June 29 2021

  June 29, 2021

Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to TDSB Connects, an update on news and events from across the Toronto District School Board.

End of Year Message – This year was nothing short of challenging, but we are so proud of, and immensely grateful for, our TDSB community. Please see the following video message from Chair of the Board Alexander Brown and Interim Director of Education Karen Falconer.

COVID-19 Vaccines – All youth aged 12 and older, are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are safe, effective and are the best way to protect your child, your family, and your community from COVID-19. Vaccines will help students and families to safely resume normal activities as soon as possible. Learn more about vaccines for youth and how to get vaccinated here.

2021-22 Operating Budget – At the Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee on June 16, Trustees approved the TDSB’s 2021-22 Operating Budget. The Operating Budget will now be presented for final approval at the Board meeting on June 30, 2021. Learn more about the TDSB’s Operating Budget and watch recordings of the Budget Town Halls that took place at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on June 10.

Congratulations Graduates – Congratulations to all of our TDSB Graduates! Whether moving into Grade 1, moving up to a middle school, going into Grade 9 or finishing the final year of high school, it is a milestone we want to celebrate. We wanted to share some messages and words of wisdom as students set off on their next adventure.

2021-2022 School Year Calendar – The Ministry of Education has approved the TDSB’s 2021-2022 School Year Calendar. The first day of classes for students will be September 9, 2021. Visit the TDSB website for the full calendar, including PA days and holidays.

Modified Semester for Secondary – The TDSB continues to consider details of the modified semester for all secondary schools and has now finalized the school year calendar and daily schedule that all secondary schools will be following. Learn more.

Return of Borrowed Student Devices – In preparation for the 2021-22 school year, families are asked to return borrowed devices (e.g. iPad, Chromebook, Internet Hub) to any TDSB school by Friday, July 2 (for elementary schools) and Friday, July 9 (for secondary schools) between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Some families have requested to return borrowed devices before the end of the school year, and we want to accommodate those requests. All students who need to keep the device until the end of the school year can do so.

Summer Well-Being Guide – Within this guide you will find a variety of culturally-responsive resources and accessible activities to help make this summer a little easier for you and your family. Information on where and how to reach out for help is also included.

Selection Form for In-Person or Virtual Learning (2021-22) – The TDSB will be asking families to complete an online Selection Form for In-Person or Virtual Learning in August. At that time, families will have up-to-date information on the status of the pandemic and vaccinations for school staff and students, and will be in a better position to make an informed decision. Visit the TDSB website for more information, available in multiple languages.

Student Transportation – All parents/guardians with children who take the bus to school are encouraged to sign up for the Student Transportation Parent Portal to access important information and updates. Please look out for emails over the summer regarding Transportation for September. If you have moved this past year, or plan to move over summer, it is important that you please complete the Student Transportation Application form with your new address, and email it to your school (or to studenttransportationapplications@tdsb.on.ca after schools are closed for the summer) to avoid delays in bussing.

Saturday International Language Credit Courses 2021-2022 – Earn a high school credit while learning a new language! Registration is now open, for current high school students, in our Saturday International Language Credit Program. Classes are held Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and run from October 2021 to June 2022. To view a list of courses offered and to register, visit our program website.

Paid Career Training for Youth – Available this summer, On the Line Culinary Program and On the Road Construction Preparation Program, operated by the TDSB Community Services, are open to youth between 15 and 30 years old. Both programs include in-class instruction followed by a paid job placement. For youth who are out of school/work and looking for what’s next, On the Line and On the Road may be the perfect step toward a viable career. For more information, please email OntheLine@tdsb.on.ca or OntheRoad@tdsb.on.ca. Learn more at www.tdsb.on.ca/communityservices.

Alternative Schools – Alternative schools are safe, highly engaged, smaller school environments that are ideal for students seeking an alternative to mainstream education and who want to take an active role in their own learning. Learn more about the hands-on approach of alternative schools, includingsecondary alternative schools. Virtual information fairs for alternative schools will also be held in the 2021-22 school year. Details will be made available on the alternative schools webpage in September.

COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Plan – Learn more about the TDSB’s Pandemic Recovery Plan, a three-phase plan that will identify which groups have been most impacted and where interventions will be put in place for the school year ahead. This is the first in a series of reports over the next two years and provides an in-depth analysis of key student perception and learning outcome data.

Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement – The June newsletter is now available online. The Centre is dedicated to improving the experiences and outcomes for Black students. It aims to be responsive to the voices of Black communities who have advocated for systemic change within educational institutions and for dismantling anti-Black racism at the TDSB. To learn more follow @tdsb_cebsa on Twitter and Instagram and sign-up for the mailing list.

History and Heritage Months – In June, the TDSB recognizes National Indigenous History Month, Italian Heritage Month, Portuguese-Speaking Heritage Month and Pride Month.

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