Dear TDSB Ward 19 parents/guardians and families,
I know it appears as though information is ever-changing, but we are in new territory each and every day, and so I encourage everyone to keep checking the TDSB's website regularly as more information is released and updated. In the meantime, however, please read on below for updates about the following items:
English Elementary Teachers: Approximately 15 teachers required. All other English elementary classes (more than 2300) have teachers assigned. Please note: The number shared in the previous update (2400) also included ISP classes and FI/EF classes.
French Immersion/Extended French Teachers: Approximately 80 teachers required. Most of the French vacancies are in SK and grades 4-8; most of the primary are filled. We are considering creative solutions for FI/EF to meet needs. For example, increase class sizes in primary (however that could be disruptive to families, as most classes are filled there). We will continue to keep you informed about additional strategies to address the FI/EF teacher shortage moving forward.
The Ontario government is taking action to recruit and retain more French teachers to ensure that all students receive a high-quality French-language or French as a Second Language (FSL) education. To assist in this effort the province is supporting various initiatives such as career fairs, as well as partnering with two working groups in order to focus on professional development for French teachers and raise awareness of employment opportunities.
"Our government is committed to protecting and promoting French-language and bilingual education in Ontario now and into the future," said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. "The rising enrollment and increased popularity of our French-language and French as a Second Language programs, coupled with a long standing national shortage of educators, underscores the need for action which is why we are ensuring schools have access to more qualified French language educators."
Teacher Communication with Students/Families: Once hired and assigned to a class, teachers are provided two days of Brightspace training and will then get their virtual classroom up and running and contact families/students. At this point, we anticipate that all Virtual School classrooms will be underway by mid-to-late week and families that have not yet heard from a teacher should expect contact in that timeframe.
Parent/Guardian Update: Another email update will be sent to all Elementary Virtual School families on Tuesday, September 29.
Asynchronous Learning Activities/Live Sessions: We continue to upload learning activities for students waiting for classroom teachers to access via the Asynchronous Learning Activities web page. As well, daily live sessions for Kindergarten to Grade 8 continue and recordings of all sessions are also available online.
Exceptions: A small number of students (73 elementary and 13 secondary) requested Virtual School between September 22-25 and are currently in the transfer window. These students will be transferred to a virtual class for October 13, along with all other students who make that application before the deadline of Wednesday, September 30 at 4pm. Making the request earlier than the deadline did not mean that a student would be placed immediately. Schools have been asked to speak directly to these families to clarify the situation and timeline.
Exemptions to Synchronous Learning: The deadline date for families requesting exemptions from synchronous learning has been extended to Tuesday, October 20 at 4 p.m. to accommodate the late start for some students in Elementary Virtual School.
