Local students will continue with remote learning until at least February 10, 2021.
“The Ministry of Education announced that schools within four additional Ontario Public Health units will be permitted to open for in-person learning next week… however, this does not include local Public Health units and schools in the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB),” said John Howitt, director of education, in a letter posted on the LKDSB website.
“LKDSB students are expected to continue with remote, teacher-led learning up-to and including February 10, 2021. The Ministry of Education, in consultation with Public Health officials, will determine when LKDSB schools are permitted to reopen for in-person learning.​ Further details about the reopening, including the additional health and safety measures for students will be provided prior to this date.”
Howitt added: “Should you have specific questions or concerns about your child, please contact your school directly as messages are checked regularly.”
St. Clair Catholic District School Board officials echoed similar statements.
“The Ontario government has directed that elementary and secondary students of the St. Clair Catholic District School Board will continue to learn remotely up to and including February 10, 2021,” Catholic School Board officials posted on their website.
“A further announcement is expected prior to that date. The St. Clair Catholic District School Board will provide more information as it becomes available. Please continue to visit this website for updates.”
Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, issued a statement on Thursday, January 28, 2021.
“On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, with the support of the local Medical Officers of Health, and with the introduction of additional layers of protection, 280,000 students in four public health regions will return to class on Monday, February 1,” Lecce stated.
“The government agrees with the growing consensus in the medical community that returning students to in-person learning is essential to the wellbeing, development and mental health of children. According to leading medical and scientific experts, including Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, our province’s schools are safe places for learning.”
Lecce added in the fall, the Ontario Government introduced one of the most comprehensive back-to-school plans in the country with strict health and safety measures.
“As more students and staff return to in-person learning, we are building on our plan by introducing stronger masking protocols to include grades 1-3, expanding access to targeted asymptomatic testing, and implementing stricter screening protocols,” Lecce said.
Elementary and secondary schools in four additional public health units (PHUs) will be permitted to return to in-person learning on February 1, 2021. This will bring the total number of students able to learn in-person to 520,000 across the province.
– Eastern Ontario Health Unit
– Middlesex-London Health Unit
– Southwestern Public Health
– Ottawa Public Health
