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COVID-19 Update – December 2021

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COVID-19 Update – December 2021

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Welcome!

In this update, families can read about:

Keep up to date on the latest COVID updates. Questions or comments? Please email [email protected] 

Access the COVID-19 Advisory Dashboard for the most current confirmed case data. 

Mental health supports – please see supports as the pandemic’s challenges continue.​

Chair’s Message

Please see the following video message from Dawn Danko, Chair of the Board, as part of our December 2021 COVID-19 Update.

Director’s Message

As we draw closer to the winter break, many families are trying to make plans. While the youth vaccine rollout is in progress, there is still so much uncertainty with the new Omicron variant of concern.  

We started this school year with a greater sense of normal. However, this pandemic is not kind. Everyone is tired and looking forward to some much-needed rest. Staff in HWDSB continue to find the energy to put the needs of students first. It is to everyone’s advantage that we remain vigilant and support public health measures as information continues to change.  

In this prolonged period of crisis response, it is essential to treat everyone with kindness. We may not know what someone else has experienced during the pandemic. And for some, the holiday season is already a tough time.  

With New Year’s around the corner, we reflect on the accomplishments made in the previous year. I encourage you to read the Director’s Annual Report 2020-21. Even amid disruption, in 2020-21 equity, inclusion and our commitment to Indigenous reconciliation remained priorities. Also, we are immensely proud of our graduation outcomes: Graduation is on the rise. Our students are benefitting from the incredible staff and programs offered at HWDSB.  

In February 2022, I will be taking on a new leadership role in the community and resigning from HWDSB. This experience has meant the world to me, and I am profoundly grateful. I am confident that John Bryant as the Interim Director of Education will provide the continuity that we need to support the transition.  

Sincerely,
Manny Figueiredo, Director of Education

10 Things to Know

We want to help ensure a safe return to school in January following the winter break. Here is what you need to know:  

  1. Rapid Antigen Testing kits are being sent home to families as an added testing option for caregivers  
  2. International travel requirements should be reviewed if your family is travelling outside Canada 
  3. There is no direction from the Ministry of Education, Chief Medical Officer of Health in Ontario or the Hamilton Public Health Service to close or move to remote learning after the break 
  4. As a precaution, however, we are reviewing our Remote Readiness Plan, which includes device deployment options 
  5. Device deployment would begin after the break only if there is a decision to move to a full remote delivery model  
  6. School Messenger will be used to notify caregivers of confirmed case close contacts as well as any change in school operations 
  7. Stay connected on social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) or visit the HWDSB website  
  8. In January, verification of screening aged 5 to 11 will take place (See below for details)  
  9. Consider booking a COVID-19 vaccination appointment for your child/ren if you have not done so already   
  10. Confirmed cases will continue to be displayed on the Confirmed Cases Dashboard 

Public Health Measures

Consent and COVID-19 Vaccines for Children 5-11 Years of Age 

With in-school COVID-19 vaccination clinics in secondary schools (walk-ins) and booked appointment only (5 to 11 years old) organized by Hamilton Public Health Services (HPHS) this month, HWDSB would like to share information regarding informed consent and elementary school vaccine clinics. Learn more about this topic: 

Omicron Variant and managing suspected cases  

As we work with Hamilton Public Health Services to implement new interim guidelines related to the Omicron variant, families may see additional public health measures added to isolation requirements. We ask that families read any correspondence from public health carefully through the contact tracing letter to ensure we continue to keep our school communities safe and schools open. Visit the following links for additional information: 

Case management over the holidays 

During the break, HPHS will only be contacting HWDSB about cases that were infectious during school time; our team will be sharing close contact communication as well as HPHS contact tracing letters in a single message, to streamline the process and avoid interrupting family time. 

Testing Options for Parents (Rapid Antigen Testing and PCR) 

This week (December 13 to 17), school staff will give your child a package of rapid antigen screening tests to take home. HWDSB is distributing these kits on behalf of the Government of Ontario, as a measure to manage the spread of COVID-19. You will also receive an important letter with the kits. Please read the letter, linked below, to fully understand when to use the rapid antigen screening kit. Rapid Antigen Testing does not replace PCR testing. 

The take-home PCR testing option will soon be available, in limited quantities, to both symptomatic students as well as asymptomatic high-risk contacts/exposed cohorts of a confirmed case of COVID-19, including students and staff. More information will be shared with families when these tests are available and shipped to HWDSB by the Government of Ontario.  

Holiday Gatherings  

To protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities, we must be mindful of the role we all play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 is highly transmissible in social settings. If you choose to hold or participate in an in-person gathering or event with people outside your household, you should take precautions to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Find Winter Celebrations During COVID-19 tips from City of Hamilton.

Verification of screening in January 2022  

At the direction of the Ministry of Education, in January, students will be required to submit confirmation each school day that they have completed the COVID-19 Screening. This will be completed as students enter classrooms and confirm verification with staff, students and/or parents if not completed. Students who are not able to confirm their daily screening on their own using an electronic device will require assistance from their parent or guardian using a paper log that schools will distribute. 

International Travel 

Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 are exempt from federal quarantine if they travelled with someone who qualified to be exempt from quarantine, based on vaccination status. Regardless of this, they may not attend school or childcare for 14 days upon their return to Canada. See our previous update about International Travel. 

COVID-19 Immunization Disclosure for HWDSB Staff  

Trustees received a staff report on the Dec. 13 Board Meeting that outlined the impact of the Board’s motion to develop a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination procedure for all staff, Trustees, service providers and volunteers. Over the past four months, staff vaccination rate has increased steadily. HWDSB is pleased to report that 95 per cent of employees who have disclosed their vaccination status, and working in our schools, are vaccinated against COVID-19. Unvaccinated staff must participate in a strict rapid antigen testing program. Learn the latest data analysis on our website.  

Trustees recognize the priority is the health and protection of all staff and students against COVID-19. After receiving input from Public Health, employee, and management groups about the implications of a mandatory vaccination procedure, Trustees also learned about staffing shortages and the impacts of unfilled jobs. As such, Trustees have agreed to continue the Ministry policy while adding mandatory vaccination as a requirement for volunteers. This does not change any commitments we have made to combat the spread of COVID-19.

More details related to this topic can be found in the Board report, page 10-1. 

Learning at HWDSB

Student Success and Exams 

In January at the end of Quadmester 2, all secondary students will have the opportunity to participate in Student Success Days where, with the support of their teacher, they can demonstrate their achievement of overall course learnings and either earn the credit or improve their achievement. Exams may take place for Grade 12 students for university and college courses.  

More information will be shared before the end of Quadmester 2. For important dates please visit the School Year Calendar page here.  

Return to Semester Model  

HWDSB will return to a regular timetable for Semester 2 in February with Public Health support. Enhanced public measures, including  cohorting, distancing, and contact tracing will remain in place. Use of cafeteria in cohorts, locker distribution, and other protocols will be communicated in the new year. More information: 

Transition to High School for Grade 7 & 8 Students 

HWDSB secondary schools will be hosting virtual information sessions for incoming grade 9 students early next year. For dates and details please visit the Grade 7 & 8 Information Night page. 

Did you miss the Getting Ready for High School presentation last month? Check out the recording and FAQs here. Other opportunities in HWDSB secondary schools include: 

Remote/In-person Elementary Transition  

Transition requests will only be considered in cases where there are extraordinary circumstances. Learn more about remote learning in elementary here. 

French Immersion Applications 

Until January 23rd, 2022, the HWDSB is accepting French Immersion applications for senior kindergarten students (born in 2016). This application is available only to students entering grade 1 in 2022-23. Learn more about French Immersion at HWDSB here. 

2022-2023 School Year Calendar

The 2022-23 draft school year calendar is available for public consultation. Take a moment to review the draft elementary and secondary calendars and provide input here. The survey will remain open until January 17, 2022, at 4p.m. 

Updated on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.
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