Trustee Shelley Laskin Weekly Updates

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:

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

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)


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