Dear parent/guardian,

Thank you for continuing to follow the public health and safety measures that have kept schools open and safe for students and staff. It is our collective effort that continues to ensure your children can learn in the classroom.

As per recent announcements, the province has implemented a province-wide shutdown for four weeks in response to worsening trends in key health indicators across the province.

The mental health and well-being of children continues to be a key government priority and schools will remain open for in-person learning through the Provincial Emergency and Stay at Home Order. The spring break will continue as planned, from April 12th to 16th and schools will reopen for in-person learning on April 19th.

In light of the recently announced measures, it is more important than ever that we continue to follow health advice over the Spring Break to do our part to keep schools open for in-person student learning.

At this critical point in the pandemic, the following public health measures are crucial to help prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19:

• Socialize with your own household.
• Stay home and get tested if you feel ill.
• Participate in the targeted testing offered by your school board.
• Screen every day, including during spring break, for COVID-19 symptoms before attending child care (the COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool is available to assist families with symptom screening).
• Practice good hand hygiene habits, masking, and physical distancing.
• Refer to Ontario.ca/covidresponse to learn what public health measures are in place in our community.
• Refrain from travelling.

During the spring break, students in Grades 1-8 can continue to engage in their own learning through supplemental, curriculum-linked activities available at TVO Learn. These rich, engaging opportunities allow students to keep up with their learning and interests. Mathify is also available to provide one-on-one online tutoring services for elementary and secondary students. Mathify covers online math tutoring for Grades 6-10.

For the week of April 12- 18, some local assessment centers will accept appointments from students and education staff for asymptomatic testing. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of this testing capacity to have their children tested to support a safe return to school on April 19. Children attending child care, child care staff, all school staff, including occasional/casuals and bus drivers, will also be eligible to access this Testing. Testing locations will be posted on our SNCDSB website when they become available.

As a reminder, before coming back to school on April 19th, you must screen for COVID-19 symptoms. If your child or anyone in your household is ill, stay home and follow the guidance in the school screener. https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/

By following public health advice, we can all enjoy a safe spring break and continue to support in-person learning in our school.

Have a safe, fun and restful break.

Sincerely,

Maria Vasanelli,

Director of Education

Letter to Parent/guardians Spring Break