Dear parent/guardian,
Thank you for continuing to follow the public health measures that have kept our Catholic schools open and safe for students and staff. Our strong collective efforts continue to ensure students can safely attend our faith-filled learning communities in person.
As per recent announcements, the provincial government has implemented a provincewide shutdown for four weeks in response to worsening trends in key health indicators across the province.
The mental health and well-being of children is a key government priority and schools will remain open for in-person learning through the Provincial Emergency and Stay at Home Order. The spring break will continue as planned, from April 12th to 16th, and schools will reopen for in-person learning on April 19th.
In light of the recently announced measures, it is more important than ever that we continue to follow all public health guidance over the spring break and do our part to keep our Catholic schools open for in-person learning when we return.
At this critical point in the pandemic, the following public health measures are crucial to help prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19:
- Socialize with your own household.
- Stay home and get tested if you feel ill.
- Participate in the targeted testing offered by your school board.
- Screen every day, including during spring break, for COVID-19 symptoms before attending child care (the COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool is available to assist families with symptom screening).
- Practice good hand hygiene habits, masking, and physical distancing.
- Refer to Ontario.ca/covidresponse to learn what public health measures are in place in our community.
- Refrain from travelling.
During the spring break, students in Grades 1-8 can continue to engage in their own learning through supplemental, curriculum-linked activities available at TVO Learn and TFO IDÉLLO, apprendre à la maison. These rich, engaging opportunities allow students to keep up with their learning and interests. Secondary students can continue to access TVO's Independent Learning Centre (ILC) Open House and Portes ouvertes pour les cours TVO ILC in French-language. Mathify (English) and Eureka! (French) are also available to provide one-on-one online tutoring services for elementary and secondary students. Mathify covers online math tutoring in English for Grades 6 to 10 and Eureka! supports all subjects for French-language students in Grades 1 to 12.
For the week of April 12-18, pharmacies currently offering testing, and assessment centres across the province will accept appointments from students and education staff for asymptomatic testing. The Ministry of Education will be working with school boards to offer school-based clinics. We encourage parents to utilize this testing capacity to have their children tested in support of a safe return to school on April 19. Children attending child care, and child care staff, are also eligible to access this testing.
As a reminder, before returning to school on April 19th, you must screen for COVID-19 symptoms. If your child or anyone in your household is ill, please stay home and follow the guidance in the school screener.
In any event, we would like students to bring home what they would need if our board were moved to remote learning either through a Section 22 order from Public Health or by decree from the Premier.
This past year has been incredibly stressful, and feelings of anxiety are understandable. We will continue to work with all partners to ensure that our Catholic Learning Communities are safe, welcoming, and productive despite our evolving challenges.
On behalf of our Board of Trustees and Senior Team, I pray that you stay safe and enjoy your time with your family over this break.
“Come to me all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28
Sincerely,
David DeSantis
Director of Education
