Over the past little while, we've been actively pursuing getting a return to mask requirements at schools, a vital feature as of today, especially given the recent spikes in infectivity and sewage water signal of the coronavirus, showing an all time high since months ago.
We're proud to say that mask mandates for the school board will be returning, and are satisfied with the outcomes of the OCDSB board vote.

Thank you to all the OCDSB board trustees who voted in favour of the proposal.

The RSU has released a statement regarding the Province of Ontario's plan for a return to in-person schooling on January 5th, 2022.

The Ontario government's decision to resume in-person learning for students in the province poses a significant risk. As is the case, more time is required to gauge the effect of the outgoing Winter Break on case counts before initiating a full return. Otherwise, our safety as students is jeopardized.

Additionally, decisions made in a memo sent last Thursday are of significant concern. Specifically, they promised individuals the option of temporary online learning, without providing school boards the necessary support or clarification to render this feat feasible. The Ministry also announced that they will no longer report COVID-19 cases in schools.

The suspension of robust reporting of stats regarding cases in schools bars students and parents from critical information, as the government fails to fulfill its duties in response to the outbreak.

Thus, the RSU advocates the delay of regular school operation until AT LEAST January 10th, 2022, with a temporary transition to online learning. 

The full statement can be viewed online at   https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mr8BXIhhZHC0YhxE6cj4km2LxgwG0q-87x5pHrUbWus/