OCDSB Information About the Safe Return to In-Person Learning

OCDSB Information About the Safe Return to In-Person Learning
Posted on 01/29/2021
OCDSB Information About the Safe Return to In-Person Learning

On Monday, February 1st in-person learning will resume for OCDSB elementary and secondary school students. 

  • Secondary students will return to the in-person learning model used in the fall.  The schedule will begin with Cohort A in person on Monday (Secondary calendar).  Watch for more information from the school.
  • Students in specialized program classes will return to the learning model (in-person or remote) that they had selected in the fall.  
  • Childcare and Extended Day Programs will be operating (please check with your operator for details).
  • School bus transportation will be available.
  • All students who borrowed Chromebooks or mobile hotspots during the remote learning period are asked to bring these to school on Monday.
  • Students enrolled in OCV will continue to learn remotely.

Based on our experience in the fall, we know that schools can operate safely when parents, students and staff work together to follow public health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. There are some additional measures that will be in place. Please review the following information carefully.

Daily Screening for COVID-19

  • Daily monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19 - all students must complete the Ottawa Public Health Screening Tool every day before going to school. It is recommended you start this screening today. 
  • Anyone with symptoms must stay home and follow public health directives about testing.
  • Secondary students will be required to confirm that they have completed the daily self-assessment. Work is underway to put a process in place for that. We will share more information next week.

New Mandatory Mask Policy for In-Person Learning - Grades 1-3 

  • Students in grades 1-3 will now be required to wear a mask at school. 
  • All students in grades 1 through 12 must wear a mask indoors, including in hallways and during classes, and during outdoor activities where physical distancing is not possible. 
  • Kindergarten students are strongly encouraged to wear a mask. 
  • We recommend students practice mask-wearing in advance. 
  • Visit our website for more information on OCDSB masking requirements and information about eligibility for exemptions to the mask requirement.

School transportation, student drop-off and pick-up

  • School bus service will be operational next week. Watch for details from OSTA.
  • Parents are encouraged to wait with students for the bus and monitor route cancellation information.
  • Sign up to the OSTA Parent Portal for more information about student transportation.
  • Please be careful when dropping-off and picking-up students - park in designated areas, avoid congregating in groups, wear a mask, and please do not linger afterwards.

We’d like to express our appreciation for all your support with remote learning. It has been more than a month since most students were in school. Building back-to-school routines will help support students make the transition at home and at school.

We recognize that the return to school comes during the provincial shut-down period. Experience shows that the safety practices in schools have been effective in limiting the spread of COVID-19. As a community, we must make the learning and well-being of children our first priority and do everything we can to keep schools safe.  

Please continue to follow public health guidance in the community - stay at home, wear a mask, wash your hands, and avoid social gatherings with those outside your household.

Schools will share additional school-specific information. We look forward to welcoming students back to school on Monday.

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