email : Webview : Ward 19-January 13, 2021 Newsletter

School Closure Ordered by Province Extended

The Government of Ontario announced new measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the province. As part of today’s announcement, the government has said that all schools in Toronto will remain closed to students and staff until Wednesday, February 10. During the closure period, remote learning will continue, as will in-person supports for students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning.

Our schools will continue to support all families to ensure that learning can continue as best as possible during the closure, although we recognize that everyone is trying their best to balance life, work, childcare, and remote learning, among other things right now. While we believe the continuation of learning is important, the mental health and well-being of our students is just as important. We would encourage parents/guardians to review these important resources that we have compiled that may help support your children during this challenging period.

We know the current situation is far from ideal for many of our families, but we will continue to support you as best we can during this time. Should you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your child’s school.

There are a number of supports for virtual learning on the TDSB website https://www.tdsb.on.ca/In-Person-Learning/Student-Virtual-Learning-IT-Support

Please click here to get Impact of COVID-19 Update

Ontario to Vaccinate up to 8.5 Million People in Phase Two

Groups eligible to receive vaccines as part of Phase Two of the Ontario immunization program will include:

Older adults, beginning with those 80 years of age and older and decreasing in five-year increments over the course of the vaccine rollout;
Individuals living and working in high-risk congregate settings;
Frontline essential workers (e.g., first responders, teachers, food processing industry); and
Individuals with high-risk chronic conditions and their caregivers.

TDSB Alternative Schools

Did you know there are 40 different TDSB Alternative Schools across Toronto ranging from grades JK to 12? All of them are FREE and open to any resident of Toronto, regardless where they live in the city. There are nature schools, art schools and even a TDSB skate boarding school! Seriously, how cool is that.

The deadline to apply for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year is mid-February.

TDSB Alternative Schools are a great option when students and their families want something a little different from their traditional elementary and/or secondary public school. Learn more about Alternative Schools by clicking the links listed below.

Quick Reference Guide Featuring all 40 Alterantive Schools:

https://equinoxschool.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/TDSB-Alternative-Schools-Winter-2020_08122019.pdf

TDSB Alternative Schools Link:

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/School/Alternative-Schools

TDSB Open Houses Link:

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/OpenHouses

TDSB also has Academies and Specialty Schools, like the Sports and Wellness Academy and Karen Kain School of the Arts which are also FREE and open to any resident of Toronto. Click below to learn more.

Elementary Academies:

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Elementary-School/School-Choices/Elementary-Academies

Elementary Speciality Arts-Based:

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Elementary-School/School-Choices/Arts-Based-Schools

Secondary Specialty:

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/about-us/innovation/high-school-specialized-programs

Please note, all of these TDSB schools are designated as optional attendance. This means any Toronto resident may attend them for FREE if space is available; however, TDSB will NOT provide transportation to/from school.

OPTIONAL ATTENDANCE UPDATE !

Students who wish to attend a school in September 2021 that is not their designated home school can do so by applying for optional attendance. Acceptance at these schools is subject to space availability and program suitability.

It is necessary for the system to adjust the Optional Attendance process due to school closures and the heightened need to reduce potential Covid-19 exposures.

As such, the following process will be in place for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year should your child/ward be applying to a school via Optional Attendance.

The parent/guardian will complete the Optional Attendance form and will email the completed form to current school principal. The form may be sent as a scan, a photo or a screengrab.
The current school principal or designate (VP, office staff etc.) will sign and email the form(s) to the receiving school.
The receiving school will confirm receipt of the form(s) by way of email reply to the sending school.
The current school will communicate with families that the Optional Attendance Form was signed, sent and received by the receiving school.
The current school principal or designate will track optional attendance applications to ensure that TDSB policies are being followed.

All current timelines are still in effect. Forms for secondary schools are due by January 29, 2021, and for elementary schools by February 12, 2021.

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

Please use the link below for more information regarding Optional Attendance.

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/School/Optional-Attendance

Please contact your school principal should you have any questions.

Parent/Guardian and Student Online Survey – Week of January 25

The TDSB will be surveying both parents/guardians (JK to Grade 12) and students (Grades 6 to 12) during the week of January 25 to learn more about experiences to date related to mental health and well-being, student engagement, and learning.

Please watch for an email with a link to the survey and/or check the TDSB website. Thank you in advance for your participation.

Virtual School Staff Directories

Please note that Virtual School administrative team directories are available online and are updated on an ongoing basis. A number of new staff have been welcomed to the teams this week. Please continue to refer to the links shared below for the latest directories:

In-Person/Remote Learning

The TDSB issued this statement today following the Government of Ontario's announcement of a State of Emergency.

Based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, schools in the following public health units (PHUs) will not return to in-person instruction until February 10, 2021:

Windsor-Essex
Peel Region
Toronto
York
Hamilton

If the technology you have access to at home is not able to support your child's learning, please reach out to your child's classroom teacher or your school's Principal to request a device. This included access to WIFI if that is also a barrier.

If you are in need of additional support, please email me at Zakir.Patel@tdsb.on.ca

Additional resources for remote learning are available here: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/In-Person-Learning/Student-Virtual-Learning-IT-Support

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Remote-Learning-Supports-and-Resources-for-Educators/Digital-Learning-Tools

Apply for Support for Learners funding

$200 support link is live now for kids 12 and under https://www.iaccess.gov.on.ca/SupportForLearnersWeb/public/index.xhtml

Essential Skills for Employment Upcoming Workshops

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