COVID-19 Resources for Schools and Child Care Centres
In response to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, the increasing risks posed to the public by COVID-19 variants, and the massive spike in hospital admissions, all publicly funded and private elementary and secondary schools in the province are moving to teacher-led remote learning when students return from the April break on April 19, 2021. Private schools operating in-person this week will need to transition to remote learning by April 15, 2021. Child care for non-school aged children will remain open, before and after school programs will be closed and free emergency child care for the school-aged children of eligible health care and frontline workers will be provided. Boards will make provisions for continued in-person support for students with special education needs who require additional support that cannot be accommodated through remote learning.
Information for Parents and Caregivers
We all have a role to play at stopping the spread of COVID-19 - and what you do outside school is critical. After the bell rings, staying at home is the best way to protect your family. Trips outside the home should only be for essential reasons (going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, exercising, essential work) and families should not visit with any other household or allow visitors in their homes. Let’s all do our part to keep kids in school - it’s essential for student safety and wellbeing.
Additional health and safety measures
The Ontario Government has added additional health and safety measures in schools as students and staff return to in-person learning across Ontario, including stronger masking and screening protocols. Learn more by visiting COVID-19: reopening schools.
Quick Links:
- COVID-19 School Screening
- Frequently Asked Questions
- COVID-19 Cases in Schools and Child Care Centres
- What to expect if there is COVID-19
- Staying safe in schools
- Daily checklist for elementary and secondary schools
- Other resources for parents and caregivers
COVID-19 Screening
All students and school staff must screen for COVID-19 every day before going to school. Use the Ontario Government’s online screening tool for school and child care screening.
Self-Isolation Guide for Parents and Guardians
Your child has just been told to self-isolate. Now what? Learn what it means for you and your family in this short video from Southwestern Public Health School Team.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can my child go to school? |
Use the COVID-19 School Screening tool to help you determine if and when your child can go to school. Review the list of COVID-19 symptoms. 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 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. |
2. What are the symptoms of COVID-19? |
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3. What does a positive case mean? |
This means that a person has had a COVID-19 test that was positive, which means the virus was detected in the sample. They are referred to as a “Case”. In the school setting, a Case can include students, teachers, and other staff within a school community. If you are notified about a Case of COVID-19 at your school, it does not mean the person got the virus at school. They could have been exposed to it anywhere. It does not mean they were not being careful. Unfortunately, people can spread the virus to another person before they even know they are sick. It is important to follow public health recommendations to reduce your risk of infection but unfortunately, it is not a guarantee that you will not get COVID-19. |
4. Will I know who tested positive? |
The identity of the individual who tested positive will be kept protected as per privacy legislation. You will be notified about a case in the school community and informed if extra precautions are necessary. |
5. What does public health do when there is a Case of COVID-19 at my school? |
Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) is notified of all positive cases within our region and provides follow up to each case. This includes providing information, monitoring symptoms, and investigating possible risk to others that may have occurred while the Case was infectious. Risk of possible transmission of the virus to students and staff is assessed for each case and communication is sent out to inform the school community. |
6. What does it mean when someone is a Contact, or has an exposure to COVID-19? |
Contacts are people who have had an exposure to (i.e., spent time with) a person with COVID-19 while they were infectious. If someone has had a contact or exposure, it does not mean they will become ill. The amount of contact will determine their level of risk of infection. The circumstances of the exposure will be assessed by SWPH and is based on many factors including:
Exposures at school can occur in the classroom, playground, bus, childcare programs, staff rooms … anytime people are together. The length of time together, the proximity to one another and use of masks are examples of contributing factors to exposure risk. |
7. What is a close or high-risk contact? |
Close or high-risk contacts are at a higher risk of being infected with COVID-19 due to the nature of their exposure to someone who has the virus. SWPH will work with your school to ensure close contacts are notified. A letter will be sent to each close contact. It will provide important information about next steps including self-isolation, testing and monitoring for symptoms. Close contacts cannot go to work or school. If you receive this letter, please follow the directions provided in the letter. |
8. What is a low-risk contact? |
A low-risk contact is someone who had minimal contact with someone with COVID-19. A low risk contact can continue to go to school if they pass the online school screen. Continue to monitor for symptoms daily and get tested if symptoms develop. Low risk contacts will be given a 14-day period to be extra careful about monitoring for symptoms. It can take this long for the coronavirus to begin to show signs of infection. |
9. What does self-monitoring mean? |
Self-monitoring means paying attention to your health every day and watching for signs of illness. If new symptoms develop, it is important to remain home and make arrangements for testing at a COVID testing centre. |
10. What does self-isolation mean? |
If your child has been identified as a close contact, they are required to self-isolate. This means they must stay home and cannot go to school or leave your home. If possible, your child should isolate from other people in your home. They should:
More information about self-isolation can be found here. |
11. My child has been identified as a ‘close contact’ but cannot isolate from our family. What do we do? |
In some situations, it may not be practical for your child to isolate from the rest of the family. Your child may be too young, frightened or require care. It may not be possible due to the layout or space in your home. If this is the case in your family, do the best you can. Here are some tips to consider:
If your child does NOT have symptoms of COVID-19: Household members are able to leave the home for essential reasons for the duration of your child’s isolation period. Essential reasons to leave home include: Attending work/school/childcare or essential errands such as groceries, attending medical appointments or picking up prescriptions.
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19: Everyone in the household must self-isolate until test results for your child are known. If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19 but is not tested: All household members need to self-isolate for 14 days from the start of your child’s symptoms. Self-isolation means no visitors to the home, not attending work, school, childcare or leaving your property unless someone needs necessary medical care. |
12. Why is self-isolation for a ‘close contact' 14 days? |
If someone has an exposure to COVID-19, they can develop symptoms up to 14 days after the exposure. A person can pass COVID-19 to another person (transmission), 2-3 days before they start to feel unwell. On average, people develop symptoms 5-7 days after exposure. Self-monitoring for 14 days during isolation helps to protect your family and your community from COVID-19 illness. |
13. If my child is self-isolating, can the rest of my family go to school or work? |
To protect your family, your child should self-isolate away from others in the home. If self-isolation away from others in the home is not possible, do the best you can and follow the tips in #11.
If your child does NOT have symptoms of COVID-19: Household members are only able to leave the home for essential reasons for the duration of your child’s isolation period. Essential reasons to leave home include: Attending work/school/childcare or essential errands such as groceries, attending medical appointments or picking up prescriptions. Visitors are not allowed to be in your home when someone is in self-isolation. If your child has or develops symptoms of COVID-19: Everyone in the household must self-isolate until test results for your child are known. If your child is not tested, all household members need to self-isolate for 14 days from the start of your child’s symptoms. |
14. When should my child be tested? |
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19/fails the COVID-19 school and child care screening, they should get tested.
If your child was identified as a close contact, they should be tested during the 14-day self-isolation period.
If anyone in your family develops symptoms of COVID-19, it is important to arrange for testing as soon as possible. Everyone in your household needs to stay home until the test results are known. If you choose not to get testing done, everyone in the household needs to stay home for 14 days from the onset of symptoms. Please feel free to call our COVID Call Centre at 1-800-922-0096, Ext. 9, if you have questions. |
15. How do I arrange for testing? |
Please contact one of the testing centres below to make an appointment and provide them with the investigation or outbreak number that was included in the letter you received from your school. COVID-19 testing location information can be found here. |
16. My child has been tested. Now what? |
The follow-up steps for children who attend school or child care centres, including how to get the results and what they mean, can be found here. |
17. What is ‘targeted asymptomatic testing’? |
This is when individuals (e.g., students) without any COVID-19 symptoms, without any known exposure to anyone infected with COVID-19 and without being part of an outbreak investigation is tested for the virus because they fall within a select priority population (e.g., schools). On February 1, 2021, Ontario announced expanding targeted asymptomatic testing to schools and child care centre populations as an additional layer of protection. |
18. How could ‘targeted asymptomatic testing’ keep schools and child care centres safer? |
These tests offer an added layer of protection and help keep schools and child care centres safe by:
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19. What else should parents or guardians know about ‘targeted asymptomatic testing’? |
School boards will undertake targeted asymptomatic testing in at least 5% of the elementary and secondary schools within their jurisdiction each week (starting February 22, 2021). School locations will be selected by school boards with support from the Ministry of Education and local Public Health Units. If testing is offered at your child’s school, it will be voluntary and consent will be required from parents or guardians for students under 18 years. Testing will use a combination of rapid antigen and PCR testing and will look to use less invasive methods of testing wherever possible (e.g., saliva and lower nasal swabs). Testing will be for asymptomatic students and staff only (i.e., those without any symptoms of COVID-19). Household members of students and staff, and anyone with symptoms, should seek testing at an assessment centre. School boards will communicate with families about the availability of testing. |
20. Need to find results from your 'targeted asymptomatic' school-based test? |
If you cannot access your results for your asymptomatic school based COVID-19 test, please call GVT Lab and Imaging Services Inc at 647.812.7918 option 4 for help. |
21. What does it mean if my school is in an outbreak? |
An outbreak is declared in a school when there are two lab-confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 that can be linked to one another. This means that at least one of the infections was acquired in the school and cannot be traced back to another source outside of school. An outbreak can be isolated to one classroom or it could involve multiple classrooms. Southwestern Public Health will inform you if an outbreak is declared at your school and will provide further information and direction. Area schools have worked closely with Southwestern Public Health to ensure the safety of their school community. During an outbreak, other strategies will be explored to further reduce the spread of infection and may include:
The school will remain open unless there is evidence of potential wide-spread transmission within the school. |
COVID-19 Cases in Schools and Child Care Centres
Looking for information about COVID-19 in Ontario Schools and Child Care Settings?
Learn about coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Ontario schools and licensed child care settings and what happens if there is an outbreak.
What to expect if there is a case of COVID-19
If there is a case of COVID-19 confirmed in your school community, here’s what happens: |
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If your child tests positive for COVID-19: |
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If a staff member or student is identified as a close contact of the individual diagnosed with COVID-19: |
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If a staff member or student is not identified as a close contact: |
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If you receive a letter or a call from the Health Unit regarding a COVID-19 case in a school community, please follow the directions provided to you. You do not need to contact the Health Unit unless advised.
Please note: The Health Unit will be limiting news releases to only communicate school-based outbreaks and not individual cases. To see COVID-19 cases in schools and child care centres, please visit COVID-19 cases in schools and child care centres.
Staying safe in school
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 (PDF) 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:
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Coughing and sneezing safely |
It's important for everyone to practice good respiratory etiquette. Teach your child what to do and set a good example. Watch this great video: Reduce the Spread of COVID-19: Hygiene for Kids. Respiratory etiquette:
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Face masks |
Make sure your child knows how to properly put a mask on, wear it, remove it, and store it as well as when to discard or replace it. Learn about how to properly wear, fit, remove and clean face coverings. Masks must be worn:
How many masks to take to school: Consider sending at least one spare mask/face covering to school with your child. Schools are required to have masks available for students, as well. While a non-medical mask/face covering can be worn for an entire day, it should be replaced as soon as it becomes wet or soiled. How to store masks at school: When not in use at school (e.g. while eating), your child should store their face mask in a space away from others. Consider sending your child to school with a storage container or paper bag where they can put their mask and easily take it out again by the ear loops, without touching the fabric of the mask. If your child is using reusable face masks, send them with a spare, sealable container or bag for storing their wet or soiled face masks until they get home. Make sure to put used masks/face coverings into the laundry when your child gets home and wash them and their containers before using again. Remember to label your child’s face masks with their name, and if age appropriate, also label the top/bottom and front/back to help with putting them on correctly. |
Minimizing physical contact |
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’ll understand. For example, what does two metres apart look like?
For younger school-aged children, help them to be independent so that they don’t have to rely on their teacher. For example:
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Transportation |
The actions taken while getting to and from school are just as important for preventing the spread of COVID-19 as what is done while at school. Bussing: If your child takes the bus to school, talk with them about the importance of:
Walking, biking, or other modes of active transportation: If your child walks to school, or uses another mode of active transportation like biking, roller blades, etc., talk with them about the importance of:
Dropping your child off at school: If you drop your child off at school, remember to keep 2 metres apart from others and wear a face covering at the drop off and pick up zones. |
Recess |
Recess is an important part of every elementary school day; however, with COVID-19 it needs to look different than before in order to prevent the spread. Talk with your child about recess activities and the importance of staying within their cohort. What is a cohort? A cohort is a classroom of students and staff who stay together during the day (class, recess, lunch, etc.). “Cohorting” reduces the number of contacts students have with other students during the day. |
Daily checklist for going to school in person
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. |
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. |
School Boards and COVID-19
- Thames Valley District School Board
- London District Catholic School Board
- Conseil scolaire Viamonde
- Conseil scolaire catholique Providence
School transportation (bussing)
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 (PDF). For more information, please visit the Federal Guidance for School Bus Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Mental Health Support
- Children's Mental Health Ontario - Back-to-School Mental Health Kit
- School Mental Health Ontario - COVID-19
- Mental Health Support during COVID-19 - Canadian Mental Health Association
- Kids Help Phone
- Reach Out
- Wellness Together Canada
- COVIDwithKIDS - A Toolkit for Coping with Kids at Home During The COVID-19 Pandemic
- COVID-19: How to support your child's mental health and general wellbeing through physical activity, sleep, nutrition and learning.
- 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
References
- Children'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 - CHEO. (2020, August). Back to school during COVID-19: Tips for parents and caregivers(Form P6225E). Retrieved from
https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/resources-and-support/resources/P6225E.pdf - Canadian Paediatric Society. (2018, May). Teens and sleep: Why you need it and how to get enough. Retrieved from
https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/teens_and_sleep - Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health. (2020, August). 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 - Cavanaugh, 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 - American Academy of Pediatrics. (2020, August 13). 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 - Children'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