Worried as school reopening nears? Here's how WRDSB plans to ensure health and safety

Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) said it remains committed to ensuring all health and safety protocols will be in place for September, and that schools will continue to operate safely.

In its health and safety updates for September 2021, posted on its website, the school board said over the course of the 2021-2022 school year, it hopes to return to regular operations "as it is safe to do so."

WRDSB has shared "important updates" to its health and safety protocols for in-person learning. These include:

Daily screening

Like last year, students (or their parents or caregivers) will need to ensure they have completed screening for COVID-19 symptoms using the Ontario School Screener, WRDSB said. If your child is showing any symptoms, please keep your child at home. You must screen for COVID-19 every day before going to school.

Shared spaces

WRDSB said it recognizes the importance of shared learning environments as students return to full-time, in-person learning in September. The following outlines how it plans to safely use shared spaces:

• The use of cubbies and lockers will be allowed with distancing and hand hygiene.

• Students in Grades 7 and 8 can use tech rooms

• Music programs will be allowed indoors with appropriate safety measures including distancing and cohorting. While singing indoors, students will be required to wear a mask.

• Nutrition programs and non-instructional food events, such as pizza days, will be allowed and will start with a staggered approach in schools later this fall.

• Limited use of cafeteria space for designated classes will be allowed.

Health and physical education

Students will resume health and physical education courses. The use of gyms, swimming pools, change rooms, weight rooms, indoor gym equipment and shared outdoor equipment are allowed with distancing, hand hygiene and the use of masks where appropriate. These activities will not start until relevant safety protocols are in place.

High and low-contact activities are allowed as follows:

• Masking is not required when playing high and low contact activities outdoors.

• Windows should be opened when feasible to increase ventilation.

• Further health andsafety measures may be added once the Ontario Physical andHealth Education Association (OPHEA) releases their guidance document.

Staff will continue to update students and families.

Mental health and well-being supports

WRDSB said it continues to prioritize mental health and well-being as a key condition for learning and flourishing, and as being vital to our well-being.

To support families with the new challenges of this school year, the school boardprovided a number of resources under the Student Well-being section of its Return to School website.

Student transportation

School vehicles can operate at full capacity, WRDSB said. The use of non-medical or cloth masks for students in kindergarten to Grade 12 is required on school vehicles.

Students who ride the bus will be assigned seats. Please visit the Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) website for more information on bus times.