August 4 - Ministry of Education Announces Return to School Plan for 2021-2022

Posted On Wednesday August 04, 2021

August 4, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

I hope you are enjoying a relaxing and peaceful summer with friends and family. Today, the Ministry of Education announced that schools will reopen on September 7, 2021, COVID-19: Health, Safety & Operational Guidance for Schools 2021-22.

We are eager to welcome students back to full-time school in-person or virtually. As announced today, safety protocols and routines will continue to be in place to support the health and well-being of our Catholic learning community.

Vaccinations
COVID-19 vaccinations are available for youth aged 12 to 17 and their family members and will play a big role in the safe return to school for all. If you are interested in receiving your first or second dose, please book an appointment as soon as possible at the Durham Region Health Department or attend one of their drop-in vaccination clinics. It is not too late to get vaccinated!

Ventilation
We have upgraded all DCDSB schools’ mechanic ventilation systems filters to MERV13 and are changing filters more frequently. Staff will continue to bring in more fresh air two hours prior to the start of school and two hours after school when weather permits.

We have also purchased 1,000 portable HEPA air filtration systems and have installed the unit in all elementary classrooms. We are currently in the process of installing HEPA units in every secondary classroom and shared space such as gyms, learning commons/libraries, and cafeterias.

COVID-19 Screening Tool

All students will be required to complete the province’s COVID-19 school screening tool and return a self-assessment form to school on Tuesday, September 7, 2021. As a reminder, students should not attend school if they or a family member in their household is feeling ill. 

Safety Protocols
For students attending in-person elementary and secondary schools: 

  • Daily self-assessments are to be performed at home prior to attending school for COVID-related symptoms.
  • Students or staff members who are exhibiting symptoms are expected to stay home. 
  • Non-medical masks are mandatory indoors for students in Grades 1-12 and encouraged for those in Kindergarten.
  • Hand hygiene and physical distancing will continue to be emphasized and signage will remain in place throughout the school as a reminder. 
  • Hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies continue to be available throughout the school. 
  • Enhanced cleaning protocols continue throughout the school. 
  • Access to school facilities will continue to be limited to students and staff only. 
  • Schools will continue to work with the Durham Region Health Department as needed. 

Extra-curricular Activities
Field trips, sports, music programs and extra-curricular activities will be allowed to resume in schools with prescribed protocols. Close contact sports such has basketball will be allowed outdoors. Our schools will communicate safety protocols regarding extra-curricular activities when available.

Elementary Schools
Our elementary schools will resume regular, full-time, instruction five days a week per the established school calendar. Hours of operation are available on your school’s website. 

Secondary Schools
Secondary schools will be returning to a full-day of in-person instruction, with all students attending every day following a quadmester system with two courses per timetable. Hours of operation for secondary schools will be 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday unless otherwise communicated by the school. 

Virtual and Hybrid Learning
Classes for students enrolled in Durham Catholic Virtual Learning Elementary School will begin on September 7, 2021. Staff will email families to provide log in information for Edsby during the week of August 30th

As previously communicated, a hybrid learning model will be provided for secondary students who registered in June for virtual learning for the 2021-2022 school year. More information will be forthcoming to students through their home school closer to the start of the year. 

All school offices will be open on August 23, 2021. If for unforeseen circumstances, a family wishes to withdraw from virtual learning and return to in-person learning they should contact their home school as soon as possible after August 23 and before the start of school.   

School Bus Information
Students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 who are eligible for busing through Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS) will be given assigned seating and will be required to wear a masked while on the bus and  complete the COVID-19 self-assessment prior to riding the bus each day. DSTS bus route information will be available by calling 1-866-908-6578 or 905-666-6979 beginning August 18, 2021. To access routing information, you will need your child’s OEN number which can be found on their report card.

Updates and Information
Thank you for your partnership as we ensure students and staff a safe and positive return to school. For ongoing updates, please visit www.dcdsb.ca/returntolearning.

Lastly, I extend an invitation to families to participate in a live virtual forum hosted in partnership with the Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC). 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 2021-2022 school year.

Save the Date! Welcome to the 2021-2022 School Year Online Forum for Parents and Guardians   
Question and Answer Session with DCPIC and the Director of Education   
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
An invitation and link will be emailed to families in the next two weeks.

We are grateful for a return to in-person learning in September. I continue to pray for you all and look forward to sharing more information in the coming weeks.

Yours in Faith,

Tracy Barill,
Director of Education