Keeping UGDSB schools healthy and safe
November 14, 2022
Schools are experiencing absences this season due to the spread of respiratory illnesses. The UGDSB strongly recommends everyone to continue to follow public health’s preventative measures to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses in schools and help keep children and youth healthy. Please read below for measures for keeping schools healthy and safe.
Masking in Schools
On Monday November 14, 2022, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said he is “strongly recommending” that Ontarians wear masks in all indoor public settings, including in schools and in childcare settings, due to the circulation of respiratory viruses and the pressure this is putting on the province’s health care system.
The UGDSB strongly recommends people wear masks in schools as a key preventative measure, in addition to the layers in place and detailed below.
We understand that people may choose to wear or not wear a mask in schools, and we will continue to ensure our learning environments are respectful and supportive of an individual’s personal choice.
UGDSB Protocols
The following health and safety protocols continue to be in place at UGDSB schools:
- Screen daily prior to arriving at school/work for symptoms
- Stay home if you are not feeling well.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided (medical masks, eye protection, gowns, gloves etc.) including non-fit N95 and medical grade masks, eye protection for staff
- We continue to emphasize proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
- Alcohol-based hand rub is available throughout schools and buildings
- We continue with daily cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces
- Every class, learning space and staff eating area in the UGDSB has a standalone HEPA filter unit, with more than 2,500 units across the board. Standalone HEPA units must be running in all occupied spaces where they are located
- We continue to encourage the opening of windows where possible and maximizing the use of outdoor learning spaces
- Our schools’ staff, students and visitors will continue to see signs encouraging best practices related to preventative measures
- We continue to meet with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health regularly and will provide schools, families and staff with public health recommendations
Resumption of Absence Tracking
We know how important quick access to information and data is to families, students and staff. The UGDSB will resume Daily School Absence reporting on the board website allowing us to monitor absenteeism rates and transparently share this information with the public.
Starting on November 21, 2022, the UGDSB will post absenteeism data daily, by school, from Monday to Friday on the UGDSB public website. The webpage will show the overall percentage of absenteeism in any given school and compare it to that particular school’s September attendance baseline.
Public Health Recommendations
- Stay home if you are sick
- Stay home until all of the following apply to you:
- Your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you had nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea)
- You do not have a fever
- You do not develop any additional symptoms
- When your symptoms are improving and you are no longer isolating at home, doing the following can provide extra protection against the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses circulating in the community. For 10 days after your symptoms started:
- wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings
- avoid non-essential activities where you need to take off your mask (for example, dining out)
- avoid non-essential visits to anyone who is immunocompromised or may be at higher risk of illness (for example, seniors)
- avoid non-essential visits to highest risk settings in the community such as hospitals and long-term care homes
- Wear a well-fitted mask in public settings
Categories: Board News for Elementary • Board News for Secondary • News