COVID-19: Reduce Virus Spread
The best way to keep our kids in school right now is to ensure everyone is following public health guidelines to prevent community spread. This is the most critical thing we can do. Let's all do what we can. Wash your hands. Watch your distance. Wear your mask.
"If we limit our contact, keep our distance and wear our mask, we will contribute significantly to the ability to limit virus spread and that is the most important thing of all." Dr Eileen de Villa
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Returning to School Links
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November is Indigenous Education Month
In November, we honour Indigenous Education Month at the TDSB. This month reminds us to centre First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives, histories and contemporary realities. In classrooms across the TDSB, it is an opportunity to learn about treaties, Indigenous leadership, achievements, and resistance. Over the course of this month, students, staff and community members recognize a number of important days to deepen knowledge, to learn together about our shared history, and to build stronger relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Learn more on the TDSB News wepage.
First Nations, Métis and Inuit Days of Significance
Over the course of November, students, staff and community members recognize a number of important days to deepen knowledge and to build stronger relationships between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples in Canada. This includes Treaty Recognition Week (Nov. 2-6), Inuit Day (Nov. 7), Aboriginal Veterans’ Day (Nov. 8), Louis Riel Day (Nov. 16), and an opportunity to Rock Your Mocs (Nov. 15-21). Follow on Twitter @UIEC_tdsb.
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November is Hindu Heritage Month
In 2016, the Government of Ontario declared the month of November each year as Hindu Heritage Month. Further to this, on April 18, 2018, the TDSB Board of Trustees voted to recognize the month of November as Hindu Heritage Month. The theme chosen this year is Om Shanti: Living Together in Peace. The Sanskrit words OM Shanti are considered to be one of the most important mantras or sacred sounds in Hinduism. OM, or AUM, is energy, a vibration from which all the universe originates. Shanti refers to peace in many levels of existence. November is an opportunity to celebrate the Hindu way of life, examine its impact and contributions to the world culture, and recognize values which promote compassion, mutual respect and inclusion – and hey, it is the birthplace of the number zero, without which the binary code in computers could not exist! The Hindu Heritage Month planning committee continues to work on virtual initiatives to recognize Hindu Heritage Month during the month of November and are eager to have them come to completion in the upcoming weeks. Follow on Twitter @tdsb_HHM.
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Grade 8 - Transition to Secondary Schools
All Grade 8 families will be receiving a School Messenger email on Wednesday, November 4 with a comprehensive overview of the process for the transition to high school. An additional system communication will ensure that all staff, students (virtual and bricks and mortar) and their families will receive this consistent and timely information about our TDSB process. Secondary schools have been preparing for virtual Open Houses with pre-recorded and live sessions. Elementary and secondary schools are being supported to ready their schools for the variety of questions that are raised at such a pivotal time in a student’s educational pathway.
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Toronto Police Services - School Liaison Officers Redeployed
As outlined in the linked e-mail from the Toronto Police Service (TPS), effective November 9, 2020, all Community School Liaison Officers (CSLO) that are a part of School Engagement Teams (SET) will be redeployed to frontline Primary Response Unit activities. These officers have been attached to specific elementary schools in the Board and have provided ongoing support with respect to school and community safety.
According to the TPS, this reassignment will allow officers to focus existing resources on areas that have experienced the most gun and gang violence. This decision applies to schools in both the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board. The CSLO and SET officers were deployed to elementary schools only. Secondary schools in the TDSB are not impacted by this decision. Secondary schools in the TDSB have not had a consistent police presence in schools since the School Resource Officer program was terminated in 2017.
School administrators have been provided with directions regarding police support when they need it.
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French Program Application Deadlines
For families interested in the Toronto District School Board's system-wide French Programs, we offer an online process to apply for Early French Immersion (begins in Senior Kindergarten) and Middle French Immersion (begins in Grade 4). An offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) is guaranteed to all on-time applicants. The timelines for applying for these programs for September 2021 are:
- Early French Immersion: Applications must be completed online between November 2 and November 27, 2020.
- Middle French Immersion: Applications must be completed online between January 4 and January 29, 2021.
Offers of placement within your chosen program (not a specific school) will be made to all on-time applicants in the weeks following the close of the application window. Families with an older sibling currently in a French program are still required to complete an online application for the new student.
For more information about French as a Second Language programs, the application process and important dates, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/french.
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Early French Immersion (SK Entry) Information Sessions
Virtual Web Chat Information Sessions have been scheduled for families interested in the Early French Immersion (SK) application and placement process. The scheduled sessions are:
- November 2, 2020, 7-8 p.m.
- November 12, 2020, 7-8 p.m.
- November 19, 2020, 10-11 a.m.
Please note: to participate in a live web chat, please visit the French Information Session webpage and a link will be available to join on the dates/times outlined above
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TDSB Participates in Take Our Kids to Work Day!
Take Our Kids to Work Day (TOKTWD) is a day that lasts a lifetime for students. On Wednesday, November 4, 2020, Canada’s longest-running, highest-profile career exploration event is going virtual, offering more options than ever before! TDSB students can learn, explore, and engage in career exploration activities that could spark their excitement for learning and looking ahead to an exciting career. TDSB is partnering with The Learning Partnership to provide educators with a range of exciting ways for students to participate in Take Our Kids to Work Day. Despite the pandemic, the TDSB is committed to providing our Grade 9 students with this amazing opportunity in all of our classroom settings (face-to-face, synchronously, asynchronously and remotely). This year, TOKTWD can be accessed in real-time or at a later date by accessing the recorded sessions to inspire an exciting, engaging day of career exploration.
Grade 9 students will participate in
- Pre-activities to prepare students for the day ahead
- A Kick-off Event where they will hear from a range of workplaces and professionals who will share messages of hope and resilience and bring to life the real-world skills that have led to their success,
- Live Take Our Kids to Work Day Breakout Sessions exploring Skilled Trades, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Healthcare and Technology & Finance.
Parents, guardians and caregivers can access this Family Guide to find out how to get the most out of the day for their child whether they participate at their parent/guardian’s work, at school, or at home. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to connect with their kids and join the fun during this year’s TOKTWD event. For more information please visit The Learning Partnership website.
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Holocaust Education Week
Join us as we bring an innovative approach to our classic programming with the first-ever digital Holocaust Education Week. Despite the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Neuberger’s transformative online activities will inspire, educate, and recognize the remarkable contributions of Holocaust survivors while compelling us to contribute to an inclusive society for all Canadians. We will reflect back on Holocaust education over the years and together, ensure that education continues to play a vital role in combating all forms of hate, creating a better future. Featuring an online film series, book talks, Neuberger curated films, a wide array of scholars, experts, and well-known personalities including Star Trek’s George Takei and Yair Rosenberg, senior writer at Tablet Magazine. To learn more, visit the Holocaust Centre website.
And on November 9 at 4:30 p.m., please join an OISE presentation for Holocaust Education Week with Professor George Dei, Former Justice Minister Irwin Cotler and Educator Rachel Luke in a live conversation Educating about Equity - such topics as race and equity in the current climate; antisemitism; social justice education; and today’s classrooms and anti-racism efforts. To register please visit the webinar registration page.
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Ready. Set. Engage! PIAC's Annual Parent Conference
PIAC invites all parents and caregivers to take part in our 14th annual parent conference – Ready. Set. Engage! Navigating the School Year Together – in partnership with TDSB. Join us in our first-ever virtual conference on November 21 and 22 for two days of workshops for parents and school councils. Connect with others from across TDSB as we adapt to a new educational landscape and school year unlike any we have experienced before.
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Conference Summary
Valuable learnings were shared at the PasP Conference - please note that the presentations will be available on the Parents as Partners website in the next few days (both Keynotes and the Panel update with senior staff are already available).
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Download COVID Alert Today
As you know, a new Bluetooth-based COVID-19 contact tracing app developed in Canada was rolled out for testing in Ontario on July 31. Although the app is strictly voluntary, I urge everyone to download it. Privacy is respected.
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School Year Calendar 2020-2021
The 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 1: Sept. 17 - Nov 19
- Quad 2: Nov. 23 - Feb 4
- Quad 3: Feb 8 - April 20 + exams April 21 & 22
- Quad 4: April 23 - June 23 + exams June 24, 25 & 28
PA Days & Holidays Remaining
Board-wide PA Day |
In-Person School - November 20, 2020
Virtual School - December 4, 2020
| Winter Break | Dec 21, 2020 - January 1, 2021 | Elementary PA Day | January 15, 2021 | Secondary PA Day (Semestered Schools Only) | February 5, 2021 | Board-wide PA Day | February 12, 2021 | Family Day | February 15, 2021 | March Break | March 15 – 19, 2021 | Good Friday | April 2, 2021 | Easter Monday | April 5, 2021 | Victoria Day | May 24, 2021 | Elementary School PA Day | June 4, 2021 | Secondary School PA Day | June 29, 2021 |
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