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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 December 12, 2021
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"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love."-Hamilton Wright Mabie
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In this Issue (last of 2021):- Happy Holiday Wishes
- COVID-19 Update
- COVID-19 Vaccine - Children 5-11
- New Government Measures Announced
- Wednesday's Board Meeting
- Update on Fundraising in Schools
- Important Information for Families of Grade 3 Students (Middle French Immersion Program – Grade 4 Entry)
- Winter Well-Being Guide
- Optional Attendance 2022-2023
- TDSB’s Guide to Special Education is now Translated into 10 Languages
- New Invitations - Parents/Caregivers Needed to Participate in Vice-Principal Interviews; Virtual Community Fair About Autism; Policy Consultation - Anti-Sex Trafficking Policy; Policy Consultation - Specialized Schools and Programs Policy
- Items From Last Week - Worth Repeating - Switching Form - Elementary Term 2; School Open Houses and Information Nights; Restarting School Immunization Programs; No Dogs Allowed on School Property; TDSB Winter Clothing Drive
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| Last Day of Class in 2021 - December 17
First Day of Class in 2022 - January 3Please watch for my next update on January 2, 2022
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Administrative Changes
Principal and Vice-Principal Changes in Ward 8
Staff changes were approved at Board on December 8. The following are the leadership changes in Ward 8 schools effective January 3, 2022:
- Davisville Jr PS/Spectrum Alternative Sr School - Shona Farrelley, Principal at Davisville/Spectrum has retired; David Finkelstein, Principal at Cosburn MS is being transferred to Principal at Davisville Jr PS/Spectrum Alternative Sr School
- Winona Dr SS - Thelma Sambrook, Principal at Winona has retired; Elizabeth Aiello, Vice-Principal at Eglinton has been promoted to Principal at Winona; Diahann Clarke, Teacher at Cottingham Jr PS has been promoted to Vice-Principal at Eglinton
- Flemington PS and Lawrence Heights MS - Stephen Scott, Vice-Principal at Flemington and Lawrence Heights has been transferred to Vice-Principal at Ledbury Park E & MS; Tracey Belleau, Teacher Centrally Assigned has been promoted to Vice-Principal at Flemington and Lawrence Heights
Warm wishes to Shona and Thelma on their retirements - thank you for your contributions to public education. Congratulations to those promoted and to those transferring in. We have great community schools with engaged students, parents/caregivers and communities and excellent staff who value equity, learning and well-being… hope you will enjoy your time supporting students, staff and community in our schools.
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COVID-19 UpdateVaccines have always been about public health. It’s not about you. It’s about us.
How to Book
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)
Vaccine Hunters - Do-it-yourself resource for finding vaccine related info. Find details on eligibility, appointments, walk-ins, pharmacy search tools, vaccine receipts + more!
COVID-19 AdvisoriesCOVID-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 December 10, 2021 2,156 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Ontario's publicly funded schools in the past 14 days. Of those cases, 1,957 are students, 201 are staff, and 28 are not identified. Sixteen of the 4,844 schools in the province are currently closed.
- In the TDSB, as of December 10, 2021 at 5:05 p.m. there were 415 student cases and 51 staff cases with 428 cases resolved. Wilkinson Jr PS remains closed to allow TPH additional time to investigate.
COVID-19 Staff Vaccination Status
The Ministry of Education requires all school board employees in Ontario to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status. The TDSB has implemented COVID-19 Vaccination Procedure for Staff, Trustees and Other Individuals (PR734) to support the health and safety of staff and students in our schools and workplaces. Below, is the TDSB staff disclosure data as of 5 p.m., December 10, 2021.
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COVID-19 Vaccine -Children 5-11
Children aged five to 11 are eligible to book their appointment to receive the vaccine. To get answers to their questions, parents, caregivers and children are encouraged to call the Provincial Vaccine Confidence Line that can be accessed by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900, or visit COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service to book a confidential phone appointment with a SickKids clinician.
There are multiple places to get a COVID-19 vaccine, including at mobile school clinics, developed in partnership between Team Toronto partners, Toronto Public Health (TPH) and the city’s four public school boards, including the TDSB. 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. Please see A Parent's Guide to Vaccination.
Please Note
Although the recommended second dose is 8 weeks after the first dose, my understanding is parents can give informed consent for their child to receive their second dose after 28 days when they book at the provincial booking centre - 1-833-943-3900.
Rapid Antigen Tests
We have started to send students home with a box of 5 rapid tests. Thanks to Kimiko Shibata's Tweet, here is a straight-forward deck with visuals and videos to show you how and when to use the rapid tests. The Ministry of Education only provided school boards with rapid antigen tests for the use of students over the holidays. Unfortunately, I’m not sure why they wouldn’t have included staff.
Travel Policies
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New Government Measures Announced
From OPSBA, December 10 - Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore announced a slate of new measures intended to slow the spread of COVID-19, in the face of rapidly rising case numbers, ICU admissions, and the arrival of the Omicron variant. These measures include:
- Delaying the lifting of proof of vaccination requirements beyond January 17, aligned with the reopening plan that stipulated that doing so was contingent on the absence of concerning trends.
- Effective January 4, requiring the use of the enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code and the Verify Ontario app in settings where proof of vaccination is required. The QR code can be used digitally or by printing a paper copy. Individuals can download their enhanced certificate with QR code by visiting https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/.
- Strengthening the verification process for medical exemptions and clinical trial exemptions by requiring a certificate with a QR code. Organizations and businesses that are under the provincial proof-of-vaccination system will be advised to no longer accept physician notes as of January 10.
- Effective December 20, requiring proof of vaccination for youth aged 12 to 17 years participating in organized sports at recreational facilities.
- Ontarians are strongly advised to limit their social gatherings and the number of gatherings they attend over the holiday season. Additional precautions should be taken if all individuals are not fully vaccinated or where vaccination status is unknown. Employers in all industries should make every effort to allow employees to work from home.
- The province is launching a holiday testing blitz next week to offer voluntary rapid antigen screening to asymptomatic individuals free of charge. Two million rapid tests will be provided at pop-up testing sites in high-traffic settings such as malls, retail settings, holiday markets and transit hubs.
- On December 13 at 8 a.m., individuals aged 50 and over will be eligible to schedule their booster dose appointment. This will expand booster eligibility to approximately 5.5 million people. Expanded booster dose eligibility to all Ontarians 18 years of age and older will occur on January 4, with appointments to be booked approximately six months after receiving a second dose.
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Wednesday's Board Meeting
We knew going in to Wednesday's Board Meeting, that there were strong opinions on what we should do with the Integrity Commissioner's Report - we received thousands of emails - it was up to each trustee having read the IC Report to determine whether or not there was a Trustee Code of Conduct breech - I understand there were more than 3,600 page views of the live webcast page - with the public watching we discussed and we voted. Thankfully the highly emotional issues did not obscure the examination of the Code itself and the Board decided that the Integrity Commissioner’s finding, as presented in the report be rejected.
Following the vote, Trustees unanimously supported a motion - Combating Hate and Promoting Understanding, that supported the Director's plans put forward in her remarks.
"This will be a long and difficult road to navigate. Racism and hate will surely serve as detours on our journey. Our actions will be imperfect and perhaps even fall short on occasion but we should always be guided in the shared purpose of the students we have the privilege of educating... Collectively, we have the responsibility to raise critical and independent thinkers who feel confident in their identities and have the ability to uphold the dignity and human rights of others. This is a goal worth striving for even in the face of adversity and opposition, over and over again." - Director Russell-Rawlins
Should you wish to read more, please find links to the Director's comments, my planned remarks for the Meeting as well as the Summary of Decisions that include the Motion that was passed.
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Update on Fundraising in Schools
School generated funds are used to complement but not replace public funding for education and can be used for items not funded through the school’s budget. For example, they can be used for student subsidies, donations to external charities, expenditures for co-curricular or before and after school activities, student nutrition programs and school yard improvements. They cannot be used for expenses such as core curriculum materials, capital infrastructure improvements, gifts or compensation to TDSB employees and school council members, or political activities.
What is critical to remind School Councils is that funds must be raised for specific purposes and spent according to the purposes communicated.
Due to the pandemic, many schools have funds carried over from prior years that may not be fully spent this year and schools are permitted to continue carrying over the funds. However, staff strongly recommend schools work out a plan on spending the funds in the current year to benefit current students, especially if those intended purposes of the funds raised were already communicated / approved when the fundraising took place.
This report also analyzes the impact of Learning Opportunity Index (LOI - ranking of schools based on external challenges affecting student success) on school budgets and school generated funds. There is a direct correlation between LOI and the fundraising revenues at each school. For that reason, the board differentiates funding to schools based on the LOI. Appendix E and Appendix F, demonstrates that the school budget allocation process has been effective in mitigating the impact of fundraising disparities associated with LOI.
Appendix F shows the complete flattening of the curve in the 2018-19 pre-pandemic year. This shows the differentiated budget allocation process was effective in addressing the fundraising disparities. However, in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years, due to the pandemic and the fact that fundraising revenues in all schools dropped by a total of about 45.6% and 83.3%, the graph’s curve slanted upwards, meaning that schools in less affluent areas had a higher funding per pupil amount compared to those in more affluent areas, as a result of the design of the differentiated budget allocation model.
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Important Information for Families of Grade 3 Students (Middle French Immersion Program – Grade 4 Entry)
For families interested in the Toronto District School Board's system-wide Middle French Immersion Program (begins in Grade 4), we offer an online process to apply. 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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Winter Well-Being Guide
Parents and caregivers may be wondering what we can do to help keep our children active and healthy, and to positively support their mental health and well-being. 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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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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TDSB’s Guide to Special Education is now Translated into 10 Languages
Special Education continues to identify and interrupt barriers for families, in regard to how parents/guardians can access special education information. The Guide to Special Education for Parents/Guardians provides information about support and services for students with special education needs.
The document identifies the processes such as the Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC) procedures involved in identifying a student as “exceptional”, deciding on program placement, and appealing such decisions when parents do not agree with the IPRC.
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Parents/Caregivers Needed to Participate in Vice-Principal Interviews
The Toronto District School Board is currently recruiting for parents/caregivers/guardians who are interested in participating on the Vice-Principal Interview Committees.
If you would like to volunteer to participate in the Spring 2022 Vice-Principal interviews you are required to do the following:
- Complete the Expression of Interest PVP Spring 2022 (link -https://bit.ly/PVPSpring22) no later than Monday, December 13, 2021.
- Be available for the virtual VP Process and Interview Training Session scheduled for Tuesday, February 8, 2022 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Virtual Zoom Meeting. Please note attendance at a training session is mandatory in order to participate as a Parent/Guardian Representative on a Vice-Principal Interview Team.
- Be available for the Spring 2022 cycle - interviews for Elementary Vice-Principal and Secondary Vice-Principal will be held on two of the three planned interview dates below:
- Tuesday, February 22, 2022
- Wednesday, February 24, 2022
- TBC
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Virtual Community Fair About Autism
TDSB’s Social Work Services Team is hosting a Virtual Community Fair about Autism (Let’s talk about Autism Resources and Funding) on December 15 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 p.m [click to join via Zoom].
The Virtual Fair will give parents/caregivers an opportunity to talk to persons representing key organizations that support students with:
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Policy Consultation - Anti-Sex Trafficking Policy
The draft Anti-Sex Trafficking Policy supports implementation of the Ministry of Education’s Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 166: Keeping Students Safe: Policy Framework for School Board Anti-Sex Trafficking Protocols. The draft Policy supports protecting students from sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. The PPM 166 outlines school communities are key in building, supporting and providing culturally safe, nurturing, positive learning and working environments though the implementation of anti-sex trafficking programs and strategies, enhancing and creating partnerships with culturally responsive community partners and teaching students about healthy relationships.
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Policy Consultation - Specialized Schools and Programs Policy
This Policy is to affirm the Board’s commitment to providing focused specialized programming in both local schools and in district-wide specialized schools or programs, and to improving access for all students to these programs.
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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 between Friday, December 3 and 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.
If you are considering a switch, please speak with your child before submitting a Switch Form. We expect that parents/caregivers with shared decision-making responsibilities will come to an agreement before completing the form. We recognize that we are asking for this decision well in advance of February and thank you for your understanding, as this process takes time to complete. While we cannot guarantee that all switch requests will be met, it is our goal to accommodate as many as possible based on available programs and space (e.g. French Immersion, Extended French, Specialized Programs, Alternative Schools, other limited circumstances).
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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School Open Houses and Information Nights
To help you make an informed decision when choosing a school, TDSB schools will host virtual open houses and information sessions (live or pre-recorded) for parents/guardians and students between November and January. 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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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. 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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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 caretakers onsite try and inform dog owners, they are met with threats and intimidation.
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TDSB Winter Clothing Drive
Please note this drive is for cash donations or in-kind new clothing.
Our need for winter outerwear is greater this year. Canada is welcoming newcomer families from Afghanistan and the TDSB is welcoming many of these newly arrived students into our schools. The newcomer students are adjusting to their first Canadian winter and can benefit from your generous support. The students need proper winter outerwear such as coats, boots, mitts and hats to be able to attend school. This year’s Winter Clothing Drive will run from October 2021 to the end of February 2022. Donations are accepted.
We will also accept new winter outwear items. Due to potential health & safety, hygiene, sorting and storage limitations, the TDSB can only accept new clothing items. Tax receipts are available for these donations. Contact the Business Development department at BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca for more information about how to donate new outwear items. 100% of all proceeds and in-kind donations go to benefit our students.
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School Year Calendar 2021-2022- 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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