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| Shelley Laskin, Trustee
Toronto District School Board
Ward 8: Eglinton-Lawrence & Toronto-St Paul's
416-395-8787
Shelley.Laskin@tdsb.on.ca
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Happy Thanksgiving.
Thankful.
Grateful.
Blessed.
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In this Issue:- Celebrating Thanksgiving
- Today is Mental Health Day
- COVID-19 Staff Vaccinations
- TPH COVID-19 Guidance Update
- Early French Immersion
- Update re: Professional Learning
- Meetings this Week
- Policy Consultations
- New Invitations - Take Me Outside Day; A Different Booklist Cultural Centre Virtual Event - Oct 26; Islamic Heritage Month Event with Bilquis Abdul-Qaadir on October 21; Have Your Say! Public Meeting on the Future of Canada Square Site; City of Toronto’s Public Information Session about Toronto’s Growth Funding Tools; Harvard University WECode High School Conference - Oct 12
- Items From Last Week - Worth Repeating
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Today is World Mental Health Day
Mental health and well-being matter now more than ever. The theme for 2021 is Mental health care for all: let's make it a reality. Many are struggling with their mental health this year. You never know what someone is going through. "Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always"’ - Robin Williams It's OK to not be OK. Take care of yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You are not alone. Together let's eliminate any stigma.
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COVID-19 VaccinationsThe most important thing we can continue to do for ourselves and others, especially children who cannot yet be vaccinated is to get our shot.
Vaccine Opportunities This Week
- Every Thursday and Friday in October - 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. - York University Aviva Centre Entrance between Gate G & H
- October 12 - 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Islington Junior Middle School 44 Cordova Avenue
- October 13 - 3:15 p.m. - 6 p.m. - St. John the Evangelist School 23 George Street
- October 13 - 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. - St. Wilfrid Catholic School 1685 Finch Ave W
- October 14 - 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. -Santa Maria Catholic School 25 Avon Avenue
- October 14 - 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Maple Leaf Public School 301 Culford Road
- October 15 - 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Burnhamthorpe CI 500 The East Mall
- October 15 - 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.- St. Jane Frances Catholic School 2745 Jane Street
- October 15 - 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Yorkdale SS & ALC, 38 Orfus Rd (main gym)
- October 16 - 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. - St Florence Catholic School 101 Murison Blvd
Learn More
- Learn more about vaccines for youth, including how to book and prepare for your child's vaccination appointment (Ministry of Education)
- Visit the How to Get Vaccinated webpage by Toronto Public Health
- Kids Health First - developed by the Children's COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Table in Ontario
- Book an appointment online at the dark blue “Book a Vaccine” button on toronto.ca/covid-19 or by calling the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007)
Voluntary Student Vaccination Disclosure
In the event of an interim cohort dismissal related to COVID-19, students who are fully vaccinated are allowed to continue to attend school as long as they have no symptoms. Fully vaccinated staff and students will still have to pass the COVID-19 screening tool each day, confirming they do not have symptoms. To more effectively manage possible COVID-19 cases and outbreaks in schools, Toronto Public Health is now requesting that Toronto school boards begin collecting the voluntary disclosure of vaccination status by students born in 2009 and earlier -. This is intended to minimize disruption to the students and support a more efficient dismissal process.
Please note you can choose to disclose or not disclose – it is entirely voluntary. Those who do not disclose their vaccination status will be considered unvaccinated for the purposes of the dismissal process. Learn how to update your vaccination status on the TDSB Health Screening App or on the online web portal.
Staff Vaccination Status
The Ministry of Education requires all school board employees in Ontario to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status. Below, you will find TDSB staff disclosure data as of October 7, 2021. TDSB continues to contact staff directly to complete the attestation form. It’s thought that many of the those who have not yet completed the form are casual employees who may not have worked for the school board yet this school year. Of note, the TDSB is currently in the process of implementing a Mandatory Vaccine Procedure for staff, trustees and other individuals who have direct contact with staff or students at a TDSB workplace.
- Total number of individuals to which the policy will apply: 40,239
- Total number and percentage of individuals who have attested to being fully vaccinated: 31,900 or 80.1%. Of those that have completed the attestation form, 92% are fully vaccinated.
- Total number and percentage of individuals with approved medical exemptions for not being fully vaccinated: 2 or 0%
- The number and percentage of individuals who have not yet submitted an attestation form: 5,287 or 13%
COVID-19 Advisories
COVID-19 Advisories - This page provides a list of the active confirmed cases and resolved cases of COVID-19 among students and/or staff in TDSB schools. Please note that all schools where there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 will receive a letter from Toronto Public Health (TPH) to inform them about the possible exposure.
- As of October 8, 1,493 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in publicly funded schools across Ontario in the past 14 days. Of those cases, 1,362 are students, 129 are staff, and two are not identified. Nine or .19% of the 4,844 schools in the province are currently closed.
- In the TDSB, as of October 8, 2021 at 4:15 p.m. there were 206 student cases and 25 cases within staff and 69 cases resolved.
Last Friday, October 1, the Ministry of Education sent school boards guidance for safety protocols and steps that school staff can take to handle ongoing incidents of COVID-19 related protests and harassment targeting students and staff.
Access to Rapid Antigen Testing On October 5, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, announced greater access to local targeted COVID-19 rapid antigen testing for students. The program will support access to voluntary, rapid asymptomatic screening for unvaccinated children and students who are not high-risk contacts. Where the local public health unit has identified schools or child care centres that would benefit from this screening, rapid antigen screening tests will be made available. Parents will be able to choose if their unvaccinated asymptomatic children will participate in this screening offered by their schools or licensed child care settings. Unvaccinated children participating in the program will be able to conduct the rapid antigen screening at home with instructions. Children who receive a positive result will be required to seek a Lab-based PCR test at a local assessment centre or specimen collection centre and isolate until the result of that lab-based PCR test is known. Children who receive a negative result on a rapid antigen screening test will be able to continue in-person learning. Please note some of our hospital partners were already piloting rapid antigen tests in high-risk communities.
For testing for students and staff for outbreaks, exposures and symptoms, the TDSB is working with three local hospitals to support schools with COVID-19 testing that is non-invasive, faster, easier and promotes equity of access. More information on COVID-19 Testing.
We will continue to monitor opportunities that would provide staff and/or their families the opportunity to self monitor their COVID-19 status. And we will continue our advocacy to the government that COVID-19 vaccinations be added to the list of compulsory vaccinations for all eligible students.
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TPH COVID-19 Guidance Update
Toronto Public Health (TPH) has updated their guidance as of October 6, 2021 at 6:15 p.m. To read the latest guidance click COVID-19 Guidance. The updates include revising its COVID-19 screening for students. The updated screening tool takes effect immediately. This is a copy.
The updates are:
- Addition of, "Anyone who is sick or has any symptoms of illness, including those not listed above, should stay home and seek assessment from their health care provider if needed."
- Addition of language to this line: 'In the last 14 days has the child/student travelled outside of Canada AND been advised to quarantine per the federal quarantine requirements OR was told not to attend school/child care,
One of the most important thing families can do to help mitigate the transmission of COVID-19, is to screen their children daily for any COVID-19 symptoms and keep them home from school if they are sick or have had close contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19. Thank you for your continued support in keeping our schools as safe as possible.
Updates from Toronto Public Health
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Early French Immersion
As you know, the entry point to Early French Immersion is currently Senior Kindergarten. However, the entry point will change to Junior Kindergarten for September 2022.
There will be a one transition year wherein students who will be entering Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten in 2022 will be eligible to apply to the Early French Immersion program during the November 2021 application period. Moving forward (2023), the only entry point for Early French Immersion will be Junior Kindergarten.
The application to the Early French Immersion program will remain an online process managed by the Central French Department and will take place during the month of November. All information and the online application are available at www.tdsb.on.ca/french website or click on Early French Immersion.
Early French Immersion: Applications must be completed online between November 1 and November.
French Immersion Virtual Web Chat Information Sessions for families interested in the application and placement process for the Early French Immersion program (JK and SK Entry for September 2022 only) will be held in November 2021. 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.
- November 8, 2021 - 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- November 15, 2021 - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- November 23, 2021 - 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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Update re: Professional Learning
I have heard from many about concerns on the professional learning sessions that were directed to administrators held two weeks ago. People hold different truths and deeply held narratives based on their own experiences and identities and as a result, hear things differently. It is equally clear that we need more understanding about specific words and hashtags, their origins and meanings. Intention doesn’t erase impact. Hashtags are not conversations.
Staff have confirmed that work has now begun on creating a new process to guide how we organize and structure professional learning, and engage with potential speakers As an organization the TDSB has made strides with conversations around Equitable, Anti-Racist, and Anti-Oppressive Practice that have begun to address anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Asian racism and discrimination against the 2SLGBTQ+ community and those dealing with disability. As that work continues, what’s missing?
Staff remain in the early stages of expanding TDSB’s professional learning and classroom resources to include Jewish and Muslim identities, experiences and histories. It is now imperative to commit to an implementation timeline.
Work is also underway to redevelop the “Teaching Controversial and Sensitive Issues” resource, which will empower students to use their voices to discuss matters impacting their lives. We need to enable students to know their human rights and responsibilities, how to protect those rights, the consequences of indifference and how to take effective action when they or other members of the community experience hate, racism, and other forms of discrimination and violence. This is urgent work. If left undone, we normalize intolerance.
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Meetings This Week
October 13 (Wednesday) Finance, Budget & Enrolment Committee 4:30pm - Agenda
October 14 (Thursday) Program & School Services Committee 4:30pm - Agenda
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Policy Consultations
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is committed to open and inclusive policy decision-making and values community input and participation through consultation. Policy development and reviews are carried out in accordance with the policy review schedule that is approved by the Board of Trustees and is revised on a regular basis. To view the latest Policy Review Schedule please click here.
Please click on the policy of your interest to see the current draft. You are welcome to provide your comments, including suggestions on the wording and provisions of the draft policies, questions or recommendations using the contact information below.
Parent and Community Involvement Policy
- Objective: To establish a framework for building and supporting parent and community involvement in the Toronto District School Board.
- We are currently reviewing P023 – Parent and Community Involvement Policy and are inviting feedback from our community as we develop the first draft of the policy. Learn more, and share your voice, at www.tdsbengage.ca
Specialized Schools and Programs Policy
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Take Me Outside Day
OCTOBER 20TH 2021
Take Me Outside Day aims to raise awareness about outdoor learning by encouraging teachers to take their students outside for 1 hour on October 20th.
This year will be the 11th annual Take Me Outside Day and we are kicking it up a notch! In partnership with Canada’s Non-profit Outdoor Learning Store and MEC, we are hosting a full week of speakers, activities and events that you can engage your students in throughout October 18-22. Deepen your connections with Indigenous perspectives, strengthen your health and well-being with outdoor learning, and increase your knowledge on climate change and the environment. With three different themes to focus on, this will be an educational and engaging week for students of all ages!
We encourage educators to individually register for TMO Day, rather than on behalf of their grade, school, or organization.
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A Different Booklist Cultural Centre Virtual Event - Oct 26
The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement in partnership with A Different Booklist Cultural Centre invites self-identifying Black-African, Afro-Caribbean, and Black community members to a virtual event on October 26, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Conversations will focus on how to promote meaningful and collaborative school-community engagement and how to implement the mandates of the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement. Registration is now open.
If you missed the 1st round, please come share your thoughts with us!
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Islamic Heritage Month Event with Bilquis Abdul-Qaadir on October 21
Grade 6-12 are invited to attend a virtual event with Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, former American Professional Basketball Player who challenged the International Basketball Federation when informed that she could not participate in the league while wearing a hijab. Bilqis will share the challenges she faced while trying to change this requirement for players. Thank you to the TDSB Islamic Heritage Month Volunteer Planning Committee for organizing this webinar with Bilqis on Thursday, October 21 from 1:00-2:00 p.m.
For additional information, please contact Aly Hirji at aly.hirji@tdsb.on.ca or Anisa Manjra at anisa.manjra@tdsb.on.ca.
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Have Your Say! Public Meeting on the Future of Canada Square Site
From Councillor Matlow
The former Bus Barns site on the Canada Square lands have sat as a derelict eyesore for almost two decades, serving as a staging ground for construction of the Eglinton Crosstown. However, the site (bounded by Eglinton to the north, Yonge to the east, Berwick to the south, and Duplex to the west) will become one of the most important transit hubs in Toronto when the project is completed. Importantly to the local community, these lands represent a historic opportunity to improve our quality of life and a destination site of city-wide significance.
Unfortunately, the proposal submitted to redevelop the site by Oxford Developments (the leaseholder on the site till 2070) late last year, did not include nearly enough public space, amenities, institutional and commercial uses, or affordable housing for a site of this size and importance. That’s why Council supported my motion to establish a Working Group that included Residents’ Associations, community organizations, and other stakeholders to inform a Special Study Area report. [Note: It also included myself and Trustee Chernos Lin!]
The Group put forward a vision for the site that would help transform the Yonge-Eglinton area into a complete community, including:
- A large public park
- A new elementary school
- Public square on the corner
- Affordable housing
- Childcare
- Post-secondary institution
- Significantly increased office space for innovative companies and community organizations
- Cultural facilities such as a theatre space for the performing arts
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City of Toronto’s Public Information Session about Toronto’s Growth Funding Tools
In 2020, the Ontario government made legislative changes to the Planning Act and the Development Charges Act. As a result of these changes, the City of Toronto is updating its bylaws and the following Growth Funding Tools: Development Charges, Alternative Parkland Dedication Rate and Community Benefits Charges (replaces Section 37 Benefits). These financial tools help pay for the municipal services and infrastructure that serve the growing population, and bring opportunities to create and sustain livable, vibrant, and complete communities.
The City is seeking to understand Torontonians’ priorities for funding growth. Information sessions have been organized for the public to learn more about these Growth Funding Tools. On 5 October, I shared with you that the first virtual information session was held on 6 October at 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.. A second virtual information session is being held on 13 October at 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.. Both sessions are identical and present the same information.
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Harvard University WECode High School Conference - Oct 12
It will be a one-day virtual event to encourage high schoolers to explore tech, with chances to hear from college women and professionals at Harvard and beyond, cultivate networks with fellow passionate students, and learn about the world of technology. Regular attendees must register by October 12 at tinyurl.com/WECodeHS2021. If students use this link, they can also get a 20% discount at checkout!
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Parents and Caregivers as Partners Conference 2021
Join us for a virtual conference and learn strategies to support your child, connect with other parents and hear from our inspirational keynote speaker
TDSB is committed to parent, caregiver, and community engagement as an essential element in our shared efforts to improve outcomes for children throughout their lives. Our role is to help build capacity by successfully engaging parents and caregivers, strengthening home-school partnerships, and aligning our collective efforts.
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Virtual Drop-Ins Restart This Week!
Our Professional Support Services team offers weekly virtual drop-in times where you can connect directly with a staff member to help answer questions and provide support to help you and your child. The drop-ins are beginning this week.
➡️Tuesdays 10-11 am
➡️Wednesdays 7-8 pm (Complex Needs)
➡️Thursdays 7-8 pm
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Truth and Reconciliation in Arts Education: Reflections on Learning and Creating in Expressions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Cultures (NAC1O)
Saturday, October 23, at 11:00AM.
The Ontario Art Education Association invites you to learn as Tanya Senk and Robert Durocher share experiences and reflections on providing Expressions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Cultures (NAC1O) teachers with ongoing professional learning to teach the course in respectful, responsible, relevant, and reciprocal ways. Part of this learning includes learning from and listening to an Elders Council, along with First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists, and community organizations. This workshop is ideal for K-12 Visual/Media Arts educators interested in learning to engage in the work of Truth and ReconciliACTION through arts education.
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Trustee Code of Conduct Consultations
The Ministry of Education is proposing to update O. Reg. 246/18 (Members of School Boards – Code of Conduct) of the Education Act to implement minimum standards for trustee codes of conduct to ensure consistent standards of behaviour for trustees across Ontario's school boards.
Even though OPSBA has had a template for many years that many boards already use, the proposed regulatory amendments would establish baseline standards of conduct relating to a number of areas, for example: Integrity and dignity of office, civil and respectful behaviour, uphold and respect human rights, respect the role of school board staff, respect for confidentiality, etc. The consultation process includes a backgrounder and a survey open to any member of the public until Nov 1.
The TDSB has had a Board Member Code of Conduct Policy since 2005. It was most recently revised in 2019. The policy establishes governing principles and standards for expected ethical behavior by Trustees. We are unclear why the government is considering revisions at this time, but I encourage you to use your voice.
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Restarting School Immunization Program Clinics
Have a child in grade 7 & above attending in-person learning? Toronto Public Health is restarting its publicly funded school vaccination program to protect students in grades 7 and up from hepatitis B, human papillomavirus and meningococcal disease. Starting September 14, students can receive these vaccinations by appointment only at city-run immunization sites. You can now book their appointment here http://tphbookings.ca.
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Respect the Rules - No Dogs Allowed on School Grounds
Dogs are not allowed on school property at any time. Many people are surprised to learn that City of Toronto By-Laws and TDSB Policy prohibit dogs (leashed or unleashed) being on school property.
As children begin to go back to school, please respect children’s play spaces. And please do not verbally abuse TDSB caretaking staff - I am hearing that when caretakers onsite try and inform dog owners, they are met with threats and intimidation.
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School Year Calendar 2021-2022- Thanksgiving - October 11, 2021
- Board-wide PA Day - November 19, 2021
- The last day before the Winter Break is December 17, 2021
- First day back from Winter Break is January 3, 2022
- The last day of class for elementary students is June 30, 2022
- The last day of class for secondary students is June 29, 2022
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