Friday, 28 May 2021

May 28 DPS & SA Weekly at a Glance

Hello,

Save the Dates for Virtual Farewell and Virtual Graduation:

Davisville Virtual Farewell (Gr 5 English and Grade 6 FI both Virtual School and Bricks and Mortar students): Parents/Guardians and students you are invited to the Virtual Farewell Presentation on June 24 at 4:00 p.m. Zoom link will be provided at a later date. We hope to see you all virtually.

Spectrum Virtual Graduation (Gr 8 both Virtual School and Bricks and Mortar students): Parents/Guardians and students you are invited to the Virtual Graduation on June 22 at 6:00 p.m. Zoom link will be provided at a later date. We hope to see you all virtually.

Lost & Found Items 2020-2021: The lost and found items from this school year, will be taken to the new site and you will be informed of a later date re: distribution or pickup.

Lost & Found Items 2019-2020: Earlier this year, we provided opportunities for parent(s)/guardian(s) to view the images of any items that were collected from the school closure last year and to have them claimed. As was also communicated the unclaimed items will be given to Worksinprogress which is a not for profit organization operated by Tanya Murdoch a former parent and School Council Chair of both Spectrum Alternative and Davisville Junior.

Student Showcase-Karlisle Scott:

" Hello my name is Karlisle here is my drawing/maps " What inspired me was when Mademoiselle Gibson my teacher gave a project for which you could make either rural, urban or suburban city to demonstrate the differences to my classmates. What I used was my markers and some pencil crayons to make the maps. The people who helped me are my friends Alexander, Umair, Asher, and a bit by Logan and my sister Sydney. It is important because we worked so hard on it and started with something small that grew to something big and it's cool that with starting with one person it expanded to about 10 people. What I will do next is maybe think of ways that I can do the drawings and more creative and better. Thank you bye.

Karlisle

In preparation for the start of the 2021-22 school year, families that borrowed devices (e.g. iPad, Chromebook, Internet Hub) from the TDSB or local school are asked to return them. If you have already returned the device to a TDSB School, please disregard this message.

TDSB Return of Borrowed Student Devices:

Devices and all power cables, cases and chargers that were delivered with the device can be returned to any TDSB school between Monday, June 14 and Friday, July 2 (for elementary schools) and Friday, July 9 (for secondary schools) between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

All devices that are not returned by July 2 will be administratively locked, preventing student login. These devices will need to be returned when school resumes in September.

Students enrolled in a TDSB summer program may continue using the device for the duration of the summer program and should return the device in September.

If you have any questions, please contact DeviceReturns@tdsb.on.ca.

NOTE: Rogers Connected for Success offers low cost, high-speed internet and many TDSB families may qualify for the program. Please click the following link for more information on pricing and eligibility requirements.

ASD Afterschool Leisure Program: The summer program will run from July 6 to 29, 2021. The program is available to students going in to grades 4-10 who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Please see attached: ASLP Parent Session-Summer 2021 for further information and registration. The registration period will remain open until Friday, June 18, 2021.

Upcoming:

June 4, 2021 - PA Day

June 17, 2021 - DPS Council Meeting

June 22 @ 6:00 p.m.-Spectrum Virtual Graduation

June 24 @ 4:00 p.m.-Davisville Virtual Farewell (Gr 5 English and Gr 6 FI)

June 29, 2021 - Last Day for elementary students

And some items from Trustee Laskin's Week of May 24 Update:

Hold the Date - Ward Forum - May 31, 2021

Please join my colleague Stephanie Donaldson and me for a Joint Ward Forum on development and school space - If you are interested in participating, please Register Online (https://forms.gle/PGz4eTnFrQe3boMS7)

Friday, 21 May 2021

May 21, 2021

Hello,

As we head into this long weekend, we would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for your continued support of our students during their remote learning. Please continue to notify us of any student absence. Online teaching and learning includes both daily synchronous and asychronous minutes. Students complete and submit within Brightspace or Google Classroom the assignments and assessments assigned by their educator(s) as required for successful completion of their grade level. If you have any questions/concerns, please reach out to your child's educator.

Have a great Victoria day weekend!

NEW Davisville/Spectrum:

May 11 Community Update on new Davisville/Spectrum
Google Drive link to the PowerPoint presentation with embedded videos – Please download to play.
Virtual School Tour
Google Drive link to the video containing all twelve videos from Davisville/Spectrum May 11 PowerPoint.
Questions and Answers - May 11, 2021

School Council Mindfulness:

Thursday May 27 - 8:00 - 9:30 pm - For Parents and Caregivers - Mindfulness and Equity: Natural Partners

To join, please register here -https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKEy0hgWHQwH_unQM2D34JM0pfWWKC4ifvW6X9Bj-6NOWZxQ/viewform

TDSB Devices:

Please note that TDSB Elementary and Secondary students who were issued a TDSB device to support their remote learning, will be required to return it to the main office of their nearest TDSB school. Students participating in a TDSB summer program may retain the device and return it in September. More information will be forthcoming. Please stay tuned.

Spelling Bee of Canada Talent Show

Spelling Bee of Canada Registration Packages

Virtual Drop-in Hours for Parents/Caregivers of students with Special/Complex Needs . If the summer drop-in hours do change, any update will be provided.

TDSB Summer Grade 8 Reach Ahead:

TDSB Summer Grade 8 Reach Ahead registration opens this week for all Grade 8 students. Please see below document the Continuing Education and eSummer programs have organized.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KZcnVx2zVi-8NNfiI34UwkZrOmKWzlOd_VGCMmIEqUA/edit?usp=sharing

Spring 2021 Hearts and Minds Issue: Spring 2021 Hearts and Minds Issue

Please see flyer Covid-19 Town Hall for Parents/Guardians of Students age 12-17which provides three town hall opportunities to hear more about the vaccine for students aged 12 to 17.

Youth for Change: May 27, 2021 Asian Heritage Month event Hosted b ALPHA Education & Partners

Invitation to ALPHA EDUCATION 2021 Asian Heritage Month Youth Event

2021 AHM Theme: Recognition, Resilience, Resolve

Date: May 27, 2021

Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

This event is for students, parents, educators, leaders, and community members.

Registration: Click on https://tinyurl.com/5ddfrxah

Canadian youths hear, see, and feel the impact of racism

This event brings together six Canadian youths (15 - 20+ years) in conversation on vital topics that will deepen our understanding as well the actions to take. Their conversation will include:

Privilege and biases
Stigmatization and mental wellbeing
How stereotyping is used to divide us
Increasing polarization
Building belonging at school, workplace, and community
The role of older generations
The role of government to eradicate systemic racism

ALPHA Education in partnership with Across UHub, Halton Catholic DSB, Toronto Catholic DSB, Asian Canadian Educators Network, and Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto see the need and significance of creating a platform where Canadian youths can share their views, concerns, and hope for racial harmony on topics that resonate with them.

AHM Youth Panel

Upcoming:

May 24, 2021 - Victoria Day

May 27, 2021 - Mindfulness and Equity: Natural Partners - Parents / Caregiver (8:00 PM)

June 4, 2021 - PA Day

June 17, 2021 - DPS Council Meeting

June 29, 2021 - Last Day for elementary students

And some items from Trustee Laskin's Week of May 17 Update:

Current Plans for September 2021 - Update

The Ministry of Education mandated that school boards must offer remote learning again in September (but without funding for separate virtual schools).

As the process for secondary school timetabling is complex and takes time, staff have begun planning now to meet students’ course selection requests and to be ready to open in September. Knowing what to expect in September, we believe, will also help students be prepared for the coming school year. The Ministry of Education informed school boards that time tables must include cohorting and must limit students to 2 in-person classes at a time - please see the memo here - https://efis.fma.csc.gov.on.ca/faab/Memos/B2021/B07_EN.pdf. Currently this means quadmesters.

Staff are still working what the high school day will look like (e.g. full-day in person) and are consulting with student trustees/student senate and education partners in their planning as we recognize that some students experienced challenges with the quadmester model - we continue to explore ways to improve it. As we finalize the details — including the daily schedule and number of minutes of in-person learning and online instruction — staff will continue to share information. We also expect full guidance on health and safety measures and the opportunity for extracurriculars will be shared by the Ministry over the summer. Should any of these directions change staff will certainly revisit these decisions and are trying to ensure whatever is being planned can be adapted. For example, if the pandemic has stabilized, we may be able to go to an every day model of learning and no chorting. We will also, of course, continue to provide resources and tools to support students' mental health and well-being. With vaccinations on the rise and fewer COVID-19 cases, we hope the fall will provide more opportunities for all students.

With regard to JK-Grade 8, please note that I have received many template letters opposing "hybrid" learning. Please know I do not support hybrid or simultaneous teaching where teachers teach in-class and students on-line at the same time. I have seen no evidence that this type of teaching supports student learning and well-being. My understanding from staff is that in all TDSB elementary schools for 2021-22 we are aiming that both students who chose to register in-person and students who chose to learn remotely will be part of their home school and that the remote learning classes are distinct from in-person classes. There will no longer be a central virtual school. Staff has confirmed they do not intend to mandate hybrid/simultaneous teaching system-wide. The priority will be for all students to be associated with their home school and for teaching options to be managed locally. As noted above, we hope to hear more from staff this week.

Hold the Date - Ward Forum - May 31, 2021

Friday, 14 May 2021

May 14 DPS/SA

Hello,

What a great week it has been at Davisville and Spectrum!
Thank you so much to the over 110 families who joined us at Superintendent Humphrey’s Community Meeting on May 11^th. We were treated to a very comprehensive presentation showcasing the progress of the new building, what typical classrooms will look like, what new furniture is coming as well as a timeline of the completion of the project. This week, we hosted all our teachers who are currently teaching in the Virtual School to allow them a day to pack up all their learning spaces. This process went very smoothly and we were able to get most items in those rooms done in one day.
This upcoming week, teachers connected to us as part of the bricks and mortar school will start coming in to pack their learning spaces. They have been directed to pack everything except some items they may need should we return to in person learning. We have scheduled between 3 – 7 teachers each day, depending on their preference and availability of supply teachers. The TDSB, and the province, continues to struggle securing enough supply teachers. It is our intent to have a supply teacher cover each class so student learning is not disrupted. As we currently do when no supply teacher can be secured, Ms. Bozzo is preparing and adding asynchronous work for students for the day. We recognize the challenge this may cause for some families and for that we do apologize. However, we are hopeful to be back in school in person before the end of the year and it is much more difficult to find in person supply teachers.
Thank you to all our families who sent in questions regarding the move and the new school build. Please continue to send your questions directly to Mrs. Farrelly at shona.farrelly@tdsb.on.ca. Any questions regarding daily operations of the school can be sent directly to Wanda Bozzo wanda.bozzo@tdsb.on.ca and/or Roseneath Jackson Roseneath.jackson@tdsb.on.ca . Some of the students will have met Ms. Jackson already as she has started her virtual visits to the classes.
Mrs. Farrelly will be meeting with the Davisville PS Council Chairs on Wednesday to review the current Council items being stored at Vaughan Road. We have been spoiled at Vaughan Road with all the additional rooms for storage. We do not have the same storage in the new building. All the space was designed for in person use, leaving us with extremely limited areas to store bar-b-ques, tents and Fun Fair equipment. We will be looking at other alternatives. Please email any of the council chairs or Mrs. Farrelly if you have any ideas or suggestions.
We are anxiously waiting to hear the good news about the Section 37 funds, through a motion by Councillor Josh Matlow, arriving to the TDSB so we can move forward with our playground equipment project. We will let you know as things progress.
Our head caretaker, Pat, will be moving over to the new building effective May 31^st. He will be learning all the systems of the building before we all move in. He will also be there to receive all the new items as they arrive and to work with the movers as they start to bring our items we are finished using for the year.
Finally, we are in the last stages of preparing a package to be sent to all our families regarding safe walking and cycling paths, short term parent drop off and pick up street parking, and traffic flow patterns. It will require all of us to adjust some of our drop off and pick up patterns, but we will be there to support you. We can all work together to make our schools safe.
If you were unable to attend the meeting, please find attached the links for the Q & A from the evening along with the presentation and video.

Q&A DPS/SA Virtual Community Meeting May 11/21

Davisville JPS & Spectrum Alternative Sr PS Video

2021 05 11 Community Meeting Presentation

Grade 3 Universal Screening CCAT 7 Additional Information:

Results have been emailed to all parents/guardians of Grade 3 students who submitted their tests. Please contact wanda.bozzo@tdsb.on.ca if you have yet to receive your results. Please also find attached a CCAT 7 Parent Guide.

TDSB Devices:

School Council Mindfulness:

Davisville Parent Council’s Mindful in May kicked off with a wonderful Mindful PJ party. 30 eager students, along with 75 stuffies, came together to have fun and learn how to be mindful of the world around us. Led by Miss Tina and her mindful penguin, we used all of our senses to learn about breathing, focus, and awareness. Highlights included mindful eating and a kindness mediation with your stuffies. It was amazing to see all the hands raised and the enthusiastic participation, including a very talkative alligator. We can’t wait for next week when we all get to be Mindful Superheroes.

Thursday May 20 - 6:30 - 7:30 pm Grades 3-6 - Mindful Super Heroes

Thursday May 27 - 8:00 - 9:30 pm - For Parents and Caregivers - Mindfulness and Equity: Natural Partners

To join, please register here -https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKEy0hgWHQwH_unQM2D34JM0pfWWKC4ifvW6X9Bj-6NOWZxQ/viewform

K-8 Deer Park Summer School:

If you are interested in applying to Deer Park's K-8 Virtual Summer School, please complete the following 2021 Student Registration Form.

Youth for Change: May 27, 2021 Asian Heritage Month event Hosted b ALPHA Education & Partners

Invitation to ALPHA EDUCATION 2021 Asian Heritage Month Youth Event

2021 AHM Theme: Recognition, Resilience, Resolve

Date: May 27, 2021

Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

This event is for students, parents, educators, leaders, and community members.

Registration: Click on https://tinyurl.com/5ddfrxah

Canadian youths hear, see, and feel the impact of racism

This event brings together six Canadian youths (15 - 20+ years) in conversation on vital topics that will deepen our understanding as well the actions to take. Their conversation will include:

Privilege and biases
Stigmatization and mental wellbeing
How stereotyping is used to divide us
Increasing polarization
Building belonging at school, workplace, and community
The role of older generations
The role of government to eradicate systemic racism

AHM Youth Panel

Upcoming:

May 20, 2021 - Mindful Superheroes - Parents and Grade 3 - Grade 6 students (6:30 PM)

And some items from Trustee Laskin's Week of May 10 Update:

September 2021 - Preliminary Plans

At a Special Planning and Priorities Meeting held Friday, staff presented their preliminary analysis of September Guidance and Funding Announcements received from the Ministry of Education on Tuesday, May 3.

I live tweeted from the meeting - the 51 tweets, according to The Thread Reader App should take about 15 minutes if interested! https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1390656922974621698.html

Highlights include the following -

Commitment to support equity initiatives, focused on Black, Indigenous, racialized students and underserved communities and a continued focus on ensuring equitable distribution of staff and financial resources to support our most marginalized learners and communities.
Committed to re-engagement as we transition to 2021-22 - to develop and strengthen relationships, connections and community a whole school approach to student engagement and student well-being and mental health will be prioritized
Continue to offer remote learning options consistent with PPM 164 (Requirements for Remote Learning)
School boards to delay deadline for parents to indicate either in-person or remote to June 1, 2021 at the earliest - the TDSB is planning to ask parents to select In-Person Learning or Virtual Learning for the 2021-22 school year on June 1 in order to plan for September 2021
All students will be registered in a TDSB home school for 2021-22. In-Person Learning and Virtual Learning will be offered through home schools and/or groups of schools.
Students will continue to be supplied devices to access remote learning
Local school board public health guidance to be followed
Full health and safety guidance will be released this summer, including: Masking, Cohorting for clubs and other extracurriculars, Daily Health Screening and the Timeline for returning to full classes in secondary

Elementary - Staffing for all student learning, including virtual learning, has been allocated directly to schools. This supports the transition of students back to the local home school area where there are direct connections that will be a foundation to support learning options for next year. At this point, we are not sure of what remote learning will look like but we know that it will be attached to local schools rather than in the form of a stand-alone Elementary Virtual School which currently exists. There will be one opportunity to switch between In Person Learning and Virtual learning after the Family Day weekend in February.

Secondary - Ministry is directing that cohorting of students is to continue to limit number of student to student interactions. As such there will be a limit of two classes per day when possible and the planning for pivoting to fully remote must be planned. Our staffing process has already begun for next school year. There will be one opportunity to switch between In Person Learning and Virtual learning for Semester 2.

IT Devices - 75,000+ devices were loaned to TDSB students for remote learning during Spring 2020 and over the course of the 2020-2021 school year. These loaned devices need to be retrieved & returned to schools to support 2021-2022 school year programming and student needs. The replacement costs for these devices would be $27.5M. Students attending summer school will not have to return and re-request a device. All other devices must be returned by the first week of July for cleaning, technical inspection, necessary repairs and data wiping. They will then be re-distributed to the schools initially borrowed from.

For the complete deck presented at Friday's meeting, please click here.

School Year Calendar 2021-2022 - Pending Ministry Approval

In developing the TDSB’s 2021-22 calendar, a key goal of the School Year Calendar committee was to ensure that all members of the TDSB community are able to start school on the same day, and that staff can participate in group professional development before the first day of school. This goal was particularly important in terms of next year’s calendar as our staff and students will be coming off a very challenging and disruptive school year due to the pandemic. Ensuring that staff feel supported before the start of school, and that all students and staff can start the 2021-22 school year together, is our top priority.

Please note that the TDSB’s 2021-22 School Year Calendar was approved by Board on May 4, 2021. The calendar has now been submitted to the Ministry of Education for final approval. The calendar remains in draft form until approved by the Ministry.

The official school year calendar for the Toronto District School Board runs from September 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, inclusive.

First day of classes for students is September 9, 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

PA Days & Holidays

Board-wide PA Day	September 2, 2021* Note CUPE 10-month employees take September 7, 2021 instead
Board-wide PA Day	September 3, 2021
Labour Day	September 6, 2021
Board-wide PA Day	September 8, 2021
Thanksgiving	October 11, 2021
Board-wide PA Day	November 19, 2021
Winter Break	December 20, 2021- December 31, 2021
Elementary PA Day	January 14, 2022
Secondary PA Day	February 2, 2022
Board-wide PA Day	February 18, 2022
Family Day	February 22, 2022
March Break	March 14-18, 2022
Good Friday	April 15, 2022
Easter Monday	April 18, 2022
Victoria Day	May 23, 2022
Elementary School PA Day	June 3, 2022
Secondary School PA Day	June 30, 2022