Earlier today, the Government of Ontario, on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health announced that all schools in Ontario will be closed to in-person learning after the April break due to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, the increasing risks posed to the public by COVID-19 variants, and the massive spike in hospital admissions. The DDSB will be notifying families of an official return date once it is announced by the Ministry of Education.
This means that students will be learning remotely from home until further notice.
Elementary students will receive more information from educators on the morning of Monday, April 19, 2021 and should expect that classes will start on Monday afternoon.
Secondary schools will be running in a virtual format with all students being required to log into their morning classes every day. Please note that Monday, April 19, 2021 is a credit completion day for Quadmester 3 and regular classes as part of Quadmester 4 will start on the morning of Tuesday, April 20, 2021. Educators will provide additional information to students, if needed.
In addition, most students with special education needs will be learning remotely during this period. The Ministry of Education has indicated the seriousness of the current shut-down and has directed that schools need to limit the overall movement of students and staff. For that reason, students who are in congregated special education programs will be at home for Monday, April 19 and Tuesday, April 20 so that school staff may assess each student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) and work with families to develop a plan for remote learning wherever possible during the closure period. This approach is different to January given that the situation has changed with the introduction of new COVID-19 variants.