COVID-19 UPDATES

Dear parents, guardians, and partners,

UMC High School will resume in-person learning on Monday, January 17, 2022.

Please note that there has been new guidance from the Ministry of Education and TPH regarding in-person learning. In the body of this email, you will find important information as well as a letter from Toronto Public to parents and guardians explaining many of the questions and clarifications that you may have.

First Day of School at UMC High School

Requirement: Rapid Antigen Tests

All students are required to submit the results of a recent Rapid Antigen Test (not older than 3 days before the start of school on Monday, January 17, 2022)

• Students who have 1 rapid antigen test still left are required to use that test no later than Sunday, January 16, 2022, in the afternoon.
• New students and students who have either used all of 5 rapid antigen tests given to them or have not picked a kit at all, are required to come to school at least 20 minutes early before school starts on Monday so that the school can give them a test before they are allowed to go class.

As explained to everyone before the Winter Break, all students who will be learning in-person at the school will be required to submit a negative result for a rapid antigen test before they are allowed to enter the UMC High School building.

Please remember that students were given a kit containing 5 rapid antigen tests that were supposed to be used over the course of the Winter Break. Also, please remember that students were then instructed to report the results of those tests through the following link.

UMC High School – Rapid Antigen Test Report Form (google.com)

The school would like to thank all students who have managed to do that and kindly remind those who did not to do so by 3 PM Sunday, January 16, 2022.

Continued and Enhanced Safety Measures at UMC High School

UMC High School has had robust safety measures and will continue to do so in the coming days and in the future. These measures include:

• Pausing all in–person extracurricular activities for the foreseeable future, starting January 17, 2021, including the popular club activities at the school which will now transit to virtual school clubs.
• Encouraging and requiring all UMC staff and students to avoid unnecessary in-person contact outside of their immediate circles.
• Enhanced cleaning/decontaminating measures of all areas in the school.
• Emphasis on school-wide ventilation via open windows/areas.
• Promoting vaccination benefits for everyone at the school.
• Requiring vaccination for all school employees.
• Continued and ongoing rapid antigen testing for all students and staff for the rest of the academic year.

It is our hope that all students get the quality education they expect while studying at UMC High School.

We will spare no effort in our quest for excellence. Whether you are new to the school or a returning student, we wish you a very productive and rewarding learning experience at UMC High School in Term 3.

Dear Parent or Guardian,

As COVID-19 and the Omicron variant circulates in our community, Toronto Public Health continues to do everything possible to support schools, school boards and the provincial government in reopening schools to in-person learning. We appreciate that this is a challenging time for families with a lot of changes happening quickly.

As your local health unit, we want to be as helpful as possible. We are reaching out today to provide you key information about changes in Toronto Public Health’s role based on the provincial guidance received this week, and what you can do to support your child as you prepare them for the return to in-person school.

Review the updated screening tool

The COVID-19 Screening tool has changed based on provincial guidance. Your child must be screened daily for symptoms of COVID-19 and answer all questions before attending school.

Remember – do not send your child to school if they are experiencing any symptoms, even if they are mild.

When to stay home and self-isolate

Everyone in your household must stay home and self-isolate if your child or another member of the home has:

• Symptoms of COVID-19
• A positive PCR test or
• A positive rapid antigen test.

All household members must self-isolate for the same amount of time as your child. This includes siblings. For more information about self-isolation, please review page 2 of the screening questionnaire on the City of Toronto website.

Returning to School

Your child can return to school when symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if nausea/vomiting/diarrhea) and:

• Your child has completed the required self-isolation time, OR
• Your child has a negative PCR test, OR
• Your child has two negative rapid antigen tests 24 to 48 hours apart

Notify close contacts

Remember to notify all close contacts in the community with which your child had contact in the last 48 hours before your child’s symptoms began or their positive test result. A close contact in the community is anyone who your child:

• Spent at least 15 minutes of time outside of the classroom/school AND
• Where the contact was within two meters for at least 15 minutes, or multiple shorter lengths of time.

If your child is a close contact of someone with COVID-19 in the community:

If your child was identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 in the community (e.g. at an indoor gathering, playdate, indoor activity) take the following measures based on provincial requirements:

• If your child is fully vaccinated and without symptoms, they do not need to self-isolate.
• If your child is 12 years and older AND either partially vaccinated, unvaccinated OR immune compromised of any age, they must self-isolate for 10 days from the last contact with the infected person.
• If your child is 11 years and younger AND either partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, self-isolate for 5 days from the last contact with infected person.

If your child is in a classroom cohort with a positive case
Based on the new provincial guidance, being in the same classroom cohort is not considered a close contact because preventive and protective measures are in place. If a student in your child’s cohort tests positive or has symptoms, you should continue to monitor your child for symptoms every day.

The new provincial guidance indicates that your child can continue to attend school if they do not have any symptoms. The province continues to work on how best to communicate positive cases within schools with school families. There will be more information in the coming days and Toronto Public Health will continue to support schools based on all available information.

Cohort dismissals and school closures

Toronto Public Health will continue to provide public health guidance to keep the school environment as safe as possible. More information will be shared on this in the days to come.

COVID-19 Testing eligibility and availability

• PCR tests are currently being prioritized by the province for high-risk congregate settings such as hospitals, long term care centres and shelters.

Masks

• Wearing a mask is an important public health measure to stop the spread of COVID-19. Please ensure your child wears a high-quality, well-fitted mask when in school. If possible, send an extra mask with your child in a clean labelled bag.

COVID-19 Vaccination

• COVID-19 vaccination continues to be strongly recommended for those who are eligible and who are not fully vaccinated. Children can also receive their COVID-19 vaccine at one of the City-run immunization clinics, hospital clinics, or one of the more than 525 participating pharmacies.
• Booster appointments are also available for individuals who are eligible and over the age of 18. Appointments can be booked by visiting the Ontario COVID-19 Vaccination Portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900. Please see Toronto Public Health’s (TPH) website for more information on How to get vaccinated.

If you have general questions about COVID-19, please call the Toronto Public Health Hotline at 416-338-7600, Monday to Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Interpretation services are available. If you need immediate health care assistance, please call Telehealth Ontario 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-866-797-0000.

Sincerely,

Nicole Welch
Director
COVID -19 Child and Youth Response Team
Chief Nursing Officer

Dear parents, guardians, and partners,

We hope this email finds you well.  We want you to know that the Ontario Government has revised its guidelines regarding the return to in person learning for all schools. The province announced all publicly funded schools and all private schools will move to remote learning starting Jan. 5 until at least Jan. 17.

Please note that your child will have a great educational experience as they will still be able to do all things that are normally done for in-person learning. Many of our students who already learn online only will attest to that very important and true fact.  Other than the online instruction and online learning, everything will be the same.

Daily attendance will be taken during Online Learning Just as before. If your child is going to be absent, please follow the school’s regular attendance process.

Please note that learning online is just as important as in-person and learning, so we urge parents to ensure that their child attend their classes on time and that they are engaged.

We have been through this road before. We are certain that with your support everything will be just great and that your child will get an educational experience second to none.

Regards,

Ali Samater

Principal

UMC High School

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and Agent(s):

I want to provide you with information about a case of COVID-19 that has been identified in a staff member at UMC High School’s main campus. We continue to work closely with Toronto Public Health (TPH) on this case, which last saw the staff member in the school on Friday September 17, 2021. This staff member will not return to the school until cleared by TPH to do so.

As a result of this case, one of our classes has been asked by the school to self-isolate. As per our procedures, staff and students are required to wear masks while at school and to practice physical distancing, as well as practicing proper hand hygiene—hand washing, sanitizer etc. While enhanced cleaning is conducted every day, we are making an extra effort to conduct even more enhanced cleaning in all affected areas of our school.

TPH is monitoring the situation and, as always, will let us know if further precautions, actions or communications are required. The health, safety and well-being of staff and students is our top priority. Should you have any questions, please contact the school, visit the UMC High School website or visit the TPH website for general information.

For general questions, please call the TPH COVID-19 Hotline at 416-338-7600, Monday-Sunday 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM, to speak with an agent. TTY: 416-392-0658

Email: PublicHealth@toronto.ca

If you need immediate assistance, please call Telehealth Ontario 24 hours a day at 1-866-797-0000.

Ali Samater

Principal

UMC High School

Dear School Community,

The Hospital for Sick Children is pleased to provide the COVID-19 Saliva Testing Program in partnership with your school. Under this program, we offer COVID-19 saliva test kits for symptomatic staff, students, and household members, or those who have been identified by Toronto Public Health (TPH) as a high risk/close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 positive case. We also offer cohort and/or outbreak testing as recommended by TPH. Through participation in this program, we hope to provide a test that is painless and accessible, reduce COVID-19 cases in your school, keep schools open, promote healthy childhood development, and support the health and safety of your community.

Where do I pick up my kit?

• You can bring a kit home from school OR a non-symptomatic member of the household can pick one up
• Saliva kits will be provided to your school administration if testing criteria is met:
  • Have symptoms consistent with COVID-19
  • High risk/close contact identified by TPH
  • Cohort/outbreak management identified by TPH

What is in my saliva kit?

1. Saliva collection container (the blue liquid deactivates the virus)
2. Laboratory form (must be filled out to receive your results)
3. Saliva collection instructions (on the back of the laboratory form)
4. Instructions for how to access your results
5. A blank label for your saliva container (label with legal full name and date of birth as per your health card and stick onto the specimen container)

When to use a kit?

• The individual is experiencing at least 1 or more COVID-19 symptom
• The individual has been informed by TPH that they are a high risk/close contact to a COVID-19 positive case
• Cohort/outbreak testing

Please follow the testing window dates provided by TPH in the close contact letter and include the outbreak number on the lab requisition. If you have symptoms, test right away. Otherwise, wait until the recommended DATE from TPH.

How to collect saliva?

• If you fit testing criteria, pick up a COVID-19 saliva kit
• Collect and label your sample, fill out the requisition, seal it in the biohazard bag, and drop off at the designated school location
  • Only samples with a fully completed label and lab form will be processed. If you have a health card, the information must match the lab form. Include the outbreak number if provided.
  • Saliva collection instructions: No eating, drinking, smoking, chewing gum, brushing teeth, vaping 30 minutes before your test. Click here: Saliva Collection Instructions

How to drop off the kit?

• At your school, there will be a pre-designated drop off location, open Monday-Friday during school hours
• For same day pickup, please have your samples dropped off by 9am or samples may be picked up the next day.
• Please place your sealed saliva kit (containing your labelled saliva container and the completed lab requisition) inside the brown paper bag.

When do I get my results?

• If the sample is positive, you will receive a telephone call from SickKids within 24-48hours and Toronto Public Health to follow up on your result.
• If the result is negative, you will not receive a call.
• With OHIP – Access your results
• Without OHIP – Please write your email on the requisition form for follow up

Dear Parents, Guardians, School Community,

In an effort to promote a safer return to the classroom after the winter break, on behalf of the Government of Ontario, the UMC High School is pleased to be able to provide take-home rapid antigen screening kits to all students.

The rapid antigen screening kits are intended for use by any child that attends a participating private school, regardless of their vaccination status. Rapid antigen screening kits are to be distributed to students who participate in in-person learning.

Please note, your child’s participation in this rapid antigen screening is voluntary. Students are not required to participate in order to return to the classroom after the winter break.

While providing students with rapid antigen screening kits is an important tool for managing the spread of COVID-19, vaccination remains the most effective protection against the virus and its variants. Ensuring that children and youth are vaccinated will provide them with a strong level of protection and help to keep schools open and as safe as possible.

It also is important to remember that we all need to continue with key public health strategies that have been effective in managing the pandemic, including staying home when sick, getting tested if you have symptoms, washing your hands frequently, and wearing a face covering as required.

Please read the important information below prior to using the rapid antigen screening kit.

When to Use the Rapid Antigen Screening Kit (distributed prior to the winter break):

• For students who choose to use rapid antigen screening kits, it is recommended students conduct the rapid antigen tests every 3-4 days over the holiday break, every Monday and Thursday beginning December 23, until all five tests have been used.
• Rapid antigen screening kits are only to be used when a child is asymptomatic (i.e.does not have any symptoms of COVID-19 and has not had any exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19).
• Anyone with symptoms or who is identified as close contact with a case should get a PCR test administered. Rapid antigen screening tests should not be used as a substitute for PCR tests for people with symptoms or for people who are close contacts of cases.

Using the Take-Home Rapid Antigen Screening Kit:

• The BTNX Rapid Response™ can be performed using anterior nasal swabbing (per the package insert, as approved by Health Canada) or using deep nasal swabbing (as recommended by Public Health Ontario in this document, given higher sensitivity compared to anterior nasal swabbing). Both types of specimen collection can be performed using the NP swab provided with the kit.
• Please follow the instructions provided with this letter.
• You may also reference this how-to video:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxmz9ERQlsZvswUiYSJVOLRIOwRUWBL_W
• Important note: Parents or guardians may choose to administer this screening on children who may need help (i.e., younger children).

What to do after your test:

• You will know the outcome of the test within 15 minutes. If test results conducted are negative, your child may attend school as usual. Even if your child tests negative, they should continue to adhere to all relevant public health guidance, such as guidance on gathering, distancing, and masking.
• A positive result on a rapid antigen screening test is considered a preliminary positive. A child that receives a positive result on a rapid antigen screening test should seek a confirmatory PCR test as soon as possible (ideally within 48 hours) at a local testing site or pharmacy that offers to test and isolate themselves until the result of that confirmatory PCR test are known.

Sincerely,
Ali Samater
Principal

Dear School Community:

We look forward to seeing students, staff and family back at school in September. In order to reduce the number of cases of COVID-19 in our community, and in our schools, Toronto Public Health continues to work with schools and school boards to provide those who are eligible opportunities to get their first or second COVID-19 vaccine doses.

There is still time to get fully vaccinated before school starts. The first day of school is about seven weeks away. Youth 12 years of age and older, at the time of vaccination are eligible for COVID-19 vaccine. To be fully vaccinated before school starts, students will need two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. All students who have not received a first dose should get one as soon as possible, or get your second dose if your first dose was at least 28 days ago. To make it as easy as possible, first dose walk-in appointments are now available at most vaccine clinics.

Currently about 73% of 12 to 17 year olds in Toronto have already received one dose of vaccine. We encourage all youth and their family members to book a vaccination appointment as soon as possible at Book a Vaccine or by attending a walk-in clinic. Toronto Public Health will also be offering some pop-up vaccination clinics in community sites to help reach more youth. For more information on how to get vaccinated, visit our website. With your continued support and promotion, we are confident we can increase vaccinations in youth and have them receive both doses before the start of school in September.

Some helpful resources on Youth vaccinations include:

• TPH’s COVID-19 Vaccines webpage with more information on children and vaccines
• TPH’s COVID-19 Vaccine Resources website for more information on the vaccine, including posters and infographics available in multiple languages.
• TPH COVID-19 Vaccine Resource List for Youth.
• We have also added a COVID-19 Vaccine Tab on our school web page, and parent web page.
• Children’s COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Table www.kidshealthfirst.ca

Thank you for all that you are doing to keep our schools and communities safe. Please continue to visit our website at: www.toronto.ca/COVID19 to stay up-to-date. Information specific to school communities is available at: COVID-19 school information for parents & caregivers. If you have general questions about COVID-19, please call our Hotline at 416-338-7600, Monday-Sunday 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM. Interpretation services are available. If you need immediate health care assistance, please call Telehealth Ontario 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-866-797-0000.

Sincerely,

Nicole Welch
Director
COVID -19 School Response Team
Chief Nursing Officer

Dear UMC students and families,

UMC High School continues in its commitment to be increasingly open to our community based on the latest guidelines and direction from the province and local public health authorities. With Ontario announcing on July 9 that the province will move into Step 3 earlier than anticipated on July 16th, there is increased optimism that fall 2021 could mean UMC High School’s main campus will be able to re-open in more significant ways than we had hoped.

We are preparing to welcome our students back in person to our school in September, and are also ready to offer hybrid learning options to meet the needs of all of our students. Many details are provided in this package regarding how school will look like and operate this year, and what health and safety protocols will be adopted for in-person classes. Whether you choose to study in-person, or online from overseas, rest assured that our team will support you to achieve your goals and to ensure your graduation plans remain on track, while developing the skills necessary to be successful in University, College and beyond!

Our school year will begin on Thursday, September 2, 2021, and will be structured with 4 semesters. Students can earn up to 10 credits from September to June.

For each term, students may choose to attend class in-person or through remote learning online from their home country. However, students staying in Toronto will be in-person students. As explained in “UMC High School Official Registration Confirmation Letter,” students arrive in Canada for the purpose of attending school in person; therefore, they must be in-person students. Students with exceptional circumstances who later would like to move from in-person study to studying online, must notify the school and follow the procedure instituted by UMC High School. Students and families must inform UMC High School by August 6 which option they will choose for Term 1. (Please note: Eglinton Campus will be offering all courses online for Terms 1 and 2.)

Students can choose to attend in-person class 5 days per week, while some other students may attend classes remotely via online learning with Schoology and Zoom webinars. In-person classes will be offered 5 days per week at our main campus for students from Grades 7-12 starting Thursday, September 2 in compliance with the government of Ontario, the Ministry of Education and Toronto Public Health. All students will follow the same pace of the term and are expected to complete 3 hours of schoolwork per day, either in class or remotely. Students who are attending classes remotely will submit a Weekly Learning Log to document their study time. Due to the rapid changes made by Canadian Government, information may be subject to change.

Fully Digital and Paperless School

UMC High School will be a fully digital, paperless school starting in September. All students MUST have their own personal laptop with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and be ready to use it every day for class, whether attending class in-person or remote online. All students are required to have a Gmail email address and will be accessing the Schoology platform daily for their coursework and assessments.

UMC English and Math Entrance Tests

New students to UMC High School are required to complete entrance tests to assess their skills in English and Mathematics in order to be placed in the most suitable ESL level to meet their needs and ensure their continued development. A customized schedule and study plan will be created for each new student once they have completed the tests. All English and Math Entrance Tests will be conducted online and should be scheduled with your Student Advisor.

Step 1: Complete the UMC English Online Test during the week of August 2-13.

Step 2: Complete the UMC English and Math Entrance Test via Zoom webinar conference during the week of August 9-20.

2021-2022 Course Selections

Please plan your year by choosing the courses you would like to study over the next 4 terms. If you require any assistance in course planning or career advising, you are welcome to send an email to the Guidance Department and they will be happy to assist you. If you haven’t yet submitted your Course Selection Form, please do so by August 13 by emailing Ms. Angela at guidance@umchighschool.com. New students must complete the online English test along with the Zoom UMC High School English and Math Entrance Tests prior to course selection.

Timetables will be sent to all students the week of August 16 – 20.

School Bus Shuttle Program, Residence and Homestay Arrangements

We are pleased to announce daily bus shuttle service with multiple pick-up locations to facilitate the safe transport of students to and from school. In addition, UMC High School has a number of excellent residence and homestay arrangements. Inquiries can be sent to homestay@umchighschool.com . Please arrange school bus service and residence/homestay no later than August 13.

14 Day Mandatoy Self-Quarantine Period

Families should recognize that any individual who has travelled outside of Canada within 14 days before any in-school day will not be permitted onto school grounds until their self-quarantine period has been completed. As such, the return-to-school date of September 2 requires that any student planning to attend in-person classes should return to Canada no later than August 18, 2021.

Mandatory Orientation Day for ALL Students – September 1, 2021

Mandatory in-Person Orientation Sessions for New and Returning Students will be scheduled on September 1 so that students and families can familiarize themselves with health and safety procedures, school policies and have an opportunity to meet teachers and staff. Students who choose online classes will be provided a recorded orientation video later. More information will be forthcoming.

As we prepare for the 2020-2021 school year, we are taking what we have learned from the past year and are creating a safe, engaging, inclusive program of learning, with academic success, caring and compassion as our main leading principles. Our updated school policies maintain a positive learning and teaching environment that supports student achievement and well-being and helps students reach their full potential, no matter if they are studying in-person or online.

We recognize the challenges, the stress and uncertainty that COVID-19 has brought into our lives. Yet we look to the future with optimism, as we see better days ahead. We are proud of our students for their excellent achievements, and we thank our dedicated teachers for continuing to serve our students with care, compassion and professional excellence. We are committed and ready to adjust plans as necessary for the continued safety and well-being of our entire school community. We look forward to welcoming you back to UMC High School and will be in touch with you soon with updates from the Ministry of Education and Toronto Public Health.

Sincerely,

UMC High School

Starting August 9, 2021, subject to limited exceptions, all travellers must use ArriveCAN (app or web portal) to submit their travel information. If they are eligible to enter Canada and meet specific criteria, fully vaccinated travellers will not require 3-night government authorized hotel to quarantine upon arrival in Canada.  However, all travellers must still provide a quarantine plan and be prepared to quarantine, in case it is determined at the border that they do not meet the necessary requirements.

All travellers, regardless of vaccination status, will still require a pre-entry COVID-19 molecular test result. However effective August 9, 2021, fully vaccinated travellers will not need a post-arrival test unless they have been randomly selected to complete a Day 1 COVID-19 molecular test. There are no changes to the mandatory testing requirements for unvaccinated travellers.

To qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption, you must:

• be eligible to enter Canada on the specific date you enter
• have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19
• have received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine or a combination of accepted vaccines
• have received your last dose at least 14 days prior to the day you enter Canada
  • Example: if your last dose was anytime on Thursday July 1st, then Friday July 16th would be the first day that you meet the 14 day condition
• upload your proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN
• meet all other entry requirements (for example, pre-entry test)

Accepted COVID-19 vaccines in Canada

• Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
• Moderna (mRNA-1273)
• AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
• Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)

No exceptions for partially-vaccinated travellers

At this time, there are no exemptions from testing, hotel stopover or quarantine for travellers who haven’t received the full series of a vaccine or a combination of vaccines accepted by the Government of Canada.

Steps to follow for your trip

If you qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption, you must also follow these requirements:

1. Pre-entry test result within 72 hours of your arrival to Canada

Providing proof of your result

When you arrive at the border, you must present an accepted test result (paper or electronic proof) which must include:

• Traveller name and date of birth
• Name and civic address of the laboratory/clinic/facility that administered the test
• The date on which the test was conducted
• The type of test conducted
• The test result

You must show proof of your test results even if you:

• have tested negative for COVID-19 previous to the 72 hour period
• have been vaccinated for COVID-19
• recovered from COVID-19 and no longer test positive
• recovered from COVID-19 and continue to test positive
• keep proof of your test results for the 14-day period that begins on the day you enter Canada

2. Quarantine plan in case you don’t qualify for the exemption
3. Proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN

You must use ArriveCAN to enter your proof of vaccination, quarantine and travel information. Also bring your original proof of vaccination with you while you travel.

4. What to have ready at the border

Have the following items with you for assessment by a government official at the border:

• ArriveCAN receipt
• Proof of vaccination
• Pre-entry test results
• Other travel documents

5. Arrival testing

Once in Canada, you can travel on to your final destination. You don’t need to wait for your arrival test results.

Fully vaccinated traveler exemption checklist:

Travellers who qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption and are permitted to enter Canada will be exempt from:

• quarantine
• the government-authorized hotel for air travellers
• completing a Day-8 test

Before you travel

Use the same email address for all of your entry requirements, where applicable (that is, when registering for COVID-19 testing upon arrival and creating your ArriveCAN account).

•  Find out if you can enter Canada
•  Check if you qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption
•  Get your pre-entry COVID-19 test
•  Register in advance for your arrival test
•  Have a quarantine plan in case you don’t receive the exemption
•  Use ArriveCAN to submit your proof of vaccination

After arriving

• Take a test on arrival or get a home test kit (as instructed)

Not fully vaccinated traveler checklist:

• Create your ArriveCAN account.
• Find out if you can enter Canada
• Assess your quarantine plan before you travel
• Get your pre-entry COVID-19 test
• Register in advance for your arrival test
• Use ArriveCAN submit your travel and quarantine plans

Boarding your flight

• Have your pre-entry test results ready to provide to the airline
• Check the requirements for boarding a flight to Canada

Arriving in Canada

• Have your ArriveCAN receipt, test results and quarantine plans
• Take a test on arrival
• Completing your full quarantine

On day 8 of your quarantine, you will take another test, following the instructions provided to you. You must stay in your place of quarantine while you await the results from this test.

Collectively, we recognize the importance of returning students to a more normal, full-time, in-person learning environment. For Ontario students, nothing matters more. It is key to their well-being and long-term success.

As the public health situation evolves over the coming months, the ministry will continue to consult with and act on the advice of public health officials, including Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. While the success of our province’s vaccination program is promising in providing protection against COVID-19 and its variants, greater vaccination coverage is required across all age cohorts, recognizing Ontario’s youngest learners are not currently eligible for a vaccine.  As recommended by Ontario’s Science Table, the Hospital for Sick Children, and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, this necessitates a cautious start to reopening schools. The ministry will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation with the aim of creating a more normal experience for Ontario Students, as recommended by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.

As students head back to class, I want to thank you for your continued collaboration on this important matter.

2021-22 School Year Health and Safety Guidance:

As we look toward the 2021-22 school year, we will continue to focus on the health and well-being of students, families and staff, while aiming to return to as normal conditions as are safely possible. That is why, based on advice from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (OCMOH), province-wide in September:

• Students may return to in-person learning daily for the full school day.
• Students in Grades 1-12 and staff will be required to wear masks while indoors and on student transportation (encouraged for students in Kindergarten), while not being required outdoors, and;
• Extra-curricular and inter-school sport activities will be permitted with some modifications.

For further details on required health and safety measures for the 2021-22 school year, please see COVID-19: Health, Safety and Operational Guidance for Schools (2021-22). This guidance aligns with and is in addition to the Planning for the 2021-22 School Year memo released in May 2021 to private schools.

We also encourage schools offering in-person summer school in August and schools beginning their school year in early August to transition to the 2021-22 guidance as soon as they are able to do so.

The Ministry will continue to work with the OCMOH and local public health units (PHUs) to adjust health and safety requirements (e.g., more or less restrictive measures) and update guidance as required based on the public health environment and province-wide metrics. Adjustments may be made at a regional level and local PHUs may also require schools to adopt targeted health and safety measures based on local experience and data. We encourage schools to continue to work closely with their local PHUs on their reopening plans.

Vaccination and Public Health Supports:

We know that vaccination is an important tool to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and allow students, families, and staff to safely resume normal activities. We ask that schools work with local PHUs over the coming weeks to build on progress to date and reach out to families to promote vaccination prior to the 2021-22 school year. We ask you to support vaccination opportunities as well as ‘catch up’ opportunities in schools, where appropriate, for other vaccine preventable diseases.

To assist schools and families, the Ministry will continue to work with the Ministry of Health to support local PHUs and schools with the planning and prioritization of school health supports for the fall.

Testing:

Our testing strategy in schools is grounded in guidance from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and reflects close collaboration with local public health units, schools and Ontario Health.  This guidance will take into account different factors such as if the individual has symptoms, is a close contact of someone who has been diagnosed with COVID and the vaccination status of the individual.

When an individual is identified as needing testing under the guidelines, where possible, they will be offered a testing approach that is as minimally invasive as possible (e.g. nasal, mouth and saliva testing).

When tests are indicated we will make them quickly accessible through multiple approaches (e.g. assessment centres and community testing sites) with a focus on reducing barriers to access and recognizing the unique needs of certain communities and geographies. When the guidance indicates a need for prompt testing for an individual, starting in September we will initiate a program in some secondary schools where student and staff will be provided with a test kit to take home. The test can be self-administered or administered by another person and returned to an approved drop-off location. This testing approach is in addition to locally-driven testing initiatives, and may be expanded throughout the school year to additional secondary and elementary schools based on uptake, effectiveness and demand.

Regardless of how or where the testing is performed, once the test has been collected and submitted to a provincial lab we are committed to a quick processing time. We recognize the necessity for quick turn around time for tests for working parents, students and education staff. The province has made steady investments in our testing capacity. With a focus on reducing student and staff absenteeism, and impacts on working parents, consistent with the provincial standard, more than 80% of test results are available within 2 days; and most within 24 hours.

These efforts to ensure that testing is done quickly and effectively will minimize time away for students, children and staff while also reducing the impact on their families.

Health and Physical Education:

Being active has a positive impact on physical fitness and is an important element of achievement, mental health, well-being and overall student success. Based on advice from the OCMOH, extra-curricular and inter-school sport activities will be permitted with some modifications province-wide in September.

A cautious approach for sports in schools is recommended by the OCMOH for the start of the 2021-22 school year. Guidance regarding sports activities in schools will be monitored and adapted in response to public health trends.

As outlined in the COVID-19: Health, Safety and Operational Guidance for Schools (2021-2022), high-contact and low-contact sports are permitted outdoors. In indoor settings, only low-contact sports are permitted at this time provided physical distancing can be maintained between cohorts. If distancing requirements cannot be maintained low-contact sports may still be played indoors when wearing a mask.

To support schools in determining which sport activities are permitted indoors for the start of the school year, the Ministry of Education has provided some examples to support application of the guidance. This information will be updated to align with changes in the public health environment as required. See Appendix A for further details.

Student Mental Health and Well-Being:

Promoting positive mental health and ensuring a supportive and inclusive environment for all students is all the more important as we return to in-person learning. Comprehensive supports for student mental health and well-being should continue to be prioritized in all planning.

As we reopen schools to in-person learning, priority should be placed on understanding the needs of students and collaborating with community partners to deliver culturally relevant supports for students. Remedial programs should be targeted to students who experience greater barriers to achievement and wellbeing.

Plans should consider inclusive ways to welcome all parents/caregivers and families as important members of the school communities and to value peer relationships, and promote family mental health. Planning should also consider re-engagement of those students who were not able to fully participate in learning over the past school year, and children who may have been temporarily separated from parents/caregivers or may have had to assume additional responsibilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

First Nation- and Federally-Operated schools:

First Nation- and federally-operated schools are exempt from these measures. The Ministry of Education recognizes the authority of First Nation communities to determine locally-identified measures to protect their communities. Further, we understand that COVID-19 controls within First Nation and federally-operated schools are currently in place, in addition to those controls First Nations schools and federally-operated schools could consider adopting the guidance in this return to school direction.

We are encouraged by the progress made to date and remain committed to ensuring more normal, healthy and safe school environments for students and staff that meet the educational and development needs of students.

Dear UMC students and families,

This is a very important update about the status of in-person learning at UMC High School. Toronto Public Health (TPH) has just announced that all schools in Toronto will be closed to in-person learning as of Wednesday, April 7, 2021 and remain closed up to and including Sunday, April 18, 2021.

All classes at UMC High School will transition to remote learning tomorrow until the end of this week. Spring Break will proceed as scheduled, with no classes from April 12-16. UMC High School will resume in-person learning on Monday, April 19.

Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, has issued a Section 22 order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, that requires all elementary and secondary school students to transition to online/remote learning effective Wednesday, April 7 at 12:01am. The order will be in place from April 7 to 18, which will bring students to the end of the April break. An extension of this order may be considered based on COVID-19 epidemiological data for Toronto.

Toronto Public Health (TPH) appreciates the value of in-person learning, and firmly believes that schools should be the first places in our community to open, and the last to close. Unfortunately, current circumstances require that difficult decisions must be taken locally to protect all those in our school communities.

UMC High School teachers and staff will continue to provide instruction, academic advising and personal counselling through Zoom and can be contacted via Schoology or email. Midterm report cards for high school students will be issued electronically tomorrow afternoon. The health and safety of students and staff remain a priority and this action is being taken in an effort to keep our communities safe and prevent further spread of COVID-19.

Sincerely,

Tanya Fraser
Principal

Dear UMC students, 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, Ontario has implemented a province wide shutdown for four weeks in response to worsening trends in key health indicators due to COVID-19 and variants of concern.

The mental health and well-being of children continues to be a key priority and schools plan to remain open for in-person learning through the Provincial Emergency and Stay at Home Order. The spring break will continue as scheduled, from April 12th to 16th, and schools are planning to reopen for in-person learning on April 19th. If an extension to school closures is announced, UMC High School will update our students and families immediately.

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.
• Screen every day, including during spring break, for COVID-19 symptoms (The COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool is available to assist families with symptom screening).
• 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.

The Spring Break provides a good opportunity for UMC high school students to work on their Term 4 Final Culminating Evaluations. Students in grades 7-8 are encouraged to keep working on their class assignments and projects, and may also engage in additional learning through supplemental, curriculum-linked activities available at TVO Learn. These rich, engaging opportunities allow students to keep up with their learning and interests. Secondary students can continue to access TVO’s Independent Learning Centre (ILC) Open House.

For the week of April 12th-18th, pharmacies that offer COVID-19 testing and assessment centres across the province will accept appointments from students and education staff for asymptomatic testing at no additional cost. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this testing to support a safe return to school on April 19th.

In addition, UMC High School will be launching a Sick Kids Testing Partnership that will allow for convenient, saliva-based testing through at-home kits for any symptomatic students or staff. More information and details will be provided after the Spring Break.

As a reminder, before coming back to school on April 19th, you must screen for COVID-19 symptoms. 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 school.

We hope you enjoy the upcoming break! Students, staff and families have worked incredibly hard these past few months and the break is well-deserved.

With gratitude,
Tanya Fraser
Principal

Dear UMC students and families,

The Ontario government has announced the closure of all private and public schools following Spring Break, requiring that all classes move to online remote learning until further notice. This decision is in response to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, the increasing risks posed to the public by COVID-19 variants, and the spike in hospital admissions.

Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health has confirmed that the transmission of COVID-19 in schools has remained low, and schools remain a place for students to learn safely, with appropriate measures in place. However, the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve rapidly, and the government recognizes that students and staff in the education system play an important role in supporting efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. Cases across Ontario communities are rising quickly and the new COVID-19 variants pose a serious threat.

In consultation with Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health it has been determined that all publicly funded and private elementary and secondary school students province-wide will participate in remote learning following the April break. Our schools are not immune to community spread, and by pivoting to remote learning, we can help limit movement. The Ontario government will continue to listen to the advice of public health experts, and we will update parents once a safe return to in-person learning is recommended.

Student Supports

UMC High School recognizes the challenge that prolonged remote learning may have on student well-being. We are committed to continue providing support for our students, including virtual personal counselling and advising appointments through our Guidance Department. A virtual appointment can be requested by emailing Guidance@umchighschool.com. In addition, Kids Help Phone offers 24/7 counselling and referral services across the province. To use this free resource, children can call 1-800-668-6868, or text CONNECT to 686868.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership. We remain confident that our high-quality remote learning at UMC High School will ensure the success of student learning during this time.

Sincerely,
Tanya Fraser, Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The Province of Ontario has announced more vaccine will be available at Toronto immunization clinics beginning this week. Vaccination is important to protect ourselves, our family and our community from COVID-19, including the variants.

Who is eligible for a COVID-19 Vaccine?

• To find out more information on how to get vaccinated, eligibility and how to book an appointment, please go to our COVID-19 How to get vaccinated webpage.
• By the end of May, every adult in Toronto should be able to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment as announced by the province this week. Please be ready to book appointments for all the adults in your home as soon as eligible.
• When a vaccine becomes licensed for children, vaccinations eligibility will be communicated with you.

Where can I book my appointment?

• Those who are eligible, can book their appointments for City-run clinics through the provincial booking system – there are no walk-in or standby appointments available at City-run clinics.
• Hospital and community healthcare partners also operate vaccine clinics, including pop-up clinics that target specific areas of the city that may include individuals 18 years and older. These clinics will be promoted locally.

Information on the COVID-19 Vaccine

• Toronto Public Health will be hosting a town hall on Tuesday May 4th and Wednesday May 5th, 2021. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the Covid-19 vaccine and ask questions. Please see the attached poster for more information and details on how to join. For those of you who are unable to attend, the session will be recorded and posted to our website.
• Please visit Toronto Public Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Resources website for more information on the vaccine, available in multiple languages. Additional vaccine information, can also be found here: COVID-19 Vaccines.

If you or your child has Covid-19 symptoms, please stay-home, self-isolate and go for testing.

Continue to visit our website at: www.toronto.ca/COVID19 to stay up-to-date. Information specific to school communities is available at: COVID-19 school information for parents & caregivers. If you have general questions about COVID-19, please call our Hotline at 416-338-7600, Monday-Sunday 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM. Interpretation services are available.

Sincerely,

Nicole Welch
Director
COVID -19 School Response Team
Chief Nursing Officer

Dear Parents/Guardians,

COVID-19 Vaccination continues to be an important way to protect ourselves, our family and our community from COVID-19, including the variants. We encourage you to get vaccinated and consider vaccination for all those in your family who are eligible.

COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 12 years and older

• On May 5, 2021 Health Canada approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 12 to 15. Clinical studies showed that this vaccine was safe and effective for this age group. The Pfizer vaccine is now approved for all individuals 12 years of age and older.
• Most children with COVID-19 have mild symptoms or none at all. However, some children with COVID-19 can get very sick. Children can also spread COVID-19 to other people. Vaccinating children protects them from getting sick and reduces virus spread within their household and the community.
• While fewer children compared to adults have gotten sick from COVID-19, they have been impacted in many other ways. All children in Ontario have had to, attend school remotely, miss out on extra-curricular activities, and spend extended amounts of time away from their friends and peers. This has a big impact on children’s mental health. For more information and resources, please visit our website: COVID-19 Mental Health Resources.
• Vaccinating all who are eligible, including children, will help to reduce the number of cases of COVID-19 in our community and allow kids to get to participating in activities they enjoy.

Who is eligible for a COVID-19 Vaccine?

• Anyone who is 18 years of age or older is eligible for the vaccine now. To find out more information on how to get vaccinated, eligibility and how to book an appointment, please go to our COVID-19 How to get vaccinated webpage.
• The province has announced that children/youth 12-17 years of age will be eligible for vaccination before the end of May.
• Pop-up clinics for children/youth 12 and 17 years of age and their families in targeted hot spot communities in Toronto are beginning this week.
• There will be dedicated youth and family clinics throughout the weeks of June 14 and 21 for first dose appointments at City of Toronto clinics.
• In order to be eligible children will have to have had their 12th birthday prior to or on the day of vaccination.

Where can I book my appointment?

• All adults can book their appointments for City-run clinics through the provincial booking system or by calling the Provincial booking system at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007). There are no walk-in or standby appointments available at City-run clinics.
• Hospital and community healthcare partners also operate vaccine clinics, including pop-up clinics that target specific areas of the city. These clinics will be promoted locally.
• Selected pharmacies are also offering the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Pop-up clinics in hot spot communities will be communicated at a local level through email, social media and flyers

Information on the COVID-19 Vaccine

• Toronto Public Health will be hosting town halls about COVID-19 vaccines for parents/guardians of 12-17 year old school students. The dates for the session are as follows:
  Tuesday May 25, 2021 10:30 am to 11:30 am.
  Wednesday May 26, 2021 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
  Saturday May 29, 2021 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
• Please see our website and the attached flyer for more information on how to join.
• For more information on children and vaccines, please see our fact sheet on the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine – Youth age 12 to 17
  Please see the flyer for more information on how to join.
• Please visit Toronto Public Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Resources website for more information on the vaccine, available in multiple languages. Additional vaccine information, can also be found here: COVID-19 Vaccines.

If you or your child has Covid-19 symptoms, please stay-home, self-isolate and go for testing.

Please continue to visit our website at: www.toronto.ca/COVID19 to stay up-to-date. Information specific to school communities is available at: COVID-19 school information for parents & caregivers. If you have general questions about COVID-19, please call our Hotline at 416-338-7600, Monday-Sunday 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM. Interpretation services are available.

Sincerely,

Nicole Welch
Director
COVID -19 School Response Team
Chief Nursing Officer

UMC High School is committed to helping all of our students who are 18 years of age and older and currently living in Ontario to book and receive their COVID-19 vaccination. To this end, we are pleased to offer a Vaccination Assistance Program to arrange COVID-19 vaccine appointments that are convenient and close to their home. Students who are 18 years of age and older, living in Ontario, who would like assistance in booking a COVID-19 vaccine can complete the form and we will contact them to assist in booking a vaccine appointment.

Students are not required to use this program to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, and several of our students have already arranged their appointments on their own. However, if students would like help we are pleased to provide such assistance.

Dear UMC students and families,

On behalf of UMC High School, we would like to offer our sincere thank you for your continued diligence in following health and safety protocols during this unprecedented school year. We are very grateful to all students and staff for their part in keeping our school community safe and we are proud that UMC High School has had no confirmed cases of COVID-19. We are committed to continue supporting Public Health in managing this pandemic. Yesterday, the Ontario government announced that the province will enter a period of public health restrictions beginning on December 26, 2020.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health has confirmed that the transmission of COVID-19 in schools has remained low. However, the public health environment continues to evolve rapidly, and the Ontario government recognizes that the students and staff in the education system play an important role in supporting efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.

In consultation with Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government has directed that all schools in Ontario must close in-person instruction as of December 26, 2020. In Toronto, secondary school students will continue learning remotely until January 25, 2021 at which point they can resume in-person learning.

In accordance with this directive, UMC High School will begin Term 3 as scheduled on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, with all classes from Grades 8-12 offered remotely through online learning.

The school will re-open for in-person classes on Monday, January 25, 2021. Daily school bus shuttles will also resume on January 25.

During this period of remote online learning, the same daily school schedule will be followed and each course will be scheduled for 3 hours of online learning per day. All classes will run a live zoom webinar during the scheduled periods, varying in length from 45-60 minutes. Course information, assignments, handouts, details and zoom links will be posted on the Schoology course pages. Students will receive a Welcome email from their teachers with Schoology code on Monday, January 4, 2021.

New students are invited to attend a Virtual Orientation Assembly on Monday, January 4, 2021 from 8:30am-10:00am EST. A zoom link will be provided through the Marketing Department.

If a high school student has questions about their Term 3 courses or schedule, they can email the Guidance Department at guidance@umchighschool.com or contact their Student Counsellor in the Marketing Department.

Middle school students will follow the Term 3 daily timetable, which is attached to this letter for your reference.

Additional Supports

The Ministry of Education has encouraged all schools to share the following links and resources with students and families:

Kids Help Phone offers 24/7 counselling and referral services. To use this free resource, students can call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868.

School Mental Health Ontario also has a number of great resources for students, parents and families on their website at www.smho-smso.ca. In addition, child and youth mental health agencies across the province continue to provide services, including https://www.whatsupwalkin.ca, providing free mental health counselling by phone or video for children, youth, young adults and their families (1-866-585-6486).

The Ministry of Education recently announced the launch of a new portal, TVO Learn https://tvolearn.com/ which provides support for students learning remotely by accessing additional educational resources developed by Ontario certified teachers. In addition, secondary students can continue to access TVO’s Independent Learning Centre (ILC) Open House https://tvolearn.com/collections/courses which provides access to Grade 9 -12 course supplemental materials. These ILC resources are designed to provide flexible learning opportunities to help students keep up with their learning or deepen their understanding of a specific subject.

We remain confident that our students will continue to succeed and thrive with our high-quality remote learning program provided by our caring and knowledgeable teaching faculty.

Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday and looking forward to seeing you on Zoom in January as we begin Term 3!

Sincerely,
Tanya Fraser, Principal
UMC High School

Dear Ontario Parents,

It has been a trying year for all Ontarians. Yet, through the greatest challenges we faced, our province — most especially inspired by our students, parents & education staff — came together. Unified in our effort to stop the spread and save lives.

Thank you for your dedication. We believe so strongly that schools are essential to the well-being, mental health and development of a child, and therefore, must be safeguarded at all costs to ensure they can remain open for safe in-class instruction.

Protecting What Matters Most

As we face rising case numbers, the Government announced a Provincewide Shutdown that put in place time-limited public health and workplace safety measures to help ensure our schools remain safe, to stop the spread of COVID-19 transmission in communities, and to save lives.

Now, while leading medical experts have been clear that schools are not a source of rising community transmission, we can and will be an important part of the solution to save lives from COVID-19.

That is why we are following the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health by taking proactive and preventative action to protect schools following the holiday break.

As part of these new restrictions, elementary and secondary school students across the province will learn remotely for the first week of January, as everyone can play a part in staying home and stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Recognizing the importance of in-person learning, students will return to class across the province in January:

• Elementary school students enrolled in in-person learning will return to class on January 11, 2021;
• Secondary school students enrolled in in-person learning in northern Public Health Units will also return to class on January 11, 2021;
• Remaining secondary school students enrolled in in-person learning across the remainder of Public Health Units will return to class on January 25, 2021.

Elementary and secondary students currently enrolled in remote learning will continue to learn remotely throughout January.

Supporting Quality Online Learning

Our Government has made every effort to prepare for schools transitioning temporarily to remote learning. We have directed that a minimum standard for Grades 1-12 of 75% of your child’s 300 minutes of daily instruction is to be delivered by live “Zoom-style” (i.e. synchronous learning. To ensure a better learning experience, every teacher in this province received mandatory training on remote learning, before the school year began.

Ontario stands alone in creating a comprehensive online learning management system that ensures teachers can engage students in live-synchronous learning, send and receive assignments, and participate in discussions in a secure environment.

We have also prepared for this by supporting the purchase of over 150,000 new devices for students to support remote learning, and over 8,000 connectivity devices for students unable to access internet at home.

We know some students with special education needs cannot be supported through remote learning. That is why I have directed school boards to provide for in-person learning for these exceptional cases, ensuring these children receive consistency and full supports through this difficult period. We are committed to their safety and success.

Financial Relief for Parents

Learning from home means extra costs for many families. We will continue to deliver support to families during this pandemic. In fact, we are on track to deliver nearly $800 million in direct financial relief to parents and guardians – where it belongs, to be quite frank. That is why we launched the Support for Learners program in the first place — to support families with children aged 0 to 12 with $200 per child and $250 per child up to age 21 with special education needs. If you haven’t already applied, you can still apply for this one-time financial support up to the extended deadline of February 8, 2021.

We are also expanding this program to include financial supports for high school students, recognizing added costs from technology to internet for these parents while their kids stay home for a longer period. Starting on January 11, 2021, families with students aged 13 to grade 12 can apply for a one-time payment for their children up until February 8, 2021. The expanded program will now cover:

• $200 for each child up to grade 12, including students in secondary school who are over 18;
• $250 if the child or youth is 21 years or under with special

Enhancing Child Care Safety

While child care will remain open for the duration of these time-limited public health actions, we are enhancing the already strict screening requirements and safety protocols to ensure they remain safe places for your children. This includes child care offered in licensed child care centres, in licensed home child care, in extended day programs, and by authorized recreational and skill-building providers.

In response to the needs of frontline health and emergency workers who have school- aged children and may require support during this period, we are implementing a targeted emergency child care program, at no cost to eligible parents, from January 4-8, 2021.

Keeping Schools Safe into 2021

I want to reassure parents that according to the province’s leading doctors, our schools are safe, with eight out of ten schools in this province having no cases of COVID-19 and based on board reporting, 99.64% of students have not reported a case of COVID-19.

The province has experienced a safe reopening because we developed a comprehensive, nation-leading plan in partnership with experts in the medical community.

Our strength through this pandemic has been the resilience of our students, hard work of our staff, collaboration with parents, and commitment of Government to step up our response every step of the way. To ensure our schools remain safe in January 2021 and beyond, we will continue and enhance testing in schools and allocate a new and significant investment in school safety, including in enhanced air quality, more PPE, and additional staffing and cleaning. We will do whatever it takes to ensure our kids can continue to learn.

This pandemic has impacted every corner of our province. When I say that the health and safety of our kids is my top priority, I am also thinking of their mental health. This has been a uniquely challenging period – it has been accompanied by feelings of anxiety, isolation, and anguish.

That is why we have nearly doubled mental health investments this year to unprecedented levels in the province’s history, for our students and staff, to ensure they know we are here for them. Those services will continue while students learn from home. The priority right now remains the health of your child, which is why we want to make clear the expanded mental health supports are available.

To access these mental health resources, please visit www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19- support-students-and-parents#section-5.

Let’s Remain Hopeful

I remain optimistic that 2021 will be a better year with the vaccine coming online. Students are looking to all of us – parents, educators, school boards and government – to instill confidence in their hearts. To demonstrate a collective resolve to win this battle against this invisible global threat. And I assure you — we will continue to work together and work around the clock to protect your child, their learning experience, and safety.

Nothing matters more.

By sticking together and by following Public Health directives, we will overcome this difficulty with hope, unity, and optimism.

Sincerely,

The Honourable Stephen Lecce Minister of Education

Dear UMC students and families,

In light of the current public health environment and based on advice from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government has announced an extension of the remote learning period for all elementary and secondary schools in Toronto, with in-person classes to resume on February 10, 2021.

UMC High School will resume in-person classes and daily school bus shuttles on Wednesday, February 10, 2021.

The government has also issued a stay at home order that will take effect January 14, 2021. This order requests everyone in Ontario to limit their outings for essential purposes which include exercise, groceries, medical appointments, and essential work. We ask that all students residing in Ontario follow these provincial orders and respect the limit of 5 people for outdoor gatherings. Masks should also be worn outside if physical distancing can not be maintained.

During this period of remote online learning, the same school schedule continues to be followed with 3 hours of online learning daily for each course. All high school classes are running 2 live zoom webinars every day during the scheduled periods, varying in length from 45-60 minutes each. Middle school students will continue to follow their weekly Term 3 schedule.

Important Reminders

Students are reminded of the following:

• Attendance is taken at each webinar. Attendance at daily webinars is highly recommended in order to interact with teachers and students, ask questions and receive feedback.
• Students have 1 daily AFL (Assessment For Learning) to submit as part of their class work and learning in each course. Teachers continue to provide useful feedback based on your AFL submissions within 24 hours.
• Students who live overseas are encouraged not to stay awake all night, but rather to watch the recorded webinars during their regular day schedule and submit their daily AFL. If you are unable to attend the webinar, please submit your daily AFL and you will be marked present.
• There is 1 weekly AOL (Assessment Of Learning) or formal assignment to be completed in each course. We encourage students to submit their AOL on Fridays, however students may complete their AOL over the weekend and can submit by 9am EST on Monday mornings.
• In accordance with the Ministry of Education policy, all online students must submit a Weekly Learning Log that reports their coursework hours. All UMC students must complete 15 hours per week in each subject in order to meet the 110 hour requirement to earn an Ontario high school credit.
• Extra help sessions are offered weekly at 8:30-9:00am to help all students, but are especially useful for overseas students to interact live with their teacher, ask questions and receive support at a convenient time.
• The Guidance Department is available for academic advising, course planning, University and College admissions help, and personal counselling. If you need support, do not hesitate to reach out to Ms. Angela or Mr. Ira at guidance@umchighschool.com to request a virtual appointment via Zoom.
• School Clubs are running daily via Zoom, including Student Council, Math Contest Club, Art Clubs, Guitar Club, Peer Tutoring and more! Students are encouraged to join and stay active and involved with their school community during this extended remote learning period.

To support the return of in-person learning and based on advice from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, additional health and safety measures are being introduced in schools across the province. UMC High School will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health to adopt the updated guidance.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment and dedication to your studies and to keeping our school community safe. We are very proud of our students and their high achievements, which are truly commendable! We remain confident that our students will continue to succeed and thrive with our high-quality remote learning program provided by our caring and knowledgeable teaching faculty.

Wishing you continued good health during these challenging times!

Sincerely,

Tanya Fraser, Principal
UMC High School

Dear Parent/Guardian,

On January 12, 2021, the Province of Ontario declared a second provincial emergency, effective immediately. Some of the new requirements under the emergency include the following:

• Individuals must wear masks at all times when in indoor areas of businesses or organizations that are open.
• Wearing a mask or face covering is now recommended outdoors when you can’t physically distance more than two metres.
• Schools in Toronto will not return to in-person instruction until February 10, 2021 (Exception for some schools in Toronto to remain open for in-person instruction for students with special education needs who cannot be accommodated through remote learning).

As part of the emergency declaration, the Province has issued a stay-at-home order effective January 14, 2021. This means that everyone should stay home and not gather with individuals who do not live in their household. Trips outside the home should be for essential reasons only, including to:

• go to the grocery store or pharmacy;
• access health care services;
• go outdoors to exercise; or
• go to work if your work cannot be done remotely at home.

Toronto is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases in the community. During this time please continue with daily COVID-19 symptom screening for students and adults. If anyone in your household has one or more, new or worsening symptoms of COVID-19 they should arrange to get tested as soon as possible or contact their health care provider. For more information about COVID-19 testing along with a list of places you can go for testing, please visit COVID-19 testing.

Please continue to visit our website www.toronto.ca/COVID19 to stay up-to-date. Information specific to school communities is available at: COVID-19 school information for parents & caregivers.

Yours truly,

Nicole Welch
Toronto Public Health Director
COVID-19 Liaison

Dear UMC students and families,

The Ontario government has announced that all schools in Toronto may re-open for in-person learning on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 following the Family Day long weekend. Education Minister Stephen Lecce noted that the decision is based on the most recent data and advice from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams, with the support of local medical officers of health and the unanimous recommendation of the council of medical officers of health. We are pleased by this decision and look forward to welcoming our students and staff back to UMC High School in less than two weeks!

UMC High School Main Campus will resume in-person classes and daily school bus shuttles on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.

Parents and guardians are asked to confirm their child’s study plan to either continue studying online or return to in-person learning at our main campus. Parents and guardians, please fill out this Student Study Plan form by Thursday, February 11 with your child’s study option for the remainder of Term 3 (February 16-25) and also for Term 4 (March 8-April 30). https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSegSNtxEhw97aDMUgW7Von0BMWm0t0W4KssYIYfB_4WRTLPQ/viewform

Private schools are required to align with the direction provided from their local public health unit in addition to the provincial requirements. UMC High School continues to work closely with Toronto Public Health and the Ministry of Education to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our school community.

Enhanced Health and Safety Measures

To support the safe return to in-person learning, additional health and safety measures have been announced and it is important that we communicate these measures with our students, staff, and parents/guardians.

Self-Screening

• All staff and students must self-screen every day before attending school.
• Effective February 16 for all secondary students and staff, daily confirmation or proof of selfscreening will be required prior to or upon arrival at school.
• All students who are attending classes in-person must complete this COVID-19 Daily Screening Form every day before arriving to school. Please bookmark this link so you can easily access it every morning. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScphlm-_bVvnhpycW1fzA52rrRReF35kI8NntNoVc1KwMKIrQ/viewform
• If a student or staff member is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, they must stay home from school and follow the guidance in the COVID-19 School tool regarding when they can return to school. https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/
• COVID-19 Symptoms:
  http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/2019_reference_doc_symptoms.pdf

Masking

• Mandatory masking requirements are in place for staff and all students in Grades 1-12.
• Masks are required indoors at all times and outdoors where physical distancing cannot be maintained, including on school buses.

Congregating

• Schools are asked to highlight the importance of students not congregating before school starts and returning directly home after school.
• Schools should minimize any gatherings at lunch time or at breaks, and ensure that distancing and masking are maintained.
• All existing health and safety measures for staff, including consistent use of recommended PPE and physical distancing, must continue to be maintained.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we continue to ensure the safety of our students and staff in this unprecedented school year. We are committed to our students’ success and well-being, and we remain confident that whether studying in-person or online, your child can continue to succeed and thrive with our high-quality learning program provided by our caring and knowledgeable teaching faculty.

Sincerely,
Tanya Fraser, Principal
UMC High School

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Schools in Toronto are planning to re-open for in-person learning on February 16, 2021. Toronto Public Health (TPH) has important reminders to help you prepare your child for the return to school.

How to prepare for return to in-person learning:

• Daily screening: Starting today for everyone in your household complete the updated COVID-19 symptom screening for students and adults every day.
• Get tested: If anyone in your household has one or more new or worsening symptoms of COVID-19, they should get tested as soon as possible. Everyone in the house will need to stay home if someone in the home is sick with a COVID-19 symptom. More pop– up testing sites will be made available this week through our testing partners.
• Pack your mask: Students are required to wear a mask properly at all times except when having a mask break or eating lunch. Pack an extra mask in case your child needs to change it.
• Stay-at-home except to attend work: Continue to support stay-at-home measures in order to keep schools as safe as possible. Stay at home except for work, essential shopping, outdoor exercise, or healthcare appointments. Limit contact outside of school/work to only the people you live with.

When at school for in-person learning:

• Confirmation of screening: Students should bring a paper record or show your school’s app to confirm that screening has been completed before starting school each day.
• Follow prevention measures: Students should wash or sanitize their hands frequently, stay at least six feet/two metres from others as much as possible, wear a well-fitting mask, and stay home when sick.
• Mask breaks: Students must ensure physical distancing is maintained when taking short mask breaks outdoors or indoors or to eat lunch/snacks.
• Stay-at-home except to attend school or work: Students can attend school each day, but should not gather with others, even those in their cohort. Continue to support stay-at- home measures to keep schools as safe as possible. Stay at home except to attend school, exercise outdoors or for healthcare appointments. Limit contact outside of school to only the people you live with.

COVID-19 continues to circulate in our community. TPH is prepared to respond if COVID-19 is detected related to the school. We have increased our capacity to do full case and contact investigations, co-ordinate testing when a cohort is dismissed, and communicate with schools and families about what they need to do.

TPH will continue to work with schools, staff and parents to keep schools safe, including:

• When a staff member or student who attends school tests positive, TPH will identify their close contacts using the cohort approach. Students may belong to a classroom, bus or before/after school cohort. These cohorts will be dismissed from school and directed to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact with the case. This message may come from your Principal or from TPH.
• If your child is identified as a close contact, they will receive a letter from TPH. The letter will recommend testing even if your child is not sick, and include the dates that your child must self-isolate at home. It will also include information about where to get tested. Please bring your letter to the testing location as the letter includes a unique identification number, which will help TPH to complete the investigation.
• TPH may recommend expanded testing for the entire school if there are: a) multiple cohorts who were dismissed; or b) there is someone who had COVID-19 related to the school setting and we are not clear on where the person got COVID-19. TPH will provide a letter to parents to provide details on the expanded testing clinics.
• Testing is completed by testing centres, not TPH. We are working with testing centres to reduce barriers to getting tested. This may include dedicated hours at an assessment centre for your child, on-site school testing, or take-home test kits.
• If your child develops a new or worsening symptom of COVID-19, they should be tested as soon as possible and self-isolate at home. Please bring your letter to the testing site as the letter may include a unique identification number, which will help TPH complete the investigation.

Thank you for all that you are doing to help keep our schools and communities safe.

Please continue to visit our website at: www.toronto.ca/COVID19 to stay up-to-date. Information specific to school communities is available at: COVID–19 school information for parents & caregivers.

Yours truly,

Nicole Welch

Director

COVID-19 Liaision Chief Nursing Officer

Dear UMC students and families,

Our greatest priority is the safety and well-being of our students, staff and their families. We are very happy to be back at school this week resuming in-person classes at our main campus. We continue to maintain high health and safety standards, including enhanced screening protocols, disinfection and sanitization, masking, and ensuring physical distancing is maintained in classes and throughout the school building. We know that the 2020-2021 school year has been challenging for students and staff. We understand how important it is for students to be learning in-person, alongside their peers, as it helps to support their well-being, mental health and development. The Ontario government also recognizes that all sectors, including the education sector, play an important part in stopping further spread of the coronavirus.

We will continue to focus on supporting the health and well-being of students, families and staff in what has been an unprecedented year. That is why, based on advice from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario Ministry of Education will be deferring March Break for the 2020-2021 school year.

UMC High School March Break scheduled for March 1-5 will be postponed until April 12-16, 2021.

We recognize the importance of providing students, staff and families with an opportunity to rest and recharge. That is why the Ontario Ministry of Education will be moving the planned break to the week of April 12, 2021. This is based on the best advice of public health officials, including the Chief Medical Officer of Health. UMC High School will follow this directive in order to support the collective fight against COVID-19. Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we continue to ensure the safety of students and staff in this unprecedented school year. Please see the attached updated school calendar which reflects these changes:

Term 4 will run from March 2 – April 30, with a 1 week Spring Break from April 12-16. Summary of key dates, with amendments:

• PA Day: Friday, February 26
• PA Day: Monday, March 1 – Virtual Orientation Assembly for New Students
• Term 4 begins: Tuesday, March 2
• Term 4 Mid-term Report Cards Issued: Wednesday, April 7
• Spring Break: April 12-16

Sincerely,

Tanya Fraser, Principal

Dear Parent/Guardian:

To add protections for our school communities from COVID-19 and its variants, Toronto Public Health has made some important changes. As schools in Toronto re-open for in-person learning on February 16th, 2021, we want you to be aware of changes that have been made to the school screening tool for staff/visitors and students JK-12.

Make COVID-19 symptom screening part of your morning routine. Everyone in your household must complete the screening before school every day.

Changes to the school screening tool include the following:

• Household member has symptoms: If anyone in your household has one or more COVID-19 symptoms, all children and adults who attend a school setting must stay home from school until COVID-19 has been ruled out. If the household member with one or more symptoms does not go for testing, the children and adults in the home who attend a school setting must stay home for 10 days.
• Household member has travelled: If anyone in your household has travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days, all children and adults who attend a school setting must stay home from school until the person who travelled completes the federally-required 14 days of self-isolation. If the individual is exempt from this self-isolation because they perform an essential job (e.g. truck driver, pilot), the rest of the household can still attend school.
• Close contact of someone who had COVID-19: If anyone in your household is self-isolating at home because they were a close contact of someone who had COVID-19, all children in the household will need to stay home from school until the person who was a close contact completes the 14 days of self-isolation.

Symptoms on the screening tools that remain the same:
If students or staff/visitors have one or more new or worsening symptoms they must stay home, self-isolate and arrange to get tested. Please see Follow-Up Instructions for School Students, Staff and Visitors tested for COVID-19 for more information.

Adults who do not attend a school setting:
Adults in your household who do not attend a school setting can continue to go to work as long as they do not have symptoms of COVID-19, are not a close contact of a positive case, and have not travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days.

Thank you for all that you are doing to keep our schools and communities safe. Please continue to visit our website at: www.toronto.ca/COVID19 to stay up-to-date. Information specific to school communities is available at: COVID-19 school information for parents & caregivers.

Yours truly,
Nicole Welch
Director
COVID-19 Liaison
Chief Nursing Officer

To: Parents/Guardians

Recently, new strains of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been identified. Some of these new strains are called variants of concern, because they spread more easily between people. Toronto Public Health (TPH) has identified individuals in some school settings who have tested positive for a variant of concern. This is not unexpected as there are variants of concern spreading in Toronto and across Ontario. TPH recently started updating daily case counts and information about variants of concern in Toronto, which is available here.

As Toronto continues to experience increased cases of variants of concern, it is more important than ever to follow the steps of self-protection. Public health measures will work to prevent the spread of the variants, including:

• Limiting your contact to household members only, and staying at home as much as possible. Social gatherings and playdates outside of the school setting have led to the spread of COVID-19
• Going out only for essential outings such as medical appointments, food shopping, school, essential work, or for physical exercise.
• Keeping at least two metres (six feet) apart from others outside of your household.
• Wearing a mask.
• Cleaning your hands frequently, with soap and water for 15 seconds.
• Staying home if you are feeling unwell or if you have been told to self-isolate.

Public health measures in schools will also work to prevent the spread of variants of concern. To add protections for our school communities from these new variants TPH has made some important changes to the school screening tool for staff and visitors and students JK-12. Please make COVID-19 symptom screening part of your morning routine. Everyone in your household must complete the screening before school every day.

Changes to the school screening tool include the following:

• Household member has symptoms: If anyone in your household has one or more COVID-19 symptoms, all children and adults who attend a school setting must stay home from school until COVID-19 has been ruled out with a test result. If the household member with one or more symptoms does not go for testing, the children and adults in the home who attend a school setting must stay home for 14 days.
• Household member has travelled: If anyone in your household has travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days, all children and adults who attend a school setting must stay home from school until the person who travelled completes the federally-required 14 days of self-isolation. If the individual is exempt from this self-isolation because they perform an essential job (e.g. truck driver, pilot), the rest of the household can still attend school.
• Close contact of someone who had COVID-19: If anyone in your household is self-isolating at home because they were a close contact of someone who had COVID-19, all children in the household will need to stay home from school until the person who was a close contact completes the 14 days of self-isolation.

If students or staff/visitors have one or more new or worsening symptoms they must stay home, self-isolate and arrange to get tested. Please see Follow-Up Instructions for School Students, Staff and Visitors tested for COVID-19 for more information.

Thank you for all that you are doing to keep our schools and communities safe. Please continue to visit our website at: www.toronto.ca/COVID19 to stay up-to-date. Information specific to school communities is available at: COVID-19 school information for parents & caregivers. If you have questions about COVID-19, please call our Hotline at 416-338-7600, Monday-Sunday 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM. Interpretation services are available. If you need immediate health care assistance, please call Telehealth Ontario 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-866-797-0000.

Sincerely,

Nicole Welch
Director
COVID -19 School Response Team
Chief Nursing Officer

We are excited to welcome you back to UMC High School! Today the government of Ontario has announced that the city of Toronto can proceed to Stage 3 of re-opening which allows us to prepare the school for in-person classes starting in September. We are delighted with this news, and would like to share with you details on our return to school plan and how we will ensure a safe environment along with the best possible experience for your child!

We are preparing to welcome our students back in person to our school in September, and are also ready to offer remote learning and hybrid learning options to meet the needs of all of our students. Many details are provided in this package regarding how school will look like and operate this year, and what health and safety protocols will be adopted for in-person classes. Whether you choose to study in-person, online from Toronto or from overseas, rest assured that our team will support you to achieve your goals and to ensure your graduation plans remain on track, while developing the skills necessary to be successful in University, College and beyond!

Our school year will begin on Friday, September 4, 2020 and will be structured with 5 semesters, each approximately 8 weeks long, where students can earn 2 high school courses per term up to a total of 10 credits from September to June.

• Students can choose to attend class in-person, through remote learning online, or a hybrid of both.
• Students and families must inform UMC High School by August 18 which option they will choose for Term 1.

The Ontario Ministry of Education has asked all schools and boards to create three separate learning plans for the resumption of classes and to be ready to implement any of those plans during the 2020-2021 school year. We are fully prepared for all possible options and are committed to ensuring the best possible experience for your child!

We are currently planning for Hybrid Learning, which allows students to choose to study either in-person at our Main Campus or online through remote learning. (UMC High School must be notified of your study plan – IN-PERSON or ONLINE – no later than August 18.) In-person classes will be offered 5 days per week at our main campus for students from Grades 7-12 starting Tuesday, September 8 in compliance with the government of Ontario, the Ministry of Education and Toronto Public Health. The health and safety of our school is the top priority, therefore we are updating our school protocols to ensure returning to school can occur in a safe and sensible manner.

As we prepare for the 2020-2021 school year, we are taking what we have learned from the Spring and Summer terms and are creating a safe, engaging, inclusive program of learning, with academic success, caring and compassion as our main leading principles. Our updated school policies maintain a positive learning and teaching environment that supports student achievement and well-being and helps students reach their full potential, no matter if they are studying in-person or online.

Over the past 6 months, our students and staff have demonstrated great resilience despite unprecedented challenges and changes to all of our daily lives and normal routines. When Ontario schools were closed in March due to COVID-19 health and safety measures, our staff quickly mobilized and seamlessly transitioned all classes to remote learning without missing one single day of school to ensure student academic success and continued growth and development. All of our students are to be commended for their great effort and dedication to their academic studies. Teachers and students alike have become experts at Zoom webinars and Schoology and adapted very well to this learning format, and in fact, class averages and overall academic achievement increased during this period! Our teachers, Guidance Department and Marketing Student Counsellors have displayed genuine care and compassion for the well-being of our students, and have worked tirelessly to meet their needs.

We recognize the challenges, the stress and uncertainty that COVID-19 has brought into our lives. Yet we look to the future with optimism, as we see better days ahead. On behalf of all of us at UMC High School, we are proud of our students for their excellent achievements, and we thank our dedicated teachers for continuing to serve our students with care, compassion and professional excellence. We are committed and ready to adjust plans as necessary for the continued safety and well-being of our entire school community. We look forward to welcoming you back to UMC High School and will be in touch with you soon with updates from the Ministry of Education and Toronto Public Health.

As we prepare for the new school year, we would like to clarify the requirements for graduation in 2020-2021. The Ministry of Education updated their guidelines for the return to Ontario schools on July 30, 2020 and released the policy and framework for this coming school year. Students graduating in 2020-2021 must complete both the literacy requirement and 40-hour community involvement in order to receive their OSSD.

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test will be written on April 8, 2021. All students who are in Grade 10 or older and have completed Grade 9 English or its equivalent (ESLDO) will write the test. Students mus achieve a score of 300/400 in order to pass and fulfill this graduation requirement. Students who are unsuccessful on the OSSLT are eligible to take the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC4O) in order to satisfy the literacy graduation requirement. Students earn 1.0 high school credit by taking the OLC4O course, and this credit is considered a part of the elective courses towards the OSSD.

We recognize that there are students who are planning to graduate before March 2021, and so the Ministry of Education has released an updated policy stating that students can fulfill the Literacy Requirement by completing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC4O). There are no exemptions provided for students in 2020-2021: either students take the OLC4O course or they wait and write the OSSLT on April 8, 2021. Therefore, all students planning to graduate in December 2020 or February 2021 have been scheduled into the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC4O) in Term 2 to fulfill this graduation requirement.

All students will receive their 2020-2021 timetables by September 1 via email from the Guidance Department for your confirmation.

Please note that all graduating students will also need to complete 40 hours of community involvement and can do so virtually. The Guidance Department can help to arrange virtual community service opportunities through online school programs, such as peer tutoring, and with community organizations.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to welcoming you back to UMC High School!

We would like to officially welcome you to the 2020-2021 school year at UMC High School! With the updates to hybrid learning, course structure, and health and safety, we invite you to attend a special virtual School Assembly to receive important information that you will need for this upcoming school year.

We will be holding three Orientation Sessions this Friday, September 4 via Zoom webinar. All students must attend 1 session in order to familiarize themselves with the updated course structure and policies and procedures at UMC High School. Parents and guardians are also invited to attend the session so they can learn more about the upcoming school year and the expectations for their children’s study. The Assembly will provide a great opportunity to learn more about UMC High School and meet our teachers, our Department Heads, Guidance Department, Administration Department and Marketing Team. Students studying in person will also be informed regarding the new UMC health and safety policies for in-school learning. Please be punctual and join the virtual session on time.

Ontario is taking further action to stop the spread of COVID-19. As of November 23rd, Toronto and Peel are moving into a modified lockdown for 28 days. K-12 schools remain open during this time, therefore UMC High School continues in-class instruction.

Please note that a number of businesses and services will be closed during this time:

• Malls, gyms, shops, hair salons and nail salons are closed.
• Restaurants are limited to takeout or delivery only.
• No indoor gatherings with anyone outside a person’s household. Individuals who live alone may have close contact with one other household.
• Outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people.

We encourage all students and staff to follow the directives and limit all trips outside your home for essential reasons other than school, buying groceries or medical appointments.

More information can be found here: https://umchighschool.com/newsletter/updated-covid-19-news

https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/59305/ontario-taking-further-action-to-stop-the-spread-of-covid-19https://bit.ly/333O6fW

Dear Parent or Legal Guardian:

As Toronto is now in Lockdown (Grey Zone under the Provincial COVID-19 Response Framework), Toronto Public Health has updated the student screening tool, available here.

If your child has one or more symptoms of COVID-19, under the new screening requirements, you need to:

• Keep your child home, even if the symptoms are mild.
• All the children in the same home must also stay at home.
• Arrange for your child to get tested at an Assessment Centre. Contact your health care provider, if needed.
• Your child and their siblings may return to school if the test is negative.
• Without a test, your child and their siblings must stay home for 10 days. They may return to school after 10 days if they do not have symptoms. A doctor’s note is not needed for return to school.
• Monitor your family for symptoms. Adults must stay home and get tested if they have one or more symptoms.

With high rates of COVID-19 cases in Toronto, it is very important that your family members follow these public health measures:

• Stay home except for essential trips, such as work, school, or healthcare visits.
• Stay home if you are ill, even if symptoms are minor.
• Limit gatherings in your home to the people you live with. If you live alone, you may include one person from outside your household.
• Go out for fresh air and exercise only with the people you live with.
• Check in with vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours virtually or by phone.
• Download the COVID Alert App to be notified if you were close to someone who is contagious with COVID-19.

More information on the Grey Lockdown restrictions is available here. Visit school information for parents & caregivers regularly for updates.

We all need to wear masks to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community. It is important to find a mask that fits well and allows you to breathe easily.

When wearing a mask, some children may occasionally breathe through their mouth, leading to dry mouth. Encourage frequent mask breaks throughout the day.

Practice good oral hygiene by:

• Daily brushing and flossing.
• Limiting sugary food and drinks.
• Seeking dental care early.

To prevent dry mouth follow these tips:

• Drink water more often.
• Chew sugarless gum to increase the flow of saliva.
• Avoid salty foods, dry foods and sugary food and drinks.
• Adults should avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, and vaping.

Call Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 if you do not have dental coverage, or if you need emergency dental care. Information about dental clinics in Toronto is also available online here.

During this holiday season, Toronto Public Health would like to share some important information with the school community.

Give Giving in School:

The safest option for school communities this holiday season is not to distribute gifts. If the school board decides that gift-giving is an option, below are some considerations for doing so safely:

• Consider gift cards as gifts.
• Consider donations to charitable organizations in lieu of gifts.
• If a teacher is distributing gifts, ensure that the gift is individually packaged or in an envelope that has been quarantined for three days. The teacher should wash their hands before and after touching the gift. Have the students come up and pick up their own individual gift package.
• If it is the teacher receiving gifts, see if they can be wiped down or ensure the gift is quarantined for three days prior to opening it. The teacher should wash their hands before and after touching the gift.

Holiday Gatherings at School:

Toronto Public Health is recommending there be no in-person holiday gatherings both for staff and students, including staff luncheons or having students bring food from home to share with their class.

Other considerations for festivities include:

• Plan a virtual staff gathering.
• Decorate the classroom and school with artwork made by the students.
• Read stories, and watch movies with members of the same classroom cohort.

Holiday Gatherings outside of  School:

Toronto is currently in lockdown (Grey Zone of the Province’s COVID-19 Response Framework).  We ask that schools and school boards promote the public health message that school communities should only gather with members of their own household during the holidays. People who live alone can gather with one other household.  Encourage families and schools to review the Province of Ontario’s Celebrate Safely during COVID-19  Guide. For Toronto-specific information on what is permitted during the Grey Lockdown period download the Toronto’s Lockdown Guide.

Resources for Parents:

• Know When to Self-monitor, self-isolate or send your Child to School
•  Follow up Instructions for School Students, Staff and Visitors Tested for COVID-19
• Back to School Confirmation Form
• COVID-19: Lockdown Guide for Toronto Residents

Dear Parent or Legal Guardian:

Toronto is still under Lockdown (Grey Zone under the Provincial COVID-19 Response Framework). Toronto Public Health has prepared a Holiday Guide with information on how you and your family can safely plan for and celebrate the holiday season this year.

The Holiday Guide includes information on:

• Shopping and gift giving.
• Alternative ways to celebrate with family and friends.
• Making events memorable.
• Accessing religious rites and services.
• Managing holiday stress.
• Making donations.

Additional information about gift giving and celebrations specific to the school community is available here.

As we continue to see high rates of COVID-19 cases in Toronto, it is very important that you and your family continue to follow these public health measures:

• Stay home except for essential trips, such as work, school, or healthcare visits.
• Stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are mild, self-isolate, and arrange to get tested.
• Limit gatherings in your home to the people you live with. If you live alone, you may include one person from outside your household.
• Go out for fresh air and exercise only with the people you live with.
• Check in with vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours virtually or by phone.
• Download the COVID Alert App to be notified if you were close to someone who is contagious with COVID-19.

More information on the Grey Lockdown restrictions is available here. Visit school information for parents & caregivers regularly for updates.

Thank you for all that you are doing to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community. I would like to wish you and yours a joyous and safe holiday season!

As we look ahead to our operations for the summer months, we are pleased to announce that UMC High School will be offering a flexible, online program this July and August, where students can earn high school credits from anywhere in the world!

Students can choose from a diverse selection of high school courses and earn 1 or 2 high school credits in July and August. There are many benefits with this program:

• Flexible schedule, accessible anywhere in the world and at students’ preferred times.
• Small class sizes between 4 – 14 students will allow for prompt feedback, ongoing support and individualized assistance from teachers.
• Weekly objectives and easy to follow modules will help students stay on track with their learning.
• 3 hours of coursework per day allows for a reasonable schedule to ensure optimal learning outcomes and strong academic achievement while balancing leisure time during the summer months.
• Teachers will post videos and streamed lessons that students can access at their own time.
• Weekly assignments due each Friday helps students manage their schedule and stay on track.
• Teachers will provide prompt feedback to questions within 24 hours.
• Teachers will mark assignments quickly and provide grades and updates within 3 days of submission.
• Weekly webinars with teachers provide support, guidance, and consolidation of learning.

Students may add, change or revise their Summer Course Selections until Monday, June 8 by contacting Ms.Angela at guidance@umchighschool.com. We encourage you to continue your learning this summer! We are with you every step of the way!

We plan to re-open our schools in September and look forward to welcoming you back in person for the 2020-2021 school year. As we receive guidelines from the Ministry of Education and Public Health, we will update you during the summer months with the measures we will be implementing to ensure a safe learning environment for our students and staff.

The health and safety of our students and staff are of the utmost importance. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold throughout the world, the Ontario government has announced that public schools will remain closed until September. The State of Emergency in Ontario, which mandates the closure of private schools, has been extended until June 9 and today, the Premier of Ontario has requested an extension until June 30. With health and safety in mind, our school campuses will remain closed until the end of the 2019-2020 school year. Online classes will continue for the remainder of the Spring term, ending on June 26. All students will receive their final report card by July 3.

Students graduating in June will have both the OSSLT Literacy requirement and completion of 40 hours of Community Involvement waived. This will not affect their graduation status or ability to enter post-secondary education.

We remain committed to supporting our students during these unprecedented times. Students will continue to receive daily support from their teachers, guidance counsellors and administrative staff. Students are currently working on culminating assessments to demonstrate their learning during the Spring term, and they will receive regular feedback from their teachers to best guide the successful completion of their courses. Students are encouraged to continue attending their daily Zoom classes and to actively engage in class work through meaningful participation in live lessons and on Schoology. Teachers are offering weekly extra help sessions to provide further assistance. Our goal is to ensure your child can achieve their study goals and remain on track towards the path to graduation!