St Andrews Public School

We Missed You!

 The start of the 2020-2021

school year is

September the 15th, 2020

In-class and Remote

(Note: There will be a staggered opening (different grades start on different days) so please monitor the TDSB Return to School Website and the August 24th letter below for updates and current information.)
 

 

Here is a link to a helpful video about preparing for back-to-school.

Preparing for Back to School

 

August 24th letter to parents regarding the 2020-2021 school year:

Parent/Guardian Letter August 24, 2020

 

Please use the link below to go to the TDSB's Returning to School Information Website:

TDSB Return to School Information Website

 

Update Letter to Parents and Guardians - August 20, 2020

TDSB to Delay Start of School Year and Comments on Class Sizes

 

Video for Kids about why we wear masks:

Why We Wear Masks

 

Video: Savvy teen explains how to wear a mask at school (what to do and what not to do).

How to Wear a Mask at School

 

July 30th letter from TDSB's Carlene Jackson, Interim Director of Education and Robin Pilkey, Chair.

July 30 Letter to Parents from TDSB Director and Chair

 

Returning to School: A Guide to the Safe Reopening of the TDSB

The Toronto District school Board has released its plan for reopening schools this September to parents and says that it will start asking them this week to indicate where their kids will be learning in the fall.

Titled “Returning to School: A Guide to the Safe Reopening of the TDSB,” the document outlines the school board’s plans for health and safety measures, learning models, and other supports in schools this September.

Returning to School: A Guide to the Safe Reopening of the TDSB

 

Parent Pre-Registration Survey Information:

Parents and guardians as well as adult learners received a letter on August 11 outlining the purpose of the Pre-registration School Messenger telephone call or the option to instead answer questions online and other important information.

Please note: The telephone call you receive from School Messenger will display a “1-833” number. That is the same number we use for Attendance calls.

If you choose not to send your child to school for in-person learning in September, a fully remote learning model will be available for your child at home.

Parent Pre-Registration Survey

 

TDSB Webinar to discuss the reopening of TDSB schools 

- Thursday, August 13, 2020, 6:30 to 8:30.

TDSB Webinar - Thursday, August 13 from 6:30 to 8:30

 

TDSB Re:Government Stated Options for Opening in September

 

Mrs. Rainford's letter to parents and guardians:

Mrs. Rainford's Letter of June 1, 2020

 

 

Please use the link below to find the June 2020 newsletter from our Ward 17 Trustee, David Smith.

Trustee David Smith's Newsletter

Hearts and Minds

Please review the links below for fire safetly information provided by Toronto Fire Services.

Alarmed for Life

Highrise Pamphlet

Cooking and Smoking Safety Information

 

June 4, 2020: Ministry of Education letter regarding current COVID-19 testing guidelines.

June 4, 2020 Provincial COVID- 19 Testing Guidelines

 

Anti-predjudice Resources

Resources for Culturally Appropriate-Race/Gender Identity

 

Here is a letter from Director of Education for the Toronto District School Board regarding:

RETRIEVAL OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS,

REPORT CARDS, ETC.

May 29 - Retrieval of Belongings, Etc.

 

Use the links below to see information from the Government of Ontario and the Toronto District School Board stating that schools will be closed for the remainder of this school year.  Distance Learning will continue.

Government of Ontario School Closure Announcement

May 19 - TDSB School Closure Announcement

May 19 - Ministry of Education School Closure Announcement

 

The Province of Ontario, Ministry of Education, and the Director of Education for the Toronto District School Board, John Malloy, have informed us that Schools will remain closed. It is uncertain, at this time, when the schools will be able to re-open. Please read the letter from TDSB Director John Malloy below.

April 14 Letter to Parents from TDSB Director John Malloy

 

Toronto Star Article, April 17 - TDSB Working around-the-clock to provide laptops/iPads to students who need them to be able to participate in Distance Learning (Registering for this service has now been closed).

Laptops and iPads for Students

 

Previous media updates are included in the video below. 

CP24 - Information about School Closures

 

What you need to know about Ontario's new learning at home:

Ontario At-Home Learning

 

April 22 Update

TORONTO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

School maintenance: During the school closure, caretaking/trades staff are spending a limited amount of time in buildings to ensure essential systems are working and that the buildings are secure. Only critical or safety-related projects are being addressed at this time.

New schools under construction: All construction activities at the TDSB have been halted as per provincial legislation.

Planning for remainder of the school year and for next year: Currently, the TDSB is focused on ensuring remote learning is up and running. In the meantime, the board is waiting for additional details from the Ministry of Education and public health officials as to what next steps may look like.

Kindergarten registration: Online kindergarten registration continues as normal. Families are encouraged to register their child to begin school in the fall using the Kindergarten Registration online site. The in-person component will be completed at a later date.

From TDSB Psychological Services to Your Family:

 TDSB Hearts and Minds

Podcast:   Keeping Kids with ADHD in Study Mode

Anxiety Canada: Covid-19 Articles

 Hand Up for Kids Food Program Hand Up for Kids

 Tips for Families in Uncertain Times  Tips for Families

 

Please use the link below to find government information regarding learning at home. This site also contains lots of online educational websites suitable for parents to use with their children.

ONTARIO.CA/LEARNATHOME

 

TDSB's IT Department - Guardians Guide to Google Tools

Guardians Guide to Google Tools

TDSB's IT Department - Guardians Guiide to Google Classroom, Brightspace, Student Password and Device Help.

Guardians Guide to Classroom, Brightspace, Password Reset, and more

 

TDSB Online Virtual Library has lots of great links to subject specific resources.

  TDSB Online Virtual Library 

 

Please find below a link to Ms. Awara explaining how parents can login to Google Classroom.

 

How to Login to Google Classroom

 

Here is a slide show that helps you to login to Google Classroom. 

Slide Show Explaining How to Login to Google Classroom

 

School Settlement workers are working remotely and have been reaching out and assisting newcomer families via phones, emails and other social media platforms.

They can:

1. offer one on one supportive counselling in multiple languages
2. connect parents to community resources (i.e. food banks, housing help)
3. assist parents with applying for EI and other financial supports recently opened for families in need
4. connect youth and parents to relevant mental health resources
5. participate in team meetings for newcomer parents (even remotely with social workers, and teachers as per past practice);
6. assist ESL teachers in reaching out to newly arrived students

Settlement Workers are also continuing to engage youth and parents in group settings online to provide information in the areas of health and wellness, safety,

community and government resources as well as holding weekly check in groups to just talk and share ideas, challenges and positivity.

Contact Information for Settlement Workers

Please check for current Food Bank schedules:

Soup Kitchens:

5N2 Kitchens – 2050 Ellesmere Rd
(647) 993-9513, 5n2kitchens@gmail.com
http://5n2kitchen.com
12-2 Every Day 

*During this outbreak of Covid-19, 5n2kitchens will be offering a free meal delivery service to our neighbours who are struggling to make it through this crisis. Please visit http://5n2kitchen.com, to view a form that agencies or residents can fill out to see if 5N2 Kitchens can support in providing free food delivery services. 

Food Banks: 

Salvation Army, Cedarbrae Family Services
2085 Ellesmere Rd Toronto, ON M1H 2W6 
416-438-2573 cedarbraefs@gmail.com
www.salvationarmy.ca
Mon 9:30 am-12:30 pm, Thu-Fri 9:30 am-2:30 pm

Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities
4100 Lawrence Ave E Scarborough, ON
416-847-4147, ask@schcontario.ca
www.schcontario.ca
Wednesday 12:30-3:30 Thursday 2-4:30 Friday 10:30-1 

Scarborough Good Neighbours Drop-In
193 Markham Rd Toronto, ON M1J 3C3 647-358-4105 

good.neighbours.108@gmail.com
goodneighboursmission.org
On Fridays, open at 9:30 a.m. for breakfast, and from 12 to 1 p.m. for lunch 

West Hill Community Food Bank
4205 Lawrence Ave E Toronto, ON M1E 4S6
416-335-8829
Thu 2 pm-5 pm 

Meals Program for International Students and Others in Need Jame Abu Bakr Siddique - Scarborough Muslim Association
For Assistance and Details please CALL:
Mushtak Patel: 647-239-9041
Saleh Hafejee: 416-706-3234
Zakir Patel: 416-561-7973
Iqbal Pachbhaya: 416-543-7717 

Cedarbrae Library Pop-Up Food Bank
545 Markham Rd
416-203-0050
Tuesdays 2-4 pm

Re-Opening on Saturday April 11, 2020
Food Pantry at Morningside
90 Mornelle Court, Bsmt Toronto, ON M1E 4P9
647-762-4670, info@csagss.org
www.csagss.org
Saturdays 2-4 (beginning April 11, 2020)

Emergency Food Bank/Deacon's Cupboard
Christ Church Scarborough Village, Anglican 155 Markham Road
416-261-4169
Thursdays, 9:30-10:30

Other Services:

The Friendly Neighbour hotline is available for seniors in low-income housing across the GTA. Volunteers in your neighbourhood can help you pick up groceries and other essential supplies. Seniors can call 1-855-581-9580 toll free, available in 180 languages.

The Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities offer Meals on Wheels. They are currently delivering frozen meals only, once a week on Thursdays. For more information or to register, email cssintake@schcontario.ca or call 416-847-4134.

Kids and Flu

The flu germs spread when people cough, sneeze or talk. The flu germs can also live on surfaces like toys, countertops, and door handles for up to eight hours.

Students can pass the flu germs to each other, to school staff and to family members before they show symptoms. Children under five, seniors and people in poor health are at greater risk of complications from flu.

Vaccination is the best protection against flu.  It takes 2 weeks for the vaccine to be fully effective so get it early.

Tips on staying healthy this flu Season:

1. Get your flu shot early
2. Wash your hands often
3. Avoid touching face and eyes
4. Cover your cough or sneeze
5. Do not share drinking cups and utensils
6. Disinfect common surfaces like door handles, hand railings, keyboards, cell phones and tablets.

For more information, visit toronto.ca/health/flu  

Welcome to St. Andrews