Arrangements are now being made for Thames Valley District School Board students to pick up the personal possessions left behind in schools when they were ordered closed March 13. Mark Fisher, Director of Education, says schools have received guidelines to develop a plan to strictly control access and maintain proper hygiene and social distancing.
Public Affairs Coordinator Richard Hoffman, says high school students will have access to their lockers beginning the week of June 8.
Curbside pickup will be available at elementary schools, while students in secondary and some elementary schools with lockers will be allowed to enter the school to retrieve personal items.
Pickup of personal belongings to begin in June:
Students and families will have an opportunity to access Thames Valley schools during the month of June to collect personal belongings left behind when the Ontario government ordered schools closed March 13.
Plans have been developed to ensure all public health recommendations are followed and begins Monday when staff return to elementary schools to sort and package student belongings.
“With almost 80,000 students and thousands of employees in 161 schools, retrieving personal belongings must be done in a careful manner that protects everyone’s health and safety,” said Mark Fisher, Director of Education.
“Each school has received guidelines and will develop a plan to strictly control access and maintain proper hygiene and social distancing to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19,” added Director Fisher.
It is expected all schools will be ready to allow students or family members to pick up personal belongings starting the week of June 8, 2020.
Schools will contact families to arrange a time to pick up student belongings. Additional information will be posted on school websites, social media, and other digital platforms. Parents/guardians can contact their school for more information.
Curbside pickup will be available at elementary schools, while students in secondary and some elementary schools with lockers will be allowed to enter the school to pick-up personal items.
Staff members will have access to collect their belongings during the last week of June.
Elementary Schools
- Student belongings will be packaged and labelled by staff.
- Curbside pick-up will be organized alphabetically.
- Physical distancing and safe hygiene practices will be in place.
- Families should expect the collection of items to be as contact-less as possible. For example, families arriving in vehicles should unlock their trunk to allow staff to place items inside.
- During pickup hours, staff will direct family members who walk or drive to the school and will ensure physical distancing and the safe flow of traffic.
- Students are asked to drop off any loaned items such as textbooks and musical instruments. A separate date will be set for the collection of electronic equipment such as Chromebooks only for those students who are not returning to the Board.
- No outdoor supervision will be provided during pickup hours and school playgrounds remain closed.
- For schools with lockers: Students must bring their locker combination and a bag to carry the items retrieved from their locker. Screening measures will take place prior to any student entering the school.
- Only students with lockers may enter the school.
Secondary Schools
- During locker access periods, staff will direct students as they arrive at the school and will ensure physical distancing and the safe flow of traffic. Screening measures will take place prior to any student entering the school.
- Students must bring their locker combination and a bag to carry the items retrieved from their locker.
- Only students with lockers may enter the school.
- Students are asked to drop off any loaned items such as textbooks, library materials and musical instruments. A separate date will be set for the collection of electronic equipment such as Chromebooks only for those students who are not returning to the Board.
- Physical distancing and safe hygiene practices will include limiting the number of students permitted in the building at a specific time and line-ups outside the school where students will maintain two-metre distancing.
