Thames Valley recognizes the importance of extra-curricular activities for the mental and physical well-being of students.
In accordance with recently updated public health guidance, protocols have been revised to allow students who have received their first COVID-19 vaccination dose to participate in extra-curricular activities such as clubs, music, sports and athletics.
This revised protocol is effective Monday, September 20. Once a student receives a first dose, they must wait 14 days before participating in extracurricular activities.
In addition, all students must comply with the following mandatory requirements:
• Complete and pass the daily COVID-19 School Screening Tool https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/
• Undergo COVID-19 rapid testing after receiving a first dose of vaccine
• Perform rapid testing on Sundays and Wednesdays
• Test results to be confirmed visually (i.e., photo, official receipt by pharmacy, etc.) with school staff on Mondays and Thursdays
• Families are responsible for obtaining rapid tests, which may be purchased at pharmacies
• Once a second dose is received, documentation to be confirmed visually by school staff
• Full participation in extra-curriculars may occur once the student provides visual confirmation of a second dose
• Rapid testing will no longer be required once a second dose is received
Those students who wish to participate in extra-curricular activities during the 2021-2022 school year must be fully vaccinated no later than November 1, 2021. The process outlined above will only be available until November 1, 2021.
Protocols for Elementary and Secondary Music
NOTE: Updated protocols for elementary extracurriculars are still being finalized and more information with be shared with parents and guardians as soon as they are available.
Regular Music Instruction
Indoors:
• Singing indoors is only permitted within a cohort
• Masking and physical distancing are required
Outdoors:
• Singing is permitted outdoors with physical distancing maintained between cohorts
• Masking is required if physical distancing is not maintained among individuals within a cohort
Extra-curricular Music (Secondary only)
• Effective September 20, 2021, secondary extra-curricular music can resume in-person in schools.
• Extra-curricular singing/choir may only take place outdoors with masking and physical distancing.
• Extra-curricular music with wind instruments may take place outdoors with physical distancing maintained between cohorts or indoors in well-ventilated spaces and if physical distancing of at least two (2) metres is maintained.
• Students who are eligible to be vaccinated (those who are 12 and older without a medical exemption) may participate.
• Staff advisors are required to verify student contact information and proof of vaccination (visual confirmation of second dose vaccination receipt) prior to the start of any in-person activities.
• Verification shall not include the physical collection of vaccination receipts.
• Students who have already received their first vaccination may participate in extracurricular music as long as they complete rapid tests twice per week and share results visually with the school.
Those students who wish to participate in extra-curricular activities during the 2021-2022 school year must be fully vaccinated no later than November 1, 2021. The process outlined above will only be available until November 1, 2021.
