Beyond 8: Grade 8 to 9 Transition
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Virtual Open Houses and Information Sessions
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. Some schools have pre-recorded information sessions that you can view 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.
Note: Please check this page regularly, as schools will continue to post information about virtual open house dates/times and available pre-recorded information sessions.
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Post-Secondary Information Session
To help families make sense of the post-secondary admissions process during COVID-19, the TDSB will be hosting a Post-Secondary Information Session for Parents that focuses on the OUAC (Ontario University Application Centre) and OCAS (Ontario Colleges Application Service) application process and important information related to how applications and admissions are being managed during COVID-19.
This event will take place on Tuesday, November 24 at 7:00pm to 8:15pm, via Zoom. Click here to join the event on Tuesday evening (Passcode: 130289). The Zoom will be available for joining at 6:45pm. Families who require an interpreter can click here to request Interpretation Services for the event.
Important updates for potential graduates:
The literacy requirement has been waived for a 2020-2021 graduate this yearCommunity involvement hours have been reduced from 40 to 20 hours for graduates this year, students are encouraged to participate in virtual community involvement opportunities (www.sparkontario.ca, www.volunteertoronto.ca) Given that many schools have moved to a Quadmester system, most universities will make conditional offers of admission on a rolling basis using a combination of Grade 11 and available Grade 12 marks
For up-to-date information about school- or program-specific information, please visit the website for the post-secondary institutions
For contact information for the colleges in Ontario, click hereFor contact information for the universities in Ontario, click here
The Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) and OntarioColleges.ca provide updates about the admissions process for Ontario universities and colleges on their websites. Please visit the following websites for information about how post-secondary institutions are approaching the admissions process during COVID-19
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Elementary Virtual Schools UpdateThank you to all the virtual school families and the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) for sharing their feedback on virtual school communications and advocating for more virtual family engagement. While more work is still to be done, the Board has added dozens of Vice-Principals, shortening the response time in returning phone calls and e-mails, and last week two new Superintendents (Shirley Chan and Ian Allison) have joined the virtual school team. Virtual families can find the updated Virtual School Administration Contact List with Grade Assignments and Areas of Responsibility here. Please note our ward is part of Learning Centre 2. Last week also saw the distribution of the first Elementary Virtual School Family Newsletter.
Switching Between Elementary Virtual & In-Person School - Updated Criteria Requests to switch into the Elementary Virtual School prior to the next formal opportunity (February 16th) will be reviewed based on space availability and compassionate grounds. Learn more about NEW criteria for switching here.
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Secondary Virtual School Update
Quadmester 1 Final Report Cards Final report cards will be emailed to students and parents. At this time, we are aiming to have reports emailed to parents the week of November 30-December 4, 2020. Details to follow.
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*NEW* Virtual Schools Code of ConductVirtual learning is a new experience for students, teachers and parents/guardians in response to COVID-19. While virtual learning is taking place at home, the same responsibilities and expectations of students and parents/guardians apply as they do for in-person learning. This includes existing board policies and procedures such as the TDSB Online Code of Conduct.
Outlined within the new TDSB Virtual Schools Code of Conduct are guidelines and expectations for schools/educators, students and parents/guardians. This document has been provided to all Elementary and Secondary Virtual School Principals/Vice Principals and teachers to share with families and students.
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French Programs - Online RegistrationFor families interested in the Toronto District School Board's system-wide French Programs, TDSB offers an online process to apply for Early French Immersion (begins in Senior Kindergarten) and Middle French Immersion (begins in Grade 4). An offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) is guaranteed to all on-time applicants. The timelines for applying for these programs for September 2021 are:
Early French Immersion: Applications must be completed online between November 2 and November 27, 2020.
Middle French Immersion: Applications must be completed online between January 4 and January 29, 2021.
Offers of placement within your chosen program (not a specific school) will be made to all on-time applicants in the weeks following the close of the application window. Families with an older sibling currently in a French program are still required to complete an online application for the new student.
Applications for the Early French Immersion (SK entry) program must be completed online by November 27, 2020 (do NOT wait until the last days as missing the date can mean losing a place in French Immersion).
For more information, click for the Application Process, archived web chats, and general information about French Programs.
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Active COVID-19 in Schools Advisory
The Toronto District School Board is committed to providing up-to-date information about confirmed cases of COVID-19 in schools (students and staff).
Please note that all schools where there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 will receive a letter from Toronto Public Health to inform them about the possible exposure. If individuals or classes need to quarantine or self-isolate, they will be informed specifically.
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Mechanical Ventilation Systems in TDSB SchoolsPlease see the list of TDSB schools with information regarding the current status of mechanical ventilation systems. As you will see from the list, several schools are identified as having “partial mechanical” ventilation systems. These are schools that have mechanical ventilation in certain rooms or spaces, but not in the entire building. Schools with partial mechanical ventilation and schools without mechanical ventilation have received or will be receiving HEPA units purchased by the TDSB.
Facility Team Leaders have reviewed all schools to confirm the status of mechanical ventilation systems and have been responding to school inquiries about ventilation and/or HEPA units. More information about HEPA units in TDSB schools can be found on the website, including a Q&A.
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Taking K-12 Teaching Outside in WinterThursday December 3, 2020
(4pm - 5pm)
Many teachers are discovering that outdoor learning is a wonderful way to support the health and wellbeing of their students (and themselves) during the pandemic. But how do you continue to take students outside to learn in the cold weather months?
Learn from a panel of experienced TDSB outdoor educators including Elizabeth (Biz) Ahrens, Amy Wilson, Tina Packer, and Daniel Divito as they share teaching strategies and curriculum connections to support outdoor learning in the winter.
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Special Education & Inclusion UpdateIPRC/SEPRC Structure 2020-2021Local (School-Based) IPRCs and SEPRCSystem (Learning Centre) IPRC for Reviews and Original IPRCsSystem (Learning Centre) IPRC –Special Education CAP ChairedGrade 8 to 9 Transitions for Students in Intensive Support Programs (ISP)Annual IPRC (Review) for Exceptional Students
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International Languages Elementary & African
Heritage ProgramsInternational Languages Elementary & African Heritage Program is an enriching learning experience for K-8 students to learn a new language and discover other cultures. Open to all TDSB and non-TDSB students, programs are currently offered online and there is no language background necessary.
Registration is ongoing and can be done online by visiting www.ileprograms.ca.
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Student Senate Elections
The Toronto District School Board is pleased to announce that the Student Senate Election for 2020-21 will be held on Tuesday, January 26 and Wednesday, January 28, including the positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, Communications Officer, Conference Chair, Alternative School Rep and Learning Centre Reps (In-person Learning and Virtual School).
The mandate of Student Senate is to provide consistent, responsive representation of all TDSB students at the appropriate levels, and to help ensure students' needs and interests are met with the proper attention. This year, to reflect the voices of all students and the way education is currently delivered due to COVID-19, each Learning Centre will have a rep from in-person learning and virtual school.
Interested students are asked to apply online by Friday, December 4
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Update on IB FeesAt the TDSB Board meeting on November 11, Trustees approved the suspension of the $1,500 program fee for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program for the 2021-22 school year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. IB fees for the current 2020-21 school year were previously suspended. Learn more about the IB Program at the TDSB.
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School Year Calendar 2020-2021Many of you will have heard rumblings of potential school closures or an elongated winter break in the news. The Province has jurisdiction over the school calendar and the closing of school. As of last week, the Minister of Education stated that at this point in time, he had no plans for an elongated winter break. Should the government announce any change to our schedule or model (such as a pivot to full virtual learning), the TDSB will communicate widely.
The official school year calendar for the Toronto District School Board runs from September 1 to June 30.
The last day of class for elementary students is June 29
Secondary Quadmester CalendarQuad 2: Nov. 23 - Feb 4 Quad 3: Feb 8 - April 20 + exams April 21 & 22
Quad 4: April 23 - June 23 + exams June 24, 25 & 28
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