Sept 4, 2020
Dear Parent/Guardian:
As we approach the reopening of schools starting the week of September 14, 2020, we would like to provide you with information related to the inquiries we have received.
Our Frequently Asked Questions on the website https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/back-to-school/Pages/faq.aspx are continuously updated to reflect the latest version of the TCDSB Reopening Action Plan
(https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/Documents/tcdsb-reopening-action-plan-2020.pdf) and in response to the inquiries we are receiving from families. Below is information in response to your questions.
Masks
Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to ensure a safe return to school. Staff have received training to review safety protocols, best practices, and are continuing to work through the days ahead to ensure that school buildings and classrooms are ready to welcome students.
Although it will not be a typical start to the school year, we are hopeful that the year ahead will be filled with positive experiences for our students.
Sincerely
TCDSB Communications
Dear Parent/Guardian:
As we approach the reopening of schools starting the week of September 14, 2020, we would like to provide you with information related to the inquiries we have received.
Our Frequently Asked Questions on the website https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/back-to-school/Pages/faq.aspx are continuously updated to reflect the latest version of the TCDSB Reopening Action Plan
(https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/Documents/tcdsb-reopening-action-plan-2020.pdf) and in response to the inquiries we are receiving from families. Below is information in response to your questions.
Masks
- Students in all grades are required to wear face masks while inside the school. For medical exemptions, a medical document is not required.
- Students who have difficulty complying with wearing a mask will be provided a face shield.
- Clear masks (or expression masks) will be readily available to Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students and any staff member with DHH students.
- Outdoor times like recess can be used as opportunities to provide students with breaks from wearing masks.
- Students in distance learning who decide to return to in-class learning, will need to notify the school principal.
- Re-entry into in-class learning is dependent on appropriate timing in relation to the achievement cycle and class enrollment numbers.
- For elementary, re-entry could be November or February. For secondary, it could be at the change of the quad.
- Students may be able to re-enter at other times if class size caps have not exceeded.
- We also need to be mindful of the number of students waiting to re-enter. Once we attain thresholds of students on a wait list, we can determine if an increase in staffing is needed or reconfiguring the school.
- Some specialty programs like French Immersion, Extended French or International Baccalaureate may not be offered in the virtual school.
- The offering of these specialty courses will be dependent upon the number of qualified teachers for the program.
- Caretaking staff will perform routine cleaning through the day and will conduct enhanced cleaning of high touch surfaces such as light switches, handrails, door handles, etc. twice per day
- Washrooms will be cleaned frequently throughout the day.
- Alcohol-based sanitizers will be available throughout each school and in all classrooms.
- Portable handwashing stations will be installed on floors that do not have washrooms.
- A number of touchless sanitizers are being evaluated for school use.
- HEPA purifiers are being jointly tendered with initial distribution focusing on the highest transmission areas as identified by Toronto Public Health.
- Whenever possible, classroom and office windows will remain open.
- Staff are considering purifiers in rooms where there are no windows or adequate ventilation.
- Plexiglass shielding for office and administrative areas has been ordered.
- Procurement of plexiglass shielding for student desks is underway for classes in excess of 15 students.
- A pilot program to initiate the use of tents for outdoor classrooms has been launched to provide sheltered outdoor space for small group activities such as gym, music and reading circles for the schools that have been identified as having space issues.
- As a reminder, from September 14-18, only students with special education needs, excluding those in the gifted program, will be provided with student transportation.
- Beginning September 21, all other eligible students will be provided with student transportation, unless there is a significant driver shortage or other unforeseen issues related to COVID-19.
- Parents will receive a phone call from Toronto Student Transportation Group next week before school starts confirming their start date (Week 1 or Week 2).
- There will be established protocols for parents who need to access the school in order to pick up or drop off their children.
- Families will also be informed about engagement opportunities such as curriculum nights, open houses and parent teacher interviews.
- Catholic School Parent Council meetings will continue this fall and may be held virtually.
- Catholic School Parent Council elections will take place as per Board and Ministry requirements
Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to ensure a safe return to school. Staff have received training to review safety protocols, best practices, and are continuing to work through the days ahead to ensure that school buildings and classrooms are ready to welcome students.
Although it will not be a typical start to the school year, we are hopeful that the year ahead will be filled with positive experiences for our students.
Sincerely
TCDSB Communications