• Note (1): TDSB Operational Guidelines for the 2021-2022 school year are based on the Ministry of Education guidelines COVID-19: Health, Safety and Operational Guidance for Schools (2021-22) and recommendations from the Toronto Public Health's COVID-19 Guidance for Schools JK to Grade 12.
• Note (2): Guidelines will be revised regularly as circumstances change throughout the school year, including updates from the Ministry of Education and Toronto Public Health guidance.
  

• Overall, 71% of the online selection forms were completed.
• Of those, 86% in both elementary and secondary choose the in-person model.
• Responses from families who made their selection via phone were not included in the presented numbers and will be provided in a later update.
• Families who did not respond online or by phone have been placed in the in-person model
• For those who selected virtual learning, families will receive more information from their home school prior to September 9.
• Requests for a switch between in-person and virtual learning will not be possible until the February switch date.
• For any questions, please contact your child’s school when it reopens - elementary (August 30) and secondary (August 23).
  

• Emails will go out August 23 to families who have not yet returned borrowed devices. Devices can be dropped off at the nearest TDSB school starting August 30th.
• Families who selected virtual learning and requested a device will be contacted by their homeschool to pick up devices between September 2-9

• Continue with guidelines established last year, including: masking, assigned seating and cleaning, which follows Ministry guidance. Transportation to be phased-in: Special Education students (excluding gifted) begin September 9 and all other students begin September 15.

• Elementary to continue to eat in classrooms or other spaces where physical distancing and effective routines can be maintained
• Secondary lunch protocols are being developed and will nee to take into consideration school layout and size of space

• Elementary students will continue to take breaks within cohorts with physical distancing
• Protocols may be updated as status of pandemic changes

• Virtual assemblies will continue. 
• Assemblies will be allowed outdoors (weather permitting) with distancing between cohorts.

• Protocols are being developed with Toronto Public Health & Ophea (Ontario Physical and Health Education Association) to address HPE during the pandemic.

• Vocal music will be allowed indoors with masks and outdoors without masks. In both cases physical distancing will be required and cohorts maintained.
• Protocols are being developed with Toronto Public Health and Ontario Music Educators Association (OMEA) to address the use of musical instruments during the pandemic.

• Protocols are being developed for extra curriculars
• A phased in approach is being developed for community use of schools, beginning after school procedures are well established.

• Use of face masks by all students (JK to Grade 12) is required.
• The implementation measures used successfully last year such as directional signs, cleaning routines and the use of HEPA filters in every classroom will augment the health and safety protocols outlined above.
• All health and safety protocols will be reviewed and adjusted as appropriate in consultation with Toronto Public Health.

• Instructional Model: In all elementary schools there will be in person classes and dedicated virtual learning classes. Where numbers are small in individual school, virtual classrooms will be created from a cluster of schools in the Learning Network/Learning Centre ('hub model'). 
• Simultaneous learning (educators teaching lessons for both in-person and virtual students at the same time) may be used as a solution in exceptional circumstances to meet student needs.
• Class Size: Regular classroom caps and system averages for in person and virtual are being honoured and all classes will be staffed, based on these caps.
• Virtual learning classes will be comprised of straight and combined grades. There is potential for triple combined grade classes if required in some cases (as may be the case for in person learning as well).
• All virtual learning teachers will work in person in a school and will be considered a member of the in person school staff. Educators will have the camera on during instructional time.
• Virtual learning classes follow the daily schedule of the school to which the virtual learning teacher is assigned (e.g. start and end times).
• Brightspace will be the learning management platform for all virtual learning classes (reporting, Principal access, etc). Google Classrooms can be used within the Brightspace platform. TDSB also supports other online web conferencing tools such as Zoom for educator use in virtual classrooms.

• Programming (e.g., French Immersion/Extended French) will proceed only if there is sufficient enrollment to offer classes.
• Programming may be provided to classes made up of straight and/or combined grades with the potential of triple combined grade classes, if required.
• Virtual Learning classes will be assigned to specific schools that already house the specific French program(s) and may include students from the local school and/or a cluster of local school.
• If a French Virtual Learning class is not available (i.e. due to insufficient enrollment), a student may be accommodated in In-Person Learning French at the student’s current French school of record. If the student would like to remain in Virtual Learning, they will be placed in an English Virtual Learning class, and given an opportunity to switch to an In Person French class at the February switch (if space allows).

• Instructional Model: There will be in person classes, dedicated virtual learning classes,and classrooms with simultaneous learning to maintain access to desired programming andconnection to school communities.
• Class Size: Regular classroom caps and system averages are being honoured.
• All virtual teachers will work in person in a school and will be considered a
  member of the in person school staff. Educators will have the camera on
  during instructional time.
• Classes follow the day schedule of the school to which the virtual learning
  teacher is assigned (e.g., start and end times).
• Brightspace will be the learning management platform for all virtual classes (reporting, Principal access, etc.). Google Classrooms ca be used within the Brightspace platform. TDSB also supports other online web conferencing tools such as Zoom for educator use in virtual classrooms.

• In Person Learning
  Students will be welcomed back into Specialized Programs with the intent of supporting continued progress in their chosen program this school year.
• Virtual Learning
  If a school has sufficient requests to create viable Virtual Learning classrooms
  (FI, IB, AP, Alternative, Arts, etc.), they will be able to create a Virtual Class
  with a dedicated teacher.
• Simultaneous
  If Virtual Learning classes are not possible, Simultaneous Learning (educators teaching lessons for both in-person and virtual students at the same time) will allow students to continue in their program of choice with peers.

• In Person Learning
  Students receiving special education program and/or service in regular classes or students in an Intensive Support Program (ISP) will continue tobe supported by classroom teachers, special education teachers, support staff, and itinerant special education staff.
• Virtual Learning
  Students in Virtual Learning regular classes receiving special
  education program and/or services or in an ISP, will be connected to their
  homeschool and receive support from the classroom teacher, special education
  teacher and/or support staff from their home school which may include simultaneou learning for students in elementary ISP classes (Gifted ISP model may differ based
  on the number of students who selected Virtual Learning).

• 81.8% of 12+ with at least one shot (which is 72.6% of all Torontonians);
• 74.9% off 12+ fully vaccinated (66.1% of all Torontonians)
  

• 79.1% with at least one shot. 
• 65.8% fully vaccinated
  

As we move towards reopening our schools, we strongly encourage all of those eligible for Covid-19 vaccines to please get vaccinated, including those born in 2009 who are now able to be vaccinated even if they are not yet 12. Let's all do our part to keep our students and staff as safe as possible!

There are many clinics open to those 12 and older (or turning 12 in 2009) near Ward 11/Don Valley West on a daily basis. To learn more about the many city, hospital, pharmacy and mobile clinics, click on the graphics earlier in this newsletter, or go to the Michael Garron Hospital website for a list of pop-up clinics located in close proximity to Ward 11, also available by clicking here.
In order to be fully vaccinated for the start of school, don't delay, get your shot today!

Warm regards,

Rachel