Bluewater students not returning to classrooms, due to COVID-19

Monday (Jan. 3), the provincial government announced the decision to further delay the return to in-person learning at all publicly-funded schools across Ontario, by at least two weeks in response to the recent surge in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) cases.

As a result of this decision, schools in Ontario will not re-open to in-person learning until at least Monday, Jan. 17, as opposed to Wednesday, Jan. 5, as previously announced, states Lori Wilder (above), education director with the Bluewater District School Board, in a letter to parents/guardians Monday.

Wilder urged parents/guardians and students to note the following:

Effective Thursday, Jan. 6, elementary and secondary schools will offer synchronous remote-learning to students utilizing the on-line learning environment as in the past (Office 365 suite, Brightspace). Messaging and asynchronous material will be posted to your child(ren)’s on-line classroom(s) Wednesday, Jan. 5, to help support their start. If you do not have your child(ren)’s Active Directory login(s) and password(s), their teacher(s) will be able to provide this information.

Access to Internet/devices
For families requiring assistance with access to reliable Internet and/or devices, schools will be reaching out to you individually over the next couple of days based on their previous assessments of the needs within their school communities.

Special education
Parents/guardians of children attending a special education class placement, will be contacted on or before Wednesday, Jan. 5, to discuss remote-learning access. In-person options will be made available for students with special education needs who have difficulty accessing remote-learning.


Student transportation
Student transportation services may be available by request for students with special education needs who are attending in-person during the two-week period. Parents/guardians are encouraged to reach out to the school to inquire about arrangements. Student transportation for all other students will resume Monday, Jan. 17, or upon the return to in-person learning.

Co-operative education
Co-operative education programs for secondary students may continue during this period of remote-learning, if all required health and safety protocols are in place.

Students already enrolled in remote-learning
For elementary and secondary students who are already enrolled in remote-learning, classes will resume as usual Thursday, Jan. 6.

Child care/Before- and after-school programs
Child-care centres in schools will remain open during the two-week period with free emergency child care available to school-aged children of health care and other eligible front-line workers. Families may wish to contact their child-care providers to determine their availability over the next few weeks.

Before- and after-school programs will be cancelled during the two-week period.

Mental health resources
During this time, mental health resources are available to support students and families. These include Kids Help Phone, which offers 24/7 counselling and referral services across the province. To use this free resource, children can call 1-800-668-6868, or text CONNECT to 686868. School Mental Health Ontario also has many helpful resources for students, parents/guardians, and families on its website at www.smho-smso.ca.

In Bluewater District, school-based mental health support is available to Grades 7-12 students. Simply fill out this on-line form, and a member of the board's mental health team will be in touch as soon as possible. For students younger than Grade 7, parents/guardians are encouraged to contact their child's school principal who can help link them to any community health supports that are available.

Visit the mental health and well-being section of the board website for additional resources at www.bwdsb.on.ca/students/mental_health.

Additional learning resources
Additional curriculum-based content will be available to students and families on the TVOntario (TVO) and Télévision française de l'Ontario (TFO) website, which can be found at the following link: TVO Learn | Learn at home resources for Grade 1-12 Students | TVO Learn

Resources include:

• Daily broadcasting of grade-level, curriculum-based content from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., beginning the week of Jan. 10
• Digital elementary curriculum-based content, including engaging learning activities linked to grades and curriculum
• “Open house” course material for secondary students in the Independent Learning Centre offered by TVO

“Thank you for your ongoing patience and support as we work together during this period of remote-learning,” said Wilder. “We encourage all eligible students and families to seek out vaccination, including booster doses. Please use the following link for information regarding vaccines: Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine (publichealthgreybruce.on.ca)

“As always, we are here to assist you with a smooth transition to ensure a continued positive learning experience for your child(ren). Please feel free to reach out to your child(ren)’s school with any questions you have. I look forward to seeing our students return to in-person learning soon.”