​Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

With the support of the Ontario Ministry of Education and in consultation with the Medical Officers of Health for Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton, the Lambton Kent District School boards has decided to return to offering four courses a day for Semester Two, beginning in February 2022.

From an academic programming perspective, we believe this model to be the best option for student learning and student success. Four classes per day permits a more measured rollout of the curriculum with a greater continuity of learning and student supports. This decision was made following careful consideration and consultation with system and union leadership, as well as feedback from parents/guardians and students that the return to a four-course per day timetable is the preferred option.

We are informing students and families now to support planning for Semester Two. Four courses per day timetable will increase the number of student-to-student and student-to-staff contacts per day. In the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the school, there may be an impact on the number of students and staff identified by Public Health as close contacts.

Student and staff safety is at the forefront of all planning and decision-making in order to support the safe operation of schools. Our schools will continue to follow all public health guidance, including daily screening using the Ontario government screening tool, hand hygiene, physical distancing, and enhanced cleaning protocols for high-touch surfaces. 

We thank you for your support, as we continue to balance offering high quality and effective educational programming with the necessary protocols to keep our students and staff safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is important to note that, although the return to full semester in February 2022 represents our current planning, we are aware that in a pandemic public health measures are subject to sudden and rapid change. We will revisit this decision in the event of a change in direction from local or provincial Medical Officers of Health.

Please contact Chatham-Kent and Lambton Public Health for any COVID-19 or health-related questions, including vaccination information.

Should you have an academic or well-being question or concern about your child, please contact your child's school for follow-up.

Thanks for your ongoing support and we wish you a safe and relaxing holiday break.

Sincerely,
John Howitt
Director of Education