Letter to Parents and Guardians - June 19, 2020

Posted On Friday June 19, 2020

June 19, 2020

 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we wrap up the instructional Year of Hope, we reflect upon the triumphs and trials of what has unfolded to be an unprecedented time in the history of Catholic education in Ontario.

Looking ahead, we are hopeful that schools will open for instruction in September. Today the Minister of Education announced three different scenarios describing what the reopening of schools could look like:

  1. A full return to conventional school with strict Public Health protocols in place;
  2. Continued remote synchronous learning; or
  3. An adaptive model that includes students attending school on alternate days or weeks for classroom instruction and continued synchronous learning.

Our staff will continue to monitor, review and plan throughout the summer to develop reopening models for all three scenarios in consultation with the Ministry of Education and Durham Region Health Department to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our students and staff. The model that we implement in September will be determined by circumstances at that time and will be directed by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and informed by our local public health conditions.

Minister Lecce’s announcement also noted that parents and guardians have the choice to send their child(ren) back to school. A survey for parents/guardians is being developed that will be sent to you in the near future asking if you plan on sending your child(ren) back to school in September. This data will help us in planning for reopening.

What you can expect

To date we know the following will be implemented as part of an adaptive model for reopening:

  • extra hand hygiene by students and staff throughout the day;
  • enhanced environmental cleaning and ventilation in our schools;
  • smaller class sizes (15 students per classroom with one teacher);
  • physical distancing in the classroom and on school buses;
  • no sharing of classroom supplies and resources;
  • personal protective equipment worn by staff (e.g. Face masks or shields)
  • childcare services in our schools will be open;
  • limited contact allowed inside the schools.

In the coming days, Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS) will also issue a survey to all DCDSB families who currently use transportation to and from school.

At this time, I ask that you monitor your email and your school’s website for more information throughout the summer months as more information becomes available and details are finalized. We will do our best to communicate as early and as often as we are able.I wish you all a safe and relaxing summer. Stay well and God Bless!

Yours in faith,

 

Tracy Barill,
Director of Education