School is back in session with additional preventive measures in place to protect against COVID-19. The Health Unit is working closely with local school boards and other public health units to ensure a safe return for all students, staff and families.
On This Page
For School Board Staff
Click on the following resources for guidance on safe school reopening during COVID-19:
- COVID-19 Reopening Checklist for School Boards
- COVID-19 Public Health Guidance on Food in Schools
- Guide to Reopening Ontario Schools – Government of Ontario Guidance Document
For Parents
Screening Your Child for COVID-19 Symptoms
- Online COVID-19 Schools Screening Tool – Answer these questions to see if your child should attend school.
Provincial Resources
Get specifics on the Ontario government guidance documents for safely reopening schools:
- Province – Operational Guidance: COVID-19 management in schools
- Province – COVID-19 Guidance: School outbreak management
- Guide to Reopening Ontario Schools
- COVID-19 Cases in Schools and Child Care Centres – Website provides daily COVID-19 activity and case counts at schools and child care centres
Local School Board Resources
Learn how your local school board is working to support a safe return to class:
- Trillium Lakelands District School Board
- Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
- Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I have my child tested for COVID-19 before they return to school?
Testing your child before returning to school is generally not recommended if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms, unless they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
What if my child shows symptoms before going to school or while at school?
As per the Ministry of Education Guide to Reopening Ontario Schools, all students and staff must self-screen every day using a checklist before arriving at school. If a student or staff member is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, they must stay home from school and should seek testing and appropriate medical attention.
If a student or staff member feels sick, or develops symptoms while at school, schools will follow the following protocol:
- Students or staff who develop COVID-19 symptoms will immediately be separated from others, and the family will be contacted to arrange pick-up.
- Staff and students with symptoms will be directed to seek medical advice including the recommendation of testing for COVID 19 as appropriate or as advised by their medical provider. Check out local COVID 19 Assessment Centre locations, and book an appointment for COVID- 19 testing.
- Siblings/staff of ill individual can remain in school until further medical advice is received and should self-monitor for symptoms.
- Staff and/or students who receive an alternative diagnosis than COVID-19 can return to school once they are symptom-free for 24 hours.
Can I go to work if I don’t have any symptoms but my child is ill and we are waiting on results from their COVID-19 test?
If your child is symptomatic and has been tested for COVID-19, you and your family, including siblings, should self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. You can continue to go to school and/or work if you have no symptoms.
- If while self-monitoring symptoms of COVID-19 develop, self-isolate and be tested for COVID-19 (and no longer attend work and school).
- If any members of your household test positive for COVID-19, you will be contacted by Public Health directly with more detailed advice.
What if there is a positive case in my child’s school?
If a COVID-19 positive case is identified in a school, staff from the Health Unit will provide further instructions on who else in the school may need testing and/or monitoring/isolation at that time. Staff/children who are being managed by public health (e.g. confirmed cases of COVID-19, household contacts of cases, etc.) must follow the instructions provided by the HKPR District Health Unit on when they can return to school.
What if a parent/guardian tests positive for COVID-19?
Parents/guardians are not required to report their test results to their school, however it is recommended. Members of your household are required to self-isolate and should not attend work or school. If your child is at school, your child should be picked up immediately. Staff from the HKPR District Health Unit will be in contact with you for assessment and provide further direction.
Who will declare an outbreak at the school?
The Heath Unit will declare an outbreak after identifying two or more lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in students and/or staff (or other visitors) in a school with an epidemiological link where at least one case could have reasonably acquired their infection in the school (including transportation and before/after school care).
Examples of reasonably having acquired infection in school include:
- No obvious source of infection outside of the school setting; OR
- Known exposure in the school setting
HKPR District Health Unit staff will work closely with the school to determine close contacts of the case and will provide direction on isolation and facilitate testing.
Additional Resources
Click on the following for additional support:
- Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit
- How to Properly Wear a Non-Medical Mask Video – HKPR District Health Unit
- How to Properly Wash Hands Video – HKPR District Health Unit
- Using Hand Sanitizer Video – HKPR District Health Unit
- How to Cover Your Coughs and Sneezes (Respiratory Etiquette) Video – HKPR District Health Unit
- What to Do if Feeling Unwell Due to COVID-19 Video – HKPR District Health Unit
- COV-ED: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – a Crash Course Video – University of British Columbia Medicine
- Mental Health and COVID-19 – HKPR District Health Unit
For Students
Check out these resources to help stay safe at school during the pandemic:
About COVID-19
- COVID-19- What Kids Need to Know – Government of Canada
Washing Hands
- Be a Handwashing Hero Video– Government of Canada
- Be a Handwashing Hero Colouring Sheet – Government of Canada
- Wash Your Hands, Brother John! Video – Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
- Stop Germs From Spreading: Wash Your Hands Video – Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre
Fighting Germs
- Coughing and Sneezing Hygiene For Kids Video – Government of Canada
- Germ Smart: Wash Your Hands Video – Saskatchewan Health Authority
Wearing Masks
- Why We Wear Masks – Government of Canada
- Be a Masked Hero – Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre
- For Kids – Wearing a Mask Video – Children’s Hospital and Medical Center Omaha
Mental Health Support
- Mental Health and COVID-19 – HKPR District Health Unit
- Kids’ Help Phone
