Week of September 21, 2020
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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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COVID-19: Reduce Virus Spread
All of us are concerned with increased community spread, since a critical factor in reopening schools was the level of community spread at the time. The following are Tips to Prevent the Spread - from Toronto Public Health -
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed:
- Limit non-essential trips out of your home and follow travel advice
- Keep two metres (six feet) distance from others
- Wear a mask or face covering in indoor public spaces and when you can’t keep physical distance
- Clean your hands often. Use soap and water or an alcohol-based (70-90 per cent) hand sanitizer
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hand
- Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue. Immediately throw the tissue in the garbage and wash your hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Stay home if you are feeling unwell
- Download the COVID Alert app so you can be notified directly if you have been in close contact with someone who was contagious with COVID-19
We are completely aware not all actions in the list can be accomplished within provincial guidelines for schools. We continue to advocate for lower class numbers that allow for increased physical distancing - we fundamentally do not understand the different rules - physical distancing has always been a key factor in reducing the spread of the disease and yet resources were not provided to school boards to ensure physical distancing in our schools.
That said, the TDSB has gone into deficit to do what we can to add more staffing that mitigates class size in schools most directly affected by Covid-19 in consultation with Toronto Public Health and also doing what we can to mitigate with target caps in all the others. (see last week's update for detail https://t.e2ma.net/webview/arbiah/7c5d8d1325f99d7b03cea7e8d36ae1d1).
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Returning to School
The First Week of In-School - Last week the TDSB welcomed back elementary and secondary students for in-person learning. Through disruption and challenges and confusion and change, and more change - and with an added layer of acknowledging systemis racism and addressing it in our classrooms - our teachers and education workers and administrators reconnected with one another and welcomed students with smiles under their masks - parking their personal anxiety and concerns - acknowledging the challenges and the loss of what was without losing their passion for teaching and learning, for engaging students and rebuilding relationships and developing new ones. Our students and families know you care. We also know not all is unfolding as planned in all schools, but the course corrections are happening - and everyone is doing the best their best to address issues. To say I am grateful is an understatement.
COVID-19 Advisories - As you know, the Toronto District School Board experienced confirmed cases of COVID-19 this week. We are continuing to work closely with Toronto Public Health (TPH) on all cases, including any necessary communications to families and school communities. We have also launched a webpage - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Return-to-School/covid-19-advisories.This page provides a list of the active confirmed 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 who was contagious while at school will receive a letter from TPH to inform them about the possible exposure. For more information on the TDSB Response Plan with regard to COVID-19 case management for schools and administrative sites, click here.
Virtual School Opens Tuesday - There are approximately 77,600 students in the TDSB Virtual School — an increase of more than 5,000 since Monday afternoon when we had more than 72,000. There are approximately 59,200 in Elementary and 18,400 in Secondary. We are on track to have a large majority of these students begin on Tuesday, September 22, however, there may be a limited number of students who may begin a day or two later given the time at which they registered. Over the weekend, staff continued working on staffing and timetabling for virtual schools. Please click here for the September 14 Virtual School parent/guardian update. All of the most up to date information about Virtual Schools can be found at www.tdsb.on.ca/virtualschool. Again, I acknowledge that this has been a tremendous undertaking and I am grateful to all those who are setting this up - and to the teachers and families who have shown enormous patience and understanding - thank you. I know there will be issues - and I know there will be frustrations - but we will work through them. Thank you for embracing the uncertainty. To say I am grateful is an understatement.
Brightspace - On September 21, TDSB will organize two Brightspace Overview sessions:
Brightspace links:
More technology links:
Attention Virtual School Parents/Guardians without E-Mail - If you received a phone message from TDSB indicating that we do not have an email address on file for you, please complete this form to provide one.
Exemption from minimum requirement of synchronous (on-line) learning - In accordance with requirements outlined by the Ministry of Education in Policy/Program Memorandum 164, individual requests for an exemption from the minimum requirements for synchronous learning will be made to the School Superintendent. The superintendent will ensure that alternative learning approaches are put in place for all exempted students, and will respond in writing to all exemption requests. Teachers will be responsible for all aspects of instructional programming for exempted students. Approved exemptions will be stored in the student’s Ontario Student Record and will expire three months after the date of approval. Exemptions can be extended beyond the 3-month period by re-applying for another exemption prior to the expiration date. More information about the minimum requirements, application deadlines (first on September 29), and more, can be found at https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Return-to-School/Learning-and-Instruction/Exemption-from-Synchronous-Learning.
Switching between in-person and virtual learning - The TDSB recognizes that parents/guardians and/or students may want to switch between in-person learning and Virtual School. It is important to note that, for health and safety reasons, and because of the impact switching would have on staffing, physical distancing and space allocation, it will not be possible to immediately transition between the two models. As a result, opportunities to enter the Virtual School or to return to in-person learning will be provided at key dates during the school year. For elementary schools, the dates are here. For secondary school, the dates are here. Movement from one model to another will be requested through the Principal of the student’s home school. If a switch is required outside of the designated times, a limited number of exceptions may be made and will be reviewed by staff on a case-by-case basis.
Device reqirements - Every student in the Virtual School, and all students in the Hybrid/Adapted Model high schools, will be required to have a device. For those without access to a device, please contact the student’s home school Principal to make a request.
For more details, please click on the links below that will bring you right to the information
Please know that during meetings where we receive updates from staff I have been tweeting key information - but if you have questions that still need to be answered, please e-mail me and I will continue to do my best to get you answers - shelley.laskin@tdsb.on.ca.
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Update on Transportation for Week of September 21, 2020
All remaining students who were not bused in the week of September 14, 2020, will be receiving transportation as the final phase of implementation of transportation. As of Friday afternoon, staff confirm our bus carriers have assured the Toronto Student Transportation Group (TSTG) that they have sufficient drivers to cover routes as of Monday.
If your child is bussed, you should have received an automated phone call this weekend to remind you about the resumption of transportation services on Monday and that our bus carriers have sufficient drivers to cover all routes. You would have also been reminded that, in the opening days each year, delays are possible as routes and lists are confirmed and that we are working hard to keep them to an absolute minimum.
As indicated, companies have reported that all drivers have been provided health and safety training around COVID-19 related issues, including the use of masks and customer service training around how to work with students who cannot wear a mask. These videos can be located here: www.torontoschoolbus.org/bus/school-bus-safety/safety-videos/.
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Active Transportation
The TDSB has long-stood for increase supports for active transportation dating back to 2013, when the Board adopted the “Charter for Active, Safe and Sustainable Transportation”. We encourage, to the extent possible, that students and staff get to and from school every day by walking, cycling, mobility devices, and many other forms of human-powered transportation. If you need to drive, we would sincerely appreciate you parking away from the school and walk the last 5 minutes. It really helps alleviate congestion around the schools, especially in these times.
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Board Meeting This WeekThe Toronto District School Board is committed to developing opportunities for our wider school community to connect and engage in conversations about education issues. The Board Meeting this week is our first meeting to be held at 5050 Yonge. Due to health and safety concerns, only trustees and staff will be on-site - the meeting will be broadcasted live to the public. Click here at the start time to view - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Live-Webcast-of-Meetings.
Board Meeting - Wednesday, September 23, 2020 - 7:00 p.m. Public Session - Boardroom, 5050 Yonge St
- 9. Chair’s Announcements - To be presented
- 10. Reports From Trustees Appointed to External Organizations and Student Trustees - To be presented
- 11. Director's Leadership Report - To be presented
- 12. Declarations of Possible Conflict of Interest
- 13. Matters to be Decided Without Discussion - To be presented
- 14. Confirmation of Minutes of Meetings Held on August 6, 10, 18, 20 and 26 and September 9, 2020 - Separate Document
- 15. Staff Reports
- 15.1 Filling of Vacancy on the Board Self-Assessment Committee
- 15.2 Filling of Vacancy on the Toronto Lands Corporation
- 15.3 Back to School Update - Oral Update
- 16. Committee Reports
- 16.1 Audit Committee, Report No. 52 (Part 2), June 22, 2020 .
- 2. Enterprise Risk Management Initiative: Status Update
- 16.2 Audit Committee, Report No. 53, September 21, 2020 - To be presented
- 16.3 Committee of the Whole (Special Meeting), Report No. 25, September 9, 2020 (For receipt)
- 16.4 Committee of the Whole, Report No. 26, September 16, 2020
- 1. Extension of Term of Toronto Lands Corporation Citizen Directors
- 2. Former Christie Cookie Factory Property: 2150 Lake Shore Boulevard West: Potential Elementary School Site
- 3. Director Search Committee: Director of Education Search Criteria
- 16.5 Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee, Report No. 58, September 15, 2020
- 1. Contract Awards, Facilities
- 2. Contract Awards, Operations
- 3. Ontario Public School Boards’ Association 2020-2021 Annual Membership Fee
- 4. Borrowing Resolution to Meet Operating and Capital Expenditures
- 17. Written Notices of Motion for Consideration
- 17.1 Reconsideration of Previous Board Decision: Phase-Out of Extended French Programs (Trustees Story and Aarts) - Therefore, be it resolved: That students currently in Grades 4 and 5 in the served catchment areas as of the 2019-2020 academic year, be afforded the same opportunity to apply to an existing Gr. 6 or 7 entry Extended French program through to graduation, that their predecessors in this program have had, thereby ensuring all grades have the ability to apply to an optional intensive French program in the TDSB, and that all Extended French programming still come to an end in 2027-2028.
- 18. Written Notices of Motion
- 18.1 Exemptions From P076, Community Planning and Partnerships to Allow for a Capital Improvement to the Former Vaughan Road Academy School Building at 529 Vaughan Road (Trustees Laskin and Donaldson) - Whereas, OVCO has identified a funding opportunity with the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) which has a capital projects policy and has a funding stream that is available to community organizations for capital improvements to community sites serving community groups in OTF’s priority outcome areas (eligible community organizations can apply for capital grants up to $150,000); and... Whereas, OVCO would like to apply for an OTF capital grant to install an upgraded Disability Lift or a LULA elevator in the location of the current elevator as a capital improvement to the school facility at 529 Vaughan Road; and... Whereas, the community sees this partnership with OVCO as beneficial and whereas the Board would benefit from a capital improvement to 529 Vaughan Road; Therefore, be it resolved: (a) That an exemption be made under clause 6.6 of policy P076, Community Planning and Partnerships to allow for a five-year lease to Oakwood Vaughan Community Organization, without a six-month termination notice, as the former Vaughan Road Academy facility has enough space to designate two classrooms for community use; (b) That under clause 6.4, Partnership Compatibility of policy P076, Oakwood Vaughan Community Organization be allowed to facilitate the use of the leased rooms with other community partnerships but that the provisions of clause 6.4 would still apply; (c) That the Director write to the Minister of Education to request an exemption from their Fund Raising Guidelines (2012) “Examples of Unacceptable Uses of Fundraising Proceeds - Facility renewal, maintenance, or upgrades funded through provincial grants such as structural repairs, sanitation, emergency repairs, or replacing flooring due to wear and tear.”
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HEPA Filter Units in Classrooms
During Wednesday's Committee of the Whole Meeting, there was a question re High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter units and whether they should be installed in all classrooms in order to improve ventilation. Staff have provided the following information.
It is important to distinguish between filtration and ventilation, as the terms are often used synonymously. Filtration is the process of removing particulate matter from the air, as it passes through the filter media. HEPA filters are more efficient filters and remove finer particulate matter that other filter media, including particulate matter as small as the COVID virus. Ventilation is the process of increasing air flow into a space in order to provide greater volumes of fresh air. This increase in fresh air has the impact of diluting the air in the space, reduce the potential for the transmission of COVID.
HEPA filter systems recirculate the air in the room and filter it, trapping particulate in the filter media. HEPA filter units do not increase the air flow/Cubic feet per minute into a room, nor do they increase the number of fresh air changes per hour. These are achieved by increasing ventilation, using either mechanical ventilation means or by natural ventilation created by opening windows. Our focus to date as it relates to ventilation has been ensuring that where mechanical ventilation currently exists, it has been reviewed and serviced to ensure they are operation as designed. We have also increased fresh air intake levels, minimized the use of air recirculation modes and are increasing run times of systems to flush out the building 2 hours prior to occupancy.
While the science on this issue is evolving, the current advice from Toronto Public Health (TPH) is that COVID is not easily aerosolized and travels primarily by respiratory droplets. As these droplets are heavy, they typically only travel appx 2 metres before settling on a nearby surface. Once on that surface they have a limited lifespan and are easily addressed using common disinfectant products. In many cases, the respiratory droplets would land on a surface before being drawn into the filter system. Because of this, while the use of HEPA filter can contribute to improved indoor air quality, the units are not a solution to improve overall ventilation rates. That would be best achieved by use of mechanical systems where available, or by opening windows and interior doors to encourage natural cross ventilation.
That being said, we are currently reviewing the use of these units in rooms with limited ability to provide fresh air, or at schools with limited ventilation in areas of the city with higher infections rates. During the pandemic, we are accepting monetary donations, through the COVID-19 Central Relief Fund, for the purchase of these units at the system level, where they can be deployed based on need. We are in the process of finalizing the criteria for determining which schools/classrooms would receive HEPA filters, but the criteria may include things such as the classroom ventilation, class size vs. space available, infection risk rating, etc. Should the advice on transmission methods from TPH change, we will review our practices and adjust as appropriate.
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Policy Consultations
We would like to know your thoughts about our policy decisions by inviting you to our policy consultations. Please click on the policy of your interest to see the current draft. You are welcome to provide your comments, including suggestions on the wording and provisions of the draft policies, questions or recommendations using the contact information below.
- Objective: The Records and Information Management Policy supports the Toronto District School Board’s commitment to the effective, efficient and secure management of recorded information, regardless of format or media. The Policy is consistent with subsection 171. (1), par. 38 of the Education Act which states the Board may institute a program of records and information management.
Parent and Community Involvement Policy
- Objective: To establish a framework for building and supporting parent and community involvement in the Toronto District School Board. We are currently reviewing P023 – Parent and Community Involvement Policy and are inviting feedback from our community as we develop the first draft of the policy. Learn more, and share your voice, at www.tdsbengage.ca
- Objective: The Advertising and Distribution of Materials Policy supports the implementation of the legislative requirement under Ontario Regulation 298, section 24 of the Education Act which governs advertisements and announcements in a school, on school property, or to pupils of these schools. The Policy’s objective is to establish parameters related to advertising on Board property, including distribution of advertising materials to students, parents/guardians and staff.
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Secondary Program Review Our vision is for all students to have equitable access to stronger programs and richer opportunities – as close to home as possible. This is the driving force of the Secondary Program Review, which, for the first time ever, is reviewing all TDSB secondary schools at once to develop a plan to address the inequities and imbalances throughout our current system.
The Secondary Program Review Interim Report highlights the issues, gaps, and needs facing our system that are impacting our ability to support this vision. And, while the report 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 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. No specific schools have been named for consolidation and no further steps will be taken without extensive local community consultation.
There is still time to share your feedback - Students, parents, staff and community members can continue to provide feedback and further insight through delegations and their local Trustee, by email to secondaryreview@tdsb.on.ca. The Secondary Program Review Final Report will be presented to the Board in October 2020.
Key Facts
- The operational cost of operating underutilized and small secondary schools costs significantly more per student when compared to schools that have a larger student population.
- Schools of 0 - 500 students have an operational cost of $2277 per student.
- Schools of 501 - 750 students have an operational cost of $1643 per student.
- Schools of 751 – 1,000 students have an operational cost of $1084 per student.
- Schools of 1,000 – 1,250 students have an operational cost of $993 per student.
- Schools of 1,251 – 1,500 students have an operational cost of $727 per student.
- From a high of 140,433 students in 1976, the Secondary Panel has declined to approximately 72,000 students today.
- The TDSB currently has 20000 surplus seats at the secondary panel. We currently have the capacity for 95000 secondary students. However, we only have 72600 students enrolled.
- Timetabling conflicts are more prevalent at schools with smaller enrolments than at schools with larger student populations. Schools with larger student populations are able to offer more sections of the same course and more course choices, resulting in fewer conflicts.
- Just over 50% of secondary students attend their home school by address, compared to 76% of elementary students who attend their home school by address.
- The average age of our secondary school buildings is 64. Only 2 secondary school buildings were built in the past 20 years. 8 secondary school buildings were built over 100 years ago.
- As of October 2019, the average utilization rate at the 111 secondary schools in the system was 78%. 25 of them were operating below 50% of their capacity and 28 were operating over 100% of their capacity.
- Secondary schools with fewer than 700 students had an average of 14 courses/ sections available in their Arts department, compared to schools of over 1,000 students having an average of 29 courses/ sections available in their Arts department.
- Although the average size of our neighbourhood secondary schools is 995 students, many schools have a much smaller population, meaning reduced course offerings and pathways for students.
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Indigenous Trustee Panel
The Canadian School Boards' Association (CSBA) is proud to host a Virtual Indigenous Trustee Panel on Thursday October 8 at 1:00 Eastern.
- Topic: We’re ready now, let’s talk.
- Time: Oct 8, 2020 1:00 PM Eastern Time (Canada)
A panel of experienced Indigenous leaders will explore questions related to their role as trustees. Moderated by Renee St. Germain – Assembly of First Nations Director of Education and member of the CSBA Board of Directors, panelists will share their invaluable expertise and experience. Topics include: How to move away from tokenism towards actual diversity; Why school boards should reflect those they serve; Anti-racist professional development for trustees; Next steps in moving beyond TRC recommendations to meaningful change; and, The importance of accountability. For more information click http://www.cdnsba.org/all/announcements/indigenous-trustee-panel.
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School Year Calendar 2020-2021The 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.
- First day of classes for students - In-Class Elementary entry staggered September 15-17. In-Class Secondary, either Thursday September 17 or Friday September 18 based on the cohort assignment. We are no longer staggering entry to the Virtual School. Both Elementary and Secondary Virtual Schools will open on September 22.
- The last day of class for elementary students is June 29
- Updated Secondary Quadmester Calendar
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Quad 1: Sept. 17 - Nov 17 + exams Nov 18 & 19
Quad 2: Nov. 23 - Feb 2 + exams Feb 3 & 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
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Dec 21, 2020 - January 1, 2021
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Secondary PA Day (Semestered Schools Only)
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