Families should prepare for January shutdown, London's largest school board warns

As the Omicron variant takes hold in London, Ont., and case counts continue to rise, the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) is bracing for the worst, asking students to prepare for a January school shutdown.

"We strongly encourage people to take home any and all learning materials, or anything else of a personal nature that they may need, out of an abundance of caution," said director of education Mark Fisher. 

Three TVDSB schools are currently closed because of COVID-19 outbreaks: 

• Central Public School in Woodstock.
• Princess Elizabeth and Westmount Public schools in London. 

A lot ... is going to be determined by people's behaviour over the next couple of weeks.- Mark Fisher, director of education, TVDSB

"We have to respond to the recommendations of the health units, both locally and provincially," said Fisher. "There may be classes or schools that could be in a virtual learning environment come January.

"If that is what is better for the safety of the broader community, that's what we'll do," he added.

In an email to parents, the board said it has so far not received any information about potential school closures.

"A lot of that is going to be determined by people's behaviour over the next couple of weeks," said Fisher.

Why is province not giving teachers rapid test kits?

The province is providing all elementary and secondary students with rapid test kits to take home before the winter break, and London's public board is recommending students take a test every three to four days over the holidays, beginning Dec. 23.   

Teachers, however, will not be given the kits, which include five separate tests.

"The province has provided the rapid test kits for students, and we are doing our best as a district to source rapid test kits for all of our staff, not only teachers, but any of our front-line education workers," said Fisher.

• Tips for parents when students comes home with COVID-19 rapid tests

"We will be making test kits available to those who are interested." 

For students who are travelling

Unvaccinated students who leave the country during winter break will have to follow Canada's Quarantine Act and stay home from school for 14 days after their return to Canada, said the board.

Vaccinated students may return to school immediately, but the board is reminding parents that the guidance may change, and families must stay informed about the restrictions.