Extended School Closure / Continued Online Learning
12
Jan
Dear Summit Heights Families,
The following message has been shared by the TDSB:
Good Afternoon Parents/Guardians,
Today, the Government of Ontario announced new measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the province. As part of today’s announcement, the government has said that all schools in Toronto will remain closed to students and staff until Wednesday, February 10. During the closure period, remote learning will continue, as will in-person supports for students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning.
Our schools will continue to support all families to ensure that learning can continue as best as possible during the closure, although we recognize that everyone is trying their best to balance life, work, childcare, and remote learning, among other things right now. While we believe the continuation of learning is important, the mental health and well-being of our students is just as important. We would encourage parents/guardians to review these important resources that we have compiled that may help support your children during this challenging period.
We know the current situation is far from ideal for many of our families, but we will continue to support you as best we can during this time. Should you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your child’s school.
Thank you.
TDSB Update
08
Jan
Dear Parents/Guardians,
I want to provide you with an important update on the status of in-person learning at the Toronto District School Board. As you know, schools across Ontario have been closed this week to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Today, the Government of Ontario announced that elementary schools across Ontario, including those at the TDSB, will remain closed to students and staff until at least Monday, January 25, 2021. Secondary schools will remain closed until Monday, January 25 as was previously scheduled. During this extended closure, remote learning will continue.
We know that this extended shift to remote learning presents challenges for a number of families — of both students and staff — but I know our schools and our educators have been working to support all families to ensure that learning can continue as best as possible given the circumstances.
As we’ve shared before, while the TDSB has distributed more than 70,000 devices to students, we know that some students may still require a device for this extended remote learning period. In those cases, families are encouraged to contact their school to arrange for one. Please note that devices will be provided based on availability and may take time to distribute.
For parents/guardians of students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning and are receiving in-persons supports, these supports will continue during the extended closure.
As always, should you have any questions, please speak with your child’s school. In the meantime, we will continue to provide any necessary updates as we receive them.
Thank you.
School Resumes tomorrow (Jan. 4, 2021!)
03
Jan
Dear Summit Heights Parents,
Happy New Year! The staff and I hope that you and your family had a wonderful winter holiday break! We hope that this email finds you all in good health and ready for the resumption of school tomorrow!
As previously communicated by the TDSB and our staff, school resumes tomorrow (January 4) virtually for all Kindergarten to Grade 7 students at Summit Heights, and continues online until Friday January 8th.
If your child(ren)’s teacher hasn’t already contacted you, you will hear from them no later than 9:45 am tomorrow morning with more information regarding online learning, scheduling, expectations of conduct, etc. Please understand that there will be a bit of a transition period tomorrow morning as our staff organize things online with their students. For the rest of the week classes will start promptly at 9:10am, and the day will end at 3:40pm as usual.
Attendance will be taken by our staff as usual at 9:10am and 12:55pm. If your child(ren) will be absent any day this coming week, please email Ms. Layefsky (our office clerical at susan.layefsky@tdsb.on.ca) and your child’s teacher with:
- Child’s name
- Child’s Grade and Teacher Name
- Length of absence (full day, half day, multiple days etc)
- Reason for absence
Please do not call the school’s absence phone line, as it will not be monitored this week. In addition, please note that our school is closed to all students/parents between January 4 to January 8th.
As you can imagine, things are extremely fluid and can change pending on more direction from the TDSB and Ontario Government. Please monitor the news and your email regularly for updates.
We thank you in advance for your understanding, support, flexibility and patience as we do our best to serve the needs of your children.
Here’s to a great start to 2021!
Mr. B. Mah,
Principal.
Mid-Break Update (re: Jan 4)
28
Dec
Dear Summit Heights Families,
We hope that you and your family are having a wonderful holiday so far, one where all of you continue to be healthy and find happiness!
The TDSB emailed parents on December 21st with an update regarding the Ontario Government’s announcement about the return to school. Elementary schools, ours included, will be physically closed to students/parents until January 11th.
All Summit Heights students K to Grade 7, who were attending in-person, before the holidays will be learning virtually with our school staff starting Monday January 4th, 2021. Summit Heights students who are currently enrolled in the TDSB Virtual School, will continue their virtual studies as usual on January 4th.
The TDSB has informed our teachers that they should electronically contact their students/parents on January 4th. You can expect to receive an email or Google Class announcement or Brightspace posting that morning. We ask for your patience in waiting for this communication from your children’s teacher(s).
The staff have also been informed that our regular timetable/daily schedule will be followed. For example, if your child has French at 12:55pm each day, then that schedule should continue when learning virtually. Some staff have already been in touch with each other regarding the timetable, and any changes will be communicated with you.
This also means that virtual classes will begin at 9:10am, and end at 3:40pm. Recess and lunch will also be scheduled as usual.
It’s important to note that our staff are waiting for more details/information and guidance from the TDSB regarding January 4th and beyond, when we have more information we will keep you updated and informed.
Thank you for your ongoing support, understanding and patience as we navigate this ever-changing situation.
Best regards,
Mr. B. Mah,
Principal.
Happy Holidays!!!
18
Dec
Dear Summit Heights Families,
On behalf of our entire school staff, we wish you a wonderful, joyful, happy, restful and healthy holiday!
We’re very proud of how our school community pulled together to make the last few months successful, particularly given all the changes and protocols based on the ongoing world-wide pandemic. Despite the challenges presented with the many health and safety protocols (including mask wearing and health screening), cohorting, changes in scheduling in recesses – and the list goes on, our students did exceptionally well in their learning and functioning here at school.
Our students, staff and parent community must be given credit for their cooperation leading to the success of the past few months – well done everyone!
A reminder that we are scheduled to return to class on Monday, January 4th. If we return to school in-person, please remember to send your child(ren) to school with indoor shoes to change into, and any necessary learning materials (BYOD, pencils, pens etc) as most of these items were sent home before the holidays.
Please keep a close eye on the news should an announcement be made by the Ontario Government and TDSB if we pivot to on-line learning. We will send an email update as well, but the most updated/timely and official news will come from the Government and TDSB. If this is the case, your children’s teacher(s) will also reach out about next steps – however please be patient as the staff would receive direction from the TDSB before the email you.
Either way, remember that we had a relatively smooth first-few months of school, despite all of the uncertainly at the beginning. We will make things work, as best as we can, in January and beyond!
Best wishes and the happiest of holidays to you and your entire family!
Sincerely,
Mr. Mah and the Summit Heights Staff!
Summit Heights Spirit Week!
10
Dec
Dear Summit Heights Families,
Thanks to the organizational work of Ms. Berberi and Ms. Calvieri, next week is Spirit Week at Summit Heights! Please see the schedule, and if possible, help or encourage your child to be dressed according to the ‘themed’ days next week! Thank you!
Monday Dec. 14 – Twin Day (dress like a friend or someone from school!)
Tuesday Dec. 15 – Wear One Colour Day (wear your favourite colour from head to toe!)
Wednesday Dec. 16 – Character Day (dress like someone from a book, movie, game etc!)
Thursday Dec. 17 – Wacky Hair/Hat Day! (wear a funky hat or hair style!)
Frday Dec. 18 – Pyjama Day (wear your coziest PJs to school!)
