Trustee Shelley Laskin Weekly Updates

Friday, 17 December 2021

Week Ending Dec 17

Hello,

We have included some images: Week of Dec 13

Thank you Mrs. Farrelly for all you have provided to our students, staff, parents, and caregivers of Davisville and Spectrum. You have left your footprints and touched the hearts and minds of many. Wishing you health and happiness in your new adventures!!!

Spectrum Remembrance Day Legion Contest Winners:

The Royal Canadian Legion, in partnership with schools across the country and with The Legion National Foundation, promote remembrance and support youth education through the annual poster and literary contests. Students in Grades 1 through 12 are invited to submit their creative works, with a focus on Remembrance, through their local school to be entered into Legion Branch contests. Winning entries move forward to the Legion’s Provincial level contests. Finalists are then forwarded to the Legion National Foundation in Ottawa to be judged at the national level.

2nd place intermediate black and white poster Ashleyn Charles

3rd place intermediate black and white poster Isabell Tumangday

2nd place intermediate colour poster  Lucca Pitfield

3rd place intermediate colour poster Maayan Rabinowicz

1st place intermediate poem Wren Roberts

2nd place intermediate poem Emmylou Buttigieg-Hewston

3rd place intermediate poem Nathan Sommer

3rd place intermediate essay Ashley Zigelman

Intermediate black and white poster Safia Sodhi   - the judges liked it so much they wanted an honorable mention

 The 1st place winner will move onto the next level of the legion contest

 Rapid Antigen Screening Kits:

The Rapid Antigen Screening Kits(voluntary) were sent home last Friday with your child(ren). Please know there is an accompanying letter which contains information about the test kit. As well, the following link contains how to information:https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1zVDiI-rZ-k9wH-nE34Ze1wgftuRjQc3iAOaEjqKOQLg/edit?usp=sharing

Northern SS Grade 8 Evening Live Presentation: Tuesday, January 12, 2022 @ 6:30pm:

·        This presentation is geared toward the community, families and students who would like more information about our school overall.

·        Tuesday, January 12, 2022 at 6:30pm

·        Link to join:  

Northern SS Grade 8 Evening Presentation 

TDSB Beyond 8: Open House Information

Northern SS Welcome Video:

·        Please watch our short Welcome to Northern Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvG_Bwrj_Ck

Northern SS Grade 8 Information Google Site:

This site has subject and department specific information for incoming grade 8 students and their families: https://sites.google.com/tdsb.on.ca/homepagewelcomegrade8s/departments

Supports at NSS:

Admissions and Optional Attendance Information:

  • Visit our Grade 8 Google site and click on Admissions for more info 

FAQs about Address Catchment:

  • If a student by address can attend Northern through the “Technology” stream, they are required to take at least one (1) Technology course per year.
  • If a student by address can attend Northern through the “Commercial” stream, they must take a minimum of one (1) Business course each year
  • If a student by address has BOTH “Technology” and “Commercial” listed, they can take either a Business or Technology course each year, making sure to have the proper pre-requisites 

TDSB Beyond 8 Resources 

  • comprehensive overview of TDSB specific info at the Beyond 8 site

TDSB Psychology Department December 2021 Hearts and Minds Newsletter:

Winter 2021-22 Well-Being Guide for Students, Caregivers and Families:

This is the TDSB Winter 2021-22 Well-Being Guide with many resources for students and caregivers. The English version is attached. This guide has been translated into 18 languages.  The translations for the 18 languages can be accessed here:

https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/0k0Rpj0z0m/dHJhbnNsYXRpb25AbWNpcy5vbi5jYQ


Travel Policies:

Families are reminded to review the established federal international travel policies – including the guidelines for unvaccinated, school-aged children – in advance of the December break in an effort to prevent absences in January related to post-travel requirements. Now that children ages 5-12 can be vaccinated, the Canadian Government website has been updated to include restrictions and PCR testing requirements for children who are vaccinated, not fully vaccinated, and unvaccinated.

TDSB’s Guide to Special Education is now Translated into 10 Languages:

Special Education continues to identify and interrupt barriers for families, in regard to how parents/guardians can access special education information. The Guide to Special Education for Parents/Guardians provides information about support and services for students with special education needs.

The document identifies the processes such as the Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC) procedures involved in identifying a student as “exceptional”, deciding on program placement, and appealing such decisions when parents do not agree with the IPRC.  

Read more about Special Education and Inclusion in the TDSB

School Trustee's Weekly Newsletter - Ward 8:

  • For updates regarding topics affecting the TDSB, please subscribe
  • to Shelley Laskin's weekly newsletter.

TDSB website reporting delays or bus cancellations: www.torontoschoolbus.org

To order Davisville spiritwear: check school cashonline, or visit  davisvillepublicschool.entripyshops.com

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Friday, 10 December 2021

Week Ending Dec 10

 Hello,

We have included some images: Week of Dec 6

 Important Information for Families of Gr. 3 Students (Middle French Immersion Application Process – Grade 4 Entry):

Please find below important information on the Middle French Immersion Application & Timelines

Middle French Immersion Program - Application Information

For families interested in the Toronto District School Board's system-wide Middle French Immersion Program (begins in Grade 4), we offer an online process to apply. To apply for the Middle French Immersion Program (Grade 4 entry) for September 2022, applications must be completed online between January 3 and January 28, 2022.

 

An offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) is guaranteed to all on-time applicants and will be made in the weeks following the close of the application window.

Please note: Families with an older sibling currently enrolled in a French program and who will be in attendance next year are still required to complete an online application for the new student. Please select the “sibling option” within the online application.

 

For more information about the Middle French Immersion (Grade 4) application process, please join us for a Virtual Webinar Session on one of the following dates:

 

DATES, TIME & LINK TO WEBINARS

ALTERNATE WAYS TO PARTICIPATE

January 6, 2022 – 10 am 

 

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WEBINAR ON JANUARY 6

Webinar ID: 957 9470 9338

Phone one-tap: Canada: +6473744685,,95794709338# or +16475580588,,95794709338# 

Dial: Canada : +1 647 374 4685 or +1 647 558 0588

January 13, 2022 – 1 pm 

 

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WEBINAR ON JANUARY 13

Webinar ID: 965 0951 9491

Phone one-tap: Canada: +6475580588,,96509519491# or +16473744685,,96509519491# 

Dial: Canada:+1 647 558 0588 or +1 647 374 4685 

January 17, 2022 – 7 pm 

 

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WEBINAR ON JANUARY 17

Webinar ID: 998 7090 8992

Phone one-tap: Canada: +16473744685,,99870908992# or +16475580588,,99870908992# 

Dial: Canada: +1 647 374 4685 or +1 647 558 0588 

 

Families can request interpretation services for this event in advance, by completing this online form before December 17, 2021.

 

Information about the Middle French Immersion Program is available in multiple languages. For details, please see the information package. For more information about French programs, the application process and important dates, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/french or click on Application Process.


Hello Kinder families!!:

Excellent news. The west Kindergarten yard is now complete and has passed the safety inspection. It is now open for use!! Starting today, Rooms 113, 114 and 116 will return to doing drop off and pick up in the west yard. This does now mean the east Kindergarten yard is now closed for construction. Starting today, Rooms 105, 107 and 109 will now use the Infant/Toddler yard at the far eastern part of the yard. This will continue until the new year. Construction will be completed prior to the reopening of school on January 3rd. All 6 classes have access to the west yard for outdoor learning at all times.

Thank you for your understanding and patience. The kids are so excited to try out the new equipment. 

Further, one of our Primary classes took advantage of learning form Carie, the Site Manager about the project and the work involved. Please see pictures in week of Dec 6 above.

Virtual December Character Education Assembly:

Please join us for the December-Kindness and Caring Virtual Character Education Assemby on Friday, Dec. 17 at 1:00 p.m. Link

Rapid Antigen Screening Kits:

The Rapid Antigen Screening Kits(voluntary) are being sent home today with your child(ren). Please know there is an accompanying letter which contains information about the test kit. As well, the following link contains how to information:https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1zVDiI-rZ-k9wH-nE34Ze1wgftuRjQc3iAOaEjqKOQLg/edit?usp=sharing

Alternative Schools Community Advisory Committee:

Meeting will take place on Monday, December 13, 2021 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the Zoom platform. ASCAC Agenda DEC 13

DATE:                             Monday, December 13, 2021

TIME:                              6:30 pm (meeting)

 If you are interested in attending this meeting please fill out the this registration link. Deadline to register is noon Sunday, December 12, 2021. For those who register, a confirmation email will be sent to you by 4 pm Monday, December 13 and this email will contain the Zoom meeting link and any additional information.

For additional information on ASCAC, please visit the Alternative Schools Community Advisory Committee website.  

Have questions? Please email the ASCAC Chair at AlternativeSchoolsCAC@gmail.com

    Meeting Registration:

ASCAC December 13 Meeting Attendee Registration Form
Rosedale Heights School of the Arts:

Rosedale Flyer


School Trustee's Weekly Newsletter - Ward 8:

  • For updates regarding topics affecting the TDSB, please subscribe
  • to Shelley Laskin's weekly newsletter.

TDSB website reporting delays or bus cancellations: www.torontoschoolbus.org

To order Davisville spiritwear: check school cashonline, or visit  davisvillepublicschool.entripyshops.com

at No comments:

Sunday, 5 December 2021

Week Ending Dec 3

Hello,

We have included some images: Week of Nov 29

Library Book Drive - Monday, December 6 - Wednesday, December 8

Ms. Chang is looking for some gently used graphic novels and high interest reference books (see below for suggestions) to add to the library collection. These are the most popular books in our collection and it is difficult to keep them on the shelves. If you have any of these books that are no longer being read, please consider donating them to the library.  No other books are needed at this time. 


Ms. Chang will be outside Door 5 from 8:25 - 8:55 to collect the donations. 


Graphic Novels: Dogman, Dork Diaries, Bone, Baby Mouse, Nate, or any Anime books. 

High Interest Reference Books: Guinness World Book of Records; Ripley’s Believe It or Not: National Geographic; National Geographic Kids Big Book of …(there are several topics available).


TDSB In-person and Virtual Learning Switch:
In order to plan ahead for students to switch between in-person and virtual learning for February 2022, parents/caregivers and students requesting a change must complete the Switch Form. Parents/caregivers and students who do not wish to make a change do not need to complete a form. 
While we cannot guarantee that all requests for a switch can be met, it is our goal to accommodate as many as possible based on available programs and space (e.g. French Immersion, Extended French, Specialized Programs, Alternative Schools, other limited circumstances). 
Elementary
The Switch Form for elementary students will be open between December 3 to January 7. Parents/caregivers and students who wish to make a change need to complete a form which is being sent Friday, Dec 3. If no change is requested, they do not need to complete the form. Classes will reflect changes due to switches beginning on February 22, 2022. 
The communication will be sent to the parents/caregivers of all students who are currently active or prereg in Trillium as of November 29, 2021. It will also be sent to the parents/caregivers of any child who has been demitted this school year to Home Schooling.  
As there is one common link for all Elementary students, parents/caregivers who wish to switch will need their child’s Trillium Student Number to log in to the form. Their child’s date of birth acts as the password in the format of MM/DD/YYYY, including the forward slashes (/). For example, if the student was born on February 5, 2015, then 02/05/2015 would be entered. If the student was born on October 19, 2009, then 10/19/2009 would be entered.  Translations in the most frequently spoken languages will be available.
Once the parent/caregiver logs in to the Switch Form, they will see prepopulated student information:
Student Name:
Grade:
Current Method of Instruction: (In-Person or Virtual - status as of November 29, 2021 in Trillium)
This is followed by Question 1:
Do you want your child to stay in their current method of instruction (as noted above)?
Yes I would like my child/myself to remain in their/my current method of instruction (Survey is done)
No, I would like to switch the current method of instruction for my child/myself 
If the parents/caregivers select No, I would like to switch the current method of instruction for my child/myself, they will proceed to Question 2. This question will be customized to the student’s current method of instruction. The parents/caregivers will see either:
Q2  You have chosen to switch from In-Person to Virtual Learning
OR
You have chosen to switch from Virtual Learning to In-Person 
And then be asked to confirm this.  
Is this correct? 
Yes (survey will continue to the technology question for those moving to Virtual Learning and will move the final submission for those moving to In-Person).
OR
No (parents/caregivers will not be able to continue until they go back and change their answer to Question 1 or contact the school as it would appear there may be an error in their child’s current method of instruction).
Finally, if a parents/caregivers chooses a move from In-Person to Virtual Learning, the technology question will be presented:
To participate in Virtual Learning the student requires a computing device (with microphone and camera) and internet service.  Please indicate what you need: 
o Device only 
o Internet service only
o Both a device and internet service
o None of the above
The final submission page will then be presented. Once the parent/caregiver has completed the form, an email will be sent to the email address on record for the Priority 1 contact for the student.  The final screen will then remind the individual that if they would like a different child in elementary school to switch, they will need to complete the Elementary Switch Form for that child.  If they have children in grades 9 - 12, the Secondary Switch Form is only open from November 29 to December 6 and separate messaging will go to these parents/caregivers.
Davisville Covid Symptoms Sheet: 
If you are unsure whether your child is to stay home or not with respect to Covid-19, please have a look at the Covid 19 Symptom Sheet as per https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/
Grade 8 to 9 Transitions Information:

A Message from Northern Secondary School:

Interested in finding out more about what Northern Secondary School has to offer?  Please take a look here:   Welcome Grade 8s: Northern SS Information Site

Additional Information will be available at our Virtual Open House on January 12th at 6:30pm.  Link to the session is here:  Northern SS Grade 8 Night Presentation Link

VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE

December 6, 2021 @ 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Visit our website for links to the open house: https://www.claudewatson.org/

Applications: https://sprs.tdsb.on.ca/public/Welcome.aspx

Address: 130 Doris Avenue, North York ON, M2N 0A8

Email: ClaudeWatson.Auditions@tdsb.on.ca

Please click this URL to join. https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/j/95888835735

Claude Watson School for the Arts

Claude Watson School for the Arts is a TDSB grades 4—8 school focused on the arts.  Claude Watson School for the Arts offers an enriched arts education in music, drama, dance and visual arts.  Each day the students divide their time between academic classes and an exceptional arts program that develops their creative potential. Each year Grade 3 students apply for entry into our Grade 4 program.  Students interested in placement in grades 5 – 8 are welcome to apply but there are very limited places available. Parents and students who are interested in applying for CWSA are encouraged to attend one of our information sessions. 

More information about Claude Watson School for the Arts can be found on our website www.claudewatson.org. 

Apply To CWSA

Applications are accepted online.  The application system is now open.  Please see below the link to apply for the 2022/2023 school year. The application system closes on Friday December 17, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. 

PLEASE NOTE: Late applications are not accepted.

https://sprs.tdsb.on.ca/public/Welcome.aspx

Please note Claude Watson School for the Arts does not require students to submit an Optional Attendance Form

* FYI - once you click on the submit button you will get a message letting you know that "your session time has expired". Your application has actually been processed.

Thane Jovanovich

Principal

Claude Watson School for the Arts

(416) 395-3180

Team Toronto presents Toronto Kids Vaccine Day at Scotiabank Arena:
On Sunday, December 12, 2,000 of Toronto’s youngest community health superheroes will have a chance to receive their COVID-19 vaccine at Scotiabank Arena as part of Toronto Kids Vaccine Day.
Mayor John Tory made the announcement with the Toronto Raptor and Carlton the Bear via video.
During this superhero-themed special event, Team Toronto will be deploying Toronto Public Health and The Hospital for Sick Children’s (SickKids) best vaccinators to make Toronto Kids Vaccine Day a success. These doctors and nurses are experts in speaking with children and caregivers about vaccines as well as providing child-friendly experiences for vaccination.
Thanks to Team Toronto’s partnership with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) and Scotiabank, there will be giveaways, music and entertainment throughout the day. Team Toronto, led by SickKids, University Health Network (UHN), Michael Garron Hospital and Toronto Public Health, is working hard to make the day a fun, positive experience for children and caregivers.
Toronto Kids Vaccine Day will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the iconic home of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors. The team will be vaccinating children ages five to 11 years old. Appointments are needed and can easily be made as of 8 a.m. this morning by calling the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900 or through the Province of Ontario’s How to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment webpage: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/.
Children must be turning five years old by the end of 2021 (born in 2016) to be eligible to be booked for an appointment. Parents and caregivers of children without an Ontario Health Card can call the Toronto Public Health hotline at 416-338-7600 (TTY: 416-392-0658) to obtain an ID to book an appointment.
Toronto Kids Vaccine Day is only one part of Team Toronto’s plan to make COVID-19 vaccines accessible to all Toronto families. There are many more COVID-19 vaccination opportunities across Toronto for children, youth and adults looking to get a first, second or third dose. Information about ways to get vaccinated are on the City’s COVID-19: How to Get Vaccinated webpage: www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-how-to-get-vaccinated/ 
The COVID-19 vaccine has been proven safe and highly effective to protect children between the ages of five and 11 years old from contracting COVID-19. Vaccination also lowers the risk of severe disease or hospitalization. High levels of vaccination will also help prevent transmission of COVID-19 in households and schools, and preserve in-person learning and activities as people move indoors during the colder months. Toronto Public Health urges all parents and caregivers to ensure their eligible children get vaccinated to help protect children, their families, their schools and communities.
Parents and caregivers who have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for children can visit AboutKidsHealth for trusted answers from SickKids experts: www.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=4001&language=English.
The Scarborough Health Network Vax Facts consultation service can also address any questions or concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine: www.shn.ca/vaxfacts/.
More details about Toronto Kids Vaccine Day media opportunities will be shared closer to December 12. A high-resolution version of the Mayor’s video with Carlton the Bear and The Raptor is available for download: https://we.tl/t-cbm5H2TuWW.
Quotes:
“Toronto Kids Vaccine Day is all about bringing some of our city’s superheroes right into the exciting and inspiring Scotiabank Arena to get their vaccine. During the entire planning process of bringing the vaccine to kids, we have wanted to create a positive experience. Nothing says this more than being at Scotiabank Arena and in the presence of some of our city’s favourite mascots. This effort has been made possible from all of our partners who all share the same goal in getting our kids vaccinated to help protect them from COVID-19. I encourage parents to book their vaccine appointments for their kids and to come down to Scotiabank Arena on December 12.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Team Toronto is thrilled to return to Scotiabank Arena for Toronto Kids Vaccine Day. This time, instead of breaking a world record, we will be aiming to create the most fun and positive vaccine clinic experience for Toronto kids. One piece of our multi-pronged plan to make vaccines accessible for all families, this day will be a celebration of our young superheroes who are stepping up to get vaccinated and protect our city.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Toronto Board of Health
“Thank you to all of our Team Toronto partners who are coming together for a full day of fun and accessible childhood COVID-19 vaccinations. We're also thrilled to be back at the Scotiabank Arena to raise awareness about the importance of vaccinating five to 11 year olds in our city, and provide them the best protection available against COVID-19.” 
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health
“We are proud to be part of any effort to vaccinate people as it is a critical part of keeping the residents of Toronto safe. The last event at Scotiabank Arena was an exciting and memorable day. It is my hope that Toronto Kids Vaccine Day will play an important role in helping to educate parents about vaccines for their children, offer kids an exciting place to receive vaccination if that is their, and their parents, wish. We’re all in this together to protect our kids and continue to control the spread of COVID and minimize serious disease.”
– Dr. Kevin Smith, President and CEO, University Health Network
“All of us at SickKids are thrilled to support Toronto Kids Vaccine Day as a way to provide accessible, child-friendly COVID-19 vaccination for children aged five to 11 years old. Vaccinating your child against COVID-19 is an important way to help ensure their health and well-being. The COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada for this age group is safe and effective. We hope this event encourages Torontonians to help us reach our next vaccine milestones in the fight against COVID-19.”
– Dr. Ronald Cohn, President and CEO, SickKids
“We are so honoured to be involved in Toronto Kids Vaccine Day at Scotiabank Arena. Our teams are sharing what we learned from our first Toronto Vaccine Day held in June, where Team Toronto vaccinated more than 27,000 youth and adults in one day.  We are thrilled to support this new event designed especially for children with welcome added expertise from our partners at Sick Kids.”
– Sarah Downey, President and CEO, Michael Garron Hospital
“We look forward to coming together again as Team Toronto and welcoming the youth in our city for Toronto Kids Vaccine Day at Scotiabank Arena. Everything we have done to this point is to ensure the health and safety of our community, and MLSE is proud to be a partner alongside the City of Toronto, Toronto Public Health, University Health Network, SickKids, Michael Garron Hospital and Scotiabank to use our arena as the venue for the clinic. Since June 27, when we hosted the record-breaking Toronto Vaccine Day event, we have been able to open our doors safely to a full capacity of fans, and this is thanks, in large part, to everyone’s commitment to get vaccinated.”
– Michael Friisdahl, President and CEO, MLSE
“Building off the success of our record-setting Toronto Vaccine Day in June, Scotiabank is partnering with UHN, Michael Garron Hospital, SickKids, MLSE, Toronto Public Health and the City of Toronto to open the doors of Scotiabank Arena once again to the newest eligible group — our young people. Vaccines are, and always have been, our way out of the pandemic and we’re proud to be able to help get more of Toronto’s kids vaccinated against COVID-19.”
– Brian Porter, President and CEO, Scotiabank
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit www.toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofto. 
School Trustee's Weekly Newsletter - Ward 8:
  • For updates regarding topics affecting the TDSB, please subscribe
  • to Shelley Laskin's weekly newsletter.
TDSB website reporting delays or bus cancellations: www.torontoschoolbus.org

To order Davisville spiritwear: check school cashonline, or visit  davisvillepublicschool.entripyshops.com


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