September 8, 2021
Parents/Guardians and Students,
Welcome to TDSB Connects, an update on news and events from across the Toronto District School Board.
Welcome to the New School
Year
– Watch the welcome video from Chair of the Board Alexander Brown and
Director of Education Colleen Russell-Rawlins.
Update
from Toronto Public Health
– As you
prepare for your child to return to in-person school, read some
important information about COVID-19 prevention measures and
Toronto Public Health school services for this year, including a just-announced
pause on extra-curricular activities, field trips and mixed-cohort high-contact
sports for September.
New
COVID-19 Screening Tool
– Before coming to
school each day, all students must conduct an active
student health
screening self-assessment
and then
record the information on either the TDSB Student Health Pass (paper) or by
using the Daily Health Screening app.
Learn more.
COVID-19
Testing
– The TDSB
is working with three local hospitals to support schools with COVID-19 testing
that is non-invasive, faster, easier and promotes equity of access.
Learn more about take-home saliva kits that will
be available in schools to help ensure efficient and effective testing where
necessary and support the continued health and safety of staff and students.
Mandatory
Immunization Disclosure for Staff
– As directed by the Ministry of Education, all
TDSB staff are required to disclose their
vaccination status to the TDSB. Staff who are
unvaccinated or do not disclose their vaccination status are required to
undergo rapid antigen testing twice weekly as a measure to protect schools from
the risk of COVID-19. A TDSB Mandatory Vaccine Procedure is also in
development.
Virtual
Learning
– Elementary
and Secondary
families can expect to receive an email from their child’s
virtual learning teacher before the end of the day on September 8, which will
include a link to join class on the first day. For more information about
elementary
virtual learning classes
, visit the Virtual Learning web page.
Prioritizing
Health and Safety
– Many
health and safety measures continue to be in place to ensure a safe return to
school for students and staff. Learn more about the practices and protocols in
place in
elementary and secondary school.
Daily
Checklists
– Be sure
you’re prepared for school each day with our
elementary and secondary checklists to keep you on track.
Supporting
Mental Health and Well-Being
– The start of a new school year is always filled with anticipation, but
this year, we recognize especially the anxiety, fear and uncertainty that comes
with returning to learning.
Supporting
our mental health and well-being is critical.
Access resources and tools to support you, here.
TDSB
Statement Re: Afghanistan
- As we
begin the school year, our hearts and thoughts are with students, families and
staff within our TDSB community who are directly impacted by the crisis
unfolding in Afghanistan.
Read a statement from the TDSB.
Continuing
Education
- Remote
Secondary Credit Night School
– Remote night school credit courses are offered to all high
school students and adults with current prerequisites. Students may take a
new credit, or retake a course previously taken to upgrade a mark.
Online registration closes on October 1.
- Remote
Saturday International Languages Credit Program –
22 international language credit courses are
available to current high school students. All courses are subject to
sufficient enrolment.
Online registration closes on October 1.
- 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 and register online today.
Adult Only Programs
- Adult ESL
Program
- Adult
learners will have an opportunity to improve their English online with the
TDSB this fall. A broad range of English as a Second Language
classes will be available, from beginner to advanced levels. Learn more by
visiting our program website.
- Learn4Life Adult General Interest Program – Learn a new skill or take up a hobby online this
fall with courses in art, computers, food, languages, fitness and much more!
Registration is now open with courses beginning September 11, 2021.
View our
online brochure
for more information.
Parents
and Caregivers as Partners Virtual Conference
– Save the date for our annual Parents and
Caregivers as Partners Conference on October 16 and 17. Learn strategies to
support your child, network with other parents and be inspired by our keynote
speakers.
Learn more.
TDSB
Update
–
Sign-up for
TDSB Update and stay informed about
recent Board decisions and more district-wide news.
Follow us on social media for all the latest TDSB updates.