Schools across region to open to students in September

Local school boards are now in the process of formulating plans after the province announced Thursday that schools in some areas would open to students in September.

Avon Maitland District School Board Director Dr. Lisa Walsh says now that they have direction from the Province on returning to school in September, they can proceed with finalizing their plans.

That includes setting up procedures that follow health and safety recommendations provided by their public health partners.

That will include screening for parents with their children and staff at home before attending school, enhanced cleaning protocols, mask requirements and signage.

Both the Avon-Maitland District School Board and the Huron-Perth District Catholic School Board were listed as boards where secondary students would also return to school.

Elementary and secondary students in Grey and Bruce will be returning to class full time on September 8th.

The Bluewater District School Board and Bruce Grey District Catholic School Board are now in the process of completing plans to allow students back into schools.

In a letter to parents from Bluewater's Director of Education Lori Wilder states they will be sharing details of a plan once it is confirmed. The board has created a new section on its website where those updates will be posted.

Any plan will be in collaboration with Public Health and there could be a remote learning initiative to support those who choose not to return to an in-class situation.

Meanwhile Director of Education for the Catholic Board Gary O'Donnell says a plan will be shared by the end of the day Friday with information on its website.

Schools in Wellington County will be opening full time in September.

The Upper Grand District School Board is on the list of those that will plan for full time instruction at both the elementary and secondary level including those in Wellington North, Minto and Mapelton.

In a tweet Thursday, the board stated that plans would be released shortly.

Under guidelines announced earlier this summer, a framework was to be ready for the week of August 4th, which is Tuesday.

Today, the Premier & Minister of Education announced the reopening plans for Ontario schools. We can confirm that UGDSB elementary & secondary schools will re-open to students full time in September. We will be releasing more details soon. Stay tuned! #BackToSchool #UGTogether pic.twitter.com/zzyyydeXgR

— Upper Grand DSB (@ugdsb) July 30, 2020