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Updated COVID-19 Safety Measures Effective February 19, 2021
Students and staff with any new or worsening symptom of COVID-19, even those with only one symptom, must stay home, without exemption, until:
- The symptomatic individual receives a negative COVID-19 test result, or
- The symptomatic individual receives an alternate diagnosis by a health care professional
- If there is no test or alternate diagnosis, the symptomatic individual must isolate for 10 days from symptom onset, and all other household members must isolate for 14 days from their last contact with the symptomatic individual.
Asymptomatic household contacts of symptomatic individuals: Quarantine, do not leave home.
- All asymptomatic household contacts of symptomatic individuals are required to quarantine, until the symptomatic individual receives a negative COVID-19 test result, or an alternative diagnosis by a health care professional.
- If the symptomatic individual does not seek COVID-19 testing they should be treated as if they have COVID-19 and all household contacts must quarantine for 14 days from their last contact with that symptomatic individual.
On your way to School or Work?
Complete the COVID-19 self-assessment screening first.
You can download our DCDSB app to access the screening tool or click the link above.
2021-2022 School Year Planning
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Answers to questions have been categorized into the following areas:
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| April 6 - Planning for the 2021-2022 School Year | ||||||||||||||
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Information for 2021
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April 12 - Government of Ontario Announces a Return to Remote Learning beginning on April 19, 2021 |
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April 12, 2021
Dear Parents and Guardians, Late this afternoon, the Government of Ontario announced that as a result of a rapid increase in COVID-19 transmission, a provincial decision has been made to return to remote learning for both elementary and secondary students following the April break. This decision has been made based on the advice of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health - Click here to view the announcement. At this time, there is no anticipated date for a return to in-person learning. The government has advised that data will be assessed on an ongoing basis, in consultation with health officials, to determine when a safe return to in-person learning is possible. SCHEDULES FOR LEARNING FOLLOWING THE BREAK Virtual Schools – Elementary and Secondary For students previously enrolled in virtual learning (elementary or secondary) online instruction will resume on April 19, 2021 according to the previously established schedule. Elementary (Kindergarten – Grade 8) April 19, 2021 - Afternoon Only
General Timelines As in the past, when remote learning resumes:
Secondary (Grades 9-12) April 19, 2021 – Day 1 of Quadmester 4 – Classes in Afternoon Only On the first day back, there will be no classes in the morning. The afternoon schedule will be as follows. 1:30 pm – 2:45 pm Course 7 Online 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm Course 8 Online Moving forward from April 20, 2021 onwards: Students in Grades 9-12 will continue to follow the same schedule that has been in place during past periods of remote learning
April 19-23: Block 1 & 2 Course 7/Block 3 & 4 - Course 8 April 26-30: Block 1 & 2 Course 8/Block 3 & 4 - Course 7 May 3-7: Block 1 & 2 Course 7/Block 3 & 4 - Course 8 May 10-14 Block 1 & 2 Course 8/Block 3 & 4 - Course 7
Students with Exceptional Special Education Needs
Technology Needs For technical support on board issued devices or applications such as Edsby, D2L/Brightspace, Office 365, etc., please email TechnologySupport@dcdsb.ca. In your email, please explain the issue you are experiencing such as password reset, along with your child’s full legal name, student User ID, date of birth, school name, grade and phone number where we can contact you.
As a reminder TVO Learn and TFO IDÉLLO, apprendre à la maison, provides supports for students learning remotely. You can access these additional educational resources developed by Ontario certified teachers to support learning.
I wish you all a safe and healthy break and encourage all those who are currently eligible to obtain the vaccine. More information on vaccination appointments is available on the Durham Region Health Department website.
Tracy Barill
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April 9 - Confirmation of Self Assessment to be Completed on Monday, April 19, 2021 |
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April 9, 2021
Dear Parents and Guardians, In order to limit the spread of Covid-19 when school resumes on Monday, April 19, 2021, each student (Kindergarten – Grade 8) must return a signed copy of the confirmation of self assessment found on the back of this letter. On the morning of Monday, April 19, 2021, before sending your child to school please:
If your child does not pass the screening, please ensure that your child does not come to school. For further information – access the online Ministry of Education Screening Tool (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/) and follow the directions outlined in the self-screening tool in order to keep everyone safe. Thank you for your cooperation as we help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Save and print a copy of the COVID-19 Self Assessment Form, and return with your child(ren) on Monday, April 19, 2021.
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April 1 - Schools Remain Open following Easter Weekend |
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April 1, 2021
Dear Parents and Guardians, Today the Ministry of Education advised school boards across Ontario that there is no intention to move to remote learning following the Easter holidays and April break. Students currently attending in-person school will continue to attend classes for the four days next week from April 6-9, 2021. The Spring Break for all students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in both virtual and face to face learning is still scheduled to take place as planned from April 12 – 16, 2021. While we cannot predict what the future will hold, the Ministry of Education has advised that they are planning for schools to re-open and for students to return to in-person learning on Monday, April 19, 2021 following the break. As a reminder, please ensure that you have completed the province’s COVID-19 school screening tool for your child prior to attending school. Please contact your school’s office if you have questions or need assistance. Yours in Faith,
Tracy Barill, |
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| March 31, 2021 - Preparing for the Easter Long Weekend | ||||||||||||
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March 31, 2021
Dear Parents and Guardians, As we prepare for the holiest days of our Liturgical calendar – the celebration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, I encourage families to continue to follow public health safety guidelines as we celebrate our faith this weekend. Let us continue to pray that the ongoing challenges related to the pandemic will soon be over. While we have not been notified of an anticipated school closure following the Easter weekend or April break, we are encouraging students to bring home all personal belongings, technology or school supplies in the event that we are required to shift to online learning. Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and understanding as we endeavour to prepare for all possible outcomes following the long weekend. This weekend, I encourage you to look after your social, emotional and physical well-being. Take a mental health moment or time to relax, read a book, go for a walk or connect with friends and family virtually. When we return to school, please remember to complete the province’s COVID-19 school screening tool and do not attend school if your child or a family member in your household is feeling ill. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide families with updates as information becomes available. May the love of God and the power of prayer bring a sense of calmness to your family this Easter season. Yours in Faith, Tracy Barill, |
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| March 11, 2021 - Day of Remembrance Recognizing the One-Year Anniversary of COVID-19 | ||||||||||||
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March 11, 2021
Dear Parents and Guardians, Today marks the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization’s declaration of the global pandemic. The world has changed drastically during this time. COVID-19 has impacted all of us in different ways, while causing massive disruptions to families, society and the economy. This year has been one of tremendous challenge. The most troubling of which has been the significant loss of life that has occurred. Many members of our own Durham Catholic community have experienced tremendous pain and suffering since the onset of the pandemic. In some cases, the loss has been directly related to COVID-19, while others have lost loved ones and have been deprived of the physical, in person supports that would normally be put in place during times of mourning. Today is a special day of remembrance when as a country we reflect upon and pray for all those who have died, knowing that we will always keep our loved ones close to our hearts. Together, we have faced challenges, while adapting to remote learning. We embraced virtual meetings, Zoom, Edsby and D2L. We listened to our families’ needs and provided supports. We developed summer programs to help students bridge the gaps in learning. In September, we welcomed students back to school for in-person learning with enhanced safety measures, launched virtual elementary and secondary schools, and introduced quadmesters. In December, we shifted back to online learning and recently added hybrid learning at the secondary level. A special thank you to all of you, our families for your patience during these unprecedent times. During all this, we continue to witness large and small acts of kindness and generosity – from our students and staff making face shields with our 3D printers and sewing masks, to the board’s donation of masks and safety supplies to Lakeridge Health, to students recording videos to bring smiles to residents in senior homes, to staff delivering technology, supplies and food to our families in need, and students and families writing messages of love, faith and hope. The outpouring of love and willingness to help others is a true testament to our Catholic values and beliefs. As we look ahead, the rollout of vaccines offers us hope for a brighter future. As it will take time to vaccinate everyone against COVID-19, we must remain vigilant and adhere to the safety measures by maintaining physical distancing, wearing masks, and practicing hand hygiene to ensure we stay safe. Let us continue to pray for the health and safety of our school communities. Yours in faith,
Morgan Ste. Marie Tracy Barill |
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| February 22, 2021 - Additional COVID-19 Safety Measures in Effect Across Ontario | ||||||||||||
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February 22, 2021
Dear Parents and Guardians, I want to inform you of recently added COVID-19 safety measures in schools and child cares that are now in effect across Ontario. The new measures build on the existing ones that have been in place since September, and have been added due to the risk of COVID-19 variants. Parents and guardians have an important role to play in making sure the new measures are followed, and will require us all to be even more diligent. The most significant changes are: Students and staff with any new or worsening symptom of COVID-19, even those with only one symptom, must stay home, without exemption, until:
Asymptomatic household contacts of symptomatic individuals: Quarantine, do not leave home.
We ask that you continue to self-monitor your child(ren) for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. This includes completing the daily self-assessment for symptoms before attending school: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/ We remain vigilant to protecting the health and safety of our students and staff and continue to work with the Durham Region Health Department to follow the new safety measurements. Yours in Faith, Tracy Barill |
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| February 12, 2021 - Board Designated Holiday Scheduled for Friday, March 12, 2021 | ||||||||||||
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February 12, 2021 Dear Parents and Guardians, On February 11, 2021, the Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce announced that March Break would be postponed until April 12 -16, 2021 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In yesterday’s letter, we noted that Friday, March 12, 2021 is a scheduled board designated holiday. Today, I am confirming that we will still go ahead with the scheduled board holiday on Friday, March 12, 2021. Do not send your children to school on this date. As we head into the long Family Day weekend, I extend my heartfelt thanks to all our Durham Catholic families for your continued cooperation. May you take the time to rest this weekend and find ways to connect with loved ones. Yours in Faith,
Tracy Barill |
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| February 11, 2021- Ministry of Education Delays March Break | ||||||||||||
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February 11, 2021
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Today, Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced that March Break will be delayed for schools across Ontario until April, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Click here to view the announcement. Our March Break, which was originally scheduled for March 15-19, has been delayed for a month and will now take place from April 12-16. This means that classes will continue uninterrupted through all of March. The new break schedule applies to both in-person and virtual learners. We recognize also that Friday, March 12 is currently designated on the calendar as a board holiday for students. We are reviewing this date in light of today’s announcement and will confirm our plan with families as soon as possible. We understand that our students and staff, with the support of parents and families have been working hard this year to continue the learning under very unusual circumstances and that many have been looking forward to a scheduled break. While this delay may be disappointing, we appreciate the importance of following the recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer to control the spread of COVID-19 and protect the members of our community. Staff members have been pleased to welcome students as they returned to the classroom this week for in-person learning and appreciate your cooperation in following the health and safety protocols that are in place to keep everyone safe. Yours in Catholic Faith,
Tracy Barill Director of Education |
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| February 10, 2021 - Last Opportunity for Families of Elementary Students to Request Switch in Learning Models | ||||||||||||
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February 10, 2021
Dear Parents and Guardians, Today I am writing to provide families with information on the last opportunity for families of elementary students to request a switch from in-person to virtual learning or virtual to in-person learning this school year. We will attempt to approve all requests; however, requests will be dependent on staffing and available class space. Requesting a Switch to Learning Models If you want to switch your child from in-person to virtual learning or virtual school to in-person learning, please contact your current school principal by Thursday, February 18 at 12:00 noon and have your child’s name added to the waitlist. It’s important to understand, that by requesting this transfer you are committing to remaining in your requested learning model for the remainder of the school year. No additional transfers will be possible this school year. Any requests to switch learning models received after February 18 at 12:00 noon will be denied and new waitlists will not be created. Our staff will review all requests to change learning models by March 1, 2021 and will notify families if their request can be accommodated. I do not want to switch learning models If you do not want to switch your current mode of learning, then you do not have to do anything. Your child will remain in their current learning model for the remainder of the school year. Thank you for your ongoing patience as we finalize this last opportunity for elementary students to transfer modes of learning. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school principal. I encourage you to continue to follow our www.dcdsb.ca/returntolearning web page for the latest information. Yours in Faith,
Tracy Barill |
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Updated Masking and Screening Requirements Effective February 8, 2021 |
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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 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. |
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| February 3, 2021 - Return to In-Class Learning | ||||||||||||
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February 3, 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 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 check mark 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 |
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| January 20, 2021 - Online Learning Extended for Elementary and Secondary Students | ||||||||||||
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Dear Parents and Guardians, Today the provincial government announced that based on the recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, elementary and secondary students in the Durham Catholic District School Board will continue to engage in teacher-led online learning on January 25, 2021. While we have not been notified of an anticipated date for return to in-class learning, we are advised that the next timing for consideration of school reopening will be February 10, 2021. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide families with updates with the most current information available. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we endeavour to support these enhanced measures to keep our community safe during this provincial state of emergency. Please join me in praying for the sick and all those who have experienced loss or suffering as a result of the pandemic. Our office phones continue to be monitored should you or your child be in need of assistance.
Tracy Barill Director of Education |
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UPDATED January 7, 2021 Late this afternoon the government announced that elementary students in Southern Ontario will continue to engage in teacher-led online learning from January 11 to 22, 2021. The new anticipated date for return to in-class learning for both elementary and secondary students is Monday, January 25, 2021. Click here to view the announcement. This decision has been made as a result of a sharp increase in the number of positive Covid-19 cases being confirmed in the province. Note that Friday, January 15, 2021 is designated as a Professional Activity (PA) Day for elementary school staff, which means there will be no online class instruction scheduled for elementary students on that day. Secondary programming will continue as scheduled.
Technology Needs Where access to technology is a barrier, families should contact the school for support. For 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.
Edsby Support for Parents/Guardians/Students Instructional videos are available for parents/guardians/students online at: https://dcdsb.ca/Edsby
Additional Ministry Supports for Learning Parents/Guardians are reminded that the Ministry of Education recently announced the launch of two new portals, TVO Learn and TFO IDÉLLO, apprendre à la maison, which provide supports for students learning remotely by accessing additional educational resources developed by Ontario certified teachers.
SCHEDULE FOR LEARNING
Elementary (Kindergarten – Grade 8) January 4, 2021 - Afternoon
January 5-8, 2021
General Timelines: Kindergarten students should be able to access up to 180 minutes of learning each day. Students in Grades 1-8 should be able to access up to 225 minutes of learning each day. |
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Schedule for Learning Beginning January 4, 2021 and continuing until Secondary schools reopen on January 25, 2021 students in Grades 9-12 will continue to follow the same schedule that was in place prior to the Christmas Weekly Schedule Break with the following important exceptions: 1. All students will be expected to engage in online learning in the morning (Blocks 1 and 2) every day. 2. Lunch break will be 60 minutes. 3. Students attending All Saints and Msgr. John Pereyma Catholic Secondary Schools will continue to follow
Daily Schedule for all Secondary Schools (except All Saint and Msgr. Pereyma) 10:00 – 11:15 Block 1 11:15 – 12:30 Block 2 12:30 – 1:30 Lunch 1:30 – 2:45 Block 3 2:45 – 4:00 Block 4 - office hours
Weekly Schedule for all students in grades 9-12 January 4-8: Block 1 & 2 - Course 4/Block 3 & 4 - Course 3 January 11-15: Block 1 & 2 - Course 3/Block 3 & 4 - Course 4
January 18 - 20 Block 1 & 2 - Course 4/Block 3 & 4 - Course 3 January 21 - 22 Block 1 & 2 - Course 3/Block 3 & 4 - Course 4
*The modification to the January 18-22, 2021 schedule has been made to balance the number of minutes of instruction for each course. |
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| Virtual Elementary and Secondary Schools | ||||||||||||
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Schedule for Learning Virtual Schools – Elementary and Secondary For students previously enrolled in virtual learning (elementary or secondary) online instruction will resume on January 4, 2021 according to the previously established schedule. |
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Program Support Teachers will connect with the parents/guardians of our students with exceptional education needs beginning on January 4, 2021 in order to discuss programming needs and to put the necessary accommodations in place. Where required and appropriate, secondary students with the highest special needs who have been attending on a daily, extended schedule will be provided with the opportunity to attend school in-person starting on January 11, 2021. |
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During the period of remote learning, it is requested that parents/guardians continue to report absences using our board’s Safe Arrival program. While the instructional minutes listed above for Elementary students (Kindergarten – Grade 8) must be provided, it is understood that during the week of January 4-8, 2021, not all students may be able to be online for the full 180/225mins.
Secondary students are expected to connect online during each block in order to be marked as present. |
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It is understood that for families with multiple school age children, simultaneous online learning may be difficult if there are a limited number of devices in the household. For students in Kindergarten – Grade 8, educators will ensure that daily work is posted so that if a student cannot connect online at a specific time, they will still be able to access learning materials and assignments. Where access to technology is a barrier, families should contact the school for support. For 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. Please include in the email, the student full legal name, student User ID (if you know it), date of birth, school name, grade and phone number where we can contact you. If you required a PASSWORD RESET, please include in the email, the student full legal name, student User ID (if you know it), date of birth, school name, grade, registered address and phone number on file where we can contact you.
Edsby Support for Parents/Guardians/Students Instructional videos are available for parents/guardians/students online at: https://dcdsb.ca/Edsby
Additional Ministry Supports for Learning Parents/Guardians are reminded that the Ministry of Education recently announced the launch of two new portals, TVO Learn and TFO IDÉLLO, apprendre à la maison, which provide supports for students learning remotely by accessing additional educational resources developed by Ontario certified teachers. |
Information for September 2020
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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 |
| Health and Safety for All Elementary and Secondary Schools |
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| Well-Being and Mental Health |
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| Students with Special Education Needs |
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| Student Services |
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| Special Education |
| Click here for information about Special Education and the Return to Learning for September 2020. |
| Elementary Schools (including Grade 7-8 students attending a Grade 7-12 school) |
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| Secondary Schools (Grades 9-12) |
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| Online Learning |
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| Switching from Online to In-Class Learning |
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| Transportation |
| Families of students who are eligible for Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS), please visit www.dsts.on.ca for information about busing and to complete the DSTS transportation survey. |
Frequently Asked Questions
| Technical Support for Remote Learning |
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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.
For example: If you required a PASSWORD RESET, please include in the email:
Minimum technical requirements for online learning:
Edsby
Edsby Videos for Students and Parents
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| General Questions About the Return to Learning |
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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. |
| Health and Safety for In-Class Learning (Elementary and Secondary) |
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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:
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:
Parents and guardians must perform daily screening of their child(ren) for COVID-19 symptoms before leaving for school using COVID-19 Self-Assessment.
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:
How will students safely enter the school?
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:
Will soap and hand sanitizer be available at the school?
How will physical distancing be maintained at school?
What Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) requirements will be in place for students and staff?
What enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols will be implemented in schools?
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.
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| In-Class Learning for Elementary Students (Kindergarten to Grade 8) |
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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. |
| In-Class Learning for Secondary Students (Grade 9 to 12) |
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Secondary schools will re-open for in-class learning under adapted conditions to promote physical distancing by cohorts of up to 15 students per class.
What types of physical distancing measures will be enforced in secondary schools?
Lunch Secondary students will not be eating lunch at school. Students may bring snacks of their own and will be discouraged from sharing food. Students will attend for 150 minutes of instruction and then will be dismissed with follow-up online learning to take place from home.
Will the first day of school be a Grade 9 Orientation day for secondary students? All grades will attend the first day of school according to their cohort. The first week will include an orientation for all students with a focus on health and well-being. Students transitioning from Grade 8 to Grade 9 will continue to have the opportunity to participate in the Head Start Program.
How long will secondary students be in class per day? Secondary students will attend class for 150 minutes every other day and alternate Fridays.
What will exam schedules look like for secondary students enrolled in in-class learning? Course outlines and exams will be communicated at the beginning of the course.
Will students have access to a locker? Lockers will not be used. Students will be required to carry their personal items and learning materials required for the day with them.
Are students required to wear a school uniform? Students who attend secondary school in-class will continue to follow school dress codes, which includes wearing school uniforms, except for designated non-uniform days. This applies to Grade 7 and 8 students who attend a Grade 7 to 12 school. Special direction for secondary students who have physical education in the quadmester will be given by the teacher.
Will students have access to change rooms for physical education? School washroom protocols will be followed.
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 school.
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| Online Learning (Elementary and Secondary) |
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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:
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.
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| Durham Student Transportation Services |
| Click here to view Frequently Asked Questions regarding Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS) as we return to school in September. |
Updates
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February 3, 2021 - Return to In-Class Learning |
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February 3, 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 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 |
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January 20, 2021 - Online Learning Extended for Elementary and Secondary Students |
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Dear Parents and Guardians, Today the provincial government announced that based on the recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, elementary and secondary students in the Durham Catholic District School Board will continue to engage in teacher-led online learning on January 25, 2021. While we have not been notified of an anticipated date for return to in-class learning, we are advised that the next timing for consideration of school reopening will be February 10, 2021. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide families with updates with the most current information available. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we endeavour to support these enhanced measures to keep our community safe during this provincial state of emergency. Please join me in praying for the sick and all those who have experienced loss or suffering as a result of the pandemic. Our office phones continue to be monitored should you or your child be in need of assistance.
Tracy Barill Director of Education
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January 7, 2021 - Online Learning Extended to January 25, 2021 |
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Dear Parents and Guardians, Late this afternoon the government announced that elementary students in Southern Ontario will continue to engage in teacher-led online learning from January 11 to 22, 2021. The new anticipated date for return to in-class learning for both elementary and secondary students is Monday, January 25, 2021. Click here to view the announcement. This decision has been made as a result of a sharp increase in the number of positive Covid-19 cases being confirmed in the province. Note that Friday, January 15, 2021 is designated as a Professional Activity (PA) Day for elementary school staff, which means there will be no online class instruction scheduled for elementary students on that day. Secondary programming will continue as scheduled. We recognize the impact this decision may have on families, as well as the broader community and appreciate your ongoing understanding and support as we continue to follow provincial guidelines and protocols for keeping our communities safe. Below you will find a few reminders regarding technology and additional Ministry supports for learning during this extended period of online learning. Sincerely, Tracy Barill Director of Education
Additional Information for Online Learning January 11 to 22, 2021
Technology Needs Where access to technology is a barrier, families should contact the school for support. For 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.
Edsby Support for Parents/Guardians/Students Instructional videos are available for parents/guardians/students online at: https://dcdsb.ca/Edsby
Additional Ministry Supports for Learning Parents/Guardians are reminded that the Ministry of Education recently announced the launch of two new portals, TVO Learn and TFO IDÉLLO, apprendre à la maison, which provide supports for students learning remotely by accessing additional educational resources developed by Ontario certified teachers. |
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January 5, 2021 - Protecting What Matters Most - Minister of Education's Letter to Parents |
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December 28, 2020 - Remote Learning Schedules for January 2021 |
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December 28, 2020 Dear Parents and Guardians, As communicated on December 21, 2020, the Ministry of Education has mandated that in conjunction with the province-wide shut down, all schools in the province will be closed to students from January 4-8, 2021. Buses will not be running during this time. Students and staff will be engaged in remote learning from home during the closures. Currently, elementary schools are scheduled to re-open for face-to-face learning on January 11, 2021 and secondary schools are scheduled to resume in person instruction on January 25, 2021. The following information is being provided to families to outline basic system-wide expectations during the remote learning period. More school specific information will be forthcoming once school resumes on January 4, 2021.
SCHEDULES FOR LEARNING Virtual Schools – Elementary and Secondary For students previously enrolled in virtual learning (elementary or secondary) online instruction will resume on January 4, 2021 according to the previously established schedule.
Elementary (Kindergarten – Grade 8) January 4, 2021 - Afternoon
January 5-8, 2021
General Timelines: Kindergarten students should be able to access up to 180 minutes of learning each day. Students in Grades 1-8 should be able to access up to 225 minutes of learning each day.
Secondary (Grades 9-12) Beginning January 4, 2021 and continuing until Secondary schools reopen on January 25, 2021 students in Grades 9-12 will continue to follow the same schedule that was in place prior to the Christmas Weekly Schedule Break with the following important exceptions: 1. All students will be expected to engage in online learning in the morning (Blocks 1 and 2) every day. 2. Lunch break will be 60 minutes. 3. Students attending All Saints and Msgr. John Pereyma Catholic Secondary Schools will continue to follow
Daily Schedule for all Secondary Schools (except All Saint and Msgr. Pereyma) 10:00 – 11:15 Block 1 11:15 – 12:30 Block 2 12:30 – 1:30 Lunch 1:30 – 2:45 Block 3 2:45 – 4:00 Block 4 - office hours
Weekly Schedule for all students in grades 9-12 January 4-8: Block 1 & 2 - Course 4/Block 3 & 4 - Course 3 January 11-15: Block 1 & 2 - Course 3/Block 3 & 4 - Course 4
January 18 - 20 Block 1 & 2 - Course 4/Block 3 & 4 - Course 3 January 21 - 22 Block 1 & 2 - Course 3/Block 3 & 4 - Course 4
*The modification to the January 18-22, 2021 schedule has been made to balance the number of minutes of instruction for each course.
STUDENTS WITH EXCEPTIONAL SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS Program Support Teachers will connect with the parents/guardians of our students with exceptional education needs beginning on January 4, 2021 in order to discuss programming needs and to put the necessary accommodations in place. Where required and appropriate, secondary students with the highest special needs who have been attending on a daily, extended schedule will be provided with the opportunity to attend school in-person starting on January 11, 2021.
ATTENDANCE During the period of remote learning, it is requested that parents/guardians continue to report absences using our board’s Safe Arrival program. While the instructional minutes listed above for Elementary students (Kindergarten – Grade 8) must be provided, it is understood that during the week of January 4-8, 2021, not all students may be able to be online for the full 180/225mins.
Secondary students are expected to connect online during each block in order to be marked as present.
TECHNOLOGY It is understood that for families with multiple school age children, simultaneous online learning may be difficult if there are a limited number of devices in the household. For students in Kindergarten – Grade 8, educators will ensure that daily work is posted so that if a student cannot connect online at a specific time, they will still be able to access learning materials and assignments. Where access to technology is a barrier, families should contact the school for support. For 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.
Edsby Support for Parents/Guardians/Students Instructional videos are available for parents/guardians/students online at: https://dcdsb.ca/Edsby
Additional Ministry Supports for Learning Parents/Guardians are reminded that the Ministry of Education recently announced the launch of two new portals, TVO Learn and TFO IDÉLLO, apprendre à la maison, which provide supports for students learning remotely by accessing additional educational resources developed by Ontario certified teachers.
We recognize that these are challenging times for everyone and thank you in advance for your ongoing efforts to work in collaboration with school staff to support continued learning for our students. May you continue to stay safe at home during this period of provincial shutdown and may God’s blessings be with all of us as we move with hope and love into a New Year.
Tracy Barill, Director of Education |
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December 21, 2020 - Ontario Announces Province Wide Shutdown to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 |
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Dear Parents and Guardians,
Today the Premier announced a province wide shutdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19 effective Saturday, December 26, 2020. Click here to view details about the shutdown outlined by the province. As part of this shutdown, all schools in the province will be closed to students from January 4-8, 2020.
What does this mean for your child after the Christmas holiday? All Elementary and Secondary students currently enrolled in the virtual learning model will continue to receive regular instruction with their teachers, beginning January 4, 2021, as per their usual practice. Students who currently attend class in person at the school will be asked to connect online during the period of closures. Return to face-to-face learning is scheduled as follows:
Beginning on January 4, 2021 and continuing during the period of school closures, staff will engage with students using our online learning platforms. While we recognize that this may be a challenge for some households, we respect provincial protocols to keep everyone safe and ask that you encourage your child to connect with their teachers online on January 4, 2021. More information will be forthcoming.
In the event of extended closures, the Durham Catholic District School Board will continue to follow the direction of the Ministry of Education, in terms of expectations for teaching and learning, evaluation and assessment, and we will update families with next steps.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding. By working together as a community, it is our hope that students and staff can return to the classroom as soon as possible.
I hope that you and those you love are finding ways to have a safe and happy Christmas! Please know that you are all in my prayers.
Yours in Faith,
Tracy Barill |
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December 17, 2020 - Preparing for all Scenarios |
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Dear Parents and Guardians, As we prepare for the start of Christmas holidays, I want to thank you for your continued support and commitment to adhering to public health and safety measures that have ensured schools remain a safe place for our students and staff. We recognize now more than ever, what a true gift it is to participate in Advent activities in our schools and parishes. Our schools and classrooms continue to offer opportunities to celebrate our Catholic faith through charitable campaigns, virtual reflections and classroom prayers, as we focus on this very special time of our liturgical year. Looking ahead, we encourage families to remain vigilant during the holidays by following public health advice in order to make the return to school in January 2021 as safe as possible. By adhering to public health measures in our communities, we can all have a safe and relaxing holiday season. You can check the government’s holiday web page for more direct and up-to-date guidance on how individuals and families can plan for a safe holiday season, including suggestions for holiday activities for children and families. Self-Screening Self-screening will still be a requirement when we return to school and we will continue to reinforce masking and hand hygiene as well as cohorting and physical distancing with students and staff. We encourage you to visit Ontario.ca/covidresponse to learn what public health measures are in place in our community – but also please be aware that these could change depending on the most current public health advice. Preparing for all scenarios If a move to remote learning does occur over the holidays, communications will be sent to families with students attending in-school classes advising them to access their classes and teachers online via Edsby. In closing, I want to extended my heartfelt thanks to our students, families, staff, clergy, parish communities and community partners for your cooperation and collaboration this past year. I know this Christmas will be different, but I wish you a joyous holiday filled with love, peace and hope. Yours in Faith,
Tracy Barill |
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October 7, 2020 - Fall Update from the Director of Education |
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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 |
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October 2, 2020 - Update from the Ministry of Health |
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COVID-19 Screening Tool for Children in School and Child Care |
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September 2, 2020 - No Further Change Requests to Learning Models |
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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 |
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August 28, 2020 - UPDATE on supported re-entry and return to learning |
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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
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.
Secondary In-class Learning September 8 to 11, 2020 - Remote preparation of students to return to in-
September 14 to 18, 2020 - Adapted model for in-class learning begins
Virtual Learning Centres Elementary Online Learning September 8 to 11, 2020 - Focus on connecting with families and preparing for online learning
September 14 to 18, 2020
Secondary Online Learning September 8 to 11, 2020 – Focus on connecting with families and preparing for online learning
September 14 to 18, 2020
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
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August 27, 2020 - Minister of Education's Letter to Parents and Guardians |
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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 |
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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
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August 19, 2020 - Elementary and Secondary Models |
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August 19, 2020 - Return to School Planning for a Safe and Healthy Learning Environment |
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Return to School Planning for a Safe and Healthy Learning Environment |
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August 18, 2020 - A Return to Learning Update from DCDSB |
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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 |
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Presentation from the Special Board Meeting of August 17, 2020 |
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SickKids' Guidance for School Reopening |
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July 30, 2020 - Parent and Guardian Letter from Director Barill |
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Dear Parents and Guardians,
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.
For elementary and secondary schools:
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 |
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July 30, 2020 - Message from Minister of Education to Ontario's Parents |
Resources to Support the Transition Back to School and Virtual Learning
- Supporting Mental Health and Wellness during the Return to School
- Going Back to School Story
- Going Back to School Story - Simple Language
- Starting Virtual Learning Story
- Starting Virtual Learning Story - Simple Language
Online Forums
We invite you to open the tabs below to view presentations and/or recordings from the online forums.
| September 4, 2020 - Online Edsby Forum |
| August 20, 2020 - Technology Use and Gaming during COVID-19 |
| PowerPoint Presentation by Lakeridge Health |
| August 25, 2020 - Online Forum for Parents and Guardians |
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View the recording of the Return to Learning Online Forum for Parents and Guardians below.
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| August 27, 2020 - Online Forum for DCDSB Students |
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View the recording of the Return to Learning Online Forum for Durham Catholic students below.
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