Windsor-Essex students asked to take home items in case schools close after holiday break

An empty teacher's desk is seen at the front of a empty classroom at in 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Windsor, Ont. -

Windsor-Essex school boards are preparing students and their families for the possibility that schools might close to in-person learning after the holiday break.

The Greater Essex County District School Board posted a message on social media stating “between now and Dec 17, everyone is being asked to take home personal items and any resources needed in case we are instructed to shift to online learning for a period of time after the Christmas Break. This action has not been confirmed.”

The GECDSB said if there are any changes announced by the Ministry of Education or by public health, the board will share the message with the school communities as soon as possible.

The Windsor-Essex Catholic School Board also posted a message to “inform parents and guardians that before schools close for the Christmas holidays on Dec. 17, the children in their households should bring home any materials they may need to continue learning at home after the break if necessary.”

However, the directors for both school boards in Chatham-Kent and Lambton said for now they plan to resume in person learning on Jan 3 following the holiday break.

“Our board is not preparing for anything different, but if it happens we will pivot,” said Scott Johnson, director of education, for St. Clair Catholic District School Board.

It was a sentiment echoed by director of education for Lambton-Kent District School Board

John Howitt said the public board did not want to add to the holiday stress.

“We want to avoid raising anxiety of something which may or may not take place,” he said.

Still both directors added parents will be welcomed to take materials home for the holidays without an official announcement.

Chatham Kent Public Health Officer, Dr. David Colby said schools are the first to open and the last to close when it comes to case numbers, “...and if things get really bad schools might close.”

Acting medical officer of health for Windsor-Essex Dr. Shanker Nesathurai said Monday he’s reluctant to close schools, but everything is on the table as health officials look to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The provincial government decides if schools remain open or closed, however local health units have the authority to issue a special order to switch to online learning if determined necessary for that region.

Local schools switched to virtual learning a week before the holiday break last year. Schools remained closed to in-person learning until Feb. 8, 2021. During that time, the region reached a peak COVID-19 case rate of 360 per 100,000. The current case rate is 137 cases per 100,000.

- With files from CTV Windsor's John Lewis