Via CityNews Toronto:

 

The first snowstorm of the year is putting a damper on what was supposed to be the first day back in the classroom for GTA teachers and students.

The same day in-person learning was set to resume in Ontario, a winter storm forced the cancellation of hundreds of buses and kept academy doors closed for most of the region. Several school boards — including the Toronto District School Board and others — made the collective decision to shutter classrooms for Tuesday.

Toronto District School Board: Schools are closed on Monday, but virtual learning will continue. Buses are cancelled.

Update: The TDSB announced it had cancelled in-person learning and school buses for Tuesday, Jan. 18. There will be no virtual learning as teachers have the choice to post work online.

Toronto Catholic District School Board: Schools are closed Monday, but virtual learning will continue. Buses are cancelled.

Update: The TCDSB cancelled school buses and closed schools for in-person learning for Tuesday.

Peel District School Board: Schools are closed, and Monday’s virtual classes are cancelled. Buses in zones 1, 2 and 3 are cancelled.

Update: The PDSB says schools and board facilities will remain closed to students and staff for Tuesday, Jan. 188. Students will switch to remote learning for the day. “Parents, please do not send your child(ren) to school,” the school board says.

Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board: Schools are closed on Monday, but virtual learning will continue. Buses in zones 1, 2 and 3 are cancelled.

Update: DPCDSB schools and board facilities will remain closed to students and staff for Tuesday, Jan. 18. Students will switch to remote learning for the day.

Halton District School Board: Schools are closed, and virtual classes are cancelled.

Update: The HDSB has not made a decision regarding school closures for Tuesday. For further information, visit here. 

Halton Catholic District School Board: Schools are closed on Monday, and virtual classes are cancelled.

Update: The HDSB has not made a decision regarding school closures for Tuesday. For further information, visit here. 

York Region District School Board: Schools are closed on Monday, but students can participate in asynchronous online learning. Buses are cancelled.

Update: The YDSB says schools will remain closed on Jan. 18. Students will switch to remote learning for the day. Officials are cautioning parents not to send their children to school on Tuesday. 

York Catholic District School Board: Schools are closed on Monday, but students can participate in asynchronous online learning. Buses are cancelled.

Update: The YCDSB says buses are cancelled and schools will remain closed on Jan. 18. Students will switch to remote learning. Officials are cautioning parents not to send their children to school on Tuesday. 

Durham District School Board: Schools are closed on Monday, elementary classes are cancelled, but secondary virtual courses continue. Buses are cancelled.

Durham Catholic District School Board: Schools are closed on Monday, elementary classes are cancelled, but secondary virtual courses continue. Buses are cancelled.

Update: Both the DDSB and DCDSB say officials continue to monitor snow impacts for Tuesday, Jan. 18 and that no decision has been made. Parents and students are being urged to monitor social media sites for further clarity. 

Last week, the province announced that students and staff would return to classrooms on Monday. The Ministry of Education outlined various measures to keep schools safe and open amid an ongoing surge of COVID-19 Omicron cases across the province.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the province’s return to in-person learning would focus on rapid testing, improved ventilation and more access to vaccinations and personal protective equipment (PPE).

It was revealed that principals at Ontario schools would only be required to report COVID-19 outbreaks to Public Health Units when absenteeism rates among students and staff hit a 30 per cent threshold. The province says the 30 per cent threshold only applies to reporting to Public Health Units, but the information will still be available through the Ministry before reaching that point.

Some school boards, including the Toronto District School Board, say that directly impacted classes will be informed when schools become aware of a PCR or RAT confirmed case.

The province’s plan includes doling out two rapid antigen tests to each student and staff member when symptomatic.

The province said that the rapid antigen tests would be provided “starting with staff in child care and public schools, children in child care settings, and students in public elementary schools, followed by secondary students,” the province said.

The updated guidance sparked concern among trustees, teachers, and parents alike. The Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board sent an open letter to Lecce outlining specific concerns they have now with the province’s plan.