Dear Willowdale Families, Students & Community,
Happy New Year 2021!
I am providing this newsletter with some important updates - especially the re-opening of our in-person classrooms on February 16th, 2021. Please see the information below - with more details to come.
I also want to ensure that everyone is aware of the upcoming ward forums: February 25th (6:30-8:30pm) will be an Update / Q&A session with Willowdale Superintendents present to answer questions you may have. We will also elect a PIAC (Parent Involvement Advsiosory Committee) representative and alternate for Willowdale. I will soon send out more detialed information and how to register as a candidate.
A second Ward meeeting will follow in March (details to come). The focus of this will be Mental Health and Well-being during the pandemic. This will be a "hands-on" and interactive session for all who join. Attendance will be limited and will require registration. More to come soon.
I will also be reaching out to all school councils to allow them to set their own Zoom Meeting times with me. I want to engage with all school councils. This will provide some set times that I am available and allow flexibility for parents. More to come on this soon.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate Covid-19. I look forward to seeing all kids back in class learning and enjoying their time with their friends and teachers
Stay well.
Alexander
| |
School Opening Update
Remote Learning - Extended Until February 16th at TDSB, PEEL and YORK school boards. READ MOREOn February 3rd, the Minister of Education announced that in-person learning will resume for schools in Toronto on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. Until that time, schools will remain closed to most students and staff and remote learning will continue. For students in the virtual learning model, classes will continue as normal during the closure and when in-person learning resumes.
We will soon be sharing additional information with families with regard to health and safety measures at all TDSB schools — both those that are already in place and those that will be implemented when students return.
We recognize that this extended period of remote learning has been challenging for many of our families but our schools and educators remain committed to supporting students during the remaining days of the closure and beyond.
As always, should you have any questions, please speak with your child’s school.
- Provincewide access, in consultation with the local PHU, to targeted asymptomatic testing for students and staff;
- Mandatory masking requirement for students in Grades 1-3, and masking requirement for Grades 1-12 outdoors where physical distancing cannot be maintained;
- Providing 3.5 million high quality cloth masks to schools as back-up supply for Grade 1-12 students;
- Enhanced screening for secondary students and staff;
- Temporary certification of eligible teacher candidates who are set to graduate in 2021 to stabilize staffing levels, following high levels of absenteeism.
Additional resources for REMOTE LEARNING
(Please contact your school to ensure they have your correct email address if you have not been receiving emails from the TDSB or your child’s school)
| |
School Ventilation
Ventilation of every school and instructional space has been reviewed. Improvement to ventilation includes maximizing the efficiency of existing systems to installation of HEPA filters to HVAC upgrades. We have taken a number of important steps since the beginning of the school year to maximize the amount of fresh air in our schools. The TDSB has already maximized the efficiency of existing ventilation systems, while ensuring that all classrooms that don’t have mechanical ventilation, have a HEPA filter present. As indicated, mechanical system upgrades as part of our school renewal program continue. Given the time associated with planning and designing these upgrades, it is not possible to complete this work in a single month.
| |
COVID-19 Update
Updated Guidelines from Sick Kids
Sick Kids Hospital recently released updated operational guidelines for safer return to school re covid-19.
| |
Results of Province’s Targeted Testing Pilot
(School-Wide COVID-19 Testing)
From November 23 to December 18, 2020, the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health conducted a pilot program in schools to support disease control and develop testing strategies. Schools in the province’s 4 regions with high incidence of active cases (Toronto, Peel, York, and Ottawa) were offered voluntary school-wide COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic students and staff. Toronto Public Health identified the schools based on the school having multiple cases of COVID-19 for which there were no epidemiological links and/or where multiple cohorts had been dismissed. Eleven schools in the TDSB participated in the pilot program.
Please note we continue to support asymptomatic testing to be available for all schools.
| |
Permanent Director Search
The search for a permanent Director of Education for the TDSB has been paused until February 2021 given the pandemic, the recent holiday break and the importance of this decision.
You can read more about the Director’s search with timelines here. We anticipate that the Board will be able to approve the new permanent director in May or June of 2021.
| |
Optional Attendance Applications
Students who wish to register for a school for the 2021-2022 school year 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.
Because of the current school closures it is necessary for the system to adjust the Optional Attendance process due to 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 be applying to a school via Optional Attendance:
- The parent/guardian will complete the Optional Attendance form and will email the completed form to the current school principal. The form may be send as a scan, a photo, or 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, sentg 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. Form 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 contact your school principal should you have any questions.
| |
Parent Reaching Out (PRO) Grant
The TDSB has received funding under the 2020-2021 Ontario Priorities and Partnerships Fund for the PRO Grant. The TDSB was allocated $131,563.00 for projects focus on the identification and removal of barriers that prevent parents and families from participating and engaging fully in their children's learning and that demonstrate a commitment to respecting the role of parents in students’ educational experiences. All funds must be spent and reported to the Ministry by August 21, 2021;
Following conversations with the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) as stipulated by the Ministry, the funds will be allocated to support the following initiatives:
- School Council Anti-Black Racism, anti-Indigenous and anti-oppression application initiatives ($52,500@1,500/Council
- Virtual Parent/Caregiver engagement tools and supports($20,000
- Conversation Series 2.0-Going Deeper ($35,000)
- Enhanced Multi-lingual Supports ($24,063)
| |
Join the Conversation: Series of Online Educational Events
TDSB families are invited to join us for a series of engaging and informative conversations on topics we heard you want to learn more about. Hear from leading experts and participate in question and answer sessions online. The next on-line event in this series is on February 4, 2021 at 6:30pm. Info can be found by clicking here.
These conversations are jointly hosted by the TDSB's Parent and Community Engagement Office and the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee.
| |
Community Happenings
Central Nutrition Pantry Opens for TDSB Students & 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 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.
Details on how to donate can be found here.
| |
Update on Outdoor Playgrounds
The current order restricts outdoor gatherings to maximum of 5 people from the same household. Toronto Public Health (TPH) wants to draw attention to the need for people to stay within their household grouping even if they are out of doors. TPH is still promoting outdoor activity and recognizes its positive effect on kids. However, outdoor activities must be consistent with Covid-19 precautions. Here is guidance on outdoor recreation facilities from the City of Toronto.
As per TPHit is recommended that people maintain distance from others. Families may need to find an alternative outdoor play structure or playground if there are too many families in attendance. With respect to personal measures for participants and families using playgrounds, families can take the following protective measures to keep each other safe:
- Proper handwashing, avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, and to cover their cough.
- Monitor yourself and your child for symptoms of COVID-19.
- Stay home if you or your child is sick.
- Bring your own hand sanitizer (70-90% alcohol concentration), wipes, bottled water, sun screen and personal items.
- Keep a two metre/six feet distance from others, when possible
- Wear a mask or face covering when it is difficult to maintain physical distancing. Do not apply a mask on children under the age of two.
- Wash hands before and after using outdoor playground.
- If the playground is busy, find another park or go back later.
| |
New Full Size Community Centre for Willowdale
As Willowdale's population increases rapidly, providing enough public facilities to meet the rising needs becomes a vital part of planning our community. In December, Toronto City Council approved Councillor Filion’s plan to double the size of the community centre to be built as part of the development of the former Newtonbrook Plaza.
The planned community centre facility will now be more than 50,000 sq. ft. - approximately the same size as the highly successful Edithvale Community Centre. There will also be some new parkland adjacent to the new community centre.
| |
Mental Health & COVID19
Mental Health Resources
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 mental health 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. Each and every TDSB school is filled with caring adults that students may feel comfortable speaking with. If more specialized supports are required, TDSB Professional Support Services (including a range of different staff which include social workers and phycologists) staff can be made available to the student or can consult with staff and with caregivers on next steps.
- 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
| |
Key Dates & Events
Trustee Brown’s Upcoming Ward 12 Forums
I will be hosting a Ward Forum for Willowdale (Ward 12) on Zoom on February 25, 2021.
A link and info flyer will be sent next week.
The meeting will focus on the election of a community member to represent Ward 12 on the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC). There will also be an update and Q & A with myself and superintendents.
Responsibilities of PIAC members are listed here.
March Ward Forum will focus on Mental Health
More Details to Follow
If you received this newsletter by email – you will be sent a flyer with registration information and dates of these ward forums! If you are not on my mailing list, you can sign up on my TDSB Ward 12 website: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/ward12 (sign up for the mailing list is in the upper right)
| |
Kindergarten Registration Begins in February!
Registration for all TDSB Kindergarten programs begins in February. We look forward to welcoming you and your child at our school in September!
To attend Junior Kindergarten in September, children must turn four-years-old by December 31. To register for Senior Kindergarten, children must be five-years-old by December 31. You may choose to register in person at the school or begin the process online.
| |
Continuing Education - International Languages Elementary and African Heritage Programs
The International Languages – Elementary / African Heritage Program is offering online language classes to students (TDSB and non TDSB) Kindergarten to Grade 8. One day each week, students have live face-to-face interactive lessons with their instructor and classmates for approximately 30 minutes. Activities are focused on building student’s abilities in oral communication, reading and writing.
| |
Adult ESL
Gaining proficiency in English is a critical skill for many newcomers to our city. Every year, nearly 20,000 adults benefit from the TDSB's English as a Second Language classes. Through general language training, and a host of specialized courses, we serve learners at all levels - from those with little or no formal education to those with post-secondary degrees. Currently, all Adult ESL classes are online.
| |
|
