BRANTFORD — All students in Grand Erie’s elementary and secondary schools will be headed back to class full time on September 8.
This following Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Education Minister Stephen Lecce’s announcement that all publicly funded schools in the province will reopen this fall.
“Grand Erie’s enhanced cleaning protocols will include an emphasis on touch points, common areas and common objects,” said GEDSB in a statement. “Health and safety protocols will focus on making time for regular handwashing. Where handwashing is not available, hand sanitizer will be used.”
The school board says directional signage will be placed to assist with physical distancing requirements, and individual schools are working out their own details on how to stagger nutrition, lunch and recess breaks.
Non-medical cloth masks are now mandated for all Ontario public school students in Grades 4-12.The Province will be providing medical masks for teachers and school staff.
Board officials say that visitors to schools will be limited and that a new protocol with the Brant County Health Unit and the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit are being put in place in case of an outbreak.
“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.”
Parents who wish to opt out and keep their children home in September must contact the school board by August 23.
