august 14, 2020 - return to school plan€¦ · dedicated to excellence in catholic education 2...

Dedicated to Excellence in Catholic Education 1

August 14, 2020 -

RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN

A Guide to the Safe Reopening of the Kenora Catholic District School BoardAugust 20, 2020 Rev. 1.0


TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroduction � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 5Message from Director Haime � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 6Guiding Principles � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 7We Are Listening to You � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 8The Role of Public Health � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 9

Northwestern Health Unit Locations and Contact Information � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �9The Critical Role of Families � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 10Reopening of Schools � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 11

Elementary (Kindergarten to Grade 8): � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 11Secondary (Grade 9 – 12): � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 11

Return to School Survey � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 11Understanding and Meeting the Needs of our Staff � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 12

Professional Learning and Capacity Building � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 12Collaboration with our Employee Groups � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 12

Communication � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 13Enhanced Health and Safety Protocols ‘At-a-Glance’ � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 14Supporting Students with Special Needs � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 16Health and Safety � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 17

Self-screening � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 17Hand Hygiene � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 18Enhanced Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 18Masks � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 18Physical Distancing � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 19Environmental Conditions and Air Flow � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 19Respiratory Hygiene � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 20Student Cohorts � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 20Plans of Care � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 20Drinking Fountains � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 21Physical Distancing Breaches � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 21Plexiglass Separation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 21

Learning and Instruction � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 22Elementary Instructional Model � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 22Full Return - In-person Instructional Model � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 22Remote Learning Model � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 22Kindergarten to Grade 8 Program Considerations � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 22


Secondary Quadmester Instructional Model for Students in Grades 9 - 12 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 23Key Facts About the Quadmester Model � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 23Will the Quadmester System Allow Time for Health Breaks? � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 23When will Grades 9 - 12 Students Receive their Updated Timetable? � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 23How will Exams Work in the Quadmester System? � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 23Secondary Regional Programming, CO-OP, OYAP and SHSM � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 24Secondary Program Considerations � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 24EQAO and Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 24Music � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 24Learning Management Systems/Instructional Platforms � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 24Large Group Gatherings and Assemblies � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 24Excursions/Day Field Trips � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 25Community Service Hour Requirement for Graduation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 25Music � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 25Inter-School Athletics/Co-curriculars � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 25Curriculum and Assessment � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 25

Mental Health � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 26Well-being for Students � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 26Mental Health Services � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 26Parent Tips - Helping Your Child Return to School During COVID-19 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 26Professional Learning and Resources for Staff � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 27Parent/Guardian Resources � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 27

Technology � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 28Devices for Students � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 28Provisions for Accessible Formats � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 28Internet Connectivity for Students � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 28Wellness in Remote Learning Environment � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 28

Operations � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 29Family Responsibilities � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 29Student Belongings � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 29Entry Requirements � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 29Visitors, Volunteers and School Access � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 29Lunch and Snacks � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 30Classroom Setup � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 30Kindergarten Classrooms� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 30Learning Commons (library) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 30Fitness Rooms and Equipment � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 30Recess and Inclement Weather � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 30Garbage and Recycling � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 31Student Lates/Appointments � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 31Food Programs, Fundraising and Vending � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 31School Councils � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 31


Before and After School Child Care Programs � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 31After School Activities � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 32Dismissal Requirements � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 32Outdoor Play Structures � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 32Community Use of Schools � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 32

School Bus Transportation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 33Bus Registration � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 33Opting Out of Bussing � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 33Bus Information � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 33

Guideline for COVID-19 in Schools � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 34Reporting of a COVID-19 Case � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 34School COVID-19 Questions and Answers � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 34

Feedback � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 36Resources and References � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 36


IntroductionWe want our schools to reopen to serve our students and our communities and will take every pre-caution, following the guidance and advice of public health experts to ensure the health and safety of staff and students. While we must address academics in the reality of the current environment, we also want to ensure we support our students’ and staff’s mental health and well-being. Schools serve an essential role in allowing students to connect with our faith community, peers, educators, and the global learning community. We know that relationships with other students and with staff are important for each student to achieve success.

Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Public Health and the experts at Sick Kids Hospital have pointed out that we need to balance the possible risk of exposure to COVID-19 with the effects of continued isolation and the lack of social interaction.

Parents/guardians need to have some predictability and routine in their family life to arrange child-care, home life, and work commitments while knowing that their child is receiving academic instruc-tion in a safe environment. Given the pandemic situation, flexibility, patience, and understanding are needed as we work out solutions to the various challenges with a return to school.

This document provides guidance for how the Kenora Catholic District School Board plans to reopen schools to students and staff.

Kenora Catholic’s Return to School Plan has been developed with five key areas:

HEALTH AND SAFETY LEARNING AND INSTRUCTION

MENTAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGYOPERATIONS


Message from Director HaimeDear Kenora Catholic Community,

On the advice of and with guidance from a great number of different stakeholder groups, the Minister of Education has determined that all publicly funded K-12 schools in our region will reopen fully on September 3, to all students. In the estimation of these stakeholders, which include but are not limited to the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Health, Ontario Hospitals, Chief Medical Officers of Health and the Ontario COVID-19 Command Table, the social, emotional, edu-cational, spiritual, mental and physical health benefits to students and to our society (to name a few) of reopening in this way greatly outweigh the risk. Put another way, at this point in time, it has been determined that the “cure” of keeping schools closed and relying solely on teacher-led, at-home learning is worse than the potential risks (from a COVID-19 perspective) of reopening fully.

Primarily under the excellent guidance of the Northwestern Health Unit, the Kenora Catholic District School Board has put into practice a number of overlapping strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Everything we do to provide the best education possible (heart, mind, body and soul) for your and every child will be considered and will be implemented with these in mind.

The Minister of Education has also given parents/guardians the option of receiving teacher-led, at-home learning through remote means if they choose not to send their children to school this September. There is no “hybrid” or part-time option at this point. Know that we will do our utmost to ensure that this experience is as close to a face-to-face, at school educational experience as we can make it.

Although the COVID-19 experience has been difficult for all of us and sadly even tragic for some, we know that God is always with us. We have God’s unconditional Love and the great gifts of God’s Mercy and Grace to see us through every difficulty. It no doubt pleases God that we always try our best to help each other in addition to receiving these gifts every time we need them. I am in awe of the many kind works students, parents/guardians, staff, families and community members have done and continue to do for each other. I know we will continue to work together in this way and in so doing, we will be triumphant in these challenging times. God bless us all.

Yours in Catholic education

Dr. Derek Haime, Director of Education


Guiding Principles

Kenora Catholic’s Return to School Plan is centered around the following guiding principles:

• Ensuring enhanced health and safety protocols are in place so that students and staff are safe and healthy.

• Providing an enhanced online/remote learning experience for students who choose to continue to learn from home.

• Maintaining a focus on mental health supports for students returning to school and those who will learn via remote learning.

• Assessing student learning and developing plans to provide appropriate interventions where needed.


We Are Listening to You

At the end of June, the Kenora Catholic District School Board held two Thoughtexchange sessions to have meaningful conversations about important questions. Thoughtexchange is a tool Kenora Catholic is using to help make informed decisions that matter.

The Thoughtexchanges collected your responses to the following questions:

Q1: When we consider at-home learning during school closures, what has worked well and what do we need to improve?

Q2: As we look toward September, what are the most important things we need to consider to ensure everyone feels safe and supported?

Ideas and insights collected from students, parents/guardians, staff and community members through these sessions helped us learn more about everyone’s experiences during at-home learning and informed the development of return to school planning.

We learned that when we consider at-home learning during school closures, the most important things we need to consider are improved access to technology, increased and consistent communi-cation from teachers, increased opportunities for synchronous learning and clear expectations on synchronous learning delivery.

You also told us that as we look forward to September, the most important things we should consid-er to ensure everyone feels safe and supported is a need for continued transparent communication from the Board, support for transitioning back to school, increased student supports to close learn-ing gaps and clear safety protocols established in our schools.

Tap this link to explore the Thoughtexchange conversations and results.

https://www.kcdsb.on.ca/news/central_news/thoughtexchange_results_for_june_2020


The Role of Public Health

The health and well-being of students and staff are an important part of learning and thriving at school. The partnership between health and education focuses efforts on strategic priorities that can improve health outcomes for children and students, positively affect their achievement, and reduce preventable illness and disease.

The public health units provide education, screening, programming and services to schools, and are key partners in return to school planning, establishing health and safety policies and guidelines for schools to help keep students and staff safe and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The Northwestern Health Unit is responsible for completing case management and contract tracing for each positive case of Covid-19. Contact tracing is the process of identifying, assessing, and managing people who have been exposed to a disease to prevent further transmission. Please see the Northwestern Health Unit’s Guidelines for COVID-19 in Schools section of this plan on page 35. More information about the Northwestern Health Unit’s COVID-19 and Safe Return to Schools process can be found on their website.

Northwestern Health Unit Locations and Contact Information

The Northwestern Health Unit maintains offices in 13 municipalities to provide services across the region.

COVID-19 hot line: 1-866-468-2240 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Kenora City View210 First Street NorthTel: (807) 468-3147 or 1-800-830-5978Fax: (807) 468-49708:30 - 4:30 - Monday to Friday

Red Lake234 Howey StreetTel: (807) 727-2626 Fax: (807) 727-30018:30 - 4:30 - Monday to Friday

Ear Falls25 Spruce StreetTel: (807) 222-3098 Fax: (807) 222-33248:30 - 4:30 - Monday to Friday

https://www.nwhu.on.ca/Pages/home.aspx


The Critical Role of FamiliesFamilies play a critical role in supporting enhanced health and safety protocols in our school communities. Keeping community transmission low is key to keeping schools safer, and all family members can support by practicing prevention measures including physical distancing, frequent hand-washing, limiting social contacts and wearing a mask in public indoor spaces.

The most important thing families can do to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 is to screen their children daily for any COVID-19 symptoms and not send your child to school if they are feeling sick or unwell in any way.

Parents/guardians should also encourage their child to adhere to the health and safety measures put in place by their school, including following physical distancing, practicing good hygiene habits, in-cluding hand washing, and wearing a mask as appropriate. Please also follow your school’s protocols for pick up and drop off at school and any other local health and safety measures in place.

Families will ultimately make the decision as to whether their child will attend school in-person or if they will continue with at-home remote learning. Both models of in-person and fully remote learning consider the guiding principles and include many factors including student engagement, well-being, learning, staffing, timetabling, space considerations, and above all, student and staff health and safety.

We will keep you informed on a regular basis on what is happening at the school and system level, how we continue to address the challenges posed by COVID-19, and measures being taken to limit its spread in our school communities. The Principal at your child’s school also plays an important role in providing ongoing information about your school community and will be a valuable resource.


Reopening of SchoolsOn Thursday, July 30, 2020, the Ministry of Education announced its plan for school reopening in September. This important announcement allowed us to finalize our individual return to school plans and plan for enhanced health and safety protocols in our schools and offices. We are continuing to collaborate with the Ministry of Education, the Northwestern Health Unit, the Northwestern Ontario Student Services Consortium and other school boards in our region.

Elementary (Kindergarten to Grade 8): Elementary schools will reopen in September with conventional in-person delivery of teaching and instruction, with enhanced health and safety protocols. Elementary students will attend school five days per week, remaining in one cohort for the full day, including recess and lunch. Cohorted classes will stay together as much as possible with one teacher.

Secondary (Grade 9 – 12): St. Thomas Aquinas High School will be reopening in September with a conventional, in-person, five days per week schedule with enhanced health and safety protocols. The high school will be adopting a quadmester timetabling method that emphasizes cohorting of students as much as possible to limit the number of student-to-student contacts.

Return to School SurveyAs we look ahead to September, we know that school will look different as a result of continued efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. We have been planning for our return and considering all possibilities to ensure that student and staff well-being and safety is the priority.

We are undertaking pre-registration, asking for families to indicate their intentions regarding if their child will attend school in September in-person or learning remotely.

A return to in-person learning is voluntary and up to the parent/guardian of the child.

We have asked parents/guardians to identify what model of attendance they plan to have their chil-dren participate in for September. As per direction from the Ministry of Education, students may not necessarily be able to move between remote and in-person learning and families should anticipate the possibility to be wait-listed if they change their mind. The deadline for completion of the online survey was Monday, August 17. Schools will continue to work with families who have not identified their selection before the start of the school year. Please contact your child’s school Principal if you have any questions.

The opportunity to switch between remote and in-person learning will depend on the availability of an appropriate class placement. If a change is required, exceptions may be made on a case by case basis with time built-in to transition into a classroom or remote cohort.

At the time of the release of this guide, 90% of students will be returning to school for in-person attendance, while 10% will be attending school remotely.


Understanding and Meeting the Needs of our StaffKenora Catholic’s staff and educators are critical to our ability to prepare for and implement a safe and successful reopening of our schools in September and beyond. We recognize that staff are concerned about their health and safety, as well as their students, as we prepare to return to school and work.

Human Resource Services will work directly with Principals and Managers to respond to employee needs on a case by case basis. Discussions about approaches to meeting various needs will take place as needed.

Educators are eager to check-in and connect with students in-person again. Planning for September and adapting to our new reality will be challenging. For Kenora Catholic’s implementation plans to succeed, we must work together to solve problems, be flexible and responsive to new information and health data, and be willing to adapt where necessary.

Professional Learning and Capacity BuildingProfessional learning and capacity building opportunities will be provided to educators to helpthem support all students. Learning will focus on:

• Health and Safety protocols related to COVID-19• Focus on school re-entry• Remote learning strategies & developing digital competencies• Mental health and well-being• Anti-racism and Anti-discrimination training• Implementation of the new Ontario math curriculum• Providing support for students with Special Education Needs• Professional Development Days: August 31, September 1 - 2

Collaboration with our Employee GroupsWe continue to meet regularly with our employees and union partners to support the planning and implementation of return to school. Working in partnership we are exploring solutions to issues that may impact some collective agreement parameters.


CommunicationParents/guardians, staff and students have shared through our Thoughtexchange sessions that continued transparent communication is important and valued.

Director Derek Haime and the Communication Services team will continue to host live Microsoft Teams sessions with staff and families, as needed, to support students and families with transitioning back to school. The most recent session was hosted on August 12, where Director Haime provided information about enhanced health and safety protocols, details of this Return to School Plan, and answered over 130 questions from the live audience. Future sessions will be communicated to families in advance of the session.

School Principals and the Board’s Communications Services staff will communicate regularly with students and their parents/guardians as we return to school in the fall.

Our many education partners have been part of the process of creating viable operational solutions.Flexibility and innovation are required to come up with unique solutions as we work together through the pandemic.

Provincial discussions between the Ministry of Education and education unions continue to occur throughout August, and their decisions may result in further changes to this plan. We will not return to the status quo system, so we will need to work together to find solutions that will serve our students while addressing the existing collective agreements that were not created for pandemic conditions.

Many of our families have unique situations and work commitments. This plan will not be able to meet every individual situation. We will find creative solutions designed to help as many families as possible so that they can manage their competing demands of work, school and family needs. We recognize that returning to school five days a week for all students will address the greatest number of family needs in our community.

https://youtu.be/3JKLH6QvXOU


Enhanced Health and Safety Protocols ‘At-a-Glance’The following health and safety protocols are designed to give you an ‘at-a-glance’ description of some of the protocols that will be in place for school reopening in September:

Self-screening: All staff and students must self-screen every day before attending school. Before the start of school, we will be providing a checklist to perform daily screening of children before arriving at school, and self-assessment tools will be made available to staff to ensure awareness of possible symptoms of COVID-19. Do not send your child to school if they feel sick or unwell in any way.

Hand Hygiene: Appropriate hand hygiene is one of the most important protective strat-egies. Kenora Catholic schools will be prepared to train students on appro-priate hand hygiene. We are currently installing additional hand hygiene stations and enhancing the cleaning of school sites. We will be following all recommendations regarding enhanced health, safety and hygiene practices.

Cleaning and Disinfecting: Heightened cleaning practices will be in place in all schools and offices. Schools will have custodial staff in the building and available to support frequent cleaning and disinfecting throughout the school day.

Masks: Students in Grades 4 – 12 will be required to wear a mask indoors in schools, including hallways and during classes. Students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 will be encouraged, but not required, to wear masks in indoor spaces. Prior to the start of school, students are encouraged to practice wearing masks to determine what type of mask is most comfortable for them.


Enhanced Health and Safety Protocols ‘At-a-Glance’

Shared Spaces: Shared spaces like gymnasiums and cafeterias will remain open to students. Shared items will be sanitized on a regular basis. Ideally sanitation will hap-pen after each cohort use.

Cohorting: Schools will be implementing a cohorting strategy to keep students together in small groups throughout the school day, with limited exposure to multiple teachers or a wide variety of classmates. Elementary students will be cohorted with their classmates and homeroom teacher, with limited contact with other subject teachers or classes. St. Thomas Aquinas High School will be adopting a timetabling method that emphasizes the cohorting of students as much as possible. Staggered lunch and break times will be implemented as much as possible to reduce exposure to other cohorts.

Physical Distancing: As much as possible, physical distancing between students and staff and between staff members will be promoted. Schools will add visual reminders for students to physically distance. We will endeavour to maintain recom-mended distancing. However, there may be some situations where this is beyond our control, and we will always return to the recommended distan-cing.

Visitors: In the 2020 – 2021 school year, schools will be significantly limiting/not permitting visitors, including parents/guardians. Any authorized visitors to the school will be required to self-screen and wear a mask while on school premises. Visitors who are permitted into a school by the Principal must self-screen prior to entry, and must wear a mask in the school.

School Bus Transportation: Enhanced cleaning and use of personal protective equipment will be in place for drivers, as well as students (non-medical masks required for students in Grades 4 – 12 and encouraged for students Kindergarten to Grade 3). Students will have assigned seats on the school bus. Active forms of transportation (for example, walking and cycling) and private transportation by parents/guardians are encouraged where possible to ease pressure on buses. Additional information regarding school bus transportation protocols will be shared by the Northwestern Ontario Student Services Consortium.


Kenora Catholic will continue to focus on supporting students with special education needs as schools reopen. Summer transition plans are already in place to ensure a seamless transition back to school.

The Special Education Department, Mental Health Team and system-level educators are providing enhanced transitional support for students.

Students with special education needs will have attendance options including daily in-person attend-ance or remote learning, and will have access to a Resource Teacher as per their Individual Education Plan.

All students with special education needs who engage in remote learning will have live contact with an educator, and expectations for synchronous learning will be provided.

Supporting Students with Special Needs

“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’m possible.”- Audrey Hepburn


Health and Safety

How we’re returning to healthy and safe facilities.

Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is our top priority as we reopen our schools. A successful reopening must con-tinue to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

All of these guidelines and procedures have been developed with guidance from the Northwestern Health Unit, the Ministry of Education, and Kenora Catholic staff with expertise in Health and Safety. Each staff member in our Board will be trained in Health and Safety procedures prior to the start of the school year.

Self-screening All staff and students must self-screen every day before attending school or accessing bus services. Prior to the start of school, we will be providing the Northwestern Health Unit’s ‘Before Going to School Today’ checklist to perform daily screening of children before arriving at school, and self-assessment tools will be made available to staff to ensure awareness of possible symptoms of COVID-19.

Prior to the start of the school year, the parent/guardian of each student will be required to adhere the following requirement:

• Completing a daily self-assessment.• Not sending their child to school if they feel sick or unwell in any way.• Having a plan to pick-up their child(ren) promptly if they develop symptoms.• Seeking a COVID-19 test when exhibiting symptoms or, in the absence of a test, self-isolate for

14 days and be symptom-free for 24 hours prior to returning to school.• Complying with the orders provided by Public Health.

The Northwestern Health Unit recommends using the Ontario COVID-19 self-assessment tool. The Ontario screening tool is continually being updated as new information about COVID-19 is known.

https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/


Hand Hygiene Appropriate hand hygiene is one of the most important protective strategies. Kenora Catholic schools will be training students on appropriate hand hygiene. We are currently installing additional hand hygiene stations and enhancing the cleaning of school sites. We will be following all recommenda-tions regarding enhanced health, safety and hygiene practices.

• Hand sanitizer will be placed in all classes and at all school designated entrances for student and staff use as they enter and exit the building.

• Regular hand hygiene breaks will occur throughout the day for students (e.g., regular time intervals throughout day, before/after eating food, after using the washroom, before/after outdoor play).

• Partner in promotion of hand hygiene practices with your child(ren) outside of school.

Enhanced Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols Heightened cleaning practices will be in place in all schools and offices. Schools will have custodial staff in the building and available to support frequent cleaning and disinfecting throughout the school day.

• Cleaning and disinfecting measures will aid with ensuring the physical spaces, equipment, and materials students and staff come into contact with remain safe.

• Following public health advice regarding the type of cleaning and disinfectant products to use, daily sanitizing will be implemented for high touch areas (doorknobs, handles, light fixtures, etc.)

• Restrooms will cleaned more frequently throughout the day.• Additional cleaning protocols will be implemented for classroom furniture.• Classrooms will be equipped with adequate cleaning supplies to clean surfaces throughout the

day.• In the event that additional cleaning is required due to an employee or student developing

COVID-like symptoms during the day or a confirmed case of COVID-19, the room/space will be closed temporarily to allow for a thorough cleaning and disinfecting of touch surfaces (additional resources may be brought in from other sites if required).

MasksStudents in Grades 4 – 12 will be required to wear a mask indoors in schools, including hallways and during classes. Outdoor times, like recess, will be used as opportunities to provide students with breaks from wearing masks within their cohorts. Students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 will be encour-aged, but not required, to wear masks in indoor spaces.

• Prior to the start of school, students are encouraged to practice wearing masks to determine what type of mask is most comfortable for them.

• Students may wear their own mask and non-medical masks will also be made available for students who don’t come to school with their own mask.


• Medical masks and eye protection will be provided for all teachers and other staff of the school board. School-based staff who are regularly in close contact with students will be provided with all appropriate personal protective equipment.

• Students may be granted an exemption from wearing a mask for reasons related to a medical condition, mental health, sensory, breathing difficulties, or other reasons deemed reasonable by the Principal. Principals will follow Board guidance on exemptions.

• School-aged children and youth who are not able to remove their mask without assistance should not wear a mask due to safety concerns.

• A mask is not a replacement for proven infection control methods such as hand hygiene, respira-tory hygiene, and physical distancing.

• Students are responsible for the safe use, cleanliness and disposal of their mask/cloth mask/face covering. Please reinforce these behaviours at home.

• Masks should be changed when they become soiled or damp. Students should come to school with a clean mask each day.

Physical Distancing As much as possible, physical distancing between students and staff and between staff members will be promoted. Parents/guardians are asked to partner in promoting physical distancing practices with their child(ren) outside of school. School practices will be developed to promote physical distancing include:

• Increased physical distance of chairs and tables/desks in all rooms • Re-purposing larger common spaces (e.g., library, cafeteria) for larger classes• Promoting learning outside, if weather permits• Students facing the same direction (to support respiratory hygiene)• Posting signage on walls and markings on floors• Staggering student/staff lunch/break times where possible

Environmental Conditions and Air Flow • All mechanical systems have been designed to meet the Ontario Building Code requirements

and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards.

• Air circulated via mechanical ventilation systems is continuously replenished with fresh air.• Maintenance and regular changing of filters in all Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

(HVAC) systems, including replacement of all system filters occurs regularly.• Facility staff have had windows and screens repaired over the summer to support open windows,

where safe to do so.• Fans will be used as per Public Health and Ministry guidance (i.e., Limit use during the day, Place

on the lowest setting, Adjust placement and positioning to direct airflow upwards away from surfaces and people).


Respiratory HygieneSchools and educators will promote respiratory hygiene practices, including:

• Not touching the face, especially eyes, mouth and nose.• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, sleeve or elbow.• Wash and/or sanitize hands after sneezing, blowing nose or coughing.• Tissues will be available; Students may choose to bring a box of tissues for personal use.

Student Cohorts Schools will be implementing a cohorting strategy to keep students together in small groups throughout the school day, with limited exposure to multiple teachers or a wide variety of class-mates. Elementary students will be cohorted with their classmates and homeroom teacher, with limited contact with other subject teachers or classes. St. Thomas Aquinas High School will be adopting a timetabling method that emphasizes the cohorting of students as much as possible.• The purpose of cohorting is to limit the mixing of students so that if a child or employee develops

an infection, the potential number of exposures would be reduced.• Elementary students will begin the year in full return and will be assigned to a single class cohort,

as per regular class sizes.• Lunch/breaks will be with cohorts together (e.g., lunch in the classroom, outside together).• Parents/guardians should not request elementary class changes given the logistics of pre-planning

for cohort groupings to support student safety. • Secondary students will begin the year in full return and will be scheduled in such a way during

each semester so as to reduce the number of contacts.• To the greatest extent possible, students are to avoid prolonged, close contact by maintaining

physical distancing from other students and staff members.• All students will remain in the same classroom with their assigned cohort; staff will move to class-

rooms, with the exception of students who may be provided support services.

Plans of Care Ensuring the health and safety of children and students with medical conditions is essential to pro-moting well-being and requires a partnership among families, members of the school community and community partners, including health care professionals.

• All students with a prevalent medical condition (i.e., anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy) are required to have their Plan of Care reviewed annually. Given the current conditions, some students may be impacted more significantly and require changes to their Plan of Care.

• In the context of COVID-19 and your child’s medical condition, consider contacting your Health Care Practitioner to discuss any additional risks your child may be facing.


Drinking Fountains Water fountains can be used for refilling personal water bottles but will be marked that they should only be used for this purpose and not for taking a drink at this time. Water bottle filling fixtures will remain and will be flushed daily as per Regulation 243/07. Sinks that are designated for hand-wash-ing only will remain as hand-washing only fixtures, and signs will be posted accordingly.

Physical Distancing BreachesMaintaining distancing at all times will be challenging. Adults and students will sometimes forget thisimportant safety measure or will unintentionally enter someone else’s space. It is important torecognize that we are aiming for the best efforts and not perfection. A friendly reminder will beprovided when someone is failing to keep the required distance apart, or when friends are seen inphysical proximity to one another.

Plexiglass SeparationPlexiglass will be placed in high traffic areas where distancing may be problematic, such asat the front reception area of the main office. Where distancing can be maintained, plexiglass is not needed.


Learning and Instruction

How we’re returning to learning and instruction.

Excellence in academics, athletics and the arts in a faith-filled environment is at the core of what we do. This year we will apply the Ministry of Education direction to create days that maximize in-person instruction in the most engaging and student-focused ways possible. Those students using remote learning will experience a more scheduled day that features daily synchronous instruction that follows with appropriate asynchronous learning experiences.

Elementary Instructional Model The Ministry of Education has directed elementary schools to open with the Full Return Model (In-Person Learning or Remote Learning).

Full Return - In-person Instructional Model Schools will fully open and operate under the new safety protocols to deliver instruction.Students will return to the classroom five days per week to receive in-person instruction.Students will be in class cohorts, adhering to social distancing protocols and wearing masks if they are in Grades 4 - 12. Masks for students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 are encouraged but not manda-tory.

Remote Learning ModelStudents will engage in remote learning five days per week (online program delivery) both synchron-ously and asynchronously. Students will be expected to log in daily for attendance and participate in both the synchronous and asynchronous learning, and complete all assignments by expected due dates.

Kindergarten to Grade 8 Program Considerations Students will be provided with refresher learning opportunities to support continued growth as they engage in new content, with an emphasis on gap closing in areas of literacy and mathematics.Elementary schools will continue to offer learning in all program areas (e.g., religion, music, health and physical education, science and technology, etc.). Student learning opportunities will be in-formed by public health guidelines.


Secondary Quadmester Instructional Model for Students in Grades 9 - 12The Ministry of Education has directed secondary schools in our region to open fully. To address the issue of student cohort mixing during the day in September, St. Thomas Aquinas High School will be changing from a traditional semester system to a quadmester system for students in Grades 9 - 12. This means that students will have two courses per day, instead of the traditional four courses each day. These periods will occur in double blocks, so students still have five hours of instruction/class-work each day. Since courses are in double blocks, students will complete these two courses between September to mid-November. From mid-November to the end of January, students will complete another two courses.

Key Facts About the Quadmester Model• The quadmester will have the same school year (September to June) as the traditional semestered

model, but will be divided into four parts; each quadmester is 48-days in duration and will allow for face-to-face instruction for all four courses;

• The quadmester closely resembles a typical school day with students in school all day for 300 minutes of instruction.

• It minimizes transitions and physical contacts, which increases safety.• It allows for easier continuity of learning if schools are required to move into remote learning

anytime in the year at the discretion of the Ministry of Education.• It allows students to change from Remote Learning to in-person learning at least three times per

year.

Will the Quadmester System Allow Time for Health Breaks?Yes, following health and safety guidelines, time will be permitted for health breaks during the quadmester system.

When will Grades 9 - 12 Students Receive their Updated Timetable? Your child will receive an updated timetable on their first day of school.

How will Exams Work in the Quadmester System?During the quadmester, the last several days will be allocated for either a final exam or a rich summative project.

September to Mid-November Mid-November to End of January

Students will take two courses. Students will take two courses.


Secondary Regional Programming, CO-OP, OYAP and SHSM All regional programming will continue (e.g., OYAP, SHSM). Co-op placements will be offered virtually, where feasible and in-person community placements can take place if aligned with the recommenda-tions of public health and with the safety and curriculum requirements of the Cooperative Education curriculum. Cooperative education remains a key component of Specialist High Skills Majors, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and Dual Credit Programs; all of these will continue to be provided for students.

Secondary Program Considerations Students will continue to earn compulsory credits required for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), as well as providing access to types of elective courses that support all post-secondary path-way destinations. Secondary schools will continue to offer courses in all elective program areas (e.g., religion, music, health and physical education, science and technology, etc.).

EQAO and Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, a requirement for graduation, is scheduled for Thursday, April 8, 2021. Students graduating before February 2021 who have not yet met the literacy gradua-tion requirement, should be enrolled in the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC) or an adjudication process. Students in Grade 9 Applied or Academic Math courses will participate in the Assessment of Mathematics. Contact St. Thomas Aquinas High School for more information.

Learning Management Systems/Instructional Platforms Kenora Catholic utilizes a number of approved learning management systems and platforms. Students may be part of a Google Classroom, Brightspace Learning Management System, or Microsoft Teams. Teachers will provide information regarding the selected tool at the start of the school year.

Large Group Gatherings and Assemblies In the early phases of return to schools, there should not be any assemblies or large group gatherings, and where students do gather, they will be required to maintain physical distancing from one another where possible.


Excursions/Day Field Trips School staff will only plan virtual field trip experiences until the Province has indicated that larger gatherings can take place. The following types of excursions/day field trips are paused until it is safe to resume:

• Day Field Trips requiring students to leave the school on a bus.• Day Field Trips that include inter-school competitions/activities/athletics.

Walking outdoor Experiential Learning opportunities can continue and are encouraged. Examples are walking from the school property to use local parks and trails. Students will remain in their cohorts and practice physical distancing. Approved excursions will be reviewed regarding deposits, payment balances, refund dates and insurance clauses; viability will be determined by Executive Council.

Community Service Hour Requirement for Graduation Graduating students will need to meet the 40-hour community involvement graduation requirement and can do so virtually. Additional information about Community Hours can be found on the St. Thomas Aquinas High School website.

MusicThe safety of students and staff will require additional processes for music classes and bands,including the disinfection of instruments and classroom layout considerations. In most cases, stu-dents will be assigned their own instruments.

Inter-School Athletics/Co-curriculars The decision to resume inter-school athletics will be made in consultation with our local Health Units and the governing sports organizations in the Province. Co-curricular in-person events are paused until further notice. Individual sports may continue with proper hygiene and physical distancing in place, as long as this does not impact cohorts that have been put in place as a health and safety measure. Team sports continue to be paused until it is safe for team sports to resume.

Curriculum and AssessmentThe wide variety of educational resources, including those rich digital resources created or accessed during the first phase of remote learning, will be assessed. Educators will use this transition phase to determine the most impactful resources available that will allow them to move from a low-level-fact based curriculum to rich resources that require critical thinking and problem-solving. Assessment practices will take into account the pandemic conditions and allow both flexibility and multiple

opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding and application of key concepts.

mailto:https://stahs.kcdsb.on.ca/cms/one.aspx%3FportalId%3D12117170%26pageId%3D13420168?subject=


Mental HealthHow we’re returning to learning environments that support mental health and well-being�

The return to school, after many months away, will require special time and attention from all staff to redevelop rela-tionships and establish supportive routines for students. All of our staff will be provided with training opportunities to effectively welcome students back.

Well-being for Students Further welcome back information will be shared with families by the school principal to support students and families with transitioning back to school and provide students with an overview of what school will look like. Students will have access to staff resources to support their return to school, including Special Education Resource Teachers, Regulated Mental Health Workers, Guidance Counsellors and Student Success Teachers. Partnerships with community agencies have been established to ensure that enhanced transitional supports and resources are available to students.

Mental Health ServicesWe care about the range of emotions students of all ages may be experiencing during the summer, and as they get ready to transition back to school in September. Throughout the summer Kenora Catholic’s mental health team has been and will continue to be available to support students with transitional supports and feelings of stress and anxiety. The team is supporting students with adjusting to the current circumstances, anxiety about returning to school and feelings of stress about the changes in the school day. The team is available to provide single-session and ongoing support to students and tips for parents/guardians to support their child’s mental health.

Kenora Catholic has also partnered with FireFly to offer call-in summer counselling sessions for our students aged 8 - 18.

Referrals for mental health and well-being supports can be accessed by emailing Sue Devlin, Mental Health Lead at [email protected].

Parent Tips - Helping Your Child Return to School During COVID-19

We know that some of our students may be excited to return to school and will be looking forward to seeing their friends and teachers. Other children may struggle with the transition back to school and may feel anxious about leaving home, the separation from parents, the changes at their school, or they may worry about the possible health risks of COVID-19. Many children will fall somewhere in the middle of this range and will feel some excitement and some anxiety as we approach the new school year. No matter where your child falls on this spectrum, there are some important things that you can do to help your child get ready for the return to school. Click here for Tips for Helping Your Child Return to School During COVID-19.

mailto:sdevlin%40kcdsb.on.ca?subject=

https://www.kcdsb.on.ca/our_programs/mental_health_and_wellness/return_to_school/helping_your_child_return_to_school

https://www.kcdsb.on.ca/our_programs/mental_health_and_wellness/return_to_school/helping_your_child_return_to_school


Professional Learning and Resources for Staff Staff will use the data from our Thoughtexchange sessions, Parent/Guardian and Student Surveys to inform Board planning for professional learning and student support. Staff will engage in professional learning to support student well-being and mental health and awareness of resources. Professional learning will have a strong focus on building students’ social-emotional learning skills so that they can build resilience, manage their stress and build positive relationships. Training and resources will focus on the individual and community impact of the COVID-19 on marginalized groups, and how the challenges they face have been magnified by the pandemic. School Mental Health Ontario will provide school boards with a professional learning framework and toolkits to support the mental health of all students prior to the start of the school year - we will tailor to the needs of our system.

Parent/Guardian Resources We continue to provide resources for parents/guardians to partner in support of student well-being. These resources are posted on the Board’s website under Mental Health and Wellness. Please reach out to your child’s school for additional resources or supports.

https://smho-smso.ca/

https://www.kcdsb.on.ca/our_programs/mental_health_and_wellness


Technology

How we’re returning with technology support�

To fully support students who will continue with remote learning, we have plans ready to supply students needing technology and connectivity across our Board. With approved learning platforms like Brightspace, Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams, we are more ready than ever to provide students with vibrant distance learning opportunities. Whether students are learning in-person or remotely, all of our staff will continue to recognize how Brightspace, Microsoft Teams and Google Classroom can support learning moving forward.

Devices for Students Schools will continue to support students that do not have access to a device through a school process. All students requiring technology to learn will be provided with a device. Shared technology will be cleaned and disinfected as per the Health and Safety protocols in place.

Provisions for Accessible Formats Schools will work with students with disabilities to provide accessible platforms including: • Prescribed Assistive Technology (SEA)/software.• Platforms may be used for elementary students who have many accessible features (e.g., Google

Chrome Read/Write).

Internet Connectivity for Students Kenora Catholic will continue to support families with Internet connectivity through a process of Principal referral to the Information Technology Department.

Wellness in Remote Learning Environment Overall wellness is important. Consider the following to support your child with distance learning.• All manufacturers provide product safety guidelines, warnings and suggestions for use. Be sure to

read the fine print.• Give your eyes a rest throughout the day - rest for your eyes can be as simple as looking away

from the screen for short breaks.• Give your body a break and take time away from your device.• Step away from your screen and have some social interaction with others.


OperationsHow we’re returning to school routines and processes.

The effective daily operations of our schools will contribute to a safe reopening. The processes and procedures below will all be implemented to continue as many of the normal operations of a school day as possible while implementing effective operational controls that can stop the spread of the COVID-19. All schools at Kenora Catholic will have a school-based implementation team to support these pro-cesses and to ensure all staff and parents/guardians are kept informed of these operational details on a school by school basis.

Family Responsibilities Each family will receive a Daily Self-Assessment poster to reference before coming to school. Fam-ilies are asked to do the following:

• Not send your child to school if they are sick or unwell in any way.• Perform a daily self-assessment for each child.• Where possible, schedule appointments prior to or after the instructional day.• Prevent the spread of the virus by following preventative measures outside of school (e.g., physic-

al distancing, hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene).

Student Belongings Students will have access to lockers or cubicles during COVID-19 where possible. Locker times will be organized in such a way as to prevent cohort mixing. Student personal belongings brought to school will go home at the end of the day. For parents/guardians needing to drop off essential items, schools will communicate a drop off location and process.

Entry RequirementsSchool entry will be organized to minimize contact. This will be determined once the selected instructional model is confirmed. Students will be required to use hand sanitizer to disinfect their hands as they enter school. A self-screening poster and other relevant health and safety posters will be displayed at all school and board entrances.

Visitors, Volunteers and School AccessVisitors, volunteers, and parents/guardians will not be permitted inside the school facilities during the pandemic. Parents/guardians may not enter the school with the exception of a Principal ap-proved appointment. To the greatest extent possible, meetings with staff and others should occur over the telephone or virtually. Visitors who are permitted into a school must self-screen prior to entry, and must wear a mask in the school. Volunteer programs in schools are paused at this time.


Lunch and Snacks Students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 (Kindergarten to Grade 8 at St. John School), will be allowed to eat their lunch in their classroom with their cohort to decrease contacts. Students will be asked to wash their hands before and after eating. A no food or drink sharing policy will be enforced. Elementary students should bring food every day - all waste will go home with students. Students are required to bring a refillable water bottle labelled with their name.

Classroom SetupClassroom educators will rearrange their classrooms so that distancing can be maintained between students. Students will remain in the same consistent seat in the class as much as possible. The same students should remain with the same teacher with minimized rotation. Classroom design will vary from teacher to teacher, but the same goal remains to keep everyone apart. It is recognized that physical distancing also provides protection in a classroom, especially when combined with other practices such as proper hygiene, avoiding large gatherings, and other environmental practices.

Kindergarten ClassroomsWhile distancing may not be as possible for four and five-year-olds, the rule of no physicaltouching should be reinforced. Activities will be designed for small groups, furniture and playingareas should be used to help maintain physical separation. Plush toys will be temporarily storedduring the pandemic. Toys and manipulatives will be reduced where possible while still providing forstudents a wide variety of play-based learning.

Learning Commons (library)The learning commons may still be open to students; however, a process must be put in place forthe handling and return of books. Current Public Health guidance advises that COVID-19 virus is not likely to be transmitted via paper-based items such as books. As an added precaution, it is recom-mended that all books that are returned be placed in an area for 24-hours before being returned to the display. Students may access the learning commons to borrow books. Schedules must be created that will allow for extra space/distancing by students in the learning commons at the same time.

Fitness Rooms and EquipmentPhysical fitness has been shown to have a positive impact on well-being, both physically and mental-ly. Staff/students must clean all equipment before and after use and maintain distances from others who may be in the room simultaneously.

Recess and Inclement WeatherPlanning and decisions about recess and play will be locally developed based on Public Health direction and school context, including factors such as the number of students, available space, etc. On days where students cannot go outside for recess due to inclement weather, they will remain in established cohorts and will take mask breaks as required.


Garbage and RecyclingClassroom garbage will be collected and disposed of daily. All garbage pails/bins should be lined withplastic bags. The mixing of cohorts is discouraged during the pandemic. For this reason, students will be asked to bring home all containers and recycle in their own home rather than at school. Schools can continue to recycle items such as cardboard boxes from school-based deliveries.

Student Lates/Appointments If a student must leave school before dismissal, the parent/guardian is to contact the school to register the appointment. For late arrivals, parents/guardians should notify the school via phone.

Food Programs, Fundraising and Vending Food programs for students who are experiencing food insecurity will continue, following Kenora Catholic’s enhanced health and safety programs. (e.g., “NOW-Nutrition on Weekends”). Grab and go universal Student Nutrition Programs will continue to be available in each school for those students who wish to participate. All surfaces, bins and containers for food distribution will be disinfected prior to and after use.

School Councils Given the restrictions in meeting in-person, schools will continue to engage School Councils through virtual meetings such as Microsoft Teams or Google Meet. Parents/guardians are encouraged and welcome to participate in their virtual School Councils.

Before and After School Child Care Programs Before and After School Child Care programs may operate in all of our elementary schools at the discretion of the Child Care operator. Before and After School cohorts will be matched to school cohorts where possible. All cleaning will meet or exceed our school-based standards as defined by the Ministry of Education’s Guidelines for Child Care Operators. Registration and fee information is available by contacting the designated Child Care provider for each school; contact information is available on Kenora Catholic’s website.

mailto:http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/professionals.html%23covid?subject=

mailto:https://www.kcdsb.on.ca/parents/child_care?subject=


After School ActivitiesThere will be no large gatherings until we receive direction from the province that these activities can resume. Students can collaborate online for clubs and after school activities.

Dismissal RequirementsSchool dismissal times may be staggered, and multiple exit doors will be used to allow for physicaldistancing to occur. Your Principal will communicate specific child pickup protocols and instructions before the start of the school year.

Outdoor Play Structures Outdoor play structures are available for student use. Hand hygiene will be promoted before and after use.

Community Use of SchoolsPermits for Community Use of Schools will continue to be paused at this time. Permits for the fall will be restricted to programs such as the Before and After School Program.


School Bus Transportation

The Northwestern Ontario Student Services Consortium (NWOSSC) is working closely with Member School Boards, the Northwestern Health Unit, bus operator partners, and the Ministry of Education to mitigate health risks associated with COVID-19 on school transportation vehicles to the greatest extent possible. Please visit www.nwobus.ca/return-to-school-transportation-covid-19/ for informa-tion about steps that the NWOSSC is taking to ensure students continue to arrive at school safely, on time, and ready to learn during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

To support the return to school five-days a week, school buses will operate at regular capacity in accordance with the Ministry of Education Guide to Reopening Ontario’s Schools. Assigned seating will be used on all school buses. Priority will be given to seating students with others from the same household, students from the same classroom, and students in the same grade/school.

Bus RegistrationIf your child rode the bus at the end of in-school instruction last year (before March Break) they will be automatically registered for bussing in the upcoming year unless the NWOSSC has contacted you over the summer about a change to eligibility associated with their grade level. All returning grade 12 students must re-register for bussing.

If your child was not previously a bus student, you must register separately from the school board survey that you may have already completed by going to https://www.nwobus.ca/transportation-re-quest-form/. Registration is subject to eligibility conditions, as outlined in the NWOSSC Transporta-tion Policy. New registrations received after Monday, August 17, may not be processed in time for your child to ride the bus on the first day of school due to the amount of time needed to finalize bus routing and seating assignments.

Opting Out of BussingIf your child is a bus student but you do not intend to use bus service at the beginning of the school year, please notify the NWOSSC and opt-out of transportation. You can do this by emailing [email protected]. If you opt out now you may register your child for bussing at a later date, however, please note that it may take longer than normal to process new registrations due to enhanced safety protocols.

Bus Information Your child’s bus number, stop location, and pick up/drop off times will be available through the NWOSSC Parent Portal by the last week of August. If you haven’t already done so, you will need to sign up for the Parent Portal using your child’s Ontario Education Number (OEN) which can be found on their report card. Families will be notified by email, as well as through our text message alert system when this information is available.

The NWOSSC office remains closed to the public, but you can contact us them by telephone, email or by going to www.nwobus.ca/contact-us/

https://www.nwobus.ca/return-to-school-transportation-covid-19/

https://www.nwobus.ca/transportation-request-form/

https://www.nwobus.ca/transportation-request-form/

https://www.nwobus.ca/policies-procedures-forms/

https://www.nwobus.ca/policies-procedures-forms/

mailto:bussing%40nwobus.ca?subject=

mailto:https://www.nwobus.ca/contact-us/?subject=


Guideline for COVID-19 in SchoolsIn the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in a school, the Northwestern Health Unit will be contacted, and the Principal will follow the Health Unit’s established protocols and the Ministry of Education’s reporting requirements.

Reporting of a COVID-19 CaseAs established by the Ministry of Education through its Guide to Reopening Ontario’s Schools, school boards must report, on a daily basis, any cases of COVID-19 within the school community to the Ministry of Education. The expectation is that the reporting will be completed by the school Principal or designate (i.e., Vice Principal, School Secretary). An online COVID-19 reporting portal will be available for this purpose.

School COVID-19 Questions and AnswersThe following questions and answers were provided by the Northwestern Health Unit:

What is the role of public health when there is a positive case?The first role of public health when there is a positive case is to prevent further spread. This is done by requiring the infected person to follow self-isolation for a specific period of time, and working with the person to determine who they had close contact with, between 48 hours before symptoms started or test was taken (if the person has no symptoms), and the date and time the person started self-isolation. Public health then requires contacts to follow specific, similar control measures. Public health officials monitor all of these individuals throughout their required period of control measures.

What is the process if someone in the school tests positive for COVID-19? The NWHU will contact the positive case and gather details about their contacts. For cases in schools, NWHU may contact the school to get phone numbers for contacts of the case. The positive case will self-isolate and will not return to the school until they are no longer able to spread the virus. Contacts of the case will be notified and will be asked to self-isolation or self-monitor for 14 days. As with other infectious diseases in schools, NWHU will advise school officials on enhanced cleaning. School closure would only be implemented if in collaboration with the school it was felt that closure was necessary to control the disease. This might include too many staff absences to safely maintain control measures in the school; evidence the inability to maintain control measures or failure to maintain control measures caused the spread of the virus in the school.

How will I know if my child has been in contact with a positive COVID-19 case? The NWHU will contact anyone who is a contact of a COVID-19 confirmed case.

If my child has a confirmed case of COVID-19, or is a contact of a confirmed case, will they be excluded from attending school in-person? Contacts of the case (as determined by NWHU from the information gathered) will be asked to self-monitor or self-isolate, depending on a risk assessment. Contacts could include teachers, other staff, other students in the class, students in before and after-care, students who share transporta-tion, siblings and parents/guardians. If students or staff are excluded from school, they will be given a date or conditions on which it is safe to return by NWHU. The school will provide educational support to the student during the self-isolation period.


What are the reasons a student may be excluded from school? A student must be excluded from school:• when directed by the NWHU to not attend school until a specific date • if the student has symptoms and is awaiting a COVID-19 test result• if a student is feeling unwell

What happens if a parent or sibling of a student has been identified as a contact of a positive case? A risk assessment will help with this situation. Depending on the risk factors, parents/guardians and siblings may be asked to self-monitor for symptoms or may be asked to self-isolate for a specific period of time.

When must I not send my child to school?If the NWHU has told you that your child needs to self-isolate, they cannot go to school. If your child has any symptoms of illness, they cannot go to school.

How can I prevent my child from getting COVID-19?Your child’s school has put in measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As with all infectious diseases, students should:

• wash hands regularly• stay 2-meters from others (when possible)• stay home when feeling unwell• practise cough/sneeze etiquette• follow any other instructions required by the school such as the use of masks

What is a contact?A contact is someone who has spent at least 15 minutes within 2 metres of a confirmed case.Passing someone in a hall or yard or simply being in the same school does not make someone a contact.

What is contact tracing?Contact tracing is the process of identifying, assessing, and managing people who have been ex-posed to a disease to prevent further transmission. Contact tracing breaks the chains of transmission of COVID-19 and is an essential public health tool for controlling the virus. NWHU connects with everyone that a positive case identifies as a contact. Cases and contacts are required tofollow the control measures public health directs.

What is self-isolation?Self-isolating means staying at home and avoiding contact with other people to help prevent the spread of disease.

Where can I learn more about the NWHU’s guidelines for schools?Please click these links to learn more:

• COVID-19 and Safe Return to Schools (available Friday, August 21, 2020)• Communicable Disease Reporting Procedure for Schools

https://www.nwhu.on.ca/covid19/Pages/self-isolation.aspx


https://www.nwhu.on.ca/ourservices/SchoolHealth/Pages/Communicable-Disease-Reporting.aspx


Feedback

Your thoughts and feedback are important to us. If you have feedback that you would like to share with us regarding Kenora Catholic’s Return to School Plan, please email us at [email protected].

Thank you for your dedication to Catholic education.

Resources and References

Kenora Catholic reviewed the following references in the preparation of this Return to School Plan:

Alberta - Guidance for School re-entry - Scenario 1 (In-school classes resume)

Alberta - Parent Guide 2020-2021 COVID19

Toronto Catholic District School Board Reopening Action Plan

Keewatin-Patricia District School Board Guide for Re-Opening

Toronto District School Board Returning to School

Ottawa Catholic District School Board Back to School Plan

Ottawa Carlton District School Board Return to School Plan

CBC News - Here’s How BC Schools Will Return to Learning

OECTA - Submission on the Ontario Government’s Plan to Reopen Schools

Ontario - Approach to Reopening Schools for the 2020 - 2021 School Year

Public Health Ontario - Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings

Government of Canada - Risk Mitigation Tool for Child and Youth Settings Operating During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Government of Canada - COVID-19 Guidance for Schools Kindergarten to Grade 12

FIREFLY

Halton Catholic Distric School Board Return to School Updates

Halton Public District School Board Return to School Updates

mailto:info%40kcdsb.on.ca?subject=

https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/3bc9f561-36aa-4ac8-8e73-afce55227c05/resource/1b341a44-1906-4c62-8acf-6f0500cc0102/download/edc-covid-guidance-school-re-entry-scenario-1-update-2020-07-21.pdf

https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/ee687c03-af4e-4e08-9a5c-2b913ebdf31b/resource/b843cc75-d224-4cb3-b9b6-5e6eebad7bbb/download/edc-covid-parents-guide-2020-21-school-year.pdf

mailto:https://www.tcdsb.org/Board/Documents/tcdsb-reopening-action-plan-2020.pdf?subject=

http://www.kpdsb.on.ca/assets/uploads/COVID-19/2020-2021%20School%20Year/KPDSB%20Guide%20for%20Reopening%20for%20Families%20-%202020-2021%20School%20Year%20-%20August%202020%20-%20FINAL.pdf

mailto:https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Portals/0/docs/Returning%2520to%2520School_A%2520Guide%2520to%2520the%2520Safe%2520Reopening%2520of%2520the%2520TDSB_August%252010.pdf?subject=

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13KplO9V89jNiT1297S3qsNQl-_mfl1GJ2UDgenMyBFE/edit

https://ocdsb.ca/our_schools/novel_coronavirus_information_for_parents/learn_at_home/return_to_school_plan_2020

https://www.ontario.ca/page/approach-reopening-schools-2020-2021-school-year?_ga=2.142773621.1943060074.1592705246-382492395.1570210625







https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/guidance-schools-childcare-programs.html?cmp=apple-news_cbc-news




mailto:http://www.fireflynw.ca/about?subject=

https://www.hcdsb.org/Pages/default.aspx

https://rsp.hdsb.ca/




National Labour Management Partnership - Collaborating in a Crisis: Working Together to Safely Reopen Our School Buildings

School Mental Health Ontario

Education Quality and Accountability Office

Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board School Reopening Information

The Northwestern Health Unit

COVID-19 Assessment Centers

OCSTA Responds to Provincial Plan for School Reopening

Ministry of Education Guide to Reopening Ontario’s Schools

Ministry of Education’s Guidelines for Child Care Operators

Northwestern Ontario Student Services Consortium

Sick Kids - Guidance for School Reopening - Updated July 29, 2020

Welcoming our Students Back - Manitoba - Reopening Plan

Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board Return to School Plan

Winnipeg School Division - Supporting Your Child in Returning to School

https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/nlmp-reopening-june-4-2020.pdf

https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/nlmp-reopening-june-4-2020.pdf

https://smho-smso.ca/

https://www.eqao.com/Pages/launch.aspx

mailto:https://www3.dpcdsb.org/news/news-archives/dpcdsb-school-reopening?subject=


https://www.nwhu.on.ca/covid19/Pages/self-assessment.aspx

mailto:https://www.ocsta.on.ca/ocsta-responds-to-provincial-plan-for-school-reopening/?subject=

mailto:https://www.ontario.ca/page/guide-reopening-ontarios-schools?subject=

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/professionals.html#covid

mailto:https://www.nwobus.ca/?subject=

http://www.sickkids.ca/PDFs/About-SickKids/81407-COVID19-Recommendations-for-School-Reopening-SickKids.pdf

https://manitoba.ca/asset_library/en/covid/k-12-reopeningplan.pdf

https://www.winnipegsd.ca/Parents/PandemicPlanning/Documents/WSD%20Return%20to%20School%20Parent%20Tips.pdf