IDAHOTB
The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) was created in 2004 to draw the attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexuals, transgender, intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics. The date of May 17th was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. It's a day to stand with #LGBTQ2 family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues to denounce discrimination, and celebrate diversity and ensure everyone is made to feel welcome.
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Wash.Distance.Save Lives.Please wash your hands. Keep physical distance.
Stay healthy.
Save lives.
We are all in this together.
"The power to change the story is entirely in our hands. So thank you, thank you to the residents of our city, thank you to business owners, thank you all for doing this, but we can still do better, we must do better, and we need your help to get there." Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health
Other Important Links:
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Summary Notes from May 12
Thought Exchange with parents/guardians - over 39,000 parents/guardians participated in the survey, sharing 47,000 thoughts. According to the Director, we learned from this that families believe in the importance of student, teacher and peer connections, they believe in direct instruction, they spoke to consistent routines and a number of thoughts on return to school in September. The Director noted we will communicate this feedback through the next parent/guardian communication and that these insights will be influencing our next steps.
Google Classroom & Brightspace – last week there were training sessions provided for parents. Overall views are just under 2000 (Brightspace: 1292 and Google Classroom: 675). This is a combination of live participants and those who watched the recording. Recordings are available here
Remote Learning - We cannot replace the important environment of the classroom. We are working on building capacity across all schools in Global Competencies – the use of technology is just one aspect of this. The Director noted just as we need to build teacher capacity in how to use technology, we are doing the same with Principals. As we reflect on next steps on learning from home, and how we engage students we are not hearing from, we continue to ask our Principals working with our staff to name those students and follow-up. Some families have let us know they would like to step away from this learning and we have asked them to stay connected. Connection is important, relationships matter and this has been disrupted. We are continuing to do everything we can to support our students. Parent concerns should follow the parent concern protocol.
Professional Learning - We are responding to the needs that are evolving as we continue to work and learn in this new Remote Learning environment. Over 19,000 staff participated in professional learning, in over 43 distinct courses in 305 sessions so far. Both live sessions as well as webinars that have been archived for all staff to review. The “Office Hours'' component of the capacity building continues, which allows teachers to ask specific questions in a small group setting or one-to-one. The focus of the professional learning is now shifting from the basics of how to use online platforms and broadening to how to provide feedback, assess, communicate and connect with for example.
Devices - We have deployed over 56,000 devices, the number keeps growing. We started at 40,000 a few weeks ago. We are down to 4,000 left to be delivered. Have a commitment from the company we are working with that they will work over the upcoming long weekend to ensure this is completed.
Accessing Belongings Left at School - We have been given direction that we can develop an access protocol that would enable students and parents/families to retrieve belongings in a manner that is safe for everyone during the month of June. This protocol would be implemented only in the event that the province makes a decision that schools will not return for the remainder of the school year.
Collection and return of digital devices: Each device has been tagged and we know where they belong when it is time for them to be returned. In the meantime, staff is working on various options, trying to figure out how far away we are from each student having their own device while they are in our system. We are currently not that far off, we are at 1:3 for students. This would be a costly endeavour but one we are examining.
Equity is a major commitment in our Board. There is a cross-functional committee looking at the various equity issues emerging from the emergency closure. The strategies and approaches will be varied depending on the equity issues identified. There will be further information provided once a draft plan is developed.
Return to School - Final direction and requirements will come from the Ministry of Education, Toronto Public Health and/or other public health agencies, however, staff are working on Return to School and Work Protocol (following COVID-19 closure) anticipating and considering issues in a variety of critical areas – there are two planning tables – one for academics and one for operations – this will be the topic of discussion at next week's meeting.
Boards across the province are collaborating and meeting regularly sharing what we have learned and what we are working on. Executive Officer Craig Snider is sitting at a provincial table regarding Returning in September and Director Malloy sits at a provincial table regarding things that are happening now. Also, OPSBA staff recently participated in a webinar hosted by UNICEF entitled, Opening the Doors to Children and Youth: Using the new Global Framework for Reopening Schools in Child and Youth Serving Spaces. The webinar and the Framework can be accessed here: https://www.unicef.org/media/68366/file/Framework-for-reopening-schools-2020.pdf.
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TDSB Seeks Funding for Technology & Back to School Transition
Trustees with the Toronto District School Board are calling on the Government of Ontario to provide additional funding to help the board recover some of the costs associated with remote learning and ensure students have the proper supports they need to transition back to school when it is safe to do so.
During a Special Board meeting this evening to discuss some of the impacts of COVID-19 on the TDSB, Trustees passed a motion that requests funding to help school boards provide additional staffing and resources to support mental health and wellbeing; special education; children with special needs; students transitioning from elementary to secondary school; and those struggling with literacy and numeracy.
The motion also calls for the government to provide funding to replace school board budgets that were used to purchase and deliver devices to support access to online learning platforms, digital resources and to connect with teachers and fellow students. The TDSB has delivered more than 56,000 devices to families since the beginning of the school closure period. With requests for devices still being received, more than 4,000 additional devices are expected to be delivered in the upcoming days. With this significant undertaking in mind, Trustees are asking the government to begin funding technology — devices such as iPads or Chromebooks — at a 1 device to 1 student ratio.
Trustees also passed a motion that calls for the Director of Education to continue gathering feedback from staff, parents/guardians and students on remote learning and how educators can best connect with their students. The motion calls for this information to be provided to educators to improve remote learning opportunities and the way they connect with students.
What the Board moved on Tuesday –
Therefore be it resolved that:
The Board formally thanks teachers and staff at all levels of the TDSB for their extraordinary efforts in these unprecedented times.
And, that the Director:
- i. continue to facilitate discussions with all employee groups and use feedback from parents and students to inform best practices for ensuring meaningful, consistent, interactive remote engagement, keeping in mind the TDSB’s commitment to differentiated instruction and equity as essential pillars in the well-being and learning of all students.
- ii. provide necessary supports for educators to help implement any changes going forward, if required;
- iii. present a report to the Board at the earliest opportunity, on next steps with regard to the initiatives at parts (i) and (ii) above.
Director John Malloy is continuing conversations with our education partners. Everyone is continuing to work towards improvements in connecting and re-engaging with students. But please note, the Board fully supports relying on the professional judgement of teachers on how best to connect unless directed otherwise.
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Summer Courses
Remote Credit Recovery Available only to TDSB students
- Registration Opens: May 25 at 10:00 a.m. Registration Closes: June 26 at 12:00 noon
The Continuing Education Department is offering a Remote Credit Recovery Summer School Program for TDSB secondary students only from July 6 to July 31. This program allows students to “recover” the credit in a course in which they were unsuccessful within the last two school years.
Hybrid Remote Summer Credit Program Available only to TDSB students
- Registration Opens: May 25 at 10:00 a.m. Registration Closes: June 26 at 12:00 noon
The Continuing Education Department is offering a Hybrid Remote Summer Credit Program for TDSB secondary school students only from July 6 to July 31. This program replaces the in-class summer school program which has operated in previous years. This program is called “hybrid” because it may include both online and in-class learning environments in accordance with the ongoing guidance of the Ministry of Education.
e-Summer Program
- Registration for TDSB students, 14-20 years old:
- July courses: April 8 to June 15 at 4:30 PM; August courses: April 8 to July 8 at 4:30 PM
- Registration for non-TDSB students: 14-20 years old:
- July courses: May 25 to June 15 at 4:30 PM; August courses: May 25 to July 8 at 4:30 PM
The e-Learning Department is offering the e-Summer program for TDSB and Non-TDSB secondary school students in both July and August. The program includes courses in all subject areas in Grade 11 and 12 as well as Grade 10 Civics and Career Studies.
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Remote IPRC/SEPRC/SST/IEP
This week, Principals/Vice-Principals received direction on how to move forward with remote Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC); Special Education Placement Review Committees (SEPRC); School Support Team (SST) and Individual Education Plan (IEP).
Due to the current unprecedented remote circumstance, we will continue with the prioritization of IPRC Reviews and SEPRC for students listed below. For students not listed below, IPRCs and SEPRCs will not be a priority and can be scheduled in September.
Priority IPRCs and SEPRCs:
- Students in Senior Kindergarten exiting Diagnostic Kindergarten (DK);
- All students exiting Kindergarten Intervention Program (KIP) for whom an ISP is being considered;
- Level 2 Annual IPRC review for students currently in a Special Education Intensive Support Program (ISP) who require a transition as they are moving from school to school. Please note all exceptional students in HSP that have Partial Integration should be considered for Withdrawal Assistance or Resource Assistance as we continue to phase out HSP and move toward inclusionary practices;
- SEPRC consideration only for students with severe complex medical needs and students returning from CTCC programs;
- Gr.3 students for whom consideration for Gr.4 Gifted ISP with completed psychologist assessment indicating GAI 98%+ (TDSB registered students only; no SEPRC for this category);
- Students entering the TDSB from private school or other boards need to register at their home school and consider proceeding to an IPRC/SEPRC in the fall.
Should you have additional questions, please contact your Principal.
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PIAC Invitation for School CouncilsSchool Council Chairs and Co-Chairs are encouraged to register for "Supporting School Councils: Best Practices for Holding an Online Meeting or Event" hosted by PIAC.
Date Time: May 21, 2020 05:30 PM Please submit any questions to: info@torontopiac.com.
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Delegation Process - Addressing a CommitteeDelegation requests will still be accepted during the closure of all schools and administrative sites at the Toronto District School Board; 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 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.
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Upcoming Committee Meetings
The Toronto District School Board is committed to developing opportunities for our wider school community to connect and engage in conversations about education issues. Due to the closure of all schools and administration sites at the Toronto District School Board, all standing committee and regular board meetings will be held virtually and broadcasted live to the public. Click here at the start time to view - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Live-Webcast-of-Meetings
May 19 (Tuesday) Committee of the Whole (Special Meeting) (Electronic Meeting) 4:30 p.m. Agenda. The purpose of this meeting is to provide strategic advice and recommendations to the Board on the continued implementation of services during school closures, creating a successful path to the post-COVID reopening of schools and other potential learnings from the pandemic period.
- 4. Report From the Director of Education (Oral Update)
- 5. Report From the Chair of the Board (Oral Update)
- 6. Report From Representative on the City's Board of Health (Oral Update)
- 7. Report From the Directors on Ontario Public School Boards' Association (Oral Update)
- 8. Report From the Chairs of the Governance and Policy Committee, the Program and School Services Committee, the Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee (Oral Update)
- 9. Report From Representatives on the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee and the Special Education Advisory Committee (Oral Update)
- 10. Reports From Student Trustees (Oral Update)
- 11. Emergency Motions (to be presented)
- 12. Other Questions, Insights and Advice From Trustees to Staff (to be presented)
May 20 (Wednesday) Committee of the Whole (Electronic Meeting) 4:30 p.m.
- 5.1 Ontario Public School Boards' Association Directors' Report (To be presented)
- 6.1 Interim Report on the Secondary Program Review and Appendicies - see below
- 6.2 Basketball Nets Pilot: Update - In January 2020, staff brought forward a report on the Basketball Net pilot project to update the Board on the outcome. This pilot project was in response to increased demand for Basketball facilities and was intended to ensure individuals, particularly younger children, across the city would have access to these important recreational spaces beyond 6 pm, and on weekends, when nets were often taken down. The pilot project revealed both opposition and support for Basketball net removal.
It is recommended that:
1. Basketball Nets remain up at all locations unless the location meets the approved
criteria in recommendation 2.
2. Basketball Nets be removed nightly at locations where one of the following criteria is
met: the basketball court is located within 7.5 meters of an adjacent home; there is lighting that the TDSB cannot control, which allows play after dusk; the courts are designed for children and are being used by adults (not regulation height).
3. The Appeal Protocol contained in this report for reviewing school locations not
captured in recommendation number 2, be approved.
4. The Nets complaint Email address be continued and communicated via the TDSB
website. - 6.3 Service Excellence Program Overview - The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) Service Excellence Program.
- 6.4 Toronto District School Board/Toronto Lands Corporation: Service Level Agreement Update
- 7.1 Management Report to the Board, April 2020
- 7.2 2020-21 Toronto Lands Corporation Budget
- 7.3 Lease: Former DB Hood Public School, 2327 Dufferin Street
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Interim Report on the Secondary Program Review
This interim report of the Secondary Program Review, coming to Committee of the Whole Wednesday highlights the issues, gaps, and needs facing our system that are impacting our ability to support this vision. And, while it offers some preliminary concepts for discussion, it is not a set of recommendations on school closures or a roadmap to a one size fits all approach to our schools. Using the comprehensive and data-rich information, including enrolment and population projections, this report acknowledges where we have been, where we are and where we could go, all while respecting and protecting many of the successful schools and programs that exist right across our system.
This report supports our next step forward as we start to re-imagine and re-draw our system in consultation and collaboration with our communities to enhance equity and support the achievement and well-being of each and every student in the TDSB, now and in the future.
Over the next few months, parents, students, staff and community members will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the information shared in the report. Feedback can be provided to secondaryreview@tdsb.on.ca and/or to local Trustees.
If approved in the fall, the Secondary Program Review Final Report will inform the LongTerm Program and Accommodation Strategy, which identifies studies and reviews about any proposed changes, including school consolidations, boundary changes, or school reconfigurations. Regular and ongoing communication will be provided so that parents, students, staff and community members are informed of the opportunity to engage and provide feedback during the program and accommodation review processes.
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School Year Calendar 2020-2021
Pending Ministry Approval
The official school year calendar for the Toronto District School Board runs from September 1 to June 30, inclusive.
First day of classes for all students is September 8, 2020 (please note there is no school for students on September 4)
- The last day of class for elementary students is June 29, 2021
- The last day of class for secondary (full year) students is June 25, 2021
- The last day of class for secondary (semestered) students is June 28, 2021
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