December 16, 2020
Dear St. Charles learners,
As we reach the final days of our Advent journey and fast approach the Christmas Break, we want to take this opportunity to thank our students, learners and parents/guardians for your support and efforts of the past several months which have not only made the school re-opening possible, but have helped to keep our schools safe. We want to as well recognize the outstanding service of staff at every level of our school system. Their tireless work and commitment to the well-being of our students/learners has been instrumental in ensuring the successful operation of schools during these unprecedented times.
The pandemic has created many changes in our lives and as we prepare for Christmas, it is crucial that we continue to follow public health and safety advice to protect our families and decrease the spread of COVID-19. Over the break, it will be especially important for everyone to adhere to
public health measures when connecting with family and friends. We know that close contact puts people at the greatest risk for COVID-19. Avoiding events or social gatherings over the break can positively impact your new year. We invite you to visit the government’s
holiday web page for more guidance on how families can plan for a safe Christmas season, including suggestions for safer holiday activities for children and families.
For the return to school, please be reminded that anyone feeling ill should not attend school.
Students/learners and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 over the Christmas break must follow public health instructions around self-isolation and self-monitoring, and be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to school. Please notify your school when classes resume in January if you were confirmed positive for COVID-19 over the holidays.
All learners and staff must continue to screen daily for COVID-19 symptoms on the provincial
COVID-19 school screening webiste. Please follow the directions provided in the COVID-19 school screening. Hamilton Public Health Services has also prepared
Decision Guides to help you should you or a family member develop COVID-19 symptoms while at home or at school. In addition to continued self-screening, we will continue to reinforce masking and hand hygiene as well as cohorting and physical distancing with our learners and staff. Personal and public health measures have significant benefits and have been proven to limit COVID-19 transmission.
To learn more about public health measures that have been implemented as part of the province’s COVID-19 response, please visit the
COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open website — but also please be aware that these could change depending on the most current public health advice.
Finally, we are reminding everyone to take home any materials that they may require for remote learning before they leave school for the holidays so that we can continue to be ready for all scenarios.
We pray that you have a Blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with much joy.
Patrick J. Daly
Chairperson of the Board
David Hansen
Direc