Some school boards in the province, including those near London, will get to reopen to in-person learning on Monday.
But the boards in Waterloo region reminded parents in-person learning isn’t expected to begin in this community until “at least February 10.”
“The Ministry of Education, in consultation with local public health, has informed the WRDSB that we will remain closed until at least Feb. 10 pending further information,” the board said on its website Thursday.
It means students wouldn’t actually be in the classroom until Feb. 11.
The board noted the decision on schools is up to public health and the ministry, not the school board.
“As always, the WRDSB is committed to providing the very best possible education for its students and to supporting students, families, and staff during these very difficult times,” the board said.
Catholic board
A letter to parents on the Waterloo Catholic District School Board from earlier this month noted that “each region is being assessed based on the COVID positivity rates within that region.”
“It is our understanding that the next window for return will occur on Feb. 11. We would expect to hear approximately a week before then as to which regions will be permitted to return to face-to-face learning,” the board said.
On Thursday, the province announced schools in four public health units could return to in-class learning on Monday:
- Eastern Ontario Health Unit.
- Middlesex-London Health Unit.
- Southwestern Public Health.
- Ottawa Public Health.
The province says this will mean 520,000 students across the province will be back in the classroom for the first time since the winter break and remote learning started earlier this month.
“Local [public health units] continue to have the authority to close schools based on their unique circumstances, and parents may choose to permit their children to continue learning remotely,” the province said in a release.
