Week of August 15, 2021 - Summer Edition #4
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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
- Covid-19 Update: Return to School
- Tuesday - Special Planning & Priorities Meeting
- Get Your Shot!
- Updated Guidance for 2021-22
New Invitations - Education Town Hall - Monday, Aug 16 5:30-7:00
- 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
Worth Repeating - Youth Programming at Hart House
- Page Program Returns at Queen's Park
- Respect the Rules - No Dogs Allowed on School Property
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TDSB Summer Menu of Activities and Supports
- 2-1-1
- 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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COVID-19 Update - Return to School
Friday afternoon OPSBA sent a letter to Premier Doug Ford about mandatory vaccinations. Copies were sent to the Minister of Health, Christine Elliot and Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce. The letter can be found on OPSBA's website at: OPSBA-Letter-to-Premier-Ford-re-Mandatory-Vaccination.pdfPlease know I completely support OPSBA's advocacy on behalf of all 31 public school boards - however, as soon as it was clarified that the Ministry of Education directives would allow school boards the potential of requiring vaccinations for staff (except for human rights, medical reasons, etc) and that Toronto Public Health would support, my colleagues Rachel Chernos Lin and James Li collaborated with others on an Emergency Motion to be presented at our Special Planning & Policy Committee Wednesday - you can read the complete Motion Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Strategy - the key recommendation "(a) That the Director work collaboratively with Toronto Public Health, local health partners, and TDSB employee groups to develop a strategy and protocol to require COVID-19 vaccination or testing for staff, which can include a multipronged approach involving education and incentivization, to ensure TDSB w orkplaces remain as safe as possible for students and staff alike." This is a critical part of a safe return to school plan and we could not wait for the province to mandate - although we still wish they would as there is a cost to all of this which the province is not currently funding.My colleagues Michelle Aarts and Trixie Doyle have put forward a second Emergency Motion which will also be presented Tuesday - Health and Safety Measures for 2021-2022 School Year. Although the province has provided direction, both the Ontario Music Educators Association (OMEA) and the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (ophea) recommend continued use of safety measures including masks indoors for singing and light to moderate physical activity, and limiting intense activities to the outdoors. And since Toronto Public Health (TPH) reported that school health and safety protocols including masks, physical distancing, and limited, classroom cohorts are effective at protecting staff and students from in-school COVID transmission, we need to do more than the minimum. As a result, the key recommendations in the motion are "Therefore, be it resolved that the Director, (a) incorporate health and safety measures for the 2021/22 school year based on the recommendations from Toronto Public Health, the Ophea 2021/22 Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education (OPASSE) curricular, intramural and interschool activities and the OMEA Safe Singing and Playing in Ontario Programs, Fall 2021, in addition to the Ministry of Education’s COVID-19: Health, Safety and Operational Guidance for Schools (2021-2022); and (b) ensure protocols for mask removal indoors include guidance from Toronto Public Health for safe physical distancing of students and cohorts in elementary schools during lunch time." Should these motions pass (and hoping both pass unanimously), then the Chair would call a Special Board Meeting to confirm them ASAP.
These TDSB initiatives, along with masking for all students (JK-12), staff and visitors to school, HEPA air filtration systems will help support a safe return to school.
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Tuesday - Special COVID P&P Meeting
As noted above, the Emergency Motions will be presented as part of the Agenda at the Special P&P Meeting on Tuesday, August 17th from 4:30-6:30. The meeting agenda will first include an update from Toronto Public Health (TPH) and a presentation by the Director of Education on Returning to School. There will be an opportunity as ask Questions to both TPH and staff. Please continue to email me your questions. You can watch live beginning at 4:30 Tuesday. As I have done in the past, for those that can't watch I will live tweet from the meeting.
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Get Your Shot!Everyone 12+ can now book their shot! Vaccines provide the best protection against COVID-19 and variants. The sooner you get both of your shots, the better for all and the safer our schools will be.Toronto's data is updated twice per week on Monday and Thursday by 4:00 PM, except on statutory holidays. As of August 12th
- Eligible population (12+) - 81.4% of 12+ with at least one shot;
- 74.1% of 12+ fully vaccinated
The TDSB will continue to help facilitate vaccination opportunities and clinics within our schools, together with local health partners as we have over recent months.
Learn More
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Updated Guidance for the 2021-22 School YearThere is no question TPH's advice will depend on key public health and health care indicators. That is why the best thing everyone can do to ensure schools reopen safely is continuing to follow health and safety guidelines and those 12+ get double vaccinated. Information will continue to be updated on the TDSB's website - below please find a summary of the information to date.
Health and Safety - As noted above TDSB is instituting (assuming motions pass) requirements above and beyond provincial guidelines.
COVID-19 Vaccines - As noted above, 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.
Public Health Guidelines - We hope to be completely updated on guidelines on physical distancing (cohorting) in schools, testing and screening tools and protocols, etc from Toronto Public Health Tuesday. Masking is still required inside our schools for all students, staff and visitors.
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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Education Town Hall - Monday, Aug 16 5:30-7:00
I am pleased to participate in this Education Town Hall organized by MPP Jill Andrew (Toronto-St.Paul’s). It will feature MPP Marit Stiles (Davenport), Education Critic and will also include my colleague Norm Di Pasquale, Ward 9 Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) Trustee. As Jill wrote in her last community news update, w e want to hear your questions, issues, or concerns relating to a safe September for Ontario. To submit, email jandrew-co@ndp.on.ca with the subject line ‘Education Townhall”. Click to RSVP to watch the townhall live or tune into my Facebook where we will be streaming live.
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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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Worth Repeating -
Youth Programming at Hart House
Opportunity #1: Hart House Youth Advisory Council -
The Hart House Youth Advisory Council is a new opportunity launching this fall and will provide an opportunity for students in grades 9–12 to learn leadership skills by immersing themselves in an advisory council setting. This is a fantastic opportunity for youth to build leadership skills and gain an understanding of how committees and advisory council’s function.
Opportunity #2: BEE – Brotherhood of Ethnic Excellence -
We are delighted to be offering the Brotherhood of Ethnic Excellence (BEE) program. BEE is a Hart House youth advisory program that aims to build stronger connections between the University of Toronto campus and Black young men in grades 9–12. The program aims to develop, support, and engage young men residing in the Toronto downtown communities for planned workshops, to attend Hart House and campus events, or just hang out.
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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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TDSB Summer Menu of Activities and Supports
Programs and activities are being provided by TDSB’s Professional Support Services (PSS) staff from Social Work, Speech- Language Pathology, Psychology, Child and Youth Services and Occupational/Physical Therapy.
Join us for our Virtual Drop-Ins!
During the month of July and the last two weeks of August, PSS Staff will continue to offer Virtual Office Hours for Caregivers/Parents of all students, as well as Caregivers/Parents of students with special/complex needs (please below for new summer times).
Connect directly with staff from TDSB Professional Support Services. Join us to explore ideas regarding your child or youth's mental health and well-being.
Virtual Office Hours for parents/caregivers of students with special/complex needs
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2-1-1
Do you need help finding food, housing, financial assistance, mental health support, employment support, support for seniors, winter clothing and/or shelter? For information and referral to government, health, community and social services.211 is free, confidential and available 24/7 in 150+ languages to connect you to local community supports.
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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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