May 2021
Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to TDSB Connects, an update on news and events from across the Toronto District School Board.
Ministry Announcement for 2021-22 – This week, the Government of Ontario announced funding for the 2021-2022 school year. As part of this announcement, they indicated that all school boards will once again provide in-person and remote learning options for the new school year. At the TDSB, we will soon be contacting families for their selection for September. While these details are still being finalized, we anticipate that the deadline for this selection will be in early June to allow time to plan accordingly. Further details will be shared as soon as they are available. In the meantime, we continue to await word from the Ministry of Education on plans for the remainder of the current school year.
Temporary COVID-19 Funding for 2021-22 – To support the continued safe operation of schools in 2021-22, the Ministry announced that it will provide another year of temporary COVID-19 funding to school boards, totalling $1.6 billion across the province. This funding is to support areas such as personal protective equipment and supplies, staffing to meet local needs, technology and operating costs related to ventilation systems.
Vaccination Info Session – Join us for our next Conversation Series on May 6 with Dr. Vinita Dubey from Toronto Public Health to answer all your questions about vaccines. Learn more at www.tdsb.on.ca/conversation.
Children’s Mental Health Week – This year’s theme is Coping, Caring and Connecting and our Professional Support Services team has developed a variety of interactive resource kits to support student mental health and well-being for all.
Education Week – This week is an opportunity to highlight the work and initiatives underway in the TDSB in support of equity, and students’ well-being and achievement. Join us online at #TDSBedweek and #strongertogether to celebrate how, in spite of the pandemic, we have come together to find new ways to connect, collaborate, learn and support each other. Learn more here.
Crisis in India – Our hearts and thoughts are with our South Asian students, staff and families who are disproportionately impacted by the devastation unfolding in India. Read our full statement and access support here.
TDSB Summer Programs – The health and well-being of TDSB students, staff and families is our top priority. Given the unpredictability of what the status of the COVID-19 pandemic will be in the summer, and the need to begin planning well before that time, the decision has been made to offer all Summer Programs fully remote (online) for summer 2021.
Safe Drinking Water Test Results – For the very first time, the Toronto District School Board is posting Safe Drinking Water Test Results on all 583 school websites for the year 2020. This work is a part of the TDSB’s commitment to Open Data.
Chicken Soup, Chicken Soup – Asian and Jewish Heritage Committees have collaborated to present Chicken Soup, Chicken Soup to students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 for May, Jewish and Asian Heritage Months. Learn more about this book about diversity and how you can submit your own family chicken soup recipes!
Heritage and History Months – The TDSB is proud to celebrate Asian Heritage Month and Jewish Heritage Month .
TDSB Update – Sign-up for TDSB Update and stay informed about recent Board decisions and more district-wide news.
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