Dovercourt SAC statement in solidarity with teachers refusing unsafe work
Dovercourt Public School's School Advisory Council (SAC) wishes to express our solidarity with educators across the TDSB who are exercising their right to refuse unsafe work. Citing hazards including inadequate setup for safely eating in school buildings, lack of access to adequate/properly fitted masks and rapid tests, poorly ventilated common areas and spaces, among other conditions that make school spaces unsafe, they have expressed serious concerns about community spread. Unfortunately, while educators are taking measures to draw attention to current crises, we find ourselves in this situation as a result of chronic underfunding over decades which has created a $16Bn backlog in necessary infrastructure work across the province.
By this point in the pandemic, our access to good information about containing and stopping the spread of COVID-19 is widely available. It is beyond frustrating to see the Province behaving as though the science has not made it clear that collapsing cohorts, filling corridors and stairwells with unmasked students, and failing to make adequate PPE available to everyone in schools are all actions that jeopardize the safety of staff and students. We know how to do better, and we stand beside educators working to ensure that the correct actions are taken now to ensure the safety of all in school buildings.
Signed,
Dovercourt SAC
By this point in the pandemic, our access to good information about containing and stopping the spread of COVID-19 is widely available. It is beyond frustrating to see the Province behaving as though the science has not made it clear that collapsing cohorts, filling corridors and stairwells with unmasked students, and failing to make adequate PPE available to everyone in schools are all actions that jeopardize the safety of staff and students. We know how to do better, and we stand beside educators working to ensure that the correct actions are taken now to ensure the safety of all in school buildings.
Signed,
Dovercourt SAC
COVID-19 Resource
|
The SAC wanted to share this COVID-19 resource from the University of Toronto Family and Community Medicine Program that you and your family may find helpful. Please access it using the following link:
https://dfcm.utoronto.ca/confused-about-covid |
|
N95s for All!
|
To request N95 masks for your child, please fill out this form: If you're interested in making a donation to our N95s for All! initiative, please send an e-transfer to the SAC email address: [email protected] indicating N95 Donation in the message. Alternatively, a cash donation can be made to the office if preferred. Unfortunately tax receipts cannot be provided for this purpose. An e-transfer/cash, rather than School Cash Online, is needed as School Cash Online prevents us from designating funds expressly for the mask campaign. You do not need to have made a donation to get a mask for your child. |
In the hope of ensuring that all Dovercourt PS students are able to have access to effective PPE, the School Advisory Council is aiming to purchase a quantity of N95 masks—some sized for 4–8 year olds and others sized for older children—that will be made available (while supplies last) to those who want or need them and are unable to access them. Our initial goal is to raise $2000, which will allow us to purchase at least 500 masks for each age group with a significant bulk discount.
We know that masks are one of our key tools (along with vaccination and optimized ventilation) to protect against COVID infection. Although cloth masks were a go-to choice for many in the early stages of the pandemic (and are still much better than no mask at all!), infectious disease specialists have determined that because the omicron variant is many times more transmissible than earlier COVID strains, N95 masks—which are able to filter out at least 95 per cent of airborne particles—are a preferable option. (The handy chart below shows a comparison of the relative effectiveness of different types of masks!) N95 masks can be harder to find than cloth masks, and, because they cannot be reused as many times as cloth masks, may be too costly for many families to purchase. Feel free to contact [email protected] if you have any questions. |
COVID-19 Vaccine Opportunities
Reposted from the TDSB email sent on Tuesday, January 18, 2022:
Dear Families,
We wanted to let you know about a COVID-19 vaccine opportunity organized by Toronto Public Health.
The TDSB, TCDSB and Toronto Public Health have arranged for five vaccination clinics that are open to students and their families at your school at the following five locations:
These clinics are by appointment only.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Scheduling a Vaccination Appointment
The confirmation email will contain your Confirmation # (if you need to cancel or change your appointment you will need the Confirmation #).
When you attend the vaccination site you will be asked for your name and required to provide government photo ID. The vaccine will not be administered without identification. The vaccine appointment cannot be transferred to friends or family. If you are ill, have any signs or symptoms of COVID 19 please do not attend the vaccine appointment. Masks must be worn inside the vaccination centre.
As the TDSB continues to take steps to ensure a safer return to in-person learning, students and staff are encouraged to get vaccinated, as vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect them and others from COVID-19.
Thank you.
Dear Families,
We wanted to let you know about a COVID-19 vaccine opportunity organized by Toronto Public Health.
The TDSB, TCDSB and Toronto Public Health have arranged for five vaccination clinics that are open to students and their families at your school at the following five locations:
These clinics are by appointment only.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Scheduling a Vaccination Appointment
- Go to the TDSB scheduling webpage at https://tdsbclinic.parentinterview.com
- Enter the Access Code: clinic2022 and click "Sign In"
- Fill in your contact information and click "Continue to Make Appointments". Note: Parents/Guardians please select “Other” from the "Position" menu
- Click on the clinic location that you want to schedule an appointment for
- Click on the time at which you wish to have your appointment
- Print, email or copy down your schedule
The confirmation email will contain your Confirmation # (if you need to cancel or change your appointment you will need the Confirmation #).
When you attend the vaccination site you will be asked for your name and required to provide government photo ID. The vaccine will not be administered without identification. The vaccine appointment cannot be transferred to friends or family. If you are ill, have any signs or symptoms of COVID 19 please do not attend the vaccine appointment. Masks must be worn inside the vaccination centre.
As the TDSB continues to take steps to ensure a safer return to in-person learning, students and staff are encouraged to get vaccinated, as vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect them and others from COVID-19.
Thank you.
COVID-19 Vaccines for 5-11 Year Olds
Health Canada has approved a COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11. Vaccination is now available in Toronto by booking online or by phone (1-833-943-3900). Ontario health card not needed. Children who do not have a health card can book by phone and use some form of identification, such as a passport or birth certificate.
You may find it easier to book with a local pharmacy--many of our local pharmacies, including the Bloor and Dovercourt Shoppers and Galleria Mall Rexall, have online booking systems that are quick and easy to use. Alternatively, larger-scale vaccination events are also taking place, such as the Toronto Kids Vaccine Day at Scotiabank Arena on December 12, 2021, or the Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre, which will be running a number of clinics at 1900 Davenport Road over the next few weeks for Kids (5-11), 12+, and booster-eligible individuals. See Ontario's COVID-19 website for more information on booking locations and availability.
The School Advisory Council recognizes the benefits of vaccination for the Dovercourt community and supports individual efforts (such as getting vaccinated) to bolster public health. The SAC encourages you to get your questions answered about COVID-19 vaccines from trusted sources. Toronto Public Health has put together some good resources for parents about the vaccine:
Toronto Public Health also hosted a webinar specific for parents and guardians to talk about the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Vinita Dubey from Toronto Public Health presents the Pfizer vaccine clinical trial, the latest information about COVID-19 in kids, and she answers all kinds of questions from the audience. Check it out if you missed it!
You may find it easier to book with a local pharmacy--many of our local pharmacies, including the Bloor and Dovercourt Shoppers and Galleria Mall Rexall, have online booking systems that are quick and easy to use. Alternatively, larger-scale vaccination events are also taking place, such as the Toronto Kids Vaccine Day at Scotiabank Arena on December 12, 2021, or the Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre, which will be running a number of clinics at 1900 Davenport Road over the next few weeks for Kids (5-11), 12+, and booster-eligible individuals. See Ontario's COVID-19 website for more information on booking locations and availability.
The School Advisory Council recognizes the benefits of vaccination for the Dovercourt community and supports individual efforts (such as getting vaccinated) to bolster public health. The SAC encourages you to get your questions answered about COVID-19 vaccines from trusted sources. Toronto Public Health has put together some good resources for parents about the vaccine:
- Information for Parents, Guardians & Caregivers
- Tips for Easing Kids Fears about Vaccination
- How to Talk to Kids about Vaccination
Toronto Public Health also hosted a webinar specific for parents and guardians to talk about the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Vinita Dubey from Toronto Public Health presents the Pfizer vaccine clinical trial, the latest information about COVID-19 in kids, and she answers all kinds of questions from the audience. Check it out if you missed it!
