Good afternoon Kenora Catholic families,

The Ontario Government recently issued a news release that touches on various Fall/Winter Health and Safety updates such as:

11-million rapid antigen tests going to schools for the holiday period for all students.
Time-limited health and safety measures in elementary schools such as lunches/breaks restricted to cohorts and school-wide assemblies remaining virtual.
Secondary students to resume regular timetables (pending public health approval) at the end of January.

Prior to Christmas break, each student will be provided with Rapid Antigen Testing Kits that contain five tests and instructions on how to use the voluntary tests. The Ministry of Education is providing the Rapid Antigen Testing Kits as an optional screening measure for students that promotes a safe return to school in January 2022.

Additional information will be shared with families before Christmas Break, which is December 20 - December 31. The return to school after Christmas Break is Monday, January 3, 2022.

Daily On-site Confirmation of COVID-19 Screening

The Ministry of Education announced that as an additional safety measure, all schools are required to implement daily on-site confirmation of COVID-19 screening, using the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool for two weeks following Christmas break. For Kenora Catholic, this will begin on Monday, January 3 and continue until Friday, January 14 or as directed by the Ministry of Education. We will complete this requirement as follows:

Students in Kindergarten to Grade 3: parents/guardians must screen their child at home using the provincial tool and return the Confirmation of Daily COVID-19 Screening Form to school with their child each day. This form will be provided to students before Christmas break.
Students in Grade 4 – 8: parents/guardians must screen their child at home using the provincial tool, and students will provide verbal confirmation of Daily COVID-19 Screening with their classroom teacher as part of daily attendance.
Students in Grades 9 – 12: All secondary students must continue to self-screen at home using the provincial tool and provide verbal confirmation of Daily COVID-19 Screening during the attendance process with their teacher.

Daily COVID-19 screening is one of the most important protective measures in schools. It’s important that families follow the instructions of the screening tool and keep students at home when they are sick.

Winter Timetabling for Secondary Schools

Secondary students (Grades 9 – 12) at St. Thomas Aquinas High School will transition to the semester timetable at the end of quadmester two, on January 28, 2022. The transition to the semester timetable will be dependent on COVID-19 cases in the region and approval from the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU). Moving into the semester model will allow educators to create more effective instructional environments while we continue to build upon the success of in-person learning and advance student well-being, engagement, and academic success.

Winter Break Travel Protocols

With the Christmas season approaching, it is anticipated that many staff, students and families may choose to make travel plans over the Christmas break or the winter months following the break. The Northwestern Health Unit has advised that although travel may be possible, it comes with a risk and advises against travel to high-risk areas for non-essential reasons. Please read the NWHU’s media release issued on November 29, 2021, for more details.

As we prepare, we would like to remind everyone to follow federal directives related to international travel and quarantine requirements. Individuals must follow federal testing and quarantine requirements upon return from any international travel. While unvaccinated children under the age of 12 who travelled internationally with fully vaccinated parents/guardians are exempt from federal quarantine, they are not permitted to attend school or child care for 14 days following their return from international travel.

Generally, individuals (staff and students) who are fully vaccinated are exempt from federal quarantine and may continue to attend school or child care. Individuals with all other federal quarantine exemptions (e.g., travelling for cross-border custody arrangements; travelling for medical treatment) may continue to attend school or child care.

Thank You

Thank you for your ongoing support, patience, and your incredible dedication in continuing to follow all health and safety protocols. Every action makes a difference, and our collective efforts help keep schools safe and open for student learning. We could not do this without you.

As we begin the beautiful journey of Advent may we celebrate the gift of Jesus present in each other and may we see the needs of our communities and use our voices and gifts to spread hope and compassion. God bless.

Yours in Catholic education,
The Kenora Catholic District School Board

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Kenora Catholic District School Board

COVID-19 Health and Safety Updates