Protective health and safety measures during in-person learning
January 12, 2022
The provincial government has announced that Ontario schools will reopen to in-person learning starting on Monday January 17, 2022.
The Upper Grand District School Board has many protective health and safety measures in place at our schools. Please read below for reminders and updates regarding these protective measures.
- In addition to distancing, masking, and hand hygiene protocols, the UGDSB will continue to follow the recommendations and guidance of public health officials regarding COVID-19 safety and prevention.
- All families will be reminded to screen students for symptoms daily before leaving for school. When in-person learning resumes, schools will verify that student screening has taken place each day.
- All students (JK-Grade 12+) are required to wear a mask or face covering when in school or on a school transportation vehicle, unless a valid medical mask exemption is approved. The UGDSB recently updated its mask exemption criteria and process.
- Students will be provided with three-layer cloth masks to add to their current supply of reusable masks.
- Staff have been provided with additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), e.g. non-fit tested N95 masks.
- Mandatory COVID-19 Refresher Training for all staff prior to the resumption of in-person learning.
- Further to our commitment to improve ventilation and air flow, the UGDSB has procured additional stand-alone High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter units for all secondary school learning spaces, including Continuing Education sites. This is in addition to the UGDSB providing all elementary school classrooms and portables with a HEPA unit at the start of the school year. To date, the UGDSB has purchased 2,200 HEPA filter units, in addition to the units provided by the province.
- As an additional measure beyond the provincial requirements for ventilation, the UGDSB will continue to conduct air flow monitoring in schools.
- Because the Ministry has suspended the reporting of positive COVID-19 cases and schools/boards will no longer be informed of all positive cases, the UGDSB will launch a COVID case proxy pilot program, and will publicly display school absences on a daily basis on the UGDSB website.
- The UGDSB expects to receive rapid antigen tests from the province and details on this will be shared widely once information is received.
- The UGDSB will continue to pause all extracurricular activities and Community Use of Schools.
- The UGDSB is reviewing the lunchtime guidelines for elementary and secondary students eating in class/school.
- The UGDSB will continue to consult and collaborate with its partners at Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health and other health agencies to make the public aware of opportunities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and to facilitate Public Health vaccination clinics.
Temporary Remote Learning Option
When in-person learning resumes, the UGDSB will launch a temporary remote option for elementary school students.
We understand and value the importance of families having choice, especially during unprecedented times, and we want to provide a temporary option for families as an alternative to in-person learning, which also allows students to continue with their grade specific curriculum when at home for a short/limited period of time.
Please see the board website for additional information on the elementary temporary remote option: https://www.ugdsb.ca/blog/ugdsb-launching-temporary-remote-option-for-elementary-students-once-in-person-learning-resumes/
Enhanced remote and eLearning options are available for secondary school students for the winter term.
The UGDSB will continue to provide updates to staff, students and families as the situation evolves. We thank everyone for their dedication, support and understanding.
