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Message from Chair of the Board, Rick Petrella

Dear families,

As you are all aware we have all had to make many sacrifices during these challenging times. As a parent with a child in our Catholic system, I truly understand the stress and inconvenience that these COVID-19 restrictions have placed on our children, parents, and staff, and see it firsthand as a parent. I wanted to thank you and express my gratitude to you for your continued trust and patience in us as we continue to offer quality Catholic education for your children.

As a board, we will continue to enhance our cleaning, ventilation, and safety protocols. Some examples of this are:

  • Cleaning and disinfecting of high touch surfaces, at minimum twice a day. High touch surfaces could include washrooms, eating areas, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, touch screens, push buttons, handrails, computers, photocopiers, and sports equipment
  • The wearing of PPE for all staff and students and the continuation of cohorting
  • Updating of ventilation and air quality through the use of the highest-grade filters, calibration of HVAC systems for maximum airflow and increased fresh air intake, frequent filter changes and deployment of HEPA filter units

As you know, at the start of the year, we assured you that in consultation with public health, we would continually review our health and safety protocols and we remain committed to that approach. As infection rates continue to fall throughout the province, we have been reviewing some of our current practices to determine if any measures can be relaxed.

I want to reiterate that no discussions on these restrictions are taken lightly and are always done in consultation with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and local public health units. This board has always, and will continue to always, put the safety of our children, parents, staff, and the community first. This Board is committed to provide clear, timely, and transparent information as changes develops.

As a follow-up to my message of October 29, 2021, I am pleased to inform you that at a special meeting of the board today, and in consultation with public health, the Board decided to lift/modify the following restrictions below.

The following restrictions will be modified/lifted:

  • Outdoor cohorting will be lifted and all children will be able to interact together regardless of grade level/group.
  • Attendance at secondary school indoor sporting events will be permitted but limited to 2 people per athlete. Screening, proper masking and government proof of double vaccination will be required to enter.
  • Community use of School will resume gradually in January 2022 and booking information will be available in the near future.

In the upcoming days, you will receive more information from your principals and appropriate staff on the details of the relaxed restrictions. We will also continue to work with our public health units and when we have more specifics with regards to student vaccinations and expanded testing options, we will share that out.

We, as a board, felt this was a balanced step forward in the above noted policy changes. This board understands the challenges that COVID-19 restrictions have placed on our Catholic community and are committed to relaxing restrictions in a timely manner, but only when deemed safe to do so.

The safety of our students, staff, and community is the number one consideration in every decision the Board makes and has been since the start of the pandemic.  As we continue our journey together as a Catholic community we will continue to be guided by faith and commitment to our students.

I thank you once again for your patience and understanding.

Thank you and God Bless
Rick Petrella