May 2021
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Memo from Toronto Public Health Re: COVID-19 Vaccine
The Province of Ontario has announced more vaccine will be available at Toronto immunization clinics beginning this week. Vaccination is important to protect ourselves, our family and our community from COVID-19, including the variants.
Who is eligible for a COVID-19 Vaccine?
- By the end of May, every adult in Toronto should be able to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment as announced by the province this week. Please be ready to book appointments for all the adults in your home as soon as eligible.
- When a vaccine becomes licensed for children, vaccinations eligibility will be communicated with you.
Where can I book my appointment?
- Those who are eligible, can book their appointments for City-run clinics through the provincial booking system – there are no walk-in or standby appointments available at City-run clinics.
Information on the COVID-19 Vaccine
- Please visit Toronto Public Health's COVID-19 Vaccine Resources website for more information on the vaccine, available in multiple languages. Additional vaccine information, can also be found here: COVID-19 Vaccines.
Ministry Announcement for 2021-22
Recently, the Government of Ontario announced funding for the 2021-2022 school year. As part of this announcement, they indicated that all school boards will once again provide in-person and remote learning options for the new school year. At the TDSB, we will soon be contacting families for their selection for September. While these details are still being finalized, we anticipate that the deadline for this selection will be in early June to allow time to plan accordingly. Further details will be shared as soon as they are available. In the meantime, we continue to await word from the Ministry of Education on plans for the remainder of the current school year.
Temporary COVID-19 Funding for 2021-22
To support the continued safe operation of schools in 2021-22, the Ministry announced that it will provide another year of temporary COVID-19 funding to school boards, totalling $1.6 billion across the province. This funding is to support areas such as personal protective equipment and supplies, staffing to meet local needs, technology and operating costs related to ventilation systems.
Letter to the Minister of Education: TDSB Objects to Plans for Radical Changes to Remote Learning in Ontario
Chair of the Board Alexander Brown wrote to Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, to object the Government of Ontario’s draft proposal for remote learning. This proposal would make remote learning a full-time, permanent option for all grades by September 2021.
Letter to the Minister of Education: Access to Free Menstrual Products
Chair of the Board Alexander Brown wrote to Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, to request that the Government of Ontario provide funding for free menstrual products in all schools across the province.
TDSB Reaches Tentative Local Agreement with Secondary Teachers
The Toronto District School Board has reached a tentative agreement with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation District 12, which represents approximately 5,000 secondary teachers at the school board. The tentative agreement must still be ratified by both the TDSB and OSSTF with a vote expected on or before May 26, 2021.
Safe Drinking Water Test Results
For the very first time, the Toronto District School Board is posting Safe Drinking Water Test Results on all 583 school websites for the year 2020. This work is a part of the TDSB’s commitment to Open Data.
TDSB Summer Programs
The health and well-being of TDSB students, staff and families is our top priority. Given the unpredictability of what the status of the COVID-19 pandemic will be in the summer, and the need to begin planning well before that time, the decision has been made to offer all Summer Programs fully remote (online) for summer 2021.
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.
Bicycle Safety
With warmer weather approaching, children may be participating in more outdoor activities like bike riding. To help keep children safe while playing outdoors this summer please follow social distancing and all other guidelines provided by Toronto Public Health.
When children are riding their bicycles, parents and caregivers can take steps to protect them.
Here's how:
- An adult should always supervise children 10 years of age or younger when they are using a bicycle or other wheeled sports equipment. Even older children may need on-going supervision when riding near the road.
- Make sure children wear the correct helmet properly when they ride. Ontario's bike helmet law requires all children and youth under age 18 to wear an approved bike helmet when riding a bicycle.
- Keep children away from traffic when they use wheeled sports equipment. Make sure they ride in a safe place.
- Teach children how to:
- steer, brake and ride in a straight line
- wear the right safety gear, and
- do a safety check every time they ride a bicycle, scooter, skateboard, use in-line skates or wear shoes with wheels.
- Be within arm's reach when your children are learning to ride any wheeled equipment.
- Always walk a bicycle, scooter or skateboard across a street intersection, instead of riding across.
- Tell children that you are happy when you see them riding safely.
- Remind children of the safety rules when they forget.
- Be a good role model - wear a helmet and safety gear yourself. Children copy what adults do.
