More details about the local implications of the Ontario-wide shutdown of elementary and secondary schools March 14 through until April 5 due to COVID-19 concerns are becoming clear in letters from school boards to parents.
A Friday letter from Rainbow District School Board director of education Norm Blaseg said all Rainbow board facilities and programs will be closed during that time, including programs and services in non-school locations.
The Centre for Education on Wembley Drive and the dome at Lasalle Secondary School will also be closed.
Rainbow board spokesperson Nicole Charette said staff will not be permitted to be in schools during this time, as per a ministerial order from the province, although some essential staff will continue to work.
All child care centres in schools will be closed, the letter from the Rainbow board said. Community use of schools, before and after school programs, athletics, field trips, dual credits and co-operative education are cancelled.
You can read the full letter from Blaseg online here.
Sudbury Catholic District School Board director of education Joanne Bénard also sent a letter to parents about the COVID-19 Friday.
The letter, which has been posted to Facebook sites for the board's schools, said the March 14-April 5 shutdown “includes all before and after school child care programs as well as all child care centres located in our schools.
“In addition, all sports and student activities during the shutdown are cancelled.”
The letter goes on to say that all Sudbury Catholic Board schools will undergo a deep cleaning during the school closures.
With regards to keeping students learning during the extended break, the board said the Ministry of Education has indicated that they are working on resources that will be available online to support student learning during the closure.
“SCDSB classroom teachers will not be involved in the delivery of these resources,” said the letter.
“We recognize the significant impact this decision has on our families and students, but this precaution is necessary to keep everyone safe.”
The French public board, Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario (CSPGNO), said its administrative offices and all schools will be closed from March 14 through until April 5.
All activities such as school rentals and sports activities are cancelled, and in-school daycares are also closed.
You can read the board's statement (in French) on its website.
The French Catholic board, Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon, issued a news release about the situation Friday afternoon.
The board said in light of the ministerial decision and the desire of the school board to ensure the health and well-being of its students, staff and families, classes and daycare services will be canceled in all CSC Nouvelon elementary and secondary schools effective from Saturday, March 14 to Sunday, April 5, inclusively.
“The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon has monitored the evolution of COVID-19 and has worked closely with Public Health Sudbury & Districts, Porcupine Health Unit and the Algoma Health Unit in informing students, parents and staff,” said Paul Henry, director of education and secretary-treasurer at the Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon, in the press release.
“We have already enhanced our cleaning protocol in schools and undertaken other measures that are clearly outlined in the Board’s Pandemic Plan.
“The CSC Nouvelon will continue to cooperate with the Ministry of Education, our community partners, as well as health experts such as the Public Health Sudbury & Districts, Porcupine Health Unit and the Algoma Health Unit and adhere to prescribed health guidelines.
“We recognize that this situation is quite sudden; the safety and well-being of our students and staff continue to be our first priority.”
