COVID-19 health and safety reminders for in-person learning
February 5, 2021
Following Ministry direction, students in the Upper Grand District School Board will resume in-person learning on Monday February 8, 2021 (Note: students enrolled in the Elementary and Secondary Remote Schools will continue with remote learning as usual).
Before students head back into schools, please take the time to review the following COVID-19 health and safety protocols, as some of our protocols have been updated. We all have a part to play in helping to keep our schools and communities safe.
Daily COVID-19 Screening
Parents/guardians and students are reminded that all students must complete and pass their daily self screening prior to coming to school each day. Students are expected to stay home if symptoms or possible exposures are identified and parents must phone the school to inform them of their child’s absence. To assist with screening each day, parents can use the province’s COVID-19 school screening tool at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/. Screening your child every day before leaving for school is one of the best ways to help keep our schools and community safe.
NEW: Updated screening protocols for secondary students
As per Ministry direction, all secondary students now are required to validate the completion of their self-screening. This validation will require secondary students to sign in each day when they arrive to class and indicate that they have performed the self-screening and are clear to attend in person. Each secondary school will have a process in place for students to complete their screening validation, beginning Feb. 8. Any student who does not pass the on-site screening procedures will be asked to return home and self-isolate until they meet the criteria for return.
NEW: Mask requirements
In addition to UGDSB’s current protocols around masking for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12+, additional masking requirements have also been put in place by the Ministry of Education. Masks will now also be required outdoors where physical distancing of 2 metres cannot be maintained.
School Bus Protocols
Students who ride the school bus are also required to continue to follow COVID-19 protocols, including completing the COVID-19 school screening tool every day before going to the bus stop, wearing a mask at all times, and following the COVID-19 protocols in place.
Testing in schools
At this point in time, we have not received further information about COVID-19 testing in UGDSB schools. We will continue to provide updates as we receive them.
Other COVID-19 Protocols
Students will continue to follow health and safety protocols put in place at their school, including requirements around entry and dismissal, hand sanitization and physical distancing.
Anyone who has returned from travel is advised to review Public Health’s information on restrictions and requirements regarding self-isolation, quarantine and testing at https://www.wdgpublichealth.ca/your-health/covid-19-information-public/current-public-health-measures-and-restrictions/travel
Thank you to everyone for your cooperation as we all do our part to keep our communities safe.