Winter Break Reminders for In-Person Families

As mentioned previously, we are sharing instructions for the take-home rapid antigen screening kits as well as important information from Durham Region Health Department and the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). 

Take-Home Rapid Antigen Screening Kits 

In an effort to promote a safer return to the classroom after the winter break, the Government of Ontario has provided the Durham District School Board with take-home rapid antigen test screening kits for every child attending school in-person, regardless of their vaccination status. Most DDSB schools are distributing these test kits for students to take home on Wednesday, December 15 and some may have distributed these kits already. 

These take-home rapid antigen test screening kits are intended to be used by students over the holiday break prior to the return to school. Please read the instructions in this e-mail carefully. 

Your child’s participation in this rapid antigen screening is voluntary. Students are not required to participate to return to school after the winter break. 

While providing students with rapid antigen screening kits is an important tool for managing the spread of COVID-19, vaccination remains the most effective protection against the virus and its variants. Ensuring that children and youth are vaccinated will provide them with a strong level of protection and help to keep schools open and as safe as possible. 

It also is important to remember that we all need to continue with key public health strategies that have been effective in keeping this pandemic under control, including staying home when sick, getting tested if you have symptoms, washing your hands frequently and wearing a face covering as required. 

Please read the important information below and the attached instructions prior to using the rapid antigen screening kit.

When to Use the Rapid Antigen Screening Kit (distributed prior to the winter break):  

• For students who choose to use rapid antigen screening kits, it is recommended students conduct the rapid antigen tests every 3-4 days over the holiday break, on every Monday and Thursday beginning December 23, until all five tests have been used. 
• Rapid antigen screening kits are only to be used when a child is asymptomatic (i.e. does not have any symptoms of COVID-19 and has not had any exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19). 
• Anyone with symptoms or who is identified as a close contact of a case should still get PCR testing. 
• Rapid antigen screening tests should not be used as a substitute for PCR tests for people with symptoms or for people who are close contacts of cases. 

Using the Take-Home Rapid Antigen Screening Kit: 

• The BTNX Rapid Response™ can be performed using anterior nasal swabbing (per the package insert, as approved by Health Canada) or using deep nasal swabbing (as recommended by Public Health Ontario in this document, given higher sensitivity compared to anterior nasal swabbing). Both types of specimen collection can be performed using the NP swab provided with the kit. 
• Please follow the instructions provided with this letter. 
• Important note: Parents or guardians may choose to administer this screening on children who may need help (i.e., younger children). 

What to do after your test: 

• You will know the outcome of the test within 15 minutes. If test results conducted so far are negative, your child may attend school as usual. Even if your child tests negative, they should continue to adhere to all relevant public health guidance, such as guidance on gathering, distancing, and masking. 
• A positive result on a rapid antigen screening test is considered a preliminary positive. A child that receives a positive result on a rapid antigen screening test should seek a confirmatory PCR test as soon as possible (ideally within 48 hours) at a local testing site or pharmacy that offers testing and isolate themselves until the result of that confirmatory PCR test is known. 

DRHD COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Children Aged 5-11 and Parents/Guardians  

The following information is being shared on behalf of the Durham Region Health Department: 

The Durham Region Health Department hosted a virtual Town Hall on Thursday, December 2 for parents and guardians of children ages 5 - 11 to receive information about the pediatric COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine and have their questions answered. More than 500 participants heard from a panel of local medical and health care professionals. The recorded virtual Town Hall session is now available for those who were not able to attend.  

Check out these videos for a tour of our children's clinic and to hear from four young Durham residents who are happy to have received their COVID-19 vaccine. 

• Walk through one of our children’s clinics with public health nurse Darshani 
• Colton shares why he is happy to get the COVID-19 vaccine 
• Hear how these three sisters feel about getting the COVID-19 vaccine 

For additional information about the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 – 11, visit our webpages: 

• COVID-19 vaccination for children 5-11 
• Community Clinics Calendar for Children ages 5-11
• Walk-in vaccination opportunities are also available in Durham Region via the provincial GO-VAXX program 

Municipal & School Board Election Voter Information 

The following information is being shared on behalf of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC):  

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is responsible for collecting the information of residents in Ontario (name, date of birth, citizenship and school support) in order to create a preliminary list of electors for municipal and school board elections. Municipalities will use the preliminary list of electors to prepare their voters lists for the 2022 Municipal and School Board Elections. 

One of the ways MPAC collects this information is through voterlookup.ca. Here, Ontarians can add their name and the names of other members of their household to a secure database and confirm or update their information. 

The upcoming year will be a busy one for Ontario voters, with the Ontario Provincial Election and Municipal and School Board Elections happening just a few months apart. Make sure you are on the list to vote in the 2022 Municipal and School Board Elections on October 24. Register and verify your information at voterlookup.ca.  

We hope you have a safe and happy winter break and wish you all the best in 2022.  

Durham District School Board