Schools Resume: DDSB to update on new protocols

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) yesterday advised parents that it will send a follow-up on the new Covid protocols to be implemented once the schools reopen on January 5.

Earlier yesterday, the province announced that all schools in Ontario will be closed on Monday January 3 and Tuesday January 4. All students will return to classes on Wednesday, January 5. This direction also applies to students enrolled in DDSB@Home.

“We are waiting on more specific information from the Ministry of Education regarding updated protocols and will be sending you a follow-up communication next week as we adjust our planning and meet with the Durham Region Health Department,” said Norah Marsh, DDSB Director of Education in the advisory.

“We understand that families may be concerned about the spread of the Omicron variant and the impact this may have on your child’s learning. Key strategies for all members of our community are to wear a mask, be vaccinated, and to avoid unnecessary high-risk situations. Most importantly, please follow the province’s updated public health guidance if you are sick or a close contact of someone with Covid-19,” Marsh added.

Return to Class

Meanwhile the province announced that in response to the highly-transmissible Omicron variant, Ontario is putting in place additional health and safety measures to create more layers of protection to keep schools as safe as possible for in-person learning, which is critical to the positive mental health and academic success of students.

It said the following additional measures will help ensure safer schools and protect in-person learning:

  • Updating the Covid-19 school and child care screener ahead of the return to school on January 5 and asking students, parents and staff for rigorous screening and monitoring of symptoms.
  • Providing non-fit-tested N95 masks for staff in schools and licensed child care settings as an optional alternative to medical/surgical masks, and additional supply of high-quality three-ply cloth masks that are strongly encouraged and free for students and children in January.
  • Deploying an additional 3,000 standalone HEPA filter units to school boards, building on the existing 70,000 HEPA filter units and ventilation devices already in schools.
  • Continuing PCR testing eligibility for symptomatic elementary and secondary students, education staff and participating private and First Nation operated schools who have received a PCR self-collection kit through their school.
  • Starting in January, temporarily permitting only low-contact indoor sports and safe extra-curricular activities.
  • Updating Covid-19 reporting requirements for school boards and child care in January.
  • Supporting the projected hiring of over 2,000 staff, funded by a $304 million allocation for second semester that includes additional teachers, custodians, and mental health workers.

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