Message from Our Trustee
Dear families,
It is hard to sum up this past school year; it truly has been a year like no other. Many of our students have been transitioning between virtual and in-person learning. Others have spent the full year learning virtually as part of our Elementary and Secondary Virtual Schools. Whatever option you have chosen, this year has been challenging and has asked a lot of all of us – students, families, staff members and community partners. We have had to be flexible and adaptable in how we learn, teach and work. We have had to be diligent in learning new routines and adhering to public health measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. And, we have had to pay more attention than ever to supporting mental health and well-being during this challenging time.
This pandemic has affected different families in different ways, and I want to thank you for your patience, support and resiliency throughout this challenging year. I also want to take this opportunity to remind you that resources are available on the Board website, including community resources, mental health supports, tips and resources to support online learning, and tips for speaking with your child about COVID-19. These resources will continue to be available throughout the summer.
Despite the challenges this year, we have seen incredible examples of student learning and achievement. I am incredibly proud of the determination, resilience, creativity and perseverance demonstrated by our students. I want to wish a very special congratulations to the graduating class of 2021. This is an important milestone and while we are all disappointed that we are unable to celebrate in person as we would have hoped, we look forward to honouring our graduates virtually. Schools are working hard to make their virtual graduation celebrations a very special occasion. We are very proud of our graduates and wish you all the very best in the next chapter of your journey.
I also want to acknowledge the hard work of our educators and staff members who have maintained a focus on supporting students while navigating the challenges of the past year. Our staff members have shown a true commitment to their own learning in the service of our students, and have been participating in webinars, online training modules and other professional learning opportunities throughout the school year to enhance their own practices.
Earlier this spring, we launched the Board’s Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Strategy, with the goal to “achieve racial equity in YRDSB schools for Black students and staff.” The strategy was co-developed by York Region Black community leaders, YRDSB staff and in consultation with students. Thank you to everyone who supported this work and participated in the launch. We look forward to continuing this essential work.
The Board is also preparing for the 2022 Municipal Election by undertaking a review of school board trustee electoral areas. The boundaries of the areas the trustees represent change over time due to population growth and changes in student numbers. We are committed to ensuring that, as the region’s population changes, electoral areas continue to reflect the communities we serve. Public input is important to the Board of Trustees during the electoral area review. Throughout the process there will be a number of ways for you to learn more about the review and to provide input. Information about the Trustee Determination and Distribution is available on the Board website.
As was communicated to families in May, we are looking ahead to the 2021-2022 school year. Our goal is to create a learning model within the provincial funding allocation that meets public health requirements and is centred on the safety and well-being of our students and staff members. To help meet this goal, we are planning to implement a hybrid model of learning for elementary and secondary schools, a model several other school boards have been using during this current school year. Through this model, families will continue to have the ability to opt for in-person or remote learning, and placement for all students will be in their home school. I know there are many questions about what this will look like and what to expect in September. The Board continues to provide as much information as possible and has shared some frequently asked questions on the Board website about the model change for 2021-2022, this page will continue to be updated. As planning continues and information becomes available, we will provide regular updates to families. Please know that health and safety of our students, staff and families remains our top priority. You can also continue to find information on the Board website at www.yrdsb.ca and on Twitter @YRDSB.
As we go into the summer months, I want to thank you once again for your support over the past year, and to wish you all a safe, healthy and enjoyable summer.
As the school year comes to a close, I want to wish you and your families a safe, healthy and happy summer. I look forward to a time when we can welcome your children back into our schools again. We know that families have questions about what the return to school will look like. We will continue to share information with you as it becomes available. In the meantime, we encourage you to continue following public health guidelines and to stay connected.
Trustee Ron Lynn
PA Day Reminder
A reminder that Monday May 31st is a PA day for all elementary school students. There will be no virtual learning.
Mr Suleiman -YRDSB Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to Mr. Suleiman for being awarded Teacher of the Year by YRDSB. Mr. Suleiman leads through the lens of equity and demonstrates kindness and humility. He has made a positive difference in the lives of many students, families and staff. Parkview PS is very proud of you!
Student and Family Survey
YRDSB is inviting students and families to participate in the YRDSB Student and Family Surveys.
These surveys will help us to better understand the experiences of students and families during this school year.
Learn more: http://ow.ly/YpK630rHo11
Reopening Update (emailed by Board to all families on May 26)
Dear families,
You may have seen reports in the media about the possibility of schools reopening to in-person learning. At this time, the Ministry of Education has not confirmed if or when schools will be reopening, and schools currently remain closed for in-person learning with learning continuing virtually.
While we do not yet have information about school reopening, we remain prepared for the possibility of region-wide or province-wide school reopenings if the Government of Ontario directs us to do so. We will continue to share information with families as it becomes available to us.
Earlier this week, we received correspondence from York Region Public Health that, like other jurisdictions around the province, points to the drop in COVID-19 case counts in York Region. Today, you may have seen references to information in that letter, including a much reduced positivity rate. This is a result of the collective efforts from our community and we thank you for continuing to follow provincial and local public health guidelines.
In addition to this, vaccination rates continue to increase, and York Region Public Health has already started to book appointments for children over 12 years of age. We encourage all eligible families to book vaccinations. For more information, please visit www.york.ca/covid19vaccine.
While we receive encouraging news from our local public health unit, it’s important to note the decision to reopen schools to in-person learning is made at the provincial level. This decision takes into account many factors (e.g. burden on provincial healthcare system, inter-regional travel, and etc.), some of which may have significant local and provincial consequences. We continue to be in discussion with our local public health unit and the Ministry of Education, and will provide additional information as soon as it becomes available.
If decisions are made to reopen schools to in-person learning, we will keep families informed and support our students with the transition back to school.
Resources continue to be available on the Board website, including community resources, mental health supports and tips to support online learning. Visit www.yrdsb.ca/school-reopening to learn more.
We look forward to welcoming our students and staff back into our schools for in-person learning as soon as we are safely able to do so. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
Student Absences
Please continue to report your child’s absence using Inform. The office will continue to follow up on absences during online learning.
As a school team we are committed to supporting our students, please email the school at parkview.ps@yrdsb.ca or your child’s teacher if you have questions or require support. It is important that we all stay home and continue to follow Public Health guidelines in order to curb the spread of COVID 19 in order to protect one another. It has been a challenging year and we thank you for your continued support and flexibility.
Equity & Inclusion At Parkview, we are deeply committed to equity and inclusive education. It is important that as a community we continue to support our children with navigating through events that they see, hear, or feel especially when events are traumatic in a safe and inclusive manner. It is through our shared commitment to equity that we will be able to make the world a better place. Families, these tips to speak with children may be helpful. http://ow.ly/dDAD30rrzMr.
Here are some resources for families if you are looking for ways to speak about race:
How To Talk About Race With Young Children
Anti-Racist Baby Book (For K-8)
Other Resources:
Dismantling Anti- Black Racism
Support With Technology & Resources for Families
Families looking for assistance in navigating online tools can find resources available on the Board website . Families looking for virtual school IT support are encouraged to visit our Virtual School IT Support page for FAQs and a student tech help form.
Support from Markham Public Library
Programming staff have created grade specific worksheets which can be requested here. Families can fill out the form for the desired grade and the library will email grade specific worksheets that can help supplement learning. This resource is proving surprisingly popular even without any promotion. Additionally, click here for grade specific math practice programs that continue to be developed and shared.
2021 Summer Learning Programs Available
During the month of July, YRDSB continues to offer credit and non-credit summer school program opportunities for elementary, secondary and adult students.
Traditional in-class face-to-face summer programs will move to a remote learning delivery model.
Registration is now open for the following programs:
Elementary Credit and Non-Credit Programs:
· Elementary Summer School (Grades 6 – 8 non credit reinforcement)
· Grade 8 Reach Ahead
· Online-Learning
· Remote Learning
· Adult Literacy and Basic Skills
· English as a Second Language
· Citizenship Classes
For more information about summer learning programs and registration please visit www.yrdsb.ca and follow us on Twitter @YRDSB.
Looking for books for your children? Shop the following titles from our Primary Division on our Parkview Indigo Page:
- Happy in Our Skin, by Fran Manuskin
- Everyone Counts, by Judy Sierra, illustrated by Marc Brown
- Same, Same But Different, by Jenny Sue Kostecki-ShawMixed Me by Taye Diggs
- Black is a Rainbow Colour by Angela Joy
- I am Enough by Grade Byers
- The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson
June is….
June is Pride Month around the globe. It’s a time that many people in the 2SLGBTQ+ community (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and additional identities) reflect on the leaders and activism of our past and present, along with the future we are working to create.
The recognition of Pride Month has roots in the events that occurred in New York City in June of 1969 at the Stonewall Inn. The history of this event is rooted in decades of 2SLGBTQ+ activism responding to police brutality, unjust laws that limited gender expression, and other laws that targeted the 2SLGBTQ+ community. It is important that we remember that many of the leaders of the Stonewall movement were trans women of colour and marginalized youth. The 2SLGBTQ+ community’s activism has continued to create supportive environments that benefit all communities. Our YRDSB students often discuss in GSAs (Gender and Sexuality Alliances) how we can create intersectional, inclusive, and welcoming environments for all.
Upcoming Faith Days
For faith observances in June, please see the YRDSB Multifaith Calendar located on the new revised YRDSB School Calendar page.
Parkview Pulse 