September 2020

Monthly Update From the Board

Returning to School in September

The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) recognizes that families are eager to know what they can expect for their child in September. The Board has approved a staggered re-entry starting September 14, 2020. Please be assured that the TCDSB is working with the Ministry of Education and Toronto Public Health to ensure a safe return to school for everyone. We will continue to share the latest information and developments as it becomes available.

·        Latest​ Updates​
View the latest updates including communications to parents, announcements and other critical information and developments related to school reopening.

·        Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to questions​ about back to school, health and safety, transportation and much more.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

·        School Reopening Action Plan
Learn what to expect and how we will continue to work together to support you​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ for the safe return to school​.​​

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Introducing our Director of Education

​Dr. Brendan Browne is a transformative organizational change leader, who brings a wealth of educational leadership in areas related to literacy and numeracy, special education, classroom management, educational technology, and program evaluation. You can learn more about Dr. Browne here: https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/BoardAdministration/DirectorofEducation/Pages/Default.aspx.

Important Reminders for Parents

Liability Insurance

All parents are reminded to consider checking the adequacy of their liability insurance through their homeowners’/tenants’ insurance policy to cover claims arising out of injuries caused by their child at school. Student Accident Insurance application forms are forwarded to schools for distribution, and can also be purchased on-line at www.insuremykids.com. TCDSB’s Risk Management continues to strongly promote this product as an inexpensive form of dental, disability and life insurance.

School Cash Online

Parents/guardians are reminded to create their School Cash Online profile for a safe and convenient payment option that eliminates the need to send cash or cheques to school. For more information and to create your account visit www.tcdsb.org/FORPARENTS/schoolcashonline

Bus Transportation Information and Updates

Communications with parents regarding bus transportation for students is a priority. In order to stay informed, parents are encouraged to register on the Toronto Student Transportation Group (TSTG) portal today by visiting www.torontoschoolbus.org. This portal provides TCDSB parents with online access to their children’s transportation information and up to the minute email notifications regarding school bus cancellations or delays. If you have any issues signing up on the portal, please contact support@torontoschoolbus.org and staff will assist you with the registration of your account.

For updates on public transportation visit the Toronto Transit Commission website at http://www.ttc.ca/

Safe Arrival

Parents are encouraged to sign up for the School Messenger app. This will allow parents and the school to stay in touch to report absences quickly and easily, and also for the school and the school board to communicate to parents about important information throughout the year including cancellations, closures and other critical issues. www.tcdsb.org/programsservices/safeschools/newsandevents/pages/signupschoolmessenger.aspx  

If you require assistance updating your School Messenger information, please email our support staff who can assist: 
 

·         Elementary: TrilliumElementary.AdminSupport@tcdsb.org

·         Secondary: Trillium.Secondary.Support@tcdsb.org 

Stay Informed Throughout the Year

Visit www.tcdsb.org for update

Follow @TCDSB on Twitter

Follow https://www.facebook.com/Toronto.CatholicDSB/ on Facebook

Follow torontocatholicdsb on Instagram

Important Information for Students

Night School Registration

Registration for evening credit courses, Saturday language programs begins soon. Check here for details: https://www.tcdsb.org/ProgramsServices/ContinuingEducation/Pages/Default.aspx

International Languages After Hours Program Registration

Registration for the 2020-2021 elementary IL After Hours Program continues this fall. Apply online:  https://www.tcdsb.org/programsservices/schoolprogramsk12/internationallanguages/pages/saturdayschoolregistration.aspx

Student Voice on the Board of Trustees

Student Trustees for 2020-2021 are Keith Babybayon https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/TrusteesoftheBoard/StudentTrustees/KeithBaybayon/Pages/default.aspx and Kathy Nguyen https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/TrusteesoftheBoard/StudentTrustees/KathyNguyen/Pages/default.aspx

City of Toronto Parks and Recreation is Hiring

A variety of part-time positions are available for students.

For details, visit https://jobs.toronto.ca/recreation/

Visit the Student Portal

To get information about scholarships, awards, bursaries, contests, employment and volunteer opportunities: https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/Pages/default.aspx

Events and Information

September’s Virtue is Hospitality

All resources for the month of September, and for the monthly virtues throughout the year can be found here: www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/VirtueoftheMonth/Pages/Default.aspx

Pastoral Plan: This Year we Focus on “Rooted in Christ: we Become”

In the third year of our pastoral plan, “Rooted in Christ, we Become” our focus turns to what how our sense of belonging and our shared beliefs help us to become all that we are meant to be.

“What you are is God's gift to you, what you become is your gift to God.”― Hans Urs von Balthasar

Resources for the Year: https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/rooted-in-christ/webecome/Pages/default.aspx

September Events and Meetings

·        September is Ukrainian Heritage Month https://www.tcdsb.org/FORCOMMUNITY/HeritageCelebration/Ukrainian-Canadian-Heritage-Month/Pages/default.aspx

·        City of Toronto declares September as Bike Month. Learn more about bicycle safety: https://www.torontoschoolbus.org/cycle/

·        September 1,2,3—PA Days

·        September 3--Student Achievement Committee Meeting, 7 PM

·        September 5—International Day of Charity

·        September 7—Labour Day

·        September 8—Governance and Policy Committee Meeting 7 PM

• September 8--International Literacy Day
• September 9—Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day https://www.tcdsb.org/news/othernews/2019/pages/fasd.aspx
• September 13--Grandparent’s Day
• September 10—Corporate Services Committee Meeting
• September 14—Catholic Parent Involvement Committee
• September 16—Special Education Advisory Committee
• September 17—Board
• September 25—Rowan’s Law Day
• September 30—Orange Shirt Day