Rainbow Schools Reopening Guide - 2021-2022 School Year - The Reopening Guide for Rainbow Schools was released on August 10, 2021 and will be ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Rainbow Schools Reopening Guide 2021-2022 School Year The Reopening Guide for Rainbow Schools was released on August 10, 2021 and will be updated as required.
SAFETY FIRST The health, safety and well-being of students and staff remains the top priority as Rainbow District School Board prepares to welcome students back to class for the 2021-2022 school year. While the school experience will continue to look and feel differently, the quality education delivered by our caring educators will remain the same with expanded opportunities for students. Clubs, activities, sport teams, bands and extra-curriculars will safely resume with appropriate protocols. There will be an ongoing focus on mental health as we continue to support students. As directed by the Ministry of Education, Rainbow Schools will reopen for in-class instruction in elementary and secondary schools with enhanced health and safety protocols in accordance with COVID-19: Health, safety and operational guidance for schools (2021-2022) released by the Province of Ontario on August 3, 2021. This document constitutes a return to school direction issued by the Ministry of Education and approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the purposes of regulations made under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act 2020. This includes an emphasis on screening for symptoms of COVID-19, cohorting, hand hygiene, cough/sneeze etiquette, physical distancing, where possible, the use of masks and other personal protective equipment as well as enhanced cleaning and disinfecting. It also includes operational guidance on the management of COVID-19 in schools, which will also apply to child care centres and before and after school programs that operate within schools as well as expectations for reporting COVID-19 cases by schools and school boards to the Ministry of Education. This guide provides an overview of what parents/guardians, students, staff and community members can expect when classes resume on Tuesday, September 7, 2021. Thank you for working together to keep everyone safe. VACCINATION Vaccination is an important tool to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and allow students, families and staff to safely resume normal activities. Vaccination rates may provide opportunities to reduce measures over time. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for youth.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Provincial Directive 4 Remote Learning 4 Back to School Survey 4 Here’s what is happening in Rainbow Schools 5 Kindergarten to Grade 8 Grades 9 to 12 Before and After School Programs 5 Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) 6 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) 6 Volunteer Hours 6 Special Education 7 Mental Health and Well-Being Transportation to and from School 7 Safety and Well-Being 8 Cautious Optimism 9 Preparing to Reopen Rainbow Schools 11 Overview of Health and Safety Protocols 13 Communications 18 Appendix I: COVID-19 School Screening Tool - Students 20 Appendix II: COVID-19 School Screening Tool - Staff/Adults 23 Our Priority, Our Role, Our Plan 27 Rainbow District School Board acknowledges and thanks Public Health Sudbury & Districts for ongoing guidance and support.
PROVINCIAL DIRECTIVE REMOTE LEARNING
with guidance from Public Health
If unable to attend in person, students will be
On August 3, 2021, the Ontario government expected to attend school remotely on a
announced the safe reopening of schools full-time basis with access to learning materials
for in-class instruction beginning this September posted online as well as synchronous (live)
and released COVID-19: Health, safety and learning opportunities throughout the day,
operational guidance for schools (2021-2022). in accordance with Policy/Program
Memorandum No. 164.
As directed by the Ministry of Education,
for both elementary and secondary students, Attendance will be taken daily.
in-person learning will be provided for the
2021-2022 school year. Students will attend Elementary students will have timetables to
in-person learning daily for the full school day connect remotely/synchronously with a
(five instructional hours) in elementary and remote learning teacher.
secondary schools.
Secondary students will connect synchronously
Remote learning will remain an option for (live to a classroom).
students who are unable to attend in person.
Please note: This may not be with the regular
classroom teacher and timetables may be
adjusted accordingly.
Technology will be provided, if required,
for remote learning.
Back to School Survey
Important:
Rainbow Schools will reopen for in-person learning on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
For students who are unable to attend in person, remote learning will be offered.
Please note: There will be one opportunity to transition between remote
and in-person learning in February 2022.
Parents/guardians are required to confirm if their child/children will be attending in person or
online by completing the form at the following link:
bit.ly/rdsbbacktoschool2021-22
Please complete one form per child by NOON on Monday, August 16, 2021.
Reaching minds. Touching hearts. 4Here’s what is happening in Rainbow Schools
Kindergarten to Grade 8 Grades 9 to 12
Elementary schools will reopen for in-class Secondary schools will reopen with enhanced
instruction five days a week with enhanced health health and safety protocols.
and safety protocols.
Secondary students will take four credits/subjects in
Students will be in one cohort for the full day, the first semester.
which means they will be with the same group
of children throughout their school day,
including lunch. In week one, students will have a 150 minute period 1
class (Subject 1) followed by lunch and a 150 minute
Students may be placed into small groups with period 2 class (Subject 2) each day.
students from other classes, for example, special
education support, specialized reading programs or In week two, students will have a 150 minute period 3
English-language learning. class (Subject 3) followed by lunch and a 150 minute
Students may use common spaces such as gyms period 4 class (Subject 4).
and libraries.
This rotation will limit direct weekly contacts and
Members of different classes can interact outside allow students to complete four credits in the first
with distancing encouraged or inside with semester.
distancing and masking.
For families who are unable to attend in person, Secondary students learning remotely will connect
elementary students will have timetables to connect synchronously (live to a classroom).
remotely/synchronously with a remote learning
teacher. Please note: This may not be with the regular
classroom teacher and timetables may be
All students in Rainbow Schools in Grades 1 to 12 adjusted accordingly.
are required to wear non-medical or cloth masks
indoors in school, including in hallways and during
classes.
Kindergarten students are required to wear non-
medical masks and/or face shields in indoor spaces. Secondary School Timetable - At a Glance
Staff are required to wear medical masks as well as
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
eye protection. Parents/guardians and visitors are
required to wear medical masks. Week 1 AM Period 1 AM Period 1 AM Period 1 AM Period 1 AM Period 1
(150 min.) (150 min.) (150 min.) (150 min.) (150 min.)
Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch
(40 min.) (40 min.) (40 min.) (40 min.) (40 min.)
PM Period 2 PM Period 2 PM Period 2 PM Period 2 PM Period 2
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS (150 min.) (150 min.) (150 min.) (150 min.) (150 min.)
Week 2 AM Period 3 AM Period 3 AM Period 3 AM Period 3 AM Period 3
Before and after school programming will be available and (150 min.) (150 min.) (150 min.) (150 min.) (150 min.)
students in these programs would be part of two cohorts. Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch
(40 min.) (40 min.) (40 min.) (40 min.) (40 min.)
PM Period 4 PM Period 4 PM Period 4 PM Period 4 PM Period 4
Schools and child care operators will collaborate to ensure (150 min.) (150 min.) (150 min.) (150 min.) (150 min.)
student lists are maintained and readily available to be
provided to Public Health for contact tracing purposes.
All students in Rainbow Schools in Grades 1 to 12 are required to wear
Please contact your before and after school service non-medical or cloth masks indoors in school, including in hallways and
provider for more information.
during classes. Kindergarten students are required to wear non-medical
masks and/or face shields in indoor spaces. Staff are required to wear
medical masks as well as eye protection. Parents/guardians and visitors
are required to wear medical masks.
Reaching minds. Touching hearts. 5EDUCATION QUALITY AND VOLUNTEER HOURS
ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE (EQAO)
The community involvement graduation
ASSESSMENTS requirement has been reduced from 40 hours to
a minimum of 20 hours of community involvement
For the 2021-2022 school year, regular EQAO
activities for students graduating in the
assessments for Grades 3 and 6 will resume in the
2021-2022 school year.
new digital format for math, reading and writing.
Temporary changes to reduce barriers students
Students in Grade 9 math will write the Grade 9
may face to earn their community involvement
math digital adaptive assessment and the results of
hours and provide greater flexibility in how they
the assessment may count towards up to 10% of
earn their hours will continue for the 2021-2022
the student’s final mark.
school year.
EQAO assessments are required to be done
The community involvement graduation
in-person at the school. Students learning requirement of 40 hours will be restored in
remotely can choose to participate in the EQAO 2022-2023 and students working towards their
assessments in-person at the discretion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma will be
school board as long as all applicable health and supported to meet these requirements in time for
safety measures can be met. their graduating year.
ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL
LITERACY TEST (OSSLT)
The literacy graduation requirement is waived for
students graduating in the 2021-2022 school year.
The literacy graduation requirement will be
restored for students graduating in the 2022-2023
school year.
Students in Grades 10 and 11 and non-graduating
students, including those who are learning
remotely, are required to work towards the literacy
graduation requirement, through participation
in the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test
(OSSLT), adjudication or the Ontario Secondary
School Literacy Course (OSSLC).
Reaching minds. Touching hearts. 6SPECIAL EDUCATION Individual Education Plans
The Individual Education Plan (IEP) is written and
Schools will work with families and regulated health revised by teachers with student and parent input.
professionals to plan for a safe return to school. The plan outlines the student’s needs and goals based
Staff who work in intensive support programs will have on a thorough assessment of the student’s strengths
the personal protective equipment necessary as physical and needs. IEPs will be written to reflect the individual
distancing cannot be maintained in many cases. learning circumstances of each student.
Supporting Students who are Medically Vulnerable Special Equipment Amount (SEA laptop)
Pre-existing health care plans remain in place and Assistive technology is an integral part of the
will be revised in collaboration with families and their Individual Education Plan for some students.
health care providers. Families are encouraged to speak Students who have SEA laptops were given the
with their health care providers about their child’s opportunity to keep this specialized equipment
specific needs and considerations in preparation during school closure and over the summer months.
for a return to school and communicate these needs Support will continue to be available to students
to school staff. with SEA laptops to ensure they know how to use the
software programs for their learning.
System Level Student Support
Students with significant special education needs Student Mental Health and Well-Being
in intensive support programs and students with The social work team continues to support student
mental health concerns may take part in a face-to-face mental health needs throughout the summer. Students
return to school transition program. The programs and families in need of mental health services are asked
will focus on re-establishing familiarity with routines to connect with the school principal. Schools can link
and procedures, resilience building activities and students with a member of the social work team as well
how to deal with stress. Students may be connected as refer them to community services.
to mental health providers, where required.
The programs will run in the mornings during Rainbow District School Board’s mental health team
the last week of August. will support school staff to promote a mentally healthy
transition back to school for students.
External Services and Community Agencies
Rainbow District School Board works collaboratively
with community partners who provide support
to students during the instructional day. A protocol
is in place to minimize risk and maximize available
support to students. Where available and appropriate,
Transportation to and from school
virtual services will continue. Referrals to external Parents/guardians can access their child’s transportation
agencies by our staff will also continue. information by calling the Sudbury Student Services
Consortium or by visiting the Parent Portal on their website.
Transition Programs
Students with significant special education needs If parents/guardians decide not to use school bus
in intensive support programs and students with transportation, they must opt-out of transportation
mental health concerns may take part in a face-to-face by logging on to the Consortium’s Parent Portal or
return to school transition program. The programs will by sending an email to trans@businfo.ca.
focus on re-establishing familiarity with routines and
procedures, resilience building activities and how to
For more information, please visit businfo.ca or
deal with stress. Students may be connected to mental
health providers, where required. The program will run call 705.521.1234 or 1.877.225.1196 (toll free).
throughout the last weeks of August.
Reaching minds. Touching hearts. 7SAFETY AND WELL-BEING It also includes following your school’s protocols for
pick up and drop off and any other health and safety
measures that may be implemented.
A balance between safety and well-being
It’s important to remember that we are in this together.
In planning for the reopening of schools, it is critical
to balance the risk of infection and transmission of
COVID-19 in children with the impact of school
closures on their physical and mental health. Enhanced Health and Safety Protocols
Current evidence and experience support that schools Rainbow District School Board will implement
can safely reopen in a manner that protects the health a number of enhanced health and safety protocols
and safety of children and minimizes risks from a to limit the spread of COVID-19.
public health perspective.
Staff will engage in professional learning and training
In its plan for reopening schools, Rainbow District prior to school reopening.
School Board has complied with the following:
• The directive from the Ministry of Education Professional learning and training will focus on daily
with guidance from Public Health. self-screening for symptoms, monitoring and responding
• Health and safety protocols to mitigate risk to reports of COVID-19 symptoms, classroom set up,
and protect people, including students, staff, use of masks, hand hygiene, cough/sneeze etiquette,
parents/guardians, education partners and physical distancing, entry and exit, and all protocols
the community as reviewed with input from pertaining to health and safety.
Public Health Sudbury & Districts.
A Shared Responsibility Enhanced Mental Health Supports
Safety is a shared responsibility between the school, Students cannot learn unless they feel safe and supported.
the home and the community, and families play
a critical role in limiting the spread of COVID-19. Mental health and well-being, therefore, form the
foundation of a successful reopening plan.
Note: This section will be updated when the
Province releases its guidance on the management Staff will engage in professional learning
of COVID-19 in schools. throughout the school year.
Parents/guardians are required to screen their children Professional learning will have a strong focus on
daily for any COVID-19 symptoms and keep them building social-emotional learning skills for students
home from school if they are sick, have had close to become resilient, manage stress and nurture positive
contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19, relationships.
have been advised by a doctor, health care provider
or public health to self-isolate, and/or have travelled School Mental Health Ontario provides school boards
outside of Canada in the last 14 days. Secondary with a professional learning framework and toolkit
students can self-screen and monitor for symptoms. to support the mental health of all students.
Parents/guardians can support their children’s There is intensive help for students who have been
education by encouraging them to follow health most affected by COVID-19.
and safety protocols at school, at home, on the bus,
and in the community. Collaboration with child and youth mental health
agencies will support stronger connections and
This includes keeping a safe distance, washing or optimize mental health resources and supports
sanitizing hands, coughing or sneezing into an elbow, across the integrated system of care.
and wearing a mask, as required.
8
Reaching minds. Touching hearts. 8CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM If a student has a pre-existing medical condition,
parents are advised to talk to the family’s health care
provider before returning to school.
COVID-19 has disrupted living and learning around
the world and here at home.
Monitoring and responding to reports
While staff, parents/guardians and students have taken of COVID-19 symptoms
unprecedented steps to ensure the continuity of learning
during the pandemic, Rainbow District School Board
looks forward to bringing some sense of normalcy to The Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and
families in September. Public Health will work closely with school boards
to monitor and respond to reports of COVID-19
Structure, schedule and stability will be balanced with symptoms.
safety. Rainbow Schools will use multiple protective
strategies and a layering of controls to support healthier Note: This section will be updated when the
and safer environments for students and staff. Province releases its guidance on the management
of COVID-19 in schools.
As the reopening plan unfolds in Rainbow Schools,
we will prioritize the health and safety and well-being Student or staff with symptoms at school
of staff and students while maximizing the delivery Any student or staff member who develops COVID-19
of the curriculum and safely resuming clubs, symptoms while in school will:
sports and other activities. • be immediately separated from others, in a separate
room where possible, until they are able to go home.
We will follow the direction from the Ministry of Please note: All parents/guardians must ensure they
Education and guidance from Public Health. have shared a full list of emergency contacts with
the school. This will be important in case parents/
Our focus will be on frequent cleaning and disinfecting guardians are not available. Emergency contacts must
of high-touch surfaces and common areas, hand washing, be aware that they could be called to pick up children,
cough/sneeze etiquette, physical distancing, where if required.
possible, and controlled access to schools in order to • not take student or public transportation
limit the spread of COVID-19. • be supervised after they are isolated
• maintain physical distancing
There will also be strict protocols to manage illness • wear personal protective equipment that is
and outbreaks. consistent with health guidance
This includes daily screening for symptoms and
contact tracing. Parents, guardians and staff with symptoms
If you are a parent/guardian or school staff with
symptoms, use the COVID-19 School Screening Tool:
Daily Screening for Symptoms https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/.
Before Leaving Home for School
If you test positive for COVID-19 at an assessment
Use the COVID-19 School Screening Tool: centre, you cannot return to school until you are cleared
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/. according to Public Health guidance. In addition,
See Appendix I and II. members of the same household will have to self-isolate.
After your initial positive test, when you retest negative,
Note: This screening tool may be updated you can return to school after you are symptom-free for
throughout the school year, as required. 24 hours and well enough to participate in all activities.
All staff and students who are experiencing symptoms Recordkeeping
consistent with COVID-19 as identified in the screening
tool must not attend school and should follow the Schools will keep records of:
guidance provided in the screening tool, which may • classes
include seeking appropriate medical attention as • seating charts
required, and/or getting tested for COVID-19. • bus cohorts
• daily visitors who are approved to enter the school
During a period of potential higher transmission, (Visitors might include supply teachers, occasional
after holidays, for instance, the Ministry of Education teachers and custodians/cleaners).
may direct school boards and schools to perform
daily confirmation of self-screening. Should this occur, Schools will maintain these records and the records
Rainbow Schools will advise parents/guardians and will be readily available for public health for
contact tracing purposes.
students of the confirmation process prior to leaving
for school. 9Reporting suspected and confirmed cases Staying informed Note: This section will be updated when the For the most current information on the status Province releases its guidance on the management of COVID-19 in Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin, of COVID-19 in schools. please visit Public Health Sudbury & Districts at: Schools must immediately report any suspected https://www.phsd.ca/health-topics-programs/ or confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the school diseases-infections/coronavirus/schools/ to Public Health Sudbury & Districts. Schools must provide any materials (for example, daily attendance and transportation records) to public health officials to support contact tracing and other activities in accordance with all applicable legislation, including the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Public health officials will determine any additional steps required, including but not limited to the declaration of an outbreak and closure of classes and/or schools. Every day school boards must report suspected and confirmed cases within the school community to the Ministry of Education. Principals will communicate about the status of COVID-19 cases in their schools in keeping with ministry guidance and relevant privacy legislation and maintain a dedicated contact in Public Health Sudbury & Districts and a list of the locations of the closest COVID-19 assessment sites. Our commitment to staff, students and parents/guardians: Decision-making will be guided by Public Health. Health and safety, as always, remains the first and foremost priority. Rainbow District School Board remains committed to the health, safety and well-being of staff and students. This priority will guide us every step of the way. Reaching minds. Touching hearts. 10
PREPARING TO REOPEN Plexiglass in high traffic areas
Portable plexiglass will remain in high traffic areas
RAINBOW SCHOOLS where distancing may be difficult to maintain, such as
at the front reception area of the main office.
Keeping schools safe
Rainbow Schools have been cleaned and disinfected Thermal thermometer
as well as regularly maintained and inspected by the Each school has one thermal thermometer. This is only to
Board’s Facilities staff. There has been limited access be used if there is a concern about a child’s temperature.
to schools. Before students return to school, School staff will not typically be involved in the direct
health and safety inspections will be completed screening of students for fever. The guidance provided
at all sites. A safety checklist has been provided to to childcare staff for the taking of temperature checks
each school to ensure readiness for occupancy. shall be followed by school staff, including the wearing
of required PPE during this task. Temperature checks
Wall Signage and Floor Markings on their own are not reliable indicators of possible
Signage on walls and markings on floors will help COVID-19 infection.
students maintain distance from one another.
The signage will be posted at school entry and exit Hand Sanitizer and Disinfectant Wipes
areas, and entrances to classrooms, large spaces such as Health Canada approved hand sanitizer and disinfectant
common areas, and meeting spaces such as the main wipes will be provided to each school. Hand sanitizer will
office, principal or vice-principal offices, and the resource be placed in all classrooms. Where equipment must be
room. There will also be signage outside elevators. used by more than one student, disinfectant wipes will be
made available to disinfect equipment. Shared materials
One Way Directional Signage outdoors are permitted, with appropriate hand hygiene
Where practical, separation markers and floor decals will and respiratory etiquette.
be placed to signal one-way direction within the school.
This will assist in maintaining physical distancing. Classes with Sinks and Running Water
Classrooms with running water will receive a supply
Playgrounds and Play Structures of liquid hand soap and paper towels.
Play structures will remain open.
Work/Prep Rooms
Where possible, educator workrooms will be reconfigured
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to allow for physical distancing. Students will not be
All staff will be required to wear both a medical mask allowed access to any staff common areas other than
and face shield/safety glasses/goggles within the school. classrooms.
Additional PPE will be provided to staff based on
their roles.
Ventilation
Schools will receive an inventory of disposable Air quality in classrooms and learning environments
medical grade masks, face shields and disposable gloves. will be optimized through improved ventilation and/or
filtration. Schools currently have a variety of ventilation
All students in Rainbow Schools in Grades 1 to 12 systems. The majority have the ability to exchange fresh
are required to wear non-medical or cloth masks indoors outdoor air by way of mechanical ventilation. Where
in school, including in hallways and during classes. possible, staff will open windows throughout the teaching
Kindergarten students are required to wear masks day to allow fresh air to enter the classrooms/building.
and/or face shields in indoor spaces. Building automation systems will be reviewed to improve
the amount of air exchange.
Students are not required to wear masks outdoors.
Students do not need to stay within their classes For schools or parts of schools without mechanical
during recess and breaks outdoors. Distancing will be ventilation, stand-alone high efficiency particulate air
encouraged as much as possible. (HEPA) filter units will be installed in all classrooms and
learning environments.
School visitors, including parents/guardians, are required
to self-screen and to wear a medical mask while on
school premises. A medical mask will be provided by Community Use of Schools
the school if needed. Visitors are required to sign in Community use will be reviewed and phased in when
confirming they passed the self-screen prior to their deemed appropriate. Rainbow student activities will be
arrival at school. Schools may restrict visitor access for the first priority.
health and safety.
11COVID-19 Isolation Room/Area Lockdown Practices
Each school will designate a COVID-19 isolation Lockdown practices will continue. Teachers will review
room/area. This room/area will be used for the lockdown procedures as a tabletop exercise rather than
temporary placement of any student or staff member moving all occupants into one corner of the classroom.
that becomes ill during the day. A COVID-19 isolation Lockdown practices will be pre-scheduled with
kit containing staff/student PPE for illnesses will be communication to all staff.
provided to each school. The kit contains nitrile gloves;
medical masks for staff members and symptomatic
students, face shield or safety goggles; box of tissues;
Secondary School Cafeterias
hand sanitizer; disposable gowns/lab coat; and an Students may eat together:
• outdoors, without distancing
infrared thermometer.
• indoors, with a minimum distance of two metres
maintained between cohorts and as much
Enhanced Cleaning and Disinfecting distancing as possible within a cohort.
Cleaning and disinfecting will take place on high-touch
surfaces including railings, door handles and faucets. Schools will employ various means to limit the
Schools will be cleaned and disinfected each evening. number of students and cohorts eating lunch in
proximity to each other.
The cleaning team at each school will focus on
high-touch common areas such as bathrooms, cafeterias Secondary students are permitted to eat off-campus.
and kitchens. Special attention will also be focused on
classrooms and the COVID-19 isolation room/area when Each student is encouraged to bring their own
anyone is sent home for exhibiting any signs of illness. drink bottle that is labeled, kept with them during the day
and not shared.
As students and staff return to school, cleaning routines
will be based on the advice from Public Health Sudbury Use of shared microwaves/kitchen space is permitted.
& Districts and direction from the Ministry of Education
in consultation with the Medical Officer of Ontario.
Visitors, Volunteers and Parent/Guardian Access
School visitors, including parents/guardians, are required
Cleaning Products to self-screen and to wear a medical mask while on school
Cleaning involves removing dirt, while sanitizing premises. A medical mask will be provided by the school
reduces germs from surfaces up to 99.9 per cent; if needed. Visitors are required to sign in confirming
and disinfectants destroy bacteria and prevent them they passed the self-screen prior to their arrival at school.
from spreading. All cleaning and disinfecting products Schools may restrict visitor access for health and safety.
are listed on the Government of Canada list of approved
disinfectants and possess a DIN (Drug Identification
Number). Products available for use in classrooms
Recycling and Composting
will have a safety data sheet posted. Recycling and composting will resume.
Washrooms Pizza Days, etc.
Schools will ensure that bathrooms are cleaned Special food days may continue with strict health and
frequently and that there is an adequate supply of safety measures as it relates to good food handling
liquid soap at all times. Washrooms will have a supply of practices.
paper towels or hand dryers. Access will be coordinated
to limit mixing of cohorts in washrooms/change rooms.
Fire Drills
Fire drills will continue with enhanced health and safety
measures. Schools may modify evacuation drills by
designating areas of the building for physical evacuation
while other areas conduct tabletop exercises to review
what to do during a fire drill.
12OVERVIEW OF HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Presented in alphabetical order
Belongings NUTRITION
• Use of lockers/cubbies is permitted. • All components of Food courses will resume,
• It is good practice to bring only what is essential. including food preparation and cooking.
Cohorting
• Elementary students will be cohorted with TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION
their classmates and their homeroom teacher and • Shops will proceed with protocols for machine
other subject teachers for classes such as French, cleaning pre and post use.
the arts and physical education.
• Secondary students will take four courses
per semester, on alternating weeks. CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION
• Secondary students will be limited to two • In-person community placements may be
subjects/courses per week. arranged in alignment with the relevant
• The purpose of cohorting is to limit the provincial requirements.
mixing of students and facilitate contact tracing. • If in-person placements are not possible,
• If a student or staff member develops an infection, students will be offered placements virtually.
the number of exposures would be reduced and can
easily be tracked to limit the spread of COVID-19.
SCHOOL CLUBS and SPORTS
Electives - Music, Sports, Food, Shops • Clubs, activities, sport teams and extra-curriculars
MUSIC are permitted.
• If and how instrumental music classes are held • Further guidance on extra-curricular activities and
will depend on distance between students. health and physical education will be shared
• One-to-one use of wind instruments is with schools.
recommended, however, if instruments are
shared, proper sanitization will occur between use.
• Instruments, when used, will be sanitized.
• Vocal classes are permitted indoors.
Masks are required indoors.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
• In elementary and secondary health and physical
education courses, the use of gymnasiums,
swimming pools, change rooms, weight rooms,
indoor physical education equipment and shared
outdoor equipment are permitted with distancing.
• Masking is encouraged but not required indoors
for low-contact physical activities if a minimum
distance of two metres can be maintained between
classes and as much distancing as possible
maintained within the class.
• Swimming is permitted, with physical distancing
around the pool area encouraged to discourage
mixed-cohort congregating.
• Further guidance on health and physical education
will be shared with schools.
Reaching minds. Touching hearts. 13Enhanced cleaning of common, • For day and overnight trips, anyone entering the
area will be screened upon arrival and the
high-touch and high-traffic areas pick up/drop off of students will happen outside of
• Personal hygiene responsibilities will be
assigned to students. the area or within a designated and isolated area.
• Sanitizer and wipes will be available for • Students will be cohorted throughout the duration
regular use in every classroom. of the trip, with the number of students and staff to
• Shared objects: Use of shared objects (ie. gym a cohort varying based on grouping arrangements.
or physical education equipment, art supplies, toys, • Keeping daily accurate records of individuals
games) is permitted. Objects will be cleaned and entering the program setting (name, contact
disinfected on a rotating basis. information, time of arrival/departure, screening
• High-touch surfaces: Frequent cleaning and completion) is required to facilitate contact tracing.
disinfecting will occur daily. This includes • Arrival and departure times may be staggered
washrooms (toilet fixtures, faucets), eating areas to support cohorting and physical distancing
(tables, sinks, countertops), doorknobs, light
measures.
switches, handles, desks, phones, keyboards,
touch screens, push buttons, handrails, computers, • Activities will operate in consistent cohorts
photocopiers, sports equipment and musical with assigned staff members who stay together
instruments. throughout the duration of the excursion.
• Where there may be a suspected/confirmed
case of COVID-19, enhanced cleaning and Gymnasium Use
disinfecting will occur. Items will also be cleaned • Gymnasiums will be used based on up-to-date
and disinfected. Items that cannot be cleaned and health and safety measures from Public Health
disinfected, such as books and paper, will be stored and guidelines from sport governing bodies
in sealed containers for a minimum of four days. and associations.
• Capacity in change rooms will be limited.
Entry and Exit • Shared spaces will be cleaned and disinfected
• School entry and exit may be staggered. regularly.
• Many entrances will be used to move students • Regular hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette will
safely, easily and quickly. be practised prior to, during and after gym use.
• Pavement markings will be used to
promote physical distancing in bus zones.
• Physical distancing will be promoted Hand washing and
inside and outside the school. cough/sneeze etiquette
• Separate cohorts will be maintained as much as • Hand washing/hand sanitizing is the most
possible to limit interactions. effective way to reduce the spread of germs.
• Signage/floor decals/ground markings will be • Everyone entering the school will be required
used to direct students and manage flow. to practise proper hand hygiene.
• Pick up and drop off of students will occur • Hand washing will be incorporated into the
outside the school. school schedule to occur at regular intervals
• Schools may limit access to buildings for
throughout the day.
health and safety.
• Parents/guardians will be required to practise • Hand washing will occur above and beyond
physical distancing outside the school building. what is usually expected (ie. before eating food,
• Schools will provide guidance on drop off and after using the washroom).
pick up procedures to discourage congregating • Cough/sneeze etiquette will be promoted to
at school entrances. reduce the risk of transmitting droplets that may
• Schools may interact with families through contain the virus directly onto surfaces where
video meetings, telephone calls and, where they may be picked up by others.
appropriate, in person. • Students will be required to use tissues and
• When necessary, in person meetings will be place them in lined, no-touch waste baskets.
by appointment only following protocols. • Staff and students will receive guidance on
hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
Field Trips • Supplies will be provided for appropriate
• Day trips and overnight stays are permitted and hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
will follow the relevant provincial requirements • Use of soap and water is preferred over
under the Reopening Ontario Act. hand sanitizer.
14Illness, outbreak or identified exposure Masks
while at school Students
• All students in Rainbow Schools in Grades 1 to 12
Note: This section will be updated when the are required to wear non-medical or cloth masks indoors
Province releases its guidance on the management in school, including in hallways and during classes.
of COVID-19 in schools. • Kindergarten students are required to wear masks and/or
face shields in indoor spaces.
• Staff and students must stay home if they are • Members of different classes can interact outside with
symptomatic or ill or if someone in their household has distancing encouraged or inside with distancing and
tested positive for COVID-19 or they have been deemed masking.
a close contact by Public Health. • Students do not need to stay within their classes
• Learning materials will be provided for students during outdoor breaks. Distancing is encouraged
required to stay home to quarantine. between students.
• Schools will maintain up-to-date lists of students, • Staff, parents/guardians and visitors are required
staff and school visitors to facilitate contact tracing,
to wear medical masks.
including names, contact information,
date/time of arrival/departure, etc. Teachers and staff
• School principals are mandated to report infectious • Medical masks and eye protection (i.e. face shield or
diseases under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. safety glasses/goggles, etc.) will be provided for all
• Principals will inform Public Health Sudbury & teachers and other staff of school boards. All school-
Districts who will provide guidance and will follow up based staff will be required to wear medical masks,
with contact tracing, as required. Public Health may with reasonable exceptions for medical conditions.
recommend school closure, self-isolation, additional • School-based staff who are regularly in close contact with
testing, additional cleaning/disinfecting and students will be provided with all appropriate personal
may provide notices. protective equipment (PPE).
• If a student begins to experience symptoms of • Where necessary, such as in leading classes with students
COVID-19 while attending school, they will be who are deaf or hard of hearing, masks with clear
immediately separated from others and sections may be appropriate.
placed in a designated COVID-19 isolation room Exceptions
until they can be picked up. • Reasonable exceptions to the requirement to wear masks
• Schools will notify parents/guardians/caregivers if their will be considered. Staff or students with sensory or
child begins to show symptoms of COVID-19 while at breathing difficulties may be exempted by the school
school, including the need for immediate pick-up. principal.
• Where possible, anyone who is providing care to the
individual who is ill will maintain physical distancing. Movement in the Halls
• Where possible, COVID-19 isolation rooms will • Schools will develop a schedule to coordinate
have ventilation (ie. open window). movement throughout the school.
• If a staff member develops COVID-19 symptoms, • Students will be discouraged from congregating
they will return home and self-isolate immediately. in the corridors.
If they cannot leave immediately, the staff member • Designated routes will be created for students
will be isolated in a designated space until they are to get to and from classrooms, including separate
able to leave. entrance points for students in different grades.
• COVID-19 isolation rooms in schools will have • Signage and floor decals/markings will provide
COVID-19 kits. Items in the kit will be used by the visual cues and physical guides to direct the flow of
individuals who are sick and the staff members caring traffic and promote physical distancing.
for them. The kit will contain alcohol-based hand
sanitizer, gloves, surgical/procedural masks, eye
protection, and a gown. Instructions on proper use of
PPE will be provided on the outside of the kit.
• Tissues will be provided to the individual who is ill CLICK HERE to access the Ministry of Education’s
to support proper respiratory etiquette. Operational Guidance on COVID-19 Management in Schools
• Guidance will be provided on proper disposal of
the tissues in containers with open lids.
• The COVID-19 isolation room will be cleaned and Note: This link will be updated when the Province releases
disinfected after use. its guidance on the management of COVID-19 in schools.
• The space and items used by the individual who is ill
will be cleaned and disinfected after use.
Reaching minds. Touching hearts. 15Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Medical grade masks and eye protection
(ie. face shield, safety glasses/goggles)
will be provided to all school staff.
• All school staff are required to wear a medical
grade mask and eye protection while working.
• Additional PPE may be required and is available for
staff who are required to work closely with students.
For example, in situations where direct contact is
required with a student for positioning and assistance
with eating or toileting, gowns and gloves will also
be provided.
• All students in Rainbow Schools in Grades 1 to 12
are required to wear non-medical or cloth masks
indoors in school, including in hallways and during
classes. Kindergarten students are required to wear
Nutrition Breaks masks and/or face shields in indoor spaces.
Elementary Schools • In accordance with the Ministry of Education
• Students will be required to remain at school. directive, outdoor times like recess will be used
• Students who typically go home for lunch as opportunities to provide students with breaks
will be able to do so. from wearing masks.
• Students will be encouraged to eat lunch in their • Staff, parents/guardians and visitors are required
classroom with their cohort to minimize contact to wear medical masks.
and reduce opportunities for the transmission • Parents are required to send a non-medical mask
of COVID-19. to school for their children to wear. Students are
• Nutrition breaks will be scheduled to allow students responsible for the safe use/compliance during the
to wash hands before eating without creating school day and ensuring cleanliness of the mask
congestion in washrooms or hand washing stations. with the support of parents/guardians.
• If weather permits, nutrition breaks may
occur outside. Physical distancing in classrooms and offices
• Students and staff will perform proper • Where possible, physical distancing of school staff
hand hygiene before and after eating. from children and other staff will be emphasized.
• Students will be required to have a drinking bottle • When children are in the classroom, the classroom
that is labelled and kept with them during the day. furniture will be arranged to leave as much space as
• Drinking bottles cannot be shared at any time. possible between students.
• Students will be encouraged to use water bottle • If weather permits, consideration will be given to
filling stations. having classes outside.
• Drinking water fountains will be closed.
Some fountains will be used to fill water bottles only.
• Students will not be allowed to share food.
• Physical distancing will be maintained while
students are eating.
Keep a safe distance
Secondary Schools
• In secondary schools, multiple lunch periods may
be staggered with students physically distancing
and cohorting in the cafeteria or classrooms.
Opening Exercises
• Students will continue to observe the playing
of O Canada, and may sing with masks on. Thank you for working together
to keep everyone safe.
Reaching minds. Touching hearts. 16Recess
• Students do not need to stay within their class
during recess and breaks outdoors, but distancing
should be encouraged between students
as much as possible.
• Shared materials outdoors are permitted, with
appropriate hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
Shared materials
• Shared materials are important for learning
(for example, toys for imaginative play in
Kindergarten, manipulatives for math, computers
and other tech materials, books, art supplies,
indoor physical education equipment and
shared outdoor equipment).
• The use of shared materials is permitted. The risk
associated with transmission with shared objects is
low. The focus will be on regular hand hygiene and
respiratory etiquette to reduce the risk of infection
related to shared equipment, particularly when
regular cleaning of shared objects is not feasible.
Signage
• Signage will be posted at school entrances to
remind students, staff, parents/guardians/caregivers
and essential visitors of protocols.
• Signage/floor decals will be posted throughout
the school to promote physical distancing and
direct the flow of traffic.
• Posters will be placed in strategic areas to remind
students of key messages, including hand washing
and use of drinking fountains to fill water bottles
only.
Visitors
• School visitors, including parents/guardians,
are required to self-screen and to wear a medical
mask while on school premises. A medical mask
will be provided by the school if needed.
• Visitors will be required to sign in confirming
they passed the self-screen prior to their arrival at
school. Schools may restrict visitor access for
health and safety.
Washroom Access
• Shared surfaces in washrooms/change rooms
will be cleaned/disinfected frequently.
• Capacity in washrooms will be limited.
Reaching minds. Touching hearts. 17COMMUNICATIONS
This Reopening Guide for Rainbow Schools is our first step in sharing
important information as we look ahead to the 2021-2022 school year.
The guide will be updated, as required, based on direction from the Ministry of Education
and guidance from Public Health.
When staff and students return to school, they will see signage that will look familiar.
The COVID-19 pre-screening questionnaire will be posted at main entrances.
There will also be a notice that masks are mandatory.
Floor markings in the form of colourful dots and arrows will be used to promote physical distancing
in common areas and direct the flow of traffic throughout the school.
Posters will also be placed in strategic locations to remind students of key messages.
Staff will review health and safety information with students so they understand the importance
of the floor markings and the signage.
Rainbow District School Board’s website will remain the primary source of information regarding the
reopening of Rainbow Schools.
Please visit often to obtain answers to questions.
Updates will be posted on rainbowschools.ca and promoted on Facebook.
Schools will share updates with parents/guardians through their communications channels.
As always, parents/guardians are invited to contact their child’s school to keep the lines of communication open.
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
Thank you for working together to keep everyone safe.
This Guide can be accessed
online at rainbowschools.ca.
Reaching minds. Touching hearts. 18SIGNAGE
Enter Exit No gathering
Only Only Working Together to Keep Everyone Safe
20 s
Hand sanitizing Hand washing Cleaning and Cough and sneeze
disinfecting etiquette
ATTENTION Thank you for working together to keep everyone safe.
Masks mandatory Cohorting Physical distancing Pre-screening
where possible for symptoms
Please do not use the elevator. prior to entry
If you must, please ride alone whenever possible.
Remember to sanitize your hands.
Thank you for working together to keep everyone safe.
Keep a safe distance
Protocols to Limited access to Parents/guardians No gathering
manage outbreaks schools/facilities and visitors by
appointment only
Wash your hands Fountains closed No sharing food
or water bottles
Dots and arrows
to move safely
throughout school
Restricted
elevator use
To learn more about health and safety protocols to limit the spread of COVID-19,
please visit rainbowschools.ca.
20 s
1 2 3 4 5
Wet Soap Scrub Rinse Dry
Thank you for working together
to keep everyone safe. Masks Mandatory
With reasonable exceptions, all students in Rainbow Schools in Grades 1 to 12 are required
to wear non-medical or cloth masks indoors in school, including in hallways and during classes.
Kindergarten students are required to wear masks and/or face shields in indoor spaces.
Drinking Fountain Staff, parents/guardians and visitors are also required to wear masks.
CLOSED
Thank you for working together to keep everyone safe.
Know the Symptoms
FILL water bottle ONLY How to identify symptoms related to COVID-19
Student and Children
Do you have any new or worsening symptoms that are not related to
other known causes or conditions?
• fever (37.8 celsius or greater) and/or chills
• cough or barking cough (croup)
• shortness of breath
• decrease or loss of taste and smell
•
•
•
sore throat or difficulty swallowing
runny or stuffy/congested nose
headache
Think of this hallway as a two-way street.
Stick to the right and stay in your lane.
• nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea
• extreme tiredness or muscle aches
Employees and Essential Visitors
Do you have any new or worsening symptoms that are not related to
other known causes or conditions?
• fever (37.8 celsius or greater) and/or chills
• cough or barking cough (croup)
• shortness of breath
• decrease or loss of taste and smell
• sore throat
• difficulty swallowing
• runny or stuffy/congested nose
• pink eye
• headache
• digestive issues i.e. nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or stomach pain
• extreme tiredness or muscle aches
• falling down often
Thank you for working together to keep everyone safe.
Thank you for working together to keep everyone safe. Source: Ministry of Health
Fact Sheet Fact Sheet Fact Sheet Fact Sheet
COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening How to wear a mask Handwashing
Employees and Essential Visitors Students and Children With reasonable exceptions, all students in
Rainbow Schools in Grades 1 to 12 are required to wear
A Shared Responsibility A Shared Responsibility The most important thing we can all do to limit the spread
non-medical or cloth masks indoors in school, including of COVID-19 is to wash our hands.
How to wash your hands
Safety is a shared responsibility between the Safety is a shared responsibility between the
in hallways and during classes. Kindergarten students
are required to wear masks and/or face shields
How to wear a mask Handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of illness.
school, the home and the community, and school, the home and the community, and in indoor spaces.
1 Before putting on your mask, wash your hands When soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer
families play a critical role in limiting the
spread of COVID-19.
families play a critical role in limiting the
spread of COVID-19. In accordance with the Ministry of Education directive,
with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. with an alcohol content of at least 60 per cent. 1 Wet
outdoor times like recess will be used as opportunities
to provide students with breaks from wearing masks 2 Secure the elastic loops of the mask around Hands must be thoroughly dried, preferably using
Parents/guardians are required to screen Parents/guardians are required to screen within their cohorts. your ears. If your mask has strings, disposable tissues or towels.
tie them securely behind your head.
their children daily for any COVID-19 symptoms their children daily for any COVID-19 symptoms
Use the disposable towel to open the door.
and keep them home from school if they are sick, and keep them home from school if they are sick, Staff, parents/guardians and visitors are also required to
3 Cover your mouth and nose with the mask
have had close contact with anyone diagnosed have had close contact with anyone diagnosed wear masks. and make sure there are no gaps between
your face and the mask. Ensure the metallic
Handwashing and drying should always be done after 2 Soap
with COVID-19, have been advised by a doctor, with COVID-19, have been advised by a doctor, Wearing a mask can help to prevent the spread strip is at the bridge of your nose. Press it to
coughing, sneezing or handling used tissues or after
health care provider or public health to health care provider or public health to form a snug fit around your nose. touching objects, materials or hard surfaces that may have
of some respiratory illnesses, but it can also become been contaminated by someone with an infectious illness.
self-isolate, and/or have travelled outside of self-isolate, and/or have travelled outside of a source of infection if not worn or discarded properly. 4 Do not touch the front of the mask while you wear
Canada in the last 14 days. Secondary students Canada in the last 14 days. Secondary students it. Wash your hands with soap and water
Handwashing and drying should always be carried out after
When you wear a mask, be sure to clean your hands for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based
can self-screen and monitor for symptoms. can self-screen and monitor for symptoms. hand sanitizer if you accidentally touch your mask. using the washroom; before and after eating; after playing
frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based
Identifying symptoms related to COVID-19 Identifying symptoms related to COVID-19
hand sanitizer.
outside; after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing; and
anytime hands are visibly soiled. 3 Scrub
Remember to screen daily Remember to screen daily 20 s
Do you have any new or worsening symptoms
for COVID-19 symptoms
Do you have any new or worsening symptoms for COVID-19 symptoms Masks can be reused if they are not damp or damaged. How to remove a mask Here’s the recommended technique for good hand hygiene:
that are not related to other known causes that are not related to other known causes or
Here are steps to properly reuse your mask: • Wet hands, preferably with warm water and apply
or conditions? conditions? 1 Do not touch the front of your mask to remove it. liquid soap
• fever (37.8 celsius or greater) and/or chills • fever (37.8 celsius or greater) and/or chills
1. Remove mask following the proper steps.
2. Place in a paper bag, being careful not to touch
2 Remove the elastic loops of the mask from around
your ears or untie the strings from behind your head.
• Rub hands vigorously together and rub all areas
(in between fingers, palms, nails, etc.) 4 Rinse
• cough or barking cough (croup) • cough or barking cough (croup) • Wash for 20 seconds (about the same time it takes
• shortness of breath the inside/outside of the mask.
• shortness of breath to sing Happy Birthday twice)
• decrease or loss of taste and smell 3. Wash hands. 3 Hold only the loops or strings pulling away from your face. • Rinse well and dry hands thoroughly
• decrease or loss of taste and smell 4. When ready to reuse, remove from bag and
• sore throat
• difficulty swallowing • sore throat or difficulty swallowing discard bag. Put mask back on by following process. 4 Wash your hands with soap and water for at least
• runny or stuffy/congested nose 5. Practise proper hand hygiene once mask is on. 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Schools will remind students to wash their hands often.
• runny or stuffy/congested nose
•
•
pink eye
headache
May 31, 2021 •
•
headache
nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea
May 31, 2021
In fact, we’ll take regular breaks to wash our hands. 5 Dry
When a mask becomes damp or damaged,
• digestive issues i.e. nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or • extreme tiredness or muscle aches you must replace it with a new mask. We invite parents/guardians to reinforce this practice
stomach pain
Source: Ministry of Health at home.
• extreme tiredness or muscle aches
Students are encouraged to bring spare masks in the
• falling down often
event one becomes wet or damaged throughout the day.
Source: Ministry of Health
1 1 Masks should be washed and dried on a nightly basis. September 2020 September 2020
Reaching minds. Touching hearts. 19You can also read
