Dear Secondary Parents/Guardians and Students,

This is an important update for secondary families about switching between in-person and virtual learning, as well as changes to the virtual learning model for students wishing to start learning virtually for Quadmester 2.

With more than 18,000 secondary students currently enrolled in the TDSB’s Virtual Secondary School, we cannot accommodate any additional students without a significant reorganization of the system — something that would have a negative impact on our in-person schools and result in many courses having to be collapsed or eliminated.

Our ultimate goal is to maintain stability for both in-person schools and the Virtual School, and to continue offering the courses that students need. As a result, we will be changing how virtual learning is delivered to students who request to switch to virtual learning for Quadmester 2.

While the Virtual School will continue to operate and support its existing students, students who would like to switch from in-person to virtual learning for Quadmester 2 will be accommodated with a virtual option at their current in-person school.

Switching from In-Person to Virtual Learning

Students who are registered at in-person schools who would like to switch to the virtual model will be provided with more information from their school, including a form to indicate what they would like to do. This change would take effect at the start of Quadmester 2 on November 23, 2020.

The school-based virtual learning model at your school will vary from class to class and will depend on factors such as the number of students wishing to learn virtually and the available courses. In some cases, there will be enough students to offer an entire class virtually. In other cases, the class will be split into virtual and in-person cohorts.

Schools will prepare and finalize models in the coming days, as we get a better sense of the number of students interested in learning virtually. Specific information will be shared by your school ahead of the start of Quadmester 2. Please note that all requests from students wishing to switch to a virtual option at their in-person school will be accommodated. However, in some cases, changes to desired courses in a specific quadmester may be required to align with availability and course offerings.

Switching from the Virtual School to In-Person Learning

Students who are currently registered in the Virtual School and would like to return to their inperson school must contact the guidance counsellor at their in-person school by October 28, 2020 to see if a timetable can be created for the specific courses they have requested for Quadmesters 2, 3 and 4. If a timetable can be created, a transfer to the in-person school will be facilitated. Please note that space may be limited and a transfer may not be possible.

If you have already made a request to switch back to your in-person school for Quadmester 2, please contact your school again to confirm this request.

Thank you to all parents/guardians and students for your patience during this evolving situation. We are doing everything we can to accommodate student requests while ensuring as much stability as possible in all classrooms and schools in this pandemic time.

For more information, including translated versions of this letter in the days ahead, please visit the TDSB website.

Sincerely,
Kathy Witherow
Interim Director of Education