email : Webview : December 2020-Ward 2 Newsletter

Dear Parents/Caregivers, Community Members, Students, and Staff

Clearly 2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for everyone. I want to thank all our Ward 2 students and their families. While TDSB staff of all kinds have worked tirelessly to provide stability and a quality educational experience for all our students, there have been many bumps and communication challenges along the way. Throughout, the students have continued to impress, adapt and be resilient as they make the most out of either of the education platform their family has selected. From wearing masks, and respecting social distance to enhancing their online skills, students continue to grow and challenge themselves and one another. However, I certainly acknowledge that it's been hard and some of our students and staff are struggling. We continue to prioritize the mental health of students and staff.

For many in our community, December brings religious and cultural observances and celebrations. For all those observing, I hope everyone has a peaceful and memorable celebration. I also hope that all our families enjoy the upcoming winter break while maintaining and practicing all the Covid-19 safety measures.

COVID-19 Update

At our TDSB Planning and Priorities (Special Meeting) on November 24th, 2020 Dr. Vinita Dubey Toronto Public Health Associate Medical Officer of Health (AMOH) and Vincenza Pietropaolo Toronto Public Health Associate Director, Liaison presented.

They noted cases and outbreaks of COVID-19 are smaller in schools compared to the community and other institutional outbreaks. Schools are the source of about 10% of COVID-19 cases related to all outbreaks in the City. They also noted that secondary school outbreaks do not appear to be the reason behind an increase in the percentage of teenagers whose COVID test results come back positive. The reasons go beyond school to explain higher rate in teenagers.

Their plea was to stay home except to:

Attend school/work

Pick up essentials like groceries

Attend health care

Exercise

TPH is committed to keep schools open while they continue to be safer places for students to learn and grow. For the complete deck, click on https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Agenda-Minutes/Type/A?Folder=Agenda%2f20201124&Filename=201124+TPH+Update.pdf

French Language Programming Message

My name is Doug Kwan and I'm the alternate representative for Ward 2 on the French as a Second Language Advisory Committee (FSLAC). The FSLAC was created by the Board in 2005. Our mission is:

“To consult with and advise the Board on French as a Second Language matters. As a Board community advisory committee, the FSLAC will contribute to the work of trustees and staff. This partnership of trustees, staff and parents will foster excellence and growth in FSL programs at the Board.”

Our work focuses on all French learning programs whether your child is in Core French, French Immersion, or Extended French. Our meetings often include three Trustees (including Trustee MacLean) and TDSB staff who provide us with the key information that we need to advise the Board. Some of the topics that we recently tackled include providing recommendations on making sure that the suburbs have equal access to French programs compared to those living in the downtown core, ensuring that French teachers are available for all of the students interested in learning French, providing advice to the Board on how to spread the word of the new Junior Kindergarten entry point for French Immersion, and these are just some of the topics.

If you want to learn more about our work or would like to provide your ideas and experience about your child's French language learning experience please feel free to contact me at youngllb@hotmail.com.

Grade 3 Universal Screening Process 2020-2021

Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test 7 (CCAT 7)

As a result of the COVID 19 pandemic, the annual TDSB’s Universal Screening Process (CCAT 7) for Grade 3 students was delayed. This test provides information about the strengths and learning needs of each student in order to better support teachers with programming.

CCAT 7 Plan for 2020-2021

PHASE 1: CCAT 7 Testing for OSR School students (in bricks and mortar)

Between December 2nd - December 10th, 2020, schools are asked to have their bricks and mortar students write the test. All TPH protocols will be followed and the Grade 3 Teachers will be administering the test. If a parent chooses to opt their child out of the testing, parents must notify the principal.

PHASE 2: CCAT 7 Testing for Virtual School students

All grade 3 students in virtual schools will write the CCAT 7 test on January 15th, 2021 which is an Elementary PA Day. If a parent chooses to opt their child out of the testing, the parent will indicate on the Parent Option Form. For families who are experiencing special circumstances or have complex needs and are unable to have their virtual school child participate in bricks and mortar, and want their child to write the test, accommodations will be provided. A system deep clean is being arranged through Senior Manager of Operations, Maintenance, and Community Use for January 14th for all the spaces that VS Grade 3 students will be writing.

Based on the parent response, the Special Education team, in collaboration with the Planning team will determine one of two testing locations: the OSR school or a Central Location. A communication from the Special Education team will be sent to the OSR Principals to share with their respective parents of the Grade 3 students writing the test, closer to the January 15th, 2021 date. The letter will indicate where students will be writing the test (based on numbers).

Supervision of students may be through Occasional Teachers and/or the respective teachers from the OSR School. They will also follow all TPH health and safety measures.

An administrator will also be present at the site.

Optional Attendance

The optional attendance status for all schools for 2021-22 is now posted on the TDSB public website - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/School/Optional-Attendance.

Students also have the opportunity to access schools outside of the school that is designated to serve their residential address by applying on optional attendance. Acceptance at these schools is subject to space availability and program suitability.

Optional Attendance Forms are available from your current school.

If you choose to apply for optional attendance you should know:

You will be responsible for your own transportation.
You may only apply to two regular and two specialized schools/programs.
You may not apply to a school that is not permitted to receive applications (i.e. closed schools). A list of those schools is produced by mid-January.
A school/program that receives more applications than it has space will run a lottery to determine the successful applicants.
Once you accept an offer of admission to a regular school through Optional Attendance, it becomes your home school and you are expected to remain there until graduation. For specialized schools/program and alternative schools, you may return to your designated school by address at an appropriate intake opportunity (i.e. semester change, end of term)

Elementary Optional Attendance – Key Dates:

February 12, 2021 - Optional attendance forms due at elementary school
March 05, 2021 - Deadline for parents/guardians to be informed of the status of the application request
March 26, 2021 - Parents/guardians must inform the requested school of their acceptance of the offer

Secondary Optional Attendance – Key Dates:

January 29, 2021 - Optional attendance forms due at secondary school
February 12, 2021 - Deadline for parents/guardians of students to be informed of the status of the application request
February 26, 2021 - Course selection sheets due at secondary schools
March 1, 2021: Course selection sheets due at secondary schools via myBlueprint

Ward 2 School Ventilation Update

The TDSB has a message for parents this winter: make sure your kids dress warmly as schools will be opening their windows several times a day to fight COVID-19. We recognize it is very much a balance between introducing more ventilation at various times during the day and maintaining a comfortable indoor air temperature in classrooms.

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Flags on all Government of Ontario buildings and establishments across the province will be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, December 6, 2020, to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The TDSB will support the marking of this day of remembrance by flying flags at half-mast, at all sites, starting on Friday, 4 December and raising the flags on Monday, 7 December.

Support for Learners Program

The Premier and the Minister of Education announced the launch of the Support for Learners program. Through this program, the government is providing financial support to help parents and guardians with additional costs during the 2020-2021 school year during the second wave of COVID-19.

Eligible parents or guardians will receive a one-time payment of:

$200 for each child up to age 12
$250 for each child or youth up to age 21 years with special needs

This is a new program, and all parents or guardians who are residents of Ontario with eligible children will need to submit a new application for each child.

Eligible parents or guardians can go to Ontario.ca/SupportforLearners for more information and to apply for the one-time financial support. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2021.

Support for Learners funding is intended to directly support parents to provide children and youth with key educational resources like workbooks, school supplies, technology and developmental resources during these unprecedented times.

2021 Prime Minister's Awards

Canada’s educators are showing resilience and commitment to students in the face of COVID-19. Do you know an exceptional teacher or early childhood educator? Consider nominating them for a 2021 Prime Minister's Award! This program honours innovative and outstanding elementary and secondary school teachers and early childhood educators.

2021 nomination packages are now available at www.pma.gc.ca. The nomination deadline is January 12, 2021 at 11:59 a.m. (Pacific time).

School Year Calendar 2020-2021

The 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.

The last day of class for elementary students is June 29
The last day of class for secondary students is June 28

Secondary Quadmester Calendar

Quad 2: Nov. 23 - Feb 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

Board-wide PA Day: Virtual School - December 4, 2020
Winter Break: December 21, 2020 - January 1, 2021
Elementary PA Day: January 15, 2021
Secondary PA Day: February 5, 2021
Board-wide PA Day: February 12, 2021
Family Day: February 15, 2021
March Break: March 15 – 19, 2021
Good Friday: April 2, 2021
Easter Monday: April 5, 2021
Victoria Day: May 24, 2021
Elementary School PA Day: June 4, 2021
Secondary School PA Day: June 29, 2021

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