TDSB announced on June 4th that virtual graduations will continue to take place even AFTER the government itself (Doug Ford) voiced that he wants to see short outdoor graduation ceremonies. After years of hard work for the 8’s and grade 12’s especially, this has become their end - looking at another screen to end off their year. What a disappointment. We believe a safe, indoor OR outdoor commencement in the Fall is an excellent decision taking into account the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. The mental health of students has gone down drastically during this school year. Students and staff from all across the city joined virtual school, isolated from their friends and teachers from school. TDSB and TCDSB, we kindly ask you to allow students to have in-person events to represent the graduating classes of 2021. It is not fair that after a year and a half of isolation, different districts across Ontario are able to enjoy their time with friends and staff while TDSB and TCDSB students continue to stare at screens as a goodbye. It is our right of passage to walk on a stage with our diplomas off to a new start. We trust that you will meet our needs. 

Phase 3 is planned to be opened in August which includes: 

"Expanding access to indoor settings, with restrictions, including where there are larger numbers of people and where face coverings can’t always be worn. This includes:

indoor sports and recreational fitness
indoor dining
museums, art galleries and libraries
casinos and bingo halls with capacity limits" (https://www.ontario.ca/)

Given this amount of time, we believe that both school boards have the right amount of time to plan something for the graduating classes in the Fall to commemorate all of our hard work! 

ATTENTION STUDENTS: Below is a link to a document created by Alice Paradis in which we are copying, editing, and sending out to the Trustee of TDSB and CC's other TDSB and TCDSB authorities. Please review the document and share amongst students in the TDSB and TCDSB to send out as soon as possible! Send out the email below as soon as you can.  

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ugVxMM2guTmSy8YAP_hHFNewVClR6uCPrQeU4vLXolw/edit?usp=sharing