TDSB pushes back first day of school for most secondary students

The Toronto District School Board has delayed the restart date for most secondary students due to “complexities” with timetables and staffing.

On Wednesday, the decision was made during a virtual board meeting.

While most classes were supposed to begin on September 15, they will now be pushed back by two days for both in-person and virtual learning.

Important Update: Start dates for most TDSB secondary schools — in-person & virtual — have been adjusted. Special Education Congregated Sites will start on Sept 15, while most, if not all, other secondary schools will start on Sept 17.

More info here: https://t.co/gPsqGsRKqP

— Toronto District School Board (@tdsb) September 9, 2020

Elementary schools will have a staggered start for students over the first three days –September 15, 16 and 17.

TDSB

For secondary students the schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, September 15, will see students attending Special Education Congregated Sites (York Humber HS, Central Etobicoke HS, Frank Oke SS, Maplewood HS, Drewry SS and Sir William Olser HS) and students attending Developmental Disability (DD) Intensive Support Programs in secondary schools.

These students will follow a semester schedule.

• See also:
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  • TDSB asks Ford government to hire more nurses, staff for school reopening

And on Thursday, September 17, all remaining secondary schools, including students attending Intensive Support Programs (Autism, PD, MID, LD, and Gifted) will start classes.

These students will follow a quadmester schedule.

“As we prepare to open our schools and welcome back students and staff, we are doing everything possible to ensure the health and safety of all school community members, while also providing the best academic experience possible for students, supporting mental health and well-being and considering the needs of families and staff,” the school board said.

The TDSB added that “most, if not all” secondary schools will be open on one of these two days and if there are “unique circumstances” that require additional time, those schools will contact families directly.