Thank you to everyone who attended my December Ward Forum to provide your feedback, questions, and ideas as we plan for the new year ahead. If you were unable to attend, you can find out what was discussed by reading the meeting notes. I am currently planning ward forums for the new year and invite everyone to provide ideas for guest speakers or workshops topics for families and school councils by emailing me at Trixie.Doyle@tdsb.on.ca.
We are now entering into the winter break and although this year's celebrations may not look like the ones we've had in the past, I hope everyone is able to find the time to rest, relax, and find new ways to connect with your families and friends virtually. However you celebrate the season, I hope you have a safe and happy holiday!
Cheers,Trixie Doyle
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Remote Learning Preparation
As cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in Toronto, there is a possibility that more individual classes, schools or the entire system will have to move to remote learning for a period of time. As a result, the TDSB is planning ahead for the return to school in January.
The Board has received no indication that schools will close after the winter break, but it is best to be as prepared as possible for any changes in the new year so that we can continue to support our students’ learning and well-being.
ANY DECISION ON THE CLOSURE OF A SCHOOL OR THE SYSTEM IS MADE BASED ON THE ADVICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS OR THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT AND IS NOT MADE BY THE TDSB.
Some ways you can help prepare your family for a shift to virtual learning:
- Bring home any belongings your child has at school before the winter break begins.
- If you don’t have a working device at home, please contact your school to let them know you need a device.
- If you have not been receiving emails from the TDSB or your child’s school (for example, the latest notice to parents) please contact your school to ensure they have your correct email address.
- Login to your teacher’s online platform to confirm you have access. Your child should have done this with their teacher.
- Find links to help you learn more about the online platforms here.
- Bookmark the IT support page.
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Update for our virtual learners: Winter Break IT Support
The TDSB Parent Support Line (416-396-9100) and the Student WebChat will be closed during the Winter Break and will re-open on Monday, January 4 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
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| Mental Health & Well-being Resources for the Holidays
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Winter Well-Being: Tips & Resources
There are lots of great activities to enjoy, both indoors and out, and it may be an opportunity to explore new places or try new experiences or activities.
It has information about:
- Mental Health and Well-Being Resources
- Winter Programming/Activities in the City for Families
- Health and Physical Education Resources
- Stay at Home Activities
- Resources For Youth
- Resources For Students with Special Needs
- Tip Sheet For Families Celebrating A Holiday
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Toronto Public Health Holiday Guide
Toronto is still under Lockdown (Grey Zone under the Provincial COVID-19 Response Framework). Toronto Public Health has prepared a Holiday Guide with information on how you and your family can safely plan for and celebrate the holiday season this year. The Holiday Guide includes information on:
- Shopping and gift giving.
- Alternative ways to celebrate with family and friends.
- Making events memorable.
- Accessing religious rites and services.
- Managing holiday stress.
- Making donations.
Additional information about gift giving and celebrations specific to the school community is available here.
You can also find information on school protocols, screening, what to do if your child has symptoms, letters to parents, and other resources on the Toronto Public Health Information for Parents & Caregivers webpage.
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Hearts & Minds Newsletter
From TDSB Psychological Services to Your Family, please see the December edition of the Hearts and Minds Newsletter.
This December issue invites you and your family to slow down, savour small moments, and focus on gratitude and reflection through conversation, mindfulness, & finding our inner child this winter season.
Also included is a Winter Activity Calendar with lots of great ideas for family fun!
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Elementary Switching Update & Survey
The next opportunity to request a switch between in-person learning and virtual learning was originally scheduled for the end of January (to take effect February 16). At this time, staff are requesting that parents/guardians complete a switching survey to indicate if your child is interested in switching at the next opportunity. Please note that this survey does not guarantee that a switch will be possible. The information gathered will help inform our decision-making for this last opportunity to switch for the 2020-2021 school year.
Please respond no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, January 4, 2021.
PARENT LETTER
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Secondary Quad 3 Switching Update
SWITCHING FROM IN-PERSON TO VIRTUALStudents who are registered at in-person schools who would like to switch to a virtual model for Quadmester 3 will be accommodated with a virtual option at their current in-person school for the remainder of the school year. As was the case for Quadmester 2, the school-based virtual learning model at schools will vary from class to class and will depend on factors such as the number of students wishing to learn virtually and the available courses. Students and families will receive additional information directly from their school, including specific directions regarding how to request a switch.
SWITCHING FROM VIRTUAL TO IN-PERSONStudents who are currently registered in the Virtual Secondary School and would like to return to in-person learning must contact the guidance counsellor at the in-person school by January 11, 2021, to see if a timetable can be created for the specific courses they have requested for Quadmesters 3 and 4. If a timetable can be created, a transfer to the in-person school will be facilitated. Please note that space may be limited, and a transfer may not be possible.
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Central Nutrition Pantry Opens for TDSB Students and Families
To help support students and families, the Toronto Foundation for Student Success (TFSS) has launched the Central Nutrition Pantry. This initiative, supported heavily by TDSB’s Logistics Services, gets nutritious food in the hands of students and families who need it the most.
In the absence of numerous student nutrition programs that haven’t been able to open this year, the Central Nutrition Pantry is helping to fill this gap. The TFSS’ Central Nutrition Pantry is fueled by donations as well as bulk purchases of food. TFSS staff assemble deliveries for schools and then Logistics Services picks up the school deliveries and ensures it gets to students attending in-person classes.
In just one week, 12,995 students in nearly 30 schools have received ready-to-eat snacks. More than 32,500 food items were delivered for a total retail value of nearly $75,000. There are still more than 70 schools on the waitlist, and the TDSB Logistics Services team will keep making deliveries in support of TFSS as long as food is available, to reach as many of them as possible.
Please consider donating to support student nutrition - https://tfss.ca/donate/.
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TDSB & Ministry of Eduction Budget: Feedback Requests
TDSB: In the past weeks, staff presented the 2021-22 Strategic Budget Drivers and the Ministry of Education Funding Guide to Trustees, to the TDSB Community Advisory Communities, and to SEAC (the Special Education Advisory Committee) and PIAC (the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee).
Feedback relating to the TDSB's budget strategic drivers will help guide decisions around the 2021-22 budget development process. Please kindly submit your feedback on these proposed budget strategic drivers through a survey form by January 31, 2021.
Ministry of Education: On December 3, 2020, the Ministry of Education also released the 2021-22 Education Funding Guide to school boards. If you would like to provide feedback around the Education Funding Guide, please kindly submit them through this survey link, by January 8, 2021. Staff can incorporate the feedback into the draft submission for review and approval at the Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee meeting on January 20 2021, prior to the submitting the Board feedback to the Ministry.
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The optional attendance status for all schools for 2021-22 is now posted on the TDSB public website - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/School/Optional-Attendance. Optional Attendance Forms are available from your current school.
If you choose to apply for optional attendance you should know:
- You will be responsible for your own transportation.
- You may only apply to two regular and two specialized schools/programs.
- You may not apply to a school that is not permitted to receive applications (i.e. closed schools). A list of those schools is produced by mid-January.
- A school/program that receives more applications than it has space will run a lottery to determine the successful applicants.
- Once you accept an offer of admission to a regular school through Optional Attendance, it becomes your home school and you are expected to remain there until graduation. For specialized schools/program and alternative schools, you may return to your designated school by address at an appropriate intake opportunity (i.e. semester change, end of term)
Elementary Optional Attendance – Key Dates:
- February 12, 2021 - Optional attendance forms due at elementary school
- March 05, 2021 - Deadline for parents/guardians to be informed of the status of the application request
- March 26, 2021 - Parents/guardians must inform the requested school of their acceptance of the offer
Secondary Optional Attendance – Key Dates:
- January 29, 2021 - Optional attendance forms due at secondary school
- February 12, 2021 - Deadline for parents/guardians of students to be informed of the status of the application request
- February 26, 2021 - Course selection sheets due at secondary schools
- March 1, 2021: Course selection sheets due at secondary schools via myBlueprint
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School Year Calendar 2020-2021
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 & 22Quad 4: April 23 - June 23 + exams June 24, 25 & 28
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