Message from the Director Dec. 15

Limestone Learning Foundation
Message from the Director Dec. 15
Posted on 12/15/2021
Image of Director of Education Krishna Burra

Dear families,

I know that the last few weeks have been difficult in an already challenging year. In September, I was hopeful for a return to more “normal” school routines and activities as I know you were, too. While we were fortunate to experience some typical school experiences during the first few months of the school year, as COVID-19 continued to change and mutate, and the Omicron variant moved its way into our larger community, things have changed considerably. This week, several schools have had to pivot to remote learning for the remainder of this week due to staffing shortages created by stricter isolation requirements to help combat Omicron. My family was among those affected by these enhanced measures resulting from a school-based case, and I empathize with all other students, families and staff who find themselves in similar circumstances. Closing schools to in-person learning is the last thing we wanted to do, but it was necessary to ensure the safety of students and staff. We cannot operate without adequate adult supervision.

As we head into the December break, there are several important local public health measures and directives to share with you. We continue to work closely with KFL&A Public Health and other community partners to do all we can to ensure student and staff well-being and safety. This includes providing all students, and now all staff, with access to Rapid Antigen Tests for use before everyone returns to school/work on January 3, 2022. If your student has not already received the test kit, it should be coming home this week. Use of the tests is voluntary but recommended, particularly before school resumes in January. Instructions on how to complete the test are included and links to how-to videos are posted to the board website. Students who were in isolation when test kits were distributed can connect with their school for assistance on how to get their kit. Both KFL&A Public Health and the Ontario Science Table have indicated that rapid tests are an important additional screening tool that support current enhanced screening measures. Given our rising case counts in KFL&A and confirmation that Omicron is now the dominant variant here, providing all students and staff with rapid tests will allow everyone to test before they return to keep the virus out of our schools. This is a critical step for school reopening.

Because the situation locally is changing rapidly, we want families to be prepared for any additional directives that may come over the break. While we are planning for a full return to in-person learning on January 3, we also want to be proactive. Schools may reach out regarding students’ device needs, should it be required down the road. Also, schools will ask students to take all personal belongings home with them as well.

Yesterday, we announced that secondary students will remain in quadmesters (two periods/courses a day) for semester 2 which begins in February. This decision was based on the feedback we received from students, families and staff, and on a recommendation from Public Health given current COVID cases in our region. We agree that this is the best model at this time to support student and staff safety, and maintains greater flexibility if we have to pivot to remote learning at any point.

We know the ongoing cohort dismissals, directions to isolate and test, and the move to remote learning for some families and staff has been challenging, if not overwhelming. We know that the pandemic has affected everyone differently and many of us may need some extra support, especially during the holidays which can be difficult for many reasons. If your family needs mental health and wellness supports, please reach out to one of the many community agencies who are open while schools are closed. The United Way of KFL&A has also compiled a list of food and meal programs and community connections and supports over the holidays that may be of benefit for some families. We have consolidated all of these resources on our board website.

Thank you to all students, families and staff for doing the best you can under continuing, challenging circumstances. I do hope that our Limestone community gets some much-needed downtime over the break, and that everyone stays safe and well. I am beyond proud to lead this district. I wish you all a safe and happy holiday.

Krishna Burra
Director of Education

Message from Minister of Education & Chief Medical Officer of Health

 

The Limestone District School Board is situated on traditional territories of the Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee.