Mother St. Bride Catholic Elementary School

April 8, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Thank you for continuing to follow the public health and safety measures that have kept schools open and safe for students and staff. It is our collective effort that continues to ensure your children can learn in the classroom.

As per recent announcements, the province has implemented a provincewide shutdown for four weeks in response to worsening trends in key health indicators across the province.

The mental health and well-being of children continues to be a key government priority and schools will remain open for in-person learning through the Provincial Emergency and Stay at Home Order. The spring break will continue as planned, from April 12th to 16th, and schools will reopen for in-person learning on April 19th.

In light of the recently announced measures, it is more important than ever that we continue to follow health advice over the Spring Break to do our part to keep schools open, for in-person student learning.

At this critical point in the pandemic, the following public health measures are crucial to help prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19:

• Socialize with your own household.
• Stay home and get tested if you feel ill.
• Participate in the asymptomatic COVID-19 testing offered in our local area.
•  Use the  COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool every day, including during spring break, for COVID-19 symptoms before attending child care.
• Practice good hand hygiene habits, masking, and physical distancing.
• Refer to Ontario.ca/covidresponse to learn what public health measures are in place in our community.
• Refrain from travelling.

During the spring break, students in Grades 1 to 8 can continue to engage in their own learning through supplemental, curriculum-linked activities available at TVO Learn and TFO IDÉLLO, apprendre à la maison. These rich, engaging opportunities allow students to keep up with their learning and interests. Mathify (English) and Eureka! (French) are also available to provide one-on-one online tutoring services for elementary students. 

Mathify covers online math tutoring in English for Grades 6 to 10 and Eureka! supports all subjects for French-language students in Grades 1 to 12.

For the week of April 12-18, asymptomatic COVID-19 rapid antigen testing continues to be

available for students, children and staff.  To book an appointment, please call one of the locations from the participating store list:

• No Frills/Loblaws – 12035 Hwy 17, Sturgeon Falls (705) 753-5850
• Shoppers Drug Mart – 66 Josephine Street, North Bay (705) 497-8542
• Shoppers Drug Mart – 276 Lakeshore Drive, North Bay (705) 476-3244
• Shoppers Drug Mart – 2025 Cassells Street, North Bay (705) 474-8200
• Shoppers Drug Mart – 90 Bowes Street, Parry Sound (705) 746-2932

During the spring break only, students and staff will also be able to access asymptomatic testing at local assessment centres.  To book an appointment, visit the Covid-19 Testing Locations website, and select “assessment centre” as your location type, with the booking details requested.  

Parents are encouraged to take advantage of this testing capacity to have their children tested to support a safe return to school on April 19. Children attending child care, and child care staff, will also be eligible to access this testing.

On April 19th, before returning to school, please complete the screen for COVID-19 symptoms and return a completed self-screening confirmation form to the school.  As always, if your child or anyone in your household is ill, stay home and follow the guidance in the school screener.

By following public health advice, we can all enjoy a safe spring break and continue to support in-person learning in our schools.

Prayerful best wishes for a safe, fun and restful break!

Thank you.

Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board