SUDBURY -- With just over two weeks until the first day of school, District School Board Ontario North East has revealed its return to school plan for its 31 educational institutions.

The plan was created with direction from the Ministry of Education and guidance from Porcupine and Timiskaming Health Units.

Families are asked to confirm by Aug. 24 whether their child will attend school in person or opt for distance learning by filling out this form online.

First Day

There is a staggered entry for most schools by the students' last name:

  • Thursday, Sept. 3 – Students with last names starting with A – H and all of the students at Hearst High School, Clayton Brown Public School, Smooth Rock Falls Public School, Elk Lake Public School, Kerns Public School and Temagami Public School
  • Friday, Sept. 4 – Students with last names starting with A – P
  • Tuesday, Sept. 8 – All students

Secondary students who have a staggered entry will engage in asynchronous learning until they return to school. All students will begin synchronous learning by Sept. 11.

Students and staff are expected to do a self-screening for COVID-19 every day and time to allow for proper hand hygiene will be built into the school day and stay home when feeling ill. When a handwashing station is not readily available, the school will provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

For secondary students, the school year will be divided into eight rotations by quartering the two traditional semesters.

The use of masks

  • All students will be required to wear non-medical masks or face covering while on the school bus
  • Students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 are encouraged to wear non-medical masks or face coverings.
  • Students in Grades 4 – 12 are required to wear a non-medical mask or face covering indoors, unless they are with their cohort, able to maintain physical distancing or outside. Re-usable masks will be provided for students who do not have one. Some students with breathing or sensory issues may be exempt from wearing a mask and families must submit a form to the school principal.
  • Staff are required to wear board-issued masks and are not permitted to use a cloth mask or other face covering. Two disposable medical masks will be allocated to each staff member every day.

Measures to be taken at school

  • Students will be allowed to use playground equipment and will be required to wash their hands before and after going outside. The equipment will be cleaned each night.
  • Plexiglass may be put in place for students in K-Grade 3 classrooms that have tables
  • Students will have assigned desks with as much space between them as possible
  • Classes will have designated entrances and exits
  • Hallway movement will be staggered and traffic will move on the right-hand side single file
  • School plans will be shared with families and online by Sept. 1

Online learning

  • Secondary students that have chosen to begin the school year with voluntary distance learning will be able to transition to in-class instruction on Oct. 7, while Elementary students will be allowed on Oct. 13
  • All students in Grades 1 - 12 will have 225 minutes of synchronous learning every day, and Kindergarteners will have 180 minutes
  • Access to technology will be organized with families at the beginning of the school year

Read the full plan here.

Find the fact sheet for distance learning students here.