Update from Chair of the Board, Rick Petrella
My Dear Friends
I know it has been a challenging year and even more challenging few days with numerous changes and uncertainty as case counts rise in the province. As always, the board is committed to providing you with updates in a timely and accurate manner.
The situation we are currently in is somewhat fluid and ever changing as the province shifts, augments and adjust directives in near real time. Our board is working hard to adjust and navigate these Ministry directed changes and implement them in the least disruptive way as possible. I want to thank you for your continued patience, understanding, and support of our board and Catholic education as we work through these changes together.
Last Thursday the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Ministry of Education announced a number of changes to the health and safety protocols in our schools. These came as a result of the increase in infections caused by the new Omicron variant, and they deemed these changes as a new approach. Today, to our surprise the Ministry has reversed their course of action and advised us that schools will be moved to remote learning for two weeks from January 3rd to January 14th with the hope of returning to in-person on Monday, January 17th.
Tomorrow you will all be receiving information with regards to the specific details of that pivot to remote learning, including information on devices.
As a parent with a child in our system I understand the burden this has placed on all of you, and that the Ministry directed changes have caused such a profound disruption and readjustment in our lives. As always, you have my personal commitment that the BHNCDSB has always and will continue to place the health and safety of our students, staff, community as our number one priority.
As always, we will continue to advocate on behalf of our staff and students in an effort to ensure that we have the safest learning environments possible. We also remain committed to consulting with both of our public health units and communicating out information once we have clarification and specifics to keep you informed. I am sure that there will be further changes in the coming days and weeks. As we continue to navigate these uncertain times, we remain committed to working with all stakeholders in our BHNCDSB community to hear your voice to help inform our journey together.
God Bless
Rick Petrella, Chair of the Board
