COVID-19 (2019 Novel Coronavirus) Information and Updates for Students, Staff and Families 

PLEASE NOTE - Every effort will be made to ensure that this page has the most up to date information available.  Our students, staff and families are encouraged to check the Northwestern Health Unit's website, as well as the Government of Ontario and Government of Canada websites for updates on COVID-19 in Canada. test

Please click on one of the links below for more information or scroll down to see the most recent updates.

• 2020-2021 School Year Information
• Government of Canada COVID-19 Resources for Parents and Children
• Ontario's COVID-19 Testing Plan
• COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub
• Learning At Home - Resources for Families
• Mental Health Supports During a Pandemic
• Community Supports for Families
• COVID-19 Links for Updates and General Information
• KPDSB Response to COVID-19 Pandemic (Including a link to our Pandemic Plan)
• Contacting the KPDSB
• Northwestern Health Unit School Newsletter Tips

UPDATES & CORRESPONDENCE:

FEBRUARY 19, 2021 - letter for families from Dr. Kit Young Hoon, Medical Officer of Health for the Northwestern Health Unit, about important health and safety updates

Please click here to view the letter from Dr. Kit Young Hoon about the updated school screen and direction for asymptomatic household contacts of symptomatic individuals.

February 11, 2021 - Ontario Announces Decision to Delay March Break in an Effort to Reduce Community Transmission of COVID-19

Please click here to view our notice to families from Sherri-Lynne Pharand, Director of Education, regarding the delay of the 2021 March Break until April 12-16, 2021.

January 15, 2021 - INCLEMENT WEATHER DAYS (SNOW DAYS) AND VIRTUAL LEARNING FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS LEARNING IN-PERSON

Please click here to view our notice to families from Sherri-Lynne Pharand, Director of Education, regarding changes to our inclement weather protocols to include virtual learning for secondary students learning in-person who are not able to physically attend school due to bus cancellations or inclement weather.

January 13, 2021 - KPDSB Schools Remain Open for In-Person Learning,
New Health and Safety Protocols Announced

Please click here to view our notice to families from Sherri-Lynne Pharand, Director of Education, regarding Ontario declaring a second provincial emergency and new or enhanced health and safety protocols for January 14, 2021.

January 7, 2021 - KPDSB Schools Reopening for In-Person Learning on Monday, January 11, 2021

Please click here to view our notice to families from Sherri-Lynne Pharand, Director of Education, regarding the reopening of our schools for in-person learning on January 11, 2021.

December 21, 2021 - Province Wide Shutdown Annouced

Please click here to view our notice to families from Sherri-Lynne Pharand, Director of Education, regarding the provincial shutdown and remote learning for all KPDSB students from January 4-8, 2021.

November 23, 2020 - LETTER FROM DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, SHERRI-LYNNE PHARAND, & Chair of the Board, cecile marcino - student travel advisory for travel outside of northwestern ontario

Please click here to view our student travel advisory regarding student travel outside of Northwestern Ontario. This advisory is effective as of November 23, 2020.

aUGUST 6, 2020 - LETTER FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES - REOPENING ONTARIO'S SCHOOLS

Please click here to view a letter from our Board of Trustees.

august 5, 2020 - return to school survey for families

Will your child be returning to school in-person or remotely for the 2020-2021 School Year?  Please fill out our Return to School Survey for Families by viewing a letter from our Director of Education by clicking here, or by clicking here to go directly to the survey.  For more information on our reopening plans to date, please click here.

JULY 30, 2020 - Ontario releases Guide to reopening Ontario’s schools

The Government of Ontario released their school reopening plans for the 2020-2021 school year on July 30, 2020.  Please click here to view a letter for families from Director of Education, Sherri-Lynne Pharand, regarding the reopening of KPDSB schools.  You can find the Guide to Reopening Ontario’s Schools by clicking here. You can also view a letter from the Minister of Education to families by clicking here.

JULY 22, 2020 - 2020-2021 school year calendar released

Please click here to view our school year calendar for the upcoming (2020-2021) school year. This calendar has been approved by the Ministry of Education, as well as our Board of Trustees.  

July 13, 2020 - possible models for a return to learning for the 2020-2021 school year

The Ministry of Education has released three potential models for a return to learning for the 2020-2021 school year.  In order to help families prepare for the upcoming year, we wanted to share information about each of the models so families know what options are being considered.  Please click here to view the three potential models and information on each model to date.  

The Ministry of Education has indicated they will let school boards know which of the three models we will be following during the first week of August.  Once that decision has been made, we will communicate with families which of the models we will be using for the start of the school year. 

JUNE 22, 2020 - OPEN LETTER TO FAMILIES FROM EDUCATION MINISTER, STEPHEN LECCE

 Please click here to view an open letter to families from Education Minister, Stephen Lecce.

JUNE 17, 2020 - LETTER FROM DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, SHERRI-LYNNE PHARAND, TO KPDSB secondary FAMILIES - REMAINDER OF 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR AND PLANNING FOR 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR

Please click here to view the most recent letter to secondary families from Director of Education, Sherri-Lynne Pharand. 

June 17, 2020 - LETTER FROM DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, SHERRI-LYNNE PHARAND, TO KPDSB elementary FAMILIES - remainder of 2019-2020 school year and planning for 2020-2021 school year

Please click here to view the most recent letter to elementary families from Director of Education, Sherri-Lynne Pharand. 

may 19, 2020 - OPEN LETTER to families FROM EDUCATION MINISTER, STEPHEN LECCE

 Please click here to view an open letter to families from Education Minister, Stephen Lecce.

MAY 19, 2020 - LETTER FROM DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, SHERRI-LYNNE PHARAND, TO ALL kpdsb FAMILIES - ONTARIO SCHOOLS TO REMAIN CLOSED FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR

Please click here to view the most recent letter to families from Director of Education, Sherri-Lynne Pharand.  

MAY 13, 2020 - LETTER FROM DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, SHERRI-LYNNE PHARAND, TO secondary FAMILIES - secondary graduations

Please click here to view the most recent letter to families from Director of Education, Sherri-Lynne Pharand.  

may 1, 2020 - LETTER FROM DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, SHERRI-LYNNE PHARAND, TO ALL KPDSB FAMILIES - Information and updates

Please click here to view the most recent letter to families from Director of Education, Sherri-Lynne Pharand.  

APRIL 28, 2020 - open letter from Education Minister, Stephen Lecce

 Please click here to view an open letter to families from Education Minister, Stephen Lecce.

April 26, 2020 - school closures extended until at least May 31, 2020

The Government of Ontario announced today that school closures are extended until at least May 31, 2020. We will share any additional information as it becomes available.

APRIL 20, 2020 - April 24, 2020 pd day cancelled

The decision has been made to cancel and defer the upcoming April 24, 2020, Professional Development (PD) Day.  As a result, Friday, April 24, 2020, will be a regular distance learning instructional day for students and staff. 

APRIL 16, 2020 - LETTER FROM DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, SHERRI-LYNNE PHARAND, TO ALL KPDSB FAMILIES - Closure update and family survey

Click here to fill out the Distance Learning Survey for Families

Earlier this week, Ontario Premier, Doug Ford, stated in an interview that schools will not reopen on May 4, 2020, as previously announced. At this time, a date has not been given for when schools may reopen, although the Premier did state that the Minister of Education would make further announcements this week.  The Premier was clear in his messaging that the 2019-2020 school year has not been cancelled by the government.  We will share any additional information as we receive it.We have created a survey to gather information from families about how distance learning has been for your child(ren) so far, and what we can do to support our students’ learning going forward. You can access the survey by clicking here.  All of the questions in the survey are optional, and your responses will remain anonymous. Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts with us.Please click here to view the complete update from Director of Education, Sherri-Lynne Pharand.

Please click here to view updates for secondary families from Director of Education, Sherri-Lynne Pharand.

Please note - Anyone accessing the wifi connections at our schools will have to do so from outside the buildings and follow all government direction around limiting the spread of COVID-19, including: 

• Staying home whenever possible
• Practicing social distancing at all times
• Self-isolating in your home if you have travelled recently, are feeling unwell, or think you may have come into contact with someone who may have COVID-19

April 1, 2020 - ONtario government announces school closures extended until may 2020, releases phase 2 of learn from home.

Please click here to view a letter to families from Director of Education, Sherri-Lynne Pharand with updates regarding the extension of school closures until May 2020 and Phase 2 of Learning from Home. You can also click here to view an open letter to families from Education Minister, Stephen Lecce.

MARCH 27, 2020 - LETTER FROM DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, SHERRI-LYNNE PHARAND, TO ALL KPDSB FAMILIES

Please click here to see a letter to families from Director of Education, Sherri-Lynne Pharand, with information and updates on school closures due to COVID-19 pandemic.

MARCH 27, 2020 - All KPDSB school play structures closed during covid-19 pandemic

In addition to our schools and offices being closed, all KPDSB play structures outside of our schools are also closed.  Research has shown the COVID-19 virus can last on metal and plastic surfaces in both cold and warm temperatures for at least three (3) days.  The closure of all school play structures is to keep everyone safe and limit the possible spread of the virus. Thank you for your cooperation.

March 23, 2020 - Letter from director of education, sherri-lynne pharand, to all kpdsb families

Please click here to see a letter to families from Director of Education, Sherri-Lynne Pharand, with information and updates on school closures due to COVID-19 pandemic.

March 22, 2020 - Open letter to families from ontario education minister stephen lecce

Please click here to view an open letter to families from Ontario Minister of Education, Steven Lecce.

March 20, 2020 - Ontario Launches New Learn At Home Online Resource to Support Students and Families during COVID-19 Closures

The Ministry of Education and Government of Ontario launched the first phase of Learn at Home (click to follow the link) and Apprendre à la maison, a new online portal that will provide resources for families so students can continue their education while schools are closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation.  For more information, please view our Notice to Families by clicking here.

March 18, 2020 - EQAO Testing for 2019-2020 school Year

The Ministry of Education has announced that they will be cancelling all EQAO assessments for the remainder of this school year.  As a result, the literacy graduation requirement (OSSLT/OSSLC) f​or students who are graduating in the 2019-20 school year will be waived. Students who are not graduating this school year will write the OSSLT in the upcoming 2020-2021 school year.