April 2022
Supporting Healthy, Safe and Respectful Schools
As we move to a more sustainable model of living with COVID-19, a number of health and safety measures continue to remain in place. Please be respectful of others and individual choices.
Ministry of Education’s New Online Learning Graduation Requirement
The Ontario Ministry of Education has introduced a new graduation requirement for secondary students to complete two e-Learning credits as part of the 30 credits required for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). It applies only to students who entered Grade 9 on or after September 1, 2020 which means that they are now in Grade 9 or Grade 10. Students may withdraw/opt out of this new graduation requirement and graduate with an OSSD.
Letter: Toronto Partnership for the Protection and Well-Being of Children and Youth
On behalf of the Toronto District School Board, Chair Alexander Brown wrote the Prime Minister, Premier and Mayor to express concerns about the protection and well-being of children and youth in the Greater Toronto Area, including students at the TDSB, and ask for their assistance and your partnership.
Letter: Addressing Pandemic Impacts on Youngest Learners
On behalf of the Toronto District School Board, Chair Alexander Brown wrote to the Minister of Education to express concerns about the extraordinary developmental needs of incoming Kindergarten students resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Consultation: Student Attendance, Safe Arrival and Safe Departure Policy (P085)
Consultation is underway for the TDSB’s revised Student Attendance, Safe Arrival and Safe Departure Policy (P085), and we want to hear from you. Complete the survey and/or sign up to participate in a consultation webinar.
Join the Conversation: Nurturing Children's Gender and Identity
TDSB parents/caregivers are invited to join us for two new engaging and informative conversations on topics we heard you want to learn more about. Hear from leading experts and participate in question and answer sessions online. Our next sessions are:
Nurturing Children's Gender and Identity, with Presenter Vivek Shraya
Thursday, May 19, 2022
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Join the Conversation: Parent Reboot Recorded Session with Dr. Shefali Tsabary
TDSB is pleased to be offering parents/caregivers FREE access to this great three hour recording Reboot session with Dr. Shefali Tsabary who will help answer parents/caregivers questions and concerns on 5 stressors for parents/caregivers (1) screen addition, (2)children disrespect (3) lying (4) tantrum and (5)anxiety. The session provides golden nuggets to address the 5 stressors. Visit www.tdsb.on.ca/conversation to sign-up for free access to the recording.
These conversations are jointly hosted by the TDSB's Parent and Community Engagement Office and the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee and generously supported by the Ministry of Education's Parents Reaching Out Grants. Learn more at www.tdsb.on.ca/conversation.
Elementary Summer School – Registration Now Open!
The focus of the 2022 Elementary Literacy and Numeracy Summer School Program is to continue student engagement through the month of July. Programs, embedded in Literacy and Numeracy, are developed by the local summer school principal to reflect the local school focus.
Programs are offered to students in K to Grade 8, from July 4 to July 29, 2022. Most classes run for three (3) hours from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., except for four (4) full day sites that run 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For more information and to register, please visit the Elementary Summer School program page.
TDSB Students Learn About Allyship and Advocacy at EnVision Conference 2022
More than 1,000 students and educators from across the TDSB participated in the annual EnVision Conference in March which focused on honouring and celebrating 2SLGBTQIAP+ communities as well as issues faced across Ontario in relation to addressing homophobia and transphobia.
Over the course of two days, students were encouraged to ask questions and explore ways to celebrate gender and sexual diversity in schools and beyond.
High Water Levels Brings Increased Risks
The Toronto and Region Conservation monitors hazardous ice conditions as thaw begins and are reminding everyone to be very careful around all bodies of water. The first hint of warming weather and the promise of spring thaw can bring extreme danger to the shores and surfaces of streams, rivers, ponds and lakes, according to Toronto and Region Conservation.
As warmer temperatures arrive, stream banks become increasingly slippery and unstable. Lake and river ice weakens, becoming thinner or with higher flows breaking with little or no warning. During this time, the potential for flooding and ice jamming is high.
Higher, faster-flowing water and extreme cold temperatures combine to create increased dangers on or near rivers, streams and ponds for people wishing to enjoy the seasonal changes. Parents and caregivers are being asked to keep children away from stream banks, ponds and lakes.
Heritage and History Months
The Toronto District School Board is proud to celebrate and recognize the following Heritage Months during the month of April: