TDSB Trustee Anu Sriskandarajah
Changes to school start and end times
Effective in September, the TDSB will be changing school start and end times at 131 elementary schools across the city. By staggering the start and end times of these schools, the TDSB is able to plan bus routes more efficiently and this will be better for our students by ensuring that: students get to school on time; and we reduce the number of busses used for transporting students.
Additionally, this is projected to save the TDSB approximately $2.5 million, which is important as the TDSB currently spends more on student transportation than we receive from the government. This decision was made in June 2019 as part of last year’s budget process. Trustees approved an operating budget plan for the 2019-20 school year that required $67.8 million in staff reductions and changes to programs/services to address provincial government funding reductions and the TDSB’s annual structural deficit.
Ward 22 schools that will be affected by the change to start and end times, commencing in September:
| Current | Revised | |||
| School | AM Bell | PM Bell | AM Bell | PM Bell |
| Alexander Stirling Public School | 8:45 am | 3:20 pm | 9:10 am | 3:45 pm |
| Charlottetown Junior Public School | 8:45 am | 3:20 pm | 9:00 am | 3:35 pm |
| Chief Dan George PS | 8:45 am | 3:20 pm | 9:10 am | 3:45 pm |
| Highland Creek PS | 8:45 am | 3:15 pm | 9:15 am | 3:45 pm |
| Thomas L Wells PS | 8:45 am | 3:20 pm | 8:20 am | 2:55 pm |
| William G Miller Public School | 8:45 am | 3:15 pm | 8:15 am | 2:45 pm |
TCDSB Trustee Garry Tanuan
Coronavirus updates
Information on COVID-19 is evolving and the global situation changes day by day. This can be a particularly stressful time for our children.
Please refer to the latest TCDSB Coronavirus Information page under What’s New, and stay informed with links like Tips for Supporting Your Child/Youth during COVID-19 Outbreak and other helpful information at our website https://www.tcdsb.org/
Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, has issued information regarding attendance at masses and participation in sacraments. Here is an excerpt:
Mass – In view of the requirements of the Government of Ontario during this medical emergency, all public Masses are cancelled, both during the week and on the weekend. Churches will be available for individual private prayer. The faithful will be able to watch, via livestream, a Mass every day at 7:30 a.m. broadcast from St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, which will be followed by the Angelus and the Rosary.
This Mass, Rosary and Angelus will also be available on the Archdiocese of Toronto’s YouTube channel for those who cannot join at 7:30 a.m. These Masses and prayers will be offered for the intentions of everyone as we go through these trying times. In addition, Mass will be broadcast daily on Salt & Light Catholic Media Foundation, VisionTV (Daily TV Mass) and EWTN.
Easter Message
Amidst these challenging times, this is an occasion for all of us, students and staff in our families and communities, to pray together more intensely for each other and especially for those who are ill or who have lost loved ones to the lethal virus. We pray for all victims, including the selfless healthcare workers who sacrifice their lives caring for others. May all of us be strengthened by the spiritual support of the community at this time through prayer, fasting and concern for one another.