COVID-19 Updates for Families

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This letter has been translated into the following languages

العربية (Arabic) हिंदी (Hindi) ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi) 中文 (Simplified Chinese) Français (French) Español (Spanish) اردو (Urdu)

For other languages, click here.
Jan. 14, 2021

Dear HDSB families of elementary students,

As communicated on December 10, elementary families who would like to switch learning models (i.e., in-person to virtual or virtual to in-person) on March 1 must complete the Change in Delivery Model Form. The form is open now until Friday, Jan. 22 at 11:59 p.m. This form is only for families wishing to switch learning models. If you do not wish to switch learning models, please DO NOT complete this form, your child(ren) will remain in the current learning model.

Elementary families are encouraged to review the information below prior to completing the form. Please ensure your submission represents your final decision. If you do not complete the Change in Delivery Model Form by Friday, Jan. 22 at 11:59 p.m., you will not be able to switch learning models.

If you wish to switch from in-person to virtual learning, you need to acknowledge ALL of the following statements:

My child may be placed in a class that is not with other students from their home school.
There will be a teacher change for my child.
The instruction may not align (e.g., strands of learning) with the learning my child has been engaged in.
French Immersion may not be available. My child will have the option to re-enter French Immersion in their home school when they return to in-person learning.
My child will be required to participate online using technology in real time (synchronously) during the school day (180 min for Kindergarten; 225 min for Grade 1 - 8).
My child will be removed from the current transportation route (if applicable).

Families will need to acknowledge the following if switching from virtual to in-person learning:

I understand that there is a requirement to complete daily self-screening for my child using the Government of Ontario’s COVID-19 School Screening Tool prior to arriving at school each day.
There will be a teacher change for my child.

Complete the Change in Delivery Model Form for Elementary Students now: https://bit.ly/ElemChangeModel

Students switching learning models will transition to their chosen learning model on Monday, March 1. Students are expected to continue in their current learning model until that date.

For families with custody agreements and shared decision-making regarding educational decisions, the decision must be agreed upon by both parties. Please contact your child(ren)’s school to verify.

Further information

For more information, please contact your child’s school. To learn more about the two learning models, please visit our Reopening Schools Plan website.

We will continue to keep you informed through the HDSB website, SchoolMessenger emails and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

Past COVID-19/Reopening Schools Updates for HDSB Families

Jan 7, 2021 - Update for all HDSB Families (Kindergarten - Grade 12)

Update for all HDSB Families (Kindergarten - Grade 12)

Dear HDSB families,

Today, the Government of Ontario announced that elementary students (Kindergarten - Grade 8) will not return to in-person learning until Monday, Jan. 25.

Elementary students will continue to learn remotely from home. Schools will remain closed to students for in-person learning until Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. All current elementary students enrolled in virtual school will continue in virtual learning. Secondary students will continue with remote learning and secondary schools (Grade 9 - 12) will remain closed to in-person learning for students until Friday, Jan. 22, 2021.
Secondary schools will reopen to students for in-person learning on Monday, Jan. 25. All current secondary students enrolled in virtual school will continue in virtual learning.
Students in Life Skills, Communications and Community Pathway Program classes will continue to have the option to come to school or learn from home. Transportation will continue to be provided for students who normally qualify for it.

Further information For COVID-19 information and protocols, please visit the HDSB COVID-19 webpage

Follow HDSB on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)

Dec. 31, 2020 - Update for all HDSB Families (Kindergarten - Grade 12)

Dec. 31, 2020

Update for all HDSB Families (Kindergarten - Grade 12)

Dear HDSB families,

As previously communicated, due to the four-week, province-wide shutdown, students will move to teacher-led remote learning when they return from the winter break on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.

Elementary students will learn remotely from Jan. 4 - 8. Schools will remain closed to students for in-person learning until Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. All current elementary students enrolled in virtual school will continue in virtual learning.

Secondary students will move to full remote learning beginning Monday, Jan. 4. Secondary schools (Grade 9 - 12) will remain closed to in-person learning for students until Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. Secondary schools will reopen to students for in-person learning on Monday, Jan. 25. All current secondary students enrolled in virtual school will continue in virtual learning. Note: Burlington Central High School and Aldershot High School will open on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 for in-person elementary students only (Grade 7 - 8).

Students in Life Skills, Communications and Community Pathway Program classes will have the option to come to school or learn from home effective Jan. 4. Transportation will be provided for students who normally qualify for it.

Teachers will be connecting with elementary students & families:
Parents/guardians can expect to receive communication from teachers on or before Monday, Jan 4. In this communication, students will be provided with a link to a Google Meet for synchronous learning on Monday morning.

Elementary student schedules and reminders

Remote learning days will follow the regular class schedule/timetable. Staff will be meeting students on-line at the beginning of Period 1 on Monday, Jan. 4 to check in and reconnect. During this time teachers will provide work for the students to work on asynchronously during Period 2 so teachers can follow up with any families with children who are not online. The remainder of this first day and the rest of the week will follow the regular schedule of mainly synchronous learning.

The length of the instructional day remains unchanged. Start and end times and daily schedules will remain the same as in-person learning. The minimum daily amount of synchronous learning will be 180 minutes for Kindergarten students and 225 minutes for students in Grades 1-8. For students in the Virtual Elementary Schools there is no change to the school schedule.

Secondary student schedules and reminders
Secondary remote learning days will follow the current school schedule/timetable; this applies to both students in home schools and students in the Virtual Secondary School (VSS).

Most student Coop placements will continue as they are aligned with public health guidelines. For any Coop placements impacted by the provincial shutdown, students will be provided alternative work-related materials by their teacher so their learning can continue.

Secondary students will continue to follow the Quadmester calendar but cohorting will not continue, rather all students will attend their classes together online daily.

Technology for learning

Technology support is available for families through the following online HDSB resources:

While the Halton District School Board has distributed thousands of devices to students this year, we know that some students may still require a device for this remote learning period. In those cases, families are encouraged to contact their school principal when school reopens on Monday, Jan. 4 to make arrangements. Please note that devices will be provided based on availability and may take time to distribute.

Student Attendance

Student attendance will be taken as normal during this remote learning period. Therefore, we would request that parents/guardians continue to follow the regular processes for reporting student absences.

Privacy

Staff will take reasonable precautions to ensure privacy of students, staff and parents while ensuring safe inclusive learning environments for all students while working remotely. Expectations for students, staff and parents/guardians can be found here.

Further information

For COVID-19 information and protocols, please visit the HDSB COVID-19 webpage
Follow HDSB on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)

Dec. 22, 2020 - Update for all HDSB Families (Kindergarten - Grade 12)

Dec. 22, 2020

Update for all HDSB Families (Kindergarten - Grade 12)

Dear HDSB families,

As announced by the Government of Ontario yesterday, Ontario will enter a four-week, province-wide shutdown effective Saturday, Dec. 26 through to Jan. 23, 2021. This shutdown is intended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 cases in Ontario. These government restrictions reinforce that Ontarians should stay at home as much as possible to minimize transmission of the virus and prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.

The government restrictions also impact Ontario school boards. On Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 when students return from the winter break, elementary and secondary schools will shift to teacher-led remote learning, while virtual schools will continue as normal. HDSB staff will work diligently to adapt to remote learning and to support students and families in these circumstances.

These measures are proactive and preventative and are not a result of COVID-19 spreading in schools. COVID-19 transmission in schools remains low and Public Health officials and the Ministry of Education continue to reiterate that schools have not been a significant source of transmission.

Elementary students (Kindergarten - Grade 8)

All elementary students will learn remotely from Jan. 4 - 8. Schools will remain closed to students for in-person learning until Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Further details will be provided next week. All current elementary students enrolled in virtual school will continue in virtual learning.

Secondary students (Grade 9 - 12)

All secondary students will move to remote learning beginning Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. Secondary schools (Grade 9 - 12) will remain closed to in-person learning for students until Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. Further details will be provided next week. Secondary schools will reopen to students for in-person learning on Monday, Jan. 25. All current secondary students enrolled in virtual school will continue in virtual learning.

Note: Burlington Central High School and Aldershot High School will open on Jan. 11, 2021 for in-person elementary students only (Grade 7 - 8).

Students with special needs

As part of the government’s efforts to protect the most vulnerable, school boards will, where possible, provide in-person support for students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning. Students with Special Education needs in Life Skills, Communication classes, Community Pathway Program may attend school in-person during this time. Transportation will be provided for those who normally qualify for it. Further information will be shared next week.

Technology for learning

While the Halton District School Board has distributed thousands of devices to students this year, we know that some students may still require a device for this remote learning period. In those cases, families are encouraged to contact their school principal on Monday, Jan. 4 to make arrangements. Please note that devices will be provided based on availability and may take time to distribute.

Further information

Please view our COVID-19 webpage. We will continue to keep you informed through the HDSB website, SchoolMessenger emails and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

Dec. 17, 2020 - Winter Break Reminders for HDSB Families

To: All HDSB families

Winter Break Reminders for HDSB Families

Dec. 17, 2020

Dear HDSB families,

We are writing to provide additional information for families before we begin the winter break, and share an update from Halton Region Public Health.

As COVID-19 cases continue to add pressure to the resources in our community, we would like all families to be prepared for the possibility of individual classes, schools or the school board moving to remote/distance learning for a period of time following the winter break. To ensure students have the tools they need should this be required, all students are reminded to take home all their belongings (e.g. shoes, clothing, etc.), as well as books/binders and learning resources/supplies.

Decisions regarding a class, school or Board-wide closure would be made by public health officials and/or the Ministry of Education. In the event of a class, school or Board-wide closure, we will inform HDSB families as soon as possible.

In the event of a shift to remote/distance learning, a process for acquiring technology for families in need will be shared by your home school. We also want to assure families that the HDSB is prepared to transition all students to learn from home should it be required. This would mean students would follow their regular school schedule online, learning synchronously with their classmates for the majority of the day.

We also encourage all families to view a letter from Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health, Halton Region.

Lastly, we have been informed by our email delivery system SchoolMessenger of an issue that may have prevented parents/guardians with Gmail email addresses from receiving messages from the HDSB or their child’s school between Dec. 14-16. If you did not receive a message from us on Tuesday, Dec. 15 with some pre-winter break COVID-19 reminders, please view the Dec. 15 update on our website.

We wish all HDSB families a safe and enjoyable winter break.

Dec. 15, 2020 - Update for all HDSB Families (Kindergarten - Grade 12)

Dec. 15, 2020

Update for all HDSB Families (Kindergarten - Grade 12)

Dear HDSB families,

With the winter break approaching, we have a few reminders to share with you.

Take all technology, instructional materials and personal belongings home

Schools are expected to reopen following the winter break on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 however, all students learning in-person at school are asked to take all their technology and instructional material home with them during the winter break. This is to ensure students have the tools they need should we be directed to close schools and transition to virtual learning for all students based on advice from public health and/or the Ministry of Education.

HDSB will continue to inform families about COVID-19 cases

Over the winter break (Dec. 21, 2020 - Jan. 3, 2021), we will continue to inform families and staff about confirmed cases of COVID-19 in schools if students/staff were exposed to a positive case during school time (i.e. during the period of communicability). Families are reminded to check their email regularly to remain up-to-date on the situation in their school. As a reminder, the COVID-19 Advisory on the HDSB website (hdsb.ca) lists confirmed cases and classroom closures in HDSB schools.

If your child tests positive for COVID-19 during the winter break, please contact Halton Region Public Health directly by calling 3-1-1.

Continue following public health guidelines

Thank you for your ongoing efforts to adhere to public health measures to ensure schools remain a safe place for students and staff. Please continue to practice COVID-19 health precautions during the holidays and don’t let your guard down! Remember to continue with frequent hand washing, physical distancing, covering your cough/sneeze, and most importantly, limit your contact with others who are not in your household.

We encourage all families to consider what we can all do to make the return to school in January 2021 as safe as possible. Our ability to keep schools open depends on all of our efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. For information about COVID-19 in Halton, visit the COVID-19 webpage on the Halton Region website (halton.ca).

Self-screen before returning to school in January

As a reminder, anyone feeling ill should not attend school. All children, students, staff, and visitors must be screened for symptoms of illness every day before attending school or child care. Parents/guardians (and students 18+) must complete the Government of Ontario'sonline COVID-19 school screening tool for each child prior to attending school each day. Self-screening will still be a requirement when we return to school and we will continue to reinforce masking and hand hygiene as well as cohorting and physical distancing with students and staff.

We wish all HDSB families a safe and enjoyable winter break.

Dec. 14, 2020 - Change in Delivery Model Form for Secondary Students

This letter has been translated into the following languages:

العربية (Arabic) हिंदी (Hindi) ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi) 中文 (Simplified Chinese)

Français (French) Español (Spanish) اردو (Urdu)

For other languages, click here.

Dec. 14, 2020

Dear HDSB families of secondary students,

As communicated last week, families who would like to switch learning models (i.e., in-person to virtual or virtual to in-person) effective Feb. 8, 2021, must complete the Change in Delivery Model Form. The form is open now until Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. This form is only for families wishing to switch learning models. If you do not wish to switch learning models, please DO NOT complete this form.

Families are encouraged to review the information below prior to completing the form. Please ensure your submission represents your final decision.

If you wish to switch from in-person to virtual learning, you will be asked to acknowledge ALL of the following statements:

I (parent/guardian or student if over 18) understand that:

courses will be virtual (online) and learning for each course is in real-time (synchronous) during the school day.
specialty programs (AP, IB, ALP and I-STEM) are not available in the Virtual School - Secondary.
elective courses and some Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSMs) selected may not be available and your school will work with students to find alternate elective courses which is likely to result in a change in timetable placement of all courses.
a full complement of French Immersion and Gifted cluster courses may not be available when switching learning models.
This model change acknowledges that my child/I (if over 18) will be removed from the Board transportation (if applicable).

If you are switching from virtual to in-person learning, you will need to acknowledge the following:

I (parent/guardian or student if over 18) understand that:

there is a requirement to complete daily self-screening for my child using the Government of Ontario’s COVID-19 School Screening Tool prior to arriving at school each day.
the learning model at my home school consists of a morning class that is 180 minutes in length. Students attend school cohorted two or three days per week (AABBB/AAABB) with a daily afternoon class of 120 minutes fully online, consisting of both synchronous and asynchronous instruction.
the elective courses selected may not be available. The designated home school will work with students to find alternate elective courses and this is likely to result in a change in timetable placement of all courses.

Complete the Change in Delivery Model Form for Secondary Students

now: https://bit.ly/SecChangeModel

Students switching learning models will transition to their chosen learning model on Monday, Feb. 8, 2021. Students are expected to continue in their current learning model until that date, which is the end of Quadmester 2.

For families with custody agreements and shared decision-making regarding educational decisions, the decision must be agreed upon by both parties. Please contact your child’s school to verify agreement of a model change.

Further information

To learn more about the two learning models, please visit our Reopening Schools Plan website.

We will continue to keep you informed through the HDSB website, SchoolMessenger emails and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

Dec. 10, 2020 - Information on Switching Learning Models (in-person/virtual)

This letter has been translated into the following languages:

العربية (Arabic) हिंदी (Hindi) ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi) 中文 (Simplified Chinese) Français (French) Español (Spanish) اردو (Urdu)

For other languages, click here.

Information on Switching Learning Models (in-person/virtual)

Dec. 10, 2020

Dear HDSB families,

We are writing to provide information on the next opportunity for students who would like to switch learning models (i.e., in-person to virtual or virtual to in-person).

Families who would like to switch learning models must complete the Change in Delivery Model Form according to the timelines below:

Secondary students (Grade 9 - 12)

Monday, Dec. 14, 2020 - Form sent to secondary families
Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 (11:59 p.m.) - Deadline for form to be submitted
Monday, Feb. 8, 2021 - Start new learning model (Quadmester 3)

Elementary students (Kindergarten to Grade 8)

Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 - Form sent to elementary families
Friday, Jan. 22, 2021 (11:59 p.m.) - Deadline for form to be submitted
Monday, March 1, 2021 - Start new learning model

Students are expected to continue in their current learning model until these transition dates.

The Change in Delivery Model Form will be emailed to parents/guardians on the above dates.

The form that will be sent to you is only for families wishing to switch learning models. If you do not wish to switch learning models, please DO NOT complete this form.

Further information

To learn more about the two learning models, please visit our Reopening Schools Plan website.

We will continue to keep you informed through the HDSB website, SchoolMessenger emails and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

Nov. 19, 2020 - Update for Elementary students (Kindergarten - Grade 8)

November 19, 2020

Update for Elementary students (Kindergarten - Grade 8)

Dear HDSB families of elementary students,

We are writing to inform you that all elementary schools will be closed for students on Monday, Nov. 30. This includes both in-person and virtual schools. We apologize for the late notice of this school closure but we are responding to the many system changes as a result of the shifting enrolments between in-person and virtual school formats.

On this day, elementary staff will be preparing for students to change delivery models. Due to the number of students switching between in-person and virtual learning, many classrooms will be impacted by school re-organizations. Your school will inform you if your child’s class is changing.

For students who attend Grade 7-12 schools (i.e., Aldershot School and Burlington Central High School), these schools will be closed to students in Grade 7 and 8 only.

Thank you for your understanding as we accommodate the shifting enrollment within our schools and between virtual and in-person school formats.

Students switching from in-person to virtual school are reminded of the following:

Students will hear from their new teacher by the end of the day on Monday, Nov. 30
Students must check their Board email to receive an invitation to a new Google Classroom
Families are invited to check out the Virtual School websites:

Report Card Delivery Dates and Instructions
Report cards will be delivered electronically to parents/guardians (or students 18 and over) using SchoolMessenger’s Secure Document Delivery service. Report cards will be sent on Monday, Nov. 23.

To open the link in the SchoolMessenger email to view the report card, parents/guardians will need their student’s Ontario Education Number (OEN). This can be found on a previous report card or your student’s verification form. If you require assistance, please contact your school.

Not sure if you’re registered to receive messages from SchoolMessenger?

Parents/guardians receiving today’s letter via email (SchoolMessenger) are registered to receive messages from SchoolMessenger and will receive the email to view their child’s report card at this email address.
If you are viewing this letter on the HDSB website and are not currently receiving emails from your child’s school/HDSB through SchoolMessenger, please update your contact information by notifying your child’s school.
If you previously unsubscribed from SchoolMessenger and wish to re-subscribe, visit go.schoolmessenger.ca and use the Sign Up link to create an account and manage your subscription preferences. Further information, including training videos, can be found on the HDSB website on the SchoolMessenger webpage.

Nov. 5, 2020 - Update for Elementary students (Kindergarten - Grade 8)

November 5, 2020

Update for Elementary students (Kindergarten - Grade 8)

EQAO assessments

Grade 3 and 6 EQAO assessments have been cancelled by the Ministry of Education for the 2020-2021 school year.

Parent/Guardian - Teacher Interviews

Parent/Guardian - Teacher interviews will occur during the week of November 23-27. These interviews may take place by video link or by phone. Further information will be provided by your child’s school.

Update for Secondary students (Grade 9 - 12)

New cohort and timetable distribution

Secondary students will receive new timetables and cohorting information electronically between November 9-11, 2020.

Student Success Day and Quadmester 1 Review Days -- all secondary students

As a reminder, all secondary students, except those in the Community Pathways Program (CPP), will learn online on Thursday, Nov. 12 and Friday, Nov. 13. On these days, all students (in-person and virtual learners) will have online instructional days and schools will offer an alternative schedule. The purpose of these days is to provide opportunities for students to complete unfinished work or alternative assignments and connect with teachers and peers to review the course. Secondary schools will provide further information on the structure of these days.

EQAO Grade 9 Math Assessment

On Oct. 27, we shared with secondary school families that Grade 9 students taking Math in-person would participate in a trial of a new online EQAO Math assessment. Due to the condensed timeline of the quadmester schedule, Grade 9 Math students in Quadmester 1 will not participate in this assessment. HDSB students taking Grade 9 Math in Quadmester 2, 3 and 4 will participate. Students are required to write the assessment on Board-provided technology in schools and therefore students in our Virtual Secondary School will not participate.

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)

The Ministry of Education has recently announced that the literacy graduation requirement will be waived for all students graduating in the 2020-2021 school year. The Ministry is looking into providing an online version of the OSSLT in the spring for non-graduating students to complete. Further information will be provided in the new year.

Update for all HDSB families

Report Card delivery dates and instructions

Report cards will be delivered electronically to parents/guardians (or students 18 and over) using SchoolMessenger’s Secure Document Delivery service. Report cards will be sent on the following dates:

Elementary students: November 23
Secondary students: November 20

To open the link in the SchoolMessenger email to view the report card, parents/guardians will need their student’s Ontario Education Number (OEN) number. This can be found on a previous report card or your student’s verification form. If you require assistance, please contact your school.

Not sure if you’re registered to receive messages from SchoolMessenger?

Parents/guardians receiving today’s letter via email (SchoolMessenger) are registered to receive messages from SchoolMessenger and will receive the email to view their child’s report card at this email address.
If you are viewing this letter on the HDSB website and are not currently receiving emails from your child’s school/HDSB through SchoolMessenger, please update your contact information by notifying your child’s school.
If you previously unsubscribed from SchoolMessenger and wish to re-subscribe, visit go.schoolmessenger.ca and use the Sign Up link to create an account and manage your subscription preferences. Further information, including training videos, can be found on the HDSB website on the SchoolMessenger webpage.

Switching learning models

The opportunity to switch learning models (from in-person to virtual or virtual to in-person) for both elementary and secondary students is now closed. As a reminder, the start date for students transitioning to a new learning model is November 16 (secondary students) and November 30 (elementary).

The next opportunity for families to switch learning models will be:

Elementary students
Jan. 26 - Feb. 8, 2021 with a start date of March 1, 2021
Secondary students
Dec. 14, 2020 - Jan. 4, 2021 with a start date of Feb. 8, 2021 (Quadmester 3)

How will you know of a positive COVID-19 case at your child’s school?

When a positive COVID-19 case is identified at a school, Halton Region Public Health will follow their contact tracing protocol and reach out to any close contacts. All families and staff at the school will receive an email about any confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Online COVID-19 School Screening Tool

As a reminder, parents/guardians (and students 18+) must complete the Government of Ontario's online COVID-19 school screening tool for each child prior to attending school each day.

Further information

Please view our COVID-19 webpage. We will continue to keep you informed through the HDSB website, SchoolMessenger emails and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

Oct. 27, 2020 - HDSB Families of Secondary School Students

Oct. 27, 2020

Dear HDSB families of secondary school students,

As we near the end of Quadmester 1 on Friday, Nov. 13, we are writing to provide families of secondary students with a few updates. As a reminder, Quadmester 2 begins on Monday, Nov. 16.

Midterm marks and final report cards

Midterm marks for Quadmester 1 were emailed to parents/guardians the week of October 12. If you did not receive the midterm mark, please contact your child’s teacher. Final report cards for Quadmester 1 will be sent electronically to parents/guardians (and students 18+) on November 20.

Online Student Success Days on Nov. 12 and 13

Students are now working towards their final performance tasks for Quadmester 1. Given that quadmesters are a new learning model for students and courses move more quickly than a traditional semester model, schools will offer online Student Success Days on Thursday, Nov. 12 and Friday, Nov. 13. On these days, all students (in-person and virtual learners) will have online instructional days and schools will offer an alternative schedule. The purpose of these days is to provide opportunities for students to complete unfinished work or alternative assignments and connect with teachers and peers to review the course. Secondary schools will provide further information on the structure of these days.

EQAO Grade 9 Math Assessment

Students taking Grade 9 academic and applied mathematics courses in-person will participate in a trial of a new online assessment in November. This assessment will not count towards a student’s final mark. As this test must be completed on school devices, only in-person students who are at school during the assessment window will complete the assessment.

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)

Students graduating in June 2021 will be required to complete the OSSLT graduation requirement. Students scheduled to graduate after Quadmester 1 or Quadmester 2 who have not yet completed the OSSLT should contact their school about how to complete this graduation requirement.

Volunteer hours for secondary students

The Ministry of Education has indicated that students graduating in the 2020-2021 school year must complete a minimum of 20 volunteer hours, instead of the 40 hours normally required. This reduction in required hours is in recognition that graduating students have faced barriers to earning their volunteer hours due to COVID-19 restrictions. Students may wish to consider outdoor volunteer opportunities or virtual volunteering, such as connecting with seniors, organizing virtual fundraising events and facilitating discussions with newcomer youths.

Post-secondary applications

Given the varying models and schedules implemented for Ontario students this year, the Ministry of Education and colleges and universities are working together to provide flexibility for graduating students applying to post-secondary education. Guidance counsellors will continue to work with graduating students to ensure they are aware of application processes and timelines.

Switching learning models

The Change in Delivery Model Form for families of secondary students wishing to switch learning models effective November 16 (for the next quadmester) was available from Oct. 5-13. Staff are making the required timetable and staffing changes. The next opportunity to switch learning models will be provided for Quadmester 3 and communicated to families in January.

Oct. 19, 2020 - Change in Delivery Model Form for Elementary Students

This letter has been translated into the following languages:

Dear HDSB families of elementary students,

As communicated last week, elementary families who would like to switch learning models (i.e., in-person to virtual or virtual to in-person) on November 30 must complete the Change in Delivery Model Form. The form is open now until Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. This form is only for families wishing to switch learning models. If you do not wish to switch learning models, please DO NOT complete this form, your child(ren) will remain in the current learning model.

Elementary families are encouraged to review the information below prior to completing the form. Please ensure your submission represents your final decision. If you do not complete the Change in Delivery Form by Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m., you will not be able to switch learning models again until mid-February 2021.

If you wish to switch from in-person to virtual learning, you need to acknowledge ALL of the following statements:

My child may be placed in a class that is not with other students from their home school.
There will be a teacher change for my child.
The instruction may not align (e.g., strands of learning) with the learning my child has been engaged in.
French Immersion may not be available. My child will have the option to re-enter French Immersion in their home school when they return to in-person learning.
My child will be required to participate online using technology in real time (synchronously) during the school day (180 min for Kindergarten; 225 min for Grade 1 - 8).
My child will be removed from the current transportation route (if applicable).

Families will need to acknowledge the following if switching from virtual to in-person learning:

I understand that there is a requirement to complete daily self-screening for my child using the Government of Ontario’s COVID-19 School Screening Tool prior to arriving at school each day.
There will be a teacher change for my child

For families with custody agreements and shared decision-making regarding educational decisions, the respondent will be asked to acknowledge the following and provide the email address of the alternate decision-maker.

This decision is agreed upon by both parties.

Complete the Change in Delivery Form for Elementary Students now: http://bit.ly/changemodel-elementary

Students switching learning models will transition to their chosen learning model on Monday, Nov. 30. Students are expected to continue in their current learning model until that date.

Further information

For more information, please contact your child’s school. To learn more about the two learning models, please visit our Reopening Schools Plan website.

We will continue to keep you informed through the HDSB website, SchoolMessenger emails and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

Oct. 8, 2020 - COVID-19 Update for HDSB Secondary Families

Oct. 8, 2020

COVID-19 update for HDSB secondary families

Dear HDSB families of secondary (Grade 9-12) students,

Secondary midterm and final report cards
Due to the quadmester format and the shortened school timeline, there will not be formal midterm report cards issued this fall. Instead, each student and their parent/guardian will receive a mark update in the form of an email. These emails will be sent on Oct. 15 or 16.

Final report cards for Quadmester 1 will be a traditional, formal report card and will include Learning Skills and Comments. This report will be sent electronically to parents/guardians (and students over the age of 18) on Nov. 20.

Alternative to Secondary Parent/Teacher Interview Night
Due to public health protocols, secondary schools will be unable to host the traditional Parent/Teacher Interview Night. Parents/guardians (and students over the age of 18) who wish to discuss their child’s achievement should contact the teacher by email. Teachers will respond and/or follow up with a phone or virtual call.

Secondary school commencements and distribution of graduation diplomas
Due to the current restrictions on large group gatherings, graduation and commencement celebrations for our June 2020 graduates are not possible and schools are not permitted to host these events. Secondary schools will be sharing this information with their June 2020 graduates. Graduates will be contacted by their school regarding how their diplomas will be distributed.

Switching learning models reminder
Families who would like to switch learning models (i.e., in-person to virtual or virtual to in-person) effective November 13, must complete the Change in Delivery Model Form. The form is open now until Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 4 p.m. This form is only for families wishing to switch learning models. If you do not wish to switch learning models, please DO NOT complete this form. Complete the Change in Delivery Form for Secondary Students now: http://bit.ly/changemodel-secondary

Daily self-screening
As a reminder, parents/guardians (and students 18+) must complete the Government of Ontario's online COVID-19 school screening tool for each child prior to attending school each day.

Further information
Please view our COVID-19 webpage. We will continue to keep you informed through the HDSB website, SchoolMessenger emails and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

Oct. 5, 2020 - Change in Delivery Model Form for Secondary Students

This letter has been translated into the following languages:

Dear HDSB families of secondary students,

As communicated last week, families who would like to switch learning models (i.e., in-person to virtual or virtual to in-person) effective November 13, must complete the Change in Delivery Model Form. The form is open now until Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 4 p.m. This form is only for families wishing to switch learning models. If you do not wish to switch learning models, please DO NOT complete this form.

Families are encouraged to review the information below prior to completing the form. Please ensure your submission represents your final decision. If you do not complete the Change in Delivery Form by Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 4 p.m., the next opportunity to switch learning models will be in January (for a start date of Feb. 8, 2021).

If you wish to switch from in-person to virtual learning, you will be asked to acknowledge ALL of the following statements:
I (parent/guardian or student if over 18) understand that:

courses will be virtual (online) and learning for each course is in real-time (synchronous) during the school day.
specialty programs (AP, IB, ALP and I-STEM) are not available in the Virtual School - Secondary.
elective courses and some Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSMs) selected may not be available and your school will work with students to find alternate elective courses which is likely to result in a change in timetable placement of all courses.
a full complement of French Immersion and Gifted cluster courses may not be available when switching learning models.
This model change acknowledges that my child/I (if over 18) will be removed from the Board transportation (if applicable).

If you are switching from virtual to in-person learning, you will need to acknowledge the following:
I (parent/guardian or student if over 18) understand that:

there is a requirement to complete daily self-screening for my child using the Government of Ontario’s COVID-19 School Screening Tool prior to arriving at school each day.
the learning model at my home school consists of a morning class that is 180 minutes in length. Students attend school cohorted two or three days per week (AABBB/AAABB) with a daily afternoon class of 120 minutes fully online, consisting of both synchronous and asynchronous instruction.
the elective courses selected may not be available. The designated home school will work with students to find alternate elective courses and this is likely to result in a change in timetable placement of all courses.

This decision is agreed upon by both parties.

Complete the Change in Delivery Formfor Secondary Students now: http://bit.ly/changemodel-secondary

Students switching learning models will transition to their chosen learning model on Monday, Nov. 16. Students are expected to continue in their current learning model until that date, which is the end of Quadmester 1.

Further information

Oct. 2, 2020 - Changes to COVID-19 School Screening Guidance

To: All parents/guardians and secondary students

Changes to COVID-19 school screening guidance

Oct. 2, 2020
Dear HDSB families,

Yesterday, the Government of Ontario announced revised COVID-19 screening guidance for children in schools and child care. This information will help parents/guardians of students experiencing COVID-19 symptoms know what direction is required.

The main revision to the Ontario COVID-19 school screening tool adjusts the type and number of symptoms needed for a child to stay home for a period of time or to seek medical advice. This screening tool now has two sets of questions about symptoms and information to help parents/guardians make informed decisions about their next steps.

Parents/guardians no longer need to provide documentation (e.g., a doctor’s note) for their child before returning to school as previously required.

All HDSB parents/guardians (and students 18+) must complete the Government of Ontario’s COVID-19 school screening tool for each child prior to attending school each day. This tool has been updated with the new changes. There is now an option to download a printable version (PDF) of this screening tool to use offline.

To date we have had no cases of COVID-19 that have spread within our schools. Preventative measures are in place to protect students and staff, including hand and respiratory hygiene, physical distancing, reduced sharing of items and enhanced cleaning protocols, and masks for Grade 1-12 students. We appreciate that our students are taking care to follow these guidelines and school protocols. Caretaking staff remain vigilant with cleaning protocols.

To view current confirmed cases of COVID-19 in HDSB schools, please refer to the COVID-19 Advisory page on our website.
Further information

Please view our COVID-19 webpage. We will continue to keep you informed through the HDSB website, SchoolMessenger emails and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

Oct. 1, 2020 - Information on Switching Learning Models (in-person/virtual)

This letter has been translated into the following languages:

Dear HDSB families,

We are writing to provide information for students who would like to switch learning models (i.e., in-person to virtual or virtual to in-person) in November.

Families who would like to switch learning models must complete the Change in Delivery Model Form according to the timelines below:

Secondary students (Grade 9 - 12)

Monday, Oct. 5 - Form sent to secondary families
Tuesday, Oct. 13 (4 p.m.) - Deadline for form to be submitted
Monday, Nov. 16 - Start new learning model

Elementary students (Kindergarten to Grade 8)

Monday, Oct. 19 - Form sent to elementary families
Tuesday, Oct. 27 (4 p.m.) - Deadline for form to be submitted
Monday, Nov. 30 - Start new learning model

Students are expected to continue in their current learning model until these November transition dates.

The Change in Delivery Form will be emailed to parents/guardians on the above dates.

The form that will be sent to you is only for families wishing to switch learning models. If you do not wish to switch learning models, please DO NOT complete this form.

Further information

Sept. 17, 2020 - Government of Ontario Changes to the COVID-19 School Screening Protocols Required by Students and Staff

Sept. 17, 2020

Dear HDSB families,
We are writing to inform you of changes made by the Government of Ontario to the COVID-19 school screening protocols required by students and staff.

Change to self-isolation protocol
The Government of Ontario has advised us of a change in the protocol requirements for self-isolation if you have a close contact (i.e. siblings) living in the same household showing symptoms of COVID-19. If an individual has COVID-19 symptoms, their close contacts will NOT be required to self-isolate while the individual experiencing COVID-19 symptoms awaits test results. If the close contacts/siblings do have symptoms of COVID-19, then they must self-isolate too.

NEW online COVID-19 screening tool
Parents/guardians (and students 18+) must now complete the Government of Ontario's new online COVID-19 school screening tool for each child prior to attending school each day. This online school screening tool replaces the Daily Self-Assessment for HDSB Students poster provided on the first day of school. Please disregard the previously distributed poster as it is no longer accurate based on the recent announcement by the Government of Ontario.

COVID-19 Reporting on HDSB websites
The HDSB COVID-19 Advisory webpage provides the number of positive COVID-19 cases that are connected to our schools. Schools will have a yellow banner at the top of their websites that directs users to the HDSB COVID-19 Advisory page on the Board website. Cases will remain on the website until the case is resolved and the absence is no longer being reported at the school level. Confirmed students or staff cases of COVID-19 are also reported on the Ministry of Education’s COVID-19 Cases in Schools and Child Care Centres webpage.

How will you know of a positive COVID-19 case at your child’s school
When a positive COVID-19 case is identified at a school, Halton Region Public Health will follow their contact tracing protocol and reach out to any close contacts. All families and staff at the school will be notified by email of any confirmed positive COVID-19 cases.

Further information
Please view our COVID-19 webpage. We will continue to keep you informed through the HDSB website, SchoolMessenger emails and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Sept. 15, 2020 - Reopening Schools Update for Elementary Students (in-person and virtual)

Dear HDSB families of elementary students,

We are writing to inform you that both our in-person and virtual school classes have now been scheduled. Students attending the in-person school model began yesterday (Monday, Sept. 14) and students attending our Virtual Schools will be starting on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

Glossary of terms
To ensure students and families are familiar with the terminology we are using to differentiate between the two learning models (virtual and in-person), please refer to the below definitions:

Virtual school: School for students who opted for learning fully online are enrolled in one of the four HDSB virtual schools. There is one virtual secondary school and three virtual elementary schools (east, north, west). Students participate in 300-minutes of scheduled learning which includes 225 minutes of synchronous learning (175 minutes for Kindergarten).
In-person school: School for students who opted to learn fully in-person at their designated school and physically attend school. Elementary students participate in a scheduled 300-minute day at their school five days per week. Secondary students participate in a scheduled 300-minute day, attending school in-person on designated days per week (two or three days per week in-person and the other days via distance learning) for 180 minutes at the beginning of the day. All students participate in distance learning (synchronously and asynchronously) for 120 minutes at the end of the day.
Distance learning: Distance learning is for in-person students only. When in-person secondary students transition home after their morning classes at school, they participate in distance learning. Distance learning occurs online either synchronously or asynchronously. Distance learning will also be available all day for elementary or secondary students who temporarily cannot attend school in-person if they are required to self-isolate or are ill but still able to participate in their learning.

Information on Switching Learning Models
The Intent to Return survey was originally available from August 10-17, however it was extended to Aug. 23 at 4 p.m., to allow families to revise their decision to attend school in-person or virtually. Since that time, families have continued to request changes to their response(s). We have reviewed these requests and have placed students based on extenuating circumstances and where space was available.

Now that school has commenced and staffing and timetabling is in place, we will unfortunately no longer be able to accept late requests to change learning models. Only new registrations and students with specific needs will be considered. Any additional students who have requested virtual school, but have not been granted a placement, will remain in their in-person school. Those unable or unwilling to attend in-person should reach out to the Principal of their school to discuss possible alternative arrangements.

A process and timeline will be shared in early October regarding how students may request to switch between virtual and in-person learning. As outlined in our Reopening Schools Plan, the following dates are when transitions between learning models will take place:

Elementary (Kindergarten - Grade 8) opportunities to change delivery models (i.e., in-person or virtual) will be:

November 30 or
End of Term 1 (mid-February)

We continue to add to our list of FAQs to help address concerns from families. We will continue to keep you informed through the HDSB website, SchoolMessenger emails and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Sept. 15, 2020 - Reopening Schools Update for Secondary Students (in-person and virtual)

Dear HDSB families of secondary students,

We are writing to inform you that both our in-person and virtual school classes have now been scheduled. Students attending the in-person school model began yesterday (Monday, Sept. 14) and students attending our Virtual Schools will be starting on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

Glossary of terms
To ensure students and families are familiar with the terminology we are using to differentiate between the two learning models (virtual and in-person), please refer to the below definitions:

Virtual school: School for students who opted for learning fully online are enrolled in one of the four HDSB virtual schools. There is one virtual secondary school and three virtual elementary schools (east, north, west). Students participate in 300-minutes of scheduled learning which includes 225 minutes of synchronous learning (175 minutes for Kindergarten).
In-person school: School for students who opted to learn fully in-person at their designated school and physically attend school. Elementary students participate in a scheduled 300-minute day at their school five days per week. Secondary students participate in a scheduled 300-minute day, attending school in-person on designated days per week (two or three days per week in-person and the other days via distance learning) for 180 minutes at the beginning of the day. All students participate in distance learning (synchronously and asynchronously) for 120 minutes at the end of the day.
Distance learning: Distance learning is for in-person students only. When in-person secondary students transition home after their morning classes at school, they participate in distance learning. Distance learning occurs online either synchronously or asynchronously. Distance learning will also be available all day for elementary or secondary students who temporarily cannot attend school in-person if they are required to self-isolate or are ill but still able to participate in their learning.

Quadmester Calendar (for students attending school in-person)
The HDSB Quadmester Calendar 2020-2021 is the guide for secondary students attending school in-person and shows when they will be at school and when they will be distance learning.

Information on Switching Learning Models
The Intent to Return survey was originally available from August 10-17, however it was extended to August 23 at 4 p.m. to allow families to revise their decision to attend school in-person or virtually. Since that time, families have continued to request changes to their response(s). The Virtual Secondary School is reviewing these requests and placing students based on extenuating circumstances and where space is available. We anticipate this process to be completed by Friday, Sept. 18.

Because of the volume of requests and the limited space available in the Virtual Secondary School, we are advising students to continue to attend their ‘in person’ (home) school. We are no longer accepting new requests to switch learning models for Quadmester 1, as staffing and timetables are in place.

Any students unable or unwilling to attend their in-person school should reach out to the Principal to discuss possible alternative arrangements.

A process and timeline will be shared in early October regarding how students may request to switch between virtual and in-person learning. As outlined in our Reopening Schools Plan, the following dates are when transitions between learning models will take place:

Secondary (Grade 9-12) opportunities to change delivery models (e.g., in-person or virtual) will be:End of Quadmester 1: November 12 or

End of Quadmester 2: February 5

Further information
We continue to add to our list of FAQs to help address concerns from families. We will continue to keep you informed through the HDSB website, SchoolMessenger emails and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Sept. 13, 2020 - Reopening Schools Update for Virtual Secondary School Families

Dear families of Virtual Secondary School students,

We are pleased to inform you that timetables were emailed to student HDSB email accounts earlier today. Please ensure that your child checks their Board email account today and reviews their schedule carefully.

Guidance counsellors will be available throughout the week to assist with course changes. These changes will be prioritized as follows:

Missing graduation requirements and prerequisites, including SHSM requirements
Replacement of a course taken at summer school
Timetable conflicts and incomplete timetables (students in Grade 9, 10, 11 should have eight courses, students in Grade 12 should have a minimum of six courses)
Those who need to add a requirement for post-secondary education plans
Those needing a pathway change (e.g. academic to applied)

Timetable change requests will not be considered based on teacher, or the placement of course(s) in quadmesters.

If you would like to submit a request to change your timetable, please use this form.

School starts on Wednesday, Sept. 16 and students will be starting at 8:30 a.m. in their Period 2 classes. Their Period 1 class will start at 12:20 p.m. Teachers will contact students on Monday and Tuesday, via their Board email accounts, to welcome them to the course and provide instructions on how to access their Brightspace classrooms.

School website
The Virtual Secondary School website is live. Please continue to check our school website as we add new information and resources.

Contact Us
To contact the school, please email vssvs@hdsb.ca. Virtual Secondary School administrative staff will be working out of the New Street Education Centre (3250 New Street, Burlington).

Thanks for your continued support as we build our new school!

Sincerely,
Ms. Meredith Cammisuli
Principal - HDSB Virtual Secondary School

Sept. 11, 2020 - Parents/guardians of Students in All Virtual Schools (Elementary and Secondary) - Start date for Virtual Schools Delayed

Dear Families of Virtual School students,

We are writing to inform you that the first day of school will be delayed for students in the elementary and secondary Virtual Schools. The first day of school will now be Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020.

This delay is due to the recent and increased demand of the virtual learning model and the time required to complete school start-up tasks. Virtual School administrators and staff are working as quickly as possible to build classes and assign teachers to them.

Once this is complete, schools will reach out to parents/guardians and students to access their virtual classrooms.

Websites for the virtual schools are now live. Please continue to check these websites as we add new information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We have added to our list of Virtual School FAQs to help address questions from families.

Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding.

Sept. 11, 2020 - All HDSB Parents/guardians and Secondary Students - Information for Students on the Virtual School Waitlist

This message is intended for families who are waitlisted for virtual schools

Dear students and families interested in attending an HDSB virtual school,

Thank you for your patience as we develop our virtual schools, building classes and timetables in a short period of time. Now that this work is nearly complete, we will begin to address the students on the waitlist for a virtual school, which currently has a significant number of students on it.

We will be working through this waitlist in a prioritized order beginning with families with extenuating circumstances and new students to the Halton District School Board. This work will continue throughout the weekend and into next week.

We know this is not ideal but it is the reality of creating new virtual school learning models in such a compressed time frame. Some of our virtual classes are very full. We will do our best to accommodate families on the waitlist where there is available space.

We appreciate your patience as we work through this process.

In the meantime, students currently attending an in-person school should continue to do so.

Sept. 9, 2020 - Reopening Schools Update for Students Learning In-person

Dear HDSB families,

We are writing to provide you with another update on the upcoming opening of schools.

Information for both elementary and secondary students attending school in-person is included in this letter.

Elementary students (Kindergarten - Grade 8)

Orientation dates this week

English, French Immersion and Self-Contained Gifted: Students are invited to attend an optional in-person orientation to learn new school routines and health protocols this week. These orientation dates take place tomorrow on Thursday, Sept. 10 and also Friday, Sept. 11, with students divided alphabetically into two groups. If you are unsure which orientation day your child can attend, please contact the main office of your school. As a reminder, transportation will not be provided on these dates.
Self-Contained Special Education Classes (excluding Gifted): Students can attend an optional in-person orientation day on Friday, Sept. 11. Transportation will be provided.

For students unable to attend the orientation, there will be a refresher on health and safety protocols throughout the first week of school.

We encourage all families to view the Elementary Reopening Schools video to learn what students can expect on the first day of school.

Secondary students (Grade 9 - 12)

To determine which day students attend school, students will be divided into two groups (Cohort A and Cohort B) based on their timetables and last name. As schools are in the process of finalizing timetables and staffing, students will receive their timetables and will be notified of which Cohort they are in through their HDSB email between Friday, Sept. 11 and Sunday, Sept. 13. Schools will also communicate school specific building procedures to support safe entry and exit of students. Students will see a welcome message in each of their Brightspace courses that will contain further course-specific information.

Brightspace
Brightspace is the learning platform for all secondary students (in-person and virtual students). Students are encouraged to prepare for Brightspace in the following ways:

View the Virtual Learning webpage on the HDSB website. Please note that students log into Brightspace using their HDSB email and password.
Brightspace Student Information Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Brightspace Video Tutorials are available in multiple languages.

Courses will begin to appear in Brightspace as teachers activate them prior to Monday, Sept. 14. Students will know they are activated because they will appear on their Brightspace Course Widget.
It is important that students regularly check their HDSB email as this is how they will receive important information from their school and teachers. For students new to the HDSB, please contact your school to obtain your HDSB user ID and password.

Secondary orientation is voluntary and includes:

Grade 9 students: Virtual Link Crew activities will occur online (students will not attend school for these activities) on Thursday, Sept. 10 or Friday, Sept. 11, led by teachers and Link Leaders.
Community Pathways Programs (CPP) students: An optional in-person orientation day will be held on Friday, Sept. 11.

If you and/or your student has not yet received information from your school about these optional activities, please contact your school.

All families are encouraged to view the Secondary Reopening Schools video to learn what students can expect on the first day of school. Secondary students will learn about health protocols and expectations on the first day they attend school in-person.

Transportation update

Elementary students

We encourage families of elementary students to view the following videos to learn about school bus safety during COVID-19:

Kindergarten - Grade 3 students: https://youtu.be/1zv4SAC6E3c
Grade 4-8 students: https://youtu.be/nM4cL9ZzluU

Secondary students
Busing is set to commence on Monday, Sept. 14. A student’s cohort determines which days of the week they attend school. Students should review the quadmester schedule shared by their school. Schools will also send home weekly reminders to families and secondary bused students will be given colour coded bus tags to help bus drivers and students follow the cohorting schedule.

Tips for wearing masks/face coverings
As a reminder, non-medical/cloth masks or face coverings are mandatory for all students in Grade 1-12. Kindergarten students are encouraged to wear a mask or face covering. Families are responsible for providing their child(ren) with the mask(s) or face covering needed each day and are encouraged to find a style that provides fit and comfort. It is also recommended that students come to school with a bag (e.g. zip lock) to safely store their mask during nutrition/mask breaks. The school may assist families who are unable to secure masks for their child(ren); please contact the school for more information.

Halton Region Public Health has created the following video for students with tips from Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Commissioner and Medical Officer of Health, on how to safely wear a mask at school: https://youtu.be/OCz0HTV6iaU.

We encourage all families to review the Mask Wearing Tips page on our website for information on how to support students with wearing masks as they return to school.

Daily Self-Assessment for HDSB students
As a reminder, all parents/guardians must complete a Daily Self-Assessment for each child prior to attending school. Please view an electronic version of the Daily Self-Assessment for HDSB Students. Translated versions are available in Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Hindi, Korean, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Turkish, and Urdu. A copy of the self-assessment poster will be provided to all families during the first week of school. You will be provided a poster for home use and we encourage you to place this in a visible area in your home (e.g., fridge).

Mental health resources
As we reopen schools, we are committed to the safety, mental health and well-being of students and staff. If you have concerns about your child's mental health, help is available from school staff and in the community. Please share your concerns with a school staff member. A list of resources is available on our Mental Health and Well-Being Resources for School Reopening webpage.

Further information
To learn more, visit our Reopening Schools Plan webpage. We continue to add to our list of FAQs to help address concerns from families. We will continue to keep you informed through the HDSB website, SchoolMessenger emails and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

Thank you for your ongoing understanding and patience.

Sept. 10, 2020 - Update for Families of Virtual Elementary School Students

Sept. 10, 2020

Dear Families of Virtual Elementary School students,

We are writing to provide you with more information on what school will look like when we start next week (Monday, Sept. 14).

We are pleased to announce that the websites for the virtual elementary schools are now live. Please continue to check these websites as we add new information.

Your Principals
We are happy to introduce the principals of the virtual elementary schools:

Andrew Kaiser, Principal, Virtual School Elementary - East (Oakville)
Jennifer Feke, Principal, Virtual School Elementary - West (Burlington)
Mareika Smith, Principal, Virtual School Elementary - North (Halton Hills & Milton)

Your principals look forward to getting to know you and your children.

Our principals and vice-principals are currently building classes. Once this is completed, homeroom teachers will contact parents/guardians and provide information on how to access the virtual class on Monday morning. If you received this email, you know your child is registered in the virtual school and has been placed in a virtual class.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have added to our list of Virtual School FAQs to help address questions from families.

School Hours
School hours for all virtual elementary schools will be: 8:45 a.m. - 3:05 p.m. The exact timing of synchronous and asynchronous learning will be communicated by the teacher when timetabling is complete.

Technology
Students in the virtual elementary schools will need their own device to connect to the Google Classroom learning platform. Students in need of technology were identified in the Spring and supplied with an HDSB device which they can continue to use this Fall. Any new requests for technology will be managed by your in-person (home) school. Administrators at your in-person (home) school will be setting up a process to address new requests for devices.

We encourage students and families to review the HDSB Technology & You webpage as it contains helpful resources for how to use technology safely and responsibly.

School Year Calendar
Please view an electronic version of the 2020-2021 School Year Calendar.

Contact Us
To contact the virtual elementary schools, please use the following email addresses:

Virtual School Elementary - West (Burlington): vewvs@hdsb.ca
Virtual School Elementary - East (Oakville): veevs@hdsb.ca
Virtual School Elementary - North (Halton Hills & Milton): venvs@hdsb.ca

Due to the volume of questions received from parents/guardians, we will aim to get back to you as soon as possible. In the meantime, we encourage you to view the Frequently Asked Questions.

Virtual elementary school administrative staff will be working at the New Street Education Centre (3250 New Street, Burlington, L7N 1M8). Phone numbers for the virtual schools will be set-up tomorrow and communicated to families. Phones will be answered beginning Monday, Sept. 14.

Further information

To learn more, visit the HDSB Reopening Schools Plan webpage. We continue to add to our list of FAQs to help address concerns from families. We will continue to keep you informed through the HDSB website, SchoolMessenger emails and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

Sept. 9, 2020 - Update for Virtual Secondary School Students and Parents/Guardians

Dear Families of Virtual Secondary School students,

We are writing to provide you with more information on what school will look like when we start school on Monday, September 14.

Our school hours will be 8:30 a.m. - 2:50 p.m. with the structure of the day being:

Morning Session (Course 1) 8:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Announcements 11:00 - 11:05 a.m.
Lunch 11:05 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Afternoon Session (Course 2) 12:20 - 2:50 p.m.

Morning and afternoon courses will flip each week. Here is a sample timetable.

We are still in the process of building student timetables for more than 3,700 students. We are hopeful that we will be able to distribute timetables to students late Friday afternoon.

Students should also anticipate receiving instructions on how to join a Brightspace classroom on Friday.

Students in our Community Pathways Program (CPP) will receive separate messaging about their programming from our Communication Centre Assistant, Fiona Hall.

Technology
Students in the Virtual Secondary School will need their own device to connect to the Brightspace learning platform. Students in need of technology were identified last spring and supplied with an HDSB device which they can continue to use this Fall. Any new requests for technology will be managed by the in-person (home) school. Administrators at your in-person (home) school will be setting up a process to address any new requests for devices.

School Year Calendar
Please view an electronic version of the 2020-2021 School Year Calendar.

Contact Us
To contact the school, please email vssvs@hdsb.ca. Virtual Secondary School administrative staff will be working out of the New Street Education Centre (3250 New Street, Burlington). We are expecting in the next couple of days to share the link to our school website and social media for you to visit for updates from us.

Further information
To learn more, visit our Reopening Schools Plan webpage. We continue to add to our list of FAQs to help address concerns from families. We will continue to keep you informed through the HDSB website, SchoolMessenger emails and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

We will be sharing another update with you later this week.

Sincerely,
Ms. Meredith Cammisuli
Principal - HDSB Virtual Secondary School
Ms. Zeffie Nicholas & Ms. Carolyn McLarty
Vice-principals - HDSB Virtual Secondary School

Sept. 9, 2020 - Update for Parents/Guardians of Students in the Virtual Elementary Schools

Dear Families of Virtual Elementary School students,

We are writing to provide you with more information on what school will look like when we start next week (Monday, Sept. 14).

Our Principals are hiring and placing teachers, Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) and Educational Assistants (EAs) as well as building classes. We expect this work to be complete by Thursday, Sept. 10. Teachers who have been placed are hard at work preparing for their students. Our teachers are engaging in professional development with a variety of workshops including Google Classroom. The teachers for the Virtual Schools will teach from various schools across the school board.

School Hours
School hours for all virtual elementary schools will be: 8:45 a.m. - 3:05 p.m. The exact timing of synchronous and asynchronous learning will be communicated by the teacher when timetabling is completed.

Technology
Students in the virtual elementary schools will need their own device to connect to the Google Classroom learning platform. Students in need of technology were identified in the Spring and supplied with an HDSB device which they can continue to use this Fall. Any new requests for technology will be managed by your in-person (home) school. Administrators at your in-person (home) school will be setting up a process to address new requests for devices.

School Year Calendar
Please view an electronic version of the 2020-2021 School Year Calendar.

Contact Us
To contact the virtual elementary schools, please use the following email addresses:

Virtual School Elementary - West (Burlington): vewvs@hdsb.ca
Virtual School Elementary - East (Oakville): veevs@hdsb.ca
Virtual School Elementary - North (Halton Hills/Milton): venvs@hdsb.ca

Virtual elementary school administrative staff will be working at the New Street Education Centre (3250 New Street, Burlington, L7N 1M8). Phone numbers for the virtual schools will be set-up on Friday, Sept. 11 and communicated to families.

You will receive a link to your school’s website later in the week.

Further information
To learn more, visit the HDSB Reopening Schools Plan webpage. We continue to add to our list of FAQs to help address concerns from families. We will continue to keep you informed through the HDSB website, SchoolMessenger emails and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

Sept. 3, 2020 - Reopening Schools Update for Students Learning In-person

Dear HDSB families,

We hope you and your families are keeping well. We are writing to provide you with updated information on the start to the 2020-2021 school year.

Information for both elementary and secondary students attending school in-person is included in this letter.

Elementary (Kindergarten - Grade 8) in-person school orientation

Elementary students will be invited to an optional orientation to learn new school routines and health protocols before the official start of school on Monday, Sept. 14.

Students in English, French Immersion and Self-Contained Gifted: These optional in-person orientation dates will take place for a full school day on Thursday, Sept. 10 or Friday, Sept. 11, with students divided alphabetically into two groups. Your school will notify you of the day your child(ren) can attend. Transportation will not be provided on these dates.

Students in Self-Contained Special Education Classes (excluding Gifted): The optional in-person orientation date will be held on Friday, Sept. 11. More details will be provided by your school. It is our intent to provide transportation for these students.

For students unable to attend the orientation, there will be a refresher on health and safety protocols throughout the first week of school.

We encourage all families to view the Elementary Reopening Schools video to learn what students can expect on the first day of school.

Elementary schools will advise parents/guardians of their child’s class placement on September 8 or 9.

Secondary (Grade 9 - 12) in-person school orientation

Secondary students who will attend school in-person will receive their timetables via their HDSB email by September 11. They will also receive cohorting information and other messaging specific to school opening. It is important that students regularly check their HDSB email as this is how they will receive important information from their school and teachers. For students new to the HDSB, please contact your school to obtain your HDSB user ID and password.

On Thursday, Sept. 10 and Friday, Sept. 11 students can prepare for the new school year with the following resources:

Brightspace is the learning platform for all secondary students (in-person and virtual students). Students are encouraged to view the Virtual Learning webpage on the HDSB website (www.hdsb.ca) to support your Brightspace orientation. Please note that students log in to Brightspace using their HDSB email and password.
Brightspace Student Information Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Brightspace Video Tutorials are available on the Virtual Learning webpage in multiple languages. Courses will begin to appear in Brightspace as teachers activate them prior to September 14. Students will know they are activated because they will appear on their Brightspace landing page with a welcome message.

Grade 9 students: Virtual Grade 9 Link Crew activities will occur online (students will not attend school for these activities) on Thursday, Sept. 10 or Friday, Sept. 11, led by teachers and Link Leaders. Details will be provided by your school.

Students in the Community Pathways Programs (CPP): An optional orientation day will be held on Friday, Sept. 11. More details will be provided by your school.

All families are encouraged to view the Secondary Reopening Schools video to learn what students can expect on the first day of school. Secondary students will learn about health protocols and expectations on the first day they attend school in-person.

Transportation Update

Transportation will be provided on Friday, Sept. 11 for elementary students in self-contained classrooms and secondary students in the Community Pathways Program. To confirm whether your child will receive transportation, please contact Halton Student Transportation Services (HSTS).
Transportation is set to commence for all students on Monday, Sept. 14
Unfortunately, transportation will not be available for orientation programs for students in English, French Immersion and Gifted programs on Sept. 10 and 11

Daily Self-Assessment for HDSB Students

As a reminder, all parents/guardians must complete a Daily Self-Assessment for each child prior to attending school. Please view an electronic version of the Daily Self-Assessment for HDSB Students. Translated versions are available in Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Hindi, Korean, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Turkish, and Urdu. A hard copy of the self-assessment poster will be provided to all families during the first week of school. You will be provided a poster for home use and we encourage you to place this in a visible area in your home (e.g., fridge).

Tips for wearing masks/face coverings

Non-medical/cloth masks or face coverings are mandatory for all students in Grade 1-12. Kindergarten students are encouraged to wear a mask or face covering. Families are responsible for providing their child(ren) with the mask(s) or face covering needed each day and are encouraged to find a style that provides fit and comfort. It is also recommended that students come to school with a bag (e.g. zip lock) to safely store their mask during nutrition/mask breaks. The school may assist families who are unable to secure masks for their child(ren); please contact the school for more information.

Halton Region Public Health has shared information on the use of non-medical masks/face coverings in schools. We encourage all families to view this fact sheet as it contains helpful tips to support students in wearing masks/face coverings in schools.

Mental Health Resources

The mental health of our students and families is especially important at this time. Please view our mental health and well-being resources for supporting others, including information for families on how to prepare children for school this year.

Further information
To learn more, visit our Reopening Schools Plan webpage. We continue to add to our list of FAQs to help address concerns from families. We will continue to keep you informed through the HDSB website, SchoolMessenger emails and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Sept. 3, 2020 - Update for Parents/Guardians of Elementary Virtual School Students

Sept. 3, 2020

Dear Families of Elementary Virtual School students,

To accommodate students who have selected virtual learning, the HDSB has created three Virtual Elementary Schools and one Virtual Secondary School. These schools include:

Virtual Elementary East (Oakville)
Virtual Elementary North (Halton Hills, Milton)
Virtual Elementary West (Burlington)
Virtual Secondary School

The Principals and Vice-principals of these four virtual schools are hard at work staffing and timetabling the Virtual Schools for this fall. They are receiving support from all HDSB departments to have these schools up and running for Monday, Sept. 14. You will begin to receive messaging directly from your virtual school and be able to communicate with them once they are set up on SchoolMessenger and their website and social media presence is established.

In the meantime we wanted to provide you with some initial information so you can start preparing your children for Virtual School.

Technology
Each student registered in a virtual school will need their own device to connect to Google Classroom (for elementary students). If you are not able to provide your child with a device, and do not have an HDSB device that was loaned to your child in the spring, you may request a device through your in-person (home) school. Administrators at your child’s in-person (home) school will be setting up a process to distribute devices. You will be receiving communication regarding this process.

School Hours
School hours for all virtual schools will be: 8:45 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.

The exact timing of synchronous and asynchronous learning will be communicated by the teacher when timetabling is completed.

We look forward to working with you to support your child’s education. Much more communication to follow.

Mental Health Resources
The mental health of our students and families is especially important at this time. Please view our mental health and well-being resources for supporting others, including information for families on how to prepare children for school this year.

Further information
To learn more, visit our Reopening Schools Plan webpage. We continue to add to our list of FAQs to help address concerns from families. We will continue to keep you informed through the HDSB website, SchoolMessenger emails and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

We will be sharing another update with families on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Sept. 3, 2020 - Update for Parents/Guardians of Virtual Secondary School Students

Sept. 3, 2020

Dear Families of Virtual Secondary students,

Welcome to the brand new HDSB Virtual Secondary School, or the HDSB VSS as we are calling it. To accommodate students who have selected virtual learning, the HDSB has created a Virtual Secondary School, along with three Virtual Elementary Schools. I am the Principal of our new secondary school and along with our Vice-principals Ms. Zeffie Nicholas and Ms. Carolyn McLarty, we look forward to getting to know you this year and to working with you to reach your many goals.

We know that you have many questions about the school year, your courses, timetable and how virtual school will work. We are working hard to build timetables, processes for guidance and transition planning, and information on how students will access their courses in Brightspace. During the next week, a lot of information will be coming your way about how the VSS will operate. For now please know that we are trying to balance doing things quickly with doing things well.

COVID-19 has led to many unexpected changes in our daily lives and attending school virtually might not have been how you imagined your school year. We see this as an amazing opportunity to build something new, something that meets student needs and prepares students to be global citizens.

When school opens, your Vice-principals and I will be hosting virtual drop-ins to get to know you and to hear your ideas so that you can be a part of building Halton’s first virtual secondary school.

Helpful resources:
Sample Student Timetable at the VSS
HDSB Reopening Schools Plan
Tutorials on Brightspace for students

Mental Health Resources
The mental health of our students and families is especially important at this time. Please view the HDSB’s mental health and well-being resources for supporting others, including information for families on how to prepare children for school this year.

We will be sharing another update with families early next week.

Sincerely,

Ms. Meredith Cammisuli
Principal - HDSB Virtual Secondary School
Ms. Zeffie Nicholas & Ms. Carolyn McLarty
Vice-principals - HDSB Virtual Secondary School

Messages from the Minister of Education

January 2, 2021 Message to Ontario's Parents - English , French

Board Office

Halton District School Board
J.W. Singleton Education Centre
2050 Guelph Line
Burlington, Ontario, L7P 5A8

Numbers

Phone: 905-335-3663
Fax: 905-335-9802

Links

Email Us

COVID-19 Updates for Families

Past COVID-19/Reopening Schools Updates for HDSB ​Families​​​​ ​

Update for all HDSB Families (Kindergarten - Grade 12)

Elementary student schedules and reminders

Technology for learning

Student Attendance

Privacy

Further information

​Information on Switching Learning Models (in-person/virtual)

Secondary students (Grade 9 - 12)

Elementary students (Kindergarten to Grade 8)

Further information

The next opportunity for families to switch learning models will be:

Elementary studentsJan. 26 - Feb. 8, 2021 with a start date of March 1, 2021

Secondary studentsDec. 14, 2020 - Jan. 4, 2021 with a start date of Feb. 8, 2021 (Quadmester 3)

Midterm marks and final report cards

Online Student Success Days on Nov. 12 and 13​

EQAO Grade 9 Math Assessment

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)

Volunteer hours for secondary students

Post-secondary applications​

Switching learning models​

Complete the Change in Delivery Form for Elementary Students now: http://bit.ly/changemodel-elementary

Further information

Complete the Change in Delivery Form​for Secondary Students now: http://bit.ly/changemodel-secondary

Further information

Secondary students (Grade 9 - 12)

Elementary students (Kindergarten to Grade 8)

Further information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Elementary students (Kindergarten - Grade 8)

Secondary students (Grade 9 - 12)

Transportation update

Past COVID-19/Reopening Schools Updates for HDSB Families

Information on Switching Learning Models (in-person/virtual)

Elementary students
Jan. 26 - Feb. 8, 2021 with a start date of March 1, 2021

Secondary students
Dec. 14, 2020 - Jan. 4, 2021 with a start date of Feb. 8, 2021 (Quadmester 3)

Online Student Success Days on Nov. 12 and 13

Post-secondary applications

Switching learning models

Complete the Change in Delivery Formfor Secondary Students now: http://bit.ly/changemodel-secondary