Today, February 3, the Ministry of Education indicated that all elementary and secondary schools within Wellington Catholic will be welcomed back to in-person learning on Monday, February 8, 2021.
Note: This announcement does not impact students who were already enrolled in the Wellington Catholic Virtual School.
The Ontario Government has also mandated additional health and safety measures for all Ontario elementary and secondary schools for the return to in-person learning.
Health and Safety Measures:
On-Site Screening Protocols
Students and staff are required to continue to complete daily self-screening prior to leaving home for school. You can screen your child or yourself by completing the daily COVID-19 school screening tool. https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/
Secondary students will be now be completing on-site confirmation of daily self-screening when they arrive at school beginning next week. Additional information will be provided by their schools.
Masks
All Wellington Catholic students are required to continue to follow current masking protocols. The Ministry of Education has included additional requirements for masking outdoors at recess when students cannot maintain physical distancing of 2m. Elementary students should continue to have a second mask for use at recess.
Targeted COVID-19 Testing
Local public health units will determine which schools will offer voluntary targeted testing. No further information has been provided at this time. Students and staff who have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 should continue to get tested at a COVID-19 testing location.
Following the announcement today, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health indicated that they strongly support the safe return to in-person learning for local students. Citing that the many benefits to children from being able to gather with caring teachers and staff, and their peers make it vital students have the chance to go back to class with COVID-19 risks as low as possible.
As we approach this much anticipated return to in-person education, we will be in contact with you with any further information and updates.