The District School Board of Niagara is working closely with Niagara Public Health on Coronavirus (COVID-19) communication to ensure students and their families receive relevant and timely information to keep them healthy.
March 20, 2020
Dear DSBN Parents:
This March Break has been very different for everyone, and we know with your children staying at home for the next two weeks, you likely have many questions.
I will be providing community updates to you every Friday, as a way to provide new information to you, and to answer some of your questions.
Updates: Week of March 16 to 20:
- We know that many families are wondering about the possibility of the school closure being extended past April 5. At this time, we have not heard any information from the Ministry of Education. We attend a teleconference with the Ministry twice per week. If we receive any information about an extension to the closure, we will let parents know immediately.
- Ministry of Education has waived the EQAO assessment for this year. If your child is in grade 3, 6, or taking grade 9 math, they will not be writing it.
- The OSSLT graduation requirement has also been waived for this year. If your child is in grade 12 and supposed to write the OSSLT to graduate this year, this requirement will be waived. All other students required to write will do so during the 2020/21 school year. All students should continue to record community volunteer hours.
- Many parents want to create learning opportunities for their children at home. The Ministry of Education has launched online learning modules for students in K-12. You can access these modules at ontario.ca/page/learn-at-homeor by going to dsbn.org and clicking on the front page slide.
We will also be adding to the Ministry’s learning modules with learning activities for elementary, secondary and special needs students. Included in this site will be mental health and well-being information.
- I know parents are wondering what measures will be put into place when students and staff return to school on April 6. We work closely with Public Health and will implement any recommendations they have for protecting our students from illness.
- Many DSBN students rely on breakfast and lunch clubs at their schools. We are working with LunchAngels, Niagara Nutrition Partners, and Food4Kids to make sure that these students are receiving either food packages, or grocery cards for their local stores. Contact communications@dsbn.org if you would like support or to volunteer.
- I know this is a stressful time for families. On our website, we have posted online resources you can access to support you with helping alleviate this stress. Go to dsbn.org and click on the COVID-19 slide on the front page.
We’ve all noticed that the news is changing moment to moment. If you have questions, please send an email to your child’s homeschool. While schools are closed, principals are working and can assist you.
I would like to say thank you to parents, students, and staff for your support and understanding during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Warren Hoshizaki, Director of Education
March 20, 2020
Ministry has launched their Learn at Home website. https://www.ontario.ca/page/learn-at-home
Find supplementary resources for elementary and secondary students to practice math and literacy skills and learn at home.
While these materials do not replace what students have been learning at school, during this unusual time, these at-home activities offer quick and easy access to some of Ontario’s best online kindergarten to grade 12 learning resources.
March 18, 2020
The Ministry of Education has announced the cancellation of all EQAO Assessments for the 2019-2020 school year. They have also confirmed the OSSLT requirement will be waived for the 2019-2020 graduates who still need to write the test.
Students who are not graduating this school year will have the opportunity to write the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) in the upcoming 2020-21 school year.
The Ministry of Education is also developing a plan to support “Continuity of Learning” for students during the school shutdown. This will consist of online learning for students in every grade level. We will keep you updated as details of this plan are announced.
March 13, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions: School Closures
Will my child be receiving any homework between March 14 - April 5?
Due to inequities in student access to technology, and consistent with school boards across Ontario, teachers will not be providing student work for students. This includes work packages or any online programming. The Ministry may offer supplemental programing; however, details have not been provided at this time.
Will my child’s attendance record be affected?
The school closure will not affect your child’s attendance record. During the two-week shut down, student absences will be reported as general absence, also known as a G-Day.
What will be closed between March 14 - April 5?
Below is a list of all confirmed closures during the school closure period:
- All DSBN Schools
- All School-Based Child Care Centres
- All Community Rental Permits
- Night School/Adult Learning/General classes
- Dual Credit Programs/Coop Placements
- March Break Activities in Schools
- All Trips/Tournaments/Championships/Competitions
- DSBN Education Centre
Will the schools be cleaned between March 14 - April 5?
Yes, all schools and administrative building will receive a deep cleaning during this time. This is a proactive measure we are taking to ensure our facilities are as clean as possible.
What will happen after April 5 2020?
Schools are expected to reopen on Monday, April 6 2020. The Ontario government has not announced any further information at this time. If any new announcements are made by the Ontario government in the coming weeks, we will share an update on our website, Twitter and Facebook.
How can I access mental health support in the community?
Pathstone Mental Health has closed its walk-in clinics until further notice. For immediate support, parents and students may phone the Pathstone Mental Health Crisis and Support Line at 1-800-263-4944.
Support from Kids Help Phone can be accessed by calling 1-800-668-6868, texting CONNECT to 686868, or live chatting at www.kidshelpphone.ca.
How can I support myself and my family in coping during COVID-19?
The National Association of School Psychologists has provided a link with tips for talking to your kids about COVID-19.
March 12, 2020
We have received notice from the Ontario Ministry of Education that all Ontario schools will remain closed for the 2 weeks following March break. This means all Ontario schools will be closed March 16 until April 5, 2020.
Schools are expected to reopen Monday, April 6. We will provide more updates regarding the DSBN tomorrow. Please continue checking our Facebook, Twitter and website for up to date information.
March 12, 2020
It is important that we all work together to keep our students, staff, and community members healthy. To this end, we are following our Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan. Decisions about closing schools for health reasons will be made in collaboration with Public Health, Niagara Region.
Here are some of the ways we are protecting our schools and worksites:
- Additional cleaning staff have been added, and cleaning routines will be adjusted to ensure that all high use touch points like handrails, door handles, desktops, etc, are cleaned and sanitized with greater frequency
- Custodial staff will take extra care to ensure regular replenishing of foaming hand soap, hand sanitizer, and paper products in our schools
- Cleaning computer equipment, toys, and musical instruments will occur twice a day
- Hand sanitizer is supplied at all schools – continuing to work with vendors to keep supply stocked
- Niagara Student Transportation Services Bus operators will be enhancing cleaning of school buses – handrails between each run, seat backs and seat tops will be done daily
- Cancelling all international DSBN student trips during March Break, including Europe and the United States
- Distributing health information from Niagara Public Health
- Encouraging staff to stay home when they are ill
- Cancelling large gatherings organized by the DSBN such as meetings and events
- Regular contact with Niagara Public Health for updates on new information
What families can do to stay healthy:
- If you are travelling over the March Break, ensure you are aware of any health-related advisories - https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories
- Keep your student home if they are feeling unwell. Monitor for symptoms including fever, cough, difficulty breathing - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
- If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please contact Telehealth at 1-888-797-0000 or Niagara Public Health 905-688-8248 ext. 7330
- Wash your hands regularly or use sanitizer where soap and water aren’t available
- Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow
- Visit reputable websites for COVID-19 information such as Niagara Public Health https://www.niagararegion.ca/health/Novel-Coronavirus.aspx or call 688-8248 ext. 7330
March 6, 2020
On March 6, 2020, DSBN Staff, students, and families received a Coronavirus (COVID-19) update from Niagara Public Health. The risk of infection from this virus continues to be low in Niagara unless you are travelling to an impacted country.
Read Niagara Public Health's update below:
Coronavirus COVID-19 Information from Public Health
January 29, 2020
The health and well-being of DSBN students and staff is important to us. That’s why we are giving you an update on the Wuhan Novel Coronavirus. The Wuhan Novel Coronavirus is a flu-like virus which originated in China; cases have been reported in other parts of the world. There are two confirmed cases in Canada at this time. There are no confirmed cases in Niagara as of the writing of this.
Human Coronaviruses are common throughout the world and can cause mild, moderate or severe respiratory illness. Symptoms of the virus have included fever, cough and difficulty breathing. We continue to monitor this situation closely along with our provincial and federal public health colleagues, and plans are in place to respond as this situation changes.
While there are no reported cases in Niagara, Public Health advises to reduce the risk of any flu type illness with the following:
- Get a yearly flu vaccination, available from clinics and pharmacies
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Cough and sneeze into your elbow
- If your child is sick, keep him or her home
Public Health has asked individuals who return from recent international travel and become ill with respiratory signs and symptoms to voluntarily report their travel history to any health professional, or emergency department staff, when they visit.
Niagara Public Health Fact Sheet
Ontario Ministry of Health
DSBN Hand Washing video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCniD_LHPts&feature=youtu.be
DSBN Hand Sanitizer video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLCI5eNaAeY&feature=youtu.be