The Government of Ontario announced today that the province will be moving into the Grey (Lockdown) Zone on Saturday, December 26 to further slow the spread of COVID-19. In Toronto and the rest of Southern Ontario, that lockdown will remain in place for 28 days. As part of this announcement, the government has said that all elementary schools in Southern Ontario, including those at the TDSB, will be closed to students until Monday, January 11, while all secondary schools will be closed to students until Monday, January 25. During this time, all in-person schools will be shifting to remote learning, while virtual schools will continue as normal.
Please find below additional information about this shift to remote learning at TDSB schools.
Elementary Schools
In-Person Schools: Elementary schools will follow their regular school schedule/timetable. In some cases, there may need to be minor adjustments which will be communicated to families on Monday, January 4.
Virtual Schools: Will continue to operate as normal.
Secondary Schools
In-Person Schools: Secondary schools will follow an adjusted timetable:
Note: The Period 1 class will continue to run from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and will include 150 minutes of synchronous/online learning and 75 minutes of asynchronous/independent work. Teachers will begin with synchronous online learning at 8:45 a.m. The scheduled asynchronous times in the timetable above are an example of how the asynchronous times can be scheduled. Teachers will use professional judgement to determine how to schedule synchronous and asynchronous times.
Virtual Schools: Will continue to operate as normal.
EdVance and Adult Day Schools
In-Person Schools: Students in Adult Day Schools and EdVance programs will follow this online schedule:
Start times and lunch times will remain the same for each school.
Virtual Learning: Will continue to operate as normal.
Alternative Schools/Programs
In-Person Schools: Schools that are not using the Board developed adaptive timetable (such as Alternative Schools-Programs, congregated sites, ISPs etc.) will implement locally-developed remote schedules.
Virtual Learning: Will continue to operate as normal.
Special Education Congregated Sites
Congregated sites (listed below) will implement locally developed remote learning schedules.
Elementary Congregated Sites: Beverly School, Lucy McCormick Senior School, Seneca School, Sunny View Jr. & Sr. PS, Parklane PS, William J. McCordic School
Secondary Congregated Sites: Central Etobicoke, Drewry Secondary School, Frank Oke, Maplewood High School, Sir William Osler, York Humber HS
Please note that as part of the government’s efforts to protect the most vulnerable, school boards will, where possible, provide in-person support for students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning based on student needs. Please speak with your child’s principal if you believe this may be required.
Child Care/Extended Day Programs
All child care programs serving infant, toddler and preschool-age children located inside TDSB schools will be permitted to remain open during the Lockdown period, however parents/guardians should confirm details with their individual child care operator. While schools are closed, all TDSB Extended Day Programs and Before- and After-Schools Programs will also be closed.
Next Steps
While the TDSB has distributed more than 70,000 devices to students this year, we know that some students may still require a device for this remote learning period. In those cases, families are encouraged to contact their school when they reopen to arrange for one. Please note that devices will be provided based on availability and may take time to distribute.
Today’s news comes at a time when all schools are on winter break, which presents a challenge as I know many of you may have questions about next steps. For in-person schools, teachers will be connecting with students and families on Monday, January 4 to provide more information and begin, what is anticipated to be, the relatively quick process of shifting to remote learning. For students in virtual school, learning will continue as normal on Monday, January 4.
While not unexpected, I know this news will be difficult for many. I want to assure you that we have learned a lot about remote learning over the last 9 months and while there may still be challenges ahead, we will support our students and families to ensure as smooth a transition as possible.
Sincerely,
Kathy Witherow
Interim Director of Education