West Preparatory Junior Public School

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Springtime in Toronto is always an exciting time!  From cheering on our beloved Toronto Maple Leafs and Raptors’ playoff runs … the excitement that comes with the opening of a new season for the Blue Jays and Toronto F.C. and just the simple fact that we’re able to spend more time outdoors….Spring is here! 

This year has been unlike any other year, but our staff continue to work hard to make every student’s experience a positive one in light of everything that we are dealing with.  Many days at school we forget that we are in the midst of a pandemic as our staff continue to provide learning and fun for all of our students.

We ask that you please pay close attention to this newsletter as there is lots of information that we all need to be aware of as we continue to keep safe.  In the meantime, please stay connected with us through our Twitter page: twitter.com/tdsb_westprep as well as our school website – schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/westprep - to find out more about all of the exciting happenings that are going on at your favourite school – West Preparatory P.S. ! 

TDSB & Toronto Public Health Protocols

We need everyone's help. We remind everyone that students, staff and families alike are required to wear masks/face coverings on school property at all times during morning drop off and afternoon pick up. All of us need to help maintain the health and safety of our entire West Prep community. Once children and families are off school property, and able to physically distance are they able to take off their masks.  Thank you everyone for doing your part in helping us to keep our school open and safe.

Health & Safety

Message from Toronto Public Health

Toronto is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases and specifically the variants of concern throughout the city. Nearby schools have recently had to dismiss classes due to positive cases in their communities.  Let’s all do our part to keep our school safe and covid free.  During this time please continue with daily COVID-19 symptom screening for students, and adults. If anyone in your household has one or more, new or worsening symptoms of COVID-19 they should arrange to get tested as soon as possible or contact their health care provider. For more information about COVID-19 testing along with a list of places you can go for testing, please visit COVID-19 testing. Please continue to visit www.toronto.ca/COVID19 to stay up-to-date.

Gatherings on School Property

In compliance with Toronto Public Health and TDSB operational guidelines during the pandemic, we are required to avoid large gatherings. Typically the morning drop-off and afterschool pick-up is a time that we have 100’s of people in our yard. In order to maximize safety at school, we ask all students and families to help by doing the following:

Drop-Off

• Upon arrival onto school grounds, everyone: students, staff and families, must wear a mask in the schoolyard
• Students and families please do not arrive any earlier than 8:40am
• Only one family member to drop-off a child in the schoolyard
• Once your child’s teacher is outside, family members are asked to please leave the schoolyard promptly

Pick-up

• Upon arrival onto school grounds, everyone, students, staff and families must wear a mask in the schoolyard
• Kindergarten families do not arrive any earlier than 3:00pm
• Primary & Junior families do not arrive any earlier than 3:10pm
• Students and families please leave the schoolyard as soon as their child/ren has been picked up.

We depend on your help to keep our school open and our community safe. By working together, and by every one of us doing our part, we can keep each other safe.

Toronto Public Health Video

Recently, Toronto Public Health put together this video to help all families understand what we as a school community can do to prevent Covid-19 spread and stay safe both at school and at home. Please take the time to watch this very informative video with your family. https://youtu.be/cVMdD6FDmLM

West Prep Operational Guidelines

Since the beginning of the year we have had to make adjustments to our regular school day due to Covid-19 safety protocols.  We have created our 2020-2021 School Operational Guidelines based on Toronto District School Board and Toronto Public Health school protocols.  As new information is sent out, we update the easy to read Google Slide Deck in hopes that, if we all do our part, we will keep our school and community covid free.  Please take a look at the Google Slide Deck with your family every so often.

Dropping Off Items

We ask all families to help their child to make sure that they come to school prepared with everything they need for the day, lunch, water bottle, running shoes, etc. as visitors to the building are not allowed as we try and maintain a covid-safe environment.

HEPA Filters

We recently received our allotted number of HEPA filter units from the TDSB.  All schools are in the process of receiving these units that will help facilitate air circulation in each classroom.  At West Prep we are very fortunate that every classroom in our school has windows that open to allow for fresh air to come into our building.  These units are an added bonus to help circulate airflow throughout.

Mental Health

School Mental Health Ontario

During these challenging times, you may be worried about your child(ren)’s mental health and well-being. You may notice that they are anxious or unsettled, and perhaps have told you that they are worried about someone in the family getting the virus. They may be confused about why usual activities are disrupted or may be disappointed to miss something that they were looking forward to. All of these things are very natural at this uncertain time. SMHO has put together a parent resource that can be found here to help us answer some of the questions that our children may have.  https://smho-smso.ca/covid-19/parents-and-families/

Sick Kids – About Kids Health

Sick Kids hospital has put together a nice resource/hub that includes resources on COVID-19 and how to help families cope. There are resources on how to support your child's mental health and general wellbeing through physical activity, sleep, nutrition and learning. Also included are videos and audio meditations to help you cope with stressful thoughts and experiences that occur throughout your day. https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/covid-19

Student Drop-Off & Pick-Up

Thank you to everyone who has made safer and alternate arrangements to drop off and pick up children so that our school and community at large is safe for everyone.  

DO NOT STOP OR PARK YOUR VEHICLE IN NO PARKING, NO STOPPING AREAS & IN FRONT OF PRIVATE DRIVEWAYS AROUND OUR SCHOOL!

Designated Drop-Off and Pick-Up Area and Time Limits around the School

• Old Park Road - 15 Minute Parking: 8:15-9:15 am & 11:15 am-1:15 pm & 3:00-4:00 pm
• Ridge Hill Drive - 20 Minute Parking: 8:30-9:30am only
• Shallmar and Ridge Hill West of Aldburn have longer time limits for parking
• Aldburn Cres. (Westbound Side) - No Stopping/No Parking, 8am to 6pm
• Glenarden Rd.(Northbound Side) - No Stopping/No Parking, 8am to 6pm

When you need to park your vehicle, Shallmar Blvd. is a good area to park your vehicle and to walk safely across the street with the help of our crossing guard.  On the west side of the school, Aldburn Rd. on the south side is also viable, but further away from the school as possible.  Please make sure to walk with your child on the north side sidewalk.  We ask that you be mindful of where you park or stop your vehicle in relation to student safety.  Let’s all do our part to make sure that all of our students and families are safe at all times.

Walking To School

With the warmer temperatures and the importance of getting outside as often as possible, many students are now walking to school.  Please help reinforce the importance of being safe at all times by following the tips below:

• Practice good role modeling by walking with your child and showing them road safety rules so that they can develop good habits
• Remember children learn from seeing and doing!
• Wear the right clothing. Bundle up in the winter and protect your skin in the summer with a hat and clothing. And always wear sunscreen and sunglasses all year round. Remember to wear bright, reflective clothing or accessories in cloudy or dark conditions so drivers can see you better
• Teach your child to use their eyes and ears. Always stop, look and listen, even if there is a crossing guard, or traffic signals to help them
• Stop and check that cars in every lane can see you and make eye contact with the drivers. Wait until drivers have stopped before crossing the road
• Look left, right and left again. When the way is clear, or all the cars at the crosswalk or intersection have come to a full stop, teach your child to cross the road, and not to turn back or run. Children should be told not to cross between parked cars, or in the middle of a street, but at a corner
• Listen to oncoming traffic and be alert. Make it a rule for your child to not use headphones or cellphones when walking, especially when they are crossing the road. Distractions, even talking while walking, can put children in danger of being hit by a car
• Walk, don't run, while crossing the street. By running, you risk tripping and falling in the middle of the road

Wheeled Vehicles

Scooters, Roller Blades, Bicycles and Skateboards are excellent modes of transportation, however for everyone’s safety, they are not to be used on school property between 8:15am and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.  To promote a safe learning environment, students are expected to walk their bicycles to the racks and carry their skateboards, rollerblades and scooters while on school property during school hours.  Let’s all be safe!

Dogs on School Property

With the exception of service animals, dogs are NOT allowed on TDSB property AT ANY TIME.  It is a health and safety concern for all schools. We wish to keep the grounds and playing areas free from dog excrement and in addition, dogs on school property during the school day pose a potential safety risk for children. Furthermore, dogs should never be left tied up and unattended at any of the school fences. Thanks for helping to make our school and its surroundings a safe place for everyone.

Earth Hour

This Earth Hour, millions around the world will be turning off the lights and speaking up why nature matters. Join TDSB schools and offices as we celebrate Earth Hour by turning off unnecessary lights and unplugging electronic devices. Additionally, families and community members can participate on Saturday, March 27 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Consider registering your actions or event at the Global Earth Hour website.  We will be celebrating Earth Hour at West Prep on Friday, March 26^th.  We will be turning off non-essential lights and electronics to do our part.

Day of Pink

On April 21^st  our students and staff will wear pink to celebrate The International Day of Pink. A day of action, born when a youth in a high school in Cambridge, Nova Scotia was bullied because he wore a pink shirt to school. His fellow students decided to stand up to bullying; and hundreds of students came to school wearing pink to show support for diversity and stopping discrimination.  The Day of Pink is more than just a symbol of a shared belief in celebrating diversity—it is also a commitment to being open minded, accepting differences and learning to respect one another.  At West Prep and across the TDSB, we participate in the Day of Pink to stand up to discrimination and to celebrate kindness and inclusivity, attributes that are well evident at our school on a daily basis!  Join us on April 21^st and wear Pink!

April Break camps

The City of Toronto is running both in-person and virtual April Break camps.  You can find out more information here: https://efun.toronto.ca/torontofun/Start/Start.asp

Kindergarten Registration

Ms. Ramcharan has been extremely busy accepting registrations for the upcoming school year. Children who will be four by December 31, 2021, can start Junior Kindergarten in September 2021.  To begin the registration process, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/EarlyYears/KindergartenMonth.

Only parents or legal guardians can register a child for TDSB programs. To Register, parents/guardians must bring proof of their child's:

• age (a birth certificate or baptismal record or passport)
• address that identifies the parent’s name (e.g., two pieces of identification that show an address within West Prep’s boundary, such as an income tax form, property tax bill, utility bill, rental or lease agreement)
• immunization record

Elementary Summer School 2021 – Registration Now Open!

The focus of the Elementary Summer School Program is to support student learning and engagement through the month of July. Programs, embedded in Literacy and Numeracy, are developed by the local summer school principal to reflect the local school focus.  Thirty-eight programs are offered to students in Kindergarten to Grade 8, from July 5 – 30, 2021, in-person or online through virtual instruction.  Registration is now open! Click here for a full list of participating schools and registration information.

Adult Learners

The TDSB serves adults at all stages in their lives and careers through our credit programs, general interest courses and ESL classes.

Continue to learn with us!

• Earn high school credits in night school or at an adult high school
• Take up a hobby, stay fit, learn a language or gain new skills with our Community Programs
• Use our Employment Services, Skills Development or Settlement Services
• Learn English as a Second Language and get your TESL Certification

February is Kindergarten Registration Month

Come Learn With Us!

Registration for all TDSB Kindergarten programs has begun. Children who will be four by December 31, 2021, can start Junior Kindergarten in September 2021.

Read more here https://www.tdsb.on.ca/EarlyYears/KindergartenMonth

Message From Toronto Public Health:

February 11, 2021

Dear Parent/Guardian:

To add protections for our school communities from COVID-19 and its variants, Toronto Public Health has made some important changes. As schools in Toronto re-open for in-person learning on February 16th, 2021, we want you to be aware of changes that have been made to the school screening tool for staff/visitors and students JK-12.

Make COVID-19 symptom screening part of your morning routine. Everyone in your household must complete the screening before school every day.

Changes to the school screening tool include the following:

• Household member has symptoms: If anyone in your household has one or more COVID-19 symptoms, all children and adults who attend a school setting must stay home from school until COVID-19 has been ruled out. If the household member with one or more symptoms does not go for testing, the children and adults in the home who attend a school setting must stay home for 10 days.
• Household member has travelled: If anyone in your household has travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days, all children and adults who attend a school setting must stay home from school until the person who travelled completes the federally-required 14 days of self-isolation. If the individual is exempt from this self-isolation because they perform an essential job (e.g. truck driver, pilot), the rest of the household can still attend school.
• Close contact of someone who had COVID-19: If anyone in your household is self-isolating at home because they were a close contact of someone who had COVID-19, all children in the household will need to stay home from school until the person who was a close contact completes the 14 days of self-isolation.

Symptoms on the screening tools that remain the same:

If students or staff/visitors have one or more new or worsening symptoms they must stay home, self-isolate and arrange to get tested. Please see Follow-Up Instructions for School Students, Staff and Visitors tested for COVID-19 for more information.

Adults who do not attend a school setting:

Adults in your household who do not attend a school setting can continue to go to work as long as they do not have symptoms of COVID-19, are not a close contact of a positive case, and have not travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days.

Thank you for all that you are doing to keep our schools and communities safe. Please continue to visit our website at: www.toronto.ca/COVID19 to stay up-to-date. Information specific to school communities is available at: COVID-19 school information for parents & caregivers.

Yours truly,

Nicole Welch

Director

COVID-19 Liaison

Chief Nursing Officer

February 8, 2021

Re: Return to in-person learning at school

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Schools in Toronto are planning to re-open for in-person learning on February 16, 2021. Toronto Public Health (TPH) has important reminders to help you prepare your child for the return to school.

How to prepare for return to in-person learning:

• Daily screening: Starting today for everyone in your household complete the updated COVID-19 symptom screening for students and adults every day.
• Get tested: If anyone in your household has one or more new or worsening symptoms of COVID-19, they should get tested as soon as possible. Everyone in the house will need to stay home if someone in the home is sick with a COVID-19 symptom. More pop-up testing sites will be made available this week through our testing partners.
• Pack your mask: Students are required to wear a mask properly at all times except when having a mask break or eating lunch. Pack an extra mask in case your child needs to change it.
• Stay-at-home except to attend work: Continue to support stay-at-home measures in order to keep schools as safe as possible. Stay at home except for work, essential shopping, outdoor exercise, or healthcare appointments. Limit contact outside of school/work to only the people you live with.

When at school for in-person learning:

• Confirmation of screening: Students should bring a paper record or show your school's app to confirm that screening has been completed before starting school each day.
• Follow prevention measures: Students should wash or sanitize their hands frequently, stay at least six feet/two metres from others as much as possible, wear a well-fitting mask, and stay home when sick.
• Mask breaks: Students must ensure physical distancing is maintained when taking short mask breaks outdoors or indoors or to eat lunch/snacks.
• Stay-at-home except to attend school or work: Students can attend school each day, but should not gather with others, even those in their cohort. Continue to support stay-at-home measures to keep schools as safe as possible. Stay at home except to attend school, exercise outdoors or for healthcare appointments. Limit contact outside of school to only the people you live with.

COVID-19 continues to circulate in our community. TPH is prepared to respond if COVID-19 is detected related to the school. We have increased our capacity to do full case and contact investigations, co-ordinate testing when a cohort is dismissed, and communicate with schools and families about what they need to do.

TPH will continue to work with schools, staff and parents to keep schools safe, including:

• When a staff member or student who attends school tests positive, TPH will identify their close contacts using the cohort approach. Students may belong to a classroom, bus or before/after school cohort. These cohorts will be dismissed from school and directed to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact with the case. This message may come from your Principal or from TPH.
• If your child is identified as a close contact, they will receive a letter from TPH. The letter will recommend testing even if your child is not sick, and include the dates that your child must self-isolate at home. It will also include information about where to get tested. Please bring your letter to the testing location as the letter includes a unique identification number, which will help TPH to complete the investigation.
• TPH may recommend expanded testing for the entire school if there are: a) multiple cohorts who were dismissed; or b) there is someone who had COVID-19 related to the school setting and we are not clear on where the person got COVID-19. TPH will provide a letter to parents to provide details on the expanded testing clinics.
• Testing is completed by testing centres, not TPH. We are working with testing centres to reduce barriers to getting tested. This may include dedicated hours at an assessment centre for your child, on-site school testing, or take-home test kits.
• If your child develops a new or worsening symptom of COVID-19, they should be tested as soon as possible and self-isolate at home. Please bring your letter to the testing site as the letter may include a unique identification number, which will help TPH complete the investigation.

Thank you for all that you are doing to help keep our schools and communities safe. Please continue to visit our website at: www.toronto.ca/COVID19 to stay up-to-date. Information specific to school communities is available at: COVID-19 school information for parents & caregivers.

Yours truly,

Nicole Welch

Director

COVID-19 Liaision

Chief Nursing Officer

Message from the TDSB:

Good Afternoon Parents/Guardians and Students,

Today, the Government of Ontario announced new measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the province. As part of today’s announcement, the government has said that all schools in Toronto will remain closed to students and staff until Wednesday, February 10. During the closure period, remote learning will continue, as will in-person supports for students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning.

Our schools will continue to support all families to ensure that learning can continue as best as possible during the closure, although we recognize that everyone is trying their best to balance life, work, childcare, and remote learning, among other things right now. While we believe the continuation of learning is important, the mental health and well-being of our students is just as important. We would encourage parents/guardians to review these important resources that we have compiled that may help support your children during this challenging period.

We know the current situation is far from ideal for many of our families, but we will continue to support you as best we can during this time. Should you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your school.

Current Gr. 6 students' Parents/Guardians,

The Toronto District School Board is adjusting the Optional Attendance process due to school closures and the heightened need to reduce potential Covid-19 exposures. 

As such, the following process will be in place for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year for students applying to a school via Optional Attendance.

The parent/guardian will complete the Optional Attendance form and will email the completed form to the current school ( WestPreparatoryPSJr@tdsb.on.ca ) and their child's homeroom teacher, Mrs. Orlando or Mr. Papachristos. The completed form may be sent as a scan, a photo or a screengrab: Optional Attendance Form for Elementary School Application.

• Once the optional attendance form is received the current school will email the form(s) to the receiving school
• The receiving school will confirm receipt of the form(s) by way of email reply to the sending school
• The current school will communicate with families that the Optional Attendance Form was sent and received by the receiving school 
• All current timelines are still in effect. Forms for elementary schools by February 12, 2021.

Elementary Optional Attendance Key Dates:

February 12, 2021
Optional attendance forms due at elementary school

March 5, 2021
Deadline for parents/guardians to be informed of the status of the application request

March 26, 2021
Parents/guardians must inform the requested school of their acceptance of the offer

Happy New Year,

On behalf of our entire West Prep staff, we would like to wish you and your family a healthy and prosperous new year!

As you are aware the Government of Ontario has announced 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, schools will be shifting to remote learning. Click here for more information (including a parent/guardian letter that has been translated into multiple languages).

At West Prep our staff have been preparing and are in the process of connecting with students and families to provide more information and begin the shift to remote learning. If your child/ren requires a device, please connect with your child's teacher by no later than Tuesday, January 5th, in order for us to process technology requests.

Classes will start on Monday, January 4th, a Day 3 on our schedule. School will begin as normal by 9am and end by 3:20pm. Throughout the day, students will be learning synchronously (live interaction) and asynchronously (independent learning) with their classroom teacher as well as rotary teachers. In essence we are shifting our regular school timetable online, with minor adjustments to the day.

As per in-person school, students are expected to attend all classes and attendance will be taken as normal during this remote learning period. If your child/ren will be away or late to arrive to learn, we ask that you contact your child's teacher in advance and/or contact our school office.

We ask that all students and families read over the TDSB Code of Online Conduct and the TDSB Virtual Learning Code.

It goes without saying that we are in the midst of a pandemic where 'normality' has been disrupted. We will continue to work together, be flexible and with your support we know that we will overcome any challenges that come our way.

The next opportunity to request a switch between in-person learning and virtual learning was originally scheduled for the end of January (to take effect February 16). At this time, the TDSB is requesting that parents/guardians complete a switching survey to indicate if your child is interested in switching at the next opportunity. Please note that this survey does not guarantee that a switch will be possible. The information gathered will help inform the board's decision-making for this last opportunity to switch for the 2020-2021 school year. If you have filled out the switching survey already, you do not need to complete it again.

Please respond no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, January 4, 2021. Complete the Survey

For more information, please read the parent/guardian elementary switching letter below.

December 15: Elementary Switching Parent/Guardian Letter

Please note: This program will replace the Junior Extended French program as the Grade 4 entry program in TDSB.

For families interested in the Toronto District School Board's system-wide Middle French we offer an online process to apply. For details, please see the downloadable information package https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Elementary-School/School-Choices/French-Programs/Application-Process/Middle-French-Immersion

To apply for the MFI (Grade 4 entry) for September 2021, applications must be completed online between January 4 and January 29, 2021. An offer of placement in the program (a specific school) is guaranteed to all on-time applicants and will be made in the weeks following the close of the application window. Please note: Families with an older sibling currently enrolled in a French program and who will be in attendance next year are still required to complete an online application for the new student. Please select the “sibling option” within the online application.

Virtual Web Chat Information Sessions for families interested in the MFI (Grade 4 Entry) application and placement process will be held in January 2021. For more information, please join us on one of these dates and times listed below:

• January 14, 2021 – 10 a.m.
• January 21, 2021 – 7 p.m.
• January 27, 2021 – 7 p.m. 

Please note: To participate in a live scheduled web chat, please visit this web page and a link will be available to join on the dates/times as outlined above.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

With the colder weather upon us, and the likelihood of severe weather conditions, we want to take this opportunity to review the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Severe Weather Procedure with our schools and families.

From time to time it is necessary to cancel school buses, classes and/or programs due to severe weather. On rare occasions, severe weather makes it necessary to close schools, administrative offices or sites. These decisions can have a significant impact on thousands of families across Toronto and are not taken lightly.

If Environment Canada forecasts poor weather conditions (including ice and significant snow), the Toronto Student Transportation Group (TSTG), the TDSB and Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) teams will assess and monitor the situation overnight and into the early morning in order to determine any necessary bus cancellations and school closures.

If Busses are Cancelled: As more than 93% of TDSB students who are currently attending in-person school do not use a school bus, schools will remain open. Families must make alternative arrangements to transport their children to school. Students who receive bus transportation receive updates regarding their transportation via TSTG.

If Busses are Cancelled and Schools are Closed: The decision to close schools (which would include child cares and Extended Day Programs) will be determined by the TDSB and the TCDSB by 6 a.m. in order for families to make alternative arrangements. In addition to updates being posted on the TDSB website and on Twitter, families will receive a notice from School Messenger only if schools are closed. *Please note that Virtual Schools will not operate and we will not be providing remote learning on days when schools are closed due to severe weather.

It’s important to note that when schools remain open on days with severe weather, parents/guardians make the final decision on whether to send their children to school and they can keep children home from school if they choose.

While the Severe Weather Procedure remains the same as it has in previous years, the current COVID-19 pandemic will be an important factor in any decision we make and we will ensure that all necessary health and safety precautions are being followed. With that in mind, staff will continue to closely monitor severe weather impacts on TDSB students, families, staff, and operations, and adjustments will be made if necessary. Please know that the safety and well-being of all students and staff is deeply important to us at the TDSB and we will continue to consult with Toronto Public Health regarding any necessary changes that be needed.

We encourage you to keep this information for your reference at home. Should you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child’s school principal.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

December 4th, 2020

Good afternoon Parents and Guardians,

Toronto Public Health announced today that it has updated its COVID-19 student screening tool to prevent further opportunities for virus spread.

As part of this guidance, if a child has one or more new, or worsening COVID-19 symptoms, parents will now be required to:

• Keep their child home.
• Keep siblings and other children home, even if they do not have symptoms.
• Arrange for the child to get tested or contact their health care provider.
• Without testing, the child must stay home for 10 days.
• Monitor the family for symptoms. Adults must stay home if they have one or more symptom.

The TDSB takes its lead from Toronto Public Health and will begin using this new screening guidance starting Monday, December 7, 2020.

Based on this update, here is the new Lockdown (Grey Zone under the Provincial COVID-19 Response Framework), Toronto Public Health has updated the student screening tool, available here.

If your child has one or more symptoms of COVID-19, under the new screening requirements, you need to:

• Keep your child home, even if the symptoms are mild.
• All the children in the same home must also stay home.
• Arrange for your child to get tested at an Assessment Centre. Contact your health care provider, if needed.
• Your child and their siblings may return to school if the test is negative.
• Without a test, your child and their siblings must stay home for 10 days. They may return to school after 10 days if they do not have symptoms. A doctor's note is not needed for return to school.
• Monitor your family for symptoms. Adults must stay home and get tested if they have one or more symptoms.

With high rates of COVID-19 cases in Toronto, it is very important that your family members follow these public health measures:

• Stay home except for essential trips, such as work, school, or healthcare visits.
• Stay home if you are ill, even if symptoms are minor.
• Limit gatherings in your home to the people you live with. If you live alone, you may include one person from outside your household.
• Go out for fresh air and exercise only with the people you live with.
• Check in with vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours virtually or by phone.
• Download the COVID Alert App to be notified if you were close to someone who is contagious with COVID-19.

More information on the Grey Lockdown restrictions is available here. Visit school information for parents & caregivers regularly for updates.

Yours truly,

Nicole Welch RN. BSc. MSc.

Director, Toronto Public Health

Our Public Health Nurse shared some relevant information with us.  We look forward to meeting for a Fireside Chat with our TPH nurse in January.  Stay tuned for more details coming soon.  In the meantime, please read below.

Do's and Don'ts that have to do with social gatherings, recreation, shopping etc. for parents

https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-reopening-recovery-rebuild/covid-19-guide-for-toronto-residents/

The guidelines reiterate the importance of doing activities with only those in your household and maintaining more than 2 metres between you and others outside of your household. So playdates should not happen unless outside and physically distanced for the whole duration and no more than 10 people in attendance.

Mental Health Resources

https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-protect-yourself-others/covid-19-mental-health-resources/

Household/Child Care

Don’t Have children visit your home, unless you are operating child care services as defined by the Child Care and Early Years Act.

• Playdates should be discouraged outside of the school even if it is with members of the same class cohort.
• TPH strongly encourages families who are bringing children to the school playground equipment after school hours to have children remain physically distant from other children when on equipment
• TPH strongly encourages families who are bringing children to the school playground equipment after school hours to have children practice hand hygiene before and after using equipment and to not bring hands to their face.

Is gift giving allowed in schools?

• The safest option is to not recommend the distribution of gifts in schools at this time
• Consider gift cards as gifts
• Consider donations to charitable organizations in lieu of gifts

What are the risks of getting COVID-19 from touching other student's coats or if the coats are touching when they are hung together?

• The virus does not survive on fabric and porous surfaces for long
• It is possible to get COVID-19 from touching contaminated surfaces, then touching your eyes, mouth or nose. However, the risks are extremely low, from coats touching
• Many of the infections are still from close person to person contact through respiratory droplets
• The best way to stay safe is to keep your distance, wash your hands often and wear a mask when indoors or if unable to keep your distance from others when outdoors
• If you have concerns about contaminated clothing, launder cloths according to the manufacturer's instructions, in as hot setting it's allowed

I am a close contact of someone with COVID-19, what should I do?

School staff and students exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 must:

• Stay home and self-isolate for 14 days.
• Monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.
• Get tested as soon as any symptoms develop.
• Even with no symptoms, consider getting tested.
• If person refused to get tested, they still need to stay home and self-isolate for 14 days after their last contact with the confirmed case of COVID-19.
• School staff and students who are being monitored by Toronto Public Health (e.g. confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19, close contacts of cases) must follow TPH instructions to determine when to return to the school. 

If my child/teen has a fever, or feels generally unwell, what should I do?

Parents/guardians should check their child’s temperature daily at home as well as assess their child for any symptoms related to COVID-19. If the child has a fever or has any symptoms of COVID-19, they should stay home. Do not send them to school if they have symptoms, even if it is mild. Check with your child's doctor and consider having the child tested for COVID-19

If my child/teen has one or more COVID-19 symptoms, can their sibling(s) still attend school?

If your child has one or more (new or worsening) symptoms of COVID-19, they should stay home, self-isolate and get tested.  Household members, including siblings, should monitor for symptoms for 14 days. They can go to school or work if they do not have symptoms and if the symptomatic child has not tested positive for COVID-19.  This includes while waiting for test results.  If the child has symptoms and was a close contact of someone who had COVID-19 then household members, including siblings should stay home and self-isolate.

For more information, please see: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-reopening-recovery-rebuild/covid-19-reopening-information-for-the-public/covid-19-school-information-for-parents-caregivers/

If a parent tests positive for COVID-19 and is not able to isolate from their child, how long is the isolation period for the child?

Individuals who are COVID-19 positive should isolate from the rest of their family for 10 days. If they can’t isolate, their children (close contacts) will need to isolate for 24 days in total (10 days during the parents infectious period plus 14 days after this (for the potential incubation period)).

If someone at our home tests positive for COVID-19, should our child/teen be allowed to attend school if they are feeling well?

Anyone, including school staff and students exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 must be excluded from the school setting.  Self-isolate at home and monitor for symptoms for the next 14 days. Consider getting tested for COVID-19.  School staff and students who are being monitored by TPH will be given instructions for return to the school. School staff must also report to their occupational health and safety department prior to return to work when applicable. For more information, please see: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-reopening-recovery-rebuild/covid-19-reopening-information-for-the-public/covid-19-school-information-for-parents-caregivers/

What do I do if someone at my child/teens school or class cohort tests positive for COVID-19?

Parents will be notified by the school and Toronto Public Health if there is a positive case in the school. The identity of the person who tested positive for COVID-19 will not be shared as this is personal health information. It is important to remember that not all students are at-risk if there is a positive case in the school. The main concern is for close contacts of the person who has COVID-19.

How do I know if my child/teen is a close contact of the person who tested positive for COVID-19 at the school?

Toronto Public Health will follow up with the person who tested positive to find out where they may have gotten the infection, and who they may have exposed to the virus. We will work with the school, to find out who they were in contact with at the school while they were contagious. When a person with COVID-19 is first identified, all students in the same class cohort will likely be told to self-isolate at home. This may change as Toronto Public Health finds out more information through the investigation. If the source of the infection was outside of the school, and the person was not contagious while they were at school, then the class cohort will not need to self-isolate.  

What do I do if my child/teen is a close contact of the person who tested positive for COVID-19?

Self-Monitoring and Self-Isolation. If someone was contagious while at school, all students who are identified by Toronto Public Health as close contacts of that person will be instructed to: 

• Stay home and self-isolate for 14 days.
• Monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.
• Get tested if symptoms develop or as directed by Toronto Public Health.

As Toronto Public Health completes the investigation, if it is determined that students or staff did not have close contact with the person who had COVID-19, they will be allowed to return the classroom. Other students in the school should also monitor for symptoms if there is a positive case in a school. But if they have not been told by Toronto Public Health that they are a close contact, they do not need to self-isolate. 

The community would like to understand what the current restrictions would mean for their children social activities after school hours. Can 10 people gather together outside if they do not live under the same roof?

Trips outside the home should only be for essential reasons such as groceries, medicine health care appointments, exercise, school, child care and work that cannot be done from home.

• Under the current restrictions gatherings of 10 are permitted outdoors if everyone is physically distant from one another.
• No indoor gatherings are permitted unless with members of the same household.

With the increased number of families testing positive and quarantined at home with children still attending classes, is public health still confident that schools will remain safe?

Schools will continue to have public measures in place that help to keep schools safe. This includes screening, physical distancing between cohorts, mask use, cleaning and disinfection and hand hygiene.

If the rate is higher than those in restaurants, stores, etc. why do schools remain open?

• The number of outbreaks in schools remain relatively low in comparison to the number of schools in Toronto.
• Outbreaks refer to transmission in schools
• Many schools have COVID positive cases where the transmission has happened in the community

We’re in this Together!!

Can you believe that we’re half way through November?  Our students and staff have been working hard and doing their very best to make the best of being here at school.  A big Thank You to our West Prep staff, who under our current circumstances continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our students are happy and achieve success.  Also a big Thank You goes out to all of the West Prep families as you have adjusted to our new routines; your support is sincerely appreciated.  Let’s continue together, forward and onward, finding opportunities to better ourselves and our community as a whole.    

There’s lots of information below, but you can always follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tdsb_westprep and check out our webpage: https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/westprep every so often to stay abreast of all the amazing things that are happening at our school.

French Programs Application Deadline Early French Immersion Parent/Guardian Information Sessions

This year, there will be three virtual (online webchat) information sessions for parents/guardians interested in the Early French Immersion (SK entry) application process. For more information on dates/times for each virtual online webchat session, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/French website or click on Information Sessions.  Early French Immersion (SK Entry) Application – The Early French Immersion (SK entry) application process opens on November 2 and closes on November 27. For more information or to apply online, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/French website or click on Application Process.

West Prep Virtual Wellness Night

We are very excited to share that West Prep SAC is hosting our first ever Virtual Wellness Night on Wednesday, November 25, from 7:00-8:30pm. Join us to learn about nutrition, anxiety and stress management and ideas to stay healthy during cold and flu season from community experts.  To register and receive the zoom link, please use this updated google doc to add your name and email address: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ScW-xeTJANstzVOu8SA1T89td0A_TSv6dX5UBHY0SAw/edit

Bilingual Creative Writing workshops

Everyone is welcome to join Yannis Lobaina, internationally renowned filmmaker and storyteller, and West Prep parent J, on Friday the 20th and 27th, for a FREE Bilingual Creative Writing Workshop.  Children will learn to create “hilarious DIY story books”. For more information please click here: https://workshop.childrenart.ca/programs/creative-writing

West Prep’s Toy Mountain

We’re very excited to share that we are continuing our annual tradition of supporting CTV’s Toy Mountain toy drive. This year, due to COVID-19, we will be asking for donations of gift cards only (no toys) that can be brought to the office between November 18th to December 15th. Gift cards of any amount are welcome ($5, $10, $15, $20 etc.) and can include (but are not limited to) stores such as: Amazon, Walmart, Indigo, Toys R US, Grocery Store gift cards, Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Canadian Tire, Mall gift cards, Old Navy, Gap,  etc. We will collect all of the gift cards and present them to CTV’s Toy Mountain from all of us at West Prep the week of December 14^th.  Thank you in advance for your consideration and most importantly in support of the many children across Toronto who will benefit from your generosity.

Switching Between In-Person Learning and Virtual Learning

Families may decide to switch between in-person and virtual learning at key dates throughout the year. The key entry dates have been determined based on formal reporting and assessment periods throughout the school year. It is important to note that, for health and safety reasons, and because of the impact switching would have on staffing, physical distancing and space allocation, transitions between in-person and virtual learning can only take place at these key dates.  Requests to switch learning models prior to the next formal opportunity will be reviewed based on space availability and compassionate grounds. Learn more about criteria for switching into the Elementary Virtual School.

Middle School & High School Virtual Open Houses and Information Sessions

To help families make an informed decision when choosing a school, TDSB schools will host virtual open houses and information sessions (live or pre-recorded) for parents/guardians and students between November and January.  Learn everything you need to know about the incredible variety of schools, programs and courses.   If you have questions about a specific school or open house, please contact the school directly for more information https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Find-your/School.  Note: Please check this page regularly, as schools will continue to post information about virtual open house dates/times and available pre-recorded information sessions.  https://www.tdsb.on.ca/openhouses

International Languages Elementary & African Heritage Programs

International Languages Elementary & African Heritage Program is an enriching learning experience for K-8 students to learn a new language and discover other cultures. Open to all TDSB and non-TDSB students, programs are currently offered online and there is no language background necessary.  Registration is ongoing and can be done online by visiting www.ileprograms.ca.

General Reminders

COVID-19: Please Help To Reduce Virus Spread

Community spread is unfortunately rising in our city again.  At West Prep, we continue to follow public health guidelines to prevent community spread in order to ensure that our students continue to be safe. Let's all do what we can.

• Wash your hands 
• Watch your distance
• Wear your mask

We ask that everyone coming onto our grounds, all visitors to our schoolyard, especially during drop-off and pick-up to help us by only having one parent or caregiver enter our schoolgrounds, physically distance from one another while here, wear a mask and to please leave our schoolgrounds as soon as possible to avoid gatherings.

West Prep Covid-19 Routines
Please check our West Prep response to Covid-19 google slide presentation as it is updated with new information from Toronto Public Health and the TDSB, as it has information that benefits all of us at school in relation to Covid-19. 

Student Drop-off & Dismissal
Staff supervision in the schoolyard begins at 8:35am every day.  We ask everyone to be on schoolgrounds no earlier than 8:35am, preferably as close to 8:45am as possible to avoid a large gathering.  At no time should students be left unattended before 8:35am.  At the end of the day, Kindergarten and Primary staff dismiss students to parents/caregivers in the same area in the schoolyard where they were dropped off at in the morning, starting at 3:10pm (Kindergarten) and at 3:20pm (Gr.1-3).  Students that are not picked up on time will be brought to the office and will wait until parents/caregivers arrive. Students in grade 4-6 will be dismissed at 3:20pm. For students in grades 1- 6, the time period from 3:20pm until 3:35pm can be used at the discretion of teachers for remediation. Students will not be kept behind unless teachers inform parents.  Please make sure to advise your child’s teacher and the office, if there is any change in the drop-off or pick-up routines (e.g., the usual adult who picks up your child will be different). We cannot dismiss a child to an adult unless they are on our school contact list.  At no time are students to be left unattended in the schoolyard after 3:35pm, as school supervision ends at that time.  Students left unattended will be brought to the office until their parent/caregiver comes to pick them up from the office. 

Rainy and Cold Weather
Please be sure to check the weather prior to the start of the school day in order for children to be dressed appropriately for all kinds of weather, especially rainy and cold weather days.  We will be spending more time outdoors, so let’s be sure to dress for the weather.

Absences
If your child(ren) will be away, it is imperative that you call the school office at 416-393-1633 (24hr line). Follow the prompts and press #1 on your keypad to report your child’s absence by leaving a voicemail message before 8:15am. Please indicate your child’s full name, teacher’s name, and the reason for absence. If your child will be away for several days, please come by the office as there is a TDSB form to fill out.

Lates
Students are considered late after the 8:55am bell. If your child is late, they will ring the doorbell at Door #5 and await for instructions from office staff.  They will be met at the entrance, where they will need to show their self-assessment screener (paper or QR code).  They will then be given an admit slip in order to enter their class. Teachers will not allow students to class without an admit slip. Families will be contacted if their child has a high number of lates and/or absences. Following Board policy, persistent lateness and absenteeism will be referred to TDSB Social Work Services and may be subject to consequences up to and including suspension.

Signing Out Early
All students should be in class for the entire school day. However, instances do occur when students need to be signed out of school early. Families are encouraged to make appointments after school, in order for students to not miss school. When students do have to leave before the school day is over, parents/caregivers will ring the doorbell at Door #5 and office staff will walk the child to their parent/caregiver at door #5.

Lunch Supervision
Lunchroom supervision is provided by Board staff for students who do not go home for lunch. If your child is staying at school for lunch, they are not permitted to leave the school grounds unless a parent/guardian’s written permission note is submitted to the office in advance. Students are expected to behave responsibly during lunch, following the rules in their classroom and playground.  Failure to comply may result in withdrawal of school lunch privileges, where families will be asked to make alternate arrangements for children during the lunch period.

Keeping Kids Safe on the Road
We encourage everyone to walk to school where and when possible.  If you need to drive your child to school, please be sure to slow down and to make sure that you drop off your child/ren in a safe area.  Toronto City Services as well as Toronto Police have been in contact with us regarding cars speeding in and around our school and inattentive drivers dropping off children causing traffic jams and putting our students at risk. Please help to keep our students safe by driving more cautiously around our school.

School Calendar
Dates below can be found in our school calendar - http://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/westprep/schoolcalendar  Please check often as new events and dates are added throughout the year.

Upcoming Dates:

We are super excited to share the following news!

A big thank you to our SAC and to Jill Shuster for putting together what promises to be an excellent evening of information around nutrition, anxiety and stress management and ideas to stay healthy during cold and flu season from community experts! On Wednesday, November 25th, join us for our West Prep Wellness Evening starting at 7pm!

Email: jllshuster@gmail.com to receive the Zoom Link.

This year, there will be three virtual (online webchat) information sessions for parents/guardians/community members interested in the Early French Immersion (SK entry) application process.

Please note the following dates/times of the Virtual Information sessions below:

In order to participate in a live scheduled webchat, please visit the web page below and a link will be available to join on the dates/times outlined above.

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Elementary-School/School-Choices/French-Programs/Information-Sessions

For families interested in the Toronto District School Board's system-wide French Programs, the TDSB offers an online process to apply for Early French Immersion (begins in Senior Kindergarten) and Middle French Immersion (begins in Grade 4). An offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) is guaranteed to all on-time applicants. The timelines for applying for these programs for September 2021 are:

• Early French Immersion: Applications must be completed online between November 2 and November 27, 2020.
• Middle French Immersion: Applications must be completed online between January 4 and January 29, 2021.

Offers of placement within your chosen program (not a specific school) will be made to all on-time applicants in the weeks following the close of the application window. Families with an older sibling currently in a French program are still required to complete an online application for the new student. 

For more information about French as a Second Language programs, the application process and important dates, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/french.

To register - Please visit the application site www.tdsb.on.ca/pars. You will need your child’s date of birth and OEN. The OEN is a 9-digit number found on any report card from the TDSB. For non-TDSB students, please select the “Non-TDSB Student” option and follow the steps to generate an identification number. You must then return to the PARS site and follow the application procedure with this number. Please select the Early Immersion Program (SK) from the drop-down menu, and complete the application process.

For a downloadable version, please click:

• EFI Information Package (Word)
• EFI Information Package (PDF)

Please note: While every effort will be made to place students in the school identified as their area French Immersion school, this is not always possible. In cases where the number of applications in a given area is greater than the number of allotted program spaces in the school, students may be redirected to schools with available program space. Placements are made based on the child's primary home address of record prior to the application deadline. If the address changes between the application deadline and the fall of the SK year, there is no guarantee of placement in the new area.

Note from Craig Snider, Associate Director, Business Operations and Service Excellence

We know that there have been a number of questions regarding fundraising for portable High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) units and we wanted to provide clarification on this issue.

According to the latest information from Toronto Public Health, while there is no evidence that air purifiers on their own are effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19, they may be useful as a supplement to mechanical ventilation or if there is no outdoor air exchange in a room.

The Ministry of Education has provided $6.9 million in funding to the TDSB to improve air ventilation in our schools, and this funding is being used to purchase approximately 6,000 commercial HEPA units for all classrooms without mechanical ventilation or with limited ability to provide fresh air. Please see the list of schools that will be receiving these HEPA units. School not included on the list have sufficient ventilation for students, as currently recommended by TPH.

The Ministry of Education Fundraising Guideline states that schools and school councils are not permitted to fundraise for anything that government funding typically covers. Fundraising for HEPA units or other HVAC-related items for a specific school is not permitted because the province specifically provided funding to school boards for this purpose.

For more information about HEPA units in TDSB schools, please see the Questions & Answers on our website.

Mechanical ventilation does not mean air conditioning - mechanical ventilation is a method of forced or induced ventilation by using mechanical air handling systems, commonly called HVAC systems. ... In mechanical ventilation blowers, fans, filters, and ducts are used for transporting and removing air from a space.

Dear Elementary Parent(s)/Guardian(s),
 

This is an important update about teacher staffing and classroom changes to TDSB elementary schools, effective the week of October 13, 2020. This update explains the reasons for these changes and how they will happen in our schools. Please review this information carefully to understand how these changes may impact students in both in-person (in-school) and virtual schools.

Important Background Information

In late spring of every year, the TDSB plans for the number of students expected to attend school the following September. We then allocate the number of teachers required for each school and class, based on projected enrolment. The number of teachers required in each school and class is primarily determined by class size limits as per Regulations in the Education Act or through Collective Agreements.
 

At the beginning of each school year, schools review the actual number of students attending schools and in each ..... Read more

Dear West Prep Parent Community,

Just a reminder that we will be holding our Parent Council Executive elections at our 1st SAC virtual meeting on Monday, October 5th at 7pm. If you would like to join us please email: westprepparentcouncil@gmail.com and the meeting link will be emailed to you on the day of the meeting, October 5th.

We are actively looking for parents to fill in the volunteer positions below and would be very happy to see new faces! Please note that we will train you for these positions and the positions filled this year will enjoy a full year of shadowing the position with a current volunteer.

The following positions need to be filled:

1. Co-Chairs (2)

2. Treasurer (2)

3. Communications (2)

4. Ward Rep (2)

5. Secretary (2)

6. Parent Engagement Coordinator

7. Volunteer Coordinator & Recruitment

Please read the descriptions below and let us know which position interests you. We would love to have new volunteers join us!

Our ideal candidates should meet the following criteria: Be willing to take a leadership role for a project (we will provide support); Able to commit to the established time frames. Weekly hours will vary from 1 – 5 hours depending on the project; Have a passion for making the school a better place; Good organizational and communication skills would be an asset

There are also a number of committee positions that need to be filled and are listed below. Please come join us and volunteer for one of these many roles that need to be taken on. If you are interested in taking on any one of these roles, please email westprepparentcouncil@gmail.com

Thanks!

Your Current SAC EXECUTIVE

Dear Parents,

As we start another exciting year at school, it is also a time to register into our Hot Lunch system. Hotlunches is the parent council's way of communicating with you. You will need to register your children with their new teacher (or by choosing 'virtual' in the teacher section) for this 2020/2021 school year as of Monday, September 21st 2020.

Here's how to register:

· Go to westprep.hotlunches.net

· Click on "Click Here to Register"

· Enter Access Code WPHL

· Complete the rest of the registration form. (Including your email address will ensure you receive reminder emails about hot lunch order deadlines, and your child's hot lunch order for the upcoming week)

· Click the "Register Now" button at the bottom

· Follow the instructions to add each child in your family who attends West Prep

· You're DONE!

Be Well, SAC

Allow me to start by thanking everyone for the many messages of support and acknowledge everyone's patience and trust that you have placed upon us. Thank you!

We're excited to start the school year amidst all the changes that have incurred as a result of our current situation. Our main goal, as we prepare to start our staggered entry next week, is to make our school as safe and welcoming as possible.

As you are aware, students across the province will be learning either in person at school or in a virtual classroom environment this school year. 

West Prep families were surveyed and based on responses, we recently received our updated student numbers and associated staffing allocation. With our overall in-school student numbers decreasing from our projected school enrollment, it has caused a decrease in the number of teaching staff at West Prep. The causal effect is that we will need to realign classes to meet the current Ministry in-school cap sizes of:

As we work to reorganize our school, please be advised that classroom assignments based on our school model from last spring have changed for many students. Class lists have been modified to take into account the grouping of childcare students, and siblings to the best of our ability, in order to maintain Toronto Public Health covid-safe cohorting of students in schools. Once our school model is verified, teachers will be then assigned to classes.

We have put together general information based on the TDSB's Return To School document in the slide deck below.

Please be on the lookout for a message from your child’s classroom teacher by Monday, September 14th (or earlier if possible) as the board has until that time to give schools their final staffing models.

We appreciate your patience and support and we are looking forward to seeing everyone coming back to West Prep during our staggered entry during the week of September 15-17.

Mr. da Luz

Hello everyone,

I hope you are all well and have been able to enjoy the summer with your family and friends.

I know many of us, myself included, have questions about exactly how we will be returning to school in September and I wanted to share what we know thus far. Things have been very fluid over the past few weeks and the best available information has been changing. Likely, there will continue to be changes regarding how school will operate as the TDSB continues to finalize decisions based on the best available information from the Ministry of Education and Health authorities.

For the most up to date information please take a look at the board’s Return To School webpage: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Return-to-School

The board has begun sending out a new survey to determine the number of students returning to in-school learning and the number of students that will be learning remotely through a Virtual School. Based on information from the survey it will determine how many students will be returning back to in school learning at West Prep. With this information we may need to re-build our classes, and re-start our student and staff timetabling process based on new class size limitations (Kindergarten, 27, Gr. 1-3, 20 and Gr. 4-6, 27).

Entering From or Returning to In-Person Learning

We recognize that parents/guardians and/or students may want to switch between in-person learning and Virtual School. It is important to note that, for health and safety reasons, and because of the impact switching would have on staffing, physical distancing and space allocation, it will not be possible to immediately transition between the two models. As a result, an opportunity to enter the Virtual School or to return to in-person learning will be provided at three key dates during the school year as follows:

Requesting Change: By September 30, 2020

Date the Change of Class would Take Effect: October 13, 2020 (day after Thanksgiving)

Requesting Change: November 06, 2020

Date the Change of Class would Take Effect: By November 23, 2020

Requesting Change: January 29, 2021

Date the Change of Class would Take Effect: February 16, 2021

In order for staff and students to return to school safely, there are still many considerations and adjustments to be made and staff require time to learn about these requirements, complete training and begin to implement all of this before students return to school. In order to accommodate for this and other changes, the start of the school year will commence on September 15^th. Entry will be staggered, with all students attending by Friday, September 18^th for in-class learning. Specifics will be shared soon.

We ask for your continued patience as this important work continues. Please remember that all of us, are eagerly awaiting information and details that will allow for us to plan for a safe September. It will take some time to prepare and finalize school and class-specific plans, with health and safety for students and staff being at the forefront.

As we have more information, we will continue to provide it. As always, for the most up to date information please take a look at the board’s Return To School webpage: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Return-to-School.

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and fun end to the summer.

Manny da Luz