August 13th, 2021

With just 25 days left until we return to learning together, we wanted to share some important updates about what learning in-person at school and remote learning at home will look like.

Learning In-Person at School

Masking for Kindergarten to Grade 12 Students

Students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 in the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) will continue to wear masks in the 2021-22 school year, as they did last year. Students must wear non-medical or cloth masks indoors, including in hallways and during classes and on school vehicles.

Wearing a mask throughout the day may be a challenge for some of our learners. Our staff will work with students to make sure they understand why they are wearing a mask and how to wear it safely.

This approach enhances the guidance provided by the Ministry of Education, as directed by a motion of the Board of Trustees in August of 2020.

We recognize that there are unique situations that may prompt parents or caregivers to request a mask accommodation for their child. Parents or caregivers should reach out to their Principal to discuss. Exemptions to mask requirements may be necessary to accommodate some individuals under Ontario Human Rights Code. No one should experience harassment or other discriminatory treatment based on a Human Rights Code ground because they are unable to wear a mask.

Other details related to health and safety measures will be provided in the coming days. Families, students and staff can be assured that health and safety measures are a key priority as we return to school in September.

Shared Spaces in Schools

We are pleased that students and staff will be able to access libraries and other shared learning spaces, and our multi-step approach to reopening these spaces prioritizes the health and safety of all those who learn and work in our schools. This will eventually see a gradual increase to in-person access to shared spaces like libraries while ensuring that when different cohorts interact in shared indoor spaces, masking and as much distancing as possible will be maintained between cohorts.

Elementary Remote Learning School (ERLS)

French Immersion in the Elementary Remote Learning School

Our Elementary Remote Learning School (ERLS) will offer our Full Day Kindergarten program, the English Program, Core French and French Immersion.

Changing Modes of Learning

We appreciate that making the decision for your child’s mode of learning was a challenging one, given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We expect that there will be families who have unique individual needs or extenuating circumstances that may lead to a request to change their child’s mode of learning and we would ask that families reach out to their Principal. Each case will be reviewed individually by Principals, in consultation with families.

Families with individual needs and extenuating circumstances have until August 20, 2021, to contact their Principal.

Stay up to date

We look forward to sharing more details about the 2021-2022 school year as they are finalized. Please make sure you are subscribed to our website, or your school’s website, to receive the latest information.

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