News and Announcements

 The Ministry of Education announced on Thursday that it has updated its COVID-19 school and child care screening guidance. In line with this new direction, Toronto Public Health has also revised their guidance for students and related materials.

Revised TDSB Student Health Pass

For up-to-date information on the return to school, please visit:

www.tdsb.on.ca/returntoschool

The attached google document has all the information students need for the first day of school.

Please read carefully! Only some students need to come to the building on Thursday.

First Day of School Instructions

For parents/guardians interested in receiving insurance coverage beyond OHIP, please click on the following link to learn more about purchasing personal optional Accidental Insurance:    

Today, the Premier and Education Minister announced the Government of Ontario’s guidelines for the
return to school in September. School boards across Ontario are being asked to prepare for three possible
scenarios that will depend on the public health situation at the time.  To learn more, please click on the following link:

Ministry Letter Return to School

Mackenzie’s very own Cyber Security Team finished third in a virtual national cybersecurity competition. The contest started a year ago with 203 teams from across Canada and culminated with the top 10 teams competing for the national title.

The CyberTitan III National Finals took place June 8. Because of the pandemic, the competition was a virtual event, where all 57 student competitors participated from their homes. On June 9, a virtual summit was held where students heard from cybersecurity experts; the official award celebration was held June 10.

Click on the following Toronto.com article for more information:

Toronto.com Article – MAC Cyber Security Team finishes number 1 in Ontario and 3rd Nationally

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We hope that you remain well. The Ministry of Education has requested all school boards in Ontario share the following information with regard to the Province’s plan for COVID-19 testing.

Thank you.

Message from the Ministry of Education

We are writing to let you know that the province released its testing plan on Friday May 29, 2020, Protecting Ontarians Through Enhanced Testing. Ontario now has the most open testing criteria in the country.

Ontario’s testing guidance now indicates that you should visit an assessment centre if you:

• have at least one of the symptoms of COVID-19
• do not have symptoms but are concerned you might have been exposed
• do not have symptoms but think you are at risk through your employment (for example, if you are an essential or health care worker)
• would like to be tested

To support Ontarians who have identified the need to get tested, as of May 24, 2020, people will no longer need a referral to go to any of the more than 130 assessment centres across Ontario for testing. No Ontarian will be declined a test.

Given this expanded guidance, if you do choose to get tested, here are a few important notes:

• Testing is voluntary.
• You do not need an OHIP card to be tested. It is a free service.
• Some assessment centres may require you to book an appointment first or have certain restrictions (for example, some are unable to test young children). Find out more about an assessment centre near you.
• You can also take an online self-assessment to help determine if you should get tested.
• If you are free of symptoms and have not had contact with anyone confirmed to have COVID-19 when presenting for testing, you will not be required to self-isolate. However, you should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days regardless of your test result. If you begin to develop symptoms, self-isolate and contact your local public health unit for further advice.

Stay informed and visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19. Local information is also available from your local public health unit.

Racism in all forms is deeply rooted in our history. This week reminds us of the ongoing impact of anti-Black racism on individuals and communities. Through the media, we have witnessed violence and harassment against members of the Black community. We are acutely aware of the devastating impacts of anti-Black racism in our world, in our community and in the Toronto District School Board.

These events are felt personally, and in different ways by our students, staff and community at the TDSB. We recognize that there are a myriad of feelings being experienced by Black staff and students in the TDSB. There is a heightened sense of vulnerability and reactions of sadness, insecurity, anger, and grief – to name a few. It is incumbent upon all of us to stand up and do whatever it takes to end racism, hate and oppression of all kinds. Silence is not acceptable. The profound harm it causes to individuals, families and communities can no longer be debated or tolerated and must be stopped.

The Toronto District School Board continues to be committed to equity and inclusion, and we acknowledge the importance of addressing anti-Black racism. As we continue to serve students and communities, these acts of violence are critical reminders that we need to remain focused and committed to the changes that need to happen for our students and families. We need to continuously examine our commitment on how we make schools safe places for all students, staff, parents and communities.

In the TDSB, we do not always get things right, but we will maintain an unwavering focus on ending anti-Black racism and all forms of oppression. We know we need to hear the voices of our students, community and staff, and make sure our equity efforts are informed by these voices. In our sadness, let us work towards change and hold each other accountable for taking a stand against individual and systemic acts of anti-Black racism. Let us work together to make a difference and fight against all forms of racism and hate as we strive to change the future in the lives of our TDSB community and beyond.

Robin Pilkey                                                          John Malloy

Chair of the Board                                               Director of Education

Optional Attendance:

Please note that William Lyon Mackenzie is closed to Optional Attendance for the school year 2020-2021.

Registration Process for New Registrants residing in the William Lyon Mackenzie Catchment Area:

Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, please email our Guidance Office Administrator Sharon McDonald at Sharon.McDonald@tdsb.on.ca to receive further information on registration documents and proof of residency requirements.

The Government of Ontario announced today that all publicly-funded schools in Ontario, including those in the Toronto District School Board, will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year and that remote learning will continue until the end of June. Please click on the following link for more information:

Director’s Letter:
School Closure Update – May 19, 2020

Ministry of Education Letter:
Minister of Education Letter – May 19, 2020

e-Learning registrations for 2020-2021 opens on May 27th on a first come first serve basis.  Please click on the following link for more information:

e-Learning Day School Flyer – Student