We hope that students, staff and families have been able to enjoy time together over the March Break, and we look forward to welcoming students back both in-person and virtually.
As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted by provincial directives, students, families, and staff will have different reactions. We recognize that adapting to this new reality will take time and that not everyone will have the same level of comfort as measures are lifted. It is okay to be anxious about the coming weeks and it is also okay to be excited and hopeful. Respecting people’s individual decisions will continue to be important.
For Monday, we wanted to remind you of some of the changes and provide some additional information on how Limestone will implement the lifting of COVID-19 health and safety measures as announced March 9 by the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), the Ministry of Education, and our local KFL&A Public Health.
Here's what you need to know as we return to in-person learning after March Break, March 21:
- Lifting of Health and Safety Measures in Schools: Measures including cohorting, distancing, immunization disclosure, confirmation of screening and more will be lifted as of Monday, March 21.
- Masks in Schools: As of March 21, masks will no longer be required to be worn in schools, or on student transportation, although they are strongly encouraged. The Ministry of Education will continue to provide free medical masks to students on request, and personal protective equipment, including medical and N95 masks, face shields and glasses, for staff until the end of this school year.
- Daily Screening (revised): KFL&A Public Health has updated its COVID-19 screening tool for schools and childcare settings to align with the new direction from the CMOH. Students, staff, and visitors should continue to do a daily self-assessment with this screening tool before coming to school and should stay at home if they are experiencing any new or worsening symptoms of illness.
- For Families Returning from Travelling Abroad: Under current federal travel regulations, individuals returning from international travel (including the U.S.) who are exempt from quarantine must wear a mask when in public spaces (including schools and childcare), maintain a list of all close contacts for the first 14 days of their return to Canada, and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Visit the Government of Canada website to learn more about international travel restrictions and exemptions.
- Cohorting and Physical Distancing: Cohorting and distancing will no longer be required in schools. Assigned seats and cohorting will no longer be required on student transportation.
- Gradual Changes in Schools: Each school community will have different wants and needs. As measures are lifted, activities such as fundraising, volunteering, excursions, events such as open houses, art performances and spectator sports will be resumed in a thoughtful and gradual way. Adjustments to classroom setups or use of shared materials and spaces will be determined at the school level after the March Break.
- Isolation Guidance: The province has updated their household isolation measures to indicate that in some cases, household members may not need to isolate if there is a positive case of COVID-19 in their home, depending on their vaccination status. Instructions for what to do if you have been exposed to COVID-19 as a close contact has also been updated.
- Visitors and Volunteers: We ask that all visitors remain patient as schools gradually begin to welcome community members back into schools. Families and visitors are reminded that they must check in at the office to sign in and out. Visitors will be required to do a COVID-19 self-assessment.
- Short-term Virtual School: LDSB will continue to consider accommodating requests for a short-term remote learning option within current teaching capacity in virtual learning, and in alignment with provincial guidance. Families should connect with their home school the week of March 21 if they wish to make a change.
- Unchanged Measures: As per direction of the Ministry of Education, the following health and safety measures will continue to remain in place:
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- Students, staff, and any school visitors are expected to complete a daily COVID self-assessment before coming into a LDSB building. Students in Grades 7-12 will continue to receive a daily COVID-19 self-assessment screening email
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- Optimizing air quality and ventilation
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- Encouraging hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, such as coughing into your sleeve
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- Reporting daily absences of staff and student and notifying KFL&A Public Health when absences due to illness exceed 30%
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- Distributing Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) provided to those who become symptomatic at school or returning from an unplanned absence
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- The province will continue to provide medical masks for use by students upon request, and medical masks and/or N95 masks and other PPE for staff on request until the end of the school year
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Screening daily for COVID-19 symptoms continues to be a requirement. Staff and students are directed to stay home if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.
While masking is no longer mandatory under the provincial directive, we strongly encourage those wanting to continue wearing masks to do so, and particularly, immediately following the break. Respecting and accepting individual choices will continue to be critical on the path ahead. Moving forward, we will continue to stay in close contact with our local Public Health to report on and monitor any changes in the local health situation.
Given the significant changes that have been announced, reactions will vary. With the experience with COVID-19 for the last two years, we recognize that for some people these public health measures represented protections, while for others they represented restrictions. Continuing to exercise patience, kindness, and respect for others will continue to be important.
The Limestone District School Board remains committed to supporting a healthy, safe, and respectful environment for all students and staff. Thank you for your continued patience and support. We look forward to welcoming students back next week.