Frequently Asked Questions 2021-2022

Limestone Learning Foundation
Students returned to in-person learning the week of January 17th, after the   Government of Ontario announced a move to remote learning January 5, 2022. 

Please find below frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the return to school. We will continue to update these questions as new information becomes available and/or circumstances in our local community or district change. This means answers may change over time.

If you have a question you do not see answered, please email it to communications@limestone.on.ca 

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work as quickly as we can to provide answers.
Return to School January 2022

When does school resume?

In-person learning resumed for all students on January 17, 2022.

Will there be an option for families to switch to the LDSB Virtual School (beyond this temporary move to remote learning)?

Update (March 7, 2022): The Limestone District school Board will continue to offer Virtual School to both elementary and secondary school students.

Elementary Virtual School: Families must indicate their intentions no later than March 22, 2022.  Elementary Virtual School Survey Link

Secondary Virtual School: Families / students intending to register for Secondary Virtual School are asked to complete the following registration form:  Secondary Virtual School Registration Form by Friday March 25, 2022. 


We understand some families may not feel comfortable sending their elementary students back to in-person learning at this time. To help accommodate elementary families as best as possible, the board is collecting information via a short survey open until January 24, 2022 at 4 p.m. If you are an elementary family who plans to continue with in-person learning, you do not need to complete the survey.

if you are an secondary family, you do not need to complete the survey. Secondary students who wish to transition to LDSB Secondary Virtual School may register at the end/beginning of a Quadmester if there is course availability and space. Students who wish to do this should contact their home school.

How does my student get a device or access to the internet if they choose short-term virtual learning?

Students needing devices and/or internet connectivity will hear directly from schools regarding the process for obtaining technology supports. Students and families are encouraged to visit the board website for additional resources and technology supports.

Are child-care facilities in schools open?

Yes. Child-care operators are permitted to open and will follow provincial and KFL&A Public Health guidance. Please contact providers directly for more information.

Are volunteers, families and other visitors allowed inside schools?

Yes provided they receive approval from the school administrator. All visitors to a school are required to pass daily COVID-19 screening in advance and wear a medical mask (for example, surgical/procedural) while on school premises. A medical mask will be provided by the school if needed. All visitors must sign in. At the advice of the local public health unit, school boards may be asked to restrict visitor access.

What safety measures will be in place?

Students and staff attending in-person school will continue to follow direction from the Ministry of Education and KFL&A Public Health. Some protocols may vary from site to site based on its unique circumstances. Some of the safety measures currently include:

  • daily screening for staff and students
  • regular hand hygiene
  • masks for all students, staff and visitors while indoors
  • classroom and school routines that optimize physical distancing and outdoor time
  • enhanced daily facility cleaning practices
  • regular ventilation monitoring

Does my student have to wear a mask?

All students from Grade 1 to  Grade 12, staff and visitors must wear masks while indoors at school (including classrooms and common areas such as hallways) and while on all school transportation. 

KFL&A Public Health has removed the requirement for masking outdoors for elementary students.  As well,  Public Health has removed the mandatory masking for Kinder students which was implemented in December.  Masking for Kinder students will now revert back to what was in place based on the August 2020 motion from trustees, which stated that masking would be highly encouraged and supported by staff, including potential alternatives like face shields.  Staff will continue to support working toward compliance with kinder students, but no disciplinary action will be taken for those having difficulty complying. 
Only those with necessary exemptions (medical conditions or special needs) do not have to wear masks. Families must fill out the LDSB Mask Exemption Form for students who cannot wear a mask for a medical or religious exemption.

Families are expected to provide non-medical or cloth masks for their student(s). A supply of non-medical masks will be available at schools for those students who require one. For those students who choose to wear a cloth mask, families will be responsible to ensure that it is appropriately cleaned.

Staff (family members/visitors) are not required to wear masks or eye protection on the yard, however, we do encourage physically distancing. Masking is still required indoors.

What is the status of extra-curricular activities?

A return to training for winter sports has been approved by the KFL&A Public Health for students in Grades 7 to 12.
Coaches and student athletes began practices the week of January 24, 2022 with safety protocols in place. Return to play began the week of January 31, 2022.

As of February 24, 2022 some restirctions for extra-curriculars were lifted.
See details here:

Protocols for Extra-Curriculars

What happens if students arrive at school with symptoms or develop symptoms during the school day?

This process remains unchanged at this time. Should students develop symptoms at school, they will be isolated until their family can pick them up and take them home. Students and families are required to follow: 

Will schools report cases of COVID-19?

COVID-19 case, contact and outbreak management approach is being updated across all sectors at the direction of the Chief Medical Officer of Health. Given these changes, including testing eligibility and access, school boards will not be provided with confirmed case information from public health. As a result, the Ministry of Education has suspended reporting of COVID-19 cases in schools.

Are families required to share that their student is positive?

There is no obligation for families to report suspected or confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 with schools. Without accurate confirmed case information from public health, schools cannot share information with families.

Will class cohorts be dismissed to isolate if a family shares that a student has symptoms or tests positive on a PCR or rapid test?

At this time, new public health directives indicate class cohort dismissals will not take place.

Will students have access to PCR take home tests or more rapid tests?

Rapid Antigen Test: The Ministry of Education, in partnership with Ministry of Health and Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, is providing publicly funded schools and licensed child-care programs with rapid antigen test kits for symptomatic students, children and staff. Students and staff will receive rapid antigen tests proactively, for at-home use if they develop symptoms as supplies allow.

PCR Self-Collection Test: PCR self-collection kits will only be provided to symptomatic students and education staff experiencing symptoms most commonly associated with COVID-19 while at school and while supplies allow.

Will students be mixed into a different cohort to deal with potential staffing shortages once in-person learning resumes?

Limestone has worked diligently to ensure class cohorts are not mixed wherever possible. In cases where staffing shortages occur, the class/school may temporarily move to remote learning instead.

What is the threshold for having a school go remote due to staff shortages once in-person learning resumes?

This will vary from school to school based on the size of the staff, which staff are affected, and the size of the student population.

When will students aged 12-17 be eligible for third dose (booster) shots?

At this time, public health had indicated that only those 18 years of age and up are eligible for third doses. Students aged 5-11 are encouraged to get first and second doses as soon as eligible. Vaccination clinic locations and times are available on the KFL&A Public Health website.

What mental health supports are available to students?

Schools will continue to support students’ mental well-being. School-based mental health staff will be available to support students virtually as needed. Schools will target intensive help to those who have been most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including referrals to community mental health providers where required.

Will there be EQAO assessments in the 2022-2023 school year?

The Ministry of Education has announced EQAO may proceed in 2022-2023. Grade 3 and 6 math, reading and writing, Grade 9 math, and the Grade 10 OSSLT (literacy test) will proceed this year.  All assessments are in an online format this year, as EQAO continues to focus their modernization of the assessment.  Information will be provided to families by schools prior to the assessments occurring.  

EQAO has posted tentative assessment administration dates for the year. Dates may vary slightly depending on information received from EQAO, and changing public health measures. Please visit the EQAO website for additional information and updates.

How many additional HEPA filters will Limestone receive?

At this time, we anticipate Limestone will receive about 35-40 additional HEPA units. Information on ventilation improvements and school-level ventilation measures is available on the board website.

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