This Week's Update- March is Greek Heritage Month
- Stronger Than Hate Follow-up
- Black Mental Health Day – March 1, 2021
- Asymptomatic Testing Update
- Update on HEPA Filters
- What is our System Saying?
- Bill 5 Legal Challenge and EDC Hearing
- Committee Meetings This Week
- TDSB Summer School Registration 2021
- Little Jamaica & the Eglinton West Neighbourhoods
- Connect with Professional Support Staff
- Connect with a Child and Youth Counsellor
- Virtual Consultations Procedure (PR731)
- Policy Consultations
- Download the COVID-19 App
- Next Ward 8 Forum March 11 - 'Mental Health'
- School Year Calendar
| |
Greek Heritage Month
March is Greek Heritage Month at the TDSB. It is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Greek Canadians to Canada, and an occasion to mark and enjoy the history of Greek culture. This year marks the 200th year of Independence for Greece.
| |
Stronger Than Hate Follow-up
The following message was sent on behalf of Interim Associate Directors Curtis Ennis and Andrew Gold, Co-Chairs the African Heritage Committee, Michelle Davis and Jamea Zuberi, and Chair of the Jewish Heritage Committee, Shari Schwartz-Maltz to all Superintendents, Principals and Vice-Principals regarding the Stronger Than Hate webcast on Thursday, February 25.
Creating high-profile, bold initiatives to address and interrupt hate carries inherent challenges and we saw some of those during the presentation yesterday. Within the first few minutes more than 10,000 people logged into the zoom link and it reached capacity – it was then supposed to automatically redirect to Facebook Live, with supposed unlimited capacity, which worked for some and not for others. Our partners at the Foundation have never seen this happen before, nor these kind of numbers before. What this speaks to is a deep desire for this type of content – bringing together voices to tell stories of the past, discuss critically-important issues of today, celebrate student voice, and listen and learn from each other. Deepest apologies to our fellow educators who were not able to join the presentation live – Link to the webinar recording is here: https://youtu.be/rqCy5S_V3as.
We also wanted to address the fact that someone used the chat function to express hurtful and hateful messages. It is disappointing and, frankly, abhorrent that someone chose to use this platform to spread hate, when the entire message was to combat hate. We have screen captures and will work with our partners and their IT department to investigate fully. We see this as a strengthening of our resolve to continue the difficult work of fighting racism in all its ugly forms. It’s never easy to fight for what’s right.
I was especially proud of the TDSB students who participated - Bianca Chisholm and Nkele Martin from the BIPOC student group at Northern Secondary School and Alyssa Brown from Queen Victoria P.S.
Here in his own words, is Nkele Martin - I would like to personally thank you for supporting me, my voice, my opinions and the opinions of other students and giving us this platform to speak to so many across North America. We are the educators, legislators, and business people of the future and it is so important for students to hear and learn from these amazing events in order to create a better tomorrow. The message sent in today's webinar was a powerful one and gauging from my peer's responses, it resonated with them. I hope to see the continuation of education in this form as it engages students and makes them challenge any biases they might have and allows them to move forward in life with an equal view of all those around them. Thank you again for understanding the importance of this message and allowing myself and fellow students to participate in sharing it. Together, we are all stronger than hate!
And below, please find the powerful poem that ended the webinar by Alyssa Brown -
The Power of Words
"The Black Messiah”
A man who was sent to set people free.
He had a difference.
But not to me.
Because his difference was something everyone could see.
Which is the same case for me.
A woman lied in hope of being free.
Maybe sent to a far away place or maybe under a tree.
As a knock hit the door.
And behind it stood a man with a chore.
A chore to help a woman in need.
And willingly set her free
Anti black racism
The horrible truth we face
Always having other races on our case
Wanting rights that we deserve
Putting us down just gets on my nerves
Wanting to be free
Like a bird flying high into a tree
George Floyd a man with rights
A man with a family
All gone on that very day
It’s sad to say the cops did that and all they did was Walk away
Does our life not matter to you?
What because of the colour of my skin, I’m nothing?
There is always room for change
But sadly I don’t see that happening
It’s time we fight for what is right
People need to hear our voice
Because change is coming
Whether we have a choice
We walk for change which gives us hope
That one day we can walk free
But until then we have nowhere to flee
Don’t act like you know us
Other races commit the crime but yet black people get the time
We wrongfully get accused
For crimes we have not done
Don’t shoot
Put the guns down
Is all we can say, but at the end of the day the court Rules away
Getting time is jail for a crime we did not take part in
Stop fighting our fights
It doesn’t change a thing
So next time you go to vandalize something
Just think who goes down in pain
So take it from me, a 14 year old black individual who just wants to be free.
Black Lives Matter.
| |
Black Mental Health Day – March 1, 2021
As we embark on the 2nd anniversary of Black Mental Health Day on March 1, 2021, initially recognized by the City of Toronto, Taibu Community Health Center, CAFCAN and Strides Toronto in 2020, TDSB also recognize the impact that anti-Black racism has on the mental health of individuals, students and families. The pandemic has drawn global attention to the harsh realities of anti-Black violence, injustices and systemic anti-Black racism.
As the pandemic continues into 2021, the impact of such racial traumas and social inequities on the mental health and wellbeing of Black communities, continues to be highlighted. Our collective work requires us to learn and support the healing of racial trauma, while it also requires us to challenge our biases and assumptions that fuel anti-Black racism. With this significant impact of anti-Black racism on Black mental health, seeking support from professionals who provide culturally relevant and responsive care, can offer strategies in managing overall personal and professional wellness. This is by no means the end of the discussion, but rather the beginning of why Black Mental Health in Youth needs to be discussed. Learn more Black Mental Health Day.
| |
Asymptomatic Testing UpdateAsymptomatic testing is important - "The latest research shows “silent spreaders” are more common than we first thought. More comprehensive COVID-19 testing for people without obvious symptoms is key to identifying who is positive so they can take proper precautions."
Working with the LHINs and testing partners, modifications to the asymptomatic testing continue to try to improve participation. As a result, two models are being recommended for the upcoming weeks. The first is the continuation of the hub model where one school hosts schools within the same neighbourhood. The second is an individual school testing model in communities where there has been low turnout in past testing. As additional experience is gained, these models may evolve further. Please see the list of schools that have been identified for asymptomatic testing in the next two weeks. As noted in the spreadsheet, the dates for some of these sites are still being confirmed as the testing partner works with the host school.
Once all dates are confirmed, school principals will receive a letter from the testing partner to share with students and parents/guardians to communicate this information. Principals will also inform their staff of the opportunity to get tested, along with students, at these sites. Staff are in the process of working with the testing partners to support the promotion of asymptomatic testing at these hubs. Please note in our community, Ledbury Park EMS is a hub school supported by Sick Kids and Oakwood Collegiate is a hub school supported by Women's College Hospital. Please support our initiative to increase access to COVID-19 Testing for all students and staff.
| |
Update on HEPA Filters
Every occupied classroom, portable and Wellness room will soon be outfitted with an institutional grade HEPA filter. More than 235 schools have already received HEPA filters and following the province’s most recent funding announcement, delivery of additional HEPA units will start by early March at a rate of 1,500 units per week. Units will be distributed to schools, based on the quintile model developed by Toronto Public Health, starting with elementary schools in areas of the city where there have been higher incidents of COVID-19. We expect that all elementary schools will have units by the end of March, and all secondary schools will have units by mid-April.
HEPA filters are one tool used to help reduce transmission of COVID-19. Schools will continue to focus on self-screening, mask wearing, physical distancing, enhanced cleaning, hand washing, increasing fresh air through mechanical ventilation and/or opening windows and other safety protocols to keep schools, students and staff safe.
| |
What is our System Saying?
At our special Planning and Priorities Committee last Tuesday, our research department presented the findings of our Winter consultations with Parents/Guardians, Students (Grades 6-12), and Staff.
What are the important takeaways?
- Families report that they are coping well, feel their children are safe from contracting COVID-19 at school, and are satisfied with their children’s learning experiences. However, families do feel their children will fall behind because of COVID-19.
- Students report feeling safe at school, supported and connected to their peers. Furthermore, students feel supported by their teachers and are getting enough support to complete their schoolwork. But, students do feel less connected to their teachers, experiencing decreased mental health, and report challenges with the academic schedule and workload.
- Staff have created a safe and supported space for students to learn during this difficult time. In doing so, staff have become exhausted, need support, and want to be heard.
To further understand TDSB’s communities' experience during this time and support Board and school planning, the Research Department will:
- disaggregate and analyze results from consultations in more depth;
- build learning centre reports, ward reports, and school level reports that elicit specific narratives drawn from these results;
- follow-up and build upon key areas of interest/concern from these results through student and staff engagement points; and
- further develop student voice and experiences within ongoing practice and policy in close partnership with Leadership, Learning and School Improvement Teams and Equity, Well Being, and School Improvement Teams.
| |
Bill 5 Legal Challenge and EDC Hearing
On March 16, 2021 the Supreme Court of Canada will hear the appeal of the Bill 5 (Better Local Government Act) provincial legislation which altered the City of Toronto wards from 47 to 25 in the middle of the 2018 municipal election and similarly impacted the TDSB trustee wards. The appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada was brought by the City of Toronto with the support of TDSB. TDSB Legal Services will be making submissions on behalf of TDSB at the hearing, which is expected to be conducted virtually, and TDSB will be one of seventeen parties making submissions before the Supreme Court of Canada in what is shaping up to be one of the largest hearings in recent history. The hearing will be livestreamed on the Supreme Court of Canada website commencing at either 9:00 am or 9:30 am (to be determined), and can be accessed on March 16, 2021.
The EDC (Educational Development Charges) hearing is also now set to take place on March 25, 2021 at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Divisional Court), commencing at 10:00 am. In the hearing, TDSB seeks to have the court declare certain provisions of the Education Act regulations invalid and permit TDSB to charge Educational Development Charges. More information about the EDC case can be found on the TDSB website. The Court hearing will be conducted via Zoom and a link will be provided by the court shortly prior to the hearing date for anyone who wishes to observe the hearing.
| |
Committee Meetings This Week
Delegation requests will still be accepted during the closure of all schools and administrative sites at the TDSB; however, oral delegations to address a committee of the Board will be presented by phone. To submit a delegation request (written or oral), please refer to the information found here https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Delegations and email delegates@tdsb.on.ca. If your request is approved, further details will be provided to you via email.
Special Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee Tuesday, March 2, 2021 4:30 p.m. Electronic Meeting
- 4. School-Based Staff Allocation 2021-2022: Teachers and Support Staff
- Context - School Based Staff Allocation 2021-22 is based on direction received from the Ministry of Education in January 2021. At that time all school boards were directed to proceed with their normal teacher and support staff allocation processes based on the existing Grants for Student Needs (GSN). This funding source is primarily based on student enrolment. The Ministry advised that funding that came to Boards, including TDSB for 2020-21 to address COVID-19 related costs should not be incorporated into these plans. Staff continue to plan for contingencies to support our students to succeed during the pandemic. In the event that we are given direction from the Ministry of Education to provide remote learning opportunities for students who are unable to attend school in-person, a plan to provide such learning via local hub models in the elementary panel will be finalized. We estimate that up to an additional 500 teachers may be needed to support this work at a cost of approximately $54.0 M. We are not seeking approval for such allocation at this time. Subsequently, at the secondary level we will develop plans to provide remote learning for students who are unable to attend school in-person through the Secondary Virtual School and incorporate local school hubs where needed.
- While COVID-19 related funding is not incorporated, the effects of COVID-19 on projected student enrolment are included. These effects include a decline in the number of Junior and Senior Kindergarten students and newcomer students across all grades. This impacts Classroom, ESL and Special Education teacher allocations as well as enrolment driven administrative and support staff allocations.
- Elementary teachers will be allocated to schools based on the 2021-22 projected enrolments. These projections have returned students who are currently in virtual schools to their home schools. Elementary classroom teachers will be initially allocated based on Ministry of Education regulations pertaining to class size:
- Full Day Kindergarten: System average class size no greater than 26.0. Classes are capped at 29 students. 10% of classes are permitted to exceed the cap to a maximum of 31 students if one of the following criteria are met: No purpose-built kindergarten space available; Program purposes. For example, French Immersion; or Avoiding Kindergarten/Grade 1 combined grade classes
- Grade 1-3: Classes are capped at 20 students. 10% of classes are permitted to exceed the cap to a maximum of 23 students.
- Grade 3/4 Combined Grade: Classes are capped at 23 students.
- Grade 4-8: System average class size no greater than 24.5. There is no maximum class size required by regulation.
- The allocation of elementary teachers in library, guidance, Early Reading Intervention, and Reading Coaches returns to the School-Based allocation for 2021-22.
- Secondary teachers will be allocated to schools based on the 2021-22 projected enrolments. These projections have returned students who are currently in virtual schools to their home schools. Secondary classroom teachers will be initially allocated based on Ministry of Education funded average class size of 23.0.
- Support Staff - Included in the recommendations for school-based support staff are the positions funded by Investments in System Priorities and the Education Worker Protection Fund (EWPF).
- An annual administrative holdback of approximately 1.25% of Elementary Teachers and 2.25% of Secondary Teachers will not be released until the Ministry Grants for Student Needs are announced in the Spring, and enrolment projections are realized in the Fall.
Planning and Priorities Committee Wednesday, March 3, 2021 4:30 p.m. Electronic Meeting
Community Advisory Committees and Statutory Advisory Committees:
| |
TDSB Summer School Registration 2021
The focus of the 2021 Elementary Literacy and Numeracy Summer School Program is to address student learning gaps and 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 5 – 30, 2021. Registration is online. A list of schools and registration information will be added in the coming weeks here https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Innovation/Elementary-Summer-School.
| |
Little Jamaica & the Eglinton West Neighbourhoods
We need you to get involved. The City is responding to a call to action to help support the Eglinton West retail corridor and its Black-owned and operated businesses, create a local planning framework, and to recognize the area as a Cultural Heritage District.
Together let’s take this opportunity to develop a Cultural District Plan with economic development programs and initiatives to allow Little Jamaica and Eglinton West businesses and neighbourhoods to flourish now and into the future. Join us by registering here. This is the first public meeting to discuss the purpose of the initiative, what we’ve heard to date, what actions the City is taking, and to provide your input on the study name, study boundaries, and what’s most important to focus on. For more information, click here. March 4, 2021 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
| |
Connect with Professional Support Staff
Every Tuesday morning from 10-11am and Thursday evening from 7-8pm you are invited to join our virtual office hours to connect with staff from the TDSB Professional Support Services. PSS colleagues are here to support our Caregiver community on the topic of mental health and wellbeing.
Click the link and click on either Tuesday or Thursday to connect.
Mental Health matters.
| |
Connect with a Child and Youth Counsellor
Every Friday from 12-1pm, students to connect virtually with a Child and Youth Counsellor and have an opportunity to talk about their mental health, relationships etc
- Sign in with your TDSB email on Friday’s from 12pm - 1pm
- No registration required Meeting ID: 925 8258 8047
- Password: ICYC
Mental health matters.
| |
Virtual Consultations Procedure (PR731)
| |
Policy Consultations
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is committed to open and inclusive policy decision-making and values community input and participation through consultation. Consultation is a two-way communication process between the Board and external participants, including students and their parents/guardians, school councils, advisory committees, community members, different levels of government, service agencies, professional organizations and union partners. The objective of consultation is to gather public input regarding options, alternative courses of action, as well as to identify unintended effects for various participants and to find solutions. Please see revised the Policy Review Schedule.
New Consultations
Human Rights Policy (P031) - Deadline: April 5, 2021 - Draft Revised Policy - Email: Anu.Sharma2@tdsb.on.ca Objective: To protect, promote and advance the human rights of all TDSB members to learn, function and work in an equitable, accessible, respectful and inclusive environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of the prohibited grounds of discrimination specified in this Policy and protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code. To enhance the capacity of the TDSB to meet its positive human rights obligations, including to proactively identify, address, and prevent all forms of discrimination, including individual and systemic discrimination.
Workplace Harassment Prevention for Non-Human-Rights-Code Harassment (P034) - Deadline: April 5, 2021 Draft Revised Policy - Email: Ros.Salvador@tdsb.on.ca Objective: This Policy is designed to promote a healthy, respectful and supportive work environment. It highlights conduct that may amount to non-Code workplace harassment (i.e., harassment that is not covered by the Board’s Human Rights Policy or the Human Rights Code) and outlines the system’s shared responsibility for fostering a harassment-free workplace. The goal is to prevent non-Code workplace harassment from taking place and, where necessary, to investigate and respond to instances, potential instances, and complaints of such behaviour in a fair, timely and effective manner.
On-going Consultations
Parent and Community Involvement Policy - Objective: To establish a framework for building and supporting parent and community involvement in the Toronto District School Board. We are currently reviewing P023 – Parent and Community Involvement Policy and are inviting feedback from our community as we develop the first draft of the policy. Learn more, and share your voice, at www.tdsbengage.ca
| |
Download the COVID ALERT APPTogether, let's limit the spread of COVID-19. COVID Alert is an additional tool to protect yourself and your loved ones. COVID Alert helps us break the cycle of infection. The app can let other app users know of possible exposures before any symptoms appear. That way, we can take care of ourselves and protect our communities. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-alert.html. Please note, unfortunately, the app is only available on certain phones/operating systems.
| |
Next Ward 8 Forum March 11 - 'Mental Health'The next Ward Forum on March 11 - 'Student Mental Health & Well-Being During COVID' - will feature a presentation by Shameen Sandhu, System Leader of Mental Health and Professional Support Services. If you are interested in participating, please register: https://forms.gle/JK9ESL6Eu8yZDPg58
| |
School Year Calendar 2020-2021The 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
Secondary Quadmester Calendar
- Quad 3: Feb 8 - April 22
- Quad 4: April 23 - June 28
Note: Passover 2021 will begin in the evening of Saturday, March 27 and ends in the evening of Sunday, April 4. Ramadan 2021 will begin in the evening of Monday, April 12 and ends in the evening of Wednesday, May 12.
PA Days & Holidays Remaining
|
|
|
|
April (formerly March) Break
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|