Return to Learning

The board will be working with its various partners and using reserve funds as permitted by the Ministry to direct resources towards the lowering of class sizes in our schools for in-class learning.

In Secondary schools, for face-to-face learning classes will be divided with up to approximately 15 students attending at a time.

In Elementary, we will re-model our staffing in each school after we have determined our new enrolment levels.

Working with our custodians, we have determined the number of desks that can be fit in each learning space while still maintaining a distance of at least one metre. We will ensure that classes are not loaded beyond that amount, however our goal will be to make classes smaller wherever possible.

While there may be some exceptions, our goal for in-class learning is to work towards maximum class sizes of:

Kindergarten: 22

Grades 1-3: 20

Grades 4-8: 25

If you require technical support on Board issued devices or applications such as Edsby, D2L/Brightspace, Office 365, etc., please email TechnologySupport@dcdsb.ca and explain the issue you are experiencing such as password reset.

Please include in the email, the student name, student User ID, date of birth, school name, grade and phone number where we can contact you.

TechnologySupport@dcdsb.ca

Minimum technical requirements for online learning:

• Internet access
• A microphone and speaker on the device such as computer/laptop, iPad, Chromebook
• A webcam would be helpful, but not required. Usually laptops, Chromebooks and iPads has a camera built-in
• A camera may be required to submit school work depending on the program you are taking.
• Google Chrome browser preferable. Google Chrome browser would be used to connect to Office 365, Edsby, D2L/Brightspace
• Your teacher will let you know any other requirements

Edsby

• New to our schools? Every day, we are sending an Email with an Edsby invitation to those parents that doesn't have an Edsby account. If you did not receive the invitation by 10:00 am, please:
  • Check your Email junk/spam folder
  • Contact your home school to check if your Email is in our Student Information System
• Click HERE to see great "How-To" Edsby videos

Edsby Videos for Students and Parents

How do I sign my child up for in-class or online learning?

An link to your child’s survey was sent by e-mail.

Parents and guardians who have not received an e-mail to confirm their child’s enrolment for in-class or online learning should reach out to communications@dcdsb.ca as soon as possible to meet the August 12, 2020 deadline.

What if parents/guardians change their decision about sending their child to school based on rising COVID-19 rates?

As per the Ministry guidelines, in-school attendance will be voluntary and is based on parent choice.

Families may opt to have their children continue full-time online learning. It would be important for parents to notify their child’s school if they make a change in their arrangement.

After August 12, 2020, requests to transition from one model to the other may require some wait time such as a natural break in the school year, Christmas/March Break for example.

How will teachers adapt the curriculum to account for the three-month gap in learning from March to June?

As we return to school in September, educators will be focused on determining where student learning gaps may exist and providing supports that students may need in terms of extra help or differentiated instruction.

How will my child work with the Program Support Teacher, Educational Assistant and/or additional resource teachers?

Students with special needs will continue to receive support as required in keeping with health and safety protocols for in-class learning. For online learning, arrangements will be made at the school level to determine how support can be provided to meet individual needs. 

Will additional child care and/or before and after school spots be available in your schools?

Child care centres with existing partnerships within our schools will continue to operate. Please contact individual child care providers for information and availability.

Will there be extra-curriculars available this year for athletics, arts, field trips, academic clubs and/or other activities?

As the school year begins, we will be focused on the safe resumption of instruction. Once classes resume, in conversation with our local Public Health Department, we will examine the feasibility of extra-curricular activities that can be done in a way that minimizes risk of transmission.

Will in-class students who develop COVID-related symptoms or require isolation be moved to the online learning environment?

If students are absent from in-class learning due to illness or the need to isolate, they will continue to receive instruction and work from their classroom teacher that can be completed at home if/when he or she is able to do so.

Will parent-teacher meetings take place for in-class and/or online learning models?

Educators will be in contact with parents and guardians about student progress as per common practice. However, in keeping with the direction from public health officials to minimize the number of visitors entering the school, parent-teacher meetings will be scheduled online or by phone rather than in-person. Educators and administrators will work with families to ensure a safe meeting environment can be established.

What are the enhanced health protocols that will be put in place if students are to return to school?

Although we cannot eliminate the exposure to COVID-19, we are taking extra precautions for the protection of students and staff by following the recommendations of the Durham Region Health Department and preventing exposure.

According the public health officials, the following are the main ways we can prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Daily self- assessment for COVID-19 before arriving at work/school
• Self-isolate when necessary
• Physical distancing whenever possible from others
• Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection
• Personal protective equipment when appropriate

The measures we will have in place at each of our schools to protect students and staff include:

Self-Screening of Students and Staff

A self-assessment must be completed by all individuals prior to entering the school.

Resources:

• COVID-19 Reference document for symptoms
• Ontario’s COVID -19 Self-Assessment

Parents and guardians must perform daily screening of their child(ren) for COVID-19 symptoms before leaving for school using COVID-19 Self-Assessment.

• Check your child’s temperature to ensure they do not have a fever (temperature greater than 37.8 degrees Celsius)
• Monitor for signs and symptoms (including atypical symptoms) of COVID-19
• If showing signs or symptoms, the student and other household members must stay home, and the school must be notified.

If your child shows signs or symptoms of COVID-19 or has come into close contact with anyone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, they cannot come to school. They must self-isolate and be tested for COVID-19.

Resources:

• PHO How to Self-isolate
• COVID-19 Assessment Centres

How will students safely enter the school?

• Designated entry and exit doors will be established in every school.
• Physical distancing signs will be posted at all common entrances.
• Students will practice physical distancing as they enter the school.
• Staggered entry into the school, for example, alternating even and odd grades so there are fewer students in the hallway at a time.

What safety measures will be in place in the classroom, washrooms, hallways etc?

Each school will develop a detailed protocol for the various areas within their individual school which will reflect the hierarchy of controls including but not limited to:

• Hand hygiene – sinks and sanitizers
• Physical distancing
• Maximum capacities
• Screening
• Enhanced cleaning
• Controlled directional movement
• Limiting congregation of students by staggering and designating zones
• Ongoing consultation with public health
• Removal of carpets, soft furniture etc.
• Designated seating
• Signage
• No access to playground structures

• Sports equipment/toys will be maintained by individual classes and cleaned between usage.

To assist with the above, additional custodians are being hired by the board.

Will soap and hand sanitizer be available at the school?

• Hand sanitizer dispensers will be available by the front door of every school, and at other points in the school.
• Hand sanitizer pump dispensers will be provided in all classrooms without a sink, including portable classrooms.
• Hand soap will be provided in all classrooms with a sink.
• All handwashing locations have either a hand dryer or paper towel dispenser.

How will physical distancing be maintained at school?

• Staff and students will practice physical distancing as recommended by public health officials.
• The importance of physical distancing will be reinforced daily announcements, signage, supervision, and physical barriers where possible.

What Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) requirements will be in place for students and staff?

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) is protective clothing or equipment designed to protect one’s body from injury or infection. PPE can include gloves, masks, face shields, gowns, safety shoes etc. PPE is not a substitute for other preventative measures such as physical distancing, hand hygiene or COVID-19 testing.
• The Ministry of Education has mandated that students in Grades 4-12 will be required to wear non-medical or cloth masks while in school. Students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 will be encouraged, but not required to wear masks in indoor spaces.
• Surgical/Medical masks and face shields will be provided for teachers and all other school staff, to be used when physical distancing can’t be maintained. Additional PPE will be available for other situations as needed.

What enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols will be implemented in schools?

• All high-touch points* will be disinfected twice daily and when visibly dirty. *High-touch points include doorknobs, light switches, push plates, panic bars, handrails, elevator buttons, faucet handles, flush handles, stall latches, product dispensers, paper towel dispensers, benches and bottle fillers.

• Disinfectant wipes and/or disinfectant spray will be provided in the classroom for disinfection of high-touch items in the classroom throughout the day.
• Staff rooms will be cleaned daily in the evenings. Disinfectant wipes and/or disinfectant spray will be provided for intraday disinfection as required.
• Gymnasiums will be cleaned daily in the evenings. Disinfectant wipes or no-touch disinfectant spray will be provided for intraday disinfection as required.
• Hand hygiene and disinfection station resources will be inspected daily and restocked as needed.

Do our classrooms and portables have proper air quality?

Each of our classrooms, including all portables, use mechanical ventilation systems to provide fresh air to classrooms. However, classroom staff may opt to open windows at their own discretion.

How will students in portable classrooms wash their hands?

We will be providing hand hygiene stations in all of our classrooms across each of our schools. Any classrooms with a sink will have hand soap and water. Any rooms without sinks (including portable classrooms) will be provided with hand sanitizer. We will also be setting up hand sanitizer stations in other areas such as lobbies and offices across the board.

What is the protocol regarding agendas going back and forth from home to school?

All home-school communication will take place electronically via Edsby and School Messenger (e-mail). Alternative arrangements will be made upon request at the start of the school year by contacting your child’s teacher by phone.

Will students have access to common areas such as the cafeteria and Learning Commons?

Common areas such as the cafeteria and Learning Commons may be re-purposed but will not be used on a drop-in basis.

My child is in a wheelchair and/or has other mobility needs. Can he or she use the elevator in the school?

Accommodations will be made for students with accessibility needs while maintaining health and safety protocols in the school.

Elementary schools (Kindergarten to Grade 8) will re-open in September and students will return to the classroom every day, with class sizes that reflect current guidelines, and enhanced health and safety protocols put in place.

How many elementary students will be together in a class?

Classes will be formed in accordance with the mandated provincial class size requirements.

Kindergarten: Average class size of 26 (with two educators)

Grades 1-3: Soft cap of 20; hard cap of 23

Grades 4-8: Average class size of 24.5

Notwithstanding the above, we will make every effort to keep all class sizes as small as possible while always ensuring the maximum capacity of each classroom. A 1m distance between desks will be maintained.

What types of physical distancing measures will be enforced in elementary schools?

Visual Cues

Physical distancing in elementary schools will involve spreading students into different areas; and using visual cues such as signage and tape on the floor, corridors, washrooms and outside areas.

Supervision

Staff will review physical distancing procedures with students as they return to school and enter the classroom. These guidelines will be monitored and enforced throughout the instructional day, including lunch and recess.

Outdoor Education

Physical education and other classes will be scheduled outdoors as much as possible.

Lunch and Recess

Lunch and recess schedules may vary by individual schools based on space and the number of students in the school.

In general, students who stay for lunch will remain with their classmates with physical distancing measures in place.

Recess breaks will be scheduled in small groups.

Will school bell times change?

In order to accommodate lowered capacity of students who use Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS), bell times for some schools may change. Bell time changes will be communicated to parents and guardians by the end of August.

Other Considerations

Students are encouraged to minimize the number of personal belongings that are brought to the classroom. Any belongings that are brought to school, such as backpacks, prescription glasses, and other essentials, should be labelled and kept in the student’s designated area and brought home at the end of each day.

Students who do not return to school for in-class learning will be placed in a virtual school. Students will be in classes with other students the same age from across the system who have decided on the online learning model. They may have limited or no contact with their home school, classmates, and teacher as these classes will be formed based on age, not geographical location.

Will students enrolled in online learning remain part of their home school community?

Students who enroll in the online learning program in September are still part of their home school community, however, while they are participating in the online learning environment, their class placement may include students from other areas and municipalities. When students return to the in-class model, they will automatically be enrolled to their home school where they would normally attend.

How will online instruction be delivered in September?

Students enrolled in the online learning model will receive a weekly/daily schedule. Instruction will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning that will be more robust than the distance learning experienced from March to June.  

Many educators have been working hard over the summer to increase their own ability to provide more fulsome online instruction as we prepare for the return to learning in September.

We will continue to offer ongoing professional development opportunities and supports to build capacity for teachers and educators so that we can improve the quality of remote learning for students.

What online learning platform(s) will be used for students who opt for online instruction?  

The following platforms may be used for online learning:

• eLearning and Blended Learning: brightspace (by D2L), OneDrive, Microsoft Teams
• Learning and Classroom Management System: Edsby
• Video Conference / Real Time Learning: Zoom, Microsoft Teams

Will teachers who deliver instruction for the online learning model be a teacher from my child’s school and are the classes going to be the same for the rest of the school year?

A teacher will be assigned to deliver grade-appropriate curriculum for your child’s class in the online learning model. This may not be a teacher who was previously working from your school. Teacher placement for online learning will be assigned based on need.

How long are students enrolled in online learning required to stay with that option?

Secondary (Grades 9 to 12)

Secondary students may be permitted to transition into a different learning format at the end of each quadmester or credit. In this current model, students will start a new quadmester in November.

Elementary (Kindergarten to Grade 8)

Transitioning from one model to the other in elementary may require some wait time until a natural break in the school year such as Christmas or March Break.

How will work be graded for students enrolled in online learning? 

Students will be assessed and evaluated based on curriculum expectations, and will receive progress reports, report cards, etc.

Will secondary students in the online learning model have the same availability of courses to choose from?

Secondary students participating in the online learning model will have to re-select their courses from the complement that is available which may not be the full a range of elective courses that is traditionally available. 

How will exams be administered for secondary students enrolled in online learning?

As in any class, the teacher will communicate assessment and evaluation strategies along with the course outline to all students at the beginning of the course.

Is online learning available for students enrolled in French Immersion?

Yes, the online option is available for students in the French Immersion program.

How will DCDSB support families where students are unable to participate in online learning?

If a student is not able to access technology or the internet, we will have supports in place to ensure that student is equipped with the necessary tools to participate in online learning. If a student is not able to participate in online learning for other reasons, we will explore other options for program delivery based on the student and family’s individual needs.

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

As we enter this season of Thanksgiving and the Month of the Rosary, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone across our Catholic school system, for playing a role in maintaining safe and healthy learning communities. Whether your child is registered for in-class learning or is participating in our virtual school, we continue to honour and celebrate our Year of Love as our pastoral theme for 2020-2021. This Thanksgiving, may we take the time to reflect on the blessings in our homes, schools and parishes, and radiate messages of love through acts of faith, kindness and humility.  

I would like to thank all parents and guardians for your patience as we continue to work through a unique start to the school year. Although there have been many changes to our typical daily routines this fall, our commitment to student well-being and achievement remains our highest priority.  

COVID-19 School Screening 

With health and safety in mind, the COVID-19 School Screening tool is a voluntary, simple and fast online tool that allows parents, staff and essential visitors to indicate whether they, or their children, are experiencing particular symptoms of illness (from a specified list), are currently subject to quarantine requirements or have otherwise been advised to isolate. The tool was recently updated and reflects current provincial health guidance. The screening result can be downloaded as a PDF and printed or emailed if needed.  

COVID-19 Updates 

For the health, safety and well-being of our communities, DCDSB is committed to keeping the public informed about the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our schools and offices. A listing of all DCDSB facilities and the number of reported cases is available at www.dcdsb.ca/covid19updates under Tracking and Reporting.  

As of October 5, 2020, three confirmed cases have been reported in our schools. The number of confirmed cases indicated under each school includes students, staff or school visitors (if applicable) and will be updated on the website based on the direction of the Durham Region Health Department and reflective of Ministry of Health requirements.  

In order to reduce the spread of illness, visitors to the school are limited and should arrange to enter the school by appointment only. Where visitors are permitted, they will be restricted to designated areas within the school and will be required to adhere to health and safety protocols, such as wearing a mask, using hand sanitizer and practice physical distancing. 

We would like to acknowledge the efforts being made by students, staff and families to adhere to protocols that have been put in place at every school to limit transmission and support the continued health and safety of all. 

Requests to Switch Learning Models 

Our online classes are currently operating at full capacity. In order to provide as much continuity of learning as possible for all students, our next targeted date to transition students who have made requests to change learning models prior to December 4, 2020 falls at the end of term one for elementary (January 25) and the start of the third quadmester for secondary (February 2).  

In closing, I am pleased to see that our Catholic learning communities are thriving, each in their own special way. Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and understanding as we aim to keep our Catholic learning environments healthy, safe and clean for students and staff. Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving full of love, faith and family.  

Yours in Faith, 

Tracy Barill, 

Director of Education 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Thank you for completing the survey to indicate your choice of learning model for your children. Class placements and staffing are now being finalized, therefore, no further change requests can be processed at this time.

Please note that class placements/timetables will be communicated by your child’s school as soon as possible during the week of September 8, 2020.

Moving forward, any requests for changes from in-class or remote learning models must be made by contacting the Principal of your child’s current school. Change requests will be recorded by the school for consideration after September 21, 2020.  Where space and class size allows, requests may be accommodated.

Thank you for your continued cooperation as we prepare for the return to school. Parents and guardians can learn more at www.dcdsb.ca/returntolearning.

Yours in Faith, 

Tracy Barill
Director of Education

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

Thank you for your patience as we work through the many interrelated issues involved in the return to learning this fall. While we are endeavouring to provide students and their families with clear and reliable information, these are complex matters that evolve rapidly.  

Late yesterday we were advised by Durham Student Transportation Services that due to unavoidable delays in the timing of the delivery of bus routes, our bus operators’ group will not be able to provide bus services for our students until Monday, September 14, 2020. 

As a result of this new development, it has been necessary to modify our return to learning plan. The week of September 8 to 11, 2020 will be conducted virtually with a modified schedule of contact and classes. The focus at that time will be on preparing students to return to in-class learning. Busing and face-to-face learning in class will begin during the week of September 14. Bus pick-up and drop-off information will be shared with parents of eligible bus students through Durham Student Transportation Services the week of September 8.   

An overview of what students and families can expect during the first two weeks of school is provided below. More specific information, including a schedule for your child’s attendance in school, will be forthcoming from your school principal during the week of August 31. 

Elementary In-class Learning 

September 8 to 11, 2020 - Remote preparation of students for their return to in class learning  

• Information on how your child’s educators will connect with your child for introductions and orientation will come from your school the week of August 31.
• Educators/schools will work to confirm current and correct email addresses for   all parents and guardians. 
• Establishment of Edsby online classrooms and technology refreshers for students/families.
• Using virtual means, schools/educators will share information, videos and resources with families to introduce children to the protective measures that will be put in place when they return to class (e.g. hand hygiene, what to expect at recess or lunch, the proper use and storage of masks, what to bring to school).
• Families can expect their children will have both synchronous (real time) and asynchronous communications during this week.

September 14 to 18, 2020 - Small group in-school orientation 

In the second week of school, students will begin in-class learning. Half of each class will attend on alternate days as designated by the school. In these smaller groups, students will have the chance to become more familiar with classroom and school processes. All students will be in attendance full-time on Friday, September 18. 

• Monday, September 14 and Wednesday, September 16 - (1/2 of each class) 
• Tuesday, September 15 and Thursday, September 17 - (1/2 of each class) 
• Friday, September 18 (Full class) 
• Schools will share orientation dates with parents the week of August 31.  

Secondary In-class Learning 

September 8 to 11, 2020 - Remote preparation of students to return to in- class learning 

• September 8 – 9 - Students to receive timetables; staff to finalize and resolve any timetable conflicts. 
• September 10 – 11 - Teachers will connect with students virtually for introductions and orientation. 
• Students and parents should ensure technology is in place in order to connect with teachers virtually. 
• During this week, online assemblies will be scheduled for students and families with their respective grade levels. (eg. all Grade 9 students) 

September 14 to 18, 2020 - Adapted model for in-class learning begins 

• In-class learning will begin Monday, September 14, 2020.in accordance with the adapted model and quadmester system. 
• Under this model, students will be assigned to either cohort A or B for the in-class portion of their learning. Cohort A will attend Mondays, Wednesdays and every other Friday. Cohort B will attend Tuesdays, Thursdays and every other Friday. 
• Cohort A will attend school in person for 150 minutes on Monday, September 14, Wednesday, September 16 and Friday, September 18. 
• Cohort B will attend school in person for 150 minutes on Tuesday, September 15 and Thursday, September 17.  

Virtual Learning Centres

Elementary Online Learning 

September 8 to 11, 2020 - Focus on connecting with families and preparing for online learning 

• Tuesday, September 8 - Orientation Day (1/4 of each class) 
• Wednesday, September 9 - Orientation Day (1/4 of each class) 
• Thursday, September 10 - Orientation Day (1/4 of each class) 
• Friday, September 11 - Orientation Day (1/4 of each class) 
• Principal will share more details with families the week of August 31. 
• Orientation will include review of safety protocols, timetables, introductory lessons and managing technology.  
• Distribution of technology if needed. 

September 14 to 18, 2020 

• Monday, September 14 and Wednesday September 16 - (1/2 of each class) 
• Tuesday, September 15 and Thursday September 17- (1/2 of each class) 
• Friday, September 18 - All Students 
• Regular timetables will be followed throughout the week. 

Secondary Online Learning  

September 8 to 11, 2020 – Focus on connecting with families and preparing for online learning

• September 8 – 9 - Students to receive timetables; staff to finalize and resolve any timetable conflicts. 
• September 10 - Students will be informed on how to access their Period 1 and 2 classes virtual over Edsby.    
• September 10 – 11 - Educators will focus on community building, supporting health and wellness, reviewing expectations, and supporting online learning on our educational platforms. 
• During this week, online assemblies will be scheduled for students and families with their respective grade levels. (eg. All Grade 9 students). 

September 14 to 18, 2020 

• Regular online instruction to resume following individual student timetables.

I understand that parents and guardians will have questions based on this new information. I assure you that our principals and staff are working diligently to adapt to the most current circumstances to support our families. In the week ahead, schools will provide you with information regarding your child’s class placement, orientation dates, and school-specific protocols.  

In closing, I would like to express my appreciation for your continued patience and understanding as we work through these uncommon days in preparation for the return to learning.  

Yours in Faith, 

Tracy Barill 
Director of Education 

Minister of Education's Letter - English

Minister of Education's Letter - French

August 21, 2020 - Supported re-entry for elementary students attending in-class learning

AN UPDATE ON SUPPORTED RE-ENTRY WAS POSTED ON AUGUST 28, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

Thank you to families who have confirmed their selection for in-class or online learning for September 2020. Both in-class and online learning will re-open on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. 

In order to support student well-being and safety as they transition back to learning, the Durham Catholic District School Board will be staggering the re-entry of students over a two-week period at the start of the school year. This framework will provide an opportunity for students and staff to review and adjust to daily school routines and establish safety procedures in smaller groups before coming together as a full class. 

For our elementary schools, the two-week supported re-entry to in-class learning has been established as follows: 

Week One

Tuesday, September 8 - ​Orientation Day (1/4 of students from each class)

Wednesday, September 9 - ​Orientation Day (1/4 of students from each class)

Thursday, September 10 - ​Orientation Day (1/4 of students from each class)

Friday, September 11 - ​Orientation Day (1/4 of students from each class)

Week Two

Monday, September 14 and Wednesday, September 16 - (1/2 of each class)

Tuesday, September 15 and Thursday, September 17 - (1/2 of each class)

Friday, September 18 - Full class

This staggered schedule is for in-class elementary students. Further information will be forthcoming regarding the schedule for our online learning students.

Staff will ensure that siblings who attend the same school will be scheduled on the same days. At this time, we do not have dates selected for individual students as schools are currently in the process of establishing class placements. Parents and guardians will receive confirmation of their child’s re-entry schedule from the school as soon as placements have been finalized. 

Thank you again for your patience as we continue to solidify re-opening plans in compliance with Ministry of Education and public health directives. I encourage you to visit our website for regular updates at www.dcdsb.ca/returntolearning

Yours in Faith, 

Tracy Barill   

Director of Education  

Elementary Model

Secondary Model

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Thank you to all families for your patience and understanding as we continue to develop our plan for the Return to Learning based on the most current information from the Ministry of Education and public health officials.

I would like to remind all families that we continue to post updates and answers to frequently asked questions to our website at www.dcdsb.ca/returntolearning. Most recently, we have added a presentation that was shared with the Board of Trustees at our Special Board Meeting on Monday, August 17, 2020. The presentation is available under the Updates section, or you may click here to access the information directly.

I would also like to remind you that families are welcome to participate in two live forums hosted in partnership with the Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC) and our Student Senate. These sessions will provide updates based on the most current information as we transition to the 2020-2021 school year.   

Return to Learning Online Forum for Parents and Guardians   

Question and Answer Session with DCPIC and the Director of Education   

Tuesday, August 25, 2020   

7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.   

Click here to access this virtual event.  

Return to Learning Online Forum for Students   

Question and Answer Session with the Student Senate and the Director of Education   

Thursday, August 27, 2020   

4:30 to 5:30 p.m.   

Click here to access this live virtual event.   

Please continue to stay safe, and I look forward to greeting students and families virtually at these online events.  

Yours in Faith,   

Tracy Barill   

Director of Education  

I hope you are enjoying a peaceful summer, along with some fun activities with family during these warmer months.  

I wanted to connect with you about the most recent update on the province’s return to learning plan for September. Today the Minister of Education announced that in September 2020, Ontario school boards will open their doors to students.  

This means that students can return to in-class learning with enhanced protocols and routines in place that will support the health, safety and well-being of all members of our Catholic learning community.  

While we continue to work through the details in consultation with public health officials and recommendations from Sick Kids Hospital’s Guidance for School Reopening, here are some of the things that students and staff can expect to see at our schools as of Tuesday, September 8, 2020. 

• Elementary schools will be open to students for regular instruction five days a week as per the established school calendar. 
• The secondary school model will be based on a quadmester system (two courses per timetable) with 15 students per class attending on alternate days.  
• In partnership with families, schools will be working alongside the board’s Student Services Department and Regulated Health Professionals to plan for a safe return to school and the provision of safe and appropriate support for students with special education needs in both elementary and secondary. More information will be forthcoming.

For elementary and secondary schools: 

• Self-assessments are to be performed at home for COVID-related symptoms, 
• Students or staff members who are exhibiting symptoms will be expected to stay home. 
• Hand hygiene and physical distancing will be emphasized and age appropriate signage will be placed throughout the school as reminders. 
• Hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies will be placed throughout the school. 
• Enhanced cleaning protocols will be implemented in schools. 
• Access to school facilities will be limited to students and staff only. 
• Non-medical masks will be mandatory for staff and for students from Grades 4-12.
• Public health nurses will be hired regionally to provide training for school staff and additional support as needed. 

We recognize that some families will opt to keep their children at home and continue with remote online learning when schools open. To determine class placements and timetable scheduling, we will begin gathering that information from parents and guardians next week. You will receive an e-mail that will require a response by a specified date in order to ensure your child’s enrolment.  

In addition, parents of students who are eligible for busing through Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS) will be asked to complete a separate online survey to assist with bus planning for the fall.   

It is our goal at the Durham Catholic District School Board to implement protocols and precautions that will ensure a positive experience for students and staff as they return to schools. For ongoing updates, please visit www.dcdsb.ca/returntolearning. 
 

Lastly, I extend an invitation to families to participate in two live forums hosted in partnership with the Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC) and our Student Senate. It is my hope that this will be an opportunity to respond to questions based on the most current situation as we transition to the 2020-2021 school year.   

Return to Learning Online Forum for Parents and Guardians   

Question and Answer Session with DCPIC and the Director of Education   

Tuesday, August 25, 2020   

7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.   

Click here to access this virtual event.  

Parents and Guardians can submit questions by August 14, 2020 to: chair@dcpic.ca 

Return to Learning Online Forum for Students   

Question and Answer Session with the Student Senate and the Director of Education   

Thursday, August 27, 2020   

4:30 to 5:30 p.m.   

Click here to access this live virtual event.   

Students can submit questions by August 14, 2020 to: studentsenatedcdsb@gmail.com 
 

Please continue to stay safe over the summer, and I look forward to sharing more information in the coming weeks.  

Yours in Faith,   

Tracy Barill   

Director of Education  

• English Letter to Parents from Minister Lecce
• French Letter to Parents from Minister Lecce

View the recording of the Return to Learning Online Forum for Parents and Guardians  below.

View the recording of the Return to Learning Online Forum for Durham Catholic students below.