Dear Parents/Guardians,

Please find below some important updates. Some of these changes will have an impact on individuals and DDSB staff will be doing their best to support families as we all adjust.

On behalf of our school teams, we ask that everyone approach these changes from a place of kindness, respect and understanding as we follow the direction of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Durham Region Health Department.

We know that for many families, next week will be one of reconnecting and enjoying each other’s company in a more relaxed fashion.  On behalf of the team at the DDSB, we wish you an enjoyable and safe week. We look forward to welcoming your children back on Monday, March 21.

Sincerely,

Norah Marsh
Director of Education

Masking in Schools

Further to Wednesday’s announcement on changes to province-wide public health and safety measures and yesterday’s Board of Trustees meeting, we are writing to confirm that as of March 21, students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 will no longer be required to wear a mask while at school. The Durham Region Health Department has also indicated that they are following the provincial guidance released on Wednesday and are not recommending additional measures for schools or daycares at this time.

Although the masking requirement has been removed in schools, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health has indicated it is still encouraged to wear a mask in public settings. Schools will be a mask friendly environment and students, visitors, families, and staff are welcome to continue to wear masks while at school and/or on the bus. Yesterday, the DDSB Board of Trustees passed a motion to commit to continue providing three-ply masks for students who request them until the end of June 2022. We ask that everyone be kind, considerate and respectful to one another and the choices that individuals make on wearing a mask.

When students return to school after the March Break, we ask that families continue to complete the daily self-screening for accurate guidance on whether your child should attend school. If your child is sick, please ensure that they do not attend school. If your child has travelled internationally over the March Break, they are required under current federal travel requirements to wear a mask for 14 days after re-entry to Canada when in public places (including schools and child care), maintain a list of all close contacts and self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

If you have not yet been vaccinated, please consider doing so to help protect yourself and your family. You can find out more information on vaccination from the Durham Region Health Department.

Learning Preferences for 2022-2023

We are also sharing with you that starting from Friday, March 18 to Sunday, March 27, families will have the opportunity to select their learning preference (in-person or virtual learning) for the 2022-2023 school year on the parent portal. We will be sharing more information with families on this process after March Break but wanted to ensure that you have an opportunity to start thinking about what learning mode you would like your child to be in for next year.