 2019-20 school year, the literacy graduation requirement as set out in Ontario Schools, Kindergarten to Grade 12: Policy and Program Requirements, 2016 will be waived. This applies to students in publicly-funded and private/First Nation schools.

Students who are not graduating this school year will have the opportunity to write the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) in the upcoming 2020-21 school year.

Coronavirus Information

The health and safety of all students, staff and school communities is our top priority. In partnership with public health officials, the Toronto District School Board is closely monitoring the current situation with regards to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Please continue to check our website for the latest information https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Elementary-School/Supporting-You/Health-Active-Living/Coronavirus

Other Important Links (translation is available in many languages):

Canadian Public Health https://bit.ly/38UABi
Ontario Ministry of Health https://bit.ly/2TVj45H
Toronto Public Health https://bit.ly/2Wl9rik

Self-Assessment Tool For Those Who Believe They May Have Contracted COVID-19

With the increasing severity of the COVID-19 outbreak, Ontario has now launched an enhanced and interactive self-assessment tool (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/#q0).

This new easy-to-use tool takes the public through a series of questions to inform those who are concerned they may have contracted COVID-19. In a matter of seconds, this tool will help people determine if they are negative or it will provide them with guidance on where to seek care based on their needs

We are asking members of our school community - students, parents, staff, volunteers and others - to do their part in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by doing the following:

Social distancing: This is limiting physical interactions with others, and is especially important to protect those who are elderly or have a pre-existing health condition.

Self-isolate: If you have returned from travelling anywhere outside of Canada, including the United States, you must self isolate for 14 days after you return home.

Self monitor: If you have been exposed to COVID-19 or may have travelled outside of Canada make sure to first self-isolate and then take a few seconds to complete the new online assessment tool.

The Scarborough Health Network Doctors Need Your Help

To fight COVID-19, front line physicians, nurses and other health care professionals at the Scarborough Health Network need gowns, gloves, masks and eye protection in high quantities. They are concerned that they only have a limited supply.

They need these supplies in order to keep every patient and themselves safe during this pandemic.

Dentists, veterinarians, construction workers, painters, and professionals in many other industries use the same equipment that they need.

They are calling on anyone in the community who has unopened and non-expired PPE to donate to our hospitals so that our medical staff can treat each patient safely and not spread disease to themselves, each other, and your loved ones.

Together we can flatten the curve and limit the spread of COVID-19.

For donations, please email PPEdonations@SHN.ca