COVID-19 Update – October 2021
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.
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Chair and Director Message
As we work through the challenges of navigating a third school year with COVID-19, we extend a sincere thank you to everyone for supporting the public health measures. The first month of school is behind us and we recognize that we are, once again, adjusting to new routines and practices.
Today, Ontario announced Targeted COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Screening to Keep Students Safe. We are pleased to support this enhanced public health measure. Read the full Statement on Rapid Antigen Screening.
In the months ahead, we will look forward to working with public health. We also anticipate news from the Federal government related to advancements in the vaccine for children aged 5 to 11. Recently, the Board of Trustees shared a letter emphasizing that schools should be the last to close and the first to open. We believe that students are more supported when they are learning in person with their peers.
The health, safety and well-being of our students and staff is a priority. We are committed to supporting achievement, including our focus on early reading, and helping students reach graduation. In addition, our plan to support equity and inclusive learning environments will help students.
As we approach the Thanksgiving weekend, we extend gratitude and wish you an abundance of health and wellness to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Dawn Danko, Chair of the Board
Manny Figueiredo, Director of Education
Public Health Measures
Updates to Ontario’s COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool
Ontario has made updates to its COVID-19 school and child care screening tool. The province will continue to update the screening tool as public health guidance evolves and any changes will be communicated to the HWDSB community. Learn more.
International Travel
While unvaccinated children under the age of 12 are exempt from federal quarantine if they travelled in the company of someone who qualified for an exemption from quarantine based on vaccination status, they may not attend school or child care for 14 days upon their return. The Federal Government has included this direction on this web page for returning travelers. Individuals with all other quarantine exemptions (e.g., travelling for cross-border custody arrangements; travelling for medical treatment) may continue to attend school or childcare.
Daily Screening Verification Continues
Elementary Student Screening: All elementary students must be screened for COVID symptoms daily. Daily screening consists of two steps:
- Online Screening Tool: Using an electronic device, complete the questionnaire at the above link. 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. If your student receives a “Go to school/childcare” result, they are cleared to attend school.
- Daily COVID-19 Screening Verification Log: Once students have been cleared to attend school, parents and guardians will initial the paper log on the current date to confirm screening has been completed. This paper log will be handed out on the first day of school and must be returned to your student’s school each day they attend. Students in older grades who can navigate the Online Screening Tool may complete this process independently with their parent’s knowledge.
Secondary Student Screening: Secondary students will complete their daily screening using the Online Screening Tool. Students will show their educator their screening results using their personal or board device.
HWDSB continues to work with Hamilton Public Health Services. A case management team responds to cases as they are communicated to HWDSB by public health. This includes a response during the evenings and weekends.
- Families receive communication through School Messenger when their child may have been in contact with a positive case. Families are reminded to update their contact information with their school office administrator.
- Schools share with all dismissed cohorts a letter from public health, which includes instructions from public health about the end of isolation.
- A plan is created at the school to keep the student connected to the learning when self-isolation is necessary. (See Continuity of Learning in the section below).
- Subscribe to your school website for daily updates.
School-Based Vaccine Clinics and Vaccine Distribution
Although the school-based vaccine clinics have completed the start-up schedule, students who still require a vaccination can access the City of Hamilton’s vaccine distribution website. Staff will be ready to work with Hamilton Public Health Services if there is a need to support school-based vaccine clinics in the future.
City of Hamilton Immunization Status Parent Information Package
The City of Hamilton has created a Parent Information Package regarding student immunization status that includes a Letter to Families from Dr. Ninh Tran, Associate Medical Officer of Health, as well as Information Resources and answers to Frequently Asked Questions. The letter notifies families that local public health units access students’ COVID-19 vaccination information when supporting case, contact, and outbreak management in schools. This information is kept confidential and public health units may reach out to families if they have questions about a student’s immunization status. Click the link above to read the letter and visit our Vaccine webpage to find the full Parent Information Package.
Extra-curricular Activities and Athletics
All health and safety considerations are being met to support extra-curricular activities and athletics following the Ministry of Education Guidelines for Return to School. In addition, all athletics programming has aligned operations with OPHEA/OPASSE Safety Considerations for Interschool Sports and Covid-19. HWDSB has created specific procedures for indoor and outdoor sports in conjunction with public health.
Spectators
Starting this week, spectators can attend outdoor athletics and extra-curricular events. Spectators must register their attendance at the event through a QR code for the purpose of contact tracing and screening measures. Masks will be worn outside if they can and physical distance (2 metres from people outside their household) will be maintained where possible. Plans will be shared once finalized related to allowing spectators for indoor events.
With the guidance of public health, in-person volunteers for activities that could not happen otherwise are welcome into our schools. The process is managed by the school principal or vice-principal for in person school volunteers. Immunization disclosure is required. Learn more about Volunteers in Schools Protocol and New Immunization Attestation
Third-Party Service Providers, Partners, Contractors, Students on Placement etc.
Third-party essential services will only be permitted in person at schools, with the guidance of Hamilton Public Health Services. We are maintaining health protocols to keep schools open. This process is managed centrally by the Superintendent or Senior Manager working with agencies and organizations. If a service is permitted, be assured that the immunization attestation will be kept in a secure file.
Community Use of Schools
[Update: We are now inviting community groups to input permits for use during the 2021-2022 school year.]As of Oct. 5, HWDSB was not allowing community use of schools of indoor spaces to the general public. The Board was currently reviewing the requirements from the Ministry and public health to ensure that rentals are done safely and in accordance with the requirements. The Board was hopeful to be able to allow indoor community use of schools by November 1, 2021.
Learning at HWDSB
To support student well-being and learning during a class closure due to COVID-19, continuity of learning strategies have been put into place. Close contact students required to self-isolate will continue to learn at home remotely to ensure students can return to class without having to “catch up.”
Teachers will connect to their students at home through MS Teams, The HUB, HWDSB email or student/parent phone communication. Schools will reach out to families to ensure students are able to stay connected and continue their studies. Families requiring devices to support learning at home can request them directly from their home schools.
Thank you to families who completed the Remote Learning Survey from September 3 to 10. This survey is now closed and 1115 students participated in the survey, with 770 students transitioning to remote learning and 345 students transitioning to in-person classes. A total of 2160 HWDSB students are learning remotely.
New placements for transition students took place on October 4. Families of students in the transition can read more in the Update for Families Transitioning Between In-Person and Remote Learning.
An additional opportunity to transition between learning models may be offered prior to March break. Transition requests where there are extraordinary circumstances may be considered. Visit the Remote/In-Person Elementary Transition update to learn more.
A recording of the September 22 parent information session on De-Streaming Grade 9 Math is available at https://hwdsb.info/destreaming. Additional links and resources on de-streaming are available below:
Updated on Friday, November 05, 2021.