Dear Parents/Guardians,
I want to thank you for your partnership and support during this difficult time.
The Christmas season is going to look different this year. We understand that there may be
challenges as the winter break approaches but we encourage families to consider what we
can all do to keep our communities healthy and ensure the return to school in January 2021
is as safe as possible for everyone.
During the holidays, it is vital we all public health measures in our communities when
connecting with one another. By following the advice of our public health experts,, we can all
contribute to a safe and fun holiday season. You can check the government’s holiday web page for more direct and up-to-date guidance on how individuals and families can plan their
holidays this year, including suggestions for safer holiday activities geared toward children
and families.
As a reminder, anyone feeling ill should not attend school. All children, students, staff, and
visitors are required to be screened for symptoms of illness every day before attending
school or childcare. To help meet this requirement, you may use either the Provincial
COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool or the screening tools of our Board’s local health
units found at the links below:
KFL&A
Public Health COVID 19 School Screening Tool
HPE
Public Health COVID 19 School Screening Tool
Renfrew
County and District Health Unit COVID 19 Screening Tool
Self-screening will still be a requirement when we return to school and we will continue to
reinforce masking and hand hygiene, along with cohorting and physical distancing for
students and our staff.
We encourage you to visit Ontario.ca/covidresponse to learn what public health measures
are in place in your community. Please keep in mind that these measures may change
depending on the most current public health advice available to us. Also, please check for
updates regularly at www.kflaph.ca, hpepublichealth.ca, rcdhu.com and our Board website
www.alcdsb.on.ca for additional helpful resources and supports.
Advent is about expectation and hope, which are essential themes in our Catholic learning
communities. In this spirit, the ALCDSB continues to build faith-filled learning communities
where each member is loved, inspired and successful.
Let’s look to the future by keeping St. Francis in mind: “Where there is doubt, faith. Where
there is darkness, light.”
On behalf of the board of trustees and our senior team, I wish you and your family a blessed
Christmas.
Blessings of the season,
David DeSantis
Director of Education
