COVID-19 Protocol Updates

Limestone Learning Foundation

The Limestone District School Board welcomes a full return to in-person learning for the 2022-2023 school year. As we have done since March 2020, if public health and provincial requirements changes, we will adjust our plans. 
Staff, students, and visitors should continue to self-screen for illness each school day, and stay home (or keep your student home) if sick. If anyone has symptoms of COVID-19, even mild ones, they should stay home. Anyone who is feeling sick or has any symptoms of illness, including those not listed in this screening tool, should stay home and seek assessment from their health care provider if needed. This will help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), influenza as well as other infectious illnesses. Follow instructions provided on the school screening tool, and any additional guidance available at Ontario.ca/exposed regarding isolation and masking requirements.
Download the COVID-19 school and child care screening to use offline and in other languages.
The Ontario Government has outlined the health and safety measures for all public and private schools for the 2022-2023 school year. Based on the advice of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health most health and safety requirements remain unchanged from what we experienced in schools at the end of June. Masks will not be required for students, staff, and visitors in schools, school board offices, or on student transportation.
KFL&A Public Health continues to encourage the wearing of masks in indoor,
congregate settings.
For the 2022-23 school year, schools will:

    • Continue to provide free high-quality masks for students and staff, as well as eye protection for staff, if they choose to use them.  
    • Encourage students on appropriate hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette (for example, washing hands or coughing into your sleeve) 
    • Have hand sanitizer available at key locations throughout the school 
    • Have mental health services and supports available for students 
    • Will continue to have access to rapid antigen tests that can be used if needed, and used in accordance with provincial testing guidance 
    • Will continue to have enhanced cleaning practices. This includes cleaning high-touch surfaces, like eating areas, washrooms, doorknobs, and desks 
    • Will continue use of HEPA ventilation units in areas without full mechanical ventilation and/or without MERV-13 filtration.  
    • Will continue maximization of fresh-air intake into all buildings, and the running of ventilation units beyond the time buildings are occupied.  

 

Limestone recognizes that personal and family health circumstances can change and/or be impacted by the status of public health measures. Any families wanting to either return to in-person learning, or to move to the virtual school should connect with their current school the week of August 29, 2022 to request a change. We will do our best to accommodate requests within our existing staffing parameters.

 

Updates to the School and Child Care Screening Tool and Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19

 
The Ministry of Health and the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health announced updates to the School and Child Care Screening Tool and Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19. Here is a summary of the updated guidelines:

  • Students, staff, and visitors need to continue to self-screen each school day.
  • Students and staff should stay home when sick. Anyone who is feeling sick or has any new or worsening symptoms of illness (including COVID-19 symptoms) should stay home. What does stay home if you are sick mean?  Stay home and self-isolate until you have no fever and symptoms have been improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours if nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea). After they’ve improved follow additional precautions if indicated.
  • For a total of 10 days after the start any illness symptom or positive Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), students and staff should continue to wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings (including schools and childcare, unless under two years old) and avoid non-essential activities where mask removal is necessary. 
  • Asymptomatic individuals with a positive COVID-19 test result do not need to stay home unless symptoms develop. If symptoms develop, they should stay home and follow the recommended guidelines above.
  • Individuals attending school who are immunocompromised who are feeling sick, or have a positive COVID-19 test, should still stay home for 10 days from the start of any symptom or positive test result, whichever came first. 


Resources
KFL&A Public Health - School and Child Care Screening Tool (PDF)

The Limestone District School Board is situated on traditional territories of the Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee.