Schools in Chatham-Kent are not expected to have an extended Christmas break.
The two education directors and the medical officer of health in Chatham-Kent told reporters during a weekly teleconference on Thursday morning they have no indication from the province the Christmas break for schools in Chatham-Kent would be extended. However, the heads of the school boards have said schools are preparing for a possible switch to virtual learning by asking students and teachers to take personal belongings home.
"One of the things we would want our staff to do at all times is to be prepared if there is a necessity if there is a change because we are in a pandemic. So, we want to be ever-ready to able to switch to virtual learning if that happens," said Deb Crawford, the director of education for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board.
Director of Education of the Lambton-Kent District School Board John Howitt said the extended March Break caught everyone by surprise and students couldn't access their shoes, eyeglasses, and medications for months.
"We recognize the importance of readiness. We know that at March Break we all expected a two-week school closure and many personal belongings were left in school that students needed," Howitt said.
Chatham-Kent's Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby said his inside sources at Queens Park have told him they're not considering an extended Christmas break.
As of Thursday, Chatham area schools are reporting one student case at Winston Churchill Public School, another at Chatham Kent Secondary School, two at Queen Elizabeth II Public School and one at St. Angela Merici Catholic School. The three student cases at Tilbury High School have dropped down to one.
On Thursday, the medical officer of health for Windsor-Essex Dr. Wajid Ahmed directed all schools in Windsor-Essex to close for students as COVID cases keep rising in that region. He said students will have to shift to online learning as of Monday but schools will remain open to teachers and staff, as well as for full-time daycares.