email : Webview : Ward 4 Update October 2021

Humber River - Black Creek Community Parents/Guardians/Caregivers, Students and Staff

As always, we hope you and all your loved ones are well.

Please find our October 2021 newsletter. If you have any questions, comments or recommendations, please reach out and share with us.

Christopher Mammoliti
Ward 4 TDSB Trustee
+1 (416) 475-9395

Heritage Months

The board celebrates Islamic and Somali Heritage months

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) proudly recognizes Islamic Heritage Month during the month of October since our Board of Trustees passed their motion on June 22, 2016. Our main theme for the month continues to be:

Reflect. Celebrate. Learn

During the month of October several Islamic Heritage Month events are being organized for students, staff and TDSB community members. TDSB students - Grade 7-12 will be invited to attend a virtual event with Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, former American Professional Basketball Player who challenged the International Basketball Federation when informed that she could not participate in the league while wearing a hijab. Bilqis will share the challenges she faced while trying to change this requirement for players.

TDSB community members, students and staff will also be invited to a join a virtual event with Master Chef contestant Reem Ahmed and City TV Host Maleeha Sheikh in the upcoming weeks. We will learn about preparing a meal and we’ll hear a candid conversation about Islamophobia and what it is like to be Muslim in Canada. Registration will be required and details will be shared soon.

Follow the Islamic Heritage Month Committe on Twitter at - @tdsb_ihm

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) proudly recognizes Somali Heritage Month during the month of October. The TDSB has been marking Somali Heritage Month since June 2016, and we continue to expand on the selected theme

Educate. Elevate. Excel.

In October 2020, the Government of Ontario proclaimed Somali Heritage Week Act, 2020 which will take place on June 25 through July 1.

“By proclaiming the week of June 25 through July 1 as Somali Heritage Week, the Province of Ontario recognizes the economic, political, social and cultural achievements and contributions of Somali Canadians in all aspects of Ontario society. Like many refugees and immigrants who have made Ontario their home, Somali Canadians are proud to be part of diverse communities across the province.”

Please follow us on Twitter: SomaliHM@TDSB

TDSB Will Open Boyne Natural Science School as Indigenous Land-Based Learning Site

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Urban Indigenous Education Centre (UIEC), with guidance from the Elders Council, will open the Boyne Natural Science School as an Indigenous Land-Based Learning site. Trustees unanimously supported the initiative during this evening’s Regular Board Meeting.

This site is located on 308.5 acres of the Niagara Escarpment, adjacent to the Bruce Trail and the Boyne River Provincial Park. Its reopening supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action and supports Indigenous Education on The Land for all students, staff and Indigenous communities.

For more information, please read the news release.

TDSB Releases Mandatory Vaccine Procedure

The Toronto District School Board has released a COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccine Procedure for implementation.

Through this procedure, the TDSB is taking action to protect the health and safety of employees, students, families and community members and is in line with Ministry of Education direction, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health’s instructions, and a resolution by the Board of Trustees. The TDSB also conducted consultations with several stakeholders.

By November 1, 2021, employees, Trustees, and other individuals who have direct contact with staff or students at a TDSB workplace, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (subject to approved requests for exemptions under the Human Rights Code). Until then, those who are not vaccinated or have not disclosed their vaccination status must continue to undergo rapid antigen testing at home and provide proof of a negative result, twice per week. In addition, those who do not have a medical/disability exemption will be required to undertake an education session on the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination.

For more information, please read the news release.

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

For the next several weeks, Toronto Public Health will be offering Youth Mobile Vaccine Clinics for youth aged 12-17 to increase access to vaccines. Learn more about these clinics and where to access them.

School Immunization Program

Toronto Public Health is hosting vaccination clinics for students, in Grade7 and higher who need the following vaccines: Meningococcal-ACYW, Human papillomavirus and/or Hepatitis-B. Read the full letter from TPH and complete the consent form to access.

Parent and Caregivers as Partners Conference

Registration opens soon for the annual Parents and Caregivers as Partners Conference. Join our virtual event on October 16 and 17 to connect with other parents and caregivers, learn from experts and be inspired by our keynote speakers. Learn more about the Parent and Caregivers as Partners Conference.

Student Transportation

Are you a parent/guardian of a child who takes the bus to school? Don’t forget to register for the Student Transportation Parent Portal to access important information and updates, and to sign up to receive email notifications of bus delays and cancellations. Please also ensure that student contact information and phone numbers are up-to-date.

Virtual Mental Health Support

Professional Support Services is offering virtual drop-in hours for parents and caregivers to discuss strategies to help support the mental health and well-being of your child. Learn more about Virtual Mental Health Support.

International Languages: Elementary and African Heritage (ILE-AH)

This free online program welcomes JK to Grade 8 students to learn a language (except for English and French) for 2.5 hours a week. Learn more about ILE-AH and register online today

Daily Health Screening

Ensuring the health and safety of our students and staff is a priority and everyone plays a role. The most important thing families can do to help mitigate the transmission of COVID-19, is to screen their children daily for any COVID-19 symptoms and keep them home from school if they are sick or have had close contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19. All staff and visitors will also be required to screen themselves before entering a TDSB building.

Before coming to school each day, all students must conduct an active student health screening self-assessment and if, based on your answers you are clear to come to school, please record the information daily through the paper pass or the Health Screening App, which will allow you to enter to your school or administration building.

Learn more at www.tdsb.on.ca/healthscreening

Upcoming Meetings

The next Regular Board Meeting is on Wednesday, October 22, 2021. For a list of upcoming meetings, please click on the calendar on the main webpage of www.tdsb.on.ca.

Follow the TDSB

Sign-up for TDSB Update and stay informed about recent Board Decisions and district-wide news.

Join the conversations happening on TDSB's social media communities. You'll find the most up-to-date information about us on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove®
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.

5050 Yonge St.
Toronto, Ontario | M2N 5N8 CA

This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.

Trustee Update