Reminder: Ministry of Education Update - Lifting of Health and Safety Measures in Schools
March 18, 2022
Dear Parents and Guardians:
As we look forward to welcoming our students back following the March Break, we are pleased to provide a reminder to our March 11, 2022 communication outlining some of the key school-related changes announced by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health on March 9, 2022. Effective upon the return to school on Monday, March 21, 2022:
- Masks are no longer required in schools for staff, students or visitors.
- The wearing of masks will be a personal choice for students and staff.
- Cohorting or distancing indoors and outdoors will no longer be required.
- Assemblies and field trips will be permitted.
- Graduations and end of year ceremonies may take place again this June.
- The provincial screening tool has been updated with new isolation requirements depending on vaccination status.
- Students should continue to self-screen every day before attending school using the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool; however daily on-site confirmation of screening is no longer required.
Although parents and students can expect to see the above changes upon the return from March break, access to rapid tests, daily screening requirements and continued access to free PPE for students and staff will remain. Hand hygiene, improved ventilation, and enhanced cleaning will also continue in our schools.
As a Catholic community, it will be essential to respect differences and comfort levels as we move forward.
An important note that the
daily self-screening tool has been updated to align with
federal requirements for international travel. Although masking is being lifted from school settings on March 21, upon return from international travel, individuals must wear a mask at all times when in public spaces (including schools and child care), maintain a list of all close contacts for your first 14 days in Canada, and monitor yourself for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
We want to assure parents that we will continue to work with our local public health unit and community partners to continue to ensure our schools are safe, inclusive places of learning.
We hope each of you enjoyed a wonderful and restful March break!
Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board
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March 11, 2022
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As you are likely aware, on March 9, 2022, the Chief Medical Officer of Health announced we are entering into the next stage of Ontario’s Reopening Plan, including changes to the protocols put in place for schools. We encourage everyone to review the
Ministry of Health’s slide deck, which outlines these changes.
Here are some of the key school-related changes, effective upon the return to school on March 21, 2022:
- Masks are no longer required in schools for staff, students or visitors.
- The wearing of masks will be a personal choice for students and staff.
- Cohorting or distancing indoors and outdoors will no longer be required.
- Assemblies and field trips will be permitted.
- Graduations and end of year ceremonies may take place again this June.
- The provincial screening tool has been updated with new isolation requirements depending on vaccination status.
Although parents and students can expect to see the above changes upon the return from March break, access to rapid tests, daily screening requirements and continued access to free PPE for students and staff will remain. Hand hygiene, improved ventilation, and enhanced cleaning will also continue in our schools.
An important note that the
daily self-screening tool has been updated to align with
federal requirements for international travel. Although masking is being lifted from school settings on March 21, upon return from international travel, individuals must, wear a mask at all times when in public spaces (including schools and child care), maintain a list of all close contacts for your first 14 days in Canada, and monitor yourself for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
We want to assure parents that we will continue to work with our local public health unit and community partners to continue to ensure our schools are safe, inclusive places of learning.
As a Catholic community, it will be essential to respect differences and comfort levels as we move forward. We hope that over the March Break you will find time to talk to your children about these changes and let them share their feelings with you about removing pandemic restrictions, recognizing that children adapt at different comfort levels.
We hope each of you have a wonderful, restful March break. We look forward to welcoming our students back to school on March 21.
Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board