Novel Coronavirus

We have created a list of well-being apps for children and youth.

• How to support students mental health during COVID-19?
• Reaching Out
• Self-Care

At this time, information about COVID-19 is rapidly evolving as new details are confirmed and new questions emerge. In the event of an outbreak in your community, as a parent/caregiver, your first concern is about how to protect and take care of your children and family. Knowing important information and learning how to be prepared can reduce your stress and can help calm anxieties. 

Coping with Stress Related to COVID-19

Visit our DCDSB Mental Health web page for resources.

The following community agencies provide 24 hours help line services:

• Mental Health Helpline: 1-800-531-2600
• Durham Mental Health Services: 1-800-742-1890
• Ontario Shores Crisis Line: 1-800-263-2679
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
• Distress Centre Durham: 1-800-452-0688 

Update on Return to Learning - July 10, 2020

Minister of Education Letter - June 22, 2020

Minister of Education Letter - English

Minister of Education Letter - French

Letter to Parents and Guardians - June 19, 2020

June 19, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we wrap up the instructional Year of Hope, we reflect upon the triumphs and trials of what has unfolded to be an unprecedented time in the history of Catholic education in Ontario.

Looking ahead, we are hopeful that schools will open for instruction in September. Today the Minister of Education announced three different scenarios describing what the reopening of schools could look like:

1. A full return to conventional school with strict Public Health protocols in place;
2. Continued remote synchronous learning; or
3. An adaptive model that includes students attending school on alternate days or weeks for classroom instruction and continued synchronous learning.

Our staff will continue to monitor, review and plan throughout the summer to develop reopening models for all three scenarios in consultation with the Ministry of Education and Durham Region Health Department to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our students and staff. The model that we implement in September will be determined by circumstances at that time and will be directed by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and informed by our local public health conditions.

Minister Lecce’s announcement also noted that parents and guardians have the choice to send their child(ren) back to school. A survey for parents/guardians is being developed that will be sent to you in the near future asking if you plan on sending your child(ren) back to school in September. This data will help us in planning for reopening.

What you can expect

To date we know the following will be implemented as part of an adaptive model for reopening:

• extra hand hygiene by students and staff throughout the day;
• enhanced environmental cleaning and ventilation in our schools;
• smaller class sizes (15 students per classroom with one teacher);
• physical distancing in the classroom and on school buses;
• no sharing of classroom supplies and resources;
• personal protective equipment worn by staff (e.g. Face masks or shields)
• childcare services in our schools will be open;
• limited contact allowed inside the schools.

In the coming days, Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS) will also issue a survey to all DCDSB families who currently use transportation to and from school.

At this time, I ask that you monitor your email and your school’s website for more information throughout the summer months as more information becomes available and details are finalized. We will do our best to communicate as early and as often as we are able. I wish you all a safe and relaxing summer. Stay well and God Bless!

Yours in faith,

Tracy Barill,
Director of Education

Letter to Parents and Guardians - May 19, 2020

Minister Lecce's Letter to Parents and Guardians

May 19, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Today the Government of Ontario announced that all publicly funded schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year in an effort to keep students and staff safe while preventing the spread of COVID-19. Our Catholic educators will therefore continue to deliver teacher-led distance learning programs so that students can continue to receive curriculum-based instruction at home through to Friday, June 26, 2020.

The province also indicated that expanded summer learning opportunities will be available to support students over the summer months. We will share information on the Continuity of Learning for July and August once we receive guidelines from the Ministry of Education. In the meantime, students in Grades 8 through 12 can register for summer school courses by speaking to their Guidance Counsellor or visiting www.con-ed.ca.

Please note that for the remainder of the school year, all Professional Activity (PA) Days and examination days will be replaced with instructional days. This means that dates currently marked in our school year calendar as PA Days and exam days will now have student lessons and learning provided. Students will still receive report cards in June and all students who were on track to complete grade 12 in June will graduate.

We recognize that our students have personal belongings that have been in their desks or lockers during the school closure period, and we are working closely with our School Administrators, Facilities Services Team and the Durham Region Health Department to develop a protocol for the pick-up of these personal items with the safety of students and staff as our highest priority.

Finally, I want to extend my appreciation to families, students and educators who are working together to navigate these challenging times. Learning at home is new for all of us. As a Catholic community, we are committed to continuing our joint efforts to ensure the well-being, faith formation and achievement of our children. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or your school’s principal if you are in need of clarification or assistance.

Yours in faith,

Tracy Barill Director of Education

Minister Lecce's Letter to Parents and Guardians - English

Minister Lecce's Letter to Parents and Guardians - French

Letter to Parents and Guardians - April 27, 2020

Minister Lecce's Letter to Parents and Guardians 

April 27, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we enter the fourth week of distance learning, I want to extend my appreciation for everything that you and your children are doing to engage in learning opportunities at home. We continue to work with staff to enhance best practices for curriculum delivery, while integrating faith in everything we do.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce has announced that all publicly funded schools will remain closed until at least May 31, 2020, in an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This means we will continue with our current distance learning model for the next five weeks, as we await further notice regarding next steps. Please be aware that for the remainder of the school year, all Professional Activity (PA) Days and examination days will be replaced with instructional days. This means that dates currently marked in our school year calendar as PA Days and exam days will now have student lessons and learning provided.

Although our schools are closed, we look forward to celebrating Catholic Education Week in May. This has always been a special week for the Durham Catholic District School Board, and for Catholic education across the province. The timing for this year’s theme, Igniting Hope, could not be better as we continue to pray with hope in our hearts for the health and safety of everyone impacted by COVID-19. Stay tuned for information about our virtual online celebrations, including the Walking in Hope Liturgy video service on Thursday, May 7, 2020. We will share a video focused on the theme of “Walking in Hope for the World” for students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 and students in Grades 7 -12.

I also ask that you mark your calendars for the province-wide Mass for Catholic Education celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Collins on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. We look forward to this special union of all Catholic students, staff and families who are able to join this virtual online event to be live-streamed from St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica.

Walking in Hope Liturgy video service. We will share a video focused on the theme of “Walking in Hope for the World” for students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 and students in Grades 7 -12.

May we continue to pray together as a community of faith, igniting hope around the world.

Yours in faith,

Tracy Barill
Director of Education 

Minister Lecce's Letter to Parents - English

Minister Lecce's Letter to Parents - French

April 20, 2020

Dear Durham Catholic families,

Thank you for your continued support as we navigate this journey into distance learning together. We have received additional information from the Ministry of Education regarding assessment, evaluation and reporting that I would like to share with you.

Report Cards

The Ministry of Education has advised that there will be no mid-term report cards with the exception of mid-term marks for our Grade 12 graduating students. We have developed a Parents Guide to Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting through Distance Learning to assist. All students will receive a final report card. 

• Elementary students will continue to be assessed throughout the remainder of the school year. Teachers will use a variety of approaches to gather evidence of how students are progressing in their learning, and will provide feedback to students.
• Secondary students will receive a final report card at the end of the 2019-20 school year. Teachers will continue to assign learning tasks, projects and culminating activities that will be assessed to inform students of their final course marks. Learning skills and work habits will be included on the final report card. There will be no final examinations.
  
  

Distance Learning Tips

Learning at home is new for all our students, families and staff. We will continue to support the education needs of your children and to help you we have developed a Parent Guide to Distance Learning and a Parent Guide to DCDSB Special Education Distance Learning. Additional learning resources are also available at Keep Learning (dcdsb.ca/keeplearning).

We have also added new videos to help students and families who are experiencing difficulties with logging into our student LaunchPad Learning Portal and navigating Edsby. Watch these videos by clicking on the student tab at https://www.dcdsb.ca/en/parents/edsby.aspx?_mid_=124978. Additional resources are also available at https://www.edsby.com/help/students/.

Student Code of Conduct

To ensure that our virtual learning environments are safe and accepting for all members of our school community, you are reminded to adhere to the school Code of Conduct. To assist we have created a Code of Conduct for Distance Learning with expectations for creating a safe online learning environment.

During these challenging times, it’s important to practice self-care and well-being. Staying physically active and going for walks can help with your mental health. Establishing a routine that includes regular breaks from learning throughout the day will assist in your child’s physical and emotional well-being. We have added Physical Education resources to our Daily Physical Activity web page (https://www.dcdsb.ca/en/programs-services/daily-physical-activity--dpa-.aspx) that you can access for tips and ideas.

Yours in Faith,

Tracy Barill
Director of Education

Dear Grade 12 Students and families, 

I hope you are adjusting to distance learning and have had an opportunity to reconnect with your teachers. We know this is a challenging time especially for our graduating students and that you have many questions regarding next steps. 

We have received additional information from the Ministry of Education regarding assessment, evaluation and reporting that I would like to share with you.

Grade 12 Midterm Marks

We will upload the mid-term marks for graduating students to the Ontario Colleges and Universities Application Systems (OCAS/OUAC) by Friday, April 24. Teachers will base mid-term marks on evidence that reflects work completed prior to the school closure period on March 13. Students currently have an opportunity to submit any missed and/or additional assignment to demonstrate their learning. Marks will represent a student’s most accurate work, based on what is reasonable and in the best interest of students at this time.

Graduation Requirements 

The Government of Ontario has stated that no student will have their graduation compromised due to COVID-19. The Ministry of Education continues to work with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to ensure that there will be no barriers to accessing post-secondary education.

OSSLT and Community Service Hours

Due to COVID-19, the Ministry of Education has waived the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) requirement and the completion of 40 hours of community service requirement for graduating students this year.

Final Report Cards 

All secondary students will receive a final report card at the end of the 2019-20 school year. Teachers will continue to assign learning tasks, projects and culminating activities that will be assessed to inform students of their final course marks. Learning skills and work habits will be included on the final report card. There will be no final examinations.
 

Thank you for your continued support and patience as we navigate distance learning together. If you have additional questions about assignments or course work, assessment, evaluation and reporting please connect with your child’s teacher directly. I wish you all a blessed Easter.

Yours in Faith,

Tracy Barill

Director of Education 

April 4, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Within our Catholic learning community, faith is embedded in everything we do. In the week ahead we will be embarking on teacher-led distance learning. At the same time, we will continue to celebrate and honour our faith-based traditions with our Durham Catholic family recognizing that beginning tomorrow, we will also be entering Holy Week, the most sacred time in our Catholic Liturgical Calendar. May this be a time when we hold our family close and remember our broader Durham Catholic community in prayer.

As you are aware, the Ministry of Education announced this week that schools will remain closed until May 4, 2020. Our staff has been working to address technology tools and access with families. We want you to know that we will continue to support the education needs of our students and have developed A Guide to Distance Learning for DCDSB Parents and Guardians. This plan involves teacher-led learning delivered through Edsby, Office 365 and/or D2L Brightspace.

Our plan aligns with the Ministry of Education’s Phase 2 Learn at Home Plan and provides guidelines on subject areas being taught, hours of student work and assessment and evaluation. Below are some of the guidelines:

• Kindergarten-Grade 3: six hours of work per student/week (focus on Literacy, Math and Religion)
• Grades 4-6: six hours of work per student/week (focus on Literacy, Math, Science, Social Studies and Religion)
• Grades 7-8: 11 hours of work per student/week (focus on Math, Literacy, Science, History/Geography and Religion)
• Grades 9-12: three hours of work per course per week

Beginning Monday, April 6, teachers will start to post lessons and clarify expectations with their students. They will work diligently to deliver a learning experience that is consistent with the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Education. Our staff members are looking forward to reconnecting with their students.

For those families who completed our survey or have connected with the school, plans are underway to distribute the technology your child will require as soon as possible.  Your child’s Principal will contact you with the necessary details.  Do not worry, we will work with each individual situation so that your child will not fall behind.

Special Education

As part of our Distance Learning Plan, teachers will provide students with learning materials and supports that are consistent with the goals and expectations in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Program Support Teachers will provide additional and specialized support for students who have Alternative expectations in their IEP. A full explanation of special education supports is provided in our Parent’s Guide to the DCDSB Special Education Distance Learning Plan. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to visit the Special Education section of our Keep Learning  web page. This web page includes online resources and tip sheets to support learning at home for students with special education needs.

Edsby Help

Earlier this week, we asked families to become familiar with Edsby and to log into the platform. Thank you to all who have taken the time to log in. If you have not signed in, please visit dcdsb.ca/Edsby to access step-by-step video instructions. If you are experiencing a problem with Edsby, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions. If you require further clarification or support, please contact your school directly. A staff member will be in touch with you to assist.

These are truly unprecedented times with information changing hourly, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. If you need help, we have posted a link to a list of community agencies available to assist with financial services, mental health, food, shelter and more.

Yours in faith,

Tracy Barill

Director of Education

April 1, 2020 

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

Re: Cancellation of Travel for Credit Trips 

Due these unprecedented times and the increasing number of COVID-19 cases worldwide, the Durham Catholic District School Board has determined that all Travel for Credit trips scheduled for July 2020 will be cancelled.
 

There is a serious risk of harm to our students and staff who would be travelling throughout England, Scotland, Costa Rica, Ottawa, Montreal and New York and our school district will not allow travel to select regions or countries that pose a risk of serious harm to the health and safety of our students and supervising staff.

Additionally, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams, is recommending the immediate suspension of public gatherings of over 5 people due to COVID-19, and the provincial government’s announcement of school closures until May 4 due to the need for social distancing at this time.

We have been in contact with EF Tours to provide direction of our board’s decision to cancel the trips. If you would like a transferable future travel voucher from EF Tours, please email Principal Chambers at david.chambers@dcdsb.ca address by Friday April 3rd. If not, then EF Tours will provide you with a full refund less insurance and registration fees applicable. It is important to note that it is extremely difficult for our schools to consider future tour options at this time.

Based on the above, we hope you understand and support our decision to cancel these tours due to the unacceptable level of risk of harm. We truly appreciate our partnership with EF Tours and are thankful that our parents and guardians have the security of the cancellation insurance that was made a mandatory requirement of these trips.

Sincerely,

Jim Wilson

Superintendent of Education, Faith Formation and Continuing Education

April 1, 2020 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this time as we continue to receive direction regarding yesterday’s announcement from the Government of Ontario and Ministry of Education.

On Tuesday, March 31, 2020, the Premier of Ontario announced that the order for publicly funded schools to remain closed has been extended to the end of April 2020 with hope that students can return to the classroom on May 4, 2020. This extension is in response to the ongoing world-wide efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In support of these efforts, the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) continues to enhance teacher training, contemplate provisions for students with special needs and develop learning tools and materials for the next phase of distance learning. As we work on an implementation plan, our goal is to have educators and students engaged in teacher-led learning from home beginning the week of April 6, 2020.

As teachers are preparing to facilitate teacher-led learning, here are some things that parents and guardians can do to ensure their children are ready to engage.

Access to Technology

Thank you to families for your cooperation in completing the Access to Technology Survey. The survey is now closed. For those who indicated that they require access to technology, staff will connect with you regarding next steps. If you were unable to complete the survey and require technology support, please contact your child’s teacher or call your local school and leave a message.

If your child has access to technology and the Internet, no action is required. Families with more than one DCDSB student in their household are not required to have a device for each individual child.

Edsby

Parents and guardians who are not currently connected to Edsby, an online communication portal, should set up an account and learn more about Edsby. Some teachers have been communicating with families using this tool during the closure, and we encourage everyone to become familiar with the platform.

Next Steps 

We thank you for your patience and understanding as we develop an implementation plan that aligns with Ministry direction on distance learning. Teachers have been endeavouring to connect with their students via Edsby and student/parent email accounts. Please check to ensure that you/your child have been receiving their messages.

For more information, please see the attached letter to parents and guardians from the Minister of Education which outlines some of the guidelines and expectations for teacher-led distance learning.

Yours in faith,

Tracy Barill

Director of Education

Minister Lecce's Letter to Parents - English

Minister Lecca's Letter to Parents - French

March 30, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians,

During these extraordinary times and due to anticipated extension to school closures, a decision has been made to cancel the Diplôme d'études en langue française (DELF) Proficiency Exam. Families who have registered for the exam will have their registration fee refunded. 

Students may wish to complete the exam independently at a later date with the support of Alliance Française Toronto which provides A1, A2, B1 and B2 exam sessions at various times throughout the year. Interested students are asked to visit https://www.alliance-francaise.ca/en/exams/diplomas/delf-junior for upcoming exam dates*, registration information and fees. (*Scroll down to the bottom of the above link to access information on exam dates, etc). 

Thank you for your understanding and support as we work together to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community. We continue to provide updates regarding as information becomes available at dcdsb.ca/COVID-19.

Yours in Faith,

Rosemary Leclair
Superintendent of Education
Teaching and Learning

March 27, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope you and your families are safe and well during this unprecedented time as we continue to follow precautions informed by the province to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  In spite of the necessary restrictions being followed in our community and world-wide, it is my wish that you were able to spend time together over the March Break and are maintaining the deep sense of hope that we foster here at Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB).

In anticipation of an extension of the closures I wanted to let you know that we are in the process of preparing for the next phase of distance learning.

With this in mind, we have developed a parent survey to help DCDSB understand how many of our students are in need of technology devices and/or the Internet for learning at home.

Please fill in a survey for each child who does not have access to a device and/or the Internet.

If your child has access to a device such as desktop, laptop, or Chromebook, iPhone/tablet, smart phone (plus Internet), you do not need to complete this survey. 

Survey is now closed - thank you for your responses.
 

If you are receiving this message and are unable to access the survey, please call your child's teacher or school and leave a voicemail and a staff member will reach out to you.

Yours in Faith,

Tracy Barill

Director of Education

March 22, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians,

During this unprecedented time, we remind you that our schools remain closed from March 23 to April 5, 2020. Please do not send your child(ren) to school during this time.

As a community of faith, we encourage you to practice self-care and invite you to pray as a family and reflect on your Lenten journey. Our Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee created a Lenten Calendar that is available for you to use at home. We have also posted resources to help your child(ren)’s mental health during COVID-19 at https://www.dcdsb.ca/en/parents/novel-coronavirus.aspx.

As you are aware, the Ministry of Education has launched Learn at Home online resources to help students with continued learning during the next two weeks. We understand that online learning may present challenges to some families and want to ensure you that we are working on a plan to make learning equitable to all our students. We will communicate more when information is available.

Lastly, we recognize that school closures due to COVID-19 have created new stressors for students and families. Resources to support mental health and well-being have been posted on the Board website and additional resources focused on student well-being will be shared as they become available.  

We appreciate your support and cooperation as we work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community. Below is a letter to parents and guardians from the Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce regarding the current situation and supports available. 

We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available at https://www.dcdsb.ca/en/parents/novel-coronavirus.aspx. 

Yours in faith,

Tracy Barill
Director of Education 

Minister Lecca Letter to Parents and Guardians - English
Minister Lecca Letter to Parents and Guardians - French

Today the Government of Ontario and Ministry of Education launched the Learn at Home online resource for continued learning during the provincial-ordered school closure period currently in place until April 5, 2020.

As indicated by the province, these materials do not replace what students have been learning at school, however, during this unprecedented time, these at-home activities offer quick and easy access to some of Ontario’s best online Kindergarten to Grade 12 learning resources.

Students, parents and guardians can access the link from any computer or mobile device here: Learn at Home

We appreciate your support and cooperation as we work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

Source: Ministry of Education Announcement - Helping Students Learn from the Safety of Their Own Home

Will schools reopen on April 6, 2020?

No. The Ministry of Education announced on March 31, 2020 that all publicly funded schools in Ontario will remain closed until May 4, 2020. 

When will teacher-led distance learning begin?
Phase 2 of the Minister of Education's Distance Learning plan will begin the week of April 6. Teachers will lead distance learning. We encourage parents, guardians and students to sign into Edsby and become familiar with the platform.

What are the student work-time expectations for distance learning?

As part of the Ministry of Education's plan for distance learning, the minimum expectations for student work-time in a given week based on learning materials and work assigned by your child's teacher are listed below:

• Kindergarten to Grade 3: Five hours of work per student per week, with a focus on literacy, math and faith;

• Grades 4 to 6: Five hours of work per week, with a focus on literacy, math, science, and social studies;

• Grades 7 to 8: 10 hours of work per week, with a focus on math, literacy, science and social studies; and,

• Grades 9 to 12: Three hours of work per course per week for semestered students, and 1.5 hours of work per course per week for non-semestered students, with a focus on credit accumulation and graduation.

Will students in Grade 12 graduate?

Yes. The Ministry of Education announced on March 31, 2020 that "no student will have their graduation jeopardized by the developments of COVID-19." The Ministry of Education is working closely with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities regarding the application process for students transitioning from secondary to post-secondary studies.

As students continue to accumulate credits during this closure period, the Ministry of Education will provide further information about how students can align with the post-secondary application process in the coming weeks.

My child doesn't have the 40 hours of community involvement hours to graduate. Will this effect his/her ability to graduate?

No. The graduation requirement to complete 40 hours of community involvement has been waived for the 2019-2020  school year.  Community involvement hours that have been completed will be reported on graduating students' report cards.  

Is there learning that my child can do right now?
Yes. We are posting daily Learn from Home activities for students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 at dcdsb.ca/keeplearning. We have also launched a social media campaign that offers different activities from Monday to Friday.

Are learning materials available to students and parents during the school closure?
Yes. The Ministry of Education launched a Learn at Home portal providing online resources for elementary and secondary students. Students, parents and guardians can access the online resources on their computers or mobile devices by clicking here. 

DCDSB has also created #DCDSBKeepLearning and a web page with links to resources to help students and parents with continued learning.

Will EQAO assessments scheduled for this school year take place?

No. On March 17, 2020 the Ministry of Education announced they are cancelling all EQAO Assessments for Grades 3, 6, 9 and OSSLT for this school year. We appreciated the work done by staff and EQAO to prepare for these assessments.

Will the OSSLT scheduled for March 31 be cancelled?

Yes. On March 17, 2020 the Ministry of Education announced they are cancelling all EQAO assessments for Grade 3, 6, 9 and OSSLT for this school year. This will not prevent students from graduating. 

Will child care centres within schools remain open?

No. At this time, child care centres, Early Years programs and Before and After school programs will remain closed until May 4, 2020.

Will school based trips be cancelled?

Yes. All school-based excursions and field trips have been cancelled for the remaining school year. This includes individual class excursions and the Liberation of the Netherlands trip.

Will athletic events such as OFSSA competitions and/or arts events such as exhibits, concerts and theatrical productions be cancelled?

Yes. All school related events have been cancelled for the period of March 14 to May 4, 2020.

Will students be provided with online learning opportunities during the closure?

The Ministry of Education has indicated that they are working on resources that will be available online to support student learning during the closure. In keeping with the Ministry order, DCDSB teachers will not be involved in the delivery of these resources.

Will students be at risk of not graduating?

The board will work under the direction of the Ministry of Education to ensure that students can graduate.

Will this impact mid-term marks?

Students have not been penalized for missed work or assessments during this March 14 to April 4 period. Phase 2 of distance learning will begin on April 6, 2020.

Will tests and assignments be postponed?

Test and assignments were postponed during the March 14 to April 5 period. Phase 2 of distance learning begins April 6. Please log into Edsby as teachers have begun to communicate with students and families on this platform. 

Will this impact college and university applications?

This Ministry of Education is working closely with the Ministry of Colleges and Universities regarding the application process for students transitioning from secondary to post-secondary studies.

As students continue to accumulate credits during this closure period, the Ministry of Education will provide further information about how students can align with the post-secondary application process in the coming weeks.

Students are encouraged to check with individual colleges or universities to which they have applied for more information.

Will Co-op placements continue during this time?

No. All Cooperative Education and OYAP placements are suspended during this time. This includes Cooperative Education placements through Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre. Students are encouraged to talk to their Cooperative Education/OYAP teacher (via Edsby) regarding next steps.

Should students in Dual Credit programs attend their college/university classes?

No. All Alternative Education sites, including Reconnect, Return Ticket and Centre for Success classes are cancelled until May 4, 2020.

Will the school year be extended into the summer months?

The decision to extend the school year would be made by the Ministry of Education. At this time, school boards have not received this direction.

Are First Communion and Confirmation celebrations being postponed?

First Communion and Confirmation sacraments are administered through the church. Please consult with your local parishes for more information.

Will Adult and Continuing Education classes and programs continue?

No. All Adult and Continuing Education classes are cancelled until May 4, 2020. This includes International Language classes.

Will International Language programs continue?

No, these classes are part of the Continuing Education program and are cancelled until May 4, 2020.

Will March Break programs/camps in schools continue?

March Break programs, including Community Use of Schools Permits are cancelled.

Will Community Use of Schools permits be cancelled?

Yes. All Community Use of Schools permits are cancelled until May 4, 2020.

Will the board cancel out of province trips?

All school excursions, including out of province travel, have been cancelled. This will be communicated directly to affected staff, students and families.

Is there any chance that schools will reopen sooner than May 4, 2020, if the situation improves?

At this time, the direction is to keep schools closed until May 4, 2020.

How can I help my child(ren) cope with the impact of COVID-19?

Our Student Services staff has compiled a resource to help alleviate stress. These resources are available at the top of this web page under the Mental Health heading.

Are public meetings cancelled?

Yes. All public meetings will be cancelled between March 14 and April 5, 2020. 

March 12, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

Please be advised that all Ontario schools have been ordered to remain closed from March 14 to April 5, 2020.

This information was received today from the province of Ontario in a public statement in response to the emergence in Ontario of COVID-19.

A number of decisions remain under consideration, including the operations of our child care spaces. We will communicate regularly as developments occur and decisions are made.

We recognize the impact this decision can have on families, as well as the broader community, and we will share information as promptly as possible.

We appreciate your support as we move forward as a community through this situation.

Sincerely, 

Tracy Barill
Director of Education 

March 12, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

As we shift our focus to the March Break, the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) wishes families, staff and partners a peaceful retreat from regular routines. With that in mind, we understand that there is concern in the community about families travelling during the break given the various announcements in the media.

Here are a few points to keep in mind in terms of the health and safety of our communities with respect to Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19):

• At DCDSB, we take direction from our partners at the Durham Region Health Department and the Ontario Health Chief Medical Officer. Directions about whether or not someone should be in self-isolation or tested for the virus are not decisions made by the Board.

• Over the March Break, we will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and government travel advisories. We will provide updates to families when new information becomes available using School Messenger. We will also share new information on our website at www.dcdsb.ca/covid19.

• At this time, important information on travel advisories shared with DCDSB families in my March 10, 2020 letter is still in effect.

Thank you,

Janine Bowyer
Superintendent of Education – Safe Schools

March 10, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we approach the March Break holidays, we wanted to provide you with another update regarding COVID-19 in Durham Region. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has issued Public Health Guidance for Schools (K-12) and Childcare Programs on COVID-19. Since there is currently no widespread transmission of the disease in Canada, the PHAC continues to recommend that schools take standard respiratory illness precautions, the same precautions that are recommended every year during cold and flu season. The document provides additional details on what schools and childcare centres can do to respond to the current situation. The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) has implemented all of their guidelines.

We know the hand washing reminders are working because we are experiencing an increased use of soap and paper towels in our schools. We anticipated this and have increased our inventory of these items accordingly. 

We are also enhancing cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as doors and handles. As well, DCDSB has specialized equipment that can be used in situations where the Durham Region Health Department has identified specific outbreaks. The equipment can be deployed to minimize the exposure.

The following messages are being reinforced with students at school and we ask that you continue to reinforce these preventative measures at home:

• wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if available;

• cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze with a tissue or their elbow/sleeve (and then wash/sanitize their hands); and

• avoid sharing food and other personal items such as water bottles and school supplies.

Proper hand washing remains the preferred method to combat the spread of viruses. Parents and guardians are welcome to send hand sanitizer to school for your children. We are actively implementing supervised access to centrally placed hand sanitizer units for students.

With March Break fast approaching, the following are travel advisories from Durham Region Health Department for travellers returning to Canada (as of today). It is important that all families check the Durham Region Health Department listing of travel advisories before returning to school after March Break. If you or your children have travelled outside Canada, it is important to monitor your health when you return. While abroad, you may come in contact with COVID-19. Durham Region Health Department asks that you monitor your health for fever, cough and difficulty breathing for 14 days after you arrive in Canada. If you have these symptoms, call public health to inform them. They will provide advice on what you should do.

As of March 10, 2020, the Durham Region Health Department is stating that:

• Travellers who return from Hubei province in China, or to Iran in the last 14 days:

o isolate themselves from others for a total of 14 days, starting the day they began their journey to Canada. This means self-isolate and stay at home.

o contact public health at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729 within 24 hours of arriving in Canada.

• Travellers who returned from mainland China (not Hubei Province), Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore and South Korea should:

o monitor themselves for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after leaving the area of travel.

o contact their health care provider and Durham Region Health Department at 905- 668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729 if they experience symptoms of COVID-19 or think they may have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19. 

Please let your child’s Principal know immediately if a member of your household is:

• being tested;

• is self-isolating; or

• has been told by public health to self-quarantine due to possible exposure.

If you have travelled to a country with a significant outbreak, specifically Hubei province in China or Iran, in the last 14 days, limit your contact with others for a total of 14 days, starting the day you began your journey to Canada. This means self-isolate and stay at home. In addition, contact Durham Region Health Department within 24 hours of arriving in Canada.

Durham Region Health Department continues to advise that the risk to residents in Durham Region remains low. All confirmed cases of COVID-19 are travel-related and there is no evidence of community spread.

The health and safety of students and staff remains a top priority for everyone at DCDSB. We continue to work closely with our partners at Durham Region Health Department, the Ontario Ministry of Health, and the Public Health Agency of Canada to monitor and respond.

For up-to-date information, please visit:
www.dcdsb.ca/covid19
www.durham.ca/covid19
www.ontario.ca/coronavirus
www.canada.ca/covid19

Sincerely,

Janine Bowyer
Superintendent of Education – Safe Schools

March 3, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Given the recent announcement of the first COVID-19 cases in Durham Region, I would like to share an update from Durham Region Health. Firstly, I want to assure you that the health and safety of students and staff remains a top priority for everyone at the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB).

We continue to work closely with our partners at Durham Region Health and the Ontario Ministry of Health to monitor and respond. Here are some recent updates from the Durham Region Health website:

• Currently, there are two positive cases of COVID-19 in Durham Region, both in Ajax. • Both cases are travel-related (i.e., recently returned from another country).

• As a result of the coordinated efforts of our healthcare and public health systems, the individuals who tested positive were quickly assessed and isolated.

• Individuals who were not in direct or close contact with the individuals are not considered at risk of being infected.

• The risk to Durham Region residents continues to remain low and there is no evidence of the virus circulating locally within Durham Region

• Members of the public are advised to take the usual measures to reduce the risk of transmission of the flu and other respiratory illness such as COVID-19, including:

o Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands o Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer

o Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze – use a tissue or cough/sneeze into your sleeve o Avoid sharing personal items that come into contact with saliva such as toothbrushes, eating utensils, glasses/water bottles, and towels

o If you or your family members are ill, stay home; if symptoms get worse, call your doctor.

At this time, the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health and Durham Region Health have advised that additional protocols at schools are not necessary and that risk to Ontarians remains low.

We are taking news of COVID-19 very seriously and will continue to work with our public health partners. We will take all necessary precautions and provide updates as they become available.

If you have questions or concerns about your health, please contact Durham Region Health or your healthcare practitioner. For up to date information, please visit

www.durham.ca/covid19,

www.ontario.ca/coronavirus, 

www.canada.ca/covid19.

Sincerely,



Janine Bowyer
Superintendent of Education - Safe Schools

Letter to Parents and Guardians - January 27, 2020

Letter to Parents and Guardians