Dear Parents/Guardians,

As follow-up to our October 4 letter and after careful review and planning, the Lambton Kent and St. Clair Catholic district school boards are pleased to welcome spectators to attend indoor extracurricular activities beginning on Thursday, October 21, 2021, with specific health and safety protocols in place.

Athletics and extracurricular activities are an important part of the school experience, and we know that these activities provide students with social, physical, and emotional benefits, which enhance their learning outside the classroom.

Under the provisions of the Ontario government’s vaccine passport, all spectators 12 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated to attend indoor sporting events.  This mandate applies to all facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities and personal fitness training, including schools. At this time, there is no mandate for student athletes to be vaccinated.

In order to attend an indoor extracurricular activity at a Lambton Kent or St. Clair Catholic district school board school, spectators must:

• Complete and follow the directions of the daily COVID-19 School Screening assessment tool;
• Provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination using the Ontario vaccination passport upon entry to the facility, along with proof of identification;
• Wear a mask while on school premises;
• Complete the attendance sign-in log for contact tracing purposes; and
• Practice physical distancing in the seating area (i.e. spacing 6 feet apart from individuals who live outside of your household).

Please note: Capacity will be limited based on the facility and provincial seating capacity restrictions will apply. The above requirements for attending indoor extracurricular activities are subject to change based on provincial government and Public Health requirements.

As a reminder, the vaccine mandate for spectators comes at the direction of the Ontario government; not the athletic association, nor the St. Clair Catholic and Lambton Kent district school boards.  We are however required to enforce the new rules, which we are committed to doing.

As we prepare for the winter athletic season, please be aware that sports involving a municipal facility (such as pools, curling rinks and hockey arenas) will be subject to municipal guidelines and may require vaccination for athletes as well as spectators. Students hoping to participate in those activities should review the municipal facility guidelines for vaccination prior to the start of the season and ensure they meet the eligibility requirements to attend the municipal facilities.

We look forward to your cooperation and support, as we all work together to make our extracurricular programs safe for our students and spectators.

Sincerely,