COVID-19 Latest Updates

Dear De La Salle Community,

Effective tomorrow Wednesday, May 4th the mandatory mask requirement will be suspended in favour of a strongly recommended use of medical-grade masks.

All staff and students are strongly encouraged to continue the use of masks indoors, especially in places where students and staff are in close proximity, such as classrooms, study cubicles and department offices. Periodic mask breaks are now possible throughout the day and we all need to be non-judgemental about our personal choices of use, or not, of masks at this time.

Let us continue to be considerate of one another’s space and sensitivities.

All members of the school community are reminded that it remains important to refrain from coming to school if you are not feeling well. Unfortunately, the number of people contracting COVID-19 remains significant.

As always, a special thank you to all the members of the school community for your exceptional co-operation over these many months whereby the wearing of masks has been required for the purposes of community health safety concerns.

Sincerely,

De La Salle College

Dear Members of the De La Salle College Community:

We are all aware that the Province of Ontario is currently experiencing a sixth wave of COVID-19 due to the highly transmissible Omicron BA.2 variant.

Given the significant increase in daily cases and in an abundance of caution to reduce the number of student and teacher absences, which have increased of late, masks for indoor spaces at De La Salle College will remain mandatory until Wednesday, May 4, 2022 for all students, teachers, staff, and visitors when we return to school on April 20, 2022. The situation will continue to be monitored closely at the school and the school’s Administration will communicate any further extensions to this protocol if and when necessary. It is hoped that as of Thursday, May 5, 2022 this protocol will be replaced with a strongly recommended request for the use of masks that will remain in place until the end of classes on June 3, 2022.

It is important to recognize that this revised protocol is consistent with the recent statements by Ontario‘s Chief Medical Officer of Health as recently as on April 11, 2022 which noted that although masking is no longer mandatory in most public places, they are strongly recommended for indoor spaces. We continue to impress on all members of the community that it is extremely important that all students and staff wear well- fitted three layer masks in classrooms, all common areas including hallways, and cafeteria when not eating or drinking. Students and staff are reminded of the importance of acting responsibly by following the appropriate protocols for travelling on public transportation as determined by public health officials. As well, students and staff are reminded to remain at home when experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19.

The use of non-medical masks is one of several pandemic control measures that has proven effective in reducing COVID-19 transmission in the community and in our schools. Masking has played an important role in allowing our students to be in school learning and for a gradual return now to many pre-pandemic activities and routines. Wearing a mask helps to slow down the transmission of COVID-19 and helps alleviate staff shortages that could result in school closures and the re-introduction of online learning. There is little to be gained by dispensing with masks at this time but more to lose if students and teachers are increasingly absent as has been seen in the last two weeks in schools across the GTA.

The best form of protection from serious illness due to COVID-19 infection is to be vaccinated. Although the College has no intention at this time to mandate vaccinations beyond the two doses required, it is recommended that students and teachers consider booster vaccines administered at the appropriate intervals as determined by Health Canada.

We are thankful that the College has succeeded throughout this pandemic to remain open for in class learning except when required to close by order of public health authorities. This is in large part the result of the co-operation of all the members of the school community. Students need to be in school and taking advantage of the many opportunities for learning, socialising and recreating as normally as possible. This can only be accomplished with the use of common sense and a generous disposition for the welfare of others.

Continued blessings of the Risen Lord. 

 

Administration

Please note that the Chief Medical Officer of Health has updated guidance for anyone who has had a positive test result (molecular/PCR or RAT).

Individuals who receive a positive test result should not participate in antigen testing for 30 days from their COVID-19 infection (based on the date of their symptom onset or test). After this period, symptomatic individuals can resume COVID-19 rapid antigen testing in accordance with: 

Health Ontario Guidelines

March 20, 2022 Dear Students, Parents & Guardians, As we return to school after what I hope has been a restful March Break, I would like to provide some updates with respect to COVID-19 protocols. Over the last two years, we have asked a great deal of our students and staff. With the support of parents and guardians, we have collectively done our best to navigate these difficult days. The measures we have adopted have allowed us to keep the school open, except for the mandatory closures, and as engaging as possible for our students despite the challenges. The co-operation of parents and staff has been terrific. Although we may be better able to address the risks of Covid 19, they are not completely gone. We all look forward to fewer restrictions in place over time. As mentioned in our communication to families before March Break, we are asking for your patience and support as we retain our masking policy for a short period after the March Break. Not only is this a prudent decision as we return to campus, but the timing also aligns with current federal travel requirements which require those returning to Canada after an international travel to wear a mask at all times when in public spaces, including schools, for 14 days. Our colleagues at many other independent schools have made similar decisions. Part of a return to “normal” is our goal of gradually returning to student attendance at Morning Assembly. This daily assembly is one of the most important events we do as a school community.  Maintaining our masking policy for a short period allows us to reintroduce this important component of school life as soon as possible. Other kinds of larger gatherings may also be possible.  We look forward to welcoming parents and guardians to our field to cheer on our teams during the Spring Season. Be assured that the cleaning and disinfecting procedures for surfaces and the school in general, expanded during the pandemic, will remain in place as well. Our intention is to transition to a “strongly encouraged, but not mandated” masking policy upon our return to school after Easter on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. For your reference, the Toronto Public Health School COVID-19 Screening tool has been updated: School /Childcare Questionnaire PDF   The changes correspond to those on the: Province of Ontario's School Screening tool. Significant Changes to protocols:  1)    Isolation Requirements for non-household contacts of someone who has COVID-19 symptoms/tests positive: Non-household contacts are no longer required to self-isolate.  They need to self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days from last contact. They are to wear a well-fitted mask in public settings (this includes in schools) and avoid activities where mask removal would be necessary (for example, playing a wind instrument in music class or removing mask for sports). Not visit higher-risk individuals or settings. 2)    Isolation Requirements for household contacts of someone who has COVID-19 symptoms/test positive: Household members do not need to self-isolate if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms and not had a positive test AND Either: had a confirmed COVID-19 infection within 90 days; OR are 18 + and boosted; OR are 17 years or younger and fully vaccinated. For the next 10 days, they are to: Monitor for symptoms Wear a well-fitted mask in public settings (including schools) and avoid activities where mask removal would be necessary Not visit higher-risk individuals or settings for 10 days   Once again, on behalf of the entire staff at De La Salle, I would like to thank you for your understanding, flexibility and charity.   Sincerely,   R. Lundy Principal

Dear Del Community,

In light of recent Ontario Public Health updates, we are taking this occasion to inform the De La Salle College Community of our own masking protocols. Our plan is to continue the masking mandate for all students, employees, and visitors on March 21st when students return to campus.

This will allow us to prudently monitor the success rate across the province for the following few weeks. We will re-evaluate our masking policy for our return to school following Easter, effective Wednesday, April 20, 2022.

Up to this point, we have been fortunate to provide a more open and interactive campus experience. Adherence to masking protocols has been a necessary part of our efforts. 

The Del community is reminded that this decision is subject to change as it relates to public health recommendations and the Province of Ontario.  We will continue to do our best to provide thoughtful and measured guidance as we work our way out of the pandemic.

Until then, I want to again commend the hard work, understanding and perseverance shown by students, staff, and parents as we all work together to get through these challenging times. May you all have a safe, fun-filled, and blessed March Break.    

 

Sincerely,    

R. Lundy 

Principal