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Reopening of our HWCDSB Schools
Nurturing Hope: A Parent Guide for the Reopening of our HWCDSB Schools

Nurturing Hope: A Parent Guide for the Reopening of our HWCDSB Schools

https://www.hwcdsb.ca/323655--Nurturing-Ho ...
HWCDSB School Reopening

HWCDSB School Reopening

HWCDSB Parent/Guardian Communications

Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year.

As students return to their classrooms, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board has taken all steps possible to create a safe and welcoming learning environment for students and staff based on Ministry of Education guidance and advice from Hamilton Public Health Services.

Plans for the reopening of our HWCDSB schools are described in our Nurturing Hope: Parent Guide on the Reopening of HWCDSB Schools.
COVID-19 School Protocols

COVID-19 School Protocols

COVID-19 School Screening

Students, teachers and school staff need to check for symptoms of illness every day before going to school. The Ministry’s COVID-19 School Screening will help you decide if you should or should not go to school.

Take the COVID-19 school screening here. Please note, this screening is not a diagnostic tool. If you have medical questions, consult a health care provider or Hamilton Public Health Services. Listen to the advice of Public Health first, as their advice overrules the advice in this screening.


Public Health Services

The HWCDSB has been working with Hamilton Public Health Services (PHS) to develop procedures and protocols, based on the most recent data and evidence, to monitor and respond to reports of COVID-19 symptoms.

PHS Protocol for Children with COVID-19 symptoms:
Child has COVID-19 symptoms while at school
Child has COVID-19 symptoms while at home

Maintaining public health measures such as staying home when you are sick, physical distancing, hand washing and mask wearing will be very important to reduce the likelihood of infection, contain outbreaks and protect those who are most vulnerable. Everyone has a part to play to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, including parents, school boards, and public health.

For School Re-opening Resources for Parents, please visit the City of Hamilton website.


Provincial Outbreak Protocol

On August 26th, the provincial government released an Operational Guidance: COVID-19 Management in Schools document which outlines protocols for school boards in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak. The plan provides guidance on prevention, record-keeping/contact tracing, the importance of home screening, the role of local public health, infection control measures, and appropriate steps to take should a student or staff member test positive for COVID-19.

In addition to the provincial guidance, the HWCDSB has been working with Hamilton Public Health Services (PHS) to develop procedures and protocols, based on the most recent data and evidence, to monitor and respond to reports of COVID-19 symptoms and cases. Details of the board’s system action plan for suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 are outlined in our Nurturing Hope: Parent Guide on the Reopening of HWCDSB Schools.

During the pandemic, the HWCDSB has made every effort to respond in a timely and effective way to the numerous and complex challenging issues that have arisen. The province’s COVID-19 Management Plan for school boards is an added resource that will assist the HWCDSB in our commitment to make our schools as safe as possible.


Reporting confirmed cases of COVID-19: COVID-19 Advisory Website

Information on confirmed cases of COVID-19 that involve a student or a staff member in a school setting will be posted in the COVID-19 advisory section on the HWCDSB website. In the interests of privacy, information will not identify the student or staff member that has received a positive COVID-19 test.

If Hamilton Public Health advises that a class, cohort or school should be closed for a period of time, parents, students and staff will be notified immediately. Notice of any closures of classes, cohorts or schools will be posted on school/board websites and in the HWCDSB COVID-19 advisory section.
Transportation

Transportation

The HWCDSB anticipates serious delays in student transportation services as a result of the ongoing school bus driver shortage which has been further compounded this year by COVID-19.

Despite considerable additional funds provided by our Board and the Provincial Government, as well as a complete re-routing of our transportation system (routes), the HWCDSB continues to experience a significant bus driver shortage. Despite measures implemented to date, including ongoing driver incentive programs and unprecedented recruitment, we do not see this matter improving in the near future. Unlike other boards/consortia, we have not as of yet cancelled routes so as to mitigate against the bus driver shortage. Saying that, we may have no other alternative to do so if this situation does not improve. We say this to express our regret for any disruption this causes our schools, students and families. Unfortunately the level of disruption is not likely to go away soon and we will continue to keep you informed.

Families are encouraged to sign up for email notifications of delays and cancellations on the HWSTS website.

HWSTS Student Transportation-Sept 17 2020  HWSTS Student Transportation-Sept 17 2020
HWSTS-Return to School Transportation Update_Sept 4 2020  HWSTS-Return to School Transportation Update_Sept 4 2020
HWSTS-Transportation Update-Sept 10 2020  HWSTS-Transportation Update-Sept 10 2020
Enhanced Health & Safety Protocols and Protection Strategies

Enhanced Health & Safety Protocols and Protection Strategies

The HWCDSB has implemented a number of protocols, safeguards and structures to keep our students and staff safe. Please see our Nurturing Hope: Parent Guide for the Reopening of our HWCDSB Schools for a complete list of health and safety measures that have been put in place in our schools and board sites.

Mandatory Masks for All Students

Mandatory Masks for All Students

All HWCDSB students, Kindergarten to Grade 12, must wear a non-medical or cloth mask while at school and on the school bus. The decision to mandate masks for all students was made in consultation with Hamilton Public Health Services and aligns with the city’s mask/face covering by-law that requires individuals to wear a mask or face covering in enclosed public spaces to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, especially when physical distancing may not be possible.

Visit the City of Hamilton’s Public Health Services to learn more about how to properly wear a mask, how masks can reduce the transmission of COVID-19, and other protective measures you can take to stay healthy and safe.
COVID-19 Mask Exemption

COVID-19 Mask Exemption

Consistent with guidance from Public Health, it is understood that for medical or other approved reasons, it may not be possible for some students to wear a non-medical mask at school. Exemptions may include:

• Asthma;
• Sensory processing;
• Hearing/communication;
• Breathing difficulties caused by underlying health conditions;
• Intellectual/development delays that do not allow for the use of a mask; and/or,
• Physical/other: cannot wear a mask without assistance.

Parents whose child meets one or more of the reasons for exemption are asked to contact their child’s school for a COVID-19 mask exemption form.
Changing between modalities (modes of learning)

Changing between modalities (modes of learning)

Elementary students may change from in-school to virtual and virtual to in-school at three points during the school year: Thanksgiving, Christmas and March Break. For secondary school students, a change from in-school to virtual can only happen in advance of Semester 2 on February 4, 2021. This decision is necessary as it is not possible to effectively staff both the in-school and virtual (at home) programs with large and unknown numbers of students migrating back and forth to each modality (method of learning). It would also cause considerable disruption to students to reorganize schools almost on a daily or weekly basis. Please check with your school for more information.
myClass Learning Management System Parent Portal

myClass Learning Management System Parent Portal

The HWCDSB has launched the next phase of the myClass Learning Management System (LMS) Parent Portal.

Parents/guardians can access the Parent Portal by going to their child(ren)’s school website and clicking on the Parent Portal link.

Through the Parent Portal, parents/guardians will be able to access:
• resources for parents/guardians and students;
• messages posted by teachers in the Activity Feed;
• the classroom calendar of events;
• student assignments; and,
• portfolio artifacts that showcase student work.

If families have more than one student in the HWCDSB, each will be featured in one location, whether Kindergarten to Grade 12.

The HWCDSB Parent Portal works on all phones, tablets and computers via a web browser so that parents can stay connected wherever they are.

The infographic provides step-by-step instructions on how to get started using Parent Portal. Please use the same email address you provided the school when logging into the Parent Portal.
Mental Health & Well-Being

Mental Health & Well-Being

A complete list of resources and support for parents, guardians and families can be found on our Mental Health & Well-being web page.
COVID-19 Self-Screening Assessment Tool - Contractors & Visitors

COVID-19 Self-Screening Assessment Tool - Contractors & Visitors

All contractors/visitors wishing to come on site must complete this assessment tool. It is recommended that you complete this tool one hour before coming to a HWCDSB site.

At any point that the screening results indicate you cannot visit a HWCDSB site, please inform your HWCDSB contact or project manager.

Click Here to access the COVID-19 Self-Screening Assessment Tool
COVID-19 Information & Resources