Embedded Files
Mask Disposal Advice
Mask Disposal Advice
Thanks Mme. Dima Grade, Teacher @ North Agincourt Jr. P.S.
Since we'll be using quite a few masks, if you could please pull and rip off the strings of your disposable mask, before disposing of it, so it won't tangle wildlife (fish, birds)... there are many cases of animals getting wrapped up in them.
You won't need scissors or anything, as the strings rip right out. There was a recent PSA from a Cdn environmental organization asking people to do this, and it's super easy 'cause you only need to do one end of each string, if you're in a rush.
Fire Drills
Fire Drills
For School Administrators - Please see the latest fire drill memos:
Virtual School Information
Virtual School Information
For information on important dates, day structure, class sizes, and more:
Returning to School - In Person
Returning to School - In Person
Read the most recent TDSB parent/guardian update from September 10. It includes a link to Toronto Public Health communication for parents/guardians regarding TPH School Health Services and important updates during COVID-19.
For more details, please click on the links below that will bring you right to the information:
Thank you for your continued patience as we all work through the challenges.
HEPA Filter Units in Classrooms
HEPA Filter Units in Classrooms
There has been requests for High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter units to be installed in all classrooms in order to improve ventilation.
It is important to distinguish between filtration and ventilation, as the terms are often used synonymously. Filtration is the process of removing particulate matter from the air, as it passes through the filter media. HEPA filters are more efficient filters and remove finer particulate matter that other filter media, including particulate matter as small as the COVID virus. Ventilation is the process of increasing air flow into a space in order to provide greater volumes of fresh air. This increase in fresh air has the impact of diluting the air in the space, reduce the potential for the transmission of COVID.
HEPA filter systems recirculate the air in the room and filter it, trapping particulate in the filter media. HEPA filter units do not increase the air flow/Cubic feet per minute into a room, nor do they increase the number of fresh air changes per hour. These are achieved by increasing ventilation, using either mechanical ventilation means or by natural ventilation created by opening windows. Our focus to date as it relates to ventilation has been ensuring that where mechanical ventilation currently exists, it has been reviewed and serviced to ensure they are operation as designed. We have also increased fresh air intake levels, minimized the use of air recirculation modes and are increasing run times of systems to flush out the building 2 hours prior to occupancy.
While the science on this issue is evolving, the current advice from TPH is that COVID is not easily aerosolized and travels primarily by respiratory droplets. As these droplets are heavy, they typically only travel appx 2 metres before settling on a nearby surface. Once on that surface they have a limited lifespan and are easily addressed using common disinfectant products. In many cases, the respiratory droplets would land on a surface before being drawn into the filter system. Because of this, while the use of HEPA filter can contribute to improved indoor air quality, the units are not a solution to improve overall ventilation rates. That would be best achieved by use of mechanical systems where available, or by opening windows and interior doors to encourage natural cross ventilation.
That being said, we are currently reviewing the use of these units in rooms with limited ability to provide fresh air, or at schools with limited ventilation in areas of the city with higher infections rates. During the pandemic, we are accepting monetary donations, through the COVID-19 Central Relief Fund, for the purchase of these units at the system level, where they can be deployed based on need. We are in the process of finalizing the criteria for determining which schools/classrooms would receive HEPA filters, but the criteria may include things such as the classroom ventilation, class size vs. space available, infection risk rating, etc.
Should the advice on transmission methods from TPH change, we will review our practices and adjust as appropriate.
Board Meeting This Week
Board Meeting This Week
The Toronto District School Board is committed to developing opportunities for our wider school community to connect and engage in conversations about education issues. The Board Meeting this week is our first meeting to be held at 5050 Yonge. Due to health and safety concerns, only trustees and staff will be on-site - the meeting will be broadcasted live to the public. Click here at the start time to view - https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership/Boardroom/Live-Webcast-of-Meetings.
Board Meeting - Wednesday, September 23, 2020 - 7:00 p.m. Public Session - Boardroom, 5050 Yonge St
Chair’s Announcements - To be presented
Reports From Trustees Appointed to External Organizations and Student Trustees - To be presented
Director's Leadership Report - To be presented
Declarations of Possible Conflict of Interest
Matters to be Decided Without Discussion - To be presented
Confirmation of Minutes of Meetings Held on August 6, 10, 18, 20 and 26 and September 9, 2020 - Separate Document
Staff Reports
Back to School Update - Oral Update
Committee Reports
Enterprise Risk Management Initiative: Status Update
Audit Committee, Report No. 53, September 21, 2020 - To be presented
Committee of the Whole (Special Meeting), Report No. 25, September 9, 2020 (For receipt)
Extension of Term of Toronto Lands Corporation Citizen Directors
Former Christie Cookie Factory Property: 2150 Lake Shore Boulevard West: Potential Elementary School Site
Director Search Committee: Director of Education Search Criteria
Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee, Report No. 58, September 15, 2020
Contract Awards, Facilities
Contract Awards, Operations
Ontario Public School Boards’ Association 2020-2021 Annual Membership Fee
Borrowing Resolution to Meet Operating and Capital Expenditures
Written Notices of Motion for Consideration
Reconsideration of Previous Board Decision: Phase-Out of Extended French Programs
Written Notices of Motion
Policy Consultations
Policy Consultations
We Want to Hear From You!
~from the TDSB Web
To view the latest policy review schedule, please click here
We would like to know your thoughts about our policy decisions by inviting you to our policy consultations. Please click on the policy of your interest to see the current draft. You are welcome to provide your comments, including suggestions on the wording and provisions of the draft policies, questions or recommendations using the contact information below.
We would like to know your thoughts about our policy decisions by inviting you to our policy consultations. Please click on the policy of your interest to see the current draft. You are welcome to provide your comments, including suggestions on the wording and provisions of the draft policies, questions or recommendations using the contact information below.
Records and Information Management Policy - Draft New Policy Email: rim@tdsb.on.ca
Objective: The Records and Information Management Policy supports the Toronto District School Board’s commitment to the effective, efficient and secure management of recorded information, regardless of format or media. The Policy is consistent with subsection 171. (1), par. 38 of the Education Act which states the Board may institute a program of records and information management.
Specialized Schools and Programs Policy: Draft New Policy Video Survey
Objective: To affirm the Board’s commitment to providing focused specialized programming in both local schools and in district-wide specialized schools or programs, and to improving access for all students to these programs. Learn more HERE
Email: secondaryreview@tdsb.on.ca
Parent and Community Involvement Policy
Objective: To establish a framework for building and supporting parent and community involvement in the Toronto District School Board. We are currently reviewing P023 – Parent and Community Involvement Policy and are inviting feedback from our community as we develop the first draft of the policy. Learn more, and share your voice HERE
Advertising and Distribution of Materials Policy - Draft Revised Policy
Email: businessdevelopment@tdsb.on.ca
Objective: The Advertising and Distribution of Materials Policy supports the implementation of the legislative requirement under Ontario Regulation 298, section 24 of the Education Act which governs advertisements and announcements in a school, on school property, or to pupils of these schools. The Policy’s objective is to establish parameters related to advertising on Board property, including distribution of advertising materials to students, parents/guardians and staff.
Brightspace for Parents
Brightspace for Parents
The Brightspace Learning Platform is provided to all publicly funded school districts in Ontario by the Ministry of Education and includes a number of tools including an online classroom, a digital portfolio for students and Brightspace for Parents.
The Brightspace Learning Platform is provided to all publicly funded school districts in Ontario by the Ministry of Education and includes a number of tools including an online classroom, a digital portfolio for students and Brightspace for Parents.
Help Guides:
Help Guides:
Scholar Strike
Scholar Strike
"Scholar Strike is an action, inspired by professional athletes from the WNBA, NBA, and MLB who went on strike (the NBA players even interrupted their postseason) to underscore the urgent importance of addressing the grave injustices faced by people of color in the United States. Scholar Strike is both an action, and a teach-in. Some of us will, for two days, refrain from our many duties and participate in actions designed to raise awareness of and prompt action against racism, policing, mass incarceration and other symptoms of racism’s toll in America. In the tradition of the teach-ins of the 1960s, we are going to provide YouTube ten-minute teach-ins, accessible to everyone, and a social media blitz on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to share information about racism, policing, mass incarceration, and other issues of racial injustice in America.
Scholar Strike Canada
Scholar Strike Canada
The Canadian action is aligned with the one in the U.S., in its call for racial justice, an end to anti-Black police violence and it adds a specific focus on anti-Indigenous, colonial violence.
Scholar Strike is a labour action/teach-in/social justice advocacy happening on September 9 & 10, 2020. September 9 & 10 were chosen as the dates of the Scholar Strike in Canada because, for many of us, the academic year begins on these dates. These days were also chosen because of their proximity to Labour Day."
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