This Week's Update- Government’s Stay-at-Home Order - Extension of School Closures
- Message from Toronto Public Health
- Cases, Testing, and Vaccination
- Results of Province’s Targeted Testing Pilot
- Dealing with Controversial Issues - US Capitol Insurgence
- Committee Meetings this Week
- Automated Call-Out System for Virtual School on Hold
- International Holocaust Remembrance Day
- Important ESL Information for Adults
- Revisions to Optional Attendance Process
- New Middle French Immersion Program
- Virtual School Staff Directories
- Bell Let's Talk Day
- Play!
- Virtual Ward Forum on January 21
- Download the COVID-19 App
- School Year Calendar
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Government’s Stay-at-Home Order - Extension of School Closures until February 10On January 12, the Ontario government declared a second provincial emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA). Effective January 14 at 12:01 a.m., the government issued a stay-at-home order requiring all Ontarians to remain at home with exceptions for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for essential work. In addition to limiting outings to essential trips, all businesses must ensure that any employee who can work from home, does work from home and that is why schools were ordered to stay closed. Additional restrictions and enforcement measures are described in the government’s January 12 news release.
Some of the new requirements under the emergency include the following:
- Individuals must wear masks at all times when in indoor areas of businesses or organizations that are open;
- Wearing a mask or face covering is now recommended outdoors when you can't physically distance more than two metres
- Enhanced screening protocols; and
- Expanded targeted testing.
As noted, as part of the 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.
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.
And finally, please be vigilant in taking care of yourselves, from a physical, mental and emotional perspective. We all wish schools would be open - but conditions are such that it is safer for all for them to be closed right now. For parents/caregivers, we know remote learning is not easy, especially for younger students. It is OK to step away and be flexible - and remember, if your student is struggling, please check with your child's teacher. Exemptions are still being accepted. For students, 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 on next steps. If more specialized supports are required, the classroom teacher would begin that process. Staff, your efforts to move to remote learning are superhuman as are your efforts in virtual school. If you need support, please access the Employee Assistance Plan. And to those staff in schools supporting students in ISP programs, we are so grateful and we will support however we can.
At the start of this week, approximately 71 schools had students with special education needs learning in-person as they could not be accommodated through remote learning. Appropriate PPE (as recommended by the Ministry and public health officials) is provided to staff that are currently providing in-person supports to students and all follow stringent health and safety guidelines at all TDSB buildings including pre-screening, hand washing, physical distancing to the greatest extent possible, etc. We are advocating that these front line workers need to be vaccinated as soon as possible.
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Message from Toronto Public HealthToronto is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases in the community. During this time please continue with daily COVID-19 symptom screening for students, and adults. If anyone in your household has one or more, new or worsening symptoms of COVID-19 they should arrange to get tested as soon as possible or contact their health care provider. For more information about COVID-19 testing along with a list of places you can go for testing, please visit COVID-19 testing.
Potential Impact on Switching
In addition to the above messaging from Toronto Public Health (TPH), at our meeting on Tuesday, the Director also shared messaging from TPH regarding switching.
The state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto is at the highest rate of cases we have seen to date. The case counts, rate and percent positivity across the City is high, including in children. There have been about 100 new cases in children reported daily for the past week or more. When schools return to in-class instructions, while public health measures will be in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the school environment, with high community case counts, cases are likely to be brought into the classroom, increasing the risk for transmission at school. As a result, the school switch date for February 16th, may pose public health risks different from the switch date in the fall.
You can see there are real health and safety concerns expressed regarding mixing cohorts. This is significant as the total number of transfers requested in October was 8,043 compared with 10,124 today. One important note—the October transfer requests were for students to switch from physical school to virtual school only. The January 2021 numbers reflect requests for transfers in both directions—from physical school to virtual school (5,786), and from virtual school to physical school (3,607).
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Cases, Testing, and Vaccination
With information from OPSBA's Legislative Update
Due to virtual learning taking place across the province this week following the winter break, cases of COVID-19 in publicly funded schools were not reported in the past 14 days in southern Ontario schools. However, as of January 12, cases in northern schools are now being reported on the government’s website once again.
Building on the efforts of the targeted testing in Phase 1, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health will be working together with Ontario Health, Public Health Units and school boards to expand access to COVID-19 testing.
The rollout of Phase One of the government’s vaccine implementation plan has a goal of ensuring that all residents, health care workers and essential caregivers at long-term care homes in the priority regions of Toronto, Peel, York and Windsor-Essex receive a COVID-19 vaccination by January 21, 2021. For provincial vaccination data, click here.
On January 13, the government revealed that it plans to vaccinate up to 8.5 million Ontarians in Phase 2 of its vaccination plan, with teachers/education workers included in the list of “frontline essential workers.” Phase 2 is expected to start in April.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
This past week the government announced funding for training for teachers and educational assistants to support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The training program will be delivered by the Geneva Centre for Autism and is to begin this year.
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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 click on the link for the summary of the results of the testing.
Please note we continue to support asymptomatic testing to be available for all schools - and since August are on record for asking to pilot saliva-based tests.
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Dealing with Controversial Issues - US Capitol Insurgence
Supporting TDSB educators and students engaging in learning about the insurrection on Capitol Hill, January 6, 2021 Photo by Andy Feliciotti on Unsplash
Last week the world, including TDSB staff, students, and families, witnessed hateful and unlawful acts in the US capital - rioting against the results of a democratic election. Chair Alexander Brown issued a statement on behalf of the TDSB condemning the actions of these groups and individuals. As we continue to serve students and communities, these acts of violence and issues of white supremacy, antisemitism, anti-Black racism and other forms of hate are critical reminders that we need to remain focused and continuously examine our commitments to make schools safe places for all students, staff, and parents and guardians. Let us work together to make a difference as we strive to change the future in the lives of our TDSB communities.
To support those difficult conversations, resources were shared with TDSB teachers. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has a long standing commitment to addressing issues of inequities. We are committed to supporting educators in responding to historical and current day acts of oppression and injustice as they arise. On Wednesday, January 6th 2021, we witnessed such an act, with the insurrection that took place on Capitol Hill, in Washington D.C. This act highlights violence and the various forms of hate that are a direct result of white supremacy, antisemitism, and anti-Black racism. Although the insurrection took place in the United States, Canada continues to be impacted by violence and issues of white supremacy, antisemitism, and anti-Black racism.
According to the preface, the aim of this resource is two-fold. First, the resource encourages educators to explore and deepen their understanding of global and local acts and its connections to their lived experiences. Second, this resource is developed to support educators to focus on key questions as they engage in lessons and conversations regarding the insurrection that took place in Washington D.C.
TDSB Resources
A number of other resources from other groups have also been shared with staff. I will share the link when available. We hope these resources can support difficult but necessary conversations.
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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 and email delegates@tdsb.on.ca. If your request is approved, further details will be provided to you via email.
Finance, Budget and Enrollment Committee, Wednesday, January 20, 2021 4:30 p.m. Electronic Meeting
- 5.1 Contract Awards, Facilities
- 5.2 Contract Awards, Operations
- 6. Emergency Purchasing During Pandemic Follow-up: Update - PPE and Related Supplies Spend from Oct 8, 2020 to Jan 11, 2021 totalled $569,852.53. A portion of these emergency expenditures will be funded by 2020-21 federal and provincial funding relating to school reopening.
- 7. 2020-21 Revised Estimates and COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream Funding: Update - After incorporating the Ministry's stabilization funding and other adjustments, the TDSB's 2020-21 revised forecasted deficit is $45.6M, or 1.6% of the operating grant. Based on this revised amount, Ministry approval for exceeding the 2% deficit threshold is no longer required. It is also important to note that the second instalment of federal COVID-19 funding is not included in the revised calculation presented in this report. The funding is expected to be announced sometime in late January or February 2021. Staff will provide an update at the upcoming February or March FBEC meeting.
- 8. 2021-22 Education Funding Guide: Draft Response - In addition to answering the ministry's questions, TDSB highlights the following priority areas:1 Capital Needs; 2 Education Development Charges; 3 Special Education and Mental Health Support; 4 Technology; and 5 Pandemic Impacts.
- 9. 2021-22 Budget Meeting Schedule: Update - These timelines will facilitate the development and approval of the 2021-22 Operating and Capital Budget in June 2021, as required by the Ministry Regulation. Once approved, the above items will be reflected in the 2021 Board meeting schedules.
Community Advisory Committees and Statutory Advisory Committees:
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Automated Call-Out System for Virtual School on Hold
In light of the current declaration of emergency in Ontario, we are postponing implementation of automated daily call-outs to support the tracking of student attendance. At a time when everyone is working to balance life, work, remote learning, childcare and countless other things, we do not want to cause families additional stress.
Student safety remains a priority and all teachers continue to take attendance twice daily in all Elementary Virtual School classes similar to In-Person schools. As well, we continue to encourage parents/guardians/caregivers to call School Messenger at 1-833-250-2290 (between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.) to report student absences. This can be done in advance of the day of absence. We will provide more information and details once a start date has been confirmed for implementation of the automated call-out system.
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International Holocaust Remembrance Day
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Important ESL Information for Adults
Important information for adults wanting to improve their English (as a second language) skills
The Adult ESL program in the Continuing Education Department is offering free virtual English language instruction to qualified adults 18 years of age and over. Part-time and full-time classes are offered at various times during the day, evening and Saturdays at all language levels. Our online program offers:
- High-quality instruction
- Flexible schedules: part-time, full-time, evening and Saturday classes
- Continuous enrollment
- All levels and specialty classes
For more information, please visit: www.ESLToronto.ca or call 416-338-4300. Free for eligible learners. Please check our website for more information. Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
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New Middle French Immersion Program
Please note: This program will replace the Junior Extended French program as the Grade 4 entry program in TDSB.
To apply for the MFI (Grade 4 entry) for September 2021, applications must be completed online between January 4 and January 29, 2021. An offer of placement in the program (a specific school) is guaranteed to all on-time applicants and will be made in the weeks following the close of the application window. Please note: Families with an older sibling currently enrolled in a French program and who will be in attendance next year are still required to complete an online application for the new student. Please select the “sibling option” within the online application.
Virtual Web Chat Information Sessions for families interested in the MFI (Grade 4 Entry) application and placement process will be held in January 2021. For more information, please join us on one of these dates and times listed below:
- January 21, 2021 – 7 p.m.
- January 27, 2021 – 7 p.m.
Please note: To participate in a live scheduled web chat, please visit this web page and a link will be available to join on the dates/times as outlined above.
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Revisions to Optional Attendance Process
Please note: The information about Optional Attendance is relevant only to those families and students who are applying to attend a school other than their home school for September 2021. It is not related to your child’s learning for the current school year.
On January 8, all TDSB parents/guardians received an email with information about Optional Attendance applications for September 2021. Today’s communication provides clarification on how to apply for Optional Attendance under the constraints of our current provincial State of Emergency circumstances. Our adjustments to this process will ensure that all students/families who wish to apply to another school or program for the 2021-2022 school year, are able to do so.
Special Education Placements - The Optional Attendance Process is not the process used for school/program recommendations and placements for students receiving special education support and programming (i.e. programs to support: learning disability (LD), developmental disability (DD), autism, gifted, mild intellectual disability (MID), and multiple exceptionalities (ME) identifications). Offers of school and program placements will be made in conjunction with the IPRC Annual Review Process.
English Language Learners (ELL) - English as a Second Language (ESL), English Literacy Development (ELD) Placements - The Optional Attendance Process is not the process used for school/program recommendations and placements for ELL students receiving ESL or ELD support. Offers of placements will be made in conjunction with the Newcomer Centre assessments.
Home Schools and Optional Attendance Schools - Typically, students attend their home school – which is determined by their residential address – and no application is required. Some students, however, may choose to apply to attend a school other than their home school for programming reasons. This is known as Optional Attendance. Acceptance for Optional Attendance is subject to space availability and specific program criteria for specialized/alternative programs. Often a lottery system determines acceptance if there are more applicants than spaces. Once accepted on Optional Attendance, the new school is considered the student’s “home school.” Note: Many schools are closed to Optional Attendance due to enrolment constraints. Please view list of secondary schools closed to optional attendance here.
If you wish to apply to a school under Optional Attendance for September 2021:
- Complete the Elementary Optional Attendance Form or Secondary Optional Attendance Form. Please sign if you have a printer. If you are unable to print, you can submit without signing.
- Email your completed form to your current school principal (any format – PDF, photo, screen grab).
- Your current school principal will approve your application and ensure your Optional Attendance application is sent and received by the school your child is applying to.
- Students currently enrolled at either the Secondary Virtual School or Elementary Virtual School who wish to apply to a school or program under Optional Attendance must send their forms to their home school (bricks and mortar school) for approval. Reminder: this is for attendance at a school for September 2021.
- Your current school principal must receive your application to both approve it, and to ensure our policies are being followed.
- If you completed and submitted an Optional Attendance form, prior to or during school closures, you do not need to resubmit.
If you have any questions related to the Optional Attendance process, please reach out to your current home school principal.
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:
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Bell Let's Talk Day
Get ready to join the world's biggest conversation about mental health on Bell Let's Talk Day, January 28!
Now more than ever, every action counts – On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell will donate more towards mental health initiatives in Canada by contributing 5¢ for every applicable text, call, tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk, social media video view and use of our Facebook frame or Snapchat filter. Messaging volumes directly drive Bell's donations to Canadian mental health programs at no cost to participants. Visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk to download the Bell Let's Talk toolkit and other resources
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Play!
Global School Play Day 2021 - A Day of UNSTRUCTURED Play - is on February 3, 2021. Please consider registering your class/school to show support for GSPD 2021.They will send you an email in 2021 to remind you of the event! https://www.globalschoolplayday.com/
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Virtual Ward Forum - January 21Join us for a conversation with Michelle Munroe, Co-ordinator Parent and Community Engagement on Critical Parent/Caregiver Engagement Questions for a Critical Moment. To register, please click here.
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Download the COVID ALERT APPTogether, let's limit the spread of COVID-19. COVID Alert is an additional tool to protect yourself and your loved ones. COVID Alert helps us break the cycle of infection. The app can let other app users know of possible exposures before any symptoms appear. That way, we can take care of ourselves and protect our communities. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-alert.html. Please note, unfortunately, the app is only available on certain phones/operating systems.
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School Year Calendar 2020-2021The official school year calendar for the Toronto District School Board runs from September 1 to June 30, inclusive and has now been approved by the Ministry.
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
PA Days & Holidays Remaining
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