This Week's Update
- Genocide Awareness
- COVID Testing Update
- Update on the Government’s Proposed Plan for Remote Learning
- Committee Meeting This Week
- School Year Calendar 2021-22 (TBC)
- Provincial Capital Priorities Program 2021-22
- Midtown Toronto Storm Sewer Relief Project (MTSSRP)
- Ward 8 PARTS/Community Updates
- A School at Canada Square?
New Invitation - St Paul's Summit on April 18, 2021
Worth Repeating - Save the Date-PIAC Spring Event
- EECOM 2021 Exploring the Nature of Cities April 21-24, 2021
- Prime Minister's Awards Deadline Extended
- TDSB Summer School Registration 2021
- Policy Consultations
- Download the COVID-19 App
- School Year Calendar
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Genocide Awareness
On April 24, 2015, the House of Commons of Canada passed a motion designating April as Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month. In the Ontario Legislature, Bill 97 2019 - An Act to proclaim Genocide Awareness, Commemoration, Prevention and Education Month in April is working its way through committee.
- That the Genocide: Historical and Contemporary Implications (CHG381), Grade 11, Locally Developed Course in TDSB, be accredited as part of the Ontario Curriculum as a “university” or “mixed” course.
- That genocide examples are a comprehensive study as part of the mandatory Canadian History Since World War I Grade 10 course; and,
- That the province convene a working group of experts to look critically at the Ontario curriculum to ensure that students graduate with a better understanding of human rights, and how to protect those rights and take effective action if they or others experience hate, racism or others forms of discrimination and violence.
Genocide Education is known to help students better understand their rights as humans, both individually and as a society, and also provide them with the critical thinking skills needed to better understand racism and intolerance. In return, this prepares students to recognize, report and combat various forms of hate in their own surroundings. For this reason, we believe Genocide Education is critical in our fight against hate and discrimination.
We are still awaiting a response.
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COVID Testing Update
Symptomatic testing: Toronto Public Health (TPH) continues to identify many cohorts and whole schools to be tested to support investigations. The testing of the dismissed cohorts and the whole schools is being done by the testing hospitals.
Asymptomatic testing: Next week, there will be two asymptomatic testing hubs supported by LifeLabs:
- April 8, 2021 - Brebeuf College, 211 Steeles Avenue East
- April 9, 2021 - Richview CI, 1738 Islington Avenue
These hubs are open to all students and staff of schools of the four school boards in Toronto. The testing is voluntary. The students and staff must not have symptoms in order to participate in these testing opportunities. The asymptomatic testing sites are posted on the TDSB website; this page will continue to be updated as new sites are identified.
As COVID-19 numbers continue to rise in the City, so do the cases in our schools. As of April 1, 2021 we have closed six schools - Brian PS, Clinton St JPS, Gateway PS, Ryerson CS, Thorncliffe Park PS, Victoria Village PS - while Toronto Public Health investigates. These measures are necessary to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and our staff in these schools pivoted quickly to support our students. These students will continue with remote learning as directed by the Province.
We also continue to stay on top of the number of active confirmed COVID-19 cases among students and staff in TDSB schools. As of Friday, our current case count is 601 student cases and 109 staff cases. Below, is a map created by our planning department of our current cases so we can see trends. Please check here for the latest information https://www.tdsb.on.ca/In-Person-Learning/COVID-19-Advisories.
Advocating for Education Workers to be Vaccinated
Acting Director Karen Falconer has written to Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, the Toronto Central LHIN and local health partners about the urgency to vaccinate all education staff during the April Break. Please read the letter here. We have had no response to date.
The Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA) has also sent a letter to the Minister of Education in support of TDSB's letter asking for education workers to be vaccinated as soon as possible in Phase 2, especially in areas and communities with high COVID-19 case numbers. To read the letter, please click here.
On Wednesday, the Ministry stated schools would be open this week prior to the April Break. However, rising infections in school “really reflect the level of infection in the community.” I am very concerned about the health and safety of staff and students in schools with the amount of community spread. Please note over the long weekend TDSB staff are monitoring the situation and are in discussions with Toronto Public Health (TPH) who can order the schools to remain closed. I know all our educators would be ready to "pivot" if required at a moment's notice.
To add your voice to our advocacy re vaccines for educators and keeping staff and students in schools safe, you can contact
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Update re Government’s Proposed Plan for Remote Learning
“The government’s draft plan for making online and remote learning options permanent, as referenced in today’s Globe and Mail, is not in the best interest of students. We are deeply concerned about any proposal that prioritizes cost-cutting or revenue generation over student success and wellbeing. There are significant negative implications for students and for public education in the government’s proposal, including impacts on:
- Reduced student funding levels over the long term
- Students attending small, rural and remote schools
- Diminished local influence on education
OPSBA’s Board of Directors will be meeting next week to discuss a full response to the proposal.” Cathy Abraham, President 3/25/2021
The OPSBA Board of Directors met last Wednesday on this issue "in camera" as the Ministry's document was "Confidential". However, both the Globe and Mail and People for Education have publicly discussed and shared the information.
People for Education (PFE) raised major concerns re rushed plan to hand over online learning to TVO/TFO in a statement posted March 30, 2021 - Now is not the time to introduce a fundamental change to Ontario’s education system,” says Annie Kidder, Executive Director of People for Education, a non-profit public education think tank. “Ontario’s schools, its students, staff, boards, and administration have experienced massive upheaval for more than a year, and there is evidence that this has had a substantial, adverse, and inequitable effect on students’ learning and their mental and physical health. We do not know enough yet about the impact of online learning – in particular on students who were already struggling. Much more information is needed before embarking on a major change like the one the government is proposing.
TDSB will discuss at our Planning and Priorities Committee Tuesday.
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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.
Planning & Priorities Committee, Tuesday, April 6 4:30 p.m. Electronic Meeting
Finance, Budget & Enrolment Committee, Wednesday, April 8 4:30 p.m. Electronic Meeting
- 5.1 Contract Awards, Facilities
- 5.2 Contract Awards, Operations
- 6. Major Capital Projects Status Update - It is recommended that the a) Utilization of Proceeds of Disposition be approved to offset capital overages unfunded by the Ministry of Education for 17 childcare additions; b) Seek Ministry approval to use POD to support building the 138 pupil place addition at Courcelette Public School, Ward 18; c) Utilization of Proceeds of Disposition in the amount of $3.4M be approved, to offset the site easement costs unfunded by the Ministry of Education, associated with the rebuilding of Davisville Public School and Spectrum Alternative School, Ward 8.
- 7. Second Quarter Interim Financial Report, 2020-2021 - The updated in-year deficit is $27.5M and updated working funds balance is at $9.7M.
- 8. Proposed Strategic Drivers for the 2021-22 Budget - The key areas of importance were amended as follows, and have been highlighted in Appendix A: Differentiated approaches to serve our students, including Indigenous has been changed to Education Equitable access to learning opportunities to serve our students, including Indigenous Education; Human Rights was added as a separate driver category to highlight its importance for the 2021-22 school year; Pandemic support was added as a separate driver category to highlight its importance for the 2021-22 school year. In addition, ensure that equity is explicitly embedded in every strategic driver and the introductory paragraph was revised to list out additional forms of racism and discrimination. The document also emphasized that the all drivers carry equal weight of importance and are not listed in any priority order.
- 9. Vice-principal Allocation 2021-2022 - Following approval of the Staff Allocation report, staff continued to review the allocation of Elementary Vice-Principals and the impact the reduction would have on the system. Given the additional demands facing administrators as a result of the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, staff have determined that it would not be in the best interest of students and school staff to proceed with this reduction for next year. Therefore, staff are recommending that the Elementary Vice-Principal allocation for the 2021-22 school year be returned to its current level of 201.5 FTE. This is an increase of 11 FTE to the allocation approved on March 10, 2021.
- 10. Updated Proposed 2021-22 Budget Timelines - This update is based on the most current information available and work effort needed to prepare the operating and capital budgets. It is expected that in April 2021, the Ministry of Education will release information to the sector.
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School Year Calendar 2021-22 (TBC)Regulation 304 requires that there be a minimum of 194 school days between 1 September and 30 June, including a maximum of ten examination days for secondary schools and a maximum of seven Professional Activity (PA) days. It also establishes the dates for the Christmas Break and the Mid-Winter Break. The following dates have been proposed by staff - they still need to be approved by the Board and the Ministry.
- PA Day (Elem/Sec): September 3
- Labour Day: September 6, 2021
- PA Day (Elem/Sec): September 7, 2021
- PA Day (Elem/Sec): September 8, 2021
- First Day of School for Students: September 9, 2021
- Thanksgiving: October 11, 2021
- PA Day (Elem/Sec): 19 November 2021
- Winter Break: December 20, 2021 – December 31, 2021
- First Day of School for Students After Break: January 3, 2022
- PA Day (elem): January 14, 2022
- PA Day (semestered sec schools): February 2, 2022
- PA Day (elem/sec): February 18, 2022
- Family Day: February 21, 2022
- Mid-Winter Break: March 14 - 18, 2022
- Good Friday: April 15, 2022
- Easter Monday: April 18, 2022
- Victoria Day: May 23, 2022
- PA Day (elem): June 3, 2022
- PA Day (full-year secondary schools): June 29, 2022
- PA Day (sec): June 30, 2022
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Provincial Capital Priorities Program 2021-22
Capital funding to support new schools, replacement schools, additions and deep retrofits to existing schools is provided to school boards by the provincial government. This funding is allocated through the Capital Priorities program, an annual process where school boards are able to identify their most urgent pupil accommodation needs. On March 24, 2021 the Ministry of Education announced a new Capital Priorities program for 2021-22. School boards are required to submit business cases for each project by May 21, 2021.
The last opportunity for school boards to identify Capital Priority projects was in 2019-20. Although there was no Capital Priorities program announced for the 2020-21 school year, the Ministry selected projects from the unfunded 2019-20 list. Over the past two years, the province has only approved three TDSB Capital Priorities projects.
The TDSB has requested that the Ministry consider the size of the school board when determining the number of submissions to be considered. It is important to note, yet again all school boards, no matter what the size, can only submit 10 projects. We also requested the Ministry update the benchmarks to ensure capital projects are adequately funded and expedite the capital construction’s Approval to Proceed (ATP) process.
Capital Priority projects are ranked to align with the criteria set out by the Ministry. For 2021-22, the projects have been ranked based on the approach included in the Report.
Projects #1 and #2 are urgent projects that are time sensitive
- #1 Lower Yonge Precinct New Elementary School (Ward 9)
- #2 Consolidated Secondary School at York Memorial CI (Ward 6)
Projects #3 to #8 are projects that were submitted in the 2019-20 Capital Priorities program, but did not receive funding approval; they are ranked in the same order as the previous submission approved by the Board.
- #3 Davisville Jr. PS / Spectrum Alt. Sr. PS Addition (Ward 8)
- #4 Poplar Road Jr. PS Replacement Ward 19)
- #5 Elizabeth Simcoe Jr. PS Addition (Ward 19)
- #6 Regent Heights PS Replacement or Addition (Ward 18)
- #7 St. Margaret’s PS Replacement (Ward 19)
- #8 Secord ES Replacement (Ward 16)
Projects #9 and #10 are emerging projects anticipated to open beyond the timeframe specified in the Ministry’s memorandum of 2024-25.
- #9 West Don Lands New Elementary School (Ward 9)
- #10 705 Progress New Elementary School (Ward 19)
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Midtown Toronto Storm Sewer Relief Project (MTSSRP)
With the introduction and launch of Toronto Land Corporation’s (TLC) modernization strategy last fall, City and CreateTO executive staff reached out to TLC to explore opportunities that could leverage resources by unlocking value in order to maximize student and public benefit.
In January 2021, the City and CreateTO raised the community and federal importance to move forward with MTSSRP. It was noted that the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities announced funding for four major flooding and storm mitigation projects in the City of Toronto and the Regional Municipality of York that will make communities more resilient to natural disasters. The federal government through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) will provide the City of Toronto with $37.16 million in funding for MTSSRP.
North Prep/Memorial Park identified as the only solution that can be implemented to mitigate the basement flooding in the area. If approved, on-site construction would start in September 2021 with project substantial completion December 2027.
Given the concerns raised by TDSB staff, TLC will support TDSB in the following ways:
- the MTSSRP has a three-year construction timeline. TLC will negotiate, to support the outcome of TDSB’s operational analysis of FHCI and North Prep program and student needs, a requirement for North Prep students to remain on site during the construction period and that the City will address TDSB needs at no cost to TDSB.
- understanding that there are existing restrictive covenants that encumber the North Prep lands in perpetuity, combined with the property’s land use designation under the City’s Official Plan and current site zoning, any additional easement requirements will not have material effect on land value.
- Instead of “highest and best use”, TLC will seek to secure maximum value and favourable conditions in exchange for City access such as: In exchange for acquiring a portion of the TDSB lands, the City of Toronto would provide funding towards the possible construction of a new TDSB public school or to support accommodation pressures in the general neighbourhood. Funding would come from Toronto Water's capital program for the MTSSRP. TLC has benchmarked this value contribution at $20M.
At the Planning & Priorities Committee Tuesday, the TLC Board is asking that it be granted authority to negotiate a term sheet between the City of Toronto and the Toronto District School Board that permits TDSB lands at North Preparatory Jr. School also known as Memorial Park to form a part of the City’s Midtown Toronto Storm Sewer Relief Project (MTSSRP).
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Ward 8 PARTS/Community Updates
- Grade change study to expand Armour Heights PS from JK-6 to JK-8 - Community meeting was held on Thursday, March 18, 2021. The recommendations are coming to the Planning & Priorities Committee Tuesday - please see the recommendations above - and for context visit http://www.tdsb.on.ca/AccommodationReviews: Click on "Armour Heights PS, St Andrew's MS, and Ledbury Park EMS" under "Program Area Review" or click here for the direct link.
- Boundary change study re the cohort attending John Ross Robertson PS (Otter Creek area) - Community Meeting scheduled for April 27. A Community Letter will be sent to all affected households and schools the week of April 6th. I will post when available.
- "Phase 2 of the Yonge-Eglinton review" began with a staff study that focused on options to balance enrolment within local elementary schools in Wards 8 and 11, and includes consideration of the Bannockburn building to resolve ongoing accommodation pressures - The first PART Meeting was held on April 1, 2021. On Tuesday, April 6, information will be posted on the Yonge-Eglinton Phase 2 Program Area Review Information Webpage
https://sites.google.com/tdsb.on.ca/yonge-eglintonpartphase2/home. The Webpage contains six 5 to 12 minutes modules and links to relevant policies, in addition to the TDSB’s Long-Term Program and Accommodation Strategy (LTPAS). It also will include a feedback survey for you to pose questions and a F requently Asked Questions document. Please hold May 4 for the PART Public Meeting (6-8pm).
In addition, the following is an update on Baycrest PS.
- On Monday, March 15, 2021, the Baycrest PS community received an update on the status of the Sir Sandford Fleming relocation retrofit. At that time, the community was encouraged to voice your questions and concerns regarding the information shared at this event. The presentation and the questions received have been compiled in a Q and A and have been placed on the TDSB site. Please follow this link to access the related Q and A:
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A School at Canada Square?
This Motion requests that City Planning, prior to completing their evaluation of Oxford Development's rezoning application (submitted on December 21, 2020), as part of an inter-divisional team, prepare a Special Study Area Report to come back to Council in June. Importantly, this Motion also requests the establishment of a Working Group composed of Residents’ Associations, Tenants’ Associations, Business Improvement Areas, community organizations, and other stakeholders to inform the Report. Councillor Matlow and I have connected about the importance of the local trustees and TDSB staff being involved. He agrees. In fact, he is incredibly supportive of a school being built as part of the redevelopment.
There continues to be significant accommodation pressures at local elementary schools, particularly at Eglinton Jr PS. There are currently 36 active residential developments in the Eglinton Jr PS attendance area alone - 8300 new residential units in the development pipeline situated within the Eglinton Jr. PS attendance area. This means that approximately 270 elementary students will need to be bussed out of the community to other elementary schools with available classroom space, or that have sites large enough to accommodate multiple portables. This is in addition to the nearly 60 elementary students already being bussed out of the community that reside in new developments already redirected. And, we anticipate an additional 110 new students from these developments (some are not occupied yet and still under construction).
"The board has been trying to accommodate the area’s population explosion since 2009, according to Laskin. She said the TDSB has exhausted the options within its control, things such as changing school boundaries, reconfiguring grades and moving special programs."
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Save the Date-PIAC Spring Event
TDSB’s Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) invites all parents and caregivers to take part in our Spring Event “Breaking Barriers by Changing Biases”.
Join us virtually on May 1st and 2nd, 2021 via Zoom.
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EECOM 2021 Exploring the Nature of Cities April 21-24, 2021
The Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication (EECOM) is Canada’s only national and bilingual network for environmental learning that works strategically and collaboratively to advance environmental learning. Since 1995, EECOM National Conferences have been among the largest annual gatherings of environmental learning stakeholders in Canada, and provide outstanding professional development and networking opportunities.
With most of the world’s population living in urban areas, helping citizens understand their impact on their environments is key to making cities more sustainable and livable. EECOM 2021’s theme Urban Environmental Education is well-timed to address growing concerns about the climate crisis. EECOM 2021 is being chaired by EcoSchools Canada, the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE), and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Sustainability Office. It will be based out of the University of Toronto.
There is at least one session involving students on Friday April 23rd – 1:00 – 2:00 pm – Youth Forum: Climate Leaders of Tomorrow - Grades 7-12 classes from across Canada have participated in Learning for a Sustainable Future's virtual Climate Action Youth Forums throughout the 2020-2021 school year. Each class participated in interactive virtual kickoff, speaker and workshop events that engaged them in climate issues, equipped them with skills and knowledge, and empowered them to take action. Please join us as four classes share their exciting climate action projects.
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Prime Minister's Awards Deadline Extended
Canada’s educators are showing resilience and commitment to students in the face of COVID-19.
Do you know an exceptional teacher or early childhood educator? Consider nominating them for a 2021 Prime Minister's Award! This program honours innovative and outstanding elementary and secondary school teachers and early childhood educators who are helping prepare Canadian youth for the challenges of tomorrow. The nomination deadline has been extended for the 2021 competition until April 27, 2021.
Looking for inspiration? Check out previous teaching and early childhood education award recipients. 2021 nomination packages are available at www.pma.gc.ca. The nomination deadline is April 27, 2021 at 11:59 a.m. (Pacific Time).
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TDSB Summer School Registration 2021
The focus of the 2021 Elementary Literacy and Numeracy Summer School Program is to address student learning gaps and to continue student engagement through the month of July. Programs, embedded in Literacy and Numeracy, are developed by the local summer school principal to reflect the local school focus. Programs are offered to students in K to Grade 8, from July 5 – 30, 2021. Registration is online. In-person and virtual (online) classes available. Most classes run for 3 hours from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Please note: The TDSB takes direction from the Ministry of Education and Toronto Public Health related to COVID-19 protocols. We will continue to keep you informed if any direction changes that impacts our programming. All established health and safety precautions will continue through the summer. Click here for a list of participating summer schools https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Innovation/Elementary-Summer-School. To fill out an application for in-person or virtual learning, please click on the registration form link.
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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. Consultation is a two-way communication process between the Board and external participants, including students and their parents/guardians, school councils, advisory committees, community members, different levels of government, service agencies, professional organizations and union partners. The objective of consultation is to gather public input regarding options, alternative courses of action, as well as to identify unintended effects for various participants and to find solutions. Please see revised the Policy Review Schedule.
New Consultations
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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 3: Feb 8 - April 22
- Quad 4: April 23 - June 28
Note: Passover 2021 ends in the evening of Sunday, April 4. Ramadan 2021 will begin in the evening of Monday, April 12 and ends in the evening of Wednesday, May 12.
PA Days & Holidays Remaining
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April (formerly March) Break
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