Ottawa Catholic board students return to school
It’s back to the classroom Tuesday for more than 42,000 students in the Ottawa Catholic School Board.
For students and teachers, it will be their first time in the classroom since Ontario closed schools to in-person learning in April.
But with no provincial requirement that staff be vaccinated against COVID-19, parents can’t be 100 per cent sure that the teacher at the front of the class has their shots.
The OCSB board of trustees has directed its senior officials to develop a mandatory vaccination policy for all staff. But for now, school staff must follow the ministry directive: they must either provide proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19, give a documented medical reason for not being vaccinated, or undergo regular testing and participate in a vaccination education program.
Education minister Stephen Lecce defended the province’s approach to vaccinations Tuesday morning, saying on CTV Morning Live that school boards are free to go above and beyond the provincial protocol.
“As the evidence evolves, the situation evolves with Delta, we’ll be ready to act,” he said. “The plan we announced going back a few weeks ago is aligned with the best expert advice.”
Lecce said Tuesday that unvaccinated staff will be required to undergo testing twice a week.
School boards in Ontario will post data on their website by Sept. 15 showing the percentage of staff who have not been fully vaccinated.
School upgrades
The OCSB says its schools are safe, and its approach to mitigating the spread of COVID-19 has worked.
Students and teachers will notice some difference this year. Upgrades to schools include more than 1,000 portable HEPA air filter units, UV ceiling lights in 200 classrooms and unit ventilators in 220 portables.
The board says it has spent $26 million in overall COVID-19 mitigation practices in schools, with $15 million of that going toward improved ventilation.
The board has posted a list of each school’s HVAC status on its website.
Much like last year, people can also expect to see hand sanitizer stations at entrance to classrooms, directional signage on floors, plastic guards and enhanced cleaning.
Masks are mandatory for all staff and students from kindergarten to Grade 12. Field trips and large indoor assemblies are on hold to start the school year.
All students and staff attending school must complete a daily screening tool.
There are also new rules this year for student vaccinations, for those born in 2009 or earlier who are eligible.
Fully vaccinated students who are exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 do not have to self-isolate as long as they don’t have symptoms.
But students who aren’t vaccinated and are exposed to a positive case will be required to isolate for 10 days. Students under 12 are not yet eligible to be vaccinated.
The city’s largest school board—the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board—has its first day this Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.