COVID-19 Updates for Families

May 20, 2021

Information about Learning Models for 2021-2022 School Year

• Students learn in person following the regular school hours and schedule at their home school.
• When possible, and in accordance with Ministry guidance, students learning in-person will be able to participate in school clubs and teams.
• NO ACTION REQUIRED for this learning model; students will remain in their home schools.

• Students will learn fully online.
• School start and end times will be confirmed before the start of school in September. 
• Remote learning will be taught by staff who may not be from your home school.
• Students from multiple schools may be assigned to the same remote learning class.
• For students in French Immersion we will make every effort to provide instruction in French. 
• Students will be required to participate online using technology in real-time during the school day (180 minutes for Kindergarten; 225 minutes for Grade 1 - 8). The remainder of the day will be independent learning.
• ACTION REQUIRED: Complete the Remote Learning Registration Form for Elementary Students by Tuesday, June 1 at 11:59 p.m.  Only students who have registered for 2021-2022 remote learning will be placed in a remote learning class. 
  

May 20, 2021 

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 about Learning Models for 2021-2022 School Year

IN-PERSON LEARNING MODEL:

• Students attend in person for the full day, five days per week, following the regular start and end times at their home school.
• Schools will follow a Quadmester schedule (limit of two courses at a time), with one course in the morning and one in the afternoon (both in-person).
• When possible, and in accordance with Ministry guidance, students learning in-person will be able to participate in school clubs and teams.
• NO ACTION REQUIRED for this model; students will remain in their home schools.
  

• Students will learn fully online.
• School start and end times will be confirmed before the start of school in September.
• Schools will follow a Quadmester schedule (limit of two courses at a time), with one course in the morning and one in the afternoon (both online for 150 minutes per course).
• Remote learning will be taught by staff who may not be from the home secondary school.
• French Immersion courses will be offered where enrolment numbers permit.
• Students from multiple schools may be assigned to the same class.
• The following specialized optional programs will not be offered virtually: Accelerated Learning Program, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, LEAP and I-STEM. 
• Students will be required to reselect courses for the 2021-2022 school year to replace your home school timetable. Course offerings will include compulsory courses and offer limited electives. 
• Students learning remotely will not be permitted to participate at their home school in-person school clubs or teams. 
• ACTION REQUIRED: 

• Review course offerings for the HDSB Virtual Secondary School. Contact your home secondary school if you have questions.
• Complete the Remote Learning Registration Form for Secondary Students by Tuesday, June 1 at 11:59 p.m.  This includes reselecting courses for the 2021-2022 school year to replace your home school timetable. Note: Course offerings will include compulsory courses and offer limited electives. 
  

Note:  This message does not apply to Gary Allan High School students. Students/families will receive messaging directly from the Gary Allan Learning Centres main office. 

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

Dear HDSB families,

All Ontario school boards will provide the option for students to learn in-person or remotely/virtually in the 2021-2022 school year. While we encourage all students to plan to attend school in person in the fall, we are writing to provide information for students who would like to register for the Remote Learning Model for September 2021. 

All HDSB students have been registered at their home school (in-person) for September 2021, including students currently in remote (virtual) schools. If your child will be attending school in person, there is no further action required. If your child requires the Remote Learning Model for September 2021, complete the Remote Learning Registration Form. 

Timelines for Completing the Remote Learning Registration Form

• Thursday, May 20 - Remote Learning Registration Form will be emailed to all families 

• Tuesday, June 1 (11:59 p.m.) - Deadline for form to be submitted 
  
  

  Elementary Schools  

Kindergarten - Grade 8 in the 2021-2022 school year

• Students learn in person following the regular school hours and schedule at their home school.
• NO ACTION REQUIRED for this model; students will be registered in their home schools.
  

• Students will learn fully online.
• School start and end times will be confirmed before the start of school in September. 
• Remote learning will be taught by staff who may not be from your home school.
• Students from multiple schools may be assigned to the same remote learning class.
• For students in French Immersion we will make every effort to provide instruction in French. 
• Students will be required to participate online using technology in real-time during the school day (180 minutes for Kindergarten; 225 minutes for Grade 1 - 8). The remainder of the day will be independent learning.
  
  

  Secondary Schools  

Grade 9 -12 in the 2021-2022 school year

• Students attend in person for the full day, five days per week, following the regular start and end times at their home school.
• Schools will follow a Quadmester schedule (limit of two courses at a time), with one course in the morning and one in the afternoon (both in-person).
• When possible, and in accordance with Ministry guidance, students learning in-person will be able to participate in school clubs and teams
• NO ACTION REQUIRED for this model; students will remain in their home schools.
  

• Students will learn fully online.
• School start and end times will be confirmed before the start of school in September.
• Schools will follow a Quadmester schedule (limit of two courses at a time), with one course in the morning and one in the afternoon (both online).
• Remote learning will be taught by staff who may not be from the home secondary school.
• Students from multiple schools may be assigned to the same class.
• French Immersion courses will be offered where enrolment numbers permit.
• Students learning remotely will not be permitted to participate at their home school in-person school clubs or teams. 
• Students will be required to participate online using technology in real-time during the school day (225 minutes). The remainder of the day will be independent learning.
• The following specialized optional programs will not be offered virtually: Accelerated Learning Program, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, LEAP and I-STEM. ​
• Students will be required to reselect courses for the 2021-2022 school year to replace your home school timetable. Please note that course offerings will include compulsory courses and offer limited electives. 
  

Dear HDSB families,

This week, the Government of Ontario announced that all Ontario school boards will provide the option for students to learn in-person or remotely/virtually in the 2021-2022 school year (beginning Fall 2021). 

Later in May, HDSB parents/guardians will receive a survey to indicate whether you would like your child to attend school in-person or remotely in the 2021-2022 school year. The HDSB is currently determining the details of how these two learning delivery models will be offered (such as class size, semester/quadmester format, etc.) to ensure parents/guardians have as much information as possible when making this decision.

Thank you for your patience.

Reminder for student artists in Grade 7-12 
We’re looking for student art that illustrates or interprets the new HDSB 2020-2024 Strategic Multi-Year Plan through artist design. Artwork may be created by hand or digitally and will be reproduced for display in the Boardroom of the J.W. Singleton Education Centre. Artwork must be submitted by June 4. Learn more about submission criteria and size/proportion requirements. 

Further information

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

HDSB schools move to Remote Learning after Spring Break​

Dear HDSB families,

Yesterday, the Government of Ontario announced that students will not return to in-person learning following Spring Break (April 12-16). Students will move to teacher-led remote learning effective Monday, April 19, 2021. The government has not provided a date for when in-person learning will resume. All students currently enrolled in virtual school will continue learning virtually. 

Students in Life Skills, Communications and Community Pathways Program classes will continue to have the option to come to school or learn from home. Our staff will be verifying with each family their preference on Monday, April 19.   Regular in-person classes will resume on Tuesday, April 20 for these students wishing to attend in-person learning. Transportation will continue to be provided for students who normally qualify for it. 

Elementary student (Kindergarten - Grade 8) schedules and reminders

Staff will be meeting students online at the beginning of Period 1 on Monday, April 19 to check in and reconnect. Teachers will provide work for students to work on for the remainder of the day so that teachers can follow up with any families of students who are not online. The rest of the week will follow the regular schedule of mainly teacher-led remote learning in real-time. Please note that Friday, April 23 is a Professional Activity (PA) day. 

Effective Tuesday, April 20, 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 real-time learning will be 180 minutes for Kindergarten students and 225 minutes for students in Grade 1-8. For students in our Virtual Elementary Schools, there is no change to the school schedule. Regular learning will resume on Monday, April 19. 

Secondary student (Grade 9-12) schedules and reminders

Secondary remote learning days will follow the current school schedule/timetable. This applies to students who were learning in-person and students in the Virtual Secondary School (VSS). Secondary students who were learning in-person will continue to follow the Quadmester calendar but cohorting will not continue during remote learning, and instead, all students will attend their classes together online daily.  

The Student Success Days and Quadmester 3 Review Day will continue virtually as scheduled on April 21 and 22. Please note that Friday, April 23 is a Professional Activity (PA) day. 

As a reminder, Quadmester 4 will commence for students on Monday, April 26, 2021 and all secondary students will receive Quadmester 4 timetables on Tuesday, April 20. Please continue to refer to these Quadmester 4 calendars:

• Quadmester 4 Calendar for Students in Home Schools (who have been learning in-person)
• Quadmester 4 Calendar for Students in the Virtual Secondary School
  

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

Technology for learning 

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

• Tech Help and Resources for Families   
• HDSB Family Tech Support Request Form  
  

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, April 19 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 request that parents/guardians continue to follow the regular processes for reporting student absences. 

Privacy

Staff will take reasonable precautions to ensure the privacy of students, staff and parents/guardians while ensuring safe inclusive learning environments for all students while working remotely. We encourage all students and families to review the Guidelines for Families of HDSB Virtual School Students.

Further information

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

April 9, 2021

Dear HDSB families, 

Thank you for continuing to follow the public health and safety measures that have kept schools open and safe for students and staff. It is our collective effort that continues to ensure our school communities remain safe learning environments. 

As you are aware, the province has implemented a provincewide shutdown for four weeks in response to worsening trends in key health indicators across the province.

The mental health and well-being of students continues to be a priority and the reason for the Government of Ontario’s decision to keep schools open for in-person learning throughout this Provincial Emergency and Stay-at-Home Order. At this time, schools will reopen for in-person learning on Monday, April 19 following the Spring Break (April 12-16).  Rest assured, should this change, we will advise you as soon as we are able to do so.

In light of recently announced provincial shutdown measures, it is more important than ever that we continue to follow public health measures during the Spring Break to do our part to keep schools open for in-person learning. 

At this critical point in the COVID-19 pandemic, the following public health measures are crucial to help prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19: 

• Socialize with your own household only.
• Stay home and get tested if you feel ill.
• Participate in the asymptomatic COVID-19 testing available to HDSB students and staff.
• Complete the COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool every day, including during Spring Break, if your child is attending child care. Practice good hand hygiene habits, masking and physical distancing. 
• Refrain from travelling. 
  

COVID-19 Testing During Spring Break for HDSB Students and Staff

Parents/guardians are encouraged to take advantage of expanded COVID-19 testing to have their children tested to support a safe return to school on April 19. During Spring Break (April 12-18), students can visit a pharmacy or assessment centre to be tested for COVID-19 whether or not they are showing symptoms of COVID-19. 

• To book a COVID-19 test at a pharmacy: For the week of April 12-18 only, pharmacies that currently offer asymptomatic testing for education staff, will now accept appointments from students. To book an appointment, visit the COVID-19 Testing Locations website, and select “pharmacy” as your location type. 
  

• To book a COVID-19 test at an assessment centre: For the week of April 12-18, students and staff will also be able to access asymptomatic testing at local assessment centres. To book an appointment, visit the COVID-19 Testing Locations website, and select “assessment centre” as your location type.
  

COVID-19 School Screening Requirements

As a reminder, before coming back to school on Monday, April 19, parents/guardians (and students 18+) must complete the Government of Ontario's online COVID-19 school screening tool for each child prior to them attending school each day. If your child or anyone in your household is ill, stay home and follow the guidance in the screening tool.  

• Elementary students (K - Gr. 8) - NEW requirement for Monday, April 19 only: On April 19, parents/guardians of elementary students must present confirmation that they have completed the Government of Ontario’s onlineCOVID-19 school screening tool on behalf of their child(ren). Confirmation of completing the screening tool must be shown to their teacher with a parent/guardian signature on this printable verification form or on a student’s device (phone/tablet). Parents/guardians are required to verify that their child(ren) has passed the screening and can attend school. This verification process is only required on Monday, April 19, however completing the COVID-19 school screening tool remains a daily requirement. Elementary students were provided with a paper copy of this form today at school.
• Secondary students (Gr. 9 - 12): Presenting daily confirmation of completing the screening tool remains a requirement for secondary students. 
  

By following public health advice, we can all enjoy a safe Spring Break and continue to support in-person learning in our school. 

Further Learning Opportunities 

During the Spring Break, students in Grade 1-8 can continue to engage in their own learning through supplemental, curriculum-linked activities available at TVO Learn and TFO IDÉLLO, apprendre à la maison. These opportunities allow students to keep up with their learning and interests. Secondary students can continue to access TVO's Independent Learning Centre (ILC) Open House and Portes ouvertes pour les cours TVO ILC in French-language. Mathify (English) and Eureka! (French) are also available to provide one-on-one online tutoring services for elementary and secondary students. Mathify covers online math tutoring in English for Grade 6 to 10 and Eureka! supports all subjects for French-language students in Grade 1 to 12.

Have a safe, fun and restful break.​

​April 1, 2021

Dear HDSB families,

We are writing to provide additional information for families before we begin the long-weekend. As announced by the Governmen​t of Ontario today, Ontario will enter a four-week provincewide shutdown effective Saturday, April 3. Schools will remain open for in-person learning. HDSB schools will be open for students learning in-person on Tuesday, April 6 following the long-weekend. Students enrolled in virtual school will continue learning virtually.  

The Government also confirmed that Spring Break (April 12-16) will proceed as planned.  

As a reminder, parents/guardians (and students 18+) must complete the Government of Ontario's online COVID-19 school screening tool for each child before attending school each day. Any student who does not pass the school screening tool should remain home and follow the direction provided through the online screening tool.  

We wish all HDSB families a safe and enjoyable long-weekend. 

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

​March 31, 2021

Dear HDSB families,

We are writing to provide additional information for families before we begin the long weekend, 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 learning beginning next week. 

Currently, schools are expected to reopen following the long weekend on Tuesday, April 6, however, all students learning in-person at school are asked to take all their learning resources/supplies and belongings (e.g. shoes, clothing, etc.) home with them this weekend. This is to ensure students have the tools they need should we be directed to close schools and transition to remote learning. ​ 

Decisions regarding school closures due to COVID-19 are made by public health officials and/or the Ministry of Education. In the event of a Board-wide closure, we will inform HDSB families as soon as possible. Further direction will be provided to families with students in self-contained special education programs (e.g., Life Skills, Communications and Community Pathway Programs). 

In the event of a shift to remote 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 in real-time with their classmates and teacher 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. 

We wish all HDSB families a safe and enjoyable long weekend. ​

​March 5, 2021 

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

Through the first three Quadmesters, our goal has been to offer students safe places to learn while maximizing their course selections and pathway planning. Quadmester 4 will commence on April 26, 2021 with students completing their final two courses for the 2020-2021 school year. Our goal to provide safe places to learn remains the same. 

With each learning model change, it becomes increasingly difficult to ensure student course choices, pre-requisites, graduation and pathways planning. 

All students have timetables for Quadmester 4 and these courses are guaranteed to students in their current learning model. Students with compelling reasons to switch learning models (e.g., medical or significant mental health reasons) for the final quadmester may not be able to secure the courses they require in the other model. For example, the course is not offered, the course may have already run earlier in the year, there may not be space within the class cohort, and/or a teacher with qualifications in that area may not be available. For these reasons, we strongly recommend students keep their current timetables unless a change in learning models is absolutely necessary. 

All Grade 12 students who are currently in the Virtual Secondary School will be included in any home school graduation activities and their diploma will reflect the name of their home school.

If a model change is absolutely necessary, please complete the form linked below by Sunday, March 14 at 11:59 p.m.  Families will be contacted if their request for a switch in learning model can be accommodated. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding. As always, our goal is to ensure students succeed and  have access to the courses they need for graduation and post-secondary career planning as well as the need to follow Public Health guidelines and current cohorting requirements. 

Request for Model Change Consideration: http://bit.ly/RequestModelChange 

This form is only for families who require a change in learning models. If you need to make a request to switch learning models, please complete the form by Sunday, March 14 at 11:59 p.m. If you do not need 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).​

​​​​​Feb 12, 2021

The Ontario school Spring Break will be deferred until April 12 - 16, 2021, as announced by the Ministry of Education yesterday. Spring Break was originally scheduled to occur between March 15 - 19. 

In the announcement, Minister of Education Stephen Lecce indicates this decision was made based on advice from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and public health officials. 

Our School Year Calendar will be changed to reflect this new information. 

​​​​​Feb. 9, 2021

Update from Halton Region Public Health​

We encourage you to read the attached letter to Halton parents/guardians from Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health, Halton Region. The Halton District School Board continues to work closely with Halton Region Public Health concerning our efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. HDSB health and safety guidelines and procedures are developed with guidance from Halton Region Public Health and the Ministry of Education. 

​​Feb. 3, 2021

HDSB schools return to in-person learning Monday, Feb. 8

The Ontario Ministry of Education announced today that schools in Halton Region can return to in-person learning on Monday, Feb. 8. As a result, HDSB schools along with Before and After School Childcare programs will be open to students who are learning in-person on Monday, Feb. 8. Before we welcome our in-person learners back to school, we are writing to provide you with a few reminders to ensure the return to school is as safe as possible. 

COVID-19 School Screening Requirements

Parents/guardians (and students 18+) must complete the Government of Ontario's online COVID-19 school screening tool for each child prior to them attending school each day. Any student who does not pass the school screening tool should remain home and follow the direction provided through the online screening tool.  

How to complete the COVID-19 school screening: The online screening tool can be completed on a mobile device, tablet or computer. A PDF version of the COVID-19 school and child care screening is also available for download.  

NEW FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS   

Secondary students (and students 18+) attending school in-person must present daily confirmation that they have completed the Government of Ontario’s online COVID-19 school and child care screening tool before arriving at school. This is a new requirement of the Ontario Ministry of Education. Be assured that no student’s personal information is retained while completing the provincial online screening tool or when confirmation is presented to the school. Your school will provide information on how this confirmation should be presented daily. 

Mask Requirements

As a reminder, non-medical/cloth masks or face coverings are mandatory for students in Grade 1-12, including while riding HDSB transportation. Kindergarten students are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering.

NEW FOR ALL STUDENTS

Students in Grade 1-12 will now be required to wear masks during nutrition breaks, as well as arrival and departure times. As a result, parents/guardians may wish to provide their child with an additional mask(s) to ensure their child has a dry mask when needed. Mask breaks outdoors, where physical distancing can be maintained, will be scheduled by the teacher.

Students are expected not to gather before or after school and are advised to return home directly after school. Car-pooling is discouraged unless all health and safety measures can be adhered to (e.g. masking).

COVID-19 Cases in the HDSB

We will continue to inform parents/guardians and staff about confirmed cases of COVID-19 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. 

Mental Health Resources

The mental health of our students and families is especially important at this time. We encourage you to view the HDSB’s new Mental Health webpage which has information for both parents/guardians and students on mental health, ways to support positive mental health and well-being and how to get additional support at school and in the community. ​

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).  ​

Update for all HDSB Families (Kindergarten - Grade 12) 

Dear HDSB families,

We are writing to inform you that remote learning has been extended further for students in Halton, as announced by Minister of Education Stephen Lecce today. 

Minister Lecce’s announcement listed seven school boards that can return to in-person learning next week and it did not list the Halton District School Board. This means that HDSB students currently learning remotely will not return to in-person learning next week and instead will continue learning remotely. 

A date to return to in-person learning in Halton schools has not been announced by the Ministry of Education at this time.

Further information

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

Dear HDSB families of elementary students, ​