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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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It takes curiosity to learn. It takes courage to unlearn. Learning requires the humility to admit what you don't know today. Unlearning requires the integrity to admit that you were wrong yesterday. Learning is how to evolve. Unlearning is how you keep up as the world evolves.- @AdamMGrant
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In this Issue:- ReconciliACTIONS
- World Teacher Day
- Recognition of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit People
- Islamic Heritage Month
- Somali Heritage Month
- Mental Illness Awareness Week
- Get Your Shot
- COVID-19 Staff Vaccination Status
- COVID-19 Advisories
- COVID-19 Guidance Update
- Statement from TDSB Chair Alexander Brown Re: Supreme Court Ruling
- TDSB Senior Team 2021-2022
- 2021-22 Enrolment, Class Size and Staffing Update
- Meetings this Week
- Policy Consultations
- New Invitations - Parents and Caregivers as Partners Conference 2021; Virtual Drop-Ins Restart This Week!; #Warltober; Truth and Reconciliation in Arts Education: Reflections on Learning and Creating in Expressions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Cultures (NAC1O);Trustee Code of Conduct Consultations 2021
- Items From Last Week - Worth Repeating
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ReconciliACTIONS
On September 29, ahead of the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, the Ministry of Education announced a commitment to complete the full spectrum of mandatory Indigenous-focused learning across this elementary curriculum, addressing the current gap in Grades 1 and 3 by September 2023.
"This is a step forward toward greater reconciliation in Ontario. It is important to ensure that all students are learning about the histories and contributions of Indigenous people throughout Ontario’s K-12 curriculum. What we will need to see is true collaboration with Indigenous leaders, at every stage of the process, to ensure our cultures and perspectives are properly reflected. There is much work to be done, but I’m hopeful the progress announced today will become a catalyst towards an ongoing conversation that leads to real action in the years ahead." - Elaine Johnston, Chair, Indigenous Trustees’ Council, Ontario Public School Boards’ Association
In addition, OPSBA's Indigenous Trustees' Council wrote a letter to the Minister asking for "a focus on making concrete changes in our education system and communities" drawing attention to two specific issues -
- To support the concept of a Temporary Letter of Approval for Elders in Residence and Indigenous Language-proficient speakers to teach Indigenous Languages in classrooms across the province to support the importance of revitalizing and maintaining Indigenous languages, which is essential for maintaining cultures, traditional knowledge/histories; &
- To ensure the important efforts to update and correct the Kindergarten to Grade 12 curriculum is a true collaboration with Indigenous leaders at all stages of co-development of the curriculum, to ensure that cultures and perspectives are properly reflected.
OPSBA, on behalf of Trustees across the province had been advocating for mandatory Indigenous curriculum even before the province cancelled the summer writing sessions for updating Indigenous content and delivery in the province’s K-12 system in July 2018.
We are also grateful to the advice we receive from Indigenous Student Trustee Isaiah Shafqat (and our other two student trustees Jyoti Dadhich and Evan Woo).
"A reconciliACTION is a meaningful action that moves reconciliation forward. ReconciliACTIONs aim to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous people together in the spirit of reconciliation to create awareness, share, and learn." For more information on reconciliACTION, please click on The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund.
And if you missed it, please listen to The Orange Shirt, performed and written by Elder Dr. Duke Redbird for Orange Shirt Day, Sept 30 2021, to honour the survivors of residential schools and those who did not survive.
Let's make sure reconciliACTIONS continue beyond September 30.
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World Teacher Day
World Teachers’ Day is held annually on October 5 to celebrate all teachers around the globe. World Teachers’ Day is co-convened in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNICEF and Education International (EI).
The Theme of World Teachers' Day 2021 is “Teachers at the heart of education recovery”. The United Nations (UNESCO) presented this theme for teachers' day in respect of their determined and diligent efforts in the crucial stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Please remember this theme every day - our educators are at the heart of education recovery. Thank you for supporting students and families each and every day.
I also want to acknowledge that October 2 of each year is set aside as National Custodian Appreciation Day. Thank you to all caretakers in our schools who work tirelessly to keep our buildings clean and safe and our grounds welcoming. They enabled our schools to reopen.
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Recognition of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit People
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Islamic Heritage Month
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) proudly recognizes Islamic Heritage Month during the month of October since our Board of Trustees passed their motion on June 22, 2016. Our main theme for the month continues to be: Reflect. Celebrate. Learn.
Canadian Islamic Heritage Month is also recognized across our nation since October 2007. Subsequently, since November 2016, the province of Ontario established October as Islamic History Month through the Islamic Heritage Month Act
During the month of October several Islamic Heritage Month events are being organized for students, staff and TDSB community members throughout the month of October. Details will continue to be shared.
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Somali Heritage Month
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) proudly recognizes Somali Heritage Month during the month of October. The TDSB has been marking Somali Heritage Month since June 2016, and we continue to expand on the selected theme Educate. Elevate. Excel.
In October 2020, the Government of Ontario proclaimed Somali Heritage Week Act, 2020 which will take place on June 25 through July 1. “By proclaiming the week of June 25 through July 1 as Somali Heritage Week, the Province of Ontario recognizes the economic, political, social and cultural achievements and contributions of Somali Canadians in all aspects of Ontario society. Like many refugees and immigrants who have made Ontario their home, Somali Canadians are proud to be part of diverse communities across the province.”
This power point is being shared with you as it provides information about the Somali Heritage. Follow Twitter: SomaliHM@TDSB
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Mental Illness Awareness Week
Today marks the start of Mental Illness Awareness Week 2021 (#MIAW21) in Canada. Mental Illness Awareness Week was established in 1990 recognition of efforts by the National Alliance on Mental Illness to educate and increase awareness about mental illness. This is a reminder that there is no health without #MentalHealth. Today & every day, it's important to take care of yourself & seek support if you need it. For more information, please click https://www.camimh.ca/.
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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.
- October 4 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. -Newtonbrook Secondary School 155 Hilda Avenue
- October 4 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. - CR Marchant Middle School 1 Ralph Street
- October 5 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute 550 Markham Road
- October 5 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Central Etobicoke High School 10 Denfield Street
- October 5 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. - St. Bernard Catholic School 12 Ducksworth Street
- October 7 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - St. Kevin Catholic School 15 Murray Glen Drive
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)
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.
On Tuesday, Pfizer and BioNTech announced that they have submitted data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from the Phase 2/3 Trial of their COVID-19 vaccine in children ages five to 11. We heard exciting news from Pfizer last week that they intend to submit their application for vaccine approval for the 5-11 year olds in the next few weeks. Depending on Health Canada approvals and vaccine availability we hope to be able to offer vaccines to the 5-11 year old age group starting in November. Toronto Public Health is already planning on how best to rollout these vaccinations. It has formed a COVID-19 Vaccination Planning Group including health partners, school boards, community representatives and the Ministry of Health. In Toronto, there are approximately 200,000 children aged 5 to 11 who are eligible to get vaccinated.
On Wednesday, media reported that the Ontario government told agencies tasked with distributing rapid antigen COVID-19 tests to stop distributing them to families, who have been using them for asymptomatic testing for children in some regions of the province. Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health, said the program is intended for staff at workplaces only and that the province is reviewing its asymptomatic testing in schools strategy. Quebec is currently sending rapid tests to its elementary schools, while the Nova Scotia government said Wednesday it would be giving them to all families with children from preschool age to Grade 6.
The TDSB continues to take direction from the Ministry of Education and Toronto Public Health, as well as work closely with our hospital partners to further protect our school communities from the spread of COVID-19, including providing COVID-19 testing options for families and staff. The Hospital for Sick Children, Michael Garron Hospital and Women’s College Hospital have developed a strategy for supporting schools with PCR COVID testing that is non-invasive, faster, easier and promotes equity of access. Every school has been assigned to one of these three hospitals. The hospitals are providing a supply of take-home test kits to each school. When there is a need for testing, such as due to an outbreak or exposure, or when a student or staff member has symptoms, the school can provide the individuals with a test kit to take home and complete. The completed tests are deposited at the school where they are picked up daily by a courier. Test results are available within one to two days.
As noted, both the Ministry and TPH are not recommending “surveillance” testing of students at this time and is not providing rapid-antigen tests to the TDSB. While we appreciate the advocacy from the community to do surveillance or asymptomatic testing for students, at this time, we do not have the infrastructure to organize the testing of more than 200,000 students each week, nor the resources that would be required to implement a testing program of this size without their support. Some of the hospital partners are piloting rapid antigen testing and PCR tests in high-risk schools.
We did ask staff to contact Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) about their “CDL Rapid Screening Consortium” a few weeks ago as an opportunity to provide testing to students and staff wishing to do rapid antigen testing as a safeguard. In discussions with CDL, even before the government announcement, they told our staff they were no longer able to supply free antigen testing to school boards outside of the required testing for Ministry of Education compliance purposes.
Staff have implemented a number of important health and safety measures at schools and administration sites, including, but not limited to, increased cleaning, increased ventilation, masking, the use of HEPA filters in classrooms, and a mandatory vaccination procedure for staff. We also continue to advocate for the COVID-19 vaccinations to be added to the list of mandatory vaccinations for eligible students.
As always, should guidance from the Ministry of Education and/or Toronto Public Health change as a result of the pandemic in the months ahead, we will consider how our own procedures can be adjusted.
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 29, 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 - the number and percentage of individuals who have not yet submitted an attestation form: 4,694 or 11.6%
- Total number and percentage of individuals who have attested to being fully vaccinated: who have completed the attestation form - 92%
- 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.
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 Friday morning, 1,624 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in publicly funded schools across Ontario in the past 14 days. Of those cases, 1,446 are students, 174 are staff, and four are not identified. Five of the 4,844 schools in the province are currently closed.
In the TDSB, as of October 1, 2021 at 4:45 p.m. there were 178 student cases and 22 cases within staff and 33 cases resolved.
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COVID-19 Guidance Update
Toronto Public Health has updated their guidance as of October 1, 2021 at 2:50 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 as well as music education.
On Friday, we received word that staff have now developed a plan to support the safe and gradual re-entry of wind instruments in elementary and secondary schools which has been approved by Toronto Public Health (TPH). As with all other activities, our first priority is ensuring that appropriate health and safety measures are in place. Together with TPH, we will continue to monitor the situation and make any adjustments as necessary to ensure that the reintroduction of these activities does not lead to further spread of COVID-19. At this time, wind instruments are permitted for playing within a cohort indoors with distancing requirements. Wind instruments are permitted outdoors in mixed cohorts with physical distancing, and outdoor playing is recommended wherever possible. Specific considerations and guidelines have been established for both elementary and secondary schools, which school staff will be reviewing in the coming days to establish a plan for schools at the local school level.
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Statement from TDSB Chair Alexander Brown Re: Supreme Court Ruling
Friday, October 1, 2021
While we are disappointed with today’s Supreme Court ruling on Bill 5, the fact that it was a very close decision supports our Board’s position that the Province’s actions were undemocratic.
We appreciate that the Supreme Court of Canada considered the TDSB’s position in support of the City of Toronto’s case and the people who live here.
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TDSB Senior Team 2021-2022
A new senior team organizational chart is now available online. At the September Board Meeting, Director Colleen Russell-Rawlins remarked that for the first time, the senior leadership in the TDSB is "starting to reflect some of the lived experiences, or similar ones, to the communities we serve. Our ongoing focus will be learning how to align decision-making with our commitments to equity and ensuring these experiences expand our understanding of each other." This is a focus worth supporting.
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2021-22 Enrolment, Class Size and Staffing Update
At the Special Finance, Budget & Enrolment Committee last Wednesday, staff presented an Update on 2021-22 Enrolment, Class Size and Staffing. We learned as of September 24, 2021, elementary enrolment is approximately 6,500 students below projection (3.9% below projection). This is a greater variance than we would typically experience, as most years we tend to have enrolments within 1% of projection. While the system class size averages are below those required in regulation, there are classes within the system where class sizes significantly exceed caps (where caps exist) or are much higher than the averages in the regulation. Staff have addressed circumstances with significantly increased enrolment with additional teachers to decrease class sizes. In addition, reorganization/alignment will address class sizes throughout the system to ensure an equitable distribution of teachers and support appropriate class sizes.– it will affect approximately 100 staff.
School boards are required to fund pandemic costs up to 2% of their operating allocation through their reserves for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years. The current financial projection based on September 24th enrolments would see approximately an increase in the board deficit by $39.6M. While enrolment decline would suggest reduction of approximately 140 teachers, staff are only recommending a reduction of 58 teachers, in order to support smaller classes during the pandemic. The reduction of 58 teachers suggested in the report reflects the decrease in JK student enrolment the board is experiencing.
Once again Trustees unanimously voted to ask the Chair to write to the Minister of Education asking for additional support to the Board to support the funding loss due to the difference between current enrolment and forecasted enrolments; so that the Board can continue its focus on student safety, mental health and well-being supported by smaller class sizes during the pandemic; and once again to request additional funding to offset the increased deficit above the original 2% deficit school boards were allowed to incur and fund through reserves. We already has asked for the Ministry to fully fund the costs of the pandemic including the Board's use of reserves.
We will receive an update on secondary enrolment and the number of courses being taught both in-school and virtually (hybrid) at our next meeting.
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Meetings This Week
September 22 (Wednesday) Program & School Services Committee 4:30pm - Agenda
- 5. Opportunity for Oral Updates From Co-Chairs of Community Advisory Committees
- 6. 2021-22 Program Priorities Funding: Parent Reaching Out Grant Allocation Update
- 7. Caring and Safe Schools: Annual Report 2019-2020
- 8. 2021 Summer Program Report
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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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Parents and Caregivers as Partners Conference 2021
Join us for a virtual conference and learn strategies to support your child, connect with other parents and hear from our inspirational keynote speaker
TDSB is committed to parent, caregiver, and community engagement as an essential element in our shared efforts to improve outcomes for children throughout their lives. Our role is to help build capacity by successfully engaging parents and caregivers, strengthening home-school partnerships, and aligning our collective efforts.
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Virtual Drop-Ins Restart This Week!
Our Professional Support Services team offers weekly virtual drop-in times where you can connect directly with a staff member to help answer questions and provide support to help you and your child. The drop-ins are beginning this week.
➡️Tuesdays 10-11 am
➡️Wednesdays 7-8 pm (Complex Needs)
➡️Thursdays 7-8 pm
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#Walktober
October is known as International Walk to School Month. International Walk to School Month (IWALK) is an annual mass celebration of active transportation taking place around the world every October. Schools across Ontario celebrate IWALK with special events on IWALK Day (the first Wednesday of October) or anytime throughout the month. For more information, https://ontarioactiveschooltravel.ca/international-walk-to-school-month/
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Truth and Reconciliation in Arts Education: Reflections on Learning and Creating in Expressions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Cultures (NAC1O)
Saturday, October 23, at 11:00AM.
The Ontario Art Education Association invites you to learn as Tanya Senk and Robert Durocher share experiences and reflections on providing Expressions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Cultures (NAC1O) teachers with ongoing professional learning to teach the course in respectful, responsible, relevant, and reciprocal ways. Part of this learning includes learning from and listening to an Elders Council, along with First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists, and community organizations. This workshop is ideal for K-12 Visual/Media Arts educators interested in learning to engage in the work of Truth and ReconciliACTION through arts education.
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Trustee Code of Conduct Consultations
The Ministry of Education is proposing to update O. Reg. 246/18 (Members of School Boards – Code of Conduct) of the Education Act to implement minimum standards for trustee codes of conduct to ensure consistent standards of behaviour for trustees across Ontario's school boards.
Even though OPSBA has had a template for many years that many boards already use, the proposed regulatory amendments would establish baseline standards of conduct relating to a number of areas, for example: Integrity and dignity of office, civil and respectful behaviour, uphold and respect human rights, respect the role of school board staff, respect for confidentiality, etc. The consultation process includes a backgrounder and a survey open to any member of the public until Nov 1.
The TDSB has had a Board Member Code of Conduct Policy since 2005. It was most recently revised in 2019. The policy establishes governing principles and standards for expected ethical behavior by Trustees. We are unclear why the government is considering revisions at this time, but I encourage you to use your voice.
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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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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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