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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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Week of November 28, 2021
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"The most powerful leadership tool you have is your personal example."John Wooden @sbruyns
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In this Issue:- COVID-19 Update
- COVID-19 Vaccine - Children 5-11
- Health & Safety School Updates
- Requiring Vaccines for Competition Sports
- Resourcing TDSB's Pandemic Recovery Plan: Resource Allocation
- Planning for Elementary Term 2 and Secondary Semester 2
- Community Use of Schools Resumes in January
- Happy Hanukkah!
- New Invitations - Let’s Connect About Mental Health and Well-Being; Share your Voice with OPSBA
- Items From Last Week - Worth Repeating - School Open Houses and Information Nights; School Council Grants; Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Awards; Restarting School Immunization Programs; No Dogs Allowed on School Property; TDSB Winter Clothing Drive
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COVID-19 UpdateVaccines have always been about public health. It’s not about you. It’s about us.
How to Book
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)
COVID-19 AdvisoriesCOVID-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 November 26, 1,489 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Ontario's publicly funded schools in the past 14 days. Of those cases, 1,338 are students, 145 are staff, and 6 are not identified. Sixteen of the 4,844 schools in the province are currently closed.
- In the TDSB, as of November 26, 2021 at 4:34 p.m. there were 331 student cases and 47 staff cases with 282 cases resolved. No schools were closed. Late today I learned on the advice of Toronto Public Health, all students are being dismissed at McMurrich JPS as of tomorrow, Monday, November 29 to allow TPH additional time to investigate the 6 COVID-19 cases among students at the school.
Update on the Implementation of the Mandatory Staff Vaccination ProcedureThe TDSB Board unanimously supported mandatory vaccinations for staff - as such senior staff created the TDSB COVID-19 Vaccination Procedure. At Tuesday's Special Planning & Priorities Committee staff presented an Update on the implementation of the Procedure. Below, is the TDSB staff disclosure data as of 5 p.m., November 25, 2021. 97% of TDSB staff are compliant (excluding those on leave or seeking exemptions).
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COVID-19 Vaccine -Children 5-11
The COVID-19 vaccine is now approved for use in children aged 5-11. All vaccinations of children in this age group will require parental consent. Pediatric COVID-19 vaccination appointments can be booked through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.
There are multiple places to get a COVID-19 vaccine, including at mobile school clinics, developed in partnership between Team Toronto partners, Toronto Public Health (TPH) and the city’s four public school boards, including the TDSB. TPH is working to bring COVID-19 vaccinations or access to nearby vaccinations to all public schools in the city. Parents/guardians and children will receive notice from their school when a clinic is hosted. Specific school vaccine clinic details will be sent in a letter from principals, for their school only.
Learn more about vaccination for children 5-11:
Read the update from Toronto Public Health on November 22, 2021. Join one of TPH's webinar's with Dr. Vinita Dubey, Associate Medical Officer of Health on November 25, November 30 or December 2. Read the flyer to learn more.
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Requiring Vaccines for Competition Sports
All students aged 12+ are to be fully vaccinated to participate in winter sports (e.g. basketball, ice hockey, swimming, etc.) that involve competition between schools, mixing of students and travel to other TDSB schools and/or external venues. For students participating in sports that occur only within their school and only with students from their school, vaccination is recommended but not required at this time. This decision is consistent with recommendations from Toronto Public Health. The TDSB decision also follows other school boards that require student vaccination to participate in sports. Additionally, many sports competitions and finals take place at facilities in Toronto where a vaccine mandate is already in place. In these cases, all students are required to show proof of vaccination to enter the building and would not be able to access the facility to participate if unvaccinated. In rare cases where a student is unable to be vaccinated, we will work with Toronto Public Health and staff to develop a process, which would include testing, to support these students so they can safely participate where possible. Please speak to your principal should you have any questions.
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Resourcing TDSB's Pandemic Recovery Plan: Resource Allocation
At a Special Board Meeting Thursday, we unanimously approved a $5.9 million plan to support the mental health and well-being of students through resourcing the Pandemic Recovery Plan
While there have been improvements over last year, a recent secondary student survey found that:
- Five out of ten students have reported feeling worried or nervous all the time or often (6/10 in January 2021)
- Six out of ten students reported feeling under a lot of stress or pressure all the time or often (7/10 in January 2021)
- Four out of ten students learning in-person reported feeling happy all the time or often, while three out of ten students learning virtually felt the same (3/10 in January 2021).
- Students in higher grades were more likely to report feeling nervous, worried or stressed, and less likely to report feeling happy.
- The survey also found that that 92% of students know how to connect with their teacher if they need to, while 90% of students say their teachers provide extra help if they ask them.
As part of this assessment of the impact of the pandemic, staff also consulted with schools on a range of different issues including student safety. While suspensions are down overall, schools flagged a noticeable increase in conflicts between students in Kindergarten to Grade 12.
Comparing September and October 2020 with September and October 2021, both school years during the pandemic, there has been a: 86% increase in referrals for Social Work support, 62% increase in referrals to Attendance Counselors and 14% increase in the hours spent on consultations. As a result of these findings, the TDSB, as part of its COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Plan, will be proceeding with hiring for the following 106 positions:
- 35 Child and Youth Workers
- 15 Itinerant Child and Youth Counsellors
- 16 Social Workers (10 to fill in for those on short term medical leave, 6 new positions)
- 40 additional School Based Safety Monitors
While this specific approval is for the 2021-2022 school year, the board is committed to continuing these additional supports for the 2022-2023 school year at which point, the staffing complement would be reassessed. Pandemic Recovery Plan details.
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Planning for Elementary Term 2 and Secondary Semester 2
At the time of completion the selection form for either in-person or virtual learning, it was shared that there would be one opportunity to request a switch between learning models in February 2022. To help determine the delivery model for Semester 2, a Secondary Student Check-In Survey and a ThoughtExchange for Secondary Staff were conducted to gather student and staff feedback.
Simultaneous or hybrid or as some call it - fractured learning - is not a preferred model - staff attempted to cost a true virtual school for Semester 2 for 7000 students and it simply is not doable within budget constraints. It is our hope with vaccine availability that the vast majority of students will choose in-person.
In order to minimize the use of simultaneous learning and/or having a larger number of virtual students within a given class, school staff have provided additional options for schools including:
- reduce optional course offerings at the grade 9 and 10 level where most of the program is compulsory courses and similar for students (e.g. All Grade 9 students would take Art as their optional course rather than choose between Visual Arts, Drama, or Music.)
- only offer courses virtually in specialized programming (e.g. TOPS, MAST, IB, AP, Extended French and French Immersion, etc.) where a viable cohort of virtual learners in the school exists
- offer courses that are experiential/"hands on" in nature through in-person learning
- work with central staff in Virtual Learning Team and Superintendents of Education to try to form "hubs" to create access to fully virtual cohorts and/or fewer simultaneous classes, where possible
Since the Ministry of Education has announced that Boards can have 4 classes / day (traditional semester model), TDSB has consulted with Toronto Public Health regarding the length of lunch and whether or not the adoption of a 4-period day can happen prior to Semester 2. Read the complete staff presentation.
Secondary Switch Form
The Switch Form for secondary students (Grades 9 to 12) will be open from Monday, November 29 to Monday, December 6, 2021. Families and students who do not wish to make a change do not need to complete a form. Semester 2 classes will reflect changes due to switches beginning on February 3, 2022.
Elementary Switch Form
The Switch Form for elementary students (Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8) will be open from Friday, December 3, 2021 to Friday, January 7, 2022. Families and students who do not wish to make a change do not need to complete a form. Classes will reflect changes due to switches beginning on February 22, 2022.
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Community Use of Schools Resumes in January
The TDSB will resume community weekday evening permits on January 17, 2022. To ensure we comply with the mandated COVID 19 requirements and the safety of all staff and students while maintaining fairness and equity in the allocation of spaces, staff have put in the following conditions:
- Permits can start no earlier than 6 p.m. and end no later than 9 p.m. from Monday till Friday.
- Usage will be restricted to common areas such as gymnasiums, cafeterias, and auditoriums. No classrooms will be permitted at this time.
- Only one group per school per night will be accommodated. Schools with a pool or auditorium may have two groups providing the spaces being used are separated. For example, pools generally have a separate entrance, so the gym and pool could be used on the same night.
- Priority will be given to Not for Profit groups serving children, youth, and seniors.
All groups are expected to upload their COVID Vaccine Attestation Form at the end of each permit activity. We will be accommodating COVID 19 Vaccine Clinics and have informed permit groups that this might result in the disruption of their permits. Staff will continue to review this this decision based on new information received from both the Toronto Public Health Department and province.
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Happy Hanukkah
Hanukkah 5782 began this evening and will end the evening of Monday, December 6. For those celebrating, may this Festival of Lights bring you light and health and peace and love. "The proper response, as Hanukkah teaches, is not to curse the darkness but to light a candle” ~ Rabbi Irving Greenberg. Chag Sameach.
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Let’s Connect About Mental Health and Well-Being
Spotlight on Student Voice
Parents and Caregivers are invited to join us to hear student voices and experiences, increase mental health literacy and learn strategies to better support your child’s mental health and well-being. Click to join.
Monday, November 29, 2021
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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Share Your Voice with OPSBA
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, 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.
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School Open Houses and Information Nights
To help you make an informed decision when choosing a school, TDSB schools will host virtual open houses and information sessions (live or pre-recorded) for parents/guardians and students between November and January. Learn everything you need to know about our incredible variety of schools, programs and courses. Please note that some schools are hosting “live” virtual open houses that families can join in real time, during the specified date and time. Please check this page regularly, as schools will continue to post information about virtual open house dates/times and available pre-recorded information sessions. You can view the prerecorded sessions at any time by clicking the link provided. If you have questions about a specific school or open house, please contact the school directly for more information.
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School Council Grants
School Councils may submit one request for supports up to $1,500 to support initiatives/ activities that engage parents/ caregivers (including virtual), and builds School Councils’ capacity around Human Rights, Equity, Anti-Racism, Anti-Indigenous and Anti-Black Racism. School Councils may collaborate and submit one application; however, allocation will remain at a maximum of $1,500 per school. The grants application will open on Monday, November 15, 2021 and close on Wednesday, December 1, 2021. School Councils should visit the grants page at https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Community/How-to-Get-Involved/Parent-Reaching-Out-Grants/School-Council-Grants-Applications for further details.
The School Council grants is one of the initiatives supported by the Parents Partnership Fund-Parent Reaching Out Grant.
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Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Awards
The TDSB would like to honour the creative ways in which Gender Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) across the Toronto District School Board(TDSB) have supported 2SLGBTQ+ students throughout the pandemic. Apply now to the Director's Gender and Sexuality Alliance Awards.
TDSB GSAs have provided unwavering support to 2SLGBTQ+ students during this pandemic. To help ensure that support continues and expands, this fall/winter eight prizes of $1,000 each will be awarded to GSAs from across the TDSB that operated during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 academic school year. Then in the spring of 2022, another four prizes also valuing $1,000, will be awarded. The application deadline is Friday, December 3, 2021 at 4 p.m. Please send applications to GSAAwards@tdsb.on.ca.
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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. 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.
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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TDSB Winter Clothing Drive
Clarification - Please note this drive is for cash donations or in-kind new clothing.
Our need for winter outerwear is greater this year. Canada is welcoming newcomer families from Afghanistan and the TDSB is welcoming many of these newly arrived students into our schools. The newcomer students are adjusting to their first Canadian winter and can benefit from your generous support. The students need proper winter outerwear such as coats, boots, mitts and hats to be able to attend school. This year’s Winter Clothing Drive will run from October 2021 to the end of February 2022. Donations are accepted.
We will also accept new winter outwear items. Due to potential health & safety, hygiene, sorting and storage limitations, the TDSB can only accept new clothing items. Tax receipts are available for these donations. Contact the Business Development department at BusinessDevelopment@tdsb.on.ca for more information about how to donate new outwear items. 100% of all proceeds and in-kind donations go to benefit our students.
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School Year Calendar 2021-2022- 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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