Dear UCDSB Parents and Guardians,
The first day of school for students is Tuesday, September 6 and we are excited to welcome students back to our classrooms! The return to school this fall will look more like what students and families are used to, with no restrictions on school extra-curriculars and sports programs, engaging hands-on opportunities and no cohort restrictions. Here is some key information that families and students need to be aware of for the start of the 2022-2023 school year.
Transportation
- Bus pick-up and drop-off times are now available on the STEO website through the Bus Stop Finder and the Parent Portal. Be sure to check the bus times for the child(ren) in your household as this year STEO/bus companies will not be calling families with this information. If you are setting up a new account or adding a new child, you will need to have the child/student’s identification number to access the busing information. This number can be found on your child’s report card, or by contacting STEO directly.
- STEO is still experiencing a shortage of drivers. Although the shortage is less severe than last school year, it is suggested that parents/guardians download the Bus Planner App to their smartphone or other mobile device to get bus delays/cancellations or check the STEO website.
Health Measures in Place
- Students, staff and visitors will not be required to wear masks on school transportation or at school. However, if students and staff choose to wear masks at school, their decisions will be respected. Masks will be provided to students upon request.
- Rapid Antigen Test kits will continue to be available to students.
- The Ontario COVID-19 School Screening tool will still be used in our schools. Parents are asked to ensure they screen their child, or have their older youth self-screen, before coming to school.
- If students start to feel unwell at school, school staff will go through the Ontario COVID-19 screening tool with the student. If the tool indicates that the student should not attend school, a parent or guardian will be contacted to pick the student up. Students will be asked to wear a mask while waiting to be picked up.
- Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette will continue to be promoted and hand sanitizer will be available at different locations within our schools.
- Enhanced cleaning protocols will continue in schools.
- Significant improvements were made to ventilation and air filtration last school year and that work continued over the summer. More than 90 per cent of UCDSB schools have mechanical ventilation systems (ventilation systems that provide fresh air and exhaust, not by windows or exhaust only). Schools that do not have mechanical ventilation have HEPA units in each learning space. Additionally, all JK/SK classrooms have a HEPA unit. Learn more about the full scope of ventilation updates and HEPA units within our schools here.
See you on September 6!