News & Announcements
Daily School Absence Report
The UGDSB is reporting daily on school absence rates, allowing us to monitor absenteeism rates and transparently share this information with the public. To view the dashboard, click here.
ALL UGDSB SCHOOLS/OFFICES CLOSED FRIDAY FEB. 18: Emergency remote learning/working day
Due to inclement weather, all UGDSB schools and offices are closed today to staff and students. Students are to shift to remote learning, where possible. Staff should not report to work in person, and should shift to remote working where possible. All buses and taxis are cancelled to Upper Grand schools.
Updates to masking protocols outdoors, COVID-19 screening tool
Please review the following updates to protocols around masking outdoors, extracurriculars, and the province’s COVID-19 screening tool.
Elementary report cards available for download starting this week
Elementary report cards will be available for parents to download from the Parent Portal as early as February 15 and by February 17 at the latest.
Update on the resumption of sports and extracurricular activities
The school board is pleased to announce the resumption of extracurricular activities and sports in our schools. Please see this post for details.
COVID-19 information for parents/caregivers from Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is sharing information with families regarding COVID-19.
Notice: Temporary cancellation of bus routes due to bus driver absences
The Transportation Consortium (STWDSTS) that provides student transportation services to the Upper Grand DSB and neighbouring school boards is advising that due to COVID-19, the Omicron variant and isolation requirements, they may experience higher than normal absence rates for school bus drivers. To address bus driver shortages and avoid cancelling bus routes at the last minute in the morning, some bus routes in the UGDSB will be proactively cancelled to free up drivers.
Monitoring School Absence Rates in the UGDSB
As an additional measure and layer of communication to keep our communities informed, the UGDSB has launched a pilot initiative to track school absence rates on a daily basis. This process is a pilot program and may evolve as required.
Planning for potential staff shortages at schools
Due to the widespread presence of COVID-19 in our communities, the Upper Grand District School Board recognizes that staff shortages may be prevalent next week as students and staff return to school. The UGDSB will employ numerous strategies to ensure that student safety and supervision is maintained. However, we recognize that in some extreme cases classes and/or schools may have to transition to remote learning temporarily.
Reminder to screen daily for symptoms before leaving for school
Families are reminded to complete the school screening every day before students leave for school.
Information on student instruction for Friday January 14, 2022
As staff work to prepare their classrooms for in-person learning on Monday we want to inform families/caregivers that regular synchronous instruction may be interrupted on Friday to allow staff time in our schools to be ready to go for Monday.
Wear and care of cloth masks for students
Public Health officials have stressed that wearing a well-constructed, well-fitted and properly worn mask or face covering is one the key protective measures we can take to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Families are encouraged to review the following information about the proper use and care of cloth face masks.
Protective health and safety measures during in-person learning
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.
