Masks Required for Kindergarten Students

Posted On Friday January 14, 2022

Dear Kindergarten Parents and Guardians:

As a Catholic School Board, the care of our children, especially the youngest and most vulnerable members of our community is of utmost importance. Throughout the pandemic, we have always tried to carefully implement the procedures recommended to us to secure the health and safety of our students and staff and to lower the transmission of COVID-19 in the community.

Over the past several weeks, the overwhelming surge of the Omicron variant has resulted in record numbers of COVID-19 cases in our region and across the province. This has led to a review of our practices as we move toward the re-opening of schools for in person learning on Monday, January 17, 2022.

On Thursday, January 13, 2022, at a Special Board Meeting, as part of our commitment to the health and safety of students and staff, Trustees in Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) approved a motion to extend the masking requirements that have been in place for all students from Grade 1 to Grade 12 to now include all Kindergarten students in Year One and Year Two.

Over the past two years, we have found that many of our Kindergarten students have already opted to wear masks at school. As of Monday, January 17, 2022, all Kindergarten students will be required to wear non-medical masks or face coverings while indoors at school. This includes during classes, in hallways, and on school busses. Under the supervision of their educators, masks may be temporarily removed indoors while seated and eating or drinking. Although not required, all students are strongly encouraged to wear masks outdoors, especially when physical distancing cannot be safely maintained.

While we recognize that this is not ideal, conversations with our local Public Health Department and Chief Medical Officer of Health have led us to believe that our current situation warrants this additional measure being put in place. Ultimately, we want to do everything we can to ensure our schools remain open for in-person learning as we are aware of the important social, emotional, physical and psychological benefits of face-to-face learning and social interactions for our students.

Students are strongly encouraged to wear high-quality three-ply cloth masks. All students will be provided with two 3-ply reusable masks upon the return to school on January 17, 2022. 

The Region of Durham has compiled information and tips on ways families can support their children in wearing a mask. Please see Wearing a Mask 101: Tips for Parents.

The DCDSB recognizes its duty to accommodate students and staff with medical or other prevalent conditions that may prevent or limit the wearing of face coverings/masks. Please see Mask/Face Covering Accommodations and Exemptions for further details.

For further information on the return to in-school learning on January 17, 2022, please visit the DCDSB Return to Learning webpage.

We thank you for your ongoing partnership and efforts towards keeping our Catholic learning community safe.

Yours in Faith,

 

Tracy Barill
Director of Education