Family message regarding postponed March Break

Today, the province announced that it is postponing March Break until April 12-16 as part of the efforts to keep schools open and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minister shared that this decision was made with the best advice of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and public health officials.

At HWDSB, we know this may be challenging news for students, families and staff. It is another change in this unprecedented school year. We recognize that many of us were looking forward to being able to rest and recharge. We know how important this break is, particularly during this year, and look forward to this five-day break in April.

The delay does serve as a reminder that COVID-19 is still in our community, and we must continue to follow enhanced public health measures and board protocols. Please see our Guidance for families on the return to school Monday, Feb. 8, 2021. It is vital that we continue daily screening, physical distancing, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and wearing of a non-medical mask.  It is also critical that we continue to avoid gathering outside our immediate family.

At HWDSB, today’s announcement will have a variety of impacts on our 2020-21 school year calendar, secondary school rotational calendar, and reporting timelines. We are reviewing these impacts and plan to provide details in the next HWDSB COVID-19 Update. We will have an update to our school-year calendar posted on our website as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Dawn Danko, Board Chair

Manny Figueiredo, Director of Education