First Day of School

What

First Day of School

When

9/7/2021

What’s Required
• Mandatory daily self-screening required for all students and staff
• Masking required for all students in Grades 1-12 indoors and on school buses
• Masking strongly encouraged for kindergarten students
• Masking and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required for staff
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols, including hand sanitizer in schools
• Assigned seating on school buses
• Elementary only: cohorting of students to reduce number of contacts
• No visitors
• Virtual meetings whenever possible
• Secondary only: in-person learning five days each week
• Secondary only: Quadmester (two courses each day)

What’s Allowed (changes from last year)
• Water bottle refilling stations will be open where possible.
• Students may leave and return to school during the day (appointment, lunch, etc.)
• Masks not required outdoors for students
• Clubs, activities, sport teams, bands, and extra-curriculars (with restrictions)
• Gyms, change rooms, etc. (for certain activities)
• Music programs (with restrictions)
• School assemblies (very limited)
• Elementary only: cubbies, outdoor playground equipment can be used
• Elementary only: Before and After School Programs
• Secondary only: lockers, labs and cafeterias can be used

What’s On Hold, At Least For Now
• Field trips
• Community Use of Schools
• Food programs (hot lunch, etc.)
• Libraries and computer labs

Regarding Vaccination
The London District Catholic School Board believes vaccination is an important tool to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and allow students, families, and staff to safely resume normal activities. Vaccination rates may provide opportunities to reduce COVID-19 related measures and restrictions over time and allow us a return to more normal operations.

At this time, the Ministry of Education guidelines for Ontario school boards state that it intends to introduce a vaccination disclosure policy for all publicly funded school board employees, with rapid antigen testing requirements for staff who are not immunized against COVID-19. Completion of a COVID-19 vaccination educational session is also part of the requirements.

The LDCSB is not at liberty to disclose personal health care information about staff, including but not limited to an individual’s vaccination status. Regardless of vaccination status, all LDCSB staff are required to follow health and safety protocols related to COVID-19 as determined by local public health authorities, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour.

Regarding Ventilation
We continue to make upgrades to improve the ventilation infrastructure in our school buildings. Improvements over the past year include upgrading filters to use the highest-grade possible (MERV 13); adding filter changes throughout the school year; operating ventilation systems two hours or more before and after school occupancy; calibrating HVAC systems for maximum air flow and increased fresh air intake; and much more. For additional information, visit the LDCSB.ca > About Us > Strategic Planning and Reporting > Ventilation (near the bottom of the page). Note: Microsoft Excel is required to open the file.