JANUARY 27, 2021

• School Closures
• Parent/Guardian & Student Surveys
• PRO Grants for School Councils
• Conversation Series
• Student Senate
• Targeted COVID-19 Testing Results
• Hearts & Minds Newsletter
• Optional Attendance
• Middle French Immersion
• Community Advisory Committees
• School Year Calendar

Schools Remain Closed Until at least Feb 10

The Government of Ontario announced that TDSB schools will remain closed to most  students and staff until at least Wednesday, February 10, 2021. During this extended closure, remote learning will continue. Click here for more information.

Please watch your inbox or visit the TDSB website for any updates on the reopening of schools.

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)

School Council Anti-Oppression, Anti-Black Racism, Anti-Indigenous Application

School Councils may submit one request for supports up to $1,500 to support initiatives/activities that engage parents/caregivers (including virtual), and builds School Councils’ capacity around Human Rights, Equity, Anti-Racism, Anti-Indigenous and Anti-Black Racism. School Councils may collaborate and submit one application, however allocation will remain at a maximum of $1,500 per school.

Projects/Initiatives will be required to:

• Demonstrate a commitment to respecting the role of parents/caregivers in students’ educational experiences by working with parents/caregivers, particularly racialized parents/caregivers, Elders and School Council members
• Include strategies for connecting, supporting and engaging racialized parents/caregivers, particularly parents who identify as Indigenous and Black
• Provide a safe and welcoming school environment
• Maintain open communication with teachers
• Respect parents as valued partners within the education system in relation to decisions about their child’s education

Project/Initiative must be completed on or before by June 30, 2021.

Eligible Activities/Initiatives

• Workshops
• Training session
• Information sessions with guest speakers
• Parent Resource Creation
• Conversation Circles

Ineligible Initiatives

• Student initiatives
• Staffing initiatives
• Equipment purchases

A final report will be required on or before July 6, 2020.

Application coming soon at https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Community/How-to-Get-Involved/School-Councils/Parents-Reaching-Out-Grants

For further information please, contact Michelle Munroe, Coordinator of Parent and Community Engagement at michelle.munroe@tdsb.on.ca.

TDSB families are invited to join the TDSB 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.

These conversations are jointly hosted by the TDSB's Parent and Community Engagement Office and the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee.

HOW CHILDREN UNDERSTAND RACE AND HOW ADULTS CAN HELP

Saturday, January 30, 2020, 11 am

Speaker: Erin Winkler , Associate Professor, African and African Diaspora Studies, University of California, Berkeley

Many people avoid discussing race and racism with children because they believe that children don’t see race, or because they’re unsure how to have a conversation about it. Join us to hear from Professor Erin Winkler who will guide parents, families, and educators to help children understand racial identity, racism, and racial inequities in age-appropriate ways that empower the young children in their lives. 

A question and answer period will follow the presentation.

Access information will be added to this page closer to the date of each session. https://www.tdsb.on.ca/.../How-to.../Conversations-Series

(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 including the following Ward 14 schools: Gateway PS, Grenoble PS, and Valley Park MS.

Please click here for the summary of the results of the testing.

Please note the Board continues to support asymptomatic testing to be available for all schools - and since August are on record for asking to pilot saliva-based tests.

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/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

More information and forms are available at https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/School/Optional-Attendance

Please contact your school principal should you have any questions.

New - Middle Immersion French (Grade 4 Start) 

Please note: This program will replace the Junior Extended French program as the Grade 4 entry program in TDSB.

For families interested in the Toronto District School Board's system-wide Middle French Immersion we offer an online process to apply. For details, please see the downloadable information package. 

Community Advisory Committees (CACs) have been established to improve parental and community input. These committees have the opportunity to advise the Board on its policies and programs, plus provide an advocacy role for parents and the community. There are currently 12 TDSB Advisory Committees which provide advice to the Board on a variety of topics. All TDSB Advisory committee meetings are held once per month and are accessible to the public. Parent and community participation is strongly encouraged.

If you would like to attend a meeting, join a committee, or would like more information please visit https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Community/How-to-Get-Involved/Advisory-Committees/Community-Advisory-Committees

School Year Calendar 2020-2021

Note: Virtual Schools follow the same calendar as in-person schools unless otherwise noted.

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 Calendar
Quad 2: Nov. 23 - Feb 4 
Quad 3: Feb 8 - April 20 + exams April 21 & 22
Quad 4: April 23 - June 23 + exams June 24, 25 & 28

Days of Significance Calendar - please check before scheduling events.