email : Webview : Ward 21 - December 17, 2020 Newsletter

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, and Community Members,

I hope you and your loved ones are keeping safe. As we approach the holiday season, I hope you find time to relax with loved ones in your household. As we’ve heard these past few days, many Ontario hospitals are nearing capacity, and we need to do our part and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Please adhere to lockdown measures and avoid gathering with those outside of your household.

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, the Ministry of Education has informed school boards to prepare to pivot into remote learning at any time. As of now, we have received no indication that schools will close. Any decision on school closures is made based on the advice of Toronto Public Health or the provincial government. As we get ready for the break, please ensure your child’s personal belongings or any food left in their locker or cubby is brought home.

I wish to continue to express my deepest gratitude to our frontline healthcare workers and grocery store cashiers, delivery drivers, take-out staff, stockroom clerks, and janitorial staff. Not everyone has the privilege to work from home, and we thank all those who have continued to work throughout the pandemic to keep our communities healthy and safe.

Happy Holiday and looking forward to connecting with you in the New Year!

Warm Regards,

Yalini Rajakulasingam

Phone: (416) 395-8787

Email: yalini.rajakulasingam@tdsb.on.ca

Twitter: @YaliniR_Ward21

Instagram: @YaliniRajakulasingam

Facebook: @YaliniRWard21

Parent/Guardian Survey: Switching between Virtual School and In-Person

This week, parents/guardians should have received an email from their child’s school asking to indicate if their child wishes to switch between in-person and virtual learning or between virtual and in-person learning. Please consider completing this survey as it helps us understand which option parents/guardians prefer. For those wishing to switch, it’s important to note that this email survey will not guarantee that a switch will be possible. However, the information will help inform our decision making for this last opportunity to switch for the 2020-2021 school year.

Please respond no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, January 4, 2021.

Lunchroom supervisor

For parents or guardians interested in working as a Lunchroom Supervisor.

This position ensures the safety and security of students during the lunch period at Elementary and Junior High Schools. Candidates must be available to work 3-5 days per week and for 1 hour and 15 minutes per day during the lunch period.

To apply visit: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Employment/Support-Staff

Ward 21 Election: Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) Representative and Alternate

On January 26, 2021, at the upcoming Ward 21 Ward Forum, elections will be held for a Ward 21 PIAC Representative and Alternate. Please see below for information on PIAC nominations and PIAC voter registration forms.

PIAC Nomination Process:

Nomination Form: https://forms.gle/W74zDYYGi8SHCKNd9

Parents/Caregivers interested in becoming a PIAC Representative or Alternate must complete the Nomination form by January 18, 2021. No nominations will be taken from the floor at the meeting.
Candidates will be notified of eligibility by January 20, 2021.
Candidate(s) list and bios will be posted on the Trustees page at: www.tdsb.on.ca/Ward21

PIAC Voter Registration Form: https://forms.gle/FcXztUjJBhw5mbx99

Only parents/caregivers who have children enrolled in the TDSB are eligible to vote in PIAC Ward Elections. If you are interested in voting, please complete the PIAC Voter Registration Form by January 24, 2021.

Election Process

Elections will be held using the Election Buddy Platform.
Voting information will be shared on the evening of the election and only if an election is required. An election will be required if there is more than one nominee for available vacancy.
Election results will be shared by the Trustee and posted on PIAC’s TDSB web page

Thank you for your interest in the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee.

Adult English as a Second Language Classes

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 many 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.

Visit www.ESLToronto.ca for more information. Twitter: @TDSB_ConEd

Continuing Education - International Languages Elementary and African Heritage Programs

The International Languages – Elementary / African Heritage Program offers online language classes to students in Kindergarten to Grade 8. Once a 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.

Visit www.ILEprograms.ca for more information.

Continuing Education - Community Programs

Online Learn4Life winter registration begins December 2. Take up a new hobby or learn a language from home. Stay active with our many fitness classes or gain knowledge on how to invest in the stock market. Classes are for adults 18 + and seniors and start the week of Saturday, January 23, 2021.

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

On December 6, TDSB students and staff marked the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. On this day, we honour victims of gender-based violence and those targeted because of their gender expression, gender identity, or perceived gender. We remember missing and murdered Indigenous women, Queer and Trans folks, and women with disabilities who are among the most vulnerable to gender-based violence. On this day, we reaffirm our commitment to fighting all forms of patriarchy in our homes, schools, and workplaces. Within the TDSB, please contact www.tdsb.on.ca/gbvp for further support or questions on any issues related to gender-based violence.

Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove®
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.

5050 Yonge St.
Toronto, Ontario | M2N 5N8 CA