Re-opening of Schools: February 8, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Today the Ministry of Education, with recommendations from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and local public health units, announced that elementary and secondary schools in the Durham Catholic District School Board will re-open for in-class instruction on Monday, February 8, 2021. Click here to view the announcement.

Effective Monday, February 8, 2021, students enrolled in in-class learning will return to the classroom with enhanced protocols and routines in place that will support the health, safety and well-being of all members of our Catholic learning community.?

Students enrolled in our elementary or secondary virtual learning schools are not impacted by this announcement.

In accordance with the Ministry of Education and public health officials, the following enhanced health and safety measures will be in place when schools re-open, in addition to the layers of protection that were already in place since September 2020.

Masking

Masking is now mandatory for all students in Grades 1-3, subject to reasonable exceptions. This masking requirement is in addition to the existing requirement for students in Grades 4-12. Where physical distancing is not possible during outdoor activities, masking will be required for students in Grades 1-12. Students in Kindergarten are strongly encouraged to wear a mask. Families are encouraged to send two masks to school each day for each child (one for indoor and one for outdoor use).

Starting Monday, February 8, 2021, masks must be worn on the school bus, as well as outdoors at bus stops, by students in Kindergarten-Grade 12. 

Screening

All students and staff are required to conduct daily screening for symptoms of COVID-19 before attending school using the COVID-19 school screening tool.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF THEY HAVE SYMPTOMS OR HAVE NOT PASSED THE SELF ASSESSMENT.

For ease of access for students, a direct link to the Covid-19 school self-screening tool is now available on the DCDSB app. Parents/guardians, students and staff with mobile devices are encouraged to download the DCDSB app from Apple App Store or Google Play. The app can be located by searching “Durham Catholic District School Board”.

The self-screening tool can also be accessed at www.dcdsb.ca.

Confirmation of Self-Assessment for Secondary Students

All secondary students will be required to confirm that self-screening has been completed each day. This can be confirmed verbally as students enter their classroom, or by showing the green checkmark that appears on their device after completing the self-assessment.

Alternate arrangements will be made by the school for secondary students with special needs who do not have the capacity to conduct/confirm their own self-assessment.

Congregating

To support provincial efforts to stop further spread of COVID-19, schools will focus on the prevention of students congregating during non-instructional time, such as recess and before/after school. Parents and guardians are asked to reinforce this important information with their children.

Parents, guardians and caregivers who are dropping off and picking up students are asked to refrain from gathering, and adhere to physical distancing protocols at all times. The use of masks/face coverings are strongly encouraged for all parents/guardians even when outside.

Expanded Targeted Testing

The Ministry will be expanding targeted testing for students, staff and their respective households in high-priority areas that are experiencing high levels of community transmission and outbreaks. More information will be forthcoming if/when testing sites are established.

Child Care Centres

Child care centres operating within our DCDSB schools will be open. Please contact your child care centre directly to confirm before and after school programming.

Transportation

Bus transportation will resume its normal operating schedule on Monday, February 8, 2021. Students in Kindergarten-Grade 12 will continue to wear masks on school buses, as well as outdoor bus stops. Screening must be completed prior to boarding the bus each morning.

We are excited to welcome students back to the classroom, and will continue to promote strategies that encourage positive mental health and well-being. Thank you for your cooperation during this time as we work together for a safe return to school. May we continue to pray for the health and safety of our school communities.

Yours in Catholic Faith,

Tracy Barill

Director of Education