Listed below are highlights of the changes to the operation of schools.
- Effective March 14, 2022, we are no longer required to have a Covid-19 vaccination disclosure policy.
- Effective March 21, 2022, in alignment with community masking requirements, masks will no longer be required for students, staff and visitors in schools, school board offices and on student transportation. Eye protection for staff will also no longer be required. As some students and staff may choose to continue to wear masks or eye protection, the government will continue to provide free masks and eye protection. Students, staff and visitors who wish to still wear a mask are welcome to do so.
- Cohorting and distancing will no longer be required in schools. Assigned seats and cohorting will no longer be required in student transportation. Shared spaces, such as libraries and music rooms can be fully utilized without distancing.
- Daily on-site confirmation of screening for all students and staff will no longer be required. Staff and students should continue to self-screen every day before attending school by using the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool.
- As we are moving into the March Break, for those traveling please review the current federal travel requirements.
Remaining Health and Safety Measures in Schools for the 2021-22 School Year
- Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette
- Enhanced Cleaning and Disinfecting
- Ventilation Measures
Rapid Antigen Test Kits
We have many Rapid Antigen Test Kits available. If you require some please do not hesitate to reach out to your Catholic School Principal.
We have many Rapid Antigen Test Kits available. If you require some please do not hesitate to reach out to your Catholic School Principal.
Updated Case and Contact Management Guidance
- Asymptomatic individuals who are close contacts of a case or a symptomatic individual in the community are no longer required to isolate but must self-monitor for 10 days following last exposure. During the self-monitoring period, close contacts must wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings and avoid activities where they need to take off their mask (for example, playing a wind instrument in music class or playing high-contact sports).
- Asymptomatic household contacts of a case or a symptomatic individual are also not required to isolate if they are 17 or younger and fully vaccinated; 18 and older and have already received their COVID-19 booster; or tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days and have completed their isolation period. Asymptomatic household contacts who are not required to isolate are also required to self-monitor for 10 days following last exposure, as outlined above. Children under 5 who are asymptomatic, household contacts are required to isolate for 5 days.
We appreciate that there is a lot of information provided above. These changes are quite extensive and are a significant shift in the Covid-19 protocols we have been working with over the past few years. We look forward to moving back to some sense of normalcy in the life of our Catholic Schools. Again, thank you for your continued support and commitment to our Catholic Schools.
Be Safe and Be Well.
God Bless,
Gary O’Donnell
Director of Education
Director of Education