Most GTA students, teachers return to class after storm cleanup

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and several others are reopening classrooms to in-person learning on Wednesday after a return was delayed due to historic snowfall across the GTA.

The TDSB confirmed schools would welcome back students and staff after a successful, city-wide cleanup that spanned 48 hours in an email to parents.

“Following Monday’s storm and two days of no in-person learning at our schools, we look forward to welcoming students and staff back to in-person learning tomorrow – Wednesday,” the TDSB said.

“While not yet complete, the City of Toronto continues to make significant progress in clearing major roads and side streets and will continue overnight. The vast majority of TDSB schools and sites have been plowed, and thanks to the great work of our caretakers are now accessible. Plowing will continue.”

The TDSB said that while some delays are possible, students and staff will “be able to travel to schools/sites given significant plowing operations underway in the GTA.”

The board advised Wednesday morning that some high schools will remain closed and move to remote learning for the day after the contractor hired for snow removal did not complete the job. The list of affected schools include, Dr. Norman Bethune CI, Emery CI, John Polanyi CI, Newtonbrook Secondary School and Yorkdale Secondary School.

They also advise that 10 elementary schools are only partially plowed but remain open for in-person learning.

We are learning of approximately eight secondary schools (list to come) where the contractor hired by the TDSB to remove snow, did not complete the job. As a result, they will be moving to remote learning.

Less than 10 elementary schools are partially plowed – but remain open.

— Toronto District School Board (@tdsb) January 19, 2022

The TDSB announced it had cancelled in-person learning and school buses for Tuesday. There was no virtual learning as teachers were given a choice to post work online. This came after the TDSB drew some criticism on Monday for keeping online learning as an option after several other school boards shut down their facilities entirely.

“As we return to in-person learning, please remember to carefully review and become familiar with the revised COVID-19 screening tool, including the second page, which provides direction on isolation measures in a variety of scenarios based on age and vaccination status,” wrote TDSB Director of Education Colleen Russell-Rawlins.

The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) also announced its intention to welcome back students and staff on Wednesday. The TCDSB says school bus delays are anticipated and is asking one family member to stay with their child and or children while they wait for the bus.

Read more: Lecce, Moore pen joint letter to parents ahead of return to class: ‘We are taking nothing for granted’

Last week, the province announced that students and staff would return to classrooms on Monday. The Ministry of Education outlined various measures to keep schools safe and open amid an ongoing surge of COVID-19 Omicron cases across the province.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the province’s return to in-person learning would focus on rapid testing, improved ventilation and more access to vaccinations and personal protective equipment (PPE).

It was revealed that principals at Ontario schools would only be required to report COVID-19 outbreaks to Public Health Units when absenteeism rates among students and staff hit a 30 per cent threshold. The province says the 30 per cent threshold only applies to reporting to Public Health Units, but the information will still be available through the Ministry before reaching that point.

Some school boards, including the Toronto District School Board, say that directly impacted classes will be informed when schools become aware of a PCR or RAT confirmed case.

The province’s plan includes doling out two rapid antigen tests to each student and staff member when symptomatic.

The province said that the rapid antigen tests would be provided “starting with staff in child care and public schools, children in child care settings, and students in public elementary schools, followed by secondary students,” the province said.

The updated guidance sparked concern among trustees, teachers, and parents alike. The Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board sent an open letter to Lecce outlining specific concerns they have now with the province’s plan.

Complete list of school closures across GTA (will be updated regularly as announcements are made): 

Peel District School Board: The PDSB announced a full return to in-person learning on Wednesday. “We look forward to welcoming our students who are enrolled in the in-person learning model,” they said. A news release can be found here.

Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board: The DPCDSB confirmed late on Tuesday that schools will reopen as of tomorrow.

York Region District School Board: The YRDSB confirmed in an email to parents and guardians that classes will resume in person on Jan. 19. “Parents should check their email for an update from the Board that provides details about welcoming students back to the classroom, new safety measures and details about screening and confirmation,” they wrote.

Halton District School Board: The HDSB says it’s preparing to welcome back students and staff on Wednesday. “We understand these last two days have been hectic, but we are eager and prepared to welcome students to school tomorrow,” the school board said.

Durham District School Board: The DDSB anticipates a full return to class on Wednesday. Officials write that snow removal could take up to 72 hours and delays should be expected. “… There is always the possibility for individual school closures to ensure that children remain safe and have appropriate levels of supervision,” the DDSB said.

Durham Catholic District School Board: The DCDSB says officials are preparing to reopen schools on Wednesday but have not confirmed. School officials are “monitoring ongoing snow removal efforts across the region” and staff shortages due to COVID-19 and snow-related delays.