COVID-19 Updates
We have posted all the information we have on a consolidated resources page for COVID 19. This pge contains latest updates from the TDSB, resources for students to learn at home, resources for maintaining mental well-being during these times, and many other helpful information. Click on the above picture to visit the TDSB COVID-19 Resources Page.
Remote Learning Educator Resource, Online Learning Platforms and Web Conferencing
To support educators with planning engaging learning experiences for remote learning, we have developed a website for educators that features a selection of digital curriculum resources for elementary and secondary educators. These resources may be used to create integrated learning opportunities for students to help develop rich learning experiences that incorporate global competencies.
Educators have a number of options for online learning platforms and web conferencing tools to connect with students remotely and we rely on the professional judgement of staff to determine which platform(s) to use and how best to engage students and families. As a result, we recognize that the remote learning strategy for each class may look different. It is our expectation; however, that teachers will have a method of regular engagement with their students to ensure students are able to access learning tasks and resources, and checking in on students’ well-being.
While educators may select the platform that works best for them and their students/families, the TDSB only provides and supports two online learning platforms to students and staff — G Suite for Education and Brightspace. These two virtual classroom platforms will continue to be supported through tech support, privacy, protection, and professional learning/training. Please find additional information in the Brightspace Privacy Centre and the G Suite for Education Privacy and Security Centre. Students and staff utilize their TDSB account to access these two platforms 24/7 from any internet-connected device anywhere in the world. Both platforms have undergone TDSB security assessments and the district retains full ownership of any content placed in either system by staff or students.
The Brightspace Learning Platform consists of a rich online classroom where teachers can share information through announcements and calendars, post content and assignments, provide feedback, a digital Portfolio for students to document their learning and platform for parents to have a window into the students online Classroom - Brightspace for Parents. G Suite for Education consists of a series of tools to facilitate communication, creation and collaboration. The tools include Classroom, Drive, Docs, Forms, Calendar, Gmail and Sites. Many of the G Suite tools also come in both iOS & Android App versions in addition to web access. Google Classroom is a tool being used extensively currently during remote learning.
Guidelines for Schools on Registration/Activation/Transfer of Students During School Closures
With the implementation of Phase 2 of remote learning, Planning staff are working with schools to activate students on enrolment registers where possible. The TDSB is committed to welcoming and registering all students, both those returning and those new to the TDSB, who wish to participate in remote learning while schools are closed.
For students who were attending a publicly-funded school board in Ontario prior to the closure, whether it be a school in the TDSB or another board, it is recommended that they remain on the register of that school even if they have moved. This will allow them to remain engaged in remote learning in a familiar setting. Once the closure is lifted, they may proceed to register with their new school. This practice, in most cases, would be in the best interests of the students, both practically and pedagogically. If there are extenuating circumstances where a transfer to a new school should be considered, the Principal should consult with the local Superintendent before registering the student. Also, all OSR transfer requests will be on hold while schools are closed.
The information above was shared with all Principals and Superintendents today. In addition, Principals and Superintendents also received the following answers to the most frequently encountered scenarios:
Returning Students: Students who have been demitted for extended absences (e.g. vacation) and wish to re-enrol at the same school in the current school year may be activated. The effective date must be April 6, 2020 or later. The Ministry of Education has informed boards that students that intended to return between March 23 and April 3 should be registered as of April 6, 2020. Documents do not need to be verified again if they are returning to the same school. This also applies to students who wish to return to school, but have been unable to arrive back to Toronto due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. If a student has already been activated with an effective date between March 23-April 3, no action is required. The effective date will automatically be changed by central staff.
Pre-Registered Students: New students who were not previously attending a publicly-funded Ontario school prior to the closure (i.e. newcomer students) who were already pre-registered prior to the shutdown (and have had documents verified) may be activated. If the pre-registered students were previously attending another publicly funded school in Ontario (TDSB or other school board), as stated above the recommendation is that they remain at their previous school during the closure. If there are circumstances where it is in the best interest to transfer and register the student at the new school, the Principal should consult with the local Superintendent before registering and activating. If it is determined that a transfer should proceed, the school that the student previously attended should be contacted so that they are aware that the student has transferred to the new school. The effective date should be April 6, 2020 or the date they started remote learning. If a student has already been activated with an effective date between March 23–April 3, no action is required. The effective date will automatically be changed by central staff.
New Students Not Pre-Registered: New students who are not pre-registered who wish to participate in remote learning during the closure period may also be registered and activated. The effective date should be the date they were activated and started participating in remote learning. In these circumstances, where possible the Principal should request admission verification documents (as outlined in PR518) be sent to their TDSB email. The Principal should maintain a list of all new activations. Once the shutdown ends and school resumes, all new students will need to provide documents to the school for in-person verification, and at that time the attestation form is to be completed. Principals should delete all personal registration documentation that was collected via e-mail once the in-person verification process is completed.
- If a family is unable to e-mail registration documentation, they will still be given the opportunity to register their child so that they can participate in remote learning. Pertinent student information may be collected over the phone to facilitate
registration during this time.
Registrations for the 2020-21 School Year: Students who have registered for next school year (2020/21) through the online registration platform (OLR) and have not yet attended in person to verify documents and complete the attestation form, should remain in the platform. The parents should be notified that their registrations will be processed at a later time, when schools have reopened and parents are able to present the documentation in person. Examples include all kindergarten pre-registrations, or non-TDSB students who applied on-time on PARS to the Early French Immersion (SK entry) or the Junior Extended French (Gr. 4 entry).
Information regarding registration and transfers during school closures has been posted to the TDSB website and will be pushed to all TDSB school sites (on our platform) shortly to ensure that parents/guardians and students also have this information.
TDSB Rent Deferral Measures
TDSB has implemented rent deferral measures to assist our private sector tenants and community partners. On March 30, 2020, TLC tenants in non-operating former school buildings and private sector tenants in operating schools, including childcares, were notified that their rent for the month of April will be deferred to a later date. TDSB will be assessing the deferral of rent payments on a month-by-month basis. TDSB is also creating a process to have the tenants apply for a complete waiver of the rent based on loss of revenues during the closure period. Tenants have responded with appreciation for consideration in this situation.
Violations of Physical Distancing By-law at TDSB Schools/Sites
We continue to receive emails and telephone calls from community residents regarding violations of the physical distancing by-law at TDSB schools/sites. We have taken steps to ensure that our premises have been safely closed off, including the use of signage, taping off equipment, blocking access to basketball nets, and locking gates where possible. In spite of these measures, we continue to see reports of people ignoring these closures and using our playgrounds and amenities.
Should you receive any calls/emails about schools in your ward, you should request that they report it to 311, who will fill out an incident report and follow City of Toronto regulations to deal with the concern. You can also contact the TDSB call centre at call.centre@tdsb.on.ca or 416 395-4620 to report the violation and they will dispatch security, bearing in mind that we have limited resources on the road and emergency response will receive priority.
Coordinating and Communicating Community Supports for Students and Families
These are extraordinarily difficult times for many families. At the TDSB we will endeavour to contribute to a community of caring and to remain steadfast in our commitments to equity and human rights during this crisis. Over the past few weeks, staff have heard about families in need of essential services such as food, refuge from family violence and secure housing. Strategies are being developed to formalize our staff’s connections with the community partners such as: The United Way & City of Toronto’s Community Co-ordination Teams and other City and community agencies. This will enable us to have greater access to the information required to respond to the emerging needs of students outside of the scope the TDSB.
Ten TDSB Community Support Workers (CSWs) have been connected with the 10 cluster tables that were established by the United Way and City of Toronto in response to the Pandemic. One of the goals of the cluster tables is to facilitate coordination and communication about the various services focused on addressing the needs of the city’s most vulnerable citizens.
TDSB will also be initiating an internal TDSB Community Service Support Table, led by Michelle Munroe, Parent and Community Engagement Coordinator, to ensure that information from the cluster tables and other community resources is circulated in timely manner to various staff (e.g., social workers, child and youth workers, teachers and principals) and, where possible, shared directly with families who may require these resources. Trustees will be updated through Trustees’ Weekly.
We acknowledge the tremendous teamwork of the Centrally Assigned Principals in Equity, School Improvement in Learning Centres in addition to the Senior Manager of Professional Support Services and the Coordinator of Parent and Community Engagement in making this possible.
