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Return to Schools Means Return to Safety

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Return to Schools Means Return to Safety

Monday, February 8, 2021 marks the return to in-person learning. It has been almost two full months since HWDSB students and staff have been in school buildings.

With all that time away, it can be easy to forget some of the public health measures and board protocols that have been put in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19. We have also seen new efforts put in place and pre-existing ones be adapted during this remote learning period.

In order to return to schools as safely as possible, students and families are asked to review the following topics before they return and during the first two weeks back in school.

Please be sure to also visit our COVID-19 webpage and Guidance for Families for more important information.

Masks

  • Students are now expected to wear a mask outside when they cannot physical distance.
  • Staff will continue to support “mask breaks” for students who need them; this involves a student moving at least 2 metres from others to briefly remove their mask.
  • Parents/guardians may also continue to request a mask exception.
  • Families may find this resource helpful related to masks in winter: Public Health Ontario: Cold Weather Tips for Schools.

Sick? Stay Home

  • If you notice that your child has new or worsening symptoms, what you do depends on the symptom and how usual they are for your child. If your child has new or worsening:
    • Fever/chills
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath
    • Decreased or loss of smell or taste
  • Your child should isolate immediately and you should contact your child’s health provider for further advice or assessment.
  • The health care provider can help you determine whether the symptoms are related to another non-COVID-19 condition, or if they should get tested for COVID-19.

Bus Seating Plan

  • Seating plans help to identify close contacts if a student on a bus tests positive for COVID-19. Students must understand the importance of seating plans, which can reduce the spread of COVID-19.
  • When seating plans are followed, only the students sitting within 6 feet of the student who tests positive are asked to self-isolate.
  • When the seating plan is not followed, the entire bus may have to self-isolate.
  • All students must wear face coverings or masks on buses; scarves are not a replacement. Students must also practice good hand hygiene before they board the bus

First Day Screening

  • As students and staff are returning to face-to-face learning after a number of weeks, when completing the screen on February 8, 2021, it should be completed thinking about how the individual felt from January 25 to February 8.
  • If the person would have failed the screen at any point during that timeframe, they should not attend school on February 8 but should follow the Symptomatic Child at Home Decision Guide before returning to school.
  • Families will receive School Messenger phone calls on Sunday reminding them of the screening requirements.

Wash Your Hands

  • Hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs. Children need to be taught when and how to wash their hands properly. It is important to wash hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Resources to help teach children and youth about hand washing from Hamilton Public Health Services:

Physical Distance

  • Physical distancing helps limit the spread of infection when used with the other public health measures such as hand washing, wearing a mask and staying home when sick.
  • Try to remain two metres apart and know that it is okay to ask people around you for more space.
  • Avoid greetings like high-fives and handshakes.
  • COVID-19 spreads more easily when people gather, so we are asking students to avoid gathering before school starts, and to head straight home after school. Please also avoid carpooling.

Screening

On January 20, 2021 the Ministry of Education announced enhancements to the daily screening process for visitors, staff and secondary students. (There is no change to elementary student screening.) The enhancement requires on-site confirmation of self-screening and validation of a passed screen, prior to or upon arrival to school.

Secondary Students Screening (there are no changes to elementary screening)

  • Students must complete the provincial screen at home.
  • Students are only to attend school if the screen indicates that they can attend school that day (green check mark). Students are asked to take a screen-shot of the results.
  • Upon entry to the classroom, the student will show the classroom teacher the results of the screen. Note, please don’t ask students to line up before entering the class. We wish to avoid students gathering in the hallways. The results can be checked once students are seated if needed.
  • Students who have not completed the provincial screen will be asked to complete the screen upon arrival and to share the results screen with the classroom teacher.
  • Any student who refuse to complete the screen should be asked to see an administrator.
  • If a student’s screen shot shows a red X and “do not go to school”, the teacher should follow the Student Becomes Symptomatic or Fails the Screen During the School Day Protocol and the principal or designate will escort the student to the isolation room.
  • Note: Public Health does not require the results to be saved or retained by the school

Attestation

Prior to in-person learning, families and students over age 18 must complete a one-time attestation. Please note the following:

  • Students will not be allowed to attend school until the attestation is complete.
  • Parents/guardians/caregivers or students (over age 18) will complete the attestation through the Parent Portal App.
  • School administration will contact any families who have not completed the attestation for each child.
  • If parent/guardian/caregiver is unable to complete the attestation through the Parent Portal the following options are available:
    • Print and sign a copy of the Attestation (downloaded from the HWDSB website) or email a signed copy to the school (Office Administrator to input into PowerSchool)
    • Schools to make paper copy available should the parent be unable to complete the attestation otherwise.

Students New to In-person Learning

  • Families with students new to in-person learning must complete the Return to School – Before In-Person Learning Attestation. Students may not begin in-person learning until the form has been submitted. The form is available in the Parent Portal and online.

Secondary Students in Self-Contained Classes

  • Teachers are asked to work with parents/guardians on establishing an approach to communicating completion and passing of the screen daily. The parent should complete the provincial screen while the student is at home.
  • Where a student is unable to share the results of the screen with the teacher, the parents/guardian is asked to provide this daily confirmation through other means (e.g. daily communication log, paper copies of the screen sent to school daily.

Visitor Screening

  • We will continue with existing Visitor process. A Visitor is anyone who is not on staff at the school and may include other HWDSB staff e.g. itinerant, facilities, occasional, etc.
  • Daily COVID-19 Screen
  • Note signage: “You Must Screen Before Entry and Report to the Main Office if You Pass the Screen”
  • The Office administrator should provide a copy of the screen and ask the visitor “did you pass the screen?”
  • If the visitor passed, the office administrator will complete the Visitor Sign In sheet. Visitors should not be completing the Sign In sheet themselves as the screening information should remain confidential
  • If the visitor did not pass they are asked to leave the building.
Updated on Saturday, February 06, 2021.
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