Letter to Families Regarding International Travel

November 26, 2021

 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The health and safety of our school communities is very important to us and essential to the learning experience of our students.  With the holiday season approaching, it is anticipated that families may choose to travel internationally during the December break.

In order to keep students safe and healthy upon return to classes in 2022, families must follow federal directives related to international travel and quarantine requirements (https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid). This includes not attending school or childcare for the 14 days following a return from international travel if individuals are advised to quarantine or not attend school/childcare upon their return.

Children under the age of 12 who are not fully vaccinated travelling internationally with a fully vaccinated companion are exempt from federal quarantine; however, these children are not permitted to attend school or childcare for 14 days following their return.   Please note that fully vaccinated means that a person has received two doses of a two-dose vaccine, or one dose of a single-dose vaccine, and having received the final vaccine dose at least 14 days prior.

Generally, individuals (staff and students) who are fully vaccinated are exempt from federal quarantine and may continue to attend school or childcare. The Superior-Greenstone District School Board recognizes some students may have to travel for essential reasons such as medical care or other reasons protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code.  If you believe that your child may have such extenuating circumstances, you are encouraged to reach out to your school principal or vice-principal.

Upon return to school in January 2022, students must complete the COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening each day before attending school.  Students will be required to provide confirmation of passing the daily screen for two weeks following the December break (Jan.03-14)  https://covid19.ontario.ca/school-screening/.

The Ministry of Education, Thunder Bay District Health Unit and Superior-Greenstone District School Board continue to work collaboratively to keep staff and students safe.  Changes to practices and policies may occur with minimal notice, and we advise families to check the most recent advisories regularly at https://www.tbdhu.com/travel.

 

Sincerely,

Nicole Morden Cormier

Director of Education