Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This is the second of four weekly communications being issued Thursdays with information/updates before school starts.
The first day of school is Tuesday, Sept. 7. Some classes/programs may be working on an alternative schedule, in which case families will be notified. If there is no notice, all students will begin school on Sept. 7.
*
On Tuesday, Aug. 17, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health announced that high-risk settings, including education, are required to have a COVID-19 vaccination policy for employees. The Ministry of Education intends to introduce a vaccination disclosure policy for all publicly funded school boards. All board staff will be required to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID, provide a medical reason for not being vaccinated, or participate in an education program approved by the Ministry of Education.
School board employees, student transportation drivers, visitors and other professions who are not immunized, including those with medical reasons, will be required to complete regular COVID-19 testing as directed in provincial guidance.
*
The Government of Ontario is also working with public health units to run voluntary vaccination clinics in or near schools to make vaccination more convenient prior to the start of school for staff, students and their families. Students who will turn 12 before the end of 2021 are now eligible for vaccination.
*
Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS) wants to share the following information with families of students who are eligible for transportation.
Transportation changes must be received and recorded by the school before coming to the NPSSTS. Families can use the NPSSTS website at www.npssts.ca to verify busing information. If an eligible student does not require transportation this year, families are asked to email info@npssts.ca with details.
*
A second version of the Ministry of Education’s guidance document was released on Friday, Aug. 13. The board’s senior and management teams are looking into how this school year will be impacted by the document’s contents. Staff continue to work with the local health unit to devise plans and practices that keep staff and students safe. As those plans are confirmed they will be shared via this weekly communication, the board’s website and on the board’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
*
Near North District School follows the direction of the provincial government, Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and the public health unit when devising its COVID-19 plans.
Thank you,
Near North District School Board
