This Week's Update- National Indigenous Peoples Day - June 21
- Covid-19 Update
- Modified Semester Model to begin 2021-22
- Learning Model Selection for 2021-22 School Year
- Committee Meetings this Week
- COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Plan
- Yonge-Eglinton Phase 2 Program Area Review
- Canada Square Working Group Achieves A New Vision for Yonge-Eglinton
- Happy Father's Day!
New Invitations - Let’s Connect about Mental Health and Well-Being!
- 2-1-1
Worth Repeating - Return of Borrowed Student Devices
- tdsbCREATES Virtual Showcase
- Remembering the 215 Children: An Indigenous and Jewish Memorial
- Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement - Focus Groups Invitation
- Development Committee’s (K-12 SDC) Initial Recommendations Report Consultation
- Summer 2021 Well-Being Guide
- Policy Consultations
- Secondary Alternative Schools
- Celebrate PRIDE Every Day
- National Indigenous History Month
- School Year Calendar
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National Indigenous Peoples Day - June 21
This June 21, 2021 is the national 25th anniversary of celebrating the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. June 21st is a day of significance for many Indigenous Peoples as it marks the day when the Sun is closest to the Earth. It is the longest day of the year and the shortest night. Many First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples celebrate Summer Solstice. It is a time that reminds us to remain grounded, humble and appreciative.
On Monday, June 21, 2021, the City of Toronto presents a virtual event to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, while following COVID-19 restrictions and public health guidance. It will coincide with a Sunrise Ceremony led by Elders Jimmy Dick and Marie Gaudet, which will not be filmed due to its sacred and personal nature. The video will be available here starting at 5:30 a.m. and afterwards for on-demand viewing any time.
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COVID-19 UpdateEveryone 12 years of age and older is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As of June 18, nearly 58% of youth 12-17 had their first dose - and as of the 19th, 75% of Torontonians had their first dose and 25% have been fully vaccinated.
To date, the TDSB, together with local health partners, has hosted over 200 vaccine and testing clinics in our schools. Based on information provided by Toronto Public Health (TPH), areas in the northwest part of Toronto would benefit from additional school-based vaccine clinics and we are working with TPH to identify additional schools in these area where clinics could be offered as soon as possible. Together with TPH, staff are exploring strategies, including translations, to better focus communications in these areas to increase vaccine uptake. This would build upon existing vaccine-related communications that the TDSB has already shared with families from TPH and the Ministry of Education. For the deck that Toronto Public Health presented at last week's Special Planning & Priorities Meeting, click here. More resources -
We are doing everything possible to ensure educators and all students 12+ have access to be fully vaccinated before the start of the 2021-22 school year and plan more clinics throughout the summer. Although some tests are happening now for vaccines for children under 12, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has stated a vaccine isn't expected until 2022. There will be more on health and safety protocols from Toronto Public Health in mid-August. We are also hoping to have saliva-based COVID-19 tests available in our schools this Fall in partnership with Sick Kids.
For more information on vaccines call Toronto Public Health 416-338-7600 8:30 am to 8:00 pm / 7 days a week. Text the word VACCINE to 1-833-750-0888 to be connected with resources including appointment bookings & information on vaccines. Visit toronto.ca/covid19.
The City is opening up 30,000 appointments at city-run immunization clinics that will open in the provincial booking system for the week of June 21. And on Monday, the remaining 60,000 appointments will open for the week of June 28. This is for the Moderna vaccine (the current supply of Pfizer is being saved for youth 12-18).
As of Monday, June 21, 2021 at 8:00am, all Ontarians who received their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine on or before May 9, 2021 will be eligible to book or rebook their second dose appointment at a shortened interval. As of Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 8:00am, individuals who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine on or before May 30, 2021 and who live in the catchment area of one of the 10 public health units identified as Delta hot spots (Durham, Halton, Hamilton, Peel, Porcupine, Simcoe-Muskoka, Toronto, Waterloo, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, and York public health units) will be eligible to book or rebook their second dose appointment at a shortened interval. Starting the week of June 28, 2021 (days / sequence to be confirmed) all Ontarians aged 18 and over who have received their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine will be eligible to book their second dose appointment. The appointment will be scheduled at least 28 days after the first dose, per the recommended interval.
Learn the latest about eligibility for first and second doses and where to get vaccinated. And eligible groups can use Ontario’s vaccine booking system to find out how to schedule an appointment, or can call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line number at 1-833-943-3900. For general inquiries, individuals can call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line number at 1-888-999-6488 or TTY service is also available by calling 1-866-797-0007. Youi can also visit ontario.ca/pharmacycovidvaccine to find a pharmacy offering a COVID-19 vaccine and to book an appointment.
And please, if you are on Twitter, follow Vaccine Hunters Canada @VaxHuntersCan! Vaccine Hunters. On Friday, they announced the launch of their multilingual website Find Your Immunization (“FYI”) , providing vaccine availability from pharmacies, pop-ups, and clinics Canada-wide. A user can utilize FYI to find the nearest appointment and availability to them, view information like booking method, vaccine type, dose number, and then book the appointment.
Note, we are still in Step One of the province's Roadmap to Reopen. This includes the following:
- Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 10 people
- Outdoor dining for up to 4 people per table
- Essential retail capacity at 25%
- Non-essential retail capacity at 15%
- Religious services, rites and ceremonies indoors at 15% capacity and outdoors with capacity limited to permit physical distancing of 2 metres
- Outdoor sports training (no games or practices), fitness classes and personal training up to 10 people
- Day camps
- Overnight camping at campgrounds and campsites, including Ontario Parks and short-term rentals
- Outdoor horse racing and motor speedways without spectators
- Outdoor pools and wading pools
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Modified Semester Model to begin 2021-22
At the Special Planning & Priorities Committee Meeting last Tuesday, staff presented a modified semester model for secondary schools to start the 2021-22 school year. In this model, students will take four courses, two each during alternating weeks. They will continue to be cohorted but will now be part of four cohorts (one for each class). Class sizes will return to the regular class sizes (dependent on grade, level and subject) and all learning will either be fully in-person, or fully virtual, depending on the selection that parents make in August.
Staff consider the modified semester the best possible model to transition back in fall 2021. Note the Ministry of Education provided us guidelines that indicated a maximum of 2 cohorts per day and Toronto Public Health (TPH) provided guidelines that indicated 48 hours between cohorts. A 45 min lunch reduces mixing and it is important to note that supervision is a challenge over lunch period as only administration and school-based safety monitors would be available for supervision. Our hope is to return to a regular semester model in semester 2. Regarding the 2:45pm dismissal, that time of day will allow students to participate in sports, clubs, etc. earlier once those opportunities are reinstated. Overall, it was a difficult conclusion, but stakeholder groups including the Student Senate were consulted, their concerns were discussed and addressed and we leaned toward TPH requirements to guide our decision making. The Ministry of Education has approved the modified semester model. For the deck presented at P&P, click here. For the communication to parents, click here.
Please note there is a motion being brought forward by Trustee Chernos Lin and Trustee Doyle calling for the Ministry of Education to allow for a return to traditional semester timetable if the vaccine rollout remains strong and case counts are low. This motion will be debated at committee on the 23rd (see Agenda below) and if it passes it will go to Board on June 30th.
Minister Lecce also announced Thursday that in speaking with the Chief Medical Officer of Health "They believe in July, we'll be able to provide that final guidance with the aim of a more normal, more positive, and more interactive school experience for children that is fully in class, where we believe children belong.” As soon as we have more information we will share.
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Learning Model Selection for 2021-22 School Year
The province has mandated that school boards will provide In-Person and Virtual Learning options for the 2021-22 school year. With this in mind, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) will be asking families to complete an online Selection Form for In-Person or Virtual Learning in mid-August. At that time, families will have up-to-date information on the status of the pandemic and vaccinations for school staff and students, and will be in a better position to make an informed decision. The TDSB will also be in a better position to provide information about health and safety measures in schools for in-person learning and more details about how live, online virtual learning will be delivered. Note that virtual learning will be provided through home schools and will include live, online instruction involving teachers, staff and students from the home school or a group of schools. By mid-August, we sincerely hope the situation continues to improve to ensure parents and caregivers have the confidence to register in-person.
More information about the Selection Form for In-Person and Virtual Learning will be emailed directly to families in August. All information and the selection form will also be made available on the TDSB website.
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Committee Meetings This Week
Delegation requests will still be accepted during the closure of all schools and administrative sites at the TDSB; however, oral delegations to address a committee of the Board will be presented by phone. To submit a delegation request (written or oral), please refer to the information found here https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Delegations, email delegates@tdsb.on.ca. If your request is approved, further details will be provided to you via email.
Planning and Priorities Committee, Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 4:30 p.m. Electronic Meeting
- 6.1. 2021-22 TLC Annual Plan
- 6.2. 2021-22 TLC Budget
- 6.3. Metrolinx: Eglinton LRT License Renewal Leaside High School
- 6.4. Bloor Dufferin Redevelopment: Final Project Summary
- 6.5. Parkside Public School and Stan Wadlow Park Shared-Use Agreement with City of Toronto
- 6.6. Community Access Agreement: Davisville Junior Public School, 43 Millwood Road
- 6.7. Ryerson Community School: Option Agreement with Noventa Energy Partners
- 7.1. Lease Opportunity: 240 Eglinton Avenue East
- 7.2. COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Plan
- 7.3. Caring and Safe Schools: Annual Report 2019-2020 - The total number of suspensions and expulsions in Toronto District School Board decreased for the fourth consecutive year in 2019-20.
- 7.4. Yonge-Eglinton Phase 2 Program Area Review for Eglinton Junior Public School, John Fisher Junior Public School, and the Bannockburn Building (12 Bannockburn Avenue) - see below
- 7.5. Program Area Review for Alternative Scarborough Education 1 (ASE 1), St Andrews Public School, and Willow Park Junior Public School - It is recommended that Alternative Scarborough Education 1 (ASE 1) be relocated to Willow Park Junior Public School as of September 1, 2022.
- 7.6. Indigenous Land-Based Learning - It is recommended that the TDSB move towards ensuring that the Indigenous Land-Based Learning Centre at the Boyne River Natural Science School Site begin preparations to serve TDSB students and the wider Indigenous Community supported through the TDSB Urban Indigenous Education Centre, guided by the Elders Council.
- 7.7. Administrative Site Review: Update - At present, due to the hiring of a new permanent Director of Education, this review is being placed on hold until the new Director has an opportunity provide input into the next steps of the review. The revised timeline for this report will be in the October 2021 round of meetings.
- 8.1. Return to Semesters (Trustees Chernos Lin and Doyle) - Therefore, be it resolved that the Chair write a letter to the Minister of Education indicating: i. that if by mid-summer vaccination rates are strong and case counts low, that every consideration be given to moving to a traditional semester model; ii. that such decision be provided to Boards by August so that schools would be able to organize to safely receive students in this model in a timely manner.
Special Board Meeting, Thursday, June 24, 2021, 12:00 p.m. Electronic Meeting
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COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Plan
From the Report - The Toronto District School Board’s COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Plan is a three-phase plan that will identify which groups have been most impacted, where interventions will be put in place, and initial outcomes that result from these interventions. As per the Board motion, this is the first report in what will be a series of reports over the next two years (reporting back twice per school year).
Preparation for September 2021 and Targeted Intervention Plans - The report has been divided into sections that address the areas of focus for the year ahead, based on the data provided above and where staff plan to implement targeted interventions. These areas are all interrelated and are key to the post pandemic back to school recovery plan.
- Building Relationships and Enhancing Belonging
- Use of Play/Outdoor Play
- Honouring Skills/Knowledge Gained During the Pandemic
- Assessment for Learning/As Learning
- Differentiated Supports for Those Who Have Had Greater Impacts from the Pandemic
- Staff Collaboration
- Digital Tools for Engaging Students/Families
- Virtual Learning 2021-2022
While this report outlines some of the important work that will be underway immediately in September, once staff and students are back together and connecting in-person, staff will have the opportunity to better understand where students are at in terms of their learning, mental health and well-being and in other areas. Based on this day to day interaction and ongoing evaluation throughout September and October, it will be important to remain flexible and acknowledge that these plans may need to shift or change. We must be prepared to adapt plans to address any newly identified gaps, changing circumstances and/or in response to emerging data. To read the full report, click here.
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Yonge-Eglinton Phase 2 Program Area Review
The Yonge-Eglinton Phase 2 Program Area Review is a study in the Long-Term Program and Accommodation Strategy for 2020-2029, approved by the Board of Trustees in November 2020. It is a continuation of an extensive Program Area Review that was first undertaken in 2015-16. The first phase of the Program Area Review resulted in a series of grade changes, boundary changes, program adjustments, and capital projects including a replacement school at Davisville Jr PS, an addition at Hodgson MS, as well as internal renovations at Forest Hill Jr and Sr PS.
Accommodation pressures have persisted at local schools, particularly at Eglinton Jr PS. The school has continued to operate with exemptions to primary class sizes, no music room, and classes being delivered in resource-sized rooms. Because the site is very small at 1.6 acres and cannot accommodate portables, 14 new residential developments in the school’s attendance area have been assigned to two holding schools, Whitney Jr PS and Rippleton PS. There are 22 proposed developments that still need to be accommodated within the next five years. A Special Central Placement Process was established in 2017 to prevent students leaving French Immersion at John Fisher Jr PS from attending Eglinton Jr PS and adding to the enrolment pressure (these students are placed at other nearby schools).
The focus of this phase of the Yonge-Eglinton review is to continue looking at options to address overcrowding at Eglinton Jr PS and to balance growing student enrolment among local elementary schools in the area. In addition to Eglinton Jr PS, the review included John Fisher Jr PS and the Bannockburn building located at 12 Bannockburn Avenue. Recommendations -
- a) John Fisher Junior Public School become a dual-track school, beginning with Junior Kindergarten in the English program (and expanding by one grade per year up to and including Grade 5), effective September 1, 2022;
- b) The portion of Eglinton Junior Public School’s existing junior attendance area north of Broadway Avenue (including the north side of Broadway Avenue) be assigned to John Fisher Junior Public School, beginning with Junior Kindergarten (and expanding by one grade per year up to and including Grade 5), effective September 1, 2022;
- c) New students included in Part b) above with an older sibling attending Eglinton Junior Public School (in the same year that the younger sibling enters the school) be allowed to attend Eglinton Junior Public School until they graduate;
- d) The Bannockburn building be re-opened as Bannockburn Public School effective September 1, 2023, initially as a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 French Immersion centre, and expanding by one grade per year up to and including Grade 6 in September 2026;
- e) Senior Kindergarten to Grade 3 French Immersion students at John Fisher Junior Public School residing within the Bedford Park Public School/Blythwood Junior Public School shared attendance area, Bedford Park Public School attendance area, and John Wanless Junior Public School attendance area be redirected to Bannockburn, effective September 1, 2023;
- f) Senior Kindergarten to Grade 3 students with an older sibling in Grades 4 to 6 attending John Fisher Junior Public School in September 2023 be allowed to remain at John Fisher Junior Public School until they graduate;
- g) The John Fisher Junior Public School Special Central Placement Process, approved by the Board of Trustees in March 2017 to relocate students wishing to withdraw from the French Immersion program at John Fisher Junior Public School in light of construction at 18-30 Erskine Avenue, be ended effective September 1, 2022; and
- h) The reversal of residential development redirections in Eglinton Junior Public School’s and John Fisher Junior Public School’s proposed attendance areas be considered in 2024-25, pending a review of accommodation pressures and space availability at the two schools.
Other recommendations of the PART that do not require Board approval that staff support are:
- That TDSB begin retrofitting the Bannockburn building in July 2022 to ensure that it is compliant with TDSB standards prior to re-opening.
- That consideration may be given to Grade 3 French Immersion students at John Fisher Jr PS in September 2023 to remain at John Fisher Jr PS provided there is available space.
- That the intermediate and secondary pathway for Bannockburn PS’s French Immersion program be the same as the current John Fisher Jr PS French Immersion pathway (subject to change as per TDSB’s operational procedure PR597).
There is general agreement that, with careful planning and the commitment of school staff, administration, parents, the Superintendents, and Trustees, these recommendations will improve the current accommodation pressures in the Yonge-Eglinton area. With more residential development still being planned for the midtown area, these recommendations serve merely as a short to medium-term solution; a new elementary school is still required to accommodate the long-term student growth in this area. For the complete report, click here.
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Canada Square Working Group Achieves A New Vision for Yonge-Eglinton
From Councillor Matlow's Newsletter
The proposal submitted to redevelop the Canada Square site at the south west corner of Yonge and Eglinton by Oxford developments late last year, did not include nearly enough public space, amenities, institutional uses, or affordable housing for a site of this size and importance. That’s why I moved a motion to establish a Working Group of community leaders to inform a Special Study Area report by City Planning. This Group was tasked with putting forward a community-led vision for what we would like to see on the site. The Working Group composed of neighbouring Councillors, the local School Trustee, Residents’ Associations, Tenants’ Associations, Business Improvement Areas, community organizations, and other stakeholders to inform the Report.
The Group’s recommendations for the site included:
- A large park
- Public square on the corner
- Affordable housing
- A new public school
- Post-secondary institution
- Increased office space for innovative companies
For the TDSB contribution - The Need for a New Elementary School at Canada Square provided to Midtown Working Group on the advocacy for a new school, please click here.
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Let’s Connect about Mental Health and Well-Being! Join us on June 22 as our mental health leads talk about transitioning to summer, and then participate in a breakout room for more focused conversation.
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2-1-1
Do you need help finding food, housing, financial assistance, mental health support, employment support, support for seniors, winter clothing and/or shelter? For information and referral to government, health, community and social services.211 is free, confidential and available 24/7 in 150+ languages to connect you to local community supports.
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Return of Borrowed Student Devices
In preparation for the start of the 2021-22 school year, families that borrowed devices (e.g. iPad, Chromebook, Internet Hub) from the TDSB or local school are asked to return them. Devices and all power cables, cases and chargers that were delivered with the device can be returned to any TDSB school between Monday, June 14 and Friday, July 2 (for elementary schools) and Friday, July 9 (for secondary schools) between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. All devices that are not returned by July 2 will be administratively locked, preventing student login. These devices will need to be returned when school resumes in September. Students enrolled in a TDSB summer program may continue using the device for the duration of the summer program and should return the device in September. If you have any questions, please contact DeviceReturns@tdsb.on.ca. NOTE: Rogers Connected for Success offers low cost, high-speed internet and many TDSB families may qualify for the program. Please click the following link for more information on pricing and eligibility requirements.
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tdsbCREATES Virtual Showcase
We invite you to celebrate the vibrancy of Arts Education in the TDSB on Thursday, June 17 when the tdsbCREATES Virtual Celebration Website goes live. This site will be available for viewing until June 30.
This system wide arts festival, presented by the TDSB Arts Department and the Toronto Arts Council since 2014, is an arts engagement opportunity for students and a professional learning opportunity for teachers that connects professional artists with classrooms. Please see the tdsbCREATES website for a full overview of the festival as well as the link to the virtual celebration.
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CEBSA - Parent/Caregivers Focus Groups
Parents and caregivers of Black students are invited to participate in a virtual focus group with The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement.
Multiple slots still available for sessions Monday, June 21 through to June 23. Click here https://bit.ly/3zlqsdm.
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Remembering the 215 Children: An Indigenous and Jewish Memorial
Monday, June 21 from 7-8pm. To login to the program, please click on this link on Monday, June 21, at 7pm, and you will be taken to the live YouTube Premiere of the event. You can also register in advance to get a reminder.
In the meantime, please continue to educate yourself on the impact of residential schools - list of resources from the TDSB's Urban Indigenous Education Centre.
Listen to the statement from The Honourable Murray Sinclair, former Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission regarding the situation that has come to the public’s eye about the discovery of bodies at the residential school in Kamloops.
You can also view the AGO's Continued Conversation on Residential Schools that . features TDSB's Robert Durocher. This discussion centres on how to talk about residential schools and available resources within the AGO's collection. This discussion is for students, teachers, parents and anyone who wants to begin having these culturally safe conversations.
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Summer 2021 Well-Being Guide
The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unexpectedly long and challenging journey for all of us, and everyone has experienced it differently. Increased accessibility to vaccines for all communities gives us reason to believe that better days are ahead. It is in this spirit of optimism and hopefulness that we are preparing for summer. We recognize that there are many unknowns and much uncertainty this summer. As parents and caregivers, we may be wondering what we can do to help keep our children active and healthy, and to 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 summer a little easier for you and your family. Information on where and how to reach out for help is also included.
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Development Committee’s (K-12 SDC) Initial Recommendations Report Consultation
The province is encouraging participation in the public consultation on the K-12 Standards Development Committee’s (K-12 SDC) Initial Recommendations Report (Initial Report). In Ontario, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) outlines the legislated process for the development of new accessibility standards through Standards Development Committees. These Committees are responsible for developing and reviewing accessibility standards in Ontario. These accessibility standards help move Ontario forward on its journey to create a more accessible and inclusive province.
The mandate of the K-12 Education SDC is to provide recommendations to government on removing and preventing accessibility barriers in the publicly funded education system. The Initial Report is the result of an extensive joint effort of Government appointed representatives from the disability community and the education sector to identify the barriers that students with disabilities face and the measures needed to remove and prevent them.
As well, a Technical Sub-Committee – made up of members of the K-12 SDC and the committee working to develop a similar standard for the Post-secondary sector – has developed its recommendations on student transitions between different levels of the education sector, and between education and employment and the community. A link to this report is also found on the online survey web page.
The Initial Report was posted online on June 1, 2021 for a period of business 65 days. The public may also provide written submissions by email to: educationSDC@ontario.ca. The public has an opportunity to participate in these consultations until September 2, 2021.
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Policy Consultations
The objective of consultation is to gather public input regarding options, alternative courses of action, as well as to identify unintended effects for various participants and to find solutions. Please see revised the Policy Review Schedule.
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Secondary Alternative Schools
The TDSB has more than 20 secondary alternative schools, each serving their own niche. Safe spaces, support for mental health issues, alternative and self-directed learning - they're all here! Please see https://altschools.ca/our-schools.
National Indigenous History Month
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Celebrate PRIDE Every Day
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School Year Calendar 2020-2021- The last day of class for elementary students is June 29, 2021
- The last official day for secondary students is June 28, 2021 - Note: the last day of class for secondary students is June 23. June 24, 25, and 28 are Credit Rescue days.
School Year Calendar 2021-2022- First day of classes for students is September 9, 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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