This message is being sent to all DDSB staff on behalf of Acting Director Norah Marsh
Dear Colleagues,
With the return to school approaching, we are sharing messages with you that will be sent to elementary and secondary families later today. There are four messages in total and you will note that there are separate messages being sent to those who have enrolled in either in-person learning at their home school or virtual learning through DDSB@Home.
1. Elementary Families Virtual
2. Elementary Families In-Person
3. Secondary Families Virtual
4. Secondary Families In-Person
School administrators are now back in their schools and are working on the timetabling process to account for the approximately 13,650 students who have chosen to learn virtually from home. Some office staff will be arriving back in schools a week early on Monday August 24 to help support return to school preparations.
We are currently working to place school administrators in the DDSB@Home virtual school and you will receive an announcement later this week on who the virtual school leadership will be. We understand that educators may have questions about the class you will be teaching or where you may be placed. School administrators and central staff will have a better idea after the re-timetabling and re-staffing process has been completed and we can assess requirements.
We would like to thank those who have requested to work in the DDSB@Home virtual school. We also recently asked for your cooperation in notifying us if you have a need for an accommodation that prevents you from returning to the workplace in person. If you have not yet contacted Human Resources about your accommodation needs, we would ask you to please do so at this time. Accommodation requests for employee medical reasons are to be directed to shortterm.absence@ddsb.ca. Accommodation requests for non-medical reasons are to be directed to HR.Services@ddsb.ca. Please endeavour to make these requests by August 24, where possible in order to be considered for the start of school. We have created a page on SPARK that will host information relating to the return to school for staff. You can find a FAQ document about absences there and we are working towards developing a more comprehensive staff FAQ. You can access the page by visiting: https://spark.ddsb.ca/en/whats-happening/return-to-school-work.aspx
Yesterday, the senior team had it’s first in-person meeting since the middle of the March break. It was wonderful to welcome our new team members: Erin Elmhurst, Gary Crossdale and Jack Nigro. Our work was focused on understanding that our support of you and your work will translate into creative and dynamic learning opportunities for our students and schools with positive climates. We know that there is a lot in the media right now, please know that your senior team values all staff in the education sector and strives to work collaboratively with associations, federations and unions. We know that we are all here because we believe in the value of public education, because we care about students, and their outcomes, and that we are all learners driven by creating a world where social justice and equity are achieved. Together, we can be a positive voice for those in need.
As central staff and school administrators work towards a safe return to school for all, we understand that things are moving quickly. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through staffing and look forward to providing you with more information soon. Thank you to everyone for your dedication to our students and to those who are on a summer break, please take the time to enjoy these moments with your family.
Sincerely,
Norah Marsh
Acting Director of Education
