Dear Parents,
Below is a message from the Ministry of Education for Private School families.
Thank you for your continued support for students and staff during this challenging and uncertain time. We are encouraged by the efforts that have been made to accommodate students as they engage in remote learning.
As a result of worsening trends in key public health indicators, the Ontario government in consultation with our Chief Medical Officer of Health, has announced ongoing public health restrictions. In alignment with these restrictions and to contribute to efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the government has directed that in person learning for elementary school students in southern Public Health Units (PHU) will be deferred to January 25, 2021. This date aligns with the planned return of in-person learning for secondary school students in these PHUs.
Public health data shows that the transmission of COVID-19 in schools has remained low, and schools remain a place for students to learn safely. However, given the rapidly escalating COVID-19 situation, the government is taking action now to contribute to provincewide efforts in stopping further spread of COVID-19.
Access to Schools
As previously announced, during this remote learning period, private schools may continue to allow staff access the school to provide remote teaching, instruction or support to pupils, so long as the private school operates in accordance with return to school direction issued by the Ministry of Education and approved by the Office of Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Supports for Students and Families
Remote learning resources available for students include TVO Learn and TFO IDÉLLO, apprendre à la maison. Secondary students can continue to access TVO’s Independent Learning Centre (ILC) Open House and Portes ouvertes pour les cours TVO ILC in French-language.
Financial support is available for families during this temporary remote learning period through the Support for Learners program. Starting on January 11, 2021, an expanded Support for Learners program is providing:
$200 for each child/youth up to grade 12, and;
$250 for each child/youth up to age 21 with special needs.
Applications will be open until February 8, 2021. Please visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-support-learners for more details.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we have worked to keep schools safe and contributed to stopping the provincewide spread of COVID-19 during this time.
