Dear DCDSB staff members,
This message is a bit lengthy, but I would ask that all staff please take the time to read it through to the end and complete the actions requested.
Message for all staff
I hope you are all well and if you travelled over the March Break that you are safely home and following the directions of the government and chief medical officers regarding self-isolation and physical distancing. This has been a most unusual time for everyone as we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 situation that has become a main area of focus world-wide. In such times of uncertainty we are blessed by our Catholic faith that grounds us and provides hope for the future.
I would like to express my profound gratitude to the individuals in our central offices, ICT, Payroll, Communications and Human Resource Departments who worked quickly and efficiently last week to ensure that our essential functions were managed. Special thanks to our volunteer Custodial/Maintenance teams who cleaned and disinfected all of our schools and Board buildings and to the Senior Administrative Team who were communicating and managing operational matters 24/7 throughout. Everyone went above and beyond and it is appreciated.
At a time when we typically look forward to reconnecting as a Catholic learning community, we are instead faced with the provincially ordered closure of publicly funded schools from now until April 5, 2020.
This of course will significantly impact the way we provide service to our school communities. As a Catholic school system we are working collaboratively locally and with partners across the province to envision and implement innovative strategies to respond to these unprecedented and ever changing realities.
I am therefore asking all staff to carefully review and be mindful of the action items outlined in this message.
- Staff Check-in Form
All staff members are expected to be back from their March Break vacations and in their home community during this time. A staff check-in form has been developed to ensure everyone is in the country, as required, and available to fulfill work duties and responsibilities as requested. All staff are asked to complete this form by no later than 4pm on March 23, 2020. Please click on this link to access the form. www.dcdsb.ca/COVID-19-03-23
- Absence During School Closures
If you become ill or are unavailable (e.g. for bereavement) it is important for Board records that you log your absence in SFE and that you inform your direct supervisor via email. If you have not done so, it is the Board expectation that you are available for work.
- Learning Resources for Students
On Friday, March 20, 2020, the Ministry launched the Learn at Home resource for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12. This has been shared with all DCDSB families and staff. While we respect and appreciate that educators are eager to reach out to students and provide support or learning assignments, please do not share additional online learning expectations and/or materials at this time. This is very important as we do not want to create inequity between classes and schools with regards to student learning expectations during school closures.
Our Academic Team is in regular contact with the Ministry of Education and further direction on how we can support students will be provided as information becomes available.
Educators who currently use Edsby as a communication tool may wish to send a “hello” message. However, please note that additional school work is not to be assigned at this time. If parents are requesting further assignments or support, please advise that classroom teachers are taking direction from the Board and the Ministry of Education and that they will connect with families when information becomes available.
- Edsby
Educators who are not currently using Edsby are asked to please take the time at home to access our videos on how to use this platform as these tools may be required for online learning for students and/or if the Ministry ordered closure of schools is extended beyond April 5, 2020. Click here to access our Edsby videos.
- Mental Health Supports
We recognize that school closures due to COVID-19 have created new stressors for students and families. Resources to support mental health and well-being have been posted on the Board website and additional resources focused on student well-being will be shared as they become available.
- DCDSB E-mail
As COVID-19 continues to be a rapidly evolving situation that impacts our school system, all staff are expected to stay connected by checking your DCDSB e-mail regularly for updates (at least twice daily).
- Retrieving Items from Schools
Please be advised that all schools have been deep cleaned by teams of custodial/maintenance staff during the Break. We are deeply grateful for their work. At this time, staff is not permitted to enter schools or board buildings. Should this change, we will notify you.
Our schools and offices remain closed however, as we continue to receive compensation, we are exploring opportunities locally and provincially for meaningful work which may involve professional training, activities and/or duties for staff that can be completed remotely.
Thank you again for your understanding and cooperation during this unprecedented time.
Tracy
Tracy Barill
Director of Education / Secretary-Treasurer
Durham Catholic District School Board
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Education Centre | 650 Rossland Road West, Oshawa, ON L1J 7C4
T: 905-576-6150 EXT 22317 | TF: 1-877-482-0722 |F: 905-721-8239 | www.dcdsb.ca
Catholic Education: Learning and Living in Faith
