TDSB Return to School Update (September 2, 2021)
Dear TDSB Families,
The countdown to the first day of class is on and we know that families are anxiously awaiting information about the upcoming year. Whether returning to school in-person or online, families can expect to receive information about the year ahead directly from their school after September 3. Thank you for your patience as we prepare to welcome students back on Thursday, September 9.
As new details continue to be finalized, below is the most recent information to help families and students prepare for school.
Daily Health Screening
Before coming to school each day, all students must conduct an active student health screening self-assessment. This is the most up-to-date screening tool from Toronto Public Health and has key changes from last year’s tool, including:A shortened list of symptoms that are most commonly associated with COVID-19Consideration for immunization statusRevised isolation period protocolsRevised international travel protocols Consideration for rapid or home-based self-testing kitsIf, based on the answers, you are clear to come to school, you must either complete the TDSB Health Pass (paper) or the TDSB Daily Health Screening app, to enter the school.
Mask Wearing and Daily Checklists
A reminder that all students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 must wear masks indoors. Students are not required to wear masks outdoors during recess, lunch or outdoor learning. Parents/guardians and visitors must wear masks when outdoors on TDSB property as per the TDSB Mask Procedure.
To help remind families and students of health and safety measures in place and how to prepare for school each day, please review the Daily Checklist for Elementary and Daily Checklist for High School.
Updates to Practices and Protocols
Staff continue to review the guidance from the Ministry of Education and Toronto Public Health to develop specific operation plans for TDSB schools. Overall, the TDSB is taking a cautious approach to reopening and we are constantly evaluating practices and processes with the hope that we can ease up on restrictions with support from Toronto Public Health.
Specific guidelines, practices and protocols for elementary and secondary are available on the TDSB Return to School website. Some recent updates are available in the following areas: extra-curricular activities, music programs, and school council meetings.
Exemptions from Synchronous Learning
For students who have selected virtual learning for the 2021-22 school year, more details about the process for an exemption from the minimum requirements of synchronous learning will be available on September 9. Information and materials will be posted to the website in the 2021-22 School Year section under Virtual Learning.
Complete School Forms Online
Many TDSB school forms can be completed online beginning September 9. It is easy, simple and secure, will help streamline the process of a number of standard forms, and will save paper and resources.
Watch for an email from TDSB Online Form (noreply@tdsb.on.ca), which will arrive after your child’s first day of school. You can then visit the secure site to complete and submit your child’s school forms (e.g. medical information, media release form, etc.). Learn more.
We appreciate your continued understanding as we establish new practices and school routines. It will take some time for everyone to adjust and for everything to run smoothly but working together we can make the start of the school year a positive experience. Stay healthy and safe and enjoy the last few days of summer.
Sincerely,
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The Race Talk (Workshop)- June 9th @ 6:30 PM
The Mountview Alternative School Equity and Social Justice committee invites you to a live workshop to address anti-Black racism by providing families with ideas and concrete actions on how to talk about race and racism with our children.
Join us, stand with us and take action to dismantle anti-Black racism within our school communities.
Families will also receive a Resource Guide with tools and tips to deepen their efforts on Anti-Racist work.
When: Wednesday, June 9th, 2021
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Via Zoom: Register here:https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAocemvqD4qGN03CDKA38Q1C0hoSDm6HHH3
MTV families: To assist with questions or concerns you have regarding COVID-19 next steps/decisions for Schools and Students, we thought you would find this 3-page guide helpful. Please click on the link for the full document: COVID-19 - Decision Guide for Students and Schools
We Stand Against Racism #Fightracism
Toronto District School Board commits to standing up against discrimination and acts of racism in all of its forms. Anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Asian racism, antisemitism and xenophobia, whenever and wherever they occur. Now more than ever, we need to work together, to build a more just and inclusive world for all of us.
This year to honour the International Day for the Elimination of Racism, the United Nations has chosen its theme, “Youth Standing Up Against Racism” using the hashtag, #FightRacism, which aims to foster a global culture of anti discrimination and calls on each and every one of us to stand up against racial injustice.
Reminders and Resources
March 26th is Purple Day – a day dedicated to bringing awareness to epilepsy and helping eliminate the stigma around the disease. To celebrate Purple Day this year, Epilepsy Toronto has developed a 30-minute children’s program that will help educate students and staff about epilepsy and teach them about basic seizure first-aid.
Targeted for students from grades 1 – 6, the 30-minute video will be accompanied by a full lesson plan to help guide educators through the material, along with virtual and hard copy activities for the students. The video will be hosted by Lily the puppet (the star of our children’s program Live with Lily!) and will also feature an interview with Cassidy Megan who created Purple Day. They have created a promotional video which gives a sense of the program.
Celebrate World Autism Awareness Day with Us on April 6th
World Autism Day, April 2nd, 2021, is on Good Friday this year and will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 6th, 2021.
In previous years, the TDSB joined Autism Ontario and 300 schools and municipalities across the province in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day by holding a Raise the Flag ceremony at 5050 Yonge St. and in many schools.
The first Raise the Flag event was held in April 2010, when Shari Bishop-Hume of London, Ontario, thought about how a community could bring more awareness to Autism. With support from her family, the community, professionals, and advocates, it was proposed that we raise a flag in support of World Autism Day.
This year, we invite our staff and students to join a virtual Raise the Flag ceremony. Please see the link below.
https://raisetheflagforautism.com/#:~:text=Raise%20the%20Flag%202021,us%20on%20Tuesday%20April%206th
Let’s help support TDSB students who have ASD and increase awareness and understanding of this disorder.
Resources to support your discussions can be found by contacting the Autism Services Coordinator, Lydia Tisma, Tippet Library, or Autism Ontario at www.autismontario.com.
If you require additional information, please contact Autism Services Coordinator, Lydia Tisma.
Message from Ms. George:
Last week we marked a year since the WHO declared the global pandemic. We all thought it would have been over by now, but the fight continues. The TDSB has sent this letter out to families:
“This week we mark the one year anniversary of a global pandemic that has forever changed our lives. It has been a challenging year and we have faced great uncertainty and tremendous changes. The pandemic highlighted social inequities forging critical conversations about anti-oppression. Although we recognize the stress and weight of the pandemic, we also recognize the strengths, the building of community and our perseverance.
The changes and challenges in schooling that have resulted for our children allow us to reflect on how we have endured such times with resilience, compassion and care for one another and ourselves.
As we reflect, let's acknowledge the impact COVID-19 has had on each of us and recognize and appreciate that everyone, including our child/ren, have their own unique experiences. As part of these reflections, please continue to consider ways you can support your mental health and well-being and that of your child/ren. Think of daily actions, even if they are small that you and your children can do everyday, such as a few minutes of deep breathing, to support positive mental health and well-being.
We are here to help support you. You can access our online resources or visit one of our caregiver virtual drop ins with a member from our Professional Support Services team”.
Important Covid-19 Reminders:
Your diligence in continuing to follow the health guidelines as outlined by TPH, TDSB and all standing guidelines in place in our building including following all of the directional signs on our doors, hallways and classrooms is of utmost importance as we continue to do our part in slowing the spread of Covid-19.
We are working together to keeping everyone healthy and safe and we remind you of the importance in continuing to wear your mask that fits well, covering your nose, mouth and chin.
We re-emphasize the importance of socially distancing, keeping a 2 meter/6ft distance from one another and consistently exercising proper hand-washing and utilizing hand sanitizer.
Please remember to complete your health screening prior to leaving home. It is important to also note the latest screening question regarding anyone in your household having one or more symptoms. It is required that if anyone in the household has one or more symptoms, please stay home. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at the school directly by phone, visiting the TDSB website or the TPH website. Thank you.
Latest Covid-19 Update Letter to Parents/Guardians from TPH:
Letter to Parents/Guardians from TPH (Feb 24, 2021) - VOC
Official Letter from TPH regarding Return to In-Person Learning - February 16:
https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Portals/0/docs/Changes-to-School-Screening-tools-Letter-to-Parent-Guardian-Feb12.pdf
Student Screening Tool and Next Steps Guide:
https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/94e5-Survey-poster-Schools.pdf
TDSB Paper Health Pass (for printing):
https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Portals/0/docs/TDSB%20Student%20health%20pass_feb%202021.pdf
TPH Important info and Mask Guide: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-protect-yourself-others/covid-19-reduce-virus-spread/?accordion=face-masks-coverings
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
Get to Know Our Teachers
We are currently accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year.
How to Apply:
- Complete the Optional Attendance Form
- Complete the Application to Mountview Alternative Junior and Middle School for the 2021/2022
All sections of this application must be completed in order to be eligible for the lottery.
Application forms must be received by Friday, February 12th, 2021 by 4:00 p.m.
How to Submit Your Application:
The parent/guardian will complete the Optional Attendance form and will email the completed form to the home school principal. The form may be sent as a pdf or photo.
The home school principal or designate (VP, office staff, etc.) will sign and email the form(s) to the receiving school (Mountview).
Mountview Alternative will confirm receipt of the form(s) by way of email reply to the sending school.
- The home school will communicate with families that the Optional Attendance Form was signed, sent and received by Mountview Alternative.
Selection Process:
The selection process will be determined by a lottery. Late applications will NOT be accepted under any circumstances.
- During the week of March 5th 2021, we will inform all applicants of their acceptance or placement on the waitlist by email, using the primary email contact provided.
- Please be sure to check your spam/junk email during this time to ensure you don't miss the email offering you a spot.
- Acceptance for the 2021-2022 school year must be confirmed using the primary email indicated on the form.
- The deadline for acceptance is Friday, March 26th, by 4:00 pm, after this date families on the waitlist will be contacted.
- If any selected student declines an offer of admission, the next student on the waitlist will be contacted and offered that spot. All applicants not offered a spot will be placed on the waitlist. The waitlist will be cleared on September 30, 2021.
If you have any questions or concerns about this process, please get in touch with Mountview by emailing our Office Administrator, Patricia Tovar at patricia.tovarromero@tdsb.on.ca
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Mountview is a community of five classrooms. The small community fosters deep, meaningful relationships with one another. In this interactive setting, the aim is for each student to share their unique abilities and perspectives with one another. For our collaborative staff, the close relationships achieved in this setting allows us to gain multiple perspectives on the strengths and needs of each student.
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We are always looking for ways to strengthen our community, not only within the individual classrooms and in the school, but also within the broader local community and the world.
A New Chapter
We are in our second year at Runnymede Collegiate Institute, which makes us only one of two elementary schools to share a building with a high school in the TDSB! Our outdoor space is also complete, and supports lots of wonderful outdoor learning!