As students and families get ready for winter break to begin next week, local public school board officials are urging people to follow public health measures during the holidays and to be prepared for the potential shift to online learning after the winter break.
“While we hope that this holiday season is not interrupted, we do recognize the need to be prepared for a wide range of circumstances,” states a post on the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) website.
“We would also like to remind you about the actions that all of us need to take to reinforce the health and safety protocols aimed at protecting our students, educators and staff, while limiting the spread of COVID-19 at schools.”
The decision whether to shift to at-home learning rests with the provincial government and is not made at the board level.
Ahead of last year’s winter break, the Ministry of Education instructed staff and students to take home learning materials, assigned devices, etc. as a precaution.
In the end, classes went online after the break and in-class learning didn’t return until February.
No such ministry direction has been issued for the upcoming break.
“At this time, we are preparing for a return to in-person instruction. If circumstances change, information will be sent directly to parents and posted on our website,” said Ali Wilson, Welington Catholic District School Board communications officer, in an email.
The UGDSB post states families will be notified through automated voice messages and social media, as well as website updates if the situation changes.
“In the past, you will be aware we have had to change learning models quickly when COVID-19 cases have surged. As always, it is important to be prepared for any changes and schools are prepared to do so, should we find ourselves in that situation again.”
