September 3, 2021

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COVID-19: School Reopening Updates

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As we all enjoy the breezy days and colours of fall, I would like to thank you for your

continued efforts, and congratulate each and every one of you for making the health,

safety, and well-being of yourselves and your loved ones a priority.

I am writing on behalf of the JHSC to request you all please accept the following

reminders regarding the announcements by the DSBN, alongside regulatory bodies

including Niagara Region Public Health, and the Public Health Agency of Canada. We

are looking forward to seeing you on the first day of school on Tuesday September 7th

through our virtual platforms. We will continue to remain closed to the public until such

time as the site is no longer an active construction zone.

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The Ministry of Education is requiring all school boards to implement a COVID-19

Immunization Disclosure Policy to support COVID-19 Guidance: School Case, Contact,

and Outbreak Management.

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COVID-19 School Outbreak Guidance‍

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https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/COVID-

19_school_outbreak_guidance.pdf

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Therefore, in response to the recent mandates, our organization will develop a

COVID-19 Immunization Disclosure for NFAMC. In person learners will need to

disclose their vaccination status. As such we would like to announce the

following updates:

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1. All in-person Learners of Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre; As we prepare to

welcome you back in person once the construction is complete at our Centre, please

note the following protocols we have set in place to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Also note that this information pertains mainly to in-person learners. Online learners

have been receiving information from the LINC/ESL Staff.

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2. First Day of School Information; We are looking forward to seeing you on the first day

of school on Tuesday September 7th through our virtual platforms. Online Zoom start

times have been emailed to you by your instructor. Our learning day will commence at

9:00 and conclude at 3:30pm. When in-person classes resume, classes schedule will

be as follows; commence classes at 9:00 am, morning break at 10:15 am, lunch at

11:30-12:00, break at 2:00 pm and conclude class at 3:30pm.

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3. COVID-19 Health and Safety Information; Daily COVID-19 Screening for all staff and

learners. CNC children must self-screen every day before attending the Centre.

Learners can find the self-screening tool through this link:

https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/

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Anyone experiencing symptoms identified by the COVID-19 screening tool must not

attend school and seek appropriate medical attention.

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4. Masks; Wearing masks has been mandated for all adult learners and staff by the

Ministry of Education. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from wearing a

mask, please contact Anna Belanger abelanger@folk-arts.ca for details.

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5. Signage; Follow the Health and Safety signage posted throughout the Centre.

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6. Physical Distancing and Congregating; As much as possible, learners are required to

maintain physical distancing and reminded not congregate in the main hallways and

stairwells.

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7. Hand Hygiene Practices; Reminders to wash hands regularly will be posted

throughout the Centre. Hand sanitizer is available in every classroom, at

entrances/exits, and hallways.

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8. If there is a COVID-19 case in your class; If you are identified by Niagara Region

Public Health (NRPH) as a close contact, there will be different protocols for self-

isolation depending on your vaccination status. If you are fully vaccinated and

asymptomatic, NRPH will likely allow you to continue to attend school.

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9. School Day Details - Arrival in the Morning; Classrooms will be open 15 minutes

before classes start. If you are walking/being dropped off, please do not arrive more

than 15 minutes before class start time. Your seats will be assigned to you on the first

day of in-person learning.

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10. Lunches and Breaks; Lunch should be eaten within your classroom or outdoors. If

you leave the Centre for lunch, please sign out. When you return you will need to

complete the screening prior to re-entering the Centre. Learners with children in CNC

may have their lunch with their children.

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11. Vaccination Locations in Niagara; For vaccination locations in Niagara please visit:

https://niagararegion.ca/health/vaccinations/general/default.aspx

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All in-person Mental Health appointments will continue, alongside virtual appointments

utilizing the chat line, as well as through telephone sessions, and the Care for

Newcomer Children program will continue to offer in-person child care services for

clients accessing Mental Health services. Intake and Settlement appointments will

remain virtual and only offer curbside pick-up and drop off by appointment only.

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Our banquet hall, the Robby, will remain closed to all external renters until further notice.

In closing, I would like to reiterate the JHSC is available to assist with any questions

and/or concerns. We would like to take this opportunity to remind you that this continues

to be a learning process for each member of our team, and those within our

communities and networks.

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Please stay safe, stay healthy, and stay well. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.