UGDSB schools to resume in-person learning on Monday Feb. 8

Posted February 3, 2021

February 3, 2021


On Wednesday afternoon, the Minister of Education announced that schools in the Upper Grand District School Board will resume in-person learning on Monday Feb. 8, 2021. School boards are required to follow the direction of the Ministry. 

Therefore, all UGDSB students who were enrolled in in-person instruction prior to the temporary online learning period will resume in-person learning at their school beginning on Monday Feb. 8. Students enrolled in the Elementary and Secondary Remote Schools will continue with remote learning as usual.

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health has shared with us that, “WDGPH strongly supports the safe return to in-person learning for local students. The many benefits to children from being able to gather with caring teachers and staff, and their peers, make it vital students have the chance to go back to class with COVID-19 risks as low as possible.”

Please read below for reminders and changes to our current protocols when in-person instruction resumes. All other protocols in place will continue as usual. 

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. 

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.

Before and/or After School Programs

Before and/or After School Programs can reopen as of Monday Feb. 8. Further information will be communicated to families by BASP Operators directly, as needed. 

Transportation

Transportation for students provided by STWDSTS will resume regular routes starting Monday Feb. 8. Please check the STWDSTS website at https://stwdsts.ca/ for transportation information. A reminder to please review the procedures in place for the 2020-21 school year with regards to bus cancellations and inclement weather days: https://www.ugdsb.ca/blog/important-changes-on-bus-cancellation-days-and-inclement-weather-days-in-the-ugdsb/ 

Categories: News