Dear Parents/Guardians,

The Ontario government has announced that elementary and secondary students in the St. Clair Catholic District School Board will return to in-person classroom learning on Monday, February 8, 2021.  That is welcome news and we look forward to seeing our students back in class for the first time since last December.

This announcement does not impact elementary and secondary students who are learning online in the Remote Learning School.  Online learning for all students currently enrolled in the virtual Remote Learning School continues as normal.

For all other students, returning to in-person classroom learning means getting back into the routines we followed last Fall. Here are some important steps that parents/guardians and students must take every day, both before leaving for school and after arriving.

• Daily Online Screening Test – All students, staff and visitors must take the online screening test every day before leaving the house to go to school. The online screening tool is available on the Board website at: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/
  
  If you don’t pass, you must stay home from school.
  
  NEW information for secondary school students – In addition to taking the online screening test before you leave the house, you will be required to confirm that you have taken it and passed once you get to school.  This is a new requirement directed by the Ontario Ministry of Education.  Your school principal will have more information for you about the process to confirm you have taken the online screening test and passed.
  
• Masks – NEW – Masks now mandatory for students in Grades 1-3.  Effective immediately, masks are now mandatory for Grade 1-3 students.  This means all students in Grades 1 to 12 must now wear masks at school.  Students in Kindergarten are encouraged, but not required, to wear masks.  Bus students in Grade 1-12 must be wearing masks in order to board buses.
  
  NEW – Masks must now be worn outside when appropriate physical distancing isn’t possible. This change is also being directed by the Ontario Ministry of Education.  In most cases when students are on the playground, appropriate physical distancing of two meters is not possible.  In these instances, students are required to wear masks outdoors.  During physical activity or in snowy and rainy conditions, masks will get wet; so it’s important students come to school with at least two masks.  The school will also have a supply of masks for students
  
• Reminder – Do not congregate – Parents should remind students not to gather in groups either before or after school.  Stay safe.  Keep an appropriate distance (two meters) from others – especially those not in your class.
  
• Remember to follow all of the health and safety protocols at school – In addition to these new rules, all of the health and safety protocols that were in place at your school last fall remain in effect.  Physical distancing, remaining with your classroom cohort, washing/sanitizing your hands often, and wearing masks at all times.  It is important that students familiarize themselves with these rules and follow them every day. 

Please remember to return your Chromebook – It is important that all students who have borrowed Chromebooks from the school for use during the school closure period please remember to bring them back on the first day of school – Monday, February 8, 2021.  The Chromebook power charging cord must also be returned.

We are excited that our students are returning to class and we know that they are looking forward to seeing their teachers and classmates again.  As always, we will continue to follow the advice and direction of the Ministry of Education and our public health partners, as together we work to keep our students and staff safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Deb Crawford
Director of Education