Navigating the reopening of schools, child care and day camps, both home-based and centre-based, is a challenging task and will require a team effort. We have created this space to help since the guidelines from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education change routinely. These resources are intended to support you and your teams to reduce or mitigate risks of transmission related to COVID-19. Please consider the following tips for implementation:
- Be practical – measures that have too many steps, are too complicated or too challenging to operationalize may not be sustainable and may not have much impact on disease transmission.
- Be kind – measures that aren’t implemented with kindness and caring intent will erode the social and emotional environment of your school.
General public health measures and specific restrictions can be found within Step 3 of the Roadmap to Reopening and the Ontario Regulations 364/20 – Step 3.
Schools
Recommendations & Guidance
- COVID-19: Health, Safety and Operational Guidance for Schools (2021-2022) – Ontario Ministry of Education
- COVID-19 Guidance: School Outbreak Management – Ontario Ministry of Health
- Immunization Disclosure Policy
Return to School Plans
- Reopening and Operating out Schools September 2021 – Lambton Kent District School Board
- Return to School Plan 2021-2022 – St. Clair Catholic District School Board
- Back-to-School Guides 2021-2022 – Conseil scolaire Viamonde
- Back to School 2021-22 – CSC Providence
Resources
- COVID-19 Public Health School Safety Plan Checklist – Lambton Public Health
- Ontario COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool – Ontario Ministry of Health
- COVID-19: Health and Safety Measures at Schools – Ontario Ministry of Education
- COVID-19: Keeping schools safe – Government of Ontario
- COVID-19 Preparedness and Prevention in Elementary and Secondary (K-12) Schools – Public Health Ontario
- Support student’s mental health during COVID-19 – School Mental Health Ontario
- School and COVID-19 resources – Public Health Ontario
- Guidance: Your child is sick. Now What? – Lambton Public Health
- School Decision Guide: Symptomatic Student – Lambton Public Health
Infection Control and Prevention in Schools
- How to Protect Yourself from COVID-19 – Public Health Ontario
- How to Wash your Hands – Public Health Ontario
- Non-Medical Masks and Face Coverings – Public Health Ontario
- Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings – Public Health Ontario
- Hard-Surface Disinfectants and Hand Sanitizers – Health Canada
- Cleaning and Disinfection of Reusable Eye Protection – Public Health Ontario
Symptoms & Testing
- You’ve been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, now what? – Government of Ontario
- When and where to get tested for Covid-19 – Government of Ontario Ontario
- You were tested for COVID-19: What you should know – Public Health
- How to Self-Isolate – Public Health Ontario
- Isolation Guide for Caregivers – Public Health Ontario
- When to Self-isolate for Household Members – Public Health Ontario
Teaching Resources
- VIDEO: What is Coronavirus
- VIDEO: Mask Use (younger children)
- VIDEO: Mask Use (older children)
- VIDEO: Swiss Cheese Metaphor
- VIDEO: Physical distancing
- Kids Boost Immunity – Public Health Association of BC & UNICEF Canada
Child Care Centres
Recommendations & Guidance
- Operational Guidance for Child Care During COVID-19 Outbreak – Ontario Ministry of Education (Version 8 – September 2021)
- Ontario Operational Guidance During COVID-19 Outbreak: EarlyON Reopening – Ontario Ministry of Education (Version 6 – September 2021)
- Policies and Guidelines: Before and After School Programs Kindergarten – Grade 6 – Ontario Ministry of Education (Version 5 – September 2021)
- Immunization Disclosure Policy
Resources
- Ontario COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool – Ontario Ministry of Health
- Child Care Decision Guide: Symptomatic Child – Lambton Public Health
- Child Care Information Guide: Confirmed Positive Case – Lambton Public Health
- Workplace Outbreak Management: Flowchart – Lambton Public Health
Staff Education
- Mandatory Staff Training – English
- Mandatory Staff Training – French
- Staff Training Webinar (recorded June 22, 2020)
Immunization Disclosure Policy
Individuals Covered by the Policy
- School Board Employees/Staff
- Frequent School Visitors
- Professionals who deliver services in schools and interact with students and staff, including third-party contractors. This may include:
- School Board Trustees
- Occasional Teachers on a Supply List
- Students on an Educational Placement
- Volunteers
- Student Transportation Drivers
Key Dates
- By September 7, 2021: Individuals covered by the policy are expected to submit a formal attestation if they are “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination – i.e. upload or provide vaccination receipt(s).
Note – a process is being developed and more information will be shared when it is available.
- By September 10, 2021: School boards are expected to share aggregated, depersonalized attestation statistical information with the ministry in an electronic format and continue doing so on a monthly basis.
- By September 15, 2021: School boards are expected to publicly post aggregated, depersonalized attestation statistical information and continue doing so on a monthly basis.
Providing Proof
- Proof of Vaccination
- After vaccination, individuals with an Ontario photo health card can log in to the provincial portal to download or print an electronic COVID-19 vaccine receipt (PDF) for each dose received.
- Proof of Medical Reason
- Proof of select medical reasons must be provided by either a physician or a nurse practitioner. More information will be available shortly in regards to the select medical reasons that will be included.
- Proof of Education Session
- Individuals who do not intend to be vaccinated, without a documented medical reason, will be required to participate in an educational session about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination. This session is still in development and information on how to access the education session will be shared when it is available.
Testing Requirements
- Additional guidance from the Ministry will be released in regards to testing requirements once the policy is confirmed in regulation.
- For now, please visit our COVID-19 Testing Criteria for Lambton County page for information on local assessment centers.
Day and Overnight Camps
Recommendations & Guidance
- COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for: Day Camps – Ontario Ministry of Health (Version 2 – July 2021)
- COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for: Overnight Camps – Ontario Ministry of Health (Version 2 – July 2021)
- Ontario COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool – Ontario Ministry of Health
- Camp Training and Resources – Public Health Ontario
- Pre-camp Planning: COVID-19 Preparedness and Prevention for Day Camps – Public Health Ontario
- Daily Camp Operations: COVID-19 Preparedness and Prevention for Day Camps – Public Health Ontario
- Pre-camp Planning: COVID-19 Preparedness and Prevention for Overnight Camps – – Public Health Ontario
- Daily Camp Operations: COVID-19 Preparedness and Prevention for Overnight Camps – Public Health Ontario
Resources
- Ontario COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool – Ontario Ministry of Health
- Mental Health Resources for Camp Operators – Ontario Ministry of Health
- Camp Training and Resources – Public Health Ontario
- Pre-camp Planning: COVID-19 Preparedness and Prevention for Day Camps – Public Health Ontario
- Daily Camp Operations: COVID-19 Preparedness and Prevention for Day Camps – Public Health Ontario
- Pre-camp Planning: COVID-19 Preparedness and Prevention for Overnight Camps – Public Health Ontario
- Daily Camp Operations: COVID-19 Preparedness and Prevention for Overnight Camps – Public Health Ontario
Contacts
- Have questions? Submit inquiries to healthyschools@county-lambton.on.ca.
- For operations/funding inquiries contact County of Lambton Social Planning & Children’s Services Department.