Schools and COVID-19

Contact(s)

Renseignements en français

Before heading to school each day, please complete the COVID-19 school screening. 

Please be advised that based on the low number of COVID-19 cases and outbreaks across the district, the Health Unit has updated its recommendations around self-isolation for individuals who have been in contact with a person who is experiencing one or more symptoms of COVID-19.

If you have been in close contact with someone who has one or more symptoms of COVID-19 AND they have no travel history outside of Canada in the last 14 days, but they:

  • are awaiting COVID-19 test results;
  • are unable to have COVID-19 testing; or
  • have received a negative COVID-19 test result,

AND you are asymptomatic (i.e., you do not have one or more symptoms of COVID-19), you are not required to self-isolate. These individuals are requested to self-monitor.

The Health Unit has set up a temporary Call Centre to support our school and child care communities. If you have any questions, please call 1-800-563-2808 option 6, Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, please review the Ministry of Education’s Guide to reopening Ontario’s schools as well as your school board’s or school’s "return to school" plan.

For Parents/Guardians

COVID-19 and School Reopening - Public Health Information for Parents/Guardians
Find the answers to frequently asked questions: COVID-19 and School Reopening - Public Health Information for Parents/Guardians

Parenting and COVID-19

We want children to feel safe, secure and loved so they can reach their full potential and thrive. Our COVID-19 parenting resources will support you.

For non-COVID related parental resources and supports, check out our resources that support you to listen, respond and connect.

Transportation

For specific back-to-school transportation information and guidelines, visit https://www.npssts.ca/ and your child’s school board website.

When possible, choose walking and cycling to school. Finding an active way to school can give your child many benefits such as increased readiness to learn, decreased levels of stress and increased levels of happiness on the journey to school.

Supporting Your Child to Return to Learning
  • Have regular, open conversations with your child. Let your child know there will be changes to school routines. Offer the information that you do know, such as if they will attend in person, learn at home, go to before or after child care, use the school bus or walk/bike to school.
  • Explain we can limit the spread of germs by washing our hands often, staying 2 metres apart whenever possible and by wearing a face covering. Be positive as your child works to develop these skills, as it takes time to develop new habits. 
  • Teach your child how to wash hands properly. Learn handwashing together by watching videos geared to your child’s developmental age.
  • Ask your child what questions or worries they have, and respond as best you can. If you still have questions about COVID-19, visit: www.myhealthunit.ca

COVID-19: Reopening Child Care and Early Years Programs

For more information contact your child care or early years program or visit the Ontario Ministry of Education website

COVID-19 Guidance Flow Charts for Child Care

COVID-19 Guidance - Positive Student or Staff

COVID-19 Guidance - Symptomatic Students or Staff

COVID-19 Guidance - Symptomatic Students or Staff - Return to School

Helpful Links

COVID-19: Resources to Build our Children’s Resilience - Psychology Foundation of Canada includes webinars, podcasts, tip sheets, and more for parents, educators and child-caring professionals to support children and youth during COVID-19.

Talking to Your Anxious Child About COVID -19 - Children’s Mental Health Ontario

How to Work with Your School to Support Your Child’s Mental Health - School Mental Health Ontario

Back to School During COVID-19: Tips for Parents and Caregivers – The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) 

COVID-19 school screening - Please be advised that, based on the low number of COVID-19 cases and outbreaks across the district,  the Health Unit has updated its recommendations around self-isolation for individuals who have been in contact with a person who is experiencing one or more symptoms of COVID-19. 

If you have been in close contact with someone who has one or more symptoms of COVID-19 AND they have no travel history outside of Canada in the last 14 days but they:

  • are awaiting COVID-19 test results;
  • are unable to have COVID-19 testing; or
  • have received a negative COVID-19 test result,

AND you are asymptomatic (i.e., you do not have one or more symptoms of COVID-19), you are not required to self-isolate. These individuals are requested to self-monitor.

COVID-19 Screening printable 

For Administration 

Outbreak Management

COVID-19 Guidance Flow Charts

 

COVID-19 Guidance - Positive Student or Staff

COVID-19 Guidance - Symptomatic Students or Staff

COVID-19 Guidance - Symptomatic Students or Staff - Return to School

 

Helpful Links and Resources

COVID-19 Guidance for Schools Kindergarten to Grade 12 – Government of Canada

Guidance for Reopening Schools – The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)

Teaching Tool – Handwashing and Germs – North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit

Mental Health and Wellbeing – School Mental Health Ontario

Information on face coverings

Videos: How to wear a cloth face covering and How to wear a medical mask

Parent/Guardian Handout for Symptomatic Student

Recess Position Statement

Posters and Handouts

Health Promotion in Schools
 Please visit our Healthy Schools page: www.myhealthunit.ca/schools

North Bay

345 Oak Street West
705-474-1400

Parry Sound

70 Joseph Street Unit #302
705-746-5801

Burk's Falls

17 Copeland Street (by appointment only)
1-800-563-2808