Thread by @shelleylaskin

Special Committee of the Whole on COVID-19 related issues beginning at 4:30 - Join us here tdsb.on.ca/stream/boardme…

For today's update @TDSBDirector shares agenda - will be sharing new information and updating other information

An update on devices - glad to see that there is a plan to replenish/pay back the schools who lent equipment - @manonjgardner - plan and timelines will come Friday

Breakdown of the devices currently in schools

Update on Secondary VS - survey is due back today - schools will determine model(s) based on local needs - by November 6 - looking to support students with programs they require

For Elementary VS, providing professional learning geared toward virtual learning - @manonjgardner confirmed that of the 48 classes that had English teachers for French programming - as of today - down to 7 vacancies - team teaching model Grades 3-8 50% English/French

More information on this model will come - communication with parents will come explaining the model - staff continue to work on the 7 vacancies

AD Snider updating on fundraising - Qs and As will be updated regularly

With regard to adding supports for VS - SOs coming from LC2 and LC3 - impact on current schools are being considered - sustainable leadership model - looking at how to redeploy resources - looking now at DECEs in FDK - all students with more than 15 will continue to have a DECE

AD Gold confirms DECEs will remain in schools identified by @TOPublicHealth - also looking at clerical, ESL and Special Education resource supports - more details next week

System Leader Sandhu speaks to the importance of mental health and well-being supports - decreasing isolation and increasing relationships

Further explanation provided on additional supports put in place for students, caregivers and staff - trying to address disparities and provide targeted supports where required

AD Gold - updating school open-house transition evenings - virtual grade 8 information sessions - they will take different forms - local decisions - there will be an open-house page on the board website

The website will be updated a few times - Nov 2 and Nov 20

Update now on COVID-19 cases in our schools - active cases

AD Snider speaks to working with @TOPublicHealth on pop-up assessment centres if and as required

If the pop-up sites will be on school property chances are they would be set-up in parking lots - all health and safety guidelines will be followed - only students and staff identified by @TOPublicHealth will be invited

Qs and As - asking to add more information re devices - in additional request that a definition of mechanical ventilation be provided in the Qs and As - also questions clarifying that alternative schools will also be on the transition website

Important to clarify that the Optional Attendance Policy remains in play - due to COVID-19 it will not be amended for September 2021 - information will come following the information on transitions being posted

Regarding nutrition programs - working with @TFSS_ and with @TOPublicHealth to get these up and running in schools - re French programing - clarification the 50/50 model is being used only for those 48 classes currently with only an English teacher

Regarding moving to a 1:1 model for devices - always a matter of competing priorities as funding is not provided for 1:1 ratio in schools - @tdsb continues to advocate for additional resources to be provided by the province by providing information to the ministry

Question re how the system will know what mental health supports are available - communicating through school messenger and at VS communicating through Ps and VPs to staff - and we use our community partners

Concern expressed re pre-recorded open-houses - how would questions from students and caregivers be answered? Answer - allows for accessibility - and there will be opportunities for live interactions with schools through other means

Question - how do school councils engage with VS principals if representing their VS families - parents from VS remain on their home school's school messenger - @TorontoPIAC has struck a working group to look at communication - very important issue to work through

AD @kgfalcon confirms that the Virtual School model does not require School Councils - that does not mean parental engagement is not supported - this is a work in progress that is involving @TorontoPIAC

Staff confirms there is sufficient funding provided by the province for #HEPA units in all schools that require them; next question - parents/caregivers can always reach out for support from professional staff

For the classes without French teachers - the 7 classes are SK or Grade 1; another question re HEPA filters - our current HVAC systems cannot operate with a higher level filter - confirm again that with mechanical ventilation or fresh air flow, HEPA filters are not required

Question re staff absenteeism - with regard to supply teachers - staff provide answer - in secondary panel, adaptive model has made for lower absenteeism - in elementary panel, it is at a similar level as we found last fall - it has not increased - fill rates, however, are lower

Occasional teachers have limited the number of buildings they are in - staff are looking at resolving issue - it is not because of the size of the pool or increased absenteeism

Re performance of heating systems without mechanical ventilation - how will these schools perform re temperature and occupant comfort? Staff are looking into this. Question asked re adding space heaters to ensure appropriate temperatures

Question re tracking absenteeism in VS - SO notes they are working on processes for VS on how to monitor - over 800 LTOs continue to work in VS

Question re January transition for elementary - @TDSBDirector confirms it is early - still making final placements of teachers - but staff have begun talking about potential switching - will be bringing back an updated plan - staff will ask for feedback

Staff are planning for another ThoughtExchange to reach out to students, caregivers and staff - to get feedback prior to finalizing plans for January elementary transition - request to share plans with Trustees

Re the 41 classes that will move to double teachers - communication coming this week to be in effect as of Nov 3rd - re the remaining 7 classes - by the end of next week all plans will be in place - staff still are reaching out through a number of ways for French teachers

Re transition in January - @TDSBDirector confirms still considering options - will wait until there is data that will be feed into the decision - re bussing - can we now allow filling empty seats? Transportation can look at exceptions on a case by case basis, ensuring spacing

Qs and As over - Chair @AlexBrownWard12 speaks to meeting with Minister and other boards raising the issue about the concern over funding being clawed back due to enrolments being down; confirms EDU will consider the positions that boards are in. And that's the last comment!

Please unroll @threadreaderapp