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| Shelley Laskin, Trustee
Toronto District School Board
Ward 8: Eglinton-Lawrence & Toronto-St Paul's
416-395-8787
Shelley.Laskin@tdsb.on.ca
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Happy, Healthy, Hopeful New Year Wishes...
"...So let us not return to what was normal, but reach toward what is next. What was cursed, we will cure. What was plagued, we will prove pure. Where we tend to argue, we will try to agree, Those fortunes we forswore, now the future we foresee, Where we weren't aware, we're now awake; Those moments we missed Are now these moments we make, the moments we meet, And our hearts, once all together beaten, now all together beat..."
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In this Issue (first of 2022):- COVID-19 Update
- The Latest Information on School Reopening
- January is Tamil Heritage Month
- New Invitations - Grade 7-11 Students Needed - Student Equity Collective; Global School Play Day - February 2, 2022
- Worth Repeating - Winter Well-Being Guide; Switch Form - Elementary Term 2; Middle French Immersion Program – Grade 4 Entry; School Open Houses and Information Nights; Optional Attendance 2022-2023; Respect the Rules - No Dogs Allowed on School Grounds
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COVID-19 UpdateVaccines have always been about public health. It’s not about you. It’s about us. Please get vaccinated. Get your children vaccinated.
And please continue to follow all other public health measures - self-monitor, wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, distance where possible and stay home if not feeling well. Sincere appreciation and gratitude to all health care professionals - let's all do what we can to support.
How to Book a Vaccine- Learn more about vaccines for children and youth, including how to book and prepare for your child's vaccination appointment (Ministry of Education)
- Visit the How to Get Vaccinated webpage by Toronto Public Health
- Kids Health First -- developed by the Children's COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Table in Ontario - Although the recommended second dose is 8 weeks after the first dose, my understanding is parents can give informed consent for their child (5-11) to receive their second dose sooner when they book at the provincial booking centre - 1-833-943-3900.
- Please see A Parent's Guide to Vaccination.
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Do you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for children and youth? You can book an appointment with the COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service (VSC) to speak with a Registered Nurse to get answers to your questions. Appointments are available Monday to Friday.
Book a vaccine appointment online at the dark blue “Book a Vaccine” button on toronto.ca/covid-19 or by calling the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007). Vaccines are also available at pop-up clinics, pharmacies Opens in new window and some family doctors.
Vaccine Hunters - Do-it-yourself resource for finding vaccine related info. Find details on eligibility, appointments, walk-ins, pharmacy search tools, vaccine receipts + more!
TPH is working to bring COVID-19 vaccinations or access to nearby vaccinations to all public schools in the city. Parents/guardians and children will receive notice from their school when a clinic is hosted. Specific school vaccine clinic details will be sent in a letter from principals, for their school only. Education staff will be prioritized at school-based clinics.
Mental Health and Well-Being
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The Latest Information on School Reopening
Since the provincial announcement on Thursday, I have received advocacy to keep schools open and advocacy to delay school reopening – and many, many questions for clarification.
The Director provided an update Friday for both staff and families - I am incredibly grateful to all senior TDSB staff who have been working through the weekend preparing for staff to come back to work tomorrow (virtually or in-person).
To help sort through it all for you, as of 8pm tonight, this is what we know (please note that at the time of writing, the provincial Cabinet is still meeting and additional restrictions or changes to directives may be forthcoming) –
- Child Care Centres and Before and After School Programs are allowed to open beginning tomorrow, January 3, however parents/caregivers should connect directly with the operator for confirmation.
- In-person learning (for those already enrolled in in-person learning) including students who learn in Intensive Support Programs (ISPs) and who have been accessing in-person learning prior to the Winter Break and virtual learning (for those students already enrolled in virtual learning) restarts on Wednesday, January 5. Bussing also resumes on Wednesday.
- Adult Day Schools and remote Continuing Education Programs including International Languages – Elementary and African Heritage, Adult ESL and Secondary Remote Night School will also resume on Wednesday.
- We were one of the first school boards to take ventilation seriously and the TDSB currently has more than 16,000 HEPA filters in all occupied learning spaces and additional units will be utilized to provide even greater coverage.
- Non-fit-tested N95 masks will be provided to staff in schools as an optional alternative to medical/surgical masks – a decision many have advocated for knowing COVID-19 was an airborne disease.
- Students can continue to wear their own masks but if they need to, child-sized high-quality three-ply cloth masks will continue to be provided, free of charge, to all students who need them.
- The PCR self-collection initiative already running in TDSB schools through hospital partners will continue, with a focus on the most common COVID-19 symptoms provided these tests are available from the hospital partners.
- Cohorts will continue during recess and outdoor breaks.
- High-contact indoor sports and activities are now paused as per Ministry directives. All music activities that involve multiple cohorts will also temporarily be paused and the TDSB will consult with Toronto Public Health for guidance on other activities involving music.
- We know the importance of mental health and wellness and will continue to provide resources and opportunities for you to meet with our professional staff.
- We will continue to work with Toronto Public Health and our hospital partners to bring COVID-19 vaccinations or access to nearby vaccinations to all public schools in the city. Parents/guardians and children will receive notice from their school when a clinic is hosted. Education staff will be prioritized at school-based clinics.
- And we know that TDSB has mandated a vaccination procedure for all staff and continues to advocate for COVID-19 vaccinations be added to the list of compulsory vaccinations for all eligible students in the Immunization of School Pupils Act.
- We also know from the data that COVID-19 continues to affect populations inequitably - whether it be the number of cases or access to vaccines and we are working to prioritize clinics in schools in the most affected areas.
There are many questions that are yet unanswered – as much depends on the advice of Toronto Public Health (TPH). As of the time of writing, their website states “Toronto Public Health is currently reviewing updated measures and guidelines from the Ontario government. This means some of the information currently available on our webpages will change.”
- Since we follow the advice of TPH, we know the COVID-19 Screening Tool that all students and staff complete prior to coming to school/work will be updated. But we are waiting confirmation of the number of days of isolation if positive, and whether or not a test will be required to return.
- We are also awaiting confirmation that Secondary schools will be able to return to normal semester models with four courses per day, as of February 3, 2022.
- There are concerns re understanding if there will be operational changes to lunch when students must remove their masks.
- And concerns re dealing with staffing shortages when teachers and education workers are sick – schools and those who teach and learn within them are not immune to community spread and staff shortages are real.
- We need clear understanding if Rapid Antigen Tests will be made available as they were prior to the Winter Break – and I can confirm our staff are investigating procurement possibilities.
- And many express concerns that if the Ministry of Education will no longer collecting COVID-19 case numbers from school boards then how do we monitor and inform, and can the TDSB continue reporting and notifying affected staff, students and families.
We know that some parents/caregivers will choose to keep their children home from in-person learning. Please note that at this point my understanding is there is no option to switch immediately to virtual instruction - you would be receiving asynchronous assignments posted on the teacher’s Google Classroom or Brightspace – this would not be live instruction with a dedicated teacher. And as per Friday’s TDSB Letter, more information on reporting absences from in-person school will be forthcoming.
Please know that Elementary Switch Form from in-person to virtual and vice-vera for elementary students remains open until January 7. But please remember as you choose, that the switch actually takes place on February 22, 2022. (The switch for secondary students take place for Semester 2 on February 3.) Based on what’s happening in countries that experienced Omicron before we did, we are hoping that by the time the switch occurs, we will be through the worst of it.
For those considering keeping your kids home from in-class learning, please remember others simply do not have this option – and that is why, at the end of the day, school boards will continue to do all we can to make schools as safe as possible – for students and for staff. We will do everything we can to mitigate risks – without minimizing them. Please remember we remain in a pandemic – there is no playbook. And we remain committed to sharing as much information as possible as will your school administrators – as some messaging will be system-wide but others will be school-based.
To that end, there will be a special meeting of the Planning and Priorities Committee on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. to hear an update on school reopening. I will live tweet from the meeting. Keep your questions coming.
Thank you for your patience and support. Stay tuned for additional updates.
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OPSBA Statement on the January 2022 return to school
1/2/2022
“In the midst of this most recent wave in the pandemic, we want to express our ongoing confidence in our public health system, and our appreciation for the incredible work of our healthcare workers and leaders. In order to support the common good, as a society we must continue to do what is necessary to fight this threat, including vaccination and a commitment to masking.
As we have expressed throughout the pandemic, providing the conditions for students to safely attend school in-person must be a top priority. To that end, we are recommending the following:
- Priority should be given to students and all school staff to receive all of the vaccine doses for which they are eligible.
- Consideration should be given to providing students and all school staff access to PCR testing in order to maintain confidence in school safety, and to minimize disruptions resulting from quarantining.
- The additional PPE, including N95 masks, must be made available to school staff as soon as possible, and further clarity must be provided around which types of masks provide sufficient safety in the current environment.
- We would also like to once again express our support for adding COVID-19 to the list of designated diseases in Ontario Regulation 261/13 Designated Diseases under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA).
We encourage all of our member school boards to continue to work very closely with their local public health units to ensure we are doing all we can to keep our schools as safe as possible under the circumstances.
Finally, we want to thank all of the dedicated education workers and leaders across our province for continuing to rise to the incredible challenges of this pandemic as they work to do the absolute best for our students.”
Cathy Abraham, OPSBA President
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January is Tamil Heritage Month
This year's theme for Tamil Heritage Month at the TDSB is: Our Histories. Our Legacies. Our Homelands. (எமது வரலாறுகள். எமது மரபுகள். எமது தாயகங்கள்).
Our Histories/எமது வரலாறுகள் speaks to the lived or shared history each of us carry. Our Legacies/எமது மரபுகள் addresses what we either left behind in our native country or have created for ourselves that sets us apart from others. Our Homelands/எமது தாயகங்கள் recognizes that each one of us can have more than one homeland and each lived experience makes us stronger. Toronto has the largest Tamil population outside of the South Asian subcontinent with thousands of TDSB students and staff members identified as Tamil. The importance of building awareness, creating a strong self and collective identities, and understanding one's own roots and rights are important objectives of the Tamil Heritage Month volunteer planning committee.
For further information about Tamil Heritage Month, please view this power point on interesting facts on Tamil customs and traditions. Follow us on twitter @TDSB_Tamil.
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Grade 7-11 Students Needed - Student Equity Collective
Racism and hate have no place in our school communities. We are looking for students to hear their voices on how to make positive change in the TDSB and beyond.
We are launching a Student Equity Collective. This is an opportunity to not only sit at the table, but to design what the table looks like, drive the conversation, and bring ideas, solutions and recommendations forward that address what you want to address. Watch the video from the Director and Student Trustees.
If you are a TDSB student in Grade 7 to 11 with an understanding of, and commitment to, addressing racism, hate and all forms of discrimination; if you bring a passion and enthusiasm for collaborative problem-solving, idea generation and change, please apply by January 12, 2022 at 4pm.
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Global School Play Day - February 2, 2022
Almost 4,000 schools have already registered for Global School Day on February 2, 2022! Register for this free event bringing awareness to the importance of unstructured play! #GSPD2022
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Winter Well-Being Guide
Within this guide you will find a variety of culturally responsive resources and accessible activities to help make this winter a little easier and fun for you and your family. Information on where and how to reach out for help is also included. Read the Winter-Well Being Guide.
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Switch Form - Elementary Term 2
In order to plan ahead for elementary students to switch between in-person and virtual learning for February 2022, parents/caregivers and students requesting a change must complete an Elementary Switch Form - deadline is Friday, January 7. A form must be completed for each student requesting a switch. Parents/caregivers and students who do not wish to make a change do not need to complete a form.
Elementary classes will reflect changes due to switches beginning on February 22, 2022. Whether you choose a switch in learning model or not, your child’s teacher or class (or school for virtual learning classes) may change due to a possible re-organization.
For more information, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/switchform or contact the Principal at your child’s school with any questions.
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Middle French Immersion Program – Grade 4 Entry
To apply for the Middle French Immersion Program (Grade 4 entry) for September 2022, applications must be completed online between January 3 and January 28, 2022.
An offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) is guaranteed to all on-time applicants and will be made in the weeks following the close of the application window.
Please note: Families with an older sibling currently enrolled in a French program and who will be in attendance next year are still required to complete an online application for the new student. Please select the “sibling option” within the online application.
Families can request interpretation services for this event in advance, by completing this online form before December 17, 2021.
Information about the Middle French Immersion Program is available in multiple languages. For details, please see the information package. For more information about French programs, the application process and important dates, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/french or click on Application Process.
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School Open Houses and Information Nights
Learn everything you need to know about our incredible variety of schools, programs and courses. Please note that some schools are hosting “live” virtual open houses that families can join in real time, during the specified date and time. Please check this page regularly, as schools will continue to post information about virtual open house dates/times and available pre-recorded information sessions. You can view the prerecorded sessions at any time by clicking the link provided. If you have questions about a specific school or open house, please contact the school directly for more information.
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Optional Attendance 2022-2023
Students who reside within the City of Toronto have the right to attend a school which is designated to serve their residential address. The "Find Your School" section of the website identifies the designated schools for each residential address. Students also have the opportunity to access schools outside of the school that is designated to serve their residential address by applying on optional attendance. Acceptance at these schools is subject to space availability and program suitability. Most schools in Ward 8 are closed to Optional Attendance.
If you are planning to apply to a TDSB Elementary school through the Optional Attendance process, please visit the TDSB Optional Attendance webpage to get up to date information.
Elementary Optional Attendance – Key Dates:- February 11, 2022 Optional attendance forms due at elementary school
- March 04, 2022 Deadline for parents/guardians to be informed of the status of the application request
- March 25, 2022Parents/guardians must inform the requested school of their acceptance of the offer
Secondary Optional Attendance – Key Dates:- January 28, 2022 Optional attendance forms due at secondary school
- February 11, 2022 Date for parents/guardians of students to be informed of the status of the application request
- February 22, 2022 Parents/guardians must inform the requested school of their acceptance of the offer via email and submit course selections via MyBlueprint
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Respect the Rules - No Dogs Allowed on School Grounds
Dogs are not allowed on school property at any time. Many people are surprised to learn that City of Toronto By-Laws and TDSB Policy prohibit dogs (leashed or unleashed) being on school property.
Please respect children’s play spaces. And please do not verbally abuse TDSB caretaking staff - I am hearing that when members of the public and caretakers onsite try and inform dog owners, they are met with threats and intimidation.
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School Year Calendar 2021-2022- The last day of class for elementary students is June 30, 2022
- The last day of class for secondary students is June 29, 2022
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