Happy holidays to you and yours
The last day of school in December quickly and the break inches closer. Though it's been a challenging fall for some, it's been wonderful to see our schools open and bustling hives of activity. As more of us get vaccinated and get our boosters, the better our chances of a more full return to school life pre-COVID. Until then I hope we all continue to do our part to keep spread to a minimum. Especially over the break.
In the meantime, I wish you, your child(ren) and all you love and hold close, a happy, healthy, restful and joyous holiday season, and a fantastic new year.
Warmly,
Jennifer
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Ward 15 Parent Involvement Elections
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Requests for Elementary Switching Between Learning Models For the 2021-22 school year, there is one opportunity to switch between in-person and virtual learning. To coordinate switches for February 2022, families/students requesting a change must complete the Switch Form. Families/students who do not wish to make a change do not need to complete a form. Learn more. The Elementary Switch Form will be open from December 3, 2021 to January 7, 2022. (The secondary switch period closed on December 6).
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COVID-19 Vaccine -Children 5-11The COVID-19 vaccine is now approved for use in children aged 5-11. All vaccinations of children in this age group will require parental consent.
Read the message from Toronto Public Health here.
Pediatric COVID-19 vaccination appointments can be booked through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.
Read the update from Toronto Public Health on November 22, 2021.
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Requiring Vaccines for Competition Sports
All students aged 12+ are to be fully vaccinated to participate in winter sports (e.g. basketball, ice hockey, swimming, etc.) that involve competition between schools, mixing of students and travel to other TDSB schools and/or external venues. For students participating in sports that occur only within their school and only with students from their school, vaccination is recommended but not required at this time. This decision is consistent with recommendations from Toronto Public Health. The TDSB decision also follows other school boards that require student vaccination to participate in sports. Additionally, many sports competitions and finals take place at facilities in Toronto where a vaccine mandate is already in place. In these cases, all students are required to show proof of vaccination to enter the building and would not be able to access the facility to participate if unvaccinated. In rare cases where a student is unable to be vaccinated, we will work with Toronto Public Health and staff to develop a process, which would include testing, to support these students so they can safely participate where possible. Please speak to your principal should you have any questions.
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Update on the Implementation of the Mandatory Staff Vaccination Procedure
The TDSB Board unanimously supported mandatory vaccinations for staff - as such senior staff created the TDSB COVID-19 Vaccination Procedure. At Tuesday's Special Planning & Priorities Committee staff presented an Update on the implementation of the Procedure. Below, is the TDSB staff disclosure data as of 5 p.m., November 25, 2021. 97% of TDSB staff are compliant (excluding those on leave or seeking exemptions).
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check here for High School Open House information
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TDSB Community Use of Schools Resumption Schedule
Here is an update on the current plans for Community Use of Schools. The TDSB will resume community weekday evening permits on January 17th 2022. The attached letter was sent to all our permit holders on Wednesday November 23rd. To ensure we comply with the mandated COVID 19 requirements and the safety of all staff and students while maintaining fairness and equity in the allocation of spaces, we have put in the following conditions:
Permits can start no earlier than 6 p.m. and end no later than 9 p.m. from Monday till Friday.
Usage will be restricted to common areas such as gymnasiums, cafeterias, and auditoriums. No classrooms will be permitted at this time.
Only one group per school per night will be accommodated. Schools with a pool or auditorium may have two groups providing the spaces being used are separated. For example, pools generally have a separate entrance, so the gym and pool could be used on the same night.
Priority will be given to Not for profit groups serving children, youth, and seniors.
All groups are expected to upload their COVID Vaccine Attestation Form at the end of each permit activity.
We will be accommodating COVID 19 Vaccine Clinics and have informed permit groups that this might result in the disruption of their permits.
With the resumption of the weekday permits, here is what the updated TDSB Community Use of Schools Resumption schedule looks like.
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TDSB Unveils $5.9 Million Plan to Support Mental Health and Well-Being
Trustees with the Toronto District School Board have approved a $5.9 million plan to support the mental health and well-being of students amid the ongoing pandemic.
During their Special Board Meeting this evening, Trustees unanimously approved the hiring of an additional 106 staff members following the release of a report earlier this week that highlighted the impact of the pandemic on student mental health and well-being. For more information, please read the news release.
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OPSBA Submission Regarding the 2022-23 Education Funding and the GSN (Grants for Student Needs)
The Ontario Public School Boards' Association "(OPSBA) has, for many years, advocated for the education system to be "fully-funded." A fully funded system is one in which school boards receive sufficient funding to cover the costs of the programs they deliver and reflects inflation and other cost increases... school boards require strong, predictable and equitable education funding in order to set the conditions that promote and sustain improved student achievement and well-being. We always want to stress that education funding is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Every community and school board has its own local context that needs to be considered to maximize student outcomes and therefore school boards require local flexibility."
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Supporting Free Public Transit for High School Students
On behalf of the Toronto District School Board, Chair of the Board Alexander Brown wrote to the Toronto Transit Commission to request the expansion of free TTC rides for high school students as part of the upcoming 5-Year Fare Policy and 10-Year Fare Collection Outlook. Chair Brown also wrote to various levels of government to ask for funding support for the expansion.
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School Immunization Program
Toronto Public Health is restarting its publicly funded school vaccination program to protect students in grades 7 and up from hepatitis B, human papillomavirus and meningococcal disease. Students can receive these vaccinations by appointment only at city-run immunization sites. You can now book their appointment here http://tphbookings.ca.
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Director of Education's Remarks at Regular Board Meeting – December 8, 2021
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- The last day before the Winter Break is December 17, 2021
- First day back from Winter Break is January 3, 2022
- The last day of class for elementary students is June 30, 2022
- The last day of class for secondary students is June 29, 2022
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