Education Minister Stephen Lecce has announced that students within the Southwestern Public Health Unit will be returning to the classroom on February 1st.
In a release sent out Thursday morning, the province has said 280,000 students in four public health regions will return to in class learning on Monday, February 1st, including both the Southwestern Public Health Unit and the Middlesex-London Health Unit.
This means both elementary and secondary school students who were previously receiving in class instruction at a school within the Thames Valley District School Board or London District Catholic School Board will return beginning next week.
The four PHU cleared to reopen schools include…
- Eastern Ontario Health Unit
- Middlesex-London Health Unit
- Southwestern Public Health
- Ottawa Public Health
This will bring the total number of students able to learn in-person to 520,000 across the province.
The Thames Valley District School Board passes along this additional information:
Student Health and Safety Requirements
The Ontario government has mandated that all students in Grades 1-3 wear masks while in school. At TVDSB, all students have been required to wear masks since September 2020. All Grade 1-12 students learning in-person are now required to wear a mask while outside when physical distancing cannot be maintained (i.e., during recess, breaks, and outdoor learning activities).
Students are discouraged from congregating in groups before or after school and should maintain a two-metre distance from others while walking to and from school.
In addition, families are reminded to complete the daily self-assessment for each child in their household prior to riding school transportation or attending school. This school screening tool is available at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/
Secondary students are required to confirm COVID-19 screening prior to attending school in-person. More details will be shared directly with secondary students and families.
Bus transportation will resume for students who are returning to in-person learning. Please visit www.mybigyellowbus.ca for further information.
“Thames Valley is proud of students and their families for adjustments they have made during this challenging period,” said Director Fisher. “Families should know that no student will be disadvantaged as a result of COVID-19, and that Thames Valley educators are committed to working with students to ensure they are supported and continue to learn.”
The mental health and well-being of Thames Valley students, families and staff is also important. Please visit Mental Health and Well-being or School Mental Health Ontario for information and resources for students and families.
