Week of November 16, 2020
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This Week's Update- Reduce the Spread
- Louis Riel Day
- COVID-19 Advisories
- Organizational Board Meeting
- Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week
- Returning to School Links
- Ready. Set. Learn. PIAC Conference
- Equity Ward Forum
- Toronto-St Paul's Summit: Build Back Better
- Virtual Open Houses
- Optional Attendance
- Committee Meetings This Week - Special Committee of the Whole and Regular Board
- French Program Application Deadlines
- Early French Immersion Information Sessions
- International Languages Elementary & African Heritage Programs
- School Year Calendar
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COVID-19: Reduce Virus SpreadCommunity spread is rising and it is very concerning since the best way to keep our kids in school right now is to ensure everyone is following public health guidelines to prevent community spread. This is the most critical thing we can do. Let's all do what we can. Wash your hands. Watch your distance. Wear your mask.
"If we limit our contact, keep our distance and wear our mask, we will contribute significantly to the ability to limit virus spread and that is the most important thing of all." Dr Eileen de Villa
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Louis Riel Day on Nov 16
November is Indigenous Heritage Month. Louis Riel was a great Métis leader who helped his people form a government and become part of the newly created Dominion of Canada in 1870. Fearing their rights would be overridden, by the new Canadian government, Métis People at the Red River settlement demanded the right to enter Confederation on their own terms. Louis Riel emerged as the spokesperson for the settlement and in 1870 Métis people challenged Canada's right to their homeland in an event known as the Red River Resistance. Riel insisted that Red River was prepared to join Canada but wanted guarantees of the Métis right to continue their culture. The result was the Manitoba Act, which contained most of the guarantees the Métis people had wanted.
However, the Canadian government did not honour its obligations to the Métis, and as a result, Métis people were further displaced. Fearing that more and more Métis lands would be lost to new settlers, Louis Riel was asked to lead his people once again in asserting Métis rights. In 1884, Louis Riel returned from exile to present the Métis concerns to the Canadian government. Despite Riel's assistance, the federal government ignored Métis concerns, which led to the declaration of a provisional Métis government. This culminated in armed conflict between the Métis and the Canadian government. Louis Riel was captured, charged and tried for treason. On November 16, 1885 he was executed by the Canadian government for leading the Northwest Resistance in defense of Métis rights and the Métis way-of-life.
Every year Louis Riel Day is held to remember what Riel sacrificed and renew the commitment to completing his work. The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) celebrates Louis Riel Day to recognize the many contributions of the Métis to Canada and to highlight the continuing struggles that Métis continue to face. “We celebrate this day to recognize our ongoing struggle to fulfill Louis Riel’s dream that the Métis take their rightful place within Confederation.” MNO President Gary Lipinski.
The Métis are recognized as one of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada by the Constitution Act of 1982. Louis Riel Day is a time to recognize and respect the history, culture and identity of Métis people. Additionally, the City of Toronto proclaimed November 16, “Louis Riel Day” and the Métis flag is raised at City Hall.
Today, Riel is considered the founder of Manitoba and is recognized by the Métis and other people as an advocate for minority rights in Canada. As stated by former Métis Nation of Ontario President, Tony Belcourt, ''November 16th marks a significant occasion of observance for the Métis Nation. This date gives us an opportunity to bring about an enlightened focus on the significant role and achievements of Louis Riel and the Métis Nation in the building of Canada.''
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COVID-19 Advisories
The Toronto District School Board is committed to providing up to date information about confirmed cases of COVID-19 in schools (students and staff). This information is easily accessible by clicking on the COVID-19 Advisories banner on the main webpage of www.tdsb.on.ca. Please note that all schools where there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 will receive a letter from Toronto Public Health to inform them about the possible exposure.
Please note that as of November 10, we began tracking “resolved” cases on the website. If a case was resolved prior to November 10th, it wouldn’t be reflected on the website. This paragraph has been added: As of November 10, 2020, COVID-19 cases that are resolved (staff member or student has been cleared to return to school) will be shifted to the “resolved cases” column of the chart below.
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Organizational Board Meeting This Week
Organizational Board Meeting - Monday, November 16 6:00 p.m. Electronic Meeting
The purpose of the Organizational Board meeting is the first meeting of the Board. It is held each year, either immediately following an election or the end of a Trustee Term.
Organizational Board meetings are held to elect the Board Chair and Vice Chair, as well as to determine the slate of Board Committees for the next year. A Chair, Vice Chair and members are elected for each of the standing committees. We also appoint trustee members to Community Advisory Committees and to external organizations to represent the board.
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Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week
The TDSB recognizes Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week November 15 to 21, 2020 with school boards across the province. This week is an opportunity to remember the impact that bullying can have on a school community and to talk about the ways we can report, support and prevent bullying in our schools.
Providing safe, inclusive and positive spaces accepting of all students is a priority in the TDSB. Our schools should be communities where all students are respected, welcomed, nurtured, engaged and encouraged.
Bullying is aggressive behaviour that is typically repeated over time. It is meant to cause harm, fear or distress or create a negative environment at school for another person. Bullying can take on a number of different forms: physical, verbal, social or electronic, often called cyber-bullying. All forms of bullying are taken seriously in the TDSB.
Whether the bullying happened at school, between students off school property or online, if it impacts student safety, the school must investigate and respond to any reports. Be part of making our schools safer – report bullying.
- If you are a student who is being bullied, reach out.
- If you are a parent/guardian and your child is being bullied, refer to "Steps to Address Questions and Concerns".
- If you are a staff member, know what your responsibilities are with respect to addressing and preventing bullying.
When students have healthy relationships in their lives and feel connected to their school community, they are less likely to bully others and are more likely to support students who are bullied. Promoting healthy relationships among students is a key way to prevent bullying and create a safe and accepting school climate. And, the power of having an adult who students can connect with and feel comfortable talking to is critical.
The TDSB is committed to working to strengthen relationships between students and school adults and improving overall school climate to create inviting and engaging learning spaces where student want to be. As a system, we focus on prevention efforts and creating a welcoming school community – both in-person and online. Staff and students are engaged through events, activities and prevention programming and encouraged to take on leadership roles to enhance the school community.
We have a responsibility to respond to incidents of bullying, to support the affected individuals, hold students accountable and address issues that may have contributed to the situation and help prevent them from happening again. This work is supported by a number of TDSB policies and procedures, including:
Learn more about how we support students, bullying prevention programs that we offer and the educational partners we work with to support anti-bullying initiatives in our schools and classrooms. Follow along on social media with #TDSBbekind and join the conversation with stories of kindness.
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Returning to School Links Thank you to all staff, both in-school and virtual who under the most difficult of circumstances have worked tirelessly to ensure students achieved success. And to all families who adapted to these challenging circumstances, your support has been sincerely appreciated. Nothing is the same as before... and I know embracing the unknown has been difficult for all. As we enter the second term and the second quadmester, please know you have my unending gratitude.
Elementary Update
As you know, the schedule to request a switch between the two learning models (in-person and virtual) was adjusted several weeks ago and there is no longer an opportunity to request a switch in November. However, at the time that this change was communicated, staff indicated that unique circumstances would be considered on a case by case basis and I know they have continued to receive requests from families to switch students into the Elementary Virtual School.
Requests to Switch from Bricks and Mortar School to Virtual School - Currently, requests to switch a student into the Elementary Virtual School will be reviewed based on space availability and compassionate grounds. Learning Network (LN) Superintendents will review all requests and determine if the requests meet any of the compassionate grounds. The student will either be approved to move at this time (if there is space within a class for the VS in their Learning Centre) OR at the next formal transition point.
Switch Requests for the Next Transition Opportunity - We also understand there are many students who would like to switch to virtual learning at the next transition opportunity. Staff have informed trustees that a formal process will be communicated soon.
Requests to Switch from Virtual School to Bricks and Mortar - Staff also advise on an ongoing basis, families who wish for their child(ren) to return to bricks and mortar schools can make requests through the LN Superintendent of Education for their child(ren’s) home school. Requests will be granted once the LN Superintendent has confirmed with the home school Principal that target class caps will not be exceeded by allowing the student(s) to return. Once a student transfers back, decisions to return to bricks and mortar learning are final. Further requests to switch back to Virtual School will be addressed at the time of the next transition opportunity.
Secondary Update
For a Secondary Update: Quadmester 2 Virtual School/In-Person Process - at our COVID-19 meeting last Tuesday, staff informed Trustees that 8500 secondary students requested to move from in-school to virtual learning for Quadmester 2.This means that 38% of all secondary students will be learning virtually - leaving only 62% of the original student projection on which staffing was based. It is understandable if these students moved to virtual school it would put program choice options at risk. As per the letter you received on October 23, students who are switching from in-person to virtual learning in Quadmester 2 will receive virtual (at home) instruction through their local, in-person school, and not through the Virtual School. Given the course selection and enrolment data locally at each school, models considered included:
- Classes that are either fully virtual or fully in-school
- Combining with students from another school to ensure access to a variety of courses
- Simultaneous learning which would see teachers teaching both in-person and virtual students at the same time.
During our meeting, some of us expressed concerns for simultaneous learning - at this point staff confirmed this would be the only option in some circumstances to ensure student programming viability - and confirmed secondary teachers would get training and technical support - we know teachers, again, will do their best - but we will continue to ask senior staff for evidence of how Quad 2 regarding other possible options for Quadmester 3 - if more teachers are required, we need to hire additional staff. As I understand it, Superintendents are discussing each school's Quad 2 timetable - these will be finalized shortly and you will hear this week.
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Ready. Set. Engage!
PIAC invites all parents and caregivers to take part in our 14th annual parent conference – Ready. Set. Engage! Navigating the School Year Together – in partnership with TDSB. Join us in our first-ever virtual conference on November 21 and 22 for two days of workshops for parents and school councils.
There is an opportunity to connect directly with trustees, parents and community members during the final session on Sunday, November 22 2:45pm EST, in designated Ward breakout rooms with our PIAC Ward Representative as moderator, to learn about our community’s successes and challenges as we continue adapting to a new educational landscape and school year, unlike any we have experienced before! See you there!
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Equity Ward Forum
Thank you to all who joined us for our Virtual Ward 8 Forum last Thursday. We began with an opportunity for Superintendents John Chasty, Andrew Howard and Denise Humphreys to welcome and introduce themselves. Next we heard updates from Ward 8 PIAC Representatives Kaydeen Bankasingh and John Bakous and our FSLAC rep Lynne LeBlanc. We then received a presentation by TDSB Equity Coaches jamie berrigan and Shayle Graham.
As part of the Multi-Year Strategic Plan, the TDSB is ensuring that every student receives equitable access to programs, resources and learning opportunities that lead to success. Building a common understanding of equity, anti-oppression and anti-racism enables us to identify, address, and eliminate the biases, barriers, and power dynamics that impact student achievement and well-being. This session explores these key terms (stereotype, prejudice, discrimination, oppression, race, racism, anti-racism, and anti-Black racism) along with our individual roles in reducing the educational disparities caused by systemic oppression.
We welcome community members to engage in this learning with us and share their experiences and perspectives of how to further the equity, anti-oppression, and anti-racism work in their school communities.
Thank you to jamie and Shayle and to Superintendents Chasty, Howard and Humphreys for your support in discussions and answering the questions posed during the meeting. Notes will be posted on my website shortly. For the complete presentation, please click here.
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Toronto-St Paul's Summit: Build Back Better
Sunday, November 22 @ 3 PM-4:40PM
A Facebook Live Event
Join Toronto-St. Paul’s elected officials from all orders of government to discuss how we can work together to ensure that we support those in need and create policies to #BuildBackBetter after the pandemic.
Invited Panelists:
- Hon. Carolyn Bennett, MP for Toronto-St. Paul's
- Jill Andrew, MPP for Toronto-St. Paul's
- Josh Matlow, Toronto City Councillor Ward 21
- Shelley Laskin, TDSB Trustee
- Norm Di Pasquale, TCDSB Trustee
To participate in the event in real time, join the Facebook Live Event via the following link: https://fb.me/e/3RdeTh1xv. If you have any questions, please email them to Carolyn.bennett@parl.gc.ca up to 1 day prior to the event.
Please note I plan to join part-way through the session as I am committed to the PIAC Ward session from 2:45 - 3:45.
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Virtual Open Houses and Information SessionsTo help you make an informed decision when choosing a school, TDSB schools will host virtual open houses and information sessions (live or pre-recorded) for parents/guardians and students between November and January.
Learn everything you need to know about our incredible variety of schools, programs and courses. Please note that some schools are hosting “live” virtual open houses that families can join in real time, during the specified date and time. Some schools have pre-recorded information sessions that you can view at any time by clicking the link provided.
Note: Please check this page regularly, as schools will continue to post information about virtual open house dates/times and available pre-recorded information sessions. https://www.tdsb.on.ca/openhouses
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Optional Attendance
Provided the school is permitted to receive applications, you may decide to apply to attend a school other than your designated school by address. Schools with specialized programs will have additional criteria for admission; some schools require a supplementary application and some have highly specific requirements for admission. The Optional Attendance Policy has not changed for the 2021-22 school year. You may apply to two regular schools beyond your home school (determined by your residential address) and two specialized schools/programs. Your counsellor and your parents/guardians can help you determine if your choice is in line with the educational plans that you have been working towards.
Note: The optional attendance status for all schools for 2021-22 will be posted on the TDSB public website by mid-November.
If you choose to apply for optional attendance you should know:
- You will be responsible for your own transportation.
- You may only apply to two regular and two specialized schools/programs.
- You may not apply to a school that is not permitted to receive applications (i.e. closed schools). A list of those schools is produced by mid-January.
- A school/program that receives more applications than it has space will run a lottery to determine the successful applicants.
- Once you accept an offer of admission to a regular school through Optional Attendance, it becomes your home school and you are expected to remain there until graduation. For specialized schools/program and alternative schools, you may return to your designated school by address at an appropriate intake opportunity (i.e. semester change, end of term)
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
- March 1, 2021: Course selection sheets due at secondary schools via myBlueprint
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French Program Application DeadlinesFor families interested in the Toronto District School Board's system-wide French Programs, we offer an online process to apply for Early French Immersion (begins in Senior Kindergarten) and Middle French Immersion (begins in Grade 4). An offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) is guaranteed to all on-time applicants. The timelines for applying for these programs for September 2021 are:
- Early French Immersion: Applications must be completed online between November 2 and November 27, 2020.
- Middle French Immersion: Applications must be completed online between January 4 and January 29, 2021.
Offers of placement within your chosen program (not a specific school) will be made to all on-time applicants in the weeks following the close of the application window. Families with an older sibling currently in a French program are still required to complete an online application for the new student.
For more information about French as a Second Language programs, the application process and important dates, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/french.
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Early French Immersion (SK Entry)
Information Sessions
Virtual Web Chat Information Sessions have been scheduled for families interested in the Early French Immersion (SK) application and placement process. The scheduled sessions are:
- November 19, 2020, 10-11 a.m.
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International Languages Elementary & African Heritage Programs
International Languages Elementary & African Heritage Program is an enriching learning experience for K-8 students to learn a new language and discover other cultures. Open to all TDSB and non-TDSB students, programs are currently offered online and there is no language background necessary.
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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.
PA Days & Holidays Remaining
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In-Person School - November 20, 2020
Virtual School - December 4, 2020
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Dec 21, 2020 - January 1, 2021
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Secondary PA Day (Semestered Schools Only)
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