Updates for DCDSB Families

Posted On Monday November 22, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

Last week, the Ontario government announced several updates for families.

Semester Schedule for Secondary Schools

The Ministry of Education has advised Ontario school boards that we can return to a semester schedule for the second half of the school year. In a semester schedule. students can take up to four courses per day for half of the school year. The current quadmester schedule has secondary students taking up to two courses per day for a quarter of the school year.

DCDSB secondary schools will transition to a regular semester schedule for the start of Semester 2 (previously Quadmester 3) in February 2022. This will mark the mid-year point of the 2021-2022 school year. Please note that the start and end times of the school day will remain the same up until the end of June as they are connected to our student transportation.

While this may come as welcomed news for many of our students, families, and staff, we recognize that yet another change can cause anxiety for some, particularly those students who have yet to experience a semester system.  As we transition back to a more typical school year structure students and families can contact their school to access resources and supports.

We appreciate all members of our DCDSB community for your cooperation and resiliency as we work together to navigate the many changes caused by the pandemic. We believe that the shift back to a more normal secondary school timetable and schedule, will positively impact teaching and learning for our students. We will continue to work closely with the Durham Region Health Department to ensure health and safety measures are in place at all times.

Please note that with this announcement, our secondary schools will begin the process of timetabling student schedules for Semester 2 (beginning February 2022). This will take some time, and schools will provide further information to students and families in the new year.

Rapid Antigen Screening Kits – All Students

The Ministry of Education also announced that they will be providing elementary and secondary school students with rapid antigen screening kits, to take home during the Christmas break. Every student will be able to pick up a kit of five tests to complete voluntary screening at home to support a safe return to school in January 2022. It is important to note that these Rapid Antigen Tests are voluntary and will be available to families who wish to participate. More information regarding the distribution of the kits will be shared when further details are available.

Travelling over the Christmas Break

The Durham Region Health Department has asked us to remind families of the federal guidelines for travel. As per the Durham Region Health Department  and Government of Canada direction, unvaccinated students returning from travel outside of Canada must not attend school or childcare for 14 days after their return. Fully vaccinated students who have travelled outside of Canada and meet the requirements to be exempt from federal quarantine (including passing a pre-entry molecular COVID-19 test), are able to attend school upon their return. Further details can be found at the Government of Canada website. Please also review the Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories FAQ ahead of any international travel. 

COVID-19 Vaccinations for Students age 5 to 11 Years

On Friday, November 19, 2021, the Ontario government announced that COVID-19 vaccinations for children age 5 to 11 years will soon be available. Beginning Tuesday, November 23, 2021 families will be able to book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment for children age 5 to 11 years by visiting the Region of Durham website at durham.ca.
 

We will continue to work with the Durham Region Health Department to communicate information on upcoming vaccination clinics in our schools and public locations for anyone who is interested in obtaining the vaccine for their child(ren).

Once again, we want to thank you for your continued patience as we work through this new information. Thank you for your support during these unpredictable times. We remind you to follow our Return to Learning and COVID-19 Updates webpages and your child’s school website for the latest updates and information.

Yours in Faith,

 

Tracy Barill
Director of Education