HWDSB COVID-19 Updates – April 2021
During this month’s update, families can read about Mental Health and Well-being Supports, as well as:
Keep up-to-date on the latest COVID updates, now in our new format. Tell us what you think by emailing [email protected]
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Chair’s Message
As we are in the third wave of COVID-19, over a year in the pandemic, and in a place that we never imagined to be in, I want to thank healthcare, education and other front-line workers who continue their important work through this challenging time. I also want to thank our students. We know this is not the year that you had hoped for. Please know that everyone is supporting you. Stay engaged and keep at your studies. We sincerely hope we will have some time in person before the end of the school year.
There are a few key questions that families may be interested in.
When might we return to in-person learning and what is the criteria that the province would consider for school reopening?
During the weekly teleconference between the Minister of Education and school board chairs, we were informed that hospitalization rates are the main criteria for closing schools to in-person learning. Considered a lagging indicator, hospitalization rates go up after a rise in COVID-19 cases in the community. Likewise, when the case numbers fall, so too will hospitalizations over time.
At this point, there is no clear indication of a timeline for a return to in-person learning. We do not anticipate a change in our remote delivery model for the next few weeks at a minimum. We continue to advocate for timely updates from the provincial government.
When are the Grants for Students Needs and Priority Partnership Funds set to be released?
The Grants for Student Needs (GSNs) and the Priority Partnership Funds (PPFs) are part of the Ministry of Education budget for school boards. We have been told that they are being finalized and we will be receiving this information shortly. In the meantime, Trustees are moving through the budget development process. Learn more about the Budget and Staffing Updates on our website.
Please continue to follow public health protocols and stay safe.
Dawn Danko
Chair of the Board
Director’s Message
At HWDSB, we know that COVID-19 has drawn our attention to two pandemics in our society: one related to the virus itself, and one related to social inequities the virus intensified, like anti-Black racism.
Even amid operational challenges, we must remain committed to developing safer, more equitable and more inclusive learning environments. Schools play a key role in student learning about equity, and supporting student and staff well-being.
On May 3, we will begin our first student census to identify and remove barriers so all students can learn in supportive, inclusive, and respectful environments. We All Count: HWDSB Student Census 2021, which flows from our Equity Action Plan, will help us support students who are struggling in our system.
This month, we have been informing our community about the census. We invite students to attend the final virtual Student Census Information Session on Wednesday, April 28, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Link to attend.
We invite community partners to a dedicated virtual information session Thursday, April 29, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Link to attend.
In addition to the census, our schools are engaged in equity learning thanks a series of lessons developed by staff, called Learn.Disrupt.Rebuild@HWDSB: Building a Community of Care.
These lessons – for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students – support students and staff on topics related to human rights, equity and mental health during the pandemic.
LDR is a concrete example of how much learning we are doing – and must continue to do – on equity and the implications of the pandemic.
Yes, the move to remote learning amid high case counts in Ontario has been a serious challenge for education.
But so is long-standing systemic racism that must be confronted for the well-being of our students, staff, families and communities.
This is why it is important that, even when challenged, we continue the work that flows from initiatives such as our 2021 student census, 2020 employment equity audit, and 2019 staff census.
By staying the course, we can know more about our community, make evidence-informed decisions and continue our support for equity, student achievement and well-being.
Manny Figueiredo
Director of Education
Public Health Measures
This month, the move to remote learning for nearly all students was prompted by the rising case counts across Ontario. This has required HWDSB to continue close collaboration and problem solving with Hamilton Public Health Services.
For the small number of students who are learning in person, attestation for the return to school and daily screening confirmation are important measures to keep schools as safe as possible. Staff have also continued their daily screening.
We are closely monitoring our practices to ensure we are following enhanced public health measures.
Mental Health and Well-being Supports
At HWDSB, our staff in our social work and psychological services departments offer a variety of supports for children and youth as well as their parents, guardians and caregivers.
For example, individual supports are offered in areas such as anxiety, low mood, school avoidance, stress, systemic oppression and discrimination, as well as crisis.
Group supports are available for Transgender, Non-binary, Gender Non-conforming and Gendering Questioning Children and Youth, as well as the adults who support them. We also offer group supports to parents, guardians and caregivers to support a child or youth’s depression, anxiety and extreme shyness.
Workshops are also available for parents, guardians and caregivers in the areas of mental health and well-being, offered by Social Work Services and Psychological Services. Workshop topics include Creating a Mentally Healthy Home, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Anxiety and Low Mood. Learn more about all of these supports on our website.
In support of the Phase 2 Vaccination Plan, a team at HWDSB has provided more than 2,000 letters to staff who are eligible based on serving students with special education needs. We continue to advocate for the urgent request that Ontario immediately vaccinate frontline workers to support the safe operations of schools.
For the general population and families of HWDSB, we recognize that the communication related to vaccinations is varied and the details of the vaccine are complex. As you have heard from many health experts, when the vaccine is offered to you, take it. HWDSB has consolidated vaccination resources on a dedicated web page to support families.
Currently, the City of Hamilton has a vaccination program for population over ages 60, ages 50 and who live in postal code areas L9C, L8W, L8L, L8N, and L9K, Black and other racialized populations/People of Colour ages 18 and over and who live in L9C, L8W, L8L, L8N and L9K, Indigenous Adults and eligible healthcare workers. Learn more through the City of Hamilton Vaccine Booking website.
Case Communication
Positive cases in schools have been a health and operational challenge for our system. In February, we had 55 cases and one outbreak* in schools; March had 242 cases and 10 outbreaks; and April’s numbers were similar to March, with 213 cases and seven outbreaks up to April 22.
As we see our case counts fall, and schools move to remote learning, HPHS will be communicating only cases of staff and students who are attending in person. This will focus our communication efforts where it can be most useful – in the prevention of COVID-19 spread through timely notifications.
*According to COVID-19 Guidance: School Outbreak Management, an outbreak in a school is defined as two or more lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in students and/or staff (or other visitors) in a school with an epidemiological link, within a 14-day period, where at least one case could have reasonably acquired their infection in the school (including transportation and before/after school care).
We will also continue asymptomatic targeted testing in our school communities. So far, we have hosted 14 clinics and have more planned for next week. The good news is that, of 1,449 tests completed at these voluntary testing clinics, until the end of March the clinics only resulted in eight positive cases.
Learning at HWDSB
Device Deployment
Devices have been deployed to families as required. If a family situation changes and they require additional devices (Grades 1-8), parents, guardians, and caregivers can contact their school to request one.
Kindergarten Learning Calendars
Learning Calendars with daily learning activities are available to Kindergarten students without access to remote learning or whose parents/guardians chose not to engage in remote learning. Kindergarten Teams will update these calendars weekly and email them directly to families. Printed copies are available at school offices and a digital version that can translated via the Kindergarten Learning Calendar section on the Board’s website.
Specialized Services
The Ministry of Education has directed school boards to plan in-person support for students with special education needs that cannot be met through remote learning. The rising COVID-19 numbers required HWDSB to further restrict in-person learning only to eligible students who require intensive supports due to complex and severe medical or behavioural needs.
Currently, there are more than 350 students in programs supporting students from self-contained classes and in-person learning sessions for both elementary and secondary. Also, there are approximately 56 students participating in Education and Community Partnership Programs who cannot attend school due to their primary need for care, treatment and/or rehabilitation services.
- Rotational Model: On April 20, secondary students started their third and fourth rotation. This continues until May 19. This semester, students have experienced in-person learning for Periods 1 and 2. Students are engaged in a Day One/Day Two schedule to preserve as much in-person learning opportunities as possible should there a return to Adaptive Model. The four-period structure of 150/50/50/50 continues.
- Student Success Days: Keeping students on track to earn credits and progress to graduation is a priority. Similar at semester one, Student Success days will continue for semester two students to support their achievement and well-being. Students struggling to earn their credit will have an opportunity to use these days rather than exams (June 22-26).
Prior to the Ministerial direction to move to full remote learning, HWDSB was planning on a third and final opportunity for families to transition between the Elementary Remote Learning Program and in-person. This transition was scheduled to start on Monday, May 3. Preparations continue to prepare for the transition; however, this transition is currently on pause pending the return to in-person learning.
Pandemic Remote Learning 2021-22
Pending confirmation from the Ministry of Education, it is anticipated that like 2020-21, three programming scenarios will be expected to be offered for the 2021-22 school year: conventional, adaptive, and remote. At secondary, eLearning will continue to be the HWDSB remote learning program.
Preparations for providing remote learning to elementary school students is currently underway. If this program moves forward within the pandemic context, the program will be integrated into HWDSB schools in a dual-track model (remote and in-person) at a physical school rather than a stand-alone Remote Learning Program. Details continue to be worked out and information, including potential registration, will be shared at the appropriate time.
Grad Signs for Elementary and Secondary Graduates
HWDSB is purchasing school signs that our grads can display at their homes to celebrate and recognize their achievement. These signs will include the name of the school and school logo. They are currently on order and families will be contacted when they are ready for distribution.
Elementary Graduations
HWDSB is exploring two options for elementary graduations that are dependent on COVID-19 restrictions:
- Option 1: Fully Remote (If students remain in remote learning)
- System-wide Virtual Ceremony similar to 2020 ceremonies along with school-created content. Schools will include Remote Learning Program students in student-created content and in System awards.
- Option 2: In-School (If students return to in-person learning) with two components.
- In-school graduation experience by class cohort and during instructional day (no outside guests) with an opportunity to “walk the stage”. Remote classes will host their own online class celebrations.
- Additional outdoor graduate celebrations by appointment after school (with families). Remote Learning Program students and their families can also attend.
Details surrounding elementary ceremonies will be finalized once there is a better understanding of public health guidelines during graduation season.
Secondary Graduations
As mentioned in the March COVID-19 Update, schools will plan for ceremonies that are based on a walk/drive-through graduation format. This style complies with the Ontario Framework for Reopening.
Graduations will take place from June 14 – 28, 2021. Plans related to specific graduation ceremonies continue to be made at each secondary school.
Summer Learning Opportunities
HWDSB will be offering learning opportunities throughout the summer for students. Programs are being developed and new opportunities will be announced in May.
Federal Safe Return to Class Funding, for example, has been provided to school boards to support students who are historically underserved, who receive special education supports, and who require mental health supports.
Plans are also underway to bring Focus on Youth to our community for the 2021 summer.
Updated on Thursday, April 29, 2021.