Government of Ontario Announces All Grand Erie Schools Will Reopen to Students in September with Full-Time, In-Class Learning
Today, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced that all publicly funded schools in the province will reopen this fall for students to return to the classroom. This decision will be paired with enhanced cleaning and health and safety protocols due to COVID-19.
For Grand Erie elementary and secondary students, this means that when the 2020-21 school year begins on Tuesday, September 8, they will be taking part in full-time, in-class learning, Monday through Friday.
Grand Erie’s enhanced cleaning protocols will include an emphasis on touch points, common areas and common objects. Health and safety protocols will focus on making time for regular handwashing. Where handwashing is not available, hand sanitizer will be used. Directional signage will be placed to assist with physical distancing requirements, and schools will consider staggering nutrition, lunch and recess breaks.
The Province is mandating non-medical cloth masks for all students in Grades 4-12, while encouraging the use of non-medical cloth masks for students in Kindergarten through Grade 3. The Province will be providing medical masks for teachers and school staff.
Grand Erie families will be required to keep students at home when sick, or when exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. School visitors will also be extremely limited. The board is working on a protocol with both the Brant County Health Unit and the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit should there be a COVID-19 outbreak in any school or board site.
“The safety and well-being of students and staff remains our highest priority,” said Brenda Blancher, Director of Education. “Recognizing that it’s now been nearly six months since we’ve been in the classroom together, Grand Erie will have social and emotional supports available for students in the fall as we know this will be a challenging time for all.”
Grand Erie District School Board represents more than 26,000 students in 58 elementary and 14 secondary schools within the City of Brantford and the counties of Brant, Haldimand, and Norfolk, as well as secondary students from Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
Important Updates:
- July 30: Minister of Education Stephen Lecce sent this message to Ontario parents, updating them on the back-to-school plans announced by the Province.
Thank you Queensview Retirement Community for donating $1,000 to our playground fundraiser
In an effort to build a better school playground we are trying to raise money for two playground structures with landscaping. This project will make a positive difference for 400+ elementary students at North Ward School. The estimated costs to complete the project is $75,000 to $100,000. Our school has raised approximately $11,000 through our recent Danceathon. Thank you to Queensview Retirement Community and R.T . Systems Inc. for donating $1000 each to our important cause.
For charitable donations of $1,000 or more, we can provide a charitable donation receipt, an acknowledgement on our outdoor school sign (see photo) and an acknowledgement in our school website. We will also include the name of the business or community group on a permanent plaque displayed inside our school.
For further information on donating to our playground project please contact the Ms. Shaheen or Mr. Holmes at: 519-442-2311.
Together, let's build a better playground!
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