We’re currently in private- hope to be back in public shortly
Still in private... will let you know when we’re back in public
Please tune in at 5... @tdsb will be back in public beginning with Return to School and then moving on to Budget tdsb.on.ca/stream/boardme…
Began back in public on a point of personal privilege - thanking @tdsb Chair @RobinPilkey for 5 years of service - she has led with tenacity, integrity, student-focussed leadership... we are beyond grateful and wish her well back to serving her constituents of Parkdale-High Park 
Switched the Agenda and will be speaking to Return to School before Budget - @TDSBDirector recapping - on-going conversations with EDU - letting EDU know of multiple concerns of large class sizes in elementary - working w/ @TOPublicHealth to minimize class sizes in certain areas
We are also going to access additional staffing to deploy to target areas - @TDSBDirector speaks to working on training and working with partners to finalize plans - they will continue to evolve as we engage in plans - meeting with EDU tomorrow
Preparing clear communication to accommodate pre-registration materials - and updating timelines
ES @JSpyropoulos speaking to revisions to secondary plan - protecting health and safety of staff and students - 1 group of students per day in school, reducing transportation, maximizes learning and well-being - important to have live in-class and synchronous learning
Quadmester model
Explanation - student in-class 9-11:30; the other student in the opposite cohort doing work at home assigned; lunch 40 minutes- teachers will do a synchronous learning session with the student that worked at home in the morning which the in-school student will do independent work
Between 1:25 and 2:40 entire class together for synchronous learning opportunity - check-in - attendance will be taken - teachers could do credit rescue or help with gaps etc. - Structure is 4 day timetable - Day 5 repeats Day 1!
Onto Questions - @ParthiKandavel - thanks staff for impossible task - given uncertainty asks if we pass plan not within parameters - @TDSBDirector reminds us that the Ministry has powers over boards - required to follow parameters
Now speaking to @TOPublicHealth guidance and direction - they suggest smaller class sizes - @TDSBDirector confirms they do not approve our plans
Now @MacLeanWard2 asks about HVAC - asking for status of individual schools - is there a list? EO Shaw will see how difficult it would be to pull together - may require going to individual schools - but maintenance staff have visited all schools
Asks re masks on school buses? @TDSBDirector JK-3 strongly recommended for school but not mandated - not clear whether they are required on buses - looking at this closely
Speaking to expanding indoor space - @MacLeanWard2 - EO Shaw says looking at installation of plexiglass areas, expanding into other spaces in schools, libraries, cafeterias for instructional purposes - considered event tents but ruled out for safety and security
Continues re working with the City re parks and community centres - Dan now asks who will do cleaning - EO Shaw responds CUPE staff responsible for all cleaning @tdsb schools - working with early years group as well - spaces with different cohorts most problematic
When we open our survey on the 10th are we confident that they will be our plans - @TDSBDirector confirms that during meeting tomorrow, EDU will provide final comments on learning models and they will be finalized
Now @YaliniR_Ward21 asks questions - shares community concerns and @TOPublicHealth concerns - what are options to create smaller classes? @TDSBDirector staff will continue to advocate for funding and the safest plans possible - political advocacy needs to continue
Asking when we do the survey can we collect socio-economic data? @Kwith64 responds that every pre-registration will be connected to student's OEN - we can have that data - @YaliniR_Ward21 li next question re portables - answer - they will be continued to be required
EO Shaw now speaks to knowing where additional space may be required - @YaliniR_Ward21 asks re ventilation - facilities staff at each location do regular checks and preventive maintenance - if not working creates work order for fix - looking to switch that model as part of reorg
Now @TrusteeSmith - speaks to community concerns - thanks Director and team - but relates parent's anxiety returning to school - asks re communication plan - Ryan Bird speaks to comprehensive plan in place - sending out communication tomorrow re survey- both phone & online survey
All information will also be on main @tdsb website and on social media - @TrusteeSmith now speaks to JK-3 not wearing masks - how are they separated? Risk? @TDSBDirector speaks to students staying together with their classes - staggered lunch and recess to avoid mixing cohorts
Re @TOPublicHealth - debate on masking - no clear consensus on whether children should be wearing masks in school - @TDSBDirector confirms all students should be strongly encouraged - having further directions with TPH - we could support K-3 - clarifying with EDU tomorrow
Regarding open concept schools, EO Shaw speaks to creative solutions to separate areas - @TrusteeSmith asks re childcares - asks about issues to date - staff reports very few issues at this time reported
Now @ChrisMoiseTO speaks to geographical spread of Covid in NE and NW and marginalized and people of colour - and asks re mitigating factors to support - @TDSBDirector reports active conversations - doing detailed analysis with schools that will require differentiated strategies
Looking at additional resources - where are the highest risks and how can we mitigate? ES Gold also reports that in line with equitable allocation action plan - putting into action- @ChrisMoiseTO speaks to congregated sites? How are we supporting? AD Witherow responds
Paying special attention to staff and students in these sites to ensure enhanced PPE and resources - students with IEP will continue to be accommodated - we will be reviewing them at the beginning of the school year - adding to guidelines through lens of return to school
Now @ChrisMoiseTO asks re Technology - @manonjgardner speaks to devices - if not working parents to e-mail and device will be replaced - now asks if daycares are being consulted re Reopening Schools - staff responds they communicate directly
Final question re @ChrisMoiseTO concerns re hand sanitizer - EO Shaw reports difficult to source foam sanitizer - we are discussing where hand sanitizer will be placed under direction of adult - they will be in well-supervised areas and we will educate kids
Last question! School Council Meetings? We will be working to ensure Principals know how to engage School Councils - important partnership
Trustee @aarts_michelle asks questions regarding cohorts - and preference for masks for all - and exemptions for masks in addition to flexibility between remote learning, home schooling and in-school options for parents - for K with teacher and ECE - worry about class size
Questions @aarts_michelle asking if we can semi-cohort classes together in K - can DECE and teacher separate into groups of 15 - Superintendent Spence responds that program is teacher and DECE together - DECE taking class on their own is not permitted
Last question re transportation - answer - buses will be at full capacity - students masked (clarification re K-3 required) - siblings and classmates can sit together - there will be assigned seating
My questions related to concerns re the many unknowns and that parents with choice will opt out - confidence in public education at risk - and to confirm support for differentiated resources in schools in areas experiencing greater effects of Covid
I also asked about support for Principals and ensuring they received updates and clarification that communication is coming centrally to parents - I asked if PIAC and SEAC were consulted on parent communication - and asked re timing of staff survey & how we could be empathetic
Meeting continues after short break - 11 more speakers! @JamesX_Li asks about deficit and supervision - @TDSBDirector responds re provisions in Education Act
Now @AlexBrownWard12 asks about survey - now asks about signage in schools - and reminders during the day - sorry - had to step away - asking EO Shaw re info about schools that may not be accurate - clarification that the renewal backlog is renewed every 5 years
Question from @trusteemammo speak to adult learners - confirmed the ratio is the same as secondary - speaks to prioritizing safety of families
Trustee @alexandralulka speaks to asking if students know what courses they would be taking in each quad - @JSpyropoulos confirms they will be providing schedules as soon as possible - Asks if CyberArts will be offered in-person and remote AD Witherow says working on details
Working on details for all specialty programs - and confirms flexibility within in-class and remote - students who might need to be isolated will continue to work on credits - will remote teacher be from the home school? @JSpyropoulos confirms cannot confirm for secondary or elem
Final - @alexandralulka asks re post-secondary conversations - quadmester not new - we will continue to be in touch - we need to communicate that with high school families
Now @Zakir4TDSB asks about condition of facilities - EO Shaw - we have on-site caretakers who are expected to examine the building - caretaking staff inspect - regular inspections occur - work orders are put in - buildings will be ready to open
We will have extra masks available for any child who doesn't bring one - @Zakir4TDSB asks about outbreak - how does quarantine work - protocols will be from Health - reported to @TOPublicHealth and they will determine actions
Are we still providing devices? @Singhpeter responds yes - we will be providing additional devices for those who need - re EDU staff meeting tomorrow - @TDSBDirector will raise concerns that we are discussing - present how we would meet their framework
Staff confirm they must meet EDU parameters - but will continue to mitigate risks to the best of their ability - @TDSBDirector says this plan is information - we do not vote to approve
Now up @trixiedoyle Students who go to alternative schools or programs - where one had to apply - and there is a waitlist - will their spot be filled with someone on waitlist - @JSpyropoulos confirms no - they will not lose their spot
Letter and webpage will speak to flexibility moving between in-class and remote - @trixiedoyle asks re secondary school - at the end of the day - do teachers need to be in school? Can schools handle band-width? @JSpyropoulos says we will be providing teachers with IT from school
Asks explanation of prep - @JSpyropoulos full year school teachers teach 6 out of 8 - semestered 3 in one and 3 in another and 1 prep in each; now school year in quarters - teachers teach in 2 of quads - on some days only 40 minute lunch - but works out during course of the year
Sets up 300 teaching minutes/day and we will follow the collective agreement - last question @trixiedoyle everything may change for parents - will require different communication opportunities and needs for parents
Now @rchernoslin what is the number of minutes of face-to-face (in-person and synchronous) - @JSpyropoulos speaks to the importance of splitting cohorts - by putting in synchronous learnings - helps with pivot to full remote if we need to - yes there are less minutes face-to-face
Total amount of time with teacher is greater - question @rchernoslin speaks to whether last period is on-line the whole time? Not necessarily @JSpyropoulos - could be group work, credit rescue, etc. Could be both full-class and group discussions
Timeline will be amended to include a parent session scheduled for August 13. Re childcares - asking for list of operating in schools to be shared. With respect to organized sports - staff responds no date as yet for return and asks staff to think about how students get to school
Now @jenniferstoryTO - concerns - if we were to get more $ for staffing - how much can we move class size? ES Gold - classes of 15 - $250M cost - if we don't repurpose central teachers, etc changes - with a common prep time and 1:15 and 1:20 4-8 was $20M - 476 teachers
Occasional teachers roster now sitting in mid-4000's @jenniferstoryTO speaks to if PPE required for JK-3 - do we have enough? AD Snider - students is face coverings - staff secured cloth masks to give them all a couple of sets - 600,000 available
On to washroom cleanings - have we sought @TOPublicHealth advice? EO Shaw - all high-touch surface cleaning protocols have been vetted by TPH - they are also cleaned as required
Final comments @jenniferstoryTO - concern re elementary class size - has a notice of motion coming re addressing concerns - will be coming August 18th - require further provincial government investment
Now @MannaWongTDSB acknowledges the work of staff in prioritizing health and safety - @TDSBDirector reports that if there are changes will be brought back on August 18 - when will data on survey be shared? Preliminary data will be shared on the 18th
We can change our budget through revised estimates in the Fall - require additional $ from government to change our model - @MannaWongTDSB expresses concerns re inequities and wants to ensure it is noted that models must follow ministry parameters
Trustee @Anu_Sris are we recording synchronous learning? AD Witherow - staff using Google Classroom and Brightspace have ability to record - can record live and post videos, etc. In Secondary same teacher responsible for course - both in-class and remote; but in Elementary not
But for elementary - once we know student and staff survey we will understand numbers - under HR Code have duty to accommodate staff
Clarifying that EDU direction is to have some synchronous learning - we have to work within Ministry parameters
Question - @Anu_Sris Have we had conversations with the TTC re ensuring there are enough buses for students? AD Snider confirms they are working with TTC re board student transportation needs - now asking about masks with heat waves? Staff will look into that...
Now Chris Tonks - agrees with heat protocol - this is all going to take a leap of faith - if there is one ask - its not about 1:15 - it's about lowering class sizes in JK/SK - unacceptable - something needs to be done on that and thank you to staff!
Trustee @ParthiKandavel up again - lack of clarity on governance between EDU and @tdsb - does our plan need approval? EDU is not approving plan but will let us know if there is anything in the plan not aligned with their framework
Director @TDSBDirector confirms that @tdsb has to work within EDU parameters
Lots of differences of opinion on governance - and motions at the moment - there is a motion on the floor to ask staff to seek direction from the minister to approve K-3 at 1:15 and 4-8 at 1:20 at their meeting tomorrow - @TDSBDirector confirms plan is only feasible with funding
This will come to Board on August 18... EDU funding simply not adequate
Important to continue to advocate for appropriate investments from the province. #onted
