Dear Owen Parents/Guardians,
Extending your Vacation?
If your child will be away after January 5th or will need to quarantine, please notify the office so we can mark the absence appropriately. Absences can be emailed at owenps@tdsb.on.ca.
Technology Pick Up Schedule
Many teachers have contacted their families to take a survey to see who is in need of a device for our short term remote learning. Not all staff will be in the school however some will be in to hand out their devices to their students. Please see the time available to pick up the assigned device.
*** Masks must be worn on school property and please maintain a social distance from others.
Remote Learning the Week of January 5th, 2022
Only TDSB credentials will be allowed to sign into the meeting. For technical support for TDSB students you can go to Student Virtual Learning IT Support.
Recess time is a great time for students to have a snack/drink, take a washroom break and have a good stretch. Please encourage your child to take these breaks while keeping an eye on the time so they can rejoin the class in 15 mins.
Kindergarten Registration
Registration for all TDSB Regular Kindergarten programs begins in February. Families have the option of registering their child online using the PowerSchool Enrolment module at www.tdsb.on.ca/kindergarten or via a virtual (Zoom/Google Meet) face-to-face meeting with their school (by appointment).
New this year is the French Immersion Junior Kindergarten registration. French Immersion caregivers will have completed the application process for their child(ren) to enter the French Immersion program. French Immersion registration information will be emailed directly to the caregiver from TDSB Registration (noreplyregistration@powerschool.com). Please note a virtual (Zoom/Google Meet) face-to-face with the French Immersion school by appointment may also be an option. They are NOT to use the New Student Registration link..
Regardless of which process caregivers select, a virtual meeting with the school (via Zoom or Google Meet) will be required to validate registration information.
Elementary Switch Form
In order to plan ahead for elementary students to switch between in-person and virtual learning for February 2022, parents/caregivers and students requesting a change must complete an Elementary Switch Form between Friday, December 3 and Friday, January 7. A form must be completed for each student requesting a switch. Parents/caregivers and students who do not wish to make a change do not need to complete a form.
If you are considering a switch, please speak with your child before submitting a Switch Form. We expect that parents/caregivers with shared decision-making responsibilities will come to an agreement before completing the form.
We recognize that we are asking for this decision well in advance of February and thank you for your understanding, as this process takes time to complete. While we cannot guarantee that all switch requests will be met, it is our goal to accommodate as many as possible based on available programs and space (e.g. French Immersion, Extended French, Specialized Programs, Alternative Schools, other limited circumstances).Elementary classes will reflect changes due to switches beginning on February 22, 2022.
Whether you choose a switch in learning model or not, your child’s teacher or class (or school for virtual learning classes) may change due to a possible re-organization.
For more information, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/switchform.
Middle French Immersion Application & Timeline
For families interested in the Toronto District School Board's system-wide Middle French Immersion Program (begins in Grade 4), we offer an online process to apply. To apply for the Middle French Immersion Program (Grade 4 entry) for September 2022, applications must be completed online between January 3 and January 28, 2022.
An offer of placement in the program (not a specific school) is guaranteed to all on-time applicants and will be made in the weeks following the close of the application window.
Please note: Families with an older sibling currently enrolled in a French program and who will be in attendance next year are still required to complete an online application for the new student. Please select the “sibling option” within the online application.
For more information about the Middle French Immersion (Grade 4) application process, please join us for a Virtual Webinar Session on one of the following dates:
DATES, TIME & LINK TO WEBINARS |
January 6, 2022 – 10 am
|
January 13, 2022 – 1 pm
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January 17, 2022 – 7 pm
|
Information about the Middle French Immersion Program is available in multiple languages. For details, please see the information package. For more information about French programs, the application process and important dates, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/french or click on Application Process.
Severe Weather = Closed Schools
The cold weather is already upon us and so is the likelihood of severe weather. TDSB has reviewed the Board’s Severe Weather Procedure, and, guided by the necessary health and safety conditions as a result of the pandemic, they have made some decisions as to how the TDSB will operate throughout the winter in the event of severe weather conditions.
Because of the need to maintain cohorts, we are not able to combine classes, which is often necessary on days with bad weather because of reduced staffing levels. As a result, this year, the TDSB has determined that when buses are cancelled, all schools -- including both in-person and virtual learning -- will also be closed to staff and students.
If schools are closed:
- Students will not participate in live remote or virtual learning but teachers will provide voluntary class work through established online platforms for students who wish to continue their learning. Students may also work on previously-assigned work or spend time reviewing material previously covered.
- Any scheduled events, such as tests or parent meetings will be cancelled and rescheduled.
- Before and After-School Programs and Extended Day Programs will be closed.
- Child care programs (serving infant, toddler and preschool-aged children) can remain open to families, however families are encouraged to connect directly with the operator to confirm they are open.
- EarlyON programs will be closed to in-person programming, however families can participate in virtual programming.
The decision to cancel buses and close schools (including child care programs and Extended Day Program) will be determined by 6 a.m. to allow as much time as possible for families to make alternative arrangements.
Parent Online Controls
With the winter break upon us, students may be spending more time indoors and therefore more time on the internet. The internet is a great tool for learning and entertainment, but not all content is appropriate for every age. As parents, guardians, and educators we need to be aware of the tools we can use to limit the content and/or time students spend online.
The following article gives great advice if you are looking to establish parental controls on your digital devices: Parents' Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls
If you’re looking for a simple way without reading the article - turn on Restricted Mode on YouTube.
How to do this on your computer:
Click your profile picture .
Click Restricted Mode.
In the top-right box that appears, click Activate Restricted Mode to on or off.
For Ipads and Android devices please click the following: LINK.
Tamil Heritage Month
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