The Toronto District School Board has informed Orde Day Care that Orde Street PS will be closed on  Thursday, June 24 and Friday, June 25 because of the potential for disruption caused by nearby G20 Summit-related protests. Although the TDSB has not yet decided to close Contact Alternative School,  where the Satellite site is located, our usual evacuation site for Satellite day care will not be available.

In light of the decision of the TDSB and because of the closure of our usual evacuation sites, the Board of Directors has made the difficult decision that both the Orde Street and Satellite sites will be closed on Thursday June 24 and Friday, June 25

The safety of our children, families and staff are our main concern, and we appreciate your understanding in this decision.

It is anticipated that both sites will be open Monday June 21 to Wednesday June 23, 2010. However, possible that further decisions will have to be made to either close one or both Orde locations, or reduce hours or relocate prior to Thursday, June 24th.

Please keep in mind that there may be traffic problems near both sites beginning Monday and likely worsening through the week.

We will continue to assess the information we receive from the RCMP, Toronto Police Services, the City of Toronto and the Toronto District School Board. We will keep you informed of any further changes in our daycare schedule. It is possible that further decisions will have to be made to either close one or both Orde locations, or reduce hours. Please let staff or Board members know if you have questions or concerns.

We have received information that the TDSB may be closing the main site on Friday, June 25th which would then make it necessary for our day care to follow suit.  Confirmation and more details to follow shortly

Toronto will host the fourth G-20 summit on June 26-27, 2010 drastically affecting much of the downtown core and the we are assessing the impact it would have on the children, parents and staff.

Safety is our main concern and as such we are relying on information we receive directly from the RCMP, Toronto Police Services, the City of Toronto and the Toronto District School Board.

The Board of Directors has not made a final decision regarding days of closure or shortened hours and will continue to monitor the situation daily and keep you informed.

We have been told that there will be a significant impact on people traveling into and out of the downtown core, particularly on Thursday, June 24^th and Friday, June 25^th.

The Toronto Police Services has informed us of the following:

1. Expect a massive inconvenience on Thursday, June 24th and Friday, June, 25th especially in the afternoon.
2. Driving will be very difficult, there will be intermittent closures on the Gardiner and other roadways to allow for delegates motorcades to get through.
3. Parking will also be an issue both on-street and in parking lots.  Some parking lots will be closed and on-street parking will be prohibited in some areas.
4. The public is being directed to take public transit, which will have an increased uniformed and plainclothes police presence.
5. At this time TTC subways and above ground routes are planning to run as usual, however expect delays and have a back up plan.
6. Union station will be open and the east and west exits will be used to exit and enter.

Given the information we have so far, we strongly advise the following:

1. If you drive – check your route, check to see if your parking lot will be open during these days and whether or not you will be able to access it; anticipate delays and plan alternate routes.
2. If you travel by TTC, check to see that your route is operational, wear good walking shoes and carry water.  Consider a stroller for your child.
3. Plan for alternate routes to get to daycare for drop-off and again for pick-up.
4. We strongly advise planning to leave earlier from your home for drop-off and earlier from your work for pick up.
5. Anticipate that there may be large crowds of protesters and/or delegates along your route to and from daycare.
6. These delays and traffic interruptions will potentially compromise our ratios and you may be asked to stay with your child if staff is delayed in arriving for their shift.
7. We will be asking you to provide the staff with alternate “emergency contacts” for your children; these contacts should be readily available given the circumstances.

At this time operations are as usual and we will advise you of any temporary changes to our daily schedules or procedures. We may also look to reduce or cease outdoor play and walks, if the need arises.

We will have phone/email trees set up to disseminate information in case of emergency.

If the need to evacuate arises, our usual evacuation sites may not be available to us and we have been advised to call 911 to get assistance.

We will continue to monitor information and keep you updated.  If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with a Supervisor or Board member.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.