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COVID-19 Resources for Schools and Child Care Centres

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Young girl in school wearing a mask

Effective 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, December 26, 2020, the Southwestern Public Health region is shutting down with the rest of the Province. This Provincewide Shutdown document will guide this process.  

Quick Links

  • Resources for Parents and Caregivers
  • Resources for Educators and Child Care Centres
  • COVID-19 School/Child Care Screening
  • COVID-19 Decision Tool for Parents and Caregivers
  • COVID-19 Decision Tool for Schools
  • What to do when your child has been tested for COVID-19 (Schools and Child Care) (SWPH)
  • COVID-19 Cases in Schools and Child Care Centres
  • Preventing COVID-19: Tips for Children Attending School (Public Health Ontario)
  • COVID-19 Tips for Limiting Face Covering Skin Irritation

Can my child go to school?

Provincewide Shutdown Summary 

Schools

Schools and private schools in Southern Ontario are closed for in-person teaching and instruction until January 25th, 2021. Elementary and secondary school students at publicly funded schools in the region will participate in remote learning from January 4th to January 23rd, 2021. During this time, schools will be closed, except for staff who are unable to deliver quality remote teaching, instruction, or support to students from home and to provide access to child care centers in schools.

Child Care 

  • Child care will remain open for the duration of the Provincewide Shutdown period.  This includes child care offered in licensed centres, in home-based settings (licensed and unlicensed) and by authorized recreation and skill-building providers.
  • During the period where elementary schools are operating virtually (i.e., from January 4 to 8, inclusive), licensed child care centres and authorized recreation and skill-building providers will be prohibited from serving school-aged children.  All before and after school programs are being closed during this one-week period.  These programs may resume operation when elementary schools return to in-person learning on January 25, 2021.
  • To support the parents of school-aged children who may not be able to accommodate their child’s learning/care at home, the Ministry of Education will be implementing a targeted emergency child care program for school-aged children, at no cost to eligible parents.  Please refer to Appendix B of the COVID-19 Provincewide Shutdown document for a list of eligible workers.
  • Operators of before and after school programs that are required to close from January 4-8, 2021 are prohibited from charging fees or otherwise penalizing parents during this time period (e.g., parents must not lose their respective child care spaces).

Resources for Parents and Caregivers

School will be different this year due to COVID-19 and many of these changes will be new, potentially confusing or frustrating, and challenging for many families. It’s okay to be scared. That’s normal - but we want you to know that we are working very closely with the school boards in our region to ensure it’s as safe as possible. Whether your child is returning to the physical classroom this September or learning remotely, here are some ideas on how to prepare your family.

Back to School Plans

For provincial information about reopening schools, please visit the Government of Ontario’s web page COVID-19: reopening schools and its Guide to reopening Ontario’s schools.

Operational guidance: COVID-19 management in schools

To find out what will happen if there is a coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak at a school, please visit the the Government of Ontario’s Operational guidance: COVID-19 management in schools.

For local back-to-school plans, please check your school board’s website:

  • Thames Valley District School Board
  • London District Catholic School Board
  • Conseil scolaire Viamonde
  • Conseil scolaire catholique Providence
  • Private School Back to School Guidance
    • Letter to Private School Families
    • Handout: Information for Parents and Guardians of School Aged Children

School transportation (bussing)

Southwestern Ontario Student Transportation Services 
For information on school transportation (bussing), please read the Southwestern Ontario Student Transportation Services’ plan, Ready to Roll: A roadmap for safely returning students to school by bus.

Francobus
For information on school transportation for French Catholic Schools Boards, please refer to the Francobus website. 

Can my child go to school?

Use the COVID-19 School Screening tool and refer to the COVID-19 Decision Tool for Parents and Caregivers to help you determine if and when your child can go to school. For help filling out the COVID-19 School Screening Tool, view our demonstration videos:

  • Video: School and Child Care Screening

Review the list of COVID-19 symptoms.


If a household member has symptoms of COVID-19:

  • Everyone else in the household needs to stay home from work, school, child care, and other activities that happen outside the home, until COVID-19 can be ruled out for the person who is symptomatic.
    • If the test result is negative, everyone in the home who is feeling well may return to their normal activities and monitor themselves for symptoms. The household member who is symptomatic must remain in self-isolation until their symptoms have been improving for 24 hours.
    • If the test result is positive, all household members will be contacted by Southwestern Public Health staff with further direction.
  • If it is decided that the person who is symptomatic will not get tested for COVID-19, all household members need to stay home and not leave their home for 14 days. This action protects others in the event symptoms are due to COVID-19.


Preparing for School

The routines your child may have developed since schools closed in March and then over summer vacation may be different from what will be needed for the return to school. Help get them ready for school by talking about what their new routines will look like and practice them before school begins.1 2

Changes to their routine may include:

  • a different bedtime and time to wake up
  • packing a lunch and reusable water bottle
  • packing their mask/face covering 
  • doing the screening process before going to school
  • putting their reusable mask or face covering in the laundry as soon as they get home
  • logging into their computer at a certain time to participate in online learning or setting aside designated time to do independent school work during the day (if learning remotely)

For high school students who will need to balance remote and in-person learning, discuss the importance of routines and going to bed and getting up at the same time during the week, regardless of whether they are in school or learning from home that day.3

Focus on the Positive

While it’s important to talk with your children about COVID-19 and discuss their concerns and any questions they may have, you can also help them prepare for school by focussing on the positive and fun things about schools.4

  • Picking out school supplies and clothes
  • Seeing old friends and making new ones (either virtually or in-person)
  • Learning new things
  • Seeing their teachers

For more information on how to talk to your children about COVID-19, check out these resources:

  • Children’s Mental Health Ontario - COVID-19 Resources
  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - How Do I Talk To My Children About COVID-19 and Its Impact?
  • Canadian Paediatric Society - COVID-19 and Your Child
  • Anxiety Canada - Talking to Kids About COVID-19

Develop New Habits

Hand hygiene

Washing hands or using hand sanitizer frequently is a key public health practice for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. Help your child learn and practice how to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer properly. Be a good role model - demonstrate this routine yourself and remind your child to wash their hands when needed.

Watch a video together with your child to help them learn:

  • Hand-washing Heroes Video (for younger children)
  • Wash your hands, Brother John! (for younger children)
  • Wash Those Mitts (for younger children)
  • Reduce the Spread of COVID-19: Wash Your Hands (for older children)

How to cough and sneeze safely

COVID-19 is spread when droplets from an infected person are released by coughing or sneezing and then breathed in by another person who is nearby. It’s therefore important for everyone to practice good respiratory etiquette.

  • Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow
  • If available, sneeze into a tissue and promptly throw the tissue into the garbage
  • Always wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after coughing and sneezing
  • Teach your child what to do and set a good example
  • Reduce the Spread of COVID-19: Hygiene for Kids Video

Wearing a mask

The Government of Ontario has made wearing a non-medical mask or face covering mandatory for children in grades 4 and up while in the school building and on the school bus. Some school boards in our region, including the Thames Valley District School Board and the London District Catholic School Board, have also made it mandatory for children in kindergarten to grade 3 to wear a mask or face covering. For more information, please check with your school board.

Wearing a mask can be a new experience for children and getting used to wearing one can take some practice. Before school starts, make sure your child knows how to properly put the mask on, wear it, remove it, and store it as well as when to discard or replace it.

Learn how to properly wear a mask:

  • Watch our video on how to safely wear and remove a non-medical mask
  • Learn more about how to properly wear, clean and dispose of face coverings
  • Use of Non-Medical (Cloth) Masks Infographic

Tips for making masks a habit 5 6 7

  • For younger, school-aged children, use play to normalize wearing masks.
  • Practice putting masks on toys
  • Put a mask on yourself or get siblings and relatives to wear them
    • Do fun activities with masks on
    • Show pictures or videos of other kids wearing masks
    • Look in the mirror together when putting masks on
    • Consider getting masks in fun fabrics your child will enjoy
  • Start with wearing a mask for a few minutes then increase the amount of time each day.
  • Try to mimic what they will need to do in school for snacks and lunch. Practice removing the mask, placing it in a container or paper bag, have a snack or drink, and then put the mask back on. Pick it up by the ear loops without touching the fabric of the mask.
  • Talk with your child about how they feel wearing a mask and look for ways to make them feel more comfortable.
  • Emphasize that the child should never share their mask with others or put on another child’s mask. Encourage them to touch their mask while it is on as little as possible and to wash their hands when they do.

Minimize Physical Contact

An important practice for reducing the spread of COVID-19 is to maintain physical distance as much as possible. Talk to your child about what it means to keep physical distance from others.

Provide them with examples they will understand for what 2 metres apart looks like:

  • A couch with three cushions
  • The length of a bed
  • A pool noodle
  • An adult hockey stick

For younger school-aged children, help them reduce the amount of physical assistance they may require from their teacher.

  • Make sure your child can open their own food containers, packages and drinks. Practice with lunches and snacks before school starts.
  • Make sure your child can take off and put on their outerwear such as coats and boots.

Talk About It

Talk with your child about the new health measures they can expect at school and explain why they are important to follow. Encourage your child to ask questions.8 New health measures and changes at school may include:

  • Wearing a mask/face covering
  • Washing or sanitizing hands at certain times throughout the day
  • Keeping physically distant from others
  • Following signs (e.g. where to stand to maintain 2 metres, direction of flow in the hallways, which doors to use)
  • Not sharing personal items with other students
  • Telling their teacher or another staff member if they are not feeling well

Talk with your child about their cohort (the group of students and staff who remain together each day), the changes it will cause, and why it is important for them to stay with their cohort

  • It may mean your child won’t see all of their friends as much as they used to
  • Lunch/nutrition breaks and recess may be different than last school year
  • It is important for your child to stay in their cohort to make it easier and quicker for public health to track and trace contacts when there is a suspected case of COVID-19

Here are some additional resources to use when talking to your child about the pandemic:

  • “My name is Coronavirus”  a book to support and reassure children
  • Talking to Children About the Pandemic

If your child is getting a COVID-19 test, you may find it helpful to view this video together on supporting your child during COVID-19 nasal swab testing.

Daily Checklists for Going to School In-Person

Daily COVID checklist for elementary school students Daily COVID checklist for secondary school students

Elementary School Checklist
  • Before school, screen your child for symptoms of COVID-19. Keep your child home if they are unwell.

  • Label all items you pack in their school bag.

  • Pack a reusable water bottle, sun protection, lunch bag, and extra clothing.

  • Pack a balanced, litter-less lunch in amounts your child will eat. Use containers your child can open on their own.

  • Pack an extra mask/face covering in a clean, labeled, and sealed container or bag that your child can open.

  • Pack a bag or sealable container for your child to store any wet or soiled reusable masks/face coverings throughout the day for bringing home to wash.

  • Hand hygiene products (e.g. sanitizer and soap) will be available at school.

  • Be a role model and practice physical distancing at all designated drop off and pick up zones.

  • Make sure your child’s mask/face covering is in place before getting to the bus stop and teach your child to keep their mask/face covering on and sit in their assigned seat.

  • Put any reusable masks/face coverings into the laundry as soon as your child gets home and wash the masks and storage containers before using them again.

Secondary School Checklist
  • Before school, screen yourself for COVID-19 symptoms.

  • Pack only what you need and can carry with you in your backpack.

  • Bring your mask/face covering and pack an extra one in a sealed, reusable container or bag.

  • Pack a reusable water bottle and your lunch.

  • Practice physical distancing.

  • No sharing with others (e.g. food, drinks, e-cigarettes, vapes, cigarettes).

  • Use hand sanitizer and wash your hands regularly.

  • Put any reusable masks/face coverings into the laundry as soon as you get home and wash the masks and storage containers before using them again.

Mental Health Support

  • Children’s Mental Health Ontario - Back-to-School Mental Health Kit
  • School Mental Health Ontario - COVID-19
  • Canadian Mental Health Association - Mental Health Support during COVID-19
  • World Health Organization: Helping children cope with stress during COVID-19 outbreak
  • World Health Organization: Coping with Stress
  • List of local mental health services

Health Care

  • COVID-19 Assessment Centres in Oxford County, Elgin County and the City of St. Thomas
  • COVID-19 Test Results
  • COVID-19 and Children
  • How to Care for a Child with COVID-19 at Home: Advice for Caregivers

Food Access

  • Food Programs and Services in Elgin, Oxford and St. Thomas
  • Packing Healthy and Safe Lunches for School

Resources for Educators

Guidance Documents

Schools
  • COVID-19 Decision Tool for Schools
  • Government of Ontario Approach to Re: Opening School
  • COVID-19 Guidance School Outbreak Management (Ontario)
  • Operational Guidance: COVID-19 Management in Schools (Ontario)
  • Recommendations for School Reopening (Sick Kids)
  • Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Tips for Education Providers
  • TVDSB COVID-19 Information
  • LDCSB COVID-19 Information  
  • CSC Providence Information
  • Guidance for School Bus Operations
  • Before and After School Programs Guide
  • Guidance for Tower Gardens
  • COVID-19 Food and Schools Guidance Document 

Child Care Centres
  • COVID-19 Decision Tool for Schools
  • Building on How Does Learning Happen? (Ministry of Education)

  • Guidance for Childcare Centres

  • Operational Guidance During COVID-19 Outbreak - EarlyOn Re-Opening

  • Operational Guidance During COVID-19 Outbreak - Child Care Re-Opening

  • Guidance for Employers of Child Care Centres

  • Precautions When Working as a Child Care Provider

  • Guidance for Tower Gardens

Summer and Day Camps
  • Guidance for Summer Day Camps (Ontario)

  • Precautions When Working in a Day Camp

  • Guidance for Day Camps (Ministry of Health)

Signage and Resources

  • Children’s Mental Health Ontario - Teachers Resources
  • Wash Your Hands Poster
  • Physical Distancing Poster
  • Cleaning and Disinfection
  • If You’re Sick, Don’t Visit
  • Playground Open - Not Disinfected
  • Mixing of Bleach Solution for Disinfecting
  • How to Wash Your Hands Poster
  • How to Clean (Sanitize) Your Hands Poster
  • Alternative PPE Supplier List
  • Information in other languages

References

1Children’s Mental Health Ontario. (2020). Six tips to support your child’s mental wellness and prepare for the start of the school year. Retrieved from
https://cmho.org/six-tips-to-support-your-childs-mental-wellness

2CHEO. (2020). Back to school during COVID-19: Tips for parents and caregivers. Retrieved from
https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/resources-and-support/resources/P6225E.pdf

3Teens and sleep: Why you need it and how to get enough. Retrieved from
https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/teens_and_sleep

4School Mental Health Ontario. (2020). Supporting mental health and wellness during the return to school. Retrieved from
https://smho-smso.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Supporting-Mental-Health-and-Wellness-during-the-Return-to-School-Tip-Sheet-EN.pdf

5Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health. (2020). Back-to-school 2020-21: Mask guidance for parents. Retrieved from
https://wdgpublichealth.ca/sites/default/files/file-attachments/mask_guidance_for_parents_r5_final_aug.26.2020.pdf

6Cavanaugh, B., Aponte, C., & Shamlian, K. (2020). A toolkit for helping your child wear a mask during COVID-19. University of Rochester Medical Center. Retrieved from
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/strong-center-developmental-disabilities/resources/masks-toolkit.aspx

7American Academy of Pediatrics. (2020). Cloth face coverings for children during COVID-19. Retrieved from
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Cloth-Face-Coverings-for-Children-During-COVID-19.aspx

8Children’s Mental Health Ontario. (2020). Six tips to support your child’s mental wellness and prepare for the start of the school year. Retrieved from
https://cmho.org/six-tips-to-support-your-childs-mental-wellness

 

Adapted with permission from Middlesex-London Health Unit

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