Week of August 22, 2021 - Summer Edition #5
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Hope you are taking time recover, rejuvenate, reflect and renew...
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This Week's Update- Anishinabek First Nations
- Get Your Shot!
- Learn from the Experts
- Covid-19 Update: Return to School
- Updated Guidance for 2021-22
- Wednesday - Board Meeting
- Update - Elementary
- Update - Secondary
New Invitations - Student Voice Canada
- Start the school year on a roll – ride your bike!
- Truth and Reconciliation Week
Worth Repeating - Let's Connect - Back to School: Supporting Transitions and Re-Engagement - September 1 - 6:30-8pm
- OPSBA’s Transitioning from the COVID-19 School Experience Discussion Paper – Video and Community Survey
- Page Program Returns at Queen's Park
- Respect the Rules - No Dogs Allowed on School Property
-
Development Committee’s (K-12 SDC) Initial Recommendations Report Consultation
- School Year Calendar
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Anishinabek First Nations
Wear a mask! Wash your hands!
Mnaadendan gibi-maadiziwin – Respect your life
Mnaadenim kwiiji-bimaadiz – Respect your fellow being
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Get Your Shot!As of Wednesday, August 18, 2021, the province has expanded eligibility for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to all youth who are turning 12 in 2021 (born in 2009), based on the most currently available empirical evidence. This will help to ensure even more students have the opportunity to receive the vaccine and ensure strong protection against COVID-19 and the Delta variant as they return to school.
To assist with community engagement and clinic implementation, school boards and schools are being encouraged to recruit volunteers from their school communities (e.g parent council members). These efforts will be an important step in instilling vaccine confidence within your local communities. For more details, please read the letter from Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health of Ontario. More information will follow regarding how to volunteer.
Learn More
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Learn from the Experts
WebEx Youth Vaccine Information Sessions
Toronto Public Health (TPH) continues to help youth make informed choices about COVID-19 vaccination. The upcoming August sessions is for all interested youth and youth workers. Dr. Vinita Dubey, Associate Medical Officer of Health, will answer your questions about:
- COVID-19 vaccines available for youth
- Vaccine safety and benefits
- Myocarditis/pericarditis information
- No registration required.
Monday, August 23, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Click here to join online or join by telephone: 416-915-6530 Access code: 177 240 1642
Portuguese, Spanish and English Telephone Town Halls
- Tuesday, August 24, 6 p.m. in Portuguese
- Wednesday, August 25, 6 p.m. in Spanish
- Monday, August 30, 6 p.m. in English
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COVID-19 Update - Return to School As you know, the TDSB was moving an emergency motion at last Tuesday's Special Planning & Priorities Committee asking the Director to working with Toronto Public Health and our education partners on a protocol for requiring vaccinations and testing – but we were scooped by the CMOH - Please find below the link to Tuesday’s news release with regard to the provincial announcement about mandatory vaccine policies: Ontario Makes COVID-19 Vaccination Policies Mandatory for High-Risk Settings .
Here is the language as it related to schools: “To support the return to school plan, the Ministry of Education intends to introduce a vaccination disclosure policy for all publicly-funded school board employees, and staff in private schools as well as for all staff in licensed child care settings for the 2021-22 school year, with rapid antigen testing requirements for staff who are not immunized against COVID-19. The Ontario government is also working with public health units and publicly funded school boards to run voluntary vaccination clinics in or nearby schools to make vaccines even more convenient and accessible for eligible students, their families, educators and school staff returning to school this fall.”
Although we did not move the emergency motion, we did ask the Director to report back on Wednesday's board meeting to understand if our motion was still required.
From OPSBA - Ontario Public School Boards' Association
On August 13, OPSBA sent a letter to Premier Ford requesting that the government act as quickly as possible to implement a policy and strategy to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory in Ontario schools.On August 17, the government responded, with Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore announcing a new plan to require the disclosure of vaccination status by education workers. Individuals who do not provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 will be required to undertake regular antigen testing. Dr. Moore also mentioned that Public Health Ontario is in active discussions with the Ministry of Education on having an immunization policy for students, and suggested that the process in place for other immunizations under the mmunization for School Pupils Act would likely be a prudent approach. OPSBA President Cathy Abraham issued a statement that day as well.
On August 18, The Ministry of Education sent a follow up memo to school boards with information about their requirements for an immunization disclosure policy. OPSBA is meeting with the Deputy Minister and our counterpart associations on Monday to further discuss implementation. Of note: Since the government announcement, many other groups, private and public, are communicating their employee vaccine mandate plans.
On August 16, Ontario announced it would be working with public health units to run COVID-19 vaccinations in schools. Clinics are expected to run before school starts and during the first few weeks of school. The program is part of the province’s last mile strategy to target those who have yet to receive a first or second dose. As of August 15, more than 69 per cent of youth aged 12 to 17 have received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 56 per cent have received a second dose. With respect to consent at school-focused clinics, COVID-19 vaccines will only be provided if informed consent is received from the individual, including eligible students, as long as they have the capability to make this decision. Health care providers, the school, and families must respect a young person’s decision regarding vaccination. Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss vaccination with their children prior to attending a school vaccination clinic. In addition, the province has extended eligibility to the Pfizer vaccine to children born in 2009 starting on August 18.
On August 18, the Ministry of Education sent a memo to school boards about revisions to PPM 151 for this school year, “to reflect the ministry’s directions on PA Days as well as to provide additional considerations and resources pertaining to education priorities.” Ontario Regulation 304: School Year Calendar, Professional Activity Days identifies three mandatory PA Days.
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Updated Guidance for the 2021-22 School YearWith the first day of school quickly approaching, we continue to confirm more details about what school will look like in September. We continue to do everything possible to ensure the health and safety of staff and students. This is the latest information. Please keep checking the webiste for up-to-date information - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/School-Year-2021-22.
Re: Public Health Guidelines
Up-to-date Information was shared with parents and staff after the meeting - key highlights include the following -
Health and Safety - TDSB is instituting requirements above and beyond provincial guidelines with the support of Toronto Public Health.
COVID-19 Vaccines - TDSB is welcoming vaccination clinics in our schools and will continue to promote opportunities for students, staff and families to be vaccinated.
Student Transportation Updates - The Toronto Student Transportation Group (TSTG) is responsible for organizing and leading student transportation for the TDSB and TCDSB, and has been working hard with both school boards and bus operators to ensure a safe and smooth start-up for student transportation services for the 2021-22 school year. 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. Please also seer the Q&A notes from the Joint Ward Forum I shared with Trustee Chernos Lin from Ward 11.
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 t here 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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Wednesday - Board Meeting
This week's Board Meeting will continue the Return to School conversation - And we also will hear more from staff regarding the provincial announcement mandating educational workers to be vaccinated. The province announced Tuesday that they will introduce a vaccination disclosure policy for all school board employees, including those at the TDSB, for the 2021-22 school year, with rapid antigen testing requirements for staff who have not received their COVID-19 vaccination. We hope to hear these details at the meeting as well as more about the provinces planned changes to the Immunization of School Pupils Act. Click here for the agenda. To watch public session at 7pm, click https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Live-Webcast-of-Meetings
- 15.1. Update on the Ministry of Education’s COVID-19 Immunization Disclosure Policy and Testing Requirements - To be presented
- 15.2. Update on Returning to School - Oral Update
- 5.3. Membership on the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Natural Science and Education Committee
- 15.4. Establishment of Integrity Commissioner Selection Committee and Appointment of Trustee Members - To be presented
- 16.1. Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee (Special Meeting), Report No. 10, July 20, 2021 (For receipt)
- 16.2. Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee (Special Meeting), Report No. 11, August 23, 2021 - To be presented
- 16.3. Planning and Priorities Committee (Special Meeting), Report No. 16, August 17, 2021 (For receipt)
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Update - Elementary School
In all elementary schools there will be in-person classes and dedicated virtual learning classes. There will be virtual learning classes with dedicated teachers. Superintendents and Principals will work together to form virtual classes, which may include students from the local school and a cluster of other local schools. Virtual learning classes will be comprised of straight and combined grades and in some cases there is potential for triple combined grade classes (as for in-person learning as well). Virtual learning classes follow the daily schedule of the school to which the virtual learning teacher is assigned (e.g. start and end times).
Classroom caps and system averages for in-person and virtual are being honoured and all classes will be staffed, based on these caps. When selection form results are finalized, approaches to differentiated staffing will be considered.
There is one opportunity for students to switch between in-person and virtual learning in February 2022 (timeline to submit requests to be determined).
Below are the TDSB-specific guidelines, practices and protocols for a number of areas:
- Use of face masks by all students (JK to Grade 12) is required.
- Elementary students will continue to eat in classrooms. They can go home for lunch.
- Elementary students will continue to take breaks within cohorts with physical distancing. Protocols may be updated, based on the status of the pandemic.
- Virtual assemblies will continue. Assemblies will be allowed outdoors (weather permitting) with distancing between cohorts.
- Protocols to be developed for extra-curricular activities. There will be a phased approach to Community Use of Schools.
- Protocols for Health and Physical Education are currently being developed.
- Vocal music will be allowed indoors with masks and outdoors without masks. Physical distancing will be required and cohorts maintained. Protocols are being developed for the use of musical instruments.
- Guidelines for transportation established last year will continue, including: masking, assigned seating and cleaning, which follows Ministry guidance. Transportation to be phased-in: Special Education students (excluding gifted) begin September 9 and all other students begin September 15.
- Students in French language programs (FI/EF) will be welcomed back with the intent of supporting continued progress in their chosen program. The Early French Immersion (EFI), Middle French Immersion (MFI) and Extended French (EF) programs will operate as usual during In-Person Learning for students already enrolled in an intensive French language program. Programming may be provided to classes made up of straight and/or combined grades with the potential of triple combined grade classes, if required.
- If there is sufficient enrollment, the Early French Immersion (EFI), Middle French Immersion (MFI) and Extended French (EF) programming will be offered in a Virtual Learning class by Learning Centre to students already enrolled in these programs. Virtual Learning classes will be assigned to specific schools that already house the specific French program(s) and may include students from the local school and/or a cluster of local school. If a French Virtual Learning class is not available (i.e. due to insufficient enrollment), a student may be accommodated in In-Person Learning French at the student’s current French school of record. If the student would like to remain in Virtual Learning, they will be placed in an English Virtual Learning class, and given an opportunity to switch to an In-Person French class at the February switch (if space allows).
- We are committed to inclusion and ensuring students are supported in regular classrooms with appropriate special education services at their home school. We also recognize that some students with unique strengths and areas for growth may require more specialized or intensive support programs. Students receiving special education program and/or services in regular classes or students in an Intensive Support Program (ISP) will continue to be supported by classroom teachers, special education teachers, support staff, and itinerant special education staff. Students in Virtual Learning regular classes receiving special education program and/or services or in an ISP, will be connected to their homeschool and receive support from the classroom teacher, special education teacher and/or support staff from their home school which may include simultaneous learning for students in elementary ISP classes (Gifted ISP model may differ based on the number of students who selected Virtual Learning).
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Update - Secondary School
There will be in-person classes, dedicated virtual learning classes, and classrooms with simultaneous learning to maintain access to desired programming and connection to school community.
Classroom caps and system averages are being honoured. All classes will be staffed on the caps. When selection form results are finalized, approaches to differentiated staffing will be considered.
There is one opportunity for students to switch between in-person and virtual learning for Semester 2 in February 2022 (timeline to submit requests to be determined).
Modified Semester - For the 2021-22 school year, all TDSB secondary schools will be following a modified semester. The school year calendar and daily schedule has now been finalized. In this model, students will take four courses, two each during alternating weeks. They will continue to be cohorted but will now be part of four cohorts (one for each class). Toronto Public Health supports this model as the 48 hour gap between the weekly cohorts will limit any potential spread of COVID-19 as 48 hours is the time between exposure to first symptoms of a number of the variants of concern. Class sizes will return to the regular class sizes (dependent on grade, level and subject) and all learning will either be fully in-person, or fully virtual, depending on the selection you make in August. The modified semester offers more face-to-face time between students and teachers, encouraging an opportunity to build relationships and support an increased sense of belonging in class. It also offers a slower pace by learning over a longer period of time than the quadmester model.
Adult Day Schools will follow the same schedule as the 2020-21 school year for the first quadmester and will make adjustments accordingly throughout the year. Consideration was also given to schools with secondary Intensive Support Programs (ISP). Secondary congregated sites will continue to offer the semester model. Secondary schools with Developmental Disability (DD) programs will follow a dual-track (a Semester model for students in DD programs and a Modified Semester). Students in all other secondary ISPs which include: Mild Intellectual Disability (MID), Learning Disability (LD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH), Physical Disability (PD) and Gifted, who are typically timetabled into Special Education classes and regular school courses will follow the modified semester model for 2021-22 to ensure ongoing integration.
Below are the TDSB-specific guidelines, practices and protocols for a number of areas:
- Use of face masks by all students (JK to Grade 12) is required.
- Secondary lunch protocols will be determined, based on school layout and size of space.
- Virtual assemblies will continue. Assemblies will be allowed outdoors (weather permitting) with distancing between cohorts.
- Protocols to be developed for extra-curricular activities. There will be a phased approach to Community Use of Schools.
- Protocols for Health and Physical Education are currently being developed.
- Vocal music will be allowed indoors with masks and outdoors without masks. Physical distancing will be required and cohorts maintained. Protocols are being developed for the use of musical instruments.
- Guidelines for transportation established last year will continue, including: masking, assigned seating and cleaning, which follows Ministry guidance. Transportation to be phased-in: Special Education students (excluding gifted) begin September 9 and all other students begin September 15.
- Specialized Programs (French Immersion, IB, TOPS, Arts, AP, etc.) - In-Person Learning: Students will be welcomed back into Specialized Programs with the intent of supporting continued progress in their chosen program this school year. If a school has sufficient requests to create viable Virtual Learning classrooms (FI, IB, AP, Alternative, Arts, etc.), they will be able to create a Virtual Class with a dedicated teacher. If Virtual Learning classes are not possible, Simultaneous Learning allows students to continue in their program of choice with peers.
- We are committed to inclusion and ensuring students are supported in regular classes with appropriate special education services at their home school. Students in Virtual Regular and ISP classes receiving special education program and/or services will be connected to their home school and receive support from the classroom teacher and/or support staff through models of instruction that can include dedicated teachers or simultaneous learning based on students’ strengths, areas of growth and available resources. For in-person, students will receive special education program and/or services in regular classes and Intensive Support Programs (ISPs) and will be supported by classroom teachers, special education teachers and support staff.
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Student Vote Canada
Student 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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Start the school year on a roll – ride your bike!
As students return to school this September, many families will be making decisions about how they will travel to and from school. Some families will choose to walk, others may decide to drive but some will ride their bikes.
This summer the City of Toronto installed a ‘complete street’ along Yonge Street from Bloor to Davisville. This retrofit includes outdoor patios for cafes and restaurants, new street furniture, planters and art work, along with protected bike lanes. This section of Yonge now connects seamlessly with the Bloor and Danforth bike lanes, both having undergone similar improvements during 2020 and 2021.
An increase in vehicles in our school zones can lead to increased traffic dangers for students, parents and school staff, while increasing risks for those families who choose to travel actively to school (on foot or two wheels). For those families who live along or near Yonge Street, the protected bike lanes offer a safer alternative. Currently the Yonge complete street ends at Davisville but many are lobbying for it to be continued north on Yonge to Lawrence Avenue and beyond.
Free Cycling Education Workshops - As a way to prepare cyclists of all ages to use their bikes for transportation, Cycle Toronto are offering a series of free online cycling education workshops. Registration is required for the free educational webinars and we encourage you to share with your schools, particularly high schools where students are more likely to choose cycling to get to and from school. Please click on the link - https://www.cycleto.ca/events.
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Truth and Reconciliation Week 2021
A 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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Let's Connect - Back to School: Supporting Transitions and Re-Engagement - September 1 - 6:30-8pm
Let’s Connect is a new mental health and well-being virtual series that allows us to come together to share ideas and resources. The Let’s Connect series will respond to questions and discuss wellness for parents, caregivers, guardians and students at various times throughout the school year. These conversations will be led by our TDSB Professional Support Services staff and Mental Health and Well-Being Leads.
We acknowledge parents & caregivers as important partners with TDSB. We recognize the connection between equity, mental health and well-being for all. We prioritize equity and inclusion for all students and families from an anti-oppressive and anti-racist stance.
- Back to School: Supporting Transitions and Re-Engagement
- Wednesday, September 1
- 6:30 – 8 p.m.
The start of a new school year is always filled with anticipation, but this year, we recognize especially the anxiety, fear and uncertainty that comes with returning to learning. Let’s connect about some areas we can help support students with coming back to school, including routines, separation anxiety, and the social and emotional challenges of this new school year. Join us in our welcoming community circle as we connect, heal and hear diverse perspectives and experiences that allow us all to find new ways of moving forward.
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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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Page Program at Queen's Park
Each year approximately 150 young students from across Ontario are selected to participate in Ontario's Legislative Page Program. This unique educational program for Ontario students provides an opportunity to experience the provincial legislature in action and forge new lifelong friendships with peers from all over the province!
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Respect the Rules - No Dogs Allowed on School Grounds
I understand that in many communities our school grounds are used as community parks - and when school is not in session (during the school year, grounds are for school-use only from 8am - 6pm), we welcome the community - the humans. 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. Again, dogs are not allowed on school property at any time.
This summer, in particular, I continue to receive multiple complaints that dog owners are completely ignoring this - and not only bringing their dogs onto school playgrounds, but allowing their dogs to run unleashed - Children should be able to play freely - From a community member - Children no longer are seen playing in the field in the early evening as the space has been taken over by dogs. Tonight, two dogs had a vicious fight which deterred a family that had been heading into the schoolyard. The animals are also defecating in the field which discourages families from using it even when the dogs are not present as not everyone cleans up after their dog.
Especially during COVID-19, children’s play spaces should be respected.
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.
Please respect the rules and let the children play. Dogs are not allowed in Toronto Public School grounds.
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Development Committee’s
(K-12 SDC) Initial Recommendations Report Consultation
The province is encouraging participation in the public consultation on the K-12 Standards Development Committee’s (K-12 SDC) Initial Recommendations Report (Initial Report). In Ontario, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) outlines the legislated process for the development of new accessibility standards through Standards Development Committees.
The mandate of the K-12 Education SDC is to provide recommendations to government on removing and preventing accessibility barriers in the publicly funded education system. The Initial Report is the result of an extensive joint effort of Government appointed representatives from the disability community and the education sector to identify the barriers that students with disabilities face and the measures needed to remove and prevent them.
This new video will help you better understand the report, and how and why you should provide feedback. I encourage you to watch the video and to fill out the survey.
The Initial Report was posted online on June 1, 2021 for a period of business 65 days. The public may also provide written submissions by email to: educationSDC@ontario.ca. The public has an opportunity to participate in these consultations until September 2, 2021.
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Secondary School Offices reopen August 23, 2021Elementary School Offices reopen August 30, 2021
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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In Case of Emergency
Over the summer, or at any time, if you notice anything at a school that concerns you, please call the TDSB Security Call Centre (416) 395-4620 and the Toronto Police non-emergency line 416-808-2222.
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