| Week of September 5 - First Update of 2021-22
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Welcome to the 2021-22 School Year
Whether your child is joining in person or attending virtually, we welcome you back to a new school year. Please know senior team and central staff have been planning and updating resources for a safe return to school for both students & staff and administrators and school staff have been in schools organizing classes to create welcoming, caring and inclusive classrooms.
Trustees have been supporting senior team to go above and beyond Ministry requirements for reopening to make schools as safe as possible. We are joining all school board staff to disclose our vaccination status no later than Tuesday, September 7. Both the Ministry of Education’s direction and Board Resolution on mandatory vaccinations also apply to Trustees. In addition, Director Colleen Russell-Rawlins continues to work with the senior team on the Board's Mandatory Vaccine Procedure. An update will be provided at the upcoming Governance and Policy Committee meeting on Wednesday, September 8 - I will live tweet from the meeting.
On Friday, Chair Alexander Brown, based on Board direction wrote to Minister Lecce, Dr. Moore and Dr. De Villa to ask that COVID-19 vaccinations be added to the list of compulsory vaccinations for all eligible students. "The health and safety of our students, staff and school communities is and will always be our main priority as we navigate our way through this pandemic. This commitment consists of advocating for and implementing health and safety measures that further protect our communities from the spread of the virus, including, but not limited to, masking, ventilation, and vaccinations... In keeping with this, we are asking that COVID-19 vaccinations be added to the list of compulsory vaccinations for all eligible students. This would further protect our students, staff and their families from the virus and help keep our schools open, which is of the utmost importance to the learning and well-being of our students. I would also like to mention that this request is supported by the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, as seen in a statement released on August 17, 2021." Click to read the full Chair's Letter Compulsory Vaccinations for Eligible Students.
The TDSB continues to be guided by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Toronto Public Health. Program and Operational Guidelines have been revised for 2021-22 to support a safe opening and operation of schools. Staff have confirmed their approach has been to begin cautiously and be hopeful that restrictions can be eased with the support of Toronto Public Health as the school year progresses. School staff also received Program Guidelines, designed for educators in classrooms and school-level administrators. Senior staff will provide a School Reopening Update at the Planning and Priorities Committee Meeting on September 14th.
The Director will also continue the recent weekly practice of communicating directly with families on key issues. In this past week's Return to School Update staff shared Toronto Public Health’s new screening tool, checklists to help get ready for elementary and secondary school each day, and highlighted updates to our practices and protocols. All of this information can also be found on our Return to School website.
I understand some in-person classes are very large. Principals have been advocating directly to Superintendents for additional staffing to be put into place before the start of the school year to avoid a reorganization later this month. Unfortunately, all TDSB schools must adhere to the same staffing processes. Staff will use the September 23 actual enrolment numbers, not pre-registered numbers, to determine changes in staffing. In some cases, staff will be extracted from under enrolled schools. In others, overenrolled schools will receive additional staffing. Reorganization in the elementary panel occurs every year, and while our Planning department's projections are very close to actual numbers, there are unforeseen changes, especially this year with the option to select virtual school that arise.
It is important to note that elementary student(s) may be placed in a virtual learning class at another hub school with other children if the grade and/or program is not available virtually at their home school. If this is your child, please know that when you choose to go back to in-person learning, you will return to your "home" school, but for now, your child will be considered part of the school where the virtual teacher is.
Finally, thank you to all Caretaking staff who worked over the summer to get our buildings ready for staff and students and to all facilities staff who worked to both inside and outside the school on upgrades. Thank you to all school office staff who were in weeks before the start of school to support reopening. And thanks to Principals, Vice-Principals, teachers and education workers who are reaching out to their families to provide them with as much information as possible prior to Thursday's Opening Day. It may be later than usual this year, but please realize senior staff, central staff and Superintendents have worked this summer to do everything possible to ensure school safety opens on September 9. Let's all work to make this the best possible experience for student learning and well-being. I know educators will do all they can... and that is all we can ask. Please stay patient and kind... everyone is doing their best.
Hoping you will all enjoy Labour Day relaxing with family and friends -
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L'shana Tovah
To Jewish students, staff, families and community members celebrating Rosh Hashanah, Happy New Year 5782!
May this time of reflection and renewal during this pandemic bring you hope... and may this New Year be filled with peace, health and happiness, and sweet moments for you and your family. L’shanah Tovah!
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Back to School Tips
Mental health and well-being continues to be at the forefront of the TDSB's return to school planning - being intentional about creating a sense of belonging for students and staff as well as understanding and acknowledging everyone’s different lived experiences during the pandemic. We know children/youth may be feeling anxious about the return to school. Please encourage them to express their concerns & help them remember the parts of school they enjoy & are looking forward to.
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Get Your Shot!The most important thing we can continue to do for ourselves and others, especially children who can not yet be vaccinated is to get our shot. The TDSB will continue to help facilitate vaccination opportunities and clinics within our schools, together with local health partners as we have over recent months. This week's clinics for those born in 2009 and earlier are as follows - no appointment is needed.
- September 7 from 2-6:30 p.m. at Scarborough Village Public School, 15 Luella Street
- September 11 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Gordon A. Brown Middle School, 2800 St Clair Ave
- September 15 from 2 - 8 p.m. at Thomas Lester Wells Public School, 69 Nightstar Rd
- September 23 from 2-6 p.m. at Westview Centennial Secondary School, 755 Oakdale Road
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)
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Updated Guidance for the 2021-22 School Year
Mask Wearing and Daily Checklists - A reminder that all students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 must wear masks indoors. Students are not required to wear masks outdoors during recess, lunch or outdoor learning. Parents/guardians and visitors must wear masks when outdoors on TDSB property as per the TDSB Mask Procedure.
Specific guidelines, practices and protocols for elementary and secondary are available on the TDSB Return to School website. Some recent updates are available in the following areas: extra-curricular activities, music programs, and school council meetings.
Transportation - the Toronto School Transportation Group (TSTG) is responsible for organizing and leading student transportation for the TDSB and TCDSB - To start the 2021-22 school year, the TSTG will once again be implementing a phased-in start for student transportation to ensure that students with special education needs are prioritized and receive bus service beginning the first week of school.
Questions & Answers - Read more about the return to school in our Questions and Answers that are divided by category. These will continue to be updated.
Covid-19 Recovery Plan- The Toronto District School Board’s COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Plan is a three-phase plan that will identify which groups have been most impacted, where interventions will be put in place, and initial outcomes that result from these interventions.
Outdoor Learning - Staff have confirmed there will also be an emphasis on outdoor learning when schools reopen which will also encourage teachers to take students outside, even in the winter, as there are many health and well being benefits for increasing the amount of time outdoors.
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Start of the Year Forms Now Online
After your child’s first day of school on September 9, an email will automatically be sent to the parent/guardian listed as the primary or secondary contact with an email address on file with the school. The email will come from TDSB Online Form (noreply@tdsb.on.ca) and will take you to a secure site to complete and submit your child’s forms. You will need to complete this for each child. The forms available online include the following:
- Consent Form Package
- Permission to participate in off-site walking excursions
- Student media release consent
- Permission to leave school in severe weather conditions
- Use of parent/guardian email address
- Medical Information Form
- Acknowledgement and Declaration of Digital Learning Tool Consent
- Code of Conduct and Code of Online Conduct
Completing the form online streamlines the process for parents/guardians and also helps save resources in schools. While you’re not required to complete forms online, we encourage parents/guardians to take advantage of this opportunity.
If you do not receive the email, please contact the school office at your child’s school to make sure your email address on file is accurate and active. Once the email is entered into our student system, the parent/guardian will receive the email the following school day. Depending on personal email account settings, check Junk or Spam folders as the email may have been filed there.
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COVID Testing
Tests for Students and Staff for Outbreaks, Exposures and Symptoms - Sick Kids, Michael Garron Hospital and Women’s College Hospital have developed a strategy for supporting schools with COVID testing that is non-invasive, faster, easier and promotes equity of access. Every school has been assigned to one of these three hospitals. The hospitals are providing a supply of take-home saliva test kits to each school. When there is a need for testing, such as due to an outbreak or exposure, or when a student or staff member has symptoms, the school can provide the individuals with a saliva test kit to take home and complete. The completed tests are deposited at the school where they are picked up daily by a courier. Test results are available within one to two days. The saliva tests are PCR tests that are considered the gold standard for testing. Staff continue to investigate rapid antigen tests for students.
Tests for Staff who are not Fully Vaccinated - The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS) is providing school boards with rapid antigen tests for the regular testing of staff who are not fully vaccinated. We are awaiting further information from MGCS on the implementation of these tests. Each kit contains 25 tests which should last a staff member about six weeks. We will distribute the kits to schools in time for the first day of school. We are working with MGCS to secure an ongoing sufficient supply of tests.
A mandatory vaccination procedure for all staff, trustees and visitors is currently being developed by the TDSB based on a unanimous motion of Trustees. While this procedure is still being finalized, the Ministry of Education requires all school board staff to disclose their vaccination status by September 7, 2021. The procedure will be announced shortly and will include a phase-in period giving unvaccinated employees an opportunity to get vaccinated. However, in the interim, those employees who do not disclose their vaccination status or are unvaccinated will need to undergo rapid antigen testing as prescribed by the Government of Ontario.
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Parameters - Schools as Polling Stations
The next Federal Election is being held on Monday, September 20, 2021, which is a school day. Over the past year, the Office of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health has been working with the Chief Elections Officer to review election safety protocols with regard to the use of schools as polling stations.
After reviewing a request submitted by Elections Canada, senior TDSB staff have determined we will only be proceeding with schools (primarily middle and high schools) that have either direct access to the gymnasium or an exterior door immediately adjacent to the gymnasium so there is no interaction with students. The health and safety of our students and staff remain our priority and elections staff will be following all appropriate health and safety guidelines. To help ensure the public does not come into contact with students or staff, security has been requested at each polling station. This approach balanced the health and safety needs of our students and staff while recognizing the important role schools play in providing access to their communities to cast their vote.
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International Languages – Elementary/African Heritage 2021-2022 Program
The International Languages – Elementary / African Heritage Program offers language classes to students who want to learn a language in addition to English and French. We also offer African Heritage classes which highlights Black culture and the contributions of people of African descent. These classes are for students (TDSB and non TDSB) Kindergarten to Grade 8. One day each week, they will have live face-to-face interactive lessons with their instructor and other students for approximately 30 minutes. Classes begin the third week of September. Activities will be focused on building student’s abilities in oral communication, reading and writing. No previous knowledge is necessary. Please note that a minimum of 23 students is required to open a language class.
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Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement
The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement is dedicated to improving the experiences and outcomes for Black students. It aims to be responsive to the voices of Black communities who have advocated for systemic change within educational institutions and for dismantling anti-Black racism at the TDSB. To learn more, follow @tdsb_cebsa on Twitter and sign-up for the mailing list.
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Safety Getting to School
In recent years, TDSB staff has been working closely with the City of Toronto's Transportation Services, Toronto Public Health and other community partners to improve road safety for children and youth. In 2017, the TDSB launched its Traffic Safety Program (TSP) which helps schools identify travel issues and develop workable solutions. The TSP program aligns with the City of Toronto's Vision Zero Road Safety Plan, which seeks to reduce the number of traffic-related deaths and serious injuries on Toronto's roads. Together, we can keep school zones safe! To learn more about road safety, please visit: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Road-Safety.
Teach your children the rules of the road - start when they're young.
- Teach children how to cross the street safely. Teach them to stop (before stepping onto the road), look left, right and left again, and listen for traffic before stepping out into the street. Teach children to wait until the street is clear and to keep looking until they have crossed the street. They should also look the driver in the eye before crossing.
- Teach children to recognize pedestrian crossing signals but not rely on them. Before crossing, children should also be sure the traffic has stopped. Remind them to continue across if the light changes to "Don't Walk" while they are in the crosswalk. Teach children to be extra alert when crossing at a corner with no traffic lights.
- Teach your children to stop at driveways, alleys and areas without curbs and to never run out onto the street. Teach children about the dangers of crossing the street between parked cars or when not at a corner. Children should cross only at corners and pedestrian crosswalks, not diagonally or between parked cars.
- Teach children to respect the role of the crossing guard and to understand his/her signals.
- Teach children that wherever possible they should walk on the sidewalk. In areas without sidewalks, teach children to walk as far away from the road as possible, facing approaching traffic (when there is no choice but to walk on the road.
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Safety at School
A reminder to parents/guardians that we have a secure access system installed at our main entry. This means that the outside doors of our school remain locked and the buzzer system must be used to gain entrance. This system is one of many tools we use to ensure our school provides a safe and welcoming environment for all. Establishing a single point of entry also aligns with the new health and safety processes we have in place as part of the safe reopening of schools.
The Safe Arrival Program helps to ensure students have arrived at school safely and when expected. If your child is going to be late or absent for any reason, it is important that you contact the office immediately and report the reason for the absence.
At the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) we have an automated call-out system. If your child is late or absent, without informing the school ahead of time, the call-out system will attempt to contact you. With this in mind, it is important that your contact information on file at the office is current and up-to-date. Please let the office know immediately if your contact information changes at any time throughout the school year.
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Revised Weekly Update Template - AODA
You may have noticed my Weekly Update Template has changed - by December 31, 2021, all content -- including documents and web pages -- on the TDSB public website must be AODA compliant. AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) is an act created by the Ontario government with the goal of removing barriers for activities and opportunities for disabled individuals by 2025. It is my goal to make every effort to ensure the update is accessible to all.
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Walk/Roll to SchoolTake some time now to plan how your child will walk/bike to school this fall and practice the route. Planning ahead helps you explore the neighbourhood, find different routes to school and pick the one that works best for your family.
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Student Vote CanadaStudent Vote uses the election as a teachable moment and enables teachers to bring democracy alive in the classroom. This hands-on learning program empowers students to experience the voting process firsthand and cast ballots for the official candidates running in the election.
CIVIX will organize a Student Vote parallel election coinciding with the federal election on September 20. The program will be available to all schools throughout Canada and there is no cost to participate.
Registered teachers will receive a variety of learning materials and election tools to engage their students in the election and foster discussion about the parties and candidates. Student Vote Canada is presented in collaboration with Elections Canada.
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Truth and Reconciliation Week 2021A Virtual Event Open to All Canadian Schools For Youth Grades 5 – 12
September 27-October 1
To celebrate the success of last year’s online event, Every Child Matters, we are proud to present a full week of Truth and Reconciliation programming. Truth and Reconciliation Week is a 5-day national event that will continue the conversations from Every Child Matters. Important conversations including the truths of the Indigenous treaties, First Nation, Métis and Inuit land claims, and the residential schools' system. This online event will provide historical workshops, exclusive video content, and activities for students — all supported by artistic and cultural performances by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists. For more information click https://nctr.ca/education/truth-and-reconciliation-week/. Register now at Eventbrite.
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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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OPSBA’s Transitioning from the COVID-19 School Experience Discussion Paper – Video and Community Survey
Ontario children are preparing to return to their public schools this fall for the first time since the spring and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) wants to hear from you! OPSBA’s Transitioning from the COVID-19 School Experience Discussion Paper reflects the initial thinking of Association membership from first-hand accounts of remote learning during the pandemic, in all manner of school and geographic settings. This process of reflection has revealed two compelling realities: that a worrisome number of students have been unable to profit from remote forms of learning; and that several innovative practices in pedagogy and leadership have emerged that should be preserved and implemented on a broader scale post-pandemic. OPSBA, of which our school board is a member, has launched an online survey to help inform public education advocacy to the provincial government throughout the 2021-22 school year and beyond. We are asking community members throughout Ontario to share some of their thoughts about learning online during the COVID-19 pandemic and the post-pandemic school and learning environment. The survey, with a deadline of November 30, 2021, can be accessed at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/COVID19andSchoolOntario There are eight questions in the survey, which should take about 10 minutes to complete. This survey is completely anonymous and participation is completely voluntary. To allow more meaningful analysis of the results, some of the survey questions are mandatory. If one is missed, the user will be reminded at the end to complete those specific questions. We have created a dashboard and anyone who has completed the survey will receive an active link to see how others have responded.
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School Year Calendar 2021-2022- First day of classes for students is September 9, 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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