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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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| Week of September 26, 2021
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Finding common ground with others has never been harder. That is why now, more than ever, we must keep our hearts and minds open. - RH
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Get Your Shot!The most important thing we can continue to do for ourselves and others, especially children who can not yet be vaccinated is to get our shot. The TDSB will continue to help facilitate vaccination opportunities and clinics within our schools, together with local health partners as we have over recent months. This week's clinics for those born in 2009 and earlier are as follows - no appointment is needed. Please click here for details - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/School-Year-2021-22/Health-and-Safety/COVID-19-Vaccines.
In addition, in our Ward a vaccine clinic will be taking place over two days- Wednesday, September 29th from 3:00pm-8:30pm and Thursday, September 30th from 3:00pm-8:30pm at York-Fairbank Centre for Seniors (2213 Dufferin Street).
Learn More
- Learn more about vaccines for 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
- Book an 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)
Proof of Vaccination Came into Effect September 22
There is an easy way to convert your vaccination receipt from Ontario Ministry of Health to an Apple Wallet pass for easy access in the interim. Once Ontario's official app is released on Oct 22, you will be able to update the pass in Apple Wallet to the new one. Please click here for instructions - https://grassroots.vaccine-ontario.ca/.
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COVID-19 Staff Vaccination Status
The Ministry of Education requires all school board employees in Ontario to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status. Below, you will find TDSB staff disclosure data as of September 24, 2021. TDSB continues to contact staff directly to complete the attestation form. It’s thought that many of the those who have not yet completed the form are casual employees who may not have worked for the school board yet this school year. Of note, the TDSB is currently in the process of implementing a Mandatory Vaccine Procedure for staff, trustees and other individuals who have direct contact with staff or students at a TDSB workplace.
- Total number of individuals to which the policy will apply: 40,239 - 90% of employees have completed attestation
- Total number and percentage of individuals who have attested to being fully vaccinated: 32,059 or 88.45% and 1,190 or 3.28% are partially vaccinated
- Total number and percentage of individuals with approved medical exemptions for not being fully vaccinated: 0 or 0%
The TDSB continues to contact staff directly to complete the attestation form. It’s thought that many of the those who have not yet completed the form are casual employees who may not have worked for the school board yet this school year. Of note, the TDSB is currently in the process of implementing a Mandatory Vaccine Procedure for staff, trustees and other individuals who have direct contact with staff or students at a TDSB workplace.
Schools and administrative buildings now have received Rapid Antigen Test Kits, which are to be used by staff who are not completely vaccinated (i.e. 14 days past final vaccination) or who have not yet disclosed their COVID-19 vaccination status as required by the Ministry of Education and in compliance with the TDSB’s Mandatory Vaccination Procedure.
These tests are to be conducted by staff at home, and staff are to document their negative result in the TDSB Health Screening App (the Now Mobile app or on the health screening web portal), as part of their daily self-assessment each Monday and Thursday before attending work. Free rapid antigen tests continue to be available at pharmacies until Friday, October 1. Communication went out to Principals, Managers and staff who are required to do the rapid antigen tests, to inform them how to distribute and pick up these kits, keeping in mind that they need to respect the staff member’s privacy as much as possible.
We will continue to monitor opportunities that would provide staff and/or their families the opportunity to self monitor their COVID-19 status. And we will continue our advocacy to the government that COVID-19 vaccinations be added to the list of compulsory vaccinations for all eligible students.
COVID-19 Advisories
COVID-19 Advisories - This page provides a list of the active confirmed cases and resolved cases of COVID-19 among students and/or staff in TDSB schools. Please note that all schools where there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 will receive a letter from Toronto Public Health (TPH) to inform them about the possible exposure.
As of September 24, 1,372 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in publicly funded schools in the past 14 days. Of those cases, 1,203 are students, 158 are staff, and 11 are not identified. One of the 4,844 schools in the province is currently closed.
In the TDSB, as of September 24, 2021 at 6:10 p.m. there were 129 student cases and 19 cases within staff and 8 cases resolved.
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COVID-19 Guidance: Elementary & Secondary Schools
Toronto Public Health has updated their guidance as of September 23, 2021 at 5:45 p.m. To read the latest guidance click COVID-19 Guidance. The updates include extra-curricular activities such as sports, clubs, bands, and fields trips. They are now recommending the gradual return of extra-curriculars as schools establish routines and cohorts, and are confident in health and safety protocols. This is very encouraging news as we know how important these activities are to students’ mental and physical health and overall school experience. As staff at each school will need time to create plans to reintroduce extra-curriculars, the start of these activities will vary from school to school based on staff volunteers. We would ask for your continued patience and understanding as schools gradually get them up and running. Please note in the TDSB staff are prioritizing students who are eligible for the vaccine but are not requiring it as we believe that with appropriate health and safety measure in place, students should have equitable access.
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September 30th - First National Day of Truth & Reconciliation
This day of recognition was created by the federal government through the enactment of Bill C-5 in June to fulfill the 80th call to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which urges the creation of a statutory holiday to “ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.” It honours First Nations, Inuit and Métis residential school survivors, their families, and communities, as a vital part in the process of reconciliation. Traditionally, this date has been known as Orange Shirt Day.
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TDSB Will Open Boyne Natural Science School as Indigenous Land-Based Learning Site
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Urban Indigenous Education Centre (UIEC), with guidance from the Elders Council, will open the Boyne Natural Science School as an Indigenous Land-Based Learning site. Trustees unanimously supported the initiative during last Wednesday’s Regular Board Meeting.
This site is located on 308.5 acres of the Niagara Escarpment, adjacent to the Bruce Trail and the Boyne River Provincial Park. Its reopening supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action and supports Indigenous Education on The Land for all students, staff and Indigenous communities.
The Indigenous Land-Based Learning site, which will have one to two classes on location at a time will feature programming that focuses on holistic Indigenous health and well-being (physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual) in support of Indigenous student success. It will also include professional learning, community engagement, partnerships, curriculum resource development and innovation, research and development, and reconciliation through Indigenous perspectives. In the future, the TDSB anticipates the site can be restored to support larger groups for day and overnight programming when the pandemic allows.
The Boyne River Natural Science School site, which has remained vacant since 2003, is located on land designated by the Province as an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI), and most of the property is classified as Escarpment Natural under the Niagara Escarpment Plan. In 2017, the TDSB announced its original commitment of using the Boyne River site to support Indigenous Land-based learning and began work with planners to regain access to the site. On August 12, 2020 the site gained Royal Assent through a hearing with the Niagara Escarpment Commission to restore the designation of Institutional Use by the TDSB for “Indigenous uses of cultural significance and passive recreation uses.” While an exact timeline has not been confirmed visits to the site are expected to begin by mid-2022.
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Meetings This Week
September 22 (Wednesday) Governance & Policy Committee 4:30pm
September 22 (Wednesday) Special Finance, Budget & Enrolment Committee 7:00pm
- 4. 2021-22 Enrolment, Class Size and Staffing Update - To Follow
Note - as shared earlier this week, at this meeting staff will share details regarding ongoing work related to requests to change model of instruction, reorganization and class size.
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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. Policy development and reviews are carried out in accordance with the policy review schedule that is approved by the Board of Trustees and is revised on a regular basis. To view the latest Policy Review Schedule please click here.
Please click on the policy of your interest to see the current draft. You are welcome to provide your comments, including suggestions on the wording and provisions of the draft policies, questions or recommendations using the contact information below.
Parent and Community Involvement Policy
- Objective: To establish a framework for building and supporting parent and community involvement in the Toronto District School Board.
- We are currently reviewing P023 – Parent and Community Involvement Policy and are inviting feedback from our community as we develop the first draft of the policy. Learn more, and share your voice, at www.tdsbengage.ca
Specialized Schools and Programs Policy
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Let’s Connect About Mental Health and Well-Being - Back in School
Now that school has been back in for a couple of weeks, let’s connect about how it’s going, what questions you may have, what support you or child might find helpful. Join us for some small group conversations, led by our Professional Support Services staff, to help support you and your child as you return to school. Focused conversations include transitions in elementary school, transitions in high school, transitions for students with special/complex needs and the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and well-being of marginalized and racialized communities.
- Let’s Connect About Being Back in School
- Thursday, September 30
- 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
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Post-Secondary Information Session for Grade 12 Families
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
The TDSB invites families of Grade 12 students to attend an upcoming Post-Secondary Information Session. This session is aimed at helping parents/guardians and students better understand the post-secondary admissions process during COVID-19. This event is meant to support the post-secondary initiatives that schools are coordinating for their students locally. Grade 12 students and families are encouraged to direct any questions about post-secondary planning to their school Guidance Counsellors.
Following a brief overview of the post-secondary application process, participants will have the opportunity to hear from a number of GTA post-secondary institutions regarding their admissions process and how their institutions are addressing teaching and learning during the pandemic. Presenters include: Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, Ontario College Application Service, Centennial College, Seneca College, George Brown College, Humber College, University of Toronto, Ryerson University, York University
The following updates are important for potential graduates:
- The literacy requirement has been waived for 2021-2022 graduates this year.
- Community involvement hours have been reduced from 40 to 20 hours for graduates this year. Students are encouraged to participate in virtual community involvement opportunities (Ontario Volunteer Centre Network or Volunteer Toronto.)
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school Guidance Counsellor.
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Restarting School Immunization Program Clinics
Have a child in grade 7 & above attending in-person learning? Toronto Public Health is restarting its publicly funded school vaccination program to protect students in grades 7 and up from hepatitis B, human papillomavirus and meningococcal disease. Starting September 14, students can receive these vaccinations by appointment only at city-run immunization sites. You can now book their appointment here http://tphbookings.ca.
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Parents & Caregivers as Partners - Request for Workshop Proposals
This year, we encourage other school districts, schools, School Councils, administrators, teachers, community-based organizations, researchers, and parents/caregivers to join us in focusing on solutions that enhance and expand engagement through family-school-community partnerships. With plenaries, workshops, micro sessions, and more, participants will be immersed in many examples of high-impact engagement work taking place across the province.
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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.
As children begin to go back to school, please respect children’s play spaces. And please do not verbally abuse TDSB caretaking staff - I am hearing that when caretakers onsite try and inform dog owners, they are met with threats and intimidation.
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School Year Calendar 2021-2022- Thanksgiving - October 11, 2021
- Board-wide PA Day - November 19, 2021
- The last day before the Winter Break is December 17, 2021
- First day back from Winter Break is January 3, 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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