Mar 24 and earlier
Dear Parent/Guardian:
The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) remains committed to student learning and well-being. We understand that together we are all navigating through uncharted territory amidst COVID-19 and continue to take the advice and direction from the various levels of government and public health authorities.
We recognize that many of our parents are on the front lines, ensuring that essential services continue and we appreciate all of their efforts. We also know that many parents are at home with their children and looking for resources to help them retain what they have learned so far, and remain prepared to help their children continue to learn.
In addition to the resources provided by the Ministry of Education which can be accessed at https://www.ontario.ca/page/learn-at-home we are providing you with additional resources. The TCDSB site provides Catholic faith-based curriculum resources we encourage all students to explore. It is our hope that each child will also engage in literacy and numeracy, as well as physical activity each day in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These resources can be accessed here:https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/StudentParentResourcesClosure/Pages/Default.aspx Also available on the TCDSB Learning Resources site is the TCDSB Summer Playground site which includes age appropriate activities to keep students engaged.
You may have heard yesterday the Premier of Ontario mentioned that schools will not be reopening April 6th as originally hoped and anticipate more information in the days ahead. Staff at the TCDSB have been working together with the Ministry, other Boards and unions to develop a learning plan that can restore some teacher led student learning in various ways. We are still exploring how best to facilitate this continuity of learning and understand that devices and internet are key to ensuring equitable access for students. We are also developing plans to support students with special education needs and to families that do not have technology or internet access in their homes.
We are planning professional learning for teachers to provide training for online and distant learning over the duration of the closure. We will be also encouraging all teaching staff to connect with all of their students and/or parents.
Given the extension of the social distancing period, all events scheduled for the month of April are now postponed or cancelled until further notice. We will reassess events that are planned for May at a later date and provide updates when available.
For the time being, school playgrounds remain open, however we are following the advice of Toronto Public Health and will be adding signage to discourage use of playgrounds while other children are present, maintaining social distancing and emphasizing hand hygiene before and after equipment use as playground equipment is not being cleaned or disinfected.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our TCDSB community for their efforts to support one another during these challenging times. I am confident that by continuing to work together we will get through this.
We appreciate your comments and suggestions and are taking all feedback under advisement. We encourage you to visit our webpage for the latest information related to the impact of COVID-19 here: https://www.tcdsb.org/forstudents/healthandsafety/pages/coronavirusinfo.aspx
Looking forward to better days ahead. Please keep the faith, and let kindness and compassion be our guide.
Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.--Isaiah 41.10
Sincerely,
Rory McGuckin
Director of Education
Dear Parent/Guardian:
The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) remains committed to student learning and well-being. We understand that together we are all navigating through uncharted territory amidst COVID-19 and continue to take the advice and direction from the various levels of government and public health authorities.
We recognize that many of our parents are on the front lines, ensuring that essential services continue and we appreciate all of their efforts. We also know that many parents are at home with their children and looking for resources to help them retain what they have learned so far, and remain prepared to help their children continue to learn.
In addition to the resources provided by the Ministry of Education which can be accessed at https://www.ontario.ca/page/learn-at-home we are providing you with additional resources. The TCDSB site provides Catholic faith-based curriculum resources we encourage all students to explore. It is our hope that each child will also engage in literacy and numeracy, as well as physical activity each day in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These resources can be accessed here:https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/StudentParentResourcesClosure/Pages/Default.aspx Also available on the TCDSB Learning Resources site is the TCDSB Summer Playground site which includes age appropriate activities to keep students engaged.
You may have heard yesterday the Premier of Ontario mentioned that schools will not be reopening April 6th as originally hoped and anticipate more information in the days ahead. Staff at the TCDSB have been working together with the Ministry, other Boards and unions to develop a learning plan that can restore some teacher led student learning in various ways. We are still exploring how best to facilitate this continuity of learning and understand that devices and internet are key to ensuring equitable access for students. We are also developing plans to support students with special education needs and to families that do not have technology or internet access in their homes.
We are planning professional learning for teachers to provide training for online and distant learning over the duration of the closure. We will be also encouraging all teaching staff to connect with all of their students and/or parents.
Given the extension of the social distancing period, all events scheduled for the month of April are now postponed or cancelled until further notice. We will reassess events that are planned for May at a later date and provide updates when available.
For the time being, school playgrounds remain open, however we are following the advice of Toronto Public Health and will be adding signage to discourage use of playgrounds while other children are present, maintaining social distancing and emphasizing hand hygiene before and after equipment use as playground equipment is not being cleaned or disinfected.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our TCDSB community for their efforts to support one another during these challenging times. I am confident that by continuing to work together we will get through this.
We appreciate your comments and suggestions and are taking all feedback under advisement. We encourage you to visit our webpage for the latest information related to the impact of COVID-19 here: https://www.tcdsb.org/forstudents/healthandsafety/pages/coronavirusinfo.aspx
Looking forward to better days ahead. Please keep the faith, and let kindness and compassion be our guide.
Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.--Isaiah 41.10
Sincerely,
Rory McGuckin
Director of Education