COVID-19 Updates
COVID-19 Cases at Pickering College 2021-2022
This chart will be updated with positive COVID-19 cases confirmed through testing if the student, staff or visitor has been on campus two days prior to their positive test result.
Probable Student Cases |
Confirmed Student Cases |
Confirmed Staff Cases |
Confirmed Visitor Cases |
Total Confirmed Cases |
Total Resolved Cases |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 100 |
COVID-19 screening reminders
As York Region Public Health is no longer actively managing cases and dismissing cohorts, screening for ill students and staff is more important than ever. All staff and students must continue to self-screen using REACH for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 every day before attending school (virtual or in person).
Screening must be completed daily using the REACH
Parents and guardians must not send children to school if they are showing any symptoms of COVID-19. The provincial guidance requires onsite confirmation of screening, so you will be asked to show your Green Badge when you drop off your Junior School / Middle School student. Senior School students will be asked to show their teacher their Green Badge on their REACH app on their computer or phone. Students cannot complete the screening but they do have access to their badge through the app/website.
If an individual is symptomatic with one or more major symptom, or two or more other symptoms in Table 1, they must isolate, regardless of vaccination status. Household members must isolate as well.
Table 1
Major and Other COVID-19 Symptoms
Major Symptom (one or more)
- Fever/chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Decrease/loss of smell and taste
Other Symptoms (two or more)
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Extreme fatigue
- Runny nose/nasal congestion
- Muscle aches/joint pain
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (i.e., vomiting or diarrhea)
Table 2
Isolation Requirements if Symptomatic with Symptoms from Table 1
Symptomatic Individual
Symptomatic Individual is Fully Vaccinated
OR Under 12 Years of Age
Isolate for 5 days and must be fever free with symptoms improving for at least 24 hours (48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms)
Symptomatic Individual
Symptomatic Individual is 12 Years or Older AND Not Fully Vaccinated or Immune Compromised
Isolate for 10 days and must be fever free with symptoms improving for at least 24 hours (48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms)
Household Members
Household Members of Symptomatic Individual
All household members (regardless of their vaccination status) will need to self-isolate. Review the Ministry of Health - COVID-19 Integrated Testing & Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge for more information
Household Members
Household Members of Symptomatic Individual 12 Years or Older AND Not Fully Vaccinated or Immune Compromised
All household members (regardless of their vaccination status) will need to self-isolate. Review the Ministry of Health - COVID-19 Integrated Testing & Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge for more information
School and Child Care Attendance After Travel
- If a student/child/essential visitor or staff member has travelled outside of Canada and is not fully vaccinated, they must stay home from school until the required 14-day self-isolation period has finished; if the traveller does not develop any symptoms, household members can continue to attend school
- Children under 12 travelling with fully vaccinated parents/guardians do not need to quarantine, in alignment with the exemptions for quarantine under the Federal Quarantine Act, however they must not attend school or child care for 14 days
- If a student/child/visitor or staff member has travelled outside of Canada and is fully vaccinated, as outlined by the Government of Canada, the individual can self-monitor for symptoms but does not need to quarantine (in alignment with the exemptions for quarantine under the Federal Quarantine Act); if symptoms develop the individual should isolate and seek testing immediately.
- Boarding students who travel internationally must receive a negative PCR test after they arrive in Canada. They must isolate (at their expense) while waiting for the result (result times can vary depending on testing numbers).
Vaccination
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
York Region Public Health encourages all individuals five years of age and older to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine to learn more and find a vaccine clinic.
Public Health Measures
Please continue to ensure all students and staff to continue to follow other public health measures including:
- Physical distancing
- Regular hand hygiene
- Wear a mask – students are asked to wear medical masks or N95/KN95 masks at school (cloth masks are no longer sufficient when it comes to the Omicron variant)
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces
- Screening for symptoms every day
- Staying home when feeling unwell
More information
Visit www.york.ca/safeatschool for up-to-date information on COVID-19 guidance for school and child care settings or visit www.york.ca/COVID19 for additional information about COVID-19.
Mental Health Resources
We also recognize that this continues to place a strain on the mental health of those people closest to us. If you or people close to you are struggling emotionally, know that you are not alone. Please reach out:
Canadian Mental Health Association COVID-19 Supports
The Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868
Updates 2021-2022
- Update on pandemic protocols at Pickering College (May 6, 2022)
- Continuing pandemic protocols (April 22, 2022)
- Pandemic protocols and on-campus spring events (April 8, 2022)
- Mask policy + return of visitors to campus (March 11, 2022)
- Boarding Isolation Ends Friday January 28 at 11:59p.m. and important information (January 28, 2022)
- Confirmed COVID-19 case in boarding at Pickering College (January 23, 2022)
- Boarding families: Positive COVID-19 case in boarding at PC (January 23, 2022)
- New Confirmed COVID-19 Case in Boarding (January 20, 2022)
- Boarding Families - New Confirmed COVID-19 case in Boarding (January 20, 2022)
- Confirmed COVID-19 case in Boarding at Pickering College (January 19, 2022)
- New Confirmed Positive Case in Boarding at Pickering College (January 19, 2022)
- Update Re: Positive COVID-19 cases in boarding at PC (January 17, 2022)
- Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Boarding at Pickering College (January 17, 2022)
- Notification: Positive COVID-19 case in boarding (January 15, 2022)
- Plans to return to in-person learning (January 13, 2022)
- Vaccination Policy for 2022-2023 (January 6, 2022)
- Remote learning begins Wednesday, January 5 (January 3, 2022)
- Return to School Plan for Jan. 5, 2022 (December 31, 2021)
- Confirmed COVID-19 case at Pickering College (December 24, 2021)
- Confirmed COVID-19 case at Pickering College (December 20, 2021)
- Rapid Antigen Screening Kits for Students (December 16, 2021)
- A letter on behalf of York Region Public Health (December 14, 2021)
- COVID-19 vaccination reminders and holiday travel (December 1, 2021)
- CISAA: Student athletes required to be fully vaccinated (November 24, 2021)
- Mandatory Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Policy For Students (November 18, 2021)
- COVID Surveillance Period Declared Over (November 15, 2021)
- Second COVID-19 case at Pickering College (November 2, 2021)
- Confirmed COVID-19 Case at Pickering College (November 1, 2021)
- COVID-19 Screening Update (October 15, 2021)
- COVID-19 Update: Surveillance period ended (September 27, 2021)
- COVID-19 UPDATE: Confirmed Case (September 12, 2021)
- COVID-19 Update (September 11, 2021)
- Return to School 2021-2022 (August 27, 2021)
- Important Back to School Information (August 20, 2021)
- Return to School Planning (August 5, 2021)
- Pickering College Boarding Student Arrival (July 16, 2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information (July 16, 2021)
Update on pandemic protocols at Pickering College (May 6, 2022)
Dear PC families,
It has been two weeks since our last communication and we wanted to provide you with an update with regards to our school's protocols as the pandemic evolves.
Since our last message, we have seen provincial positive cases trending downward.
Masking – Move to strongly recommend
At this time, we strongly recommend that all students and staff continue to wear three-layer medical masks while indoors – in classes and in common areas such as hallways and meeting areas. Although masks are no longer mandatory, we will support every person who chooses to continue wearing a mask.
We want our students and staff to continue to be able to learn in person on campus, and we know wearing masks is one of the most effective ways we can reduce transmission and therefore absenteeism. This measure will be reviewed again in two weeks' time. If cases start to move upward again, we reserve the right to reinstitute masking requirements.
Visitors on campus
At this time, we are opening our campus to visitors for school events, however we require all visitors to be fully vaccinated and to complete the screening within 24 hours before arrival, or upon arrival. We strongly recommend visitors wear a three-layer medical masks available upon arrival. Masks will be required for some school events with large gatherings. We will be sure to inform families in advance if masks are required.
Screening - no change
Pickering College will continue to require the daily completion of the REACH screening app prior to arrival at school. If the screening indicates that a student or staff member should not attend, or if there are any COVID-like symptoms, then they should stay home until 24 hours after the symptoms disappear. This policy will also be reviewed every two weeks.
Vaccination Policy – no change
Pickering College will continue to require all staff and students 12 years of age and older to be fully vaccinated and for all students five to 11 years to show proof of full vaccination effective September 2022.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our school community safe. We will provide a further update in two weeks.
Continuing pandemic protocols (April 22, 2022)
Dear PC families,
It has been two weeks since our last communication and we wanted to provide you with an update with regards to our school's protocols as the pandemic evolves.
Since our last message, we have seen a significant jump in the number of cases in our school community, recording 33 per cent of the total positive cases we have documented over the course of the entire pandemic.
Masking - no change
At this time, we will continue to require all students and staff to wear three-layer medical masks while indoors – in classes and in common areas such as hallways and meeting areas.
This continued measure is in line with the bulletin issued to schools on April 19 by York Region's Medical Officer of Health which states: "York Region Public Health is strongly recommending all staff, visitors and attendees junior/senior kindergarten age and older wear a mask while attending childcare centres or schools."
As we indicated in our message on April 8, we know that masks work and have significantly reduced the number of positive cases we are seeing amongst our students and staff, especially when compared to what is happening in the broader community. We want our students and staff to continue to be able to learn in person on campus, and this is one of the most effective ways we can reduce transmission and therefore absenteeism. This measure will be reviewed again in two weeks' time.
Screening - no change
Pickering College will continue to require the daily completion of the REACH screening app prior to arrival at school. If the screening indicates that a student or staff member should not attend, or if there are any COVID-like symptoms, then they should stay home until 24 hours after the symptoms disappear. This policy will also be reviewed every two weeks.
Vaccination Policy – no change
Pickering College will continue to require all staff and students 12 years of age and older to be fully vaccinated and for all students five to 11 years to show proof of full vaccination effective September 2022.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our school community safe. We will provide a further update in two weeks.
Pandemic protocols and on-campus spring events (April 8, 2022)
Dear PC families,
It has now been two weeks since we returned from our March Break and unfortunately our province appears to be well into a sixth wave.
We wanted to provide you with an update as we had committed to reviewing our protocols every two weeks as the pandemic evolves. Our approach, as it has always been, is with safety as our primary goal and we continue to take a gradual approach to loosening restrictions as the situation allows.
Over the past two weeks, we have lifted some of the cohorting requirements to allow for the continued reintroduction of co-curricular activities. We have also lifted masking requirements outdoors and during co-curricular sport, where appropriate.
Masks
At this point in time, we will continue to require all students and staff to wear three-layer medical masks while indoors – in classes and in common areas such as hallways and meeting areas.
We know that masks work and have significantly reduced the number of positive cases we are seeing amongst our students and staff, especially when compared to what is happening in the broader community. In-person learning is critical to our students' academic success and overall well-being, and this protocol is one of the most effective ways to reduce transmission and therefore absenteeism of both students and staff.
This measure will be reviewed every two weeks as we monitor and assess the evolving situation.
Screening
Pickering College will continue to require the daily completion of the REACH screening app prior to arrival at school. If the screening indicates that a student or staff member should not attend, or if there are any COVID-like symptoms, then they should stay home until 24 hours after the symptoms disappear. This policy will also be reviewed every two weeks.
Illness
Another important measure to reduce the spread of illness is ensuring that when someone is sick they stay home. All absences should be reported to attendance@pickeringcollege.on.ca and they will be followed up on by the Health Centre staff.
Vaccination Policy
Pickering College will continue to require all staff and students 12 years of age and older to be fully vaccinated and for all students five to 11 years to show proof of full vaccination effective September 2022.
Vaccinations work, they reduce serious illness and hospitalizations. Vaccine side effects are rare and minimal compared to the impact of a COVID-19 infection. If you have not done so already, we strongly encourage you and your family to book an appointment to receive a booster dose. Students aged 12 to 17 can schedule a booster six months (168 days) after a second dose.
Any students who are unvaccinated, or are not yet fully vaccinated, continue to be ineligible to participate in competitive athletics (as per the CISAA Return to Sport Plan) for the remainder of the school year.
Visitors to Campus for Spring Events
We are planning to offer a number of events this spring that will combine limited in-person attendance with live streaming, including Springfest, Kindergrad, Grade 8 Closing Ceremony, and Commencement.
As per our policy, any visitors to campus must be fully vaccinated, must wear a new mask provided by the school, and must complete the screening tool. Please note that vaccine passports will be verified at the door prior to entry at on-campus events. All families will be provided with the live stream login information in case someone is feeling unwell or is otherwise unable to attend in person. More details about specific events will be made available over the coming weeks.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our school community safe during this ongoing pandemic. Our collective efforts are making a difference and helping to ensure our students remain well and complete an in-person school year that is as close to "normal" as possible.
Peter Sturrup, Head of School
Laura Mason, Director of Boarding & Health Services
Mask policy + return of visitors to campus (March 11, 2022)
Dear Parents, Custodians and Students:
The purpose of this message is to provide you with our plans regarding the school's mask policy and the gradual return of visitors to campus.
Over the past several weeks, we have seen the Ontario government's re-opening plan enacted with the gradual easing of public health measures. On Wednesday, March 9, we received updated guidelines from the Ministry of Education regarding the lifting of health and safety measures in schools.
As always, we are making cautious decisions, with the mental and physical health and well-being of our students, their families, and our staff as our top priority.
Mask mandates
On Wednesday, March 9, the government announced the elimination of the mandate that has required the public to wear masks within restaurants, stores and schools.
From the start of this pandemic, as a school we have committed to doing everything within our power to keep our staff and the students within our care as safe as possible. The use of masks, in addition to physical distancing and health and safety protocols, have helped to dramatically reduce the number of cases of COVID-19 within our school community.
Despite the relaxation of guidelines we want to emphasize that the COVID-19 virus is not gone. On Thursday, Ontario reported another 2,125 new lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases but, due to testing constraints, the actual number of new cases is estimated to be significantly higher. In Ontario the test positivity rate is 11.2 per cent. At Pickering College, over the last several weeks, we have experienced more students and staff testing positive or having to isolate at home due to close contacts than any other time during the pandemic.
In the next two weeks, many within our school community will be traveling, gathering for social functions, and experiencing the re-opening of restaurants and entertainment opportunities. Following those two weeks everyone will return to the confines of our school building at the same time.
As such, we have decided that it is in the best interest of our school community to continue to require that masks be worn when on campus.
All students and staff will be required to wear three-layer medical masks while indoors – in classes and in common areas such as hallways and meeting areas. Masks will not be required outdoors, during co-curricular sport or while eating. This policy will be reviewed every two weeks as we monitor the impacts of the changed requirements in the province and in our school.
Screening
Although the province has also dropped the requirement for on-site daily screening, Pickering College will continue to require the daily completion of the REACH screening app prior to arrival at school. If the screening indicates that a student or staff member should not attend, or if there are any COVID-like symptoms, then they should stay home until 24 hours after the symptoms disappear. This policy will be reviewed every two weeks.
Cohorting and Distancing
The province is lifting the cohorting and distancing requirements. Pickering College will be approaching this cautiously, with some lifting of the cohorting requirements to allow for the continued re-introduction of co-curricular activities.
Case and Contact Management Guidelines
The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever/chills, cough, shortness of breath, decrease/loss of smell and taste, sore throat, headache, extreme fatigue, runny nose/nasal congestion, muscle aches/joint pain, GI symptoms (i.e. nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea). Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms should not be coming to campus. Anyone experiencing any one of the more significant symptoms or any two of the less common symptoms, should isolate immediately and considering testing.
The isolation period varies depending on age, vaccination status and immune status.
Household members that do not meet the criteria below must self-isolate while someone in the house is isolating because they have symptoms or have tested positive. If any of the following apply to the household members, they do not need to self-isolate:
- They previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days and have completed their isolation period
- They are 18 years of age and older and have received a booster dose
- They are under 18 years of age and are fully vaccinated
Generally, contact in school would not be considered a close contact due to the layering of health and safety measures in place. However, specific individuals may be identified by the case as a close contact based on the nature of their interactions with the case.
Other Health and Safety Measures
The school will continue to practice appropriate hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, and enhanced cleaning and disinfecting throughout the day. This will include our school vehicles.
Vaccinations – book your booster dose
Getting vaccinated remains one of the most important means to combat the severity and impact of COVID-19 in our community. Vaccinations work, they reduce serious illness and hospitalizations and the side effects are rare and minimal compared to the impact of a COVID-19 infection. The most important safety step that all members of our community can take is to ensure they are fully vaccinated.
If you have not done so already, we strongly encourage you and your family to book an appointment to receive a booster dose. Students aged 12 to 17, can schedule a booster at an interval six months (168 days) after a second dose.
Although the province has lifted the requirement for the vaccine mandate, Pickering College will continue to require all staff and students 12 years of age and older to be fully vaccinated and all student 5 years and older to show proof of full vaccination effective September 2022.
Visitors to campus
Effective Monday, March 28, we will begin to admit visitors to our school, by appointment only, with the following conditions: visitors must be fully vaccinated, must wear a new mask provided by the school, and must complete the screening tool. No more than four related family members will be admitted at a time. We are in the process of determining where visitors will be able to go within the school. We are also reviewing upcoming events where, in the past, we have had groups on campus. Once we have made a decision about groups on campus, event attendance, etc. we will communicate this to you.
Travel over March Break
Anyone over the age of 12 years and four months needs to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to board a flight, domestic or international, leaving from most airports in Canada. Fully vaccinated, according to the Government of Canada, means having two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine with the second dose at least 14 calendar days prior to the day you travel. More information can be found here: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid
Vaccinated children under 12 years of age
As of February 28, adults travelling with fully vaccinated children between the ages of 5 to 11 will have the option to upload their proof of vaccination into ArriveCAN. The benefit of uploading the child's proof is that if they are travelling with an adult who does not qualify as fully vaccinated, the child will qualify for an exemption from quarantine and mandatory testing on Day 1 and Day 8.
Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated children under 12 years of age:
Starting February 28, 2022: If you qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller, your unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children will be exempt from quarantine, without any limitations on their activities. This means, for example, they no longer need to wait 14 days before attending school, camp or daycare. Some federal rules for children entering Canada may be different from the provincial or territorial rules. In this case, you must follow the stricter rules.
Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated youth 12 to 17 years of age:
Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated youth 12 to 17 years of age are subject to the 14-day quarantine, and all testing requirements for pre-entry, arrival and Day-8 tests, whether or not they are accompanied by travellers who qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller.
Arrival testing
Starting February 28, 2022: fully vaccinated travellers arriving from any country will no longer be required to quarantine while awaiting their test result but should monitor for symptoms for 14 days after arrival.
If a fully vaccinated traveller or unvaccinated child under 12 years of age tests positive:
- they must isolate for 10 days
- report your test results and/or symptoms to PHAC by calling 1-833-641-0343
If a parent, step-parent, guardian, or tutor a child has travelled with experiences symptoms or tests positive:
- unvaccinated children under 12 years of age must quarantine for 14 days and monitor for symptoms
- report your test results and/or symptoms to PHAC by calling 1-833-641-0343
If a person you travelled with develops symptoms or tests positive, you must begin a 14-day quarantine period starting from your last exposure to the person.
As we know that people will be busy over the March Break we strongly encourage everyone to consider doing a rapid test prior to the return to classes on March 28, 2022. We want to ensure the return to school following the break is as safe as possible for everyone.
Please contact the Health Centre at heathcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca and our Attendance Administrator at attendance@pickeringcollege.on.ca should your child not be able to return to school on March 28 as expected.
Thank you in for doing your part to keep others safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. We wish you and your family a restful March Break.
Boarding Isolation Ends Friday January 28 at 11:59p.m. and important information (January 28, 2022)
Dear Parents, Custodians and Students,
Tonight at 11:59 p.m. the Boarding Isolation that has been in effect for the past two weeks will end. The students have been coping fairly well considering the restrictions. Most of the students who were ill and positive for COVID-19 have completed their quarantine and are no longer considered contagious. They are back in their rooms and going to meals with the other students.
Important Health and Safety Measures
The Omicron variant continues to cause illness in the community so we need to vigilant about health and safety measures to keep ourselves safe and those around us safe. These include:
• The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – students are required to wear three-layer surgical masks or N95/KN95 masks anytime they are outside of their room
• Hand hygiene – students are asked to wash their hands frequently
• Physical distancing – students are asked to respect the physical distancing guidelines and remain 6 feet from others when possible
• Cleaning and sanitizing of personal space – students are asked to sanitize their rooms once per day
• Air quality – students are required to leave the purifier in their room on and free from clutter. They are also encouraged to open their window a couple of times per day to let in fresh air
• Anytime a student feels sick with any of the COVID-19 like symptoms, they are to stay in their room and let the Duty Office know they are not feeling well. The nurse will be called to do an assessment
• Staying home as much as possible and limiting close contacts
Resumption of Activities
This weekend we will resume the use of Egan House (in cohorts), the Fitness Room (supervised in cohorts), the Old Gym (in cohorts) and the Arena (supervised with masks and physical distancing in place). We will continue to offer an on-campus program that will include outdoor activities and indoor activities. Students are encouraged to participate. Tomorrow night there will be a virtual paint night with Ms. Carfagnini and Ms. Kim and on Sunday we will play Virtual Code Names with Ms. Fisher. Today students were out tobogganing down the Memorial Field hill. Winter in Canada means great outdoor activities.
Students will also be allowed to sign out off campus locally (local leaves) for short periods of time. We request that if students are togethter with friends that they exercise caution.
We will run the Shopping Shuttle tomorrow so students can go shopping at the grocery store or pick up something from the mall if needed. The Walmart bus will run for the next two Monday evenings to give students a chance to get things that they require.
Student Lounge use will resume and students are welcome to spend time together there.
The Common Rooms will be open in each residence for students to enjoy.
Meals in the Dining Hall will return to normal with both residences eating at the same time. The Dining Hall set up will remain with all seats facing the same direction.
The provincial reopening of more public spaces including restaurants and movie theatres will begin on January 31, 2022.
Again, we want to remind students to exercise caution and use the necessary health and safety measures. We recognize that this is more strict than living at home but living in a congregate setting requires that everyone try to do all that they can to protect themselves and those with whom they live.
In-Person Classes Resume
On Monday January 31, 2022, boarding students will return to in person classes. Again, they are reminded of the importance of the health and safety measures. Some students have indicated they will not be eating lunch in the Dining Hall. This is fine, they can get food to take out. Grade 9s and 10s can take out food from 12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. and Grade 11s and 12s can take food out from 1:00 p.m .– 1:15 p.m. We would ask that students ensure all food waste is put in the garbage so there is no food waste left around boarding. Students are not permitted to attend classes remotely from their room unless they are in isolation.
Boosters and Vaccines
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) said in updated guidance issued Friday January 28, 2022 that adolescents 12-17 years old who live in congregate settings (boarding) should get a booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Those who recently had COVID-19 should wait 30 days before getting a booster dose of the vaccine. For more information about the vaccines go to York Region Public Health COVID-19 Vaccinations. Students who have only two doses of a World Health Organization approved vaccine are required to have one mRNA vaccine to be considered fully vaccinated in Canada. If you wish for your child to get an mRNA vaccine or a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine please send an email to healthcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca and as soon as Public Health opens the appointment booking for those vaccines we will make them an appointment to get the vaccine as soon as possible.
Thank you all for supporting your child during this time. If you have any questions, please feel welcome to contact me.
Sincerely,
Laura Mason
Director of Boarding and Health Services
Confirmed COVID-19 case in boarding at Pickering College (January 23, 2022)
Dear Members of the Pickering College Community,
We are writing to inform you that today we have learned of another positive case of COVID-19 within our boarding community. This is not surprising as the individual who has tested positive was a close contact of a previous positive case. The individual, and those who are close contacts of the individual who has tested positive, are in isolation.
The rest of the boarding students will be monitoring themselves for the same 10 days and will not attend class in person. At this point we expect the isolation period to end Friday January 28, 2022. It is our expectation, at this time, that boarding students will be cleared to be back in classes on Monday January 31, 2022. However, should anyone else test positive, who has not been an identified close contact, we would have to extend the isolation period.
We recognize that this information is worrying for everyone and want to assure you that we are working with York Region Public Health and taking all appropriate steps for the health, safety and well-being of our school community.
Our Boarding staff, Health Centre staff, Facilities staff and Food Services staff continue to work to ensure all our boarding students are safe and well cared for.
COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Public Health encourages all individuals 5 years of age and older (born in 2016 or earlier) to seek out a COVID-19 vaccine. Visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine to learn more and find a vaccine clinic in your area.
COVID-19 Screening
- You must screen daily for COVID-19.
- Parents, students, staff and essential visitors must complete the REACH screening daily prior to attending school.
- Information regarding symptoms listed on the screening tool and isolation requirements are available on our COVID-19 web page.
- As a reminder, if you should find that your child, or someone in your household, tests positive for COVID-19, please let the school know as soon as possible, by emailing healthcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca.
We will continue to update you and our COVID-19 webpage should there be any positive cases among our students or staff.
Peter Sturrup
Head of School
Laura Mason, R.N.
Director of Boarding and Health Services
Boarding families: Positive COVID-19 case in boarding at PC (January 23, 2022)
Dear Parents, Custodians, Students,
Today another one of our students tested positive for COVID-19. This is not surprising as they are a close contact of one of the positive cases. We currently have nine students who have tested positive.
We want you to know that it is not unexpected to have these additional cases as it can take several days for the virus to incubate before students show symptoms. This is the reason for the limitations that we are observing in boarding at this time.
We recognize how difficult it is to be learning this news and your worry is understandable. I want to assure you that the affected students all have minor cold like symptoms.
As mentioned previously, the boarding students will remain online until Friday, January 28. It is our hope they can return to in-person classes on Monday January 31, 2022. All course materials from the Bookstore have been delivered to the Duty Offices, where students can pick them up before the start of their new classes or for those students who are in strict isolation, they will be delivered to their isolation location. It is very important that our boarding students follow the protocols we have in boarding to keep our community as safe as possible.
We are providing activities for students to engage in – these include outside activities for those students who are not in a strict isolation and virtual activities. These activities are happening in the evenings and on the weekends. So far, we have built snow sculptures and snow structures as well as done some tubing on the Memorial Field hill. Students continue to be encouraged to engage in the boarding activities offered.
We will continue to provide our boarding students with support through our Health Services and School Counsellor. We have reminded students of the resources available to them including:
Health Centre staff
School Counsellor
Guidance Counsellor
Boarding Staff
Advisors
The School Counsellor has reached out to students who have tested positive or who are identified close contacts and has made herself available if they need someone to talk with.
It is important for us to know if you are hearing from your child and are concerned, as we do not always hear the same things you do. You can contact me at lmason@pickeringcollege.on.ca or boarding@pickeringcollege.on.ca
The boarding staff will continue to provide the care and attention to the students that you have come to expect. Together we will do our best to meet the needs of the boarding community.
If you have any questions or comments, feel welcome to contact me.
Sincerely,
Laura Mason RN
Director of Boarding and Health Services
New Confirmed COVID-19 Case in Boarding (January 20, 2022)
Dear Members of the PC Community,
We are writing to inform you that today we have learned of another positive case of COVID-19 within our boarding community. This is not surprising as the individual who has tested positive was a close contact of two previous positive cases. The individual, and those who are close contacts of the individual who has tested positive, are in isolation.
We recognize that this information is worrying for everyone and want to assure you that we are working with York Region Public Health and taking all appropriate steps for the health, safety and well-being of our school community.
The rest of the boarding students will be monitoring themselves for the same 10 days and will not attend class in person. At this point we expect the isolation period to end on January 31, 2022. However, should anyone else test positive we would have to extend the isolation period.
Our Boarding staff, Health Centre staff, Facilities staff and Food Services staff continue to work to ensure all our boarding students are safe and well cared for.
COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Public Health encourages all individuals 5 years of age and older (born in 2016 or earlier) to seek out a COVID-19 vaccine. Visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine to learn more and find a vaccine clinic in your area.
COVID-19 Screening
You must screen daily for COVID-19.
Parents, students, staff and essential visitors must complete the REACH screening daily prior to attending school.
Information regarding symptoms listed on the screening tool and isolation requirements are available on our COVID-19 web page.
As a reminder, if you should find that your child, or someone in your household, tests positive for COVID-19, please let the school know as soon as possible, by emailing healthcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca.
We will continue to update you and our COVID-19 webpage should there be any positive cases among our students or staff.
Peter Sturrup
Head of School
Laura Mason, R.N.
Director of Boarding and Health Services
Boarding Families - New Confirmed COVID-19 case in Boarding (January 20, 2022)
Dear Boarding Parents, Custodians and Students:
Today another one of our students tested positive for COVID-19. This is not surprising as they are a close contact of two of the positive cases. We currently have eight students who have tested positive. I want to assure you that the affected students all have minor cold- like symptoms. We recognize how difficult it is to be learning this news and your worry is understandable. We want you to know that it is not unexpected to have these additional cases as it can take several days for the virus to incubate before students show symptoms. This is the reason for the limitations that we are observing in boarding at this time.
As mentioned yesterday, the mental health and well-being of the students is very much a priority. We will continue to provide them with support through our Health Services and School Counsellor. We have reminded students of the resources available to them including:
• Health Centre staff
• School Counsellor
• Guidance Counsellor
• Boarding Staff
• Advisors
The School Counsellor has reached out to students who have tested positive or who are identified close contacts and has made herself available if they need someone to talk with.
It is important for us to know if you are hearing from your child and are concerned, as we don't always hear the same things you hear. You can email myself lmason@pickeringcollege.on.ca or boarding@pickeringcollege.on.ca
Along with their mental health we want to ensure that we are providing activities for students to be engaged in – these include outside activities for those students who are not in a strict isolation and virtual activities. We are encouraging students to participate. These activities are happening in the evenings and on the weekends. Students are finishing up their exams for Semester One online and then will have three days of rest before the start of Semester Two.
The boarding students will remain online until Monday, January 31, 2022 when they can hopefully return to in-person classes. All course materials from the Bookstore will be delivered to the Duty Offices, where students can pick them up before the start of their new classes or for those students who are in strict isolation, they will be delivered to their isolation location.
The boarding staff will continue to provide the care and attention to the students that you have come to expect. Together we will do our best to meet the needs of the boarding community.
If you have any questions or comments, feel welcome to contact me.
Sincerely,
Laura Mason RN
Director of Boarding and Health Services
Confirmed COVID-19 case in Boarding at Pickering College (January 19, 2022)
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New Confirmed Positive Case in Boarding at Pickering College (January 19, 2022)
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Update Re: Positive COVID-19 cases in boarding at PC (January 17, 2022)
Dear Boarding Parents, Custodians and Students:
I am writing to give you an update on the situation in our boarding program. We recognize that the news you have heard from your children over the course of today is cause for concern and worry.
As you have heard, we have had several cases of COVID-19 in our boarding population. I want to assure you that we are working with York Region Public Health and our school doctor to take all the necessary steps to contain the spread of the virus to the best of our ability.
The first step we have taken is to isolate the students who have tested positive. This was done from the time they first identified they were experiencing symptoms. These students have relatively mild cold-like symptoms and are being cared for by the Health Centre staff. The treatment at this point is for symptoms.
As boarding is a higher risk environment (many people live together in a congregate setting sharing common spaces and washrooms), Public Health requires that students have to isolate or self-monitor for a period of at least 10 days, regardless of vaccination status. The safety measures that we have been employing during the pandemic remain as important as ever and include physical distancing, mask wearing, hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene and enhanced cleaning and disinfecting.
At this time, students who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate in designated isolation areas for 10 days. We now have a dedicated apartment space in the New House boarding house and the Health Centre has also been dedicated to isolation. If we need more spaces than available, we will need to have more students transferred to the local hotel we have been using for isolating students for the last 18 months, where they will be supervised by Pickering College staff.
Students who have been identified as close contacts must self-isolate in their room for 10 days. Students who are in isolation because they have tested positive or are an identified close contact will have regular check-ins with staff, meals delivered to their rooms and be required to wear an N95/KN95 mask when they need to use the washroom.
The remaining boarding students are required to self-monitor for ten (10) days from a confirmed case. During this time:
- Students are not permitted to have other boarding students in their room (except for their roommate)
- Students MUST wear their mask, at all times, when outside of their room
- Students MUST do their REACH screening, each morning
- Students will attend classes online from their room – they must follow the guidelines for online classes (wearing their uniform shirt, always having their camera on while in class and participating in class as they would if they were there in person)
- Students who are healthy and have a Custodian or Parent that they can stay with are encouraged to do so and they should remain with them until boarding is no longer in isolation/self-monitoring
- Students who are currently off campus should remain off campus until we are no longer in isolation/self-monitoring
- Students have been told to limit the washrooms to one student at a time and use their assigned washroom
- Students will need to tie up their garbage each morning and place it outside their room for facilities staff to pick up
- Students will need to disinfect their room daily (they will be provided with the necessary materials to do this)
- Each room is equipped with a stand-alone HEPA filter air purifier and students have been reminded that they must always keep them free from blockage and powered on
- Each student should ensure that they open the window in their room during the day to get some fresh air in their room
- Those students that are self-monitoring are permitted to go outside around campus
- The use of Egan House (Gym), the Fitness Room and the arena has been suspended until further notice
- Each boarding house will go to the Dining Hall for meals/snack at a designated time which will limit the number of people in the Dining Hall and reduce any additional contacts
- Students have the option of taking food to go back to their room
- Those in isolation due to a positive test or being a close contact will have their meals delivered to them
- Boarding staff will carry the Duty Cell Phone – students know that they can contact the Duty Cell Phone anytime they need to speak to someone.
- There will be a nurse on call overnight and on the weekends that staff can access – as is always the case
- Suspension of all off campus activities continues until further notice
We have asked that all the students in our care respect the protocols put in place for their safety. We know that this is a difficult time for our students and for you, our families. We are here to support your child and care for them. If you feel that your child is stressed and not coping well, please let us know, as we do not always hear the same things you are hearing. Our boarding staff will be checking in with them regularly. We will do everything possible to make this time as easy as possible. Be assured that we will do everything we can to care for them and limit the spread of COVID-19.
Vaccination continues to be an important tool in protecting people against COVID-19. Those that have been vaccinated with a vaccine that has not been approved by Health Canada are advised to get 1 mRNA vaccine to be considered fully vaccinated. Most of the boarding students have already done this. If your child has not, please let the Health Centre know and we can make the necessary arrangements after this isolation period is over. We have had several parents ask about third doses for 12–18-year-olds, they have not announced this yet in the Ontario vaccine roll out but once they do, we will communicate this to you. We will also communicate any updates as they become available.
If you have any questions, feel welcome to contact me anytime.
Sincerely,
Laura Mason RN
Director of Boarding and Health Services
Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Boarding at Pickering College (January 17, 2022)
Dear Members of the PC Community,
We are writing to inform you that we have several positive cases of COVID-19 within our boarding community. Those who have tested positive, or are close contacts of someone who has tested positive, are in isolation.
We recognize that this information is worrying for everyone and want to assure you that we are working with York Region Public Health and taking all appropriate steps for the health, safety and well-being of our school community.
York Region Public Health have advised that, as boarding is considered a highest risk setting, people testing positive, and close contacts, must isolate for at least 10 days from symptom onset (or from positive specimen collection date if asymptomatic).
The rest of the boarding students will be monitoring themselves for the same 10 days and will not attend class in person.
Our Boarding staff, Health Centre staff, Facilities staff and Food Services staff have all worked to ensure all our boarding students are safe and well cared for.
COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Public Health encourages all individuals 5 years of age and older (born in 2016 or earlier) to seek out a COVID-19 vaccine. Visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine to learn more and find a vaccine clinic in your area.
COVID-19 Screening
You must screen daily for COVID-19.
Parents, students, staff and essential visitors must complete the REACH screening daily prior to attending school.
Information regarding symptoms listed on the screening tool and isolation requirements are available on our COVID-19 web page.
As a reminder, if you should find that your child, or someone in your household, tests positive for COVID-19, please let the school know as soon as possible, by emailing healthcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca.
We will continue to update you and our COVID-19 webpage should there be any positive cases among our students or staff.
Peter Sturrup
Head of School
Laura Mason, RN
Director of Boarding and Health Services
Notification: Positive COVID-19 case in boarding (January 15, 2022)
Dear Members of the Pickering College Boarding Community:
I am writing to inform you that today we have learned of a positive case of COVID-19 within our boarding community.
We recognize that this information is worrying for everyone and want to assure you that we are following Public Health protocols and taking all appropriate steps for the health, safety and well-being of our boarding community. Close contacts have been notified.
Public Health requires that all close contacts isolate, regardless of vaccination status or previous COVID-19 infection. Details of the positive case cannot be shared for privacy considerations.
York Region Public Health is no longer doing investigations of COVID-19 exposures so we have identified the close contacts and they will be isolating for the required number of days. In a boarding environment, the isolation period is 10 days (not the 5 days that would be required in a home setting).
In the meantime, we will cancel all off campus leaves for the next eight days and keep students in boarding. We will do everything we can to minimize any potential spread of the virus. We recognize that this is difficult. As discussed, any students that are identified as close contacts will need to isolate with their Custodian or at the Comfort Inn hotel for the required number of days.
Students remaining in residence are asked to stay on their designated floor and refrain from visiting students on other floors. All students MUST wear a mask at all times in boarding until the isolation period is over. At this point we expect the isolation period to end on January 24, 2022. However, should anyone else test positive we would have to extend the isolation period.
We have a nurse on duty or on call at all times and if your child is worried, they can speak with the boarding staff who can contact the nurse or the school counsellor. We will continue to care for your children but should they need to further isolate, their Custodian will be contacted.
COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Public Health encourages all individuals five years of age and older (born in 2016 or earlier) to seek out a COVID-19 vaccine. Visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine to learn more and find a vaccine clinic in your area.
If you have any questions, please feel welcome to contact me.
Sincerely,
Laura Mason
Director of Boarding and Health Services
Plans to return to in-person learning (January 13, 2022)
Dear Parents, Custodians and Students:
The purpose of this message is to provide you with the school's plans regarding the return to in-person learning.
There is a strong consensus that students need to be learning in-person for their mental health, well-being, and academic needs. However, there is not a similar consensus on how soon that should happen.
As you know, last Tuesday the provincial government announced a suspension of in-person learning for all public and private schools in Ontario until at least January 17, 2022, citing a coming "tsunami of cases" and the strain the health care system would face. Since that announcement just over a week ago, cases remain at the highest level of the pandemic and are not expected to peak for another week or two, and hospital and ICU occupancies have increased. Additionally, the province has a shortage of tests, has restricted who can be tested, has stopped reporting on positive cases in schools and has tightened the screening guidelines, leading to a lack of credible data combined with a possibility of more people staying home because of symptoms.
It is important to acknowledge that Omicron is present and pervasive and that many staff and students are likely to become positive in the coming weeks. One of our greatest challenges will be managing student absences and staffing shortages while continuing to offer a high quality and safe program.
We wish to assure you that all the safety measures that have been recommended for schools to have in place are in place here at our school. We have supplies of N95/KN95 masks for all staff, appropriate ventilation and filters in all rooms, a vigorous screening process, non-essential staff working from home and solid cohorting guidelines in place to minimize contacts.
The most important safety step that all members of our community can take is to ensure they are fully vaccinated.
Many of our staff, students and parents are eager for a return to in-person learning and the school respects those wishes. However, a return to in-person learning also must reflect the realities of the environment we are experiencing right now and ensure the safety of our staff and students and our ability to consistently offer a high-quality academic program. Thus, we are making cautious decisions, with the mental and physical health of our students, their families, and staff as our top priority.
After careful review we are planning to offer a 3-stage approach to returning to in-person learning.
Stage 1: Junior School Returns
On Monday, January 17, Junior School will return to in-person learning. This will address the needs of the students who have the most difficulty learning in an online setting. It will also allow the facilities staff to do the necessary cleaning to keep the school safe, without having to cover the entire school. It will also allow for a safer, carefully managed reintroduction of the lunch program.
All homeroom classes will be taught in person, while specialist teachers will deliver their program virtually. This will limit the interactions between cohorts.
As parents, you have the choice to keep your children home if you are concerned. Students who do not attend in-person will be offered an asynchronous academic program until they can return. Asynchronous learning consists of daily learning resources posted on Edsby or communicated through the teacher. The student will work independently, and the teacher will arrange check-in meetings with the student. More information on this will be forthcoming from teachers and the Divisional Director, Maria Di Mambro.
Parents are asked to inform Maria Di Mambro by Friday, January 14 if you intend to keep your children home and will be required to do so for successive two-week periods.
Parents are asked to follow the screening guidelines carefully and dutifully and to keep your children home if they demonstrate any symptoms. Students who cannot attend school will be offered an asynchronous academic program until they can return.
Parents are also asked to report any positive cases of their children to the Health Centre. We, in turn, are committed to informing the cohort of the presence of a positive case as soon as we can. Other parents in the cohort may then decide to keep their child home.
With each positive case we will assess the safety of the learning environment and the ability to offer a quality academic program. The school reserves the right to decide to move the cohort, the division or the school back to an online program should safety be a concern or if staffing shortages require it.
Lunch will continue to be delivered to the classroom. Co-curriculars will be limited to low-risk, low contact activities.
Drop off times will be the same as before the holiday break, dismissal will be at 3:30 for Primary and 3:15 for Junior.
Parents are asked to complete the Rapid Antigen Test sent home before the break on the evening of the day before your child returns to school. We request that you report any positive results to the Health Centre at healthcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca.
The school has a modest supply of Rapid Antigen Tests and has ordered more. Unfortunately, the provincial commitment to supply Rapid Antigen Tests to all schools only applies to publicly funded schools currently and therefore does not apply to independent schools.
For fully vaccinated individuals, the updated COVID-19 testing, and isolation guidelines expect that if your child has any symptoms of COVID-19, assume the child is positive and self-isolate for five days. Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or immunocompromised individuals should self-isolate for 10 days.
Parents are asked to provide their child with a supply of three-layer surgical masks or N95/KN95 masks. A surgical mask with a cloth mask over top is a good option. A cloth mask alone is no longer sufficient to stop the spread of the virus.
Stage 2: Middle School Returns
On Thursday, January 20, Middle School will return to in-person learning. This will give the school time to prepare and our facilities and food services staff the time to adjust for the work associated with having more students in the school. The school will be monitoring the impact of the return to in-person learning within the school and in the community.
All classes will be taught in person. The schedule has been slightly revised to limit the number of contacts of different teachers. This schedule will be posted on the school's website on the School Information page.
As parents, you have the choice to keep your children home if you are concerned. Students who do not attend in-person will be offered an asynchronous academic program until they can return. Asynchronous learning consists of daily learning resources posted on Edsby or communicated through the teacher. The student will work independently, and the teacher will arrange check-in meetings with the student. More information on this will be forthcoming from teachers and Divisional Director, Julie Clement.
Parents are asked to inform Julie Clement by Monday, January 17 if you intend to keep your children home and will be required to do so for successive two-week periods.
Parents are asked to follow the screening guidelines carefully and dutifully and to keep your children home if they demonstrate symptoms. Students who cannot attend school will be offered an asynchronous academic program until they can return.
Parents are also asked to report any positive cases of their children to the Health Centre. We, in turn are committed to informing the cohort of the presence of a positive case as soon as we can. Parents may then decide to keep their children home.
With each positive case we will assess the safety of the learning environment and the ability to offer a quality academic program. The school reserves the right to decide to move the cohort, the division or the school back to an online program should safety be a concern or if staffing shortages require it.
A modified schedule and seating arrangement has been developed for the Dining Hall to maintain cohorts and limit contacts.
Co-curriculars will be limited to low-risk, low contact activities.
Drop off times will be the same as before the holiday break, with dismissal at 3:15.
Parents are asked to complete the Rapid Antigen Test sent home before the break on the evening of the day before your child returns to school. We request that you report any positive results to the Health Centre at healthcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca.
The school has a modest supply of Rapid Antigen Tests and has ordered more. Unfortunately, the provincial commitment to supply Rapid Antigen Tests to all schools only applies to publicly funded schools currently and therefore does not apply to independent schools.
For fully vaccinated individuals, the updated COVID-19 testing and isolation guidelines expect that if your child has any symptoms of COVID-19, assume your child is positive and self-isolate for five days. Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or immunocompromised individuals should self-isolate for 10 days.
Parents are asked to provide their child with a supply of three-layer surgical masks or N95/KN95 masks. A surgical mask with a cloth mask over top is a good option. A cloth mask alone is no longer sufficient to stop the spread of the virus.
Stage 3: Senior School Returns
On Tuesday, January 25, Senior School students will return to in-person learning. This will be the start of the second semester. This will mean that students complete their final three days of classes and final assessments online thereby eliminating the mixing of cohorts between first and second semester. Senior School teachers have already prepared their summative evaluations/ culminating activities based on being online.
Senior School students will have up to four classes, all of which will be taught in person.
As parents, you have the choice to keep your children home if you are concerned. Students who do not attend in-person will be offered an asynchronous academic program until they can return. Asynchronous learning consists of daily learning resources posted on Edsby or communicated through the teacher. The student will work independently, and the teacher will arrange check-in meetings with the student. More information on this will be forthcoming from teachers and Divisional Director, Chris Schneider.
Parents are asked to inform Chris Schneider by Wednesday, January 19 if you intend to keep your children home and will be required to do so for successive two-week periods.
Parents are asked to follow the screening guidelines carefully and dutifully and keep your children home if they demonstrate symptoms. Students who cannot attend school will be offered an asynchronous academic program until they can return.
Parents are also asked to report any positive cases of their children to the Health Centre. We, in turn are committed to informing the cohort of the presence of a positive case as soon as we can. Parents may then decide to keep their children home.
With each positive case we will assess the safety of the learning environment and the ability to offer a quality academic program. The school reserves the right to decide to move the cohort, the division or the school back to an online program should safety be a concern or if staffing shortages require it.
A modified schedule and seating arrangement is being developed for the Dining Hall to maintain cohorts and limit contacts.
Co-curriculars will be limited to low-risk, low contact activities.
Drop off times will be the same as before the holiday break, with dismissal at 3:30.
Parents are asked to complete the Rapid Antigen Test sent home before the break on the evening of the day before your child returns to school. We request that you report any positive results to the Health Centre at healthcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca.
The school has a modest supply of Rapid Antigen Tests and has ordered more. Unfortunately, the provincial commitment to supply Rapid Antigen Tests to all schools only applies to publicly funded schools currently and therefore does not apply to independent schools.
For fully vaccinated individuals, the updated COVID-19 testing and isolation guidelines expect that if your child has any symptoms of COVID-19, assume your child is positive and self-isolate for five days. Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or immunocompromised individuals should self-isolate for 10 days.
Parents are asked to provide their child with a supply of three-layer surgical masks or N95/KN95 masks. A surgical mask with a cloth mask over top is a good option. A cloth mask alone is no longer sufficient to stop the spread of the virus.
We believe this staged approach meets the needs of all members of our community while taking a cautious approach to returning to in-person learning. Ensuring the safety of our students and staff while maintaining a consistent, high-quality academic program are our primarily concerns.
We are facing a challenging few weeks ahead but look forward to being back in school. We appreciate your continued support, your feedback and your understanding.
Peter Sturrup
Head of School
Laura Mason, RN
Director of Boarding & Health Services
Vaccination Policy for 2022-2023 (January 6, 2022)
Dear Parents and Custodians,
I am writing today with information about the steps Pickering College is taking with respect to increasing the safety of our community through our vaccination policy for the 2022-2023 academic year.
We feel we must take every step possible to protect the wellbeing of our students and staff. Quite simply, getting vaccinated is one of the most important means to combat the severity and impact of COVID-19 in our community.
Vaccinations work, they reduce serious illness and hospitalizations and the side effects are rare and minimal compared to the impact of a COVID-19 infection. Vaccinations can also prevent students from missing in-school days, in the event of a positive case in their class.
While the province has not required COVID-19 vaccinations become mandatory for eligible students, there is a clear consensus in the medical community that approved COVID vaccinations for children are safe and effective.
At Pickering College, 100% of our staff are fully vaccinated. All volunteers, visitors and contractors must show proof of being fully vaccinated to be on campus. According to the information that is submitted to us by parents, 91% of our students 12 years of age and older are fully vaccinated.
VACCINATION POLICY FOR STUDENTS
As previously announced, for the academic year 2022-2023, all students 12 years of age and older will be required to be fully vaccinated, unless a medical exemption is approved.
After considerable thought we have made the decision to implement a two-step approach to a mandatory student vaccination policy here at Pickering College for all eligible students 5 to 11 years of age.
We are taking this step to protect the health and safety of staff and students, and in particular, to protect the vulnerable populations in our care. This policy will help to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Getting your children vaccinated can help protect them against COVID-19, as well as reduce disruptions to in-person learning and activities by helping to curb community transmission. This policy has been endorsed by the senior leadership team and the Board of Directors.
The first step is that all eligible Pickering College students 5- 11 years of age must provide proof of full vaccination by August 15, 2022. This information will be collected by the Health Centre and will be kept confidential.
After the beginning of the academic year 2022-2023, students 5 to 11 years of age who have not provided proof will be required to have rapid antigen testing a minimum of two times per week, will not be allowed to participate in co-curricular sports, may face some limitations in gym classes, will not be able to travel on trips or engage in activities where proof of vaccination is required and will continue to require enhanced PPE to protect themselves and their classmates.
The second step will be in anticipation of September 2023, when all eligible students 5-11 years of age will be required to be fully vaccinated, unless a medical exemption is approved.
Please be advised that given the rapidly changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of new variants of concerns, the school reserves the right to revise this policy at its discretion. While the school will endeavour to provide as much notice as possible, the safety of our students and staff will determine the process of decision-making.
Thank you for your assistance and support of this policy. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or Laura Mason.
Peter Sturrup
Head of School
Remote learning begins Wednesday, January 5 (January 3, 2022)
Dear Members of the Pickering College Community,
Today, the Ontario government ordered publicly funded and private elementary and secondary schools to move to remote learning starting January 5 until at least January 17, subject to public health trends and operational considerations.
Before the holiday break, we arranged for students to take home all essential learning resources. We ask that you take a moment to review the school information for 2021-2022 webpages for additional information about remote and virtual learning and in particular note that during remote and virtual learning, the daily schedule is modified for each division, Junior School, Middle School and Senior School. Boarding remains open and students are supervised and supported by our boarding staff. Boarding students continue to have the on-campus amenities they enjoy throughout the school year.
Further academic information specific to the various divisions, such as exams in the Senior School, will be in a communication later this week.
While we anticipate that in-person classes will resume on January 18, 2022, the government has indicated decisions will be tied to hospitalization rates. We will be following closely the direction of the Ministry of Education for any changes they may announce to the opening or closure of schools in the province and will communicate any updates to you. Information regarding rebates will be communicated after the return to in-person learning.
Now more than ever, we feel we must take every step possible to protect the wellbeing of our students and staff. Quite simply, getting vaccinated is one of the most important means to combat the severity and impact of COVID-19 in our community. Vaccinations work, they reduce serious illness and hospitalizations and the side effects are rare and minimal compared to the impacts of COVID-19 infections.
It is important to monitor yourself and your family for symptoms of COVID-19. If you should find that your child, or someone in your household, tests positive for COVID-19, please let the school know as soon as possible, by emailing healthcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca. All confirmed positive cases through testing will be posted on our website.
Everyone should follow public health measures, including staying home as much as possible, avoiding playdates, etc., practicing physical distancing, washing your hands thoroughly and often, practice respiratory etiquette, avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands, cleaning high touch surfaces often, and to make sure you and your children are wearing a high-quality three-ply face mask.
We also recognize that this continues to place a strain on the mental health of those people closest to us. If you or people close to you are struggling emotionally, know that you are not alone. Please reach out:
Canadian Mental Health Association COVID-19 Supports
The Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868
We want to thank you – our parents, students, faculty and staff - for your ongoing ability to adapt and change to meet the demands that the global pandemic has placed on everyone. This has not been easy, and we recognize that this has been stressful for many people in our community. Thank you for all that you do to support us in keeping our students, faculty and staff as safe as possible.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at psturrup@pickeringcollege.on.ca or Laura Mason at lmason@pickeringcollege.on.ca.
Peter Sturrup
Head of School
Laura Mason, RN
Director of Boarding & Health Services
Return to School Plan for Jan. 5, 2022 (December 31, 2021)
Dear Members of the PC Community,
Yesterday, the Ontario government announced that students are set to return to in-person classes on January 5, 2022. Therefore, there will be no classes for students at Pickering College on January 4, 2022. Pickering College staff will use this time to prepare for the additional public health measures and to update our screening tool.
Boarding remains open and students are supervised, supported by our boarding staff and participating in our winter break program.
We will monitor and evaluate the situation and communicate as new information becomes available. The information below reflects the return to school plan for January 5 to 14th. There will be another communication before January 14 with updates for the following weeks.
Pickering College will return to in-person classes for all students on Wednesday, January 5th. Parents who choose to keep their child/ren home should inform the division Director on or before January 3rd so packages for asynchronous learning can be prepared for January 5 to 14. Rebates will only be available should there be a government or public health mandated school closure.
There is an expectation that parents complete the Rapid Antigen Test sent home before the break on the evening of Tuesday, January 4 (before their child/ren return to school) and to report any positive results to healthcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca For fully vaccinated individuals, the updated COVID-19 testing and isolation guidelines expect that if your child/ren have any symptoms of COVID-19, assume the child/ren is positive and self-isolate for five days. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals should self-isolate for 10 days.
As we have previously communicated, it is strongly recommended that students wear high-quality three-ply cloth masks.
There may be modifications to the academic program to limit contact and we will provide you with additional information on Tuesday, January 4th. Starting in January, we are only permitting low-contact indoor sports (gym classes) and safe co-curricular programs such as clubs. Also paused are multi-cohort choirs (which we don't have) and wind instrument ensembles. Middle School dismissal will be at 3:15 and Senior School dismissal will be at 3:30. Junior School dismissal will be at the usual time. Dismissal for Grades 3-5 is at 3:15 and Kindergarten to Grade 2 is 3:30.
As a reminder, if you should find that your child, or someone in your household, tests positive for COVID-19 over the holidays, please let the school know as soon as possible, by emailing healthcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca. As a school, we are still required to report any positive cases within our school community to York Region Public Health. We will continue to update you should there be any positive cases among our students or staff. As mentioned above, with limited testing available, we need to rely on people to assume they are positive if they have symptoms and isolate accordingly.
The Pickering College REACH screening questions will be updated to reflect the new provincial screening requirements. It remains critically important to continue to screen your children for symptoms each day before coming to school to avoid bringing COVID-19 into school. A more sensitive COVID-19 symptom list is being reinstated for daily active screening of all students and staff in schools. Anyone who has symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 or is confirmed positive case must self-isolate, regardless of vaccination status. If a child is experiencing at least one symptom most commonly associated with COVID-19 or two or more symptoms less commonly associated with COVID-19 they must self-isolate as per public health guidelines. If a child is experiencing only one symptom less commonly associated with COVID-19 they must stay home until their symptom has been improving for 24 hours (48 hours for nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea). Household members, including siblings, must stay home until the household member experiencing symptom(s) is cleared from their isolation.
For Boarding families, it is important to know that should isolation/quarantine be required it is our expectation that students would do so with their local custodian. If this is not possible, students will be required to isolate/quarantine off campus at the family's expense.
At this time there will be restricted sign out privileges for boarding students. For example, boarding students cannot sign out to friends houses for the weekend etc. and there will be no extended out of bounds leaves. All on campus amenities will be available to boarding students.
Now as much as ever, it is also important for everyone to follow public health measures, including staying home as much as possible, avoiding all gatherings, even with family members who are not part of your immediate household, practicing physical distancing, washing your hands thoroughly and often, practice respiratory etiquette, avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands, cleaning high touch surfaces often, wearing a face mask when physical distancing is not possible and downloading the COVID-Alert app. It is important to monitor yourself and your family for symptoms of COVID-19 and seek assessment and testing if necessary. To protect our students and staff, we are counting on families to do the right thing and keep their children home if they are not feeling well.
We must remain as vigilant as ever as we return to in-person learning. Students are asked to return home immediately at the end of the school day and not congregate near the school, or elsewhere at the end of the school day.
We appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to welcoming our students back to campus on Wednesday, January 5, 2022.
Peter Sturrup
Head of School
Laura Mason, R.N.
Director of Boarding and Health Services
Confirmed COVID-19 case at Pickering College (December 24, 2021)
Dear Members of the Pickering College Community,
I'm writing to inform you that we were advised of a positive case of COVID-19 within our school community. As a result, we have contacted York Region Public Health and Public health advises that the COVID-19 protocols remain in place (please see information below).
We recognize that this information is worrying for everyone, and want to assure you that we are working with Public Health and taking all appropriate steps for the health, safety and well-being of our school community. Close contacts and affected cohorts have been notified.
Please note that Pickering College will be listed in outbreak surveillance on York Region Public Health's website for the next 14 days.
Laura Mason, RN
Director of Boarding and Health Services
York Region Public Health has received the report of a COVID-19 exposure at Pickering College located in Newmarket. We want to assure you we are taking all the appropriate steps for your
health, safety and the well- being of the children and staff in the school community. The Ontario Ministry of Health has issued new guidance for management of cases and contacts due to emergence of the Omicron variant, which requires all close contacts to isolate regardless of vaccination status or previous COVID-19 infection. Details of the investigation cannot be shared due to privacy considerations.
Close Contacts
If you are identified as a close contact of a confirmed case and have potentially been exposed to COVID-19, you have received an email from the Health Centre with isolation and testing instructions for you and your household members. If you did not receive the email, you are not considered a close contact.
COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from
serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
Public Health encourages all individuals 5 years of age and older (born in 2016 or earlier) to seek out a COVID-19 vaccine. Visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine to learn more and find a vaccine clinic in your area.
School Response
The school is working diligently with York Region Public Health to review and strengthen public health measures within the setting. These measures include masking, physical distancing, hand hygiene, cohorting, screening, cleaning, disinfecting and case and contact management.
It is important to follow York Region Public Health's advice. Please visit york.ca/COVID19 for information on ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and what to do if you think you or a family member may have COVID-19.
COVID-19 Screening
You must screen daily for COVID-19.
Parents, students, staff and essential visitors must complete the provincial school and child care screening tool daily prior to attending the setting.
The symptoms listed on the screening tool include the most common symptoms of COVID-19. If you or your child have one of these symptoms:
• Self-isolate along with any unvaccinated members of your household
• Do not attend school or child care
• Seek out assessment and testing at a COVID-19 Assessment Centre
Other less common symptoms of COVID-19 include sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, abdominal pain, headache, pink eye, or lack of appetite. If you have one of these less-common symptoms, you must stay home from school or child care until symptoms are improving for 24 hours, but you would not require a negative COVID-19 test, alternative medical diagnosis, or isolation for 10 days from symptom onset before returning to school or child care.
If you have been identified as a high risk close contact of a COVID-19 case, report any symptoms of COVID-19 to your school administrator/operator.
If you have any questions or concerns, please visit york.ca/COVID19 or contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653. You can also visit york.ca/SafeAtSchool for more information.
Confirmed COVID-19 case at Pickering College (December 20, 2021)
Dear Members of the Pickering College Community,
I'm writing to inform you that we were advised of a positive case of COVID-19 within our school community. As a result, we have contacted York Region Public Health and we ask that you read the letter from them that appears below.
We recognize that this information is worrying for everyone, and want to assure you that we are working with Public Health and taking all appropriate steps for the health, safety and well-being of our school community. Close contacts and affected cohorts have been notified.
Please note that Pickering College will be listed in outbreak surveillance on York Region Public Health's website for the next 14 days.
Laura Mason, RN
Director of Boarding and Health Services
GENERAL NOTIFICATION OF COVID-19 CASE AT Pickering College
December 20, 2021
Dear Staff and Families:
York Region Public Health is currently investigating a COVID-19 exposure at Pickering College located in Newmarket. We want to assure you we are taking all the appropriate steps for your
health, safety and the well- being of the children and staff in the school community. The Ontario Ministry of Health has issued new guidance for management of cases and contacts due to emergence of the Omicron variant, which requires all close contacts to isolate regardless of vaccination status or previous COVID-19 infection. Details of the investigation cannot be shared due to privacy considerations.
Close Contacts and Cohort Dismissal
York Region Public Health is conducting a thorough investigation of the exposure. If you are identified as a close contact of a confirmed case and have potentially been exposed to COVID-19, you will also receive a letter from York Region Public Health with isolation and testing instructions for you and your household members. If you do not receive a letter from Public Health, you are not considered a close contact and are safe to continue attending.
COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from
serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
Public Health encourages all individuals 5 years of age and older (born in 2016 or earlier) to seek out a COVID-19 vaccine. Visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine to learn more and find a vaccine clinic in your area.
School Response
The school is working diligently with York Region Public Health to review and strengthen public health measures within the setting. These measures include masking, physical distancing, hand hygiene, cohorting, screening, cleaning, disinfecting and case and contact management.
It is important to follow York Region Public Health's advice. Please visit york.ca/COVID19 for information on ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and what to do if you think you or a family member may have COVID-19.
COVID-19 Screening
You must screen daily for COVID-19.
Parents, students, staff and essential visitors must complete the provincial school and child care screening tool daily prior to attending the setting.
The symptoms listed on the screening tool include the most common symptoms of COVID-19. If you or your child have one of these symptoms:
• Self-isolate along with any unvaccinated members of your household
• Do not attend school or child care
• Seek out assessment and testing at a COVID-19 Assessment Centre
Other less common symptoms of COVID-19 include sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, abdominal pain, headache, pink eye, or lack of appetite. If you have one of these less-common symptoms, you must stay home from school or child care until symptoms are improving for 24 hours, but you would not require a negative COVID-19 test, alternative medical diagnosis, or isolation for 10 days from symptom onset before returning to school or child care.
If you have been identified as a high risk close contact of a COVID-19 case, report any symptoms of COVID-19 to your school administrator/operator.
If you have any questions or concerns, please visit york.ca/COVID19 or contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653. You can also visit york.ca/SafeAtSchool for more information.
Rapid Antigen Screening Kits for Students (December 16, 2021)
Dear Students, Parents and Custodians:
In an effort to promote a safe return to the classroom after the winter break, on behalf of the Government of Ontario, Pickering College is pleased to provide take-home rapid antigen screening kits to all students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.
The rapid antigen screening kits are intended for use by any child at Pickering College, regardless of their vaccination status. Rapid antigen screening kits have been distributed to all students.
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. However, boarding students who have left the residence and remained in Canada must have a rapid antigen screening test immediately before their return. And students who have left the country (regardless of destination) must have a negative PCR test before their return (students who have a PCR test done must isolate until the results are available).
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 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 is also 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.
Families are reminded that students are to take home all of their belongings along with any device(s) to be prepared for remote learning should it be required after the holiday.
Please read the important information below prior to using the rapid antigen screening kit.
When to use the rapid antigen screening kit
For students who choose to use rapid antigen screening kits, it is recommended that the test be done every 3-4 days over the holiday break, on 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 a close contact of 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.
The Ministry of Education has requested that parents report their child(ren)'s test results through the THRIVE app (more information to follow via email).
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 with the 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 the screening on children who may need help (i.e., younger children).
What to do after your test:
You will know the outcome of your test within 15 minutes Even if your child tests negative, they should continue to adhere to all relevant public health guidance, such as guidance on gathering, physical distancing, mask wearing, hand hygiene, etc. Upload the test results through the THRIVE app (details to follow in an email).
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 testing and isolate themselves until the result of that confirmatory PCR test is known.
If your child tests positive, please inform the Health Centre at healthcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca
We wish everyone a safe and relaxing holiday. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Mason at lmason@pickeringcollege.on.ca or York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653.
Sincerely,
Laura Mason, RN
Director of Boarding and Health Services
A letter on behalf of York Region Public Health (December 14, 2021)
Dear PC families,
Below you will find a message from York Region Public Health that they have asked all schools to share.
Dear York Region Parents, Families and School Communities,
Thanks to the efforts of school administrators, teachers, families and many others, schools have been a safe place for children throughout the pandemic. However, increasing cases in the community particularly amongst our five to 11-year-old population and the Omicron variant have changed the situation very rapidly. The rate of cases among five to 11-year-olds in York Region has increased significantly since October 2021; as of today, it is currently 164 cases per 100,000 population, which is over three times higher than the next highest rate of infection (40-year-olds).
It is critically important that eligible children are vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible. Going into January 2022 with as many students vaccinated, even with one dose, will increase the likelihood we can avoid disruptions to in-person learning following the holiday break – something York Region Public Health acknowledges as essential for student achievement and mental health and well-being. As of December 14, 2021, over one third of children five to 11 have been vaccinated and we are aiming for a goal of 50% by December 20, 2021.
Children vaccinated before the holiday break will immediately be eligible to follow our modified sibling dismissal instructions in 2022. The modified sibling dismissal instructions will allow siblings of individuals part of a dismissed cohort to return to school in-person if it has been at least 14 days since their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. This change minimizes the loss of in-school learning for siblings. Getting first doses as soon as possible also allows for second doses to be received as quickly as possible, ensuring robust protection against COVID-19 and sustained in-person learning. If trends continue as they are, we expect there will be many more exposures and dismissals in schools, particularly following the upcoming holidays. This will result in significant numbers of children missing in-person learning opportunities. Early vaccination is your best protection from severe COVID-19 outcomes and to preserve in-person learning this year.
There are many opportunities to get vaccinated this week. This weekend there will be a dedicated family-friendly COVID-19 vaccine clinic on December 18 and 19 (visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine for more information), by appointment only from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic High School in the City of Vaughan.
This special clinic is your opportunity to get your child a paediatric COVID-19 vaccine while they enjoy some 'Beary' special perks including special guests, music, tropical decorations and beach attire, a beach-themed selfie station, giveaways and more!
Clinic Details
The clinic will offer the paediatric Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine; adolescent/adult vaccines will also be available
Approximately 2,000 appointments will be available each day
The clinic also offers longer appointment times and added support from trained and caring health care providers to reduce anxiety and vaccine-related fears
The Beach Day clinic location can be accessed by public transit and there is ample parking for those arriving by car
This location offers a fully accessible main floor location with washrooms available
Translation services will be available onsite
Attendees are also encouraged to dress in beach wear, bring their favourite teddy bear or stuffed toy and/or other comfort item (e.g. iPad, tablet, handheld toy) to make them feel more comfortable
Finally, all students will have received or will be receiving five rapid antigen tests to use over the holidays.
Please use them before any holiday gathering your school-aged child(ren) may be attending to ensure these gatherings remain safe.
Also, reserve two of the tests to use on Friday, December 31, 2021 and Sunday, January 2, 2022 to help ensure COVID-19 is not being brought into schools following the holiday break.
As a reminder, any positive result on a rapid test must be followed up with a PCR test within 24 hours at a COVID-19 Assessment Centre and individuals must isolate while waiting to get tested and for their results.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and collaboration in keeping our schools safe and wishing you and your families a restful holiday break.
Dr. Barry Pakes
Medical Officer of Health
York Region Public Health
Note: Pickering College is scheduled to pick up the rapid antigen tests on Thursday morning and will be sending the tests and instructions home Thursday at the end of the day. Watch your email for specific instructions about testing and reporting.
COVID-19 vaccination reminders and holiday travel (December 1, 2021)
Dear PC families,
With the approach of the holiday season, we wanted to take the opportunity to provide you with some additional information and reminders. Note that the COVID-19 pandemic is evolving and that both the situation around the globe and public health recommendations are subject to change.
We will communicate additional information to our families as it becomes available but also ask that each family follow the recommendations as they apply to their situation.
Proof of vaccination
Parents of students ages 12 and older are asked to submit proof of their child's full vaccination against COVID-19 by email to healthcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca or by fax 1-905-895-1052 by January 3, 2022.
Proof can be in the form of:
- A COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination document (vaccine passport or dosage receipts)
- A letter from a medical practitioner confirming the student has been vaccinated
Pickering College will only collect, use, and disclose information regarding a student's vaccination status in accordance with its Privacy Policy and all applicable privacy laws. Proof of vaccination will be kept in a confidential file, stored in a secure location.
Travel over the winter break
We want to remind you that the Government of Canada has put in place emergency measures under the Quarantine Act to slow the introduction and spread of COVID-19 and variants in Canada.
Fully-vaccinated travelers without any signs and symptoms of COVID-19 are not required to enter a 14-day quarantine upon entering Canada if they comply with the requirements in the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) handout – Mandatory requirements for fully vaccinated travelers and for unvaccinated children less than 12 years old travelling with a fully vaccinated parent, or guardian arriving in Canada.
Unvaccinated children less than 12 years of age who enter Canada with a fully-vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor, are not required to quarantine if the child follows all of the requirements for fully-vaccinated travelers and complies with the conditions of the Ministry of Health.
However, for 14 days after arrival, unvaccinated children less than 12 years of age must not:
- Attend school, camp or day care
- Attend a setting where they have contact with vulnerable people (e.g., long-term care facility), including people who are immunocompromised, regardless of the person's vaccination status or public health measures
- Travel on crowded public transportation that does not ensure physical distancing and masking
- Attend large crowd settings, indoors and outdoors, such as an amusement park or sporting event
The 14 day-period ends at 11:59 p.m. on the 14th day. Students can return to school the morning of day 15. Further information on what your child can and cannot do can be found on the mandatory quarantine or isolation page.
We ask that you take these requirements into account when you are planning for the winter break and speak with your child's teacher, as your child will be provided with asynchronous learning for the time they will miss due to the restrictions under the Quarantine Act.
We also ask that you copy the Health Centre healthcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca and Attendance attendance@pickeringcollege.on.ca so we can monitor expected return dates.
On November 30 the Government of Canada announced that there will be a requirement for all travellers who enter Canada from any country other than the United States of America to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival. Travellers are required to isolate until the results of the test are back. We ask that you provide those results to the Health Centre prior to your child's return to school healthcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca or via fax 1-905-895-1052. This is in addition to the requirements for unvaccinated children less than 12 years of age listed above.
School and community COVID-19 vaccination clinics for York Region children ages five to 11 and eligible family members
York Region Public Health asked that we share the following information with our parents:
On Friday, November 19, 2021, Health Canada authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) COVID-19 vaccine for use in children ages five to 11. In preparation for this announcement, York Region Public Health has been working diligently with our school board partners to launch school-based vaccination clinics in convenient locations across the Region.
We are pleased to invite children aged five (or turning five in 2021) to 11 and their eligible family members to book an appointment for their first dose, second or third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments must be made for children aged five (or turning five in 2021) to 11. Bookings opened Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. at york.ca/COVID19Vaccine
School-based clinics
School clinics were chosen based on a needs-based data analysis including COVID-19 vaccination and infection rates and location availability. York Region Public Health has identified 13 schools for the initial rollout of the school-based clinics with additional locations may be added as the rollout is expanded.
The school-based clinics will operate on a rotating schedule. Please visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine for current operating times and locations. Both the adolescent/adult and paediatric Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) vaccines will be available at these clinics.
Community clinics
Community clinics and pop-up clinics are also available for children aged five to 11 to receive the vaccine at other locations in York Region.
How to book an appointment
Vaccination for children aged five to 11 are by appointment only. To book an appointment, see a full list of clinics currently operating and available at york.ca/COVID19Vaccine or call Access York at 1-877-464-9675.
Important: Available appointments will be booked 10 days in advance and clinic locations and dates are subject to change. It is important to check york.ca/COVID19Vaccine to confirm your appointment time and location prior to attending the clinic.
Parental consent
Children aged five to 11 will require parental consent, while children born in 2009 and earlier can provide consent for themselves. Please note, children aged five to 11 will NOT be vaccinated without a parent or legal guardian present or without a signed consent form. Consent forms are available for parents of legal guardians to complete if they are unable to attend the clinic with their child.
Getting the flu shot or other vaccines
At this time, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends children receive the paediatric Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least 14 days before or after another vaccine including the flu shot. This precaution will help determine if a side effect that may arise is from the COVID-19 vaccine or another vaccine. There may be circumstances when a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and another vaccine need to be given at the same time; your healthcare provider can help with this decision.
Please note, there will be an eight-week interval between first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines for children aged five (or turning five in 2021) to 11. Emerging evidence in adults suggests longer intervals between the first and second doses result in a strong immune response and higher vaccine effectiveness that is expected to last longer.
Preparing for your visit
In advance of you or your child's vaccine appointment, please visit preparing for your COVID-19 vaccine. Every effort is being made to reduce anxiety and vaccine-related fears for children, including:
- Additional dividers between immunization stations
- Longer appointment times
- Child-friendly incentives such as stickers will be offered at the clinics
- Please remember to bring the following to the clinic:
- Ontario Health Card (OHIP) if you have one, or have it available
- A face mask or covering
- Proof of age
- Completed consent form, if required
- A comforting toy, or a phone/game to offer a form of distraction for children
For added comfort, parents and caregivers may also choose to use numbing cream or patches prior to attending the clinic. These are available at most pharmacies as an over-the-counter purchase and a pharmacist can explain how to use them prior to vaccination.
For children with needle phobias and tips on how to improve your child's vaccination experience, you can learn more about the CARD system from Immunize Canada.
More information on how to prepare for your appointment and videos of what to expect at the clinic are also available at york.ca/COVID19VaccineBeforeYouGo
Why get vaccinated?
COVID-19 infection can have serious consequences for all age groups, including children, particularly given the circulation of new variants of concern. We encourage all residents who are eligible to get a vaccine, but we understand parents, caregivers and children may have questions.
If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and your child, SickKids has a COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service . This service provides a safe, judgement-free space to have an open conversation about the COVID-19 vaccine for children and youth. It is available in multiple languages using over-the-phone language interpretation. Parents and caregivers can also speak to a York Region Public Health Nurse by calling York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or speak to your family health care provider.
We encourage you to have discussions with your children about the COVID-19 vaccine. You and your child can visit Max the Vax for child and family friendly resources and to learn more about the vaccines together.
Vaccinating all residents who are eligible, including children, will help to reduce the number of cases of COVID-19 in our community and allow everyone to get back to the activities they enjoy. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to stop the spread of COVID-19. For more information, please visit york.ca/COVID19vaccineinfo.
Thank you in advance for doing your part to keep others safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sincerely,
Laura Mason, RN
Director of Boarding and Health Services
CISAA: Student athletes required to be fully vaccinated (November 24, 2021)
Dear Parents and Custodians,
We are excited to announce that Pickering College will resume inter-school sports in January for students ages 12 and older. Further to our communication last week about the mandatory proof of COVID-19 vaccination policy for students, we have an update from the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA) regarding inter-school sports.
Full vaccination requirement for inter-school sports
The latest revision to the CISAA Return to Sport Plan 2021-2022 states "only fully vaccinated individuals may participate (student athletes, coaches and officials) in winter inter-school sport in the CISAA." This means, all students who wish to participate on a sports team are required to be fully vaccinated. Inter-school games are set to begin in January. In the event a student has a medical exemption, CISAA has made an allowance for medically exempt students to participate in inter-school sports provided they undergo mandatory rapid-antigen testing three times per week.
A return to competitive inter-school sports
As this is the first time we have offered competitive inter-school sports since March 2020, we are providing you with additional information about what to expect. In the winter term there are a number of competitive teams that will be scheduled to play other CISAA schools including U14, U16 and U20 Boys' Basketball and U14, U16 and U20 Girls' Volleyball (also known as Jr. and Sr.). CISAA league competition involves a mix of home and travel games. Athletes playing on these teams may miss some classes and at times will travel distances of 1-2 hours for games. A team may on occasion have to stop for dinner on the way home, resulting in a late return to the school. PC teams travel primarily on PC buses, but may occasionally hire a charter.
Proof of full vaccination required by all recreational venues
In addition to competitive sports, a number of our recreational co-curricular activities require proof of full vaccination. This applies to students participating in indoor soccer and indoor field sports at the Newmarket Soccer Club and recreational skiing and snowboarding at local ski resorts. Note: there is an additional cost to participate in the skiing and snowboarding activity which takes place on Thursday evenings in the second winter term (January 25 - March 3). The anticipated return time to Pickering College for this activity is approximately 9:00 p.m.
Reminder: Eligible students must provide proof of full vaccination by January 3
The school's decision to implement a two-step approach to a mandatory proof of COVID-19 vaccination policy for all eligible students 12 years of age and older is aligned with CISAA's plan and is an important step to protect the vulnerable populations in our care. As a reminder, by January 3 all eligible Pickering College students 12 years and older must provide proof of full vaccination.
After January 3, students ages 12 and older who have not provided proof will be required to undergo rapid antigen testing at a minimum of two times per week and will not be allowed to participate in all co-curricular sports. This includes recreational sports such as hockey, skiing, indoor soccer, indoor field games, snowboarding and skating.
Getting vaccinated is one of the most important means to combat the severity and impact of COVID-19 in our community. Vaccinations work, they reduce serious illness and hospitalizations and the side effects are rare and minimal compared to the impacts of COVID-19 infections.
Thank you for your continued support and assistance. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Janet Downer
Assistant Head of School, Academics and Student Programs
Mandatory Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Policy For Students (November 18, 2021)
Dear Parents and Custodians,
I am writing today with information about the steps Pickering College is taking with respect to increasing the safety of our community through our vaccination policy.
Background
On October 22, 2021 the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, released "A Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario and Manage COVID-19 for the Long-Term." This plan outlined the province's approach to addressing public health and workplace safety measures for the next few months with many of the decisions and milestones predicated on proof of vaccination being required.
This is encouraging news and we are pleased that a reopening is on the horizon. While cases have declined in York Region since mid-September, the number of cases among unvaccinated people is significantly higher than the number of cases among fully vaccinated people.
In response to the province's news, Dr. Richard Gould, the Acting Medical Officer of Health for York Region, reminded residents on October 25, 2021 that COVID-19 continues to be present in our community and encouraged residents to continue taking the necessary public health precautions including getting vaccinated.
With the plans for reopening, proof of vaccination and proof of identity are required for entry into many public indoor spaces such as museums and galleries, historic sites, tours, and indoor areas of parks and fairs and recreational amenities. The opportunity to travel to these sites for educational purposes has been and will increasingly be hindered without full vaccinations, as will the opportunity to participate in inter-school co-curricular sports and activities. For example, effective November 1, 2021, York Region Public Health has issued a letter of instruction that requires anyone who is aged 12 or older who wants to participate in indoor organized sports to provide proof of being fully vaccinated.
And with the relaxing of public health restrictions, the flu season approaching, cold weather moving more people indoors, transmission in schools is likely to increase.
Vaccinations
We feel we must take every step possible to protect the wellbeing of our students and staff. Quite simply, getting vaccinated is one of the most important means to combat the severity and impact of COVID-19 in our community.
Vaccinations work, they reduce serious illness and hospitalizations and the side effects are rare and minimal compared to the impacts of COVID-19 infections. Vaccinations also prevent students from missing in-school days, in the event of a positive case in their class.
While the province has not required COVID 19 vaccinations become mandatory for eligible students, there is a clear consensus in the medical community that approved COVID vaccinations for children are safe and effective. On September 27, 2021, the Toronto Board of Health asked the province to add COVID-19 vaccines to the list of mandatory vaccines for students under the Ontario Immunization of School Pupils Act. This followed a request from Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health for Toronto asking the Board to request this of the province. Dr. de Villa referenced the nine other diseases covered under the Act, which students enrolled in school must be vaccinated against, including polio, mumps and rubella. In her letter, Dr. de Villa confirmed that the safety and effectiveness of approved vaccines has been proven in children ages 12 and older.
Dr. Anna Banerji, an infectious disease expert at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, has also said that the COVID-19 vaccines should be compulsory for eligible children and youth. "We have vaccines for diphtheria, diseases that are very rare, so why not ensure vaccination against COVID-19 in the middle of the pandemic's fourth wave when we're trying to keep kids in school? Having these kids vaccinated could save some of their lives, or prevent a lot of kids from suffering and prevent (COVID-19) from being spread to other people in the community. I support it – I think it's the right thing to do."
At Pickering College, 100% of our staff are fully vaccinated. All volunteers, visitors and contractors must show proof of being fully vaccinated to be on campus. According to the information that is voluntarily submitted to us by parents, 86.7% of our students 12 years of age and older are fully vaccinated. However, an additional 27% of our student body (those students in JK to Grade 6) are not yet eligible for vaccinations, making them our most vulnerable population.
Vaccination Policy for Students
After considerable thought we have made the decision to implement a two-step approach to a mandatory student vaccination policy here at Pickering College for all eligible students 12 years of age and older.
We are taking this step to protect the health and safety of staff and students, and in particular, to protect the vulnerable populations in our care. This policy will help to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Getting your children vaccinated can help protect them against COVID-19, as well as reduce disruptions to in-person learning and activities by helping curb community transmission. This policy has been endorsed by the Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Directors.
The first step is that all eligible Pickering College students 12 years of age and older must provide proof of full vaccination by January 3, 2022. This information will be collected by the Health Centre and will be kept confidential.
After January 3, students who have not provided proof will be required to have rapid antigen testing a minimum of two times per week, will not be allowed to participate in co-curricular sports, may face some limitations in gym classes, will not be able to travel on trips or engage in activities where proof of vaccination is required and will continue to require enhanced PPE to protect themselves and their classmates.
The second step will be in anticipation of September 2022, when all eligible students 12 years of age and older will be required to be fully vaccinated, unless a medical exemption is approved.
This policy does not apply to students ages 5 to 11 at this time. However, it is anticipated that Health Canada will be approving a vaccination for this age group, possibly as early as the end of this week. On November 2, 2021, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") in the United States recommended that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19. The CDC reported that similar to what was seen in adult vaccine trials, vaccination was nearly 91 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 among children aged 5 to 11 years. The CDC confirmed that COVID-19 vaccines have undergone, and will continue to undergo, the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. It stated "Vaccinating children will help protect them from getting COVID-19 and therefore reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalizations, or developing long-term COVID-19 complications."
We do recognize many parents' reluctance to quickly move to vaccinate younger children ages 5 to 11 and we will be monitoring the vaccine's roll out in the coming months before making any decision.
Thank you for your assistance and support of this policy. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or Laura Mason.
Peter Sturrup
Head of School
View
Mandatory Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination
Policy For Students
COVID Surveillance Period Declared Over (November 15, 2021)
Dear Students, Parents and Custodians:
York Region Public Health has declared the surveillance period over for Pickering College effective today (November 15, 2021).
Letter from Public Health
Notification of COVID-19 surveillance period declared over at Pickering College
Monday, November 15, 2021
Dear Staff and Families:
York Region Public Health has declared the surveillance period of COVID-19 at Pickering College located in Newmarket over. Details of the investigation cannot be shared due to privacy considerations.
What is surveillance?
A setting is under surveillance when a case of COVID-19 has been identified but there is no evidence the infection has spread to other people within the setting.
A setting is no longer considered under surveillance when 14 days have passed with:
• No evidence that the infection has spread after exposure to the case of COVID-19 in the setting, and
• No further cases/exposures in students/attendees and/or staff (or other visitors) in the setting
If an individual has attended multiple settings with COVID-19 exposures (e.g. school and before & after school care, bus), please remain in isolation until the latest date identified on any communication you and/or your household have received from York Region Public Health.
What was done to prevent transmission?
The school has worked diligently with York Region Public Health to review and strengthen infection control measures within the setting. These measures include masking, distancing, hand hygiene, cohorting, screening, cleaning, disinfecting and case and contact management.
It is important to follow York Region Public Health's advice. Please visit york.ca/COVID19 for information on ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and what to do if you think you or a family member may have COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Additionally, individuals who are fully vaccinated and exposed to COVID-19 are not required to isolate if they do not have any symptoms. Public Health encourages all individuals 12 years of age and older (born in 2009 or earlier) to seek out a COVID-19 vaccine. Visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine to learn more and find a vaccine clinic in your area.
COVID-19 Screening
You must screen daily for COVID-19. Parents, students, staff and essential visitors must complete the provincial school and child care screening tool daily prior to attending the setting using REACH each and every day before coming to campus. The symptoms listed on the screening tool include the most common symptoms of COVID-19. If you or your child have one of these symptoms:
- Self-isolate along with any unvaccinated members of your household
- Do not attend school or child care or other extra curricular activities or sports
- Seek out assessment and testing at a COVID-19 Assessment Centre
Other less common symptoms of COVID-19 include sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, abdominal pain, headache, pink eye, or lack of appetite. If you have one of these less-common symptoms, you must stay home from school or child care until symptoms are improving for 24 hours, but you would not require a negative COVID-19 test, alternative medical diagnosis, or isolation for 10 days from symptom onset before returning to school or child care.
If you have been identified as a high risk close contact of a COVID-19 case, report any symptoms of COVID-19 to your administrator/operator.
If you have any questions or concerns, please visit york.ca/COVID19 or contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653. You can also visit york.ca/SafeAtSchool for more information.
Resources:
- If COVID-19 Is Detected In A School, What Does Public Health Do?
- COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool
- COVID-19 Self-Isolation Advice
- What to do if you think you or a family member may have COVID-19
- COVID-19 Vaccinations in York Region
- COVID-19 Vaccine Quick Facts English | French
We ask that you continue to stay home and keep your children home when they are unwell. Thank you to everyone for your ongoing efforts to keep Pickering College as safe as possible.
Respectfully,
Laura Mason
Director of Boarding and Health Services
Second COVID-19 case at Pickering College (November 2, 2021)
Dear Members of the Pickering College Community,
I am writing to inform you that today we were advised of a positive case of COVID-19. This is in addition to the positive case identified on November 1. This new case is not the result of transmission at school.
Close contacts and affected cohorts have been notified and provided with instructions. If you have not been contacted please complete your REACH screening as usual before coming to school.
We are committed to communicating with you as soon as we have information regarding COVID-19 cases. The identity of the individuals is protected and under privacy legislation cannot be shared. Also, details of the investigation cannot be shared due to privacy considerations.
Please note that Pickering College will be listed in outbreak surveillance on York Region Public Health's website until November 16, 2021. It is imperative that every person completes the REACH screening each morning before coming to campus.
We recognize that this information is worrying for everyone, and want to assure you that we are working with Public Health and taking all appropriate steps for the health, safety and well-being of our school community. The school continues to employ measures to keep ourselves and others as safe as possible. These measures include mask wearing, physical distancing, hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene and enhanced cleaning and disinfecting. Immunization is widely recognized as one of the most effective interventions for reducing the impact of infectious diseases.
Laura Mason
Director of Health Services
Confirmed COVID-19 Case at Pickering College (November 1, 2021)
Dear Members of the Pickering College Community,
I'm writing to inform you that this afternoon we were advised of a positive case of COVID-19 within our school community. As a result, we have contacted York Region Public Health and we ask that you read the letter from them that appears below.
We recognize that this information is worrying for everyone, and want to assure you that we are working with Public Health and taking all appropriate steps for the health, safety and well-being of our school community. Close contacts and affected cohorts have been notified. If you have not been contacted it is safe for you to come to school.
Please note that Pickering College will be listed in outbreak surveillance on York Region Public Health's website for the next 14 days. Outbreak Surveillance will be removed on November 15, 2021. It is imperative that every person completes the REACH screening each morning before coming to campus.
Laura Mason, RN
Director of Boarding and Health Services
|
GENERAL NOTIFICATION OF COVID-19 CASE AT PICKERING COLLEGE
November 1, 2021
Dear Staff and Families:
York Region Public Health is currently investigating a COVID-19 exposure at Pickering College located in Newmarket. We are taking all appropriate steps for the health, safety and well-being of our community. Details of the investigation cannot be shared due to privacy considerations.
Close Contacts and Cohort Dismissal
If you are identified as a close contact of a confirmed case and have potentially been exposed to COVID-19, you will also receive a letter from York Region Public Health with isolation and testing instructions for you and your household members. If you do not receive a letter from Public Health, you are not considered a close contact and are safe to continue attending.
COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Additionally, individuals who are fully vaccinated and exposed to COVID-19 are not required to isolate if they remain asymptomatic.
Public Health encourages all individuals 12 years of age and older (born in 2009 or earlier) to seek out a COVID-19 vaccine. Visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine to learn more and find a vaccine clinic in your area.
School Response
The school is working diligently with York Region Public Health to review and strengthen public health measures within the setting. These measures include masking, physical distancing, hand hygiene, cohorting, screening, cleaning, disinfecting and case and contact management.
It is important to follow York Region Public Health's advice. Please visit york.ca/COVID19 for information on ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and what to do if you think you or a family member may have COVID-19.
COVID-19 Screening
You must screen daily for COVID-19 using the REACH app.
Parents, students, staff and essential visitors must complete the provincial school and child care screening tool daily prior to attending the setting.
The symptoms listed on the screening tool include the most common symptoms of COVID-19. If you or your child have one of these symptoms:
- Self-isolate along with any unvaccinated members of your household
- Do not attend school or child care
- Seek out assessment and testing at a COVID-19 Assessment Centre
Other less common symptoms of COVID-19 include sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, abdominal pain, headache, pink eye, or lack of appetite. If you have one of these less-common symptoms, you must stay home from school or child care until symptoms are improving for 24 hours, but you would not require a negative COVID-19 test, alternative medical diagnosis, or isolation for 10 days from symptom onset before returning to school or child care.
If you have been identified as a high risk close contact of a COVID-19 case, report any symptoms of COVID-19 to your administrator/operator.
If you have any questions or concerns, please visit york.ca/COVID19 or contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653. You can also visit york.ca/SafeAtSchool for more information.
Resources:
If COVID-19 Is Detected In A School, What Does Public Health Do?
COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool
COVID-19 Self-Isolation Advice
What to do if you think you or a family member may have COVID-19
COVID-19 Screening Update (October 15, 2021)
Dear PC families,
Late this afternoon, York Region Public Health released some important screening and testing updates that we wanted to share with you.
REACH screening update
As of Monday, October 18, a runny nose and sore throat will be removed from the list of symptoms that require a PCR COVID-19 test. This brings the York Region Public Health COVID-19 screening requirements in line with the rest of the province. Please note that as of Monday the Pickering College REACH screening questions will reflect the revised list of symptoms.
It remains critically important to continue to screen your children for symptoms each day to avoid bringing COVID-19 into school and to test them when required. Screening and testing help control the spread of COVID-19.
Mild symptoms
As a reminder, anyone experiencing symptoms, including mild symptoms not included on the provincial screening tool (e.g., runny nose, sore throat, etc.) should NOT attend school or child care. If your child has mild symptoms not listed in the screening tool, they can return to school once their symptoms have improved for 24 hours. If your child does have symptoms listed on the screening tool, or their symptoms get worse, they are required to have a PCR COVID-19 test or stay home for 10 days.
Siblings and other children living in the same household
York Region Public Health has specific instructions for children living in the same household to further reduce the chance of transmission within schools and child care centres. This means:
If your unvaccinated child is identified as a close contact and is required to isolate (for example exposure in a classroom cohort), unvaccinated children living in the same household must NOT attend school or child care for the duration of the contact's isolation period. Fully-vaccinated children living in the same household can continue to attend school as long as they do not have symptoms listed on the screening tool.
If your fully vaccinated child is identified as a close contact (for example exposure in a classroom cohort), they are not required to isolate and can return to school as long as they do not have any symptoms of COVID-19. All children living in the same household can continue attending school or child care as long as they do not have symptoms listed on the screening tool.
Keeping COVID-19 transmission low in the community is important to help prevent the introduction of the virus into schools and child care centres. We continue to encourage everyone who is eligible to get fully vaccinated with two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are eligible. Vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illness.
Testing update
To increase access to testing for students, children, school/child care staff, essential visitors and their families, York Region Public Health is partnering with Ontario Health (Central), York Region District School Board (YRDSB) and York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) to offer drop-in community-based COVID-19 testing at two sites in York Region, in addition to the COVID-19 Assessment Centre Symptoms, Transmission, Treatment and Testing)
Drop-in testing will be available for students/children, school/child care staff, essential visitors and their families, ages two years and older, who are symptomatic or who have been identified as a close contact (e.g., are part of a dismissed cohort). This drop in testing is also available for those with no known exposure or symptoms.
George Street Public School
115 George Street, Aurora, ON
Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic High School
2 Davos Rd, Woodbridge, ON L4H 2Y1 (Portables)
Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Testing will be offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in October and November. Testing options will include PCR saliva and nasal swabs, which will be used at the discretion of the clinician performing the test. Testing is voluntary and consent will be required from parents or guardians for students under 18 years of age. These sites are walk-in and do not require booking an appointment in advance. Please note, rapid antigen testing will not be available at these testing sites. Rapid antigen testing should not be used when an individual is symptomatic or has been identified as a close contact of a case.
We all have a role to play to keep our school and the greater community as safe as possible. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
Laura Mason
Director of Boarding & Health Services
COVID-19 Update: Surveillance period ended (September 27, 2021)
Dear Families,
Below you will see the update from York Region Public Health indicating that the surveillance period following the identification of positive cases has been declared over. We thank all our families for their cooperation in keeping the PC community and the broader community as safe as possible.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. York Region Public Health encourages all individuals 12 years of age and older (born in 2009 or earlier) to get vaccinated. Visit York Region Public Health to learn more and find a vaccine clinic in your area. In addition, there are vaccinations available from the GO-VAXX bus at Upper Canada Mall on Tuesday, September 28 from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. No appointment is necessary.
If you have any questions about our protocols please contact the Health Centre healthcentre@pickeringcollege.on.ca.
Peter Sturrup
Head of School
Laura Mason
Director of Boarding & Health Services
Notification of COVID-19 Surveillance Period Declared Over at Pickering College
Monday, September 27, 2021
Dear Staff and Families:
York Region Public Health has declared the surveillance period of COVID-19 at Pickering College located in Newmarket over. Details of the investigation cannot be shared due to privacy considerations.
What is Surveillance?
A setting is under surveillance when a case of COVID-19 has been identified but there is no evidence the infection has spread to other people within the setting.
A setting is no longer considered under surveillance when 14 days have passed with:
- No evidence that the infection has spread after exposure to the case of COVID-19 in the setting, and
- No further cases/exposures in students/attendees and/or staff (or other visitors) in the setting
If an individual has attended multiple settings with COVID-19 exposures (e.g. school and before & after school care, bus), please remain in isolation until the latest date identified on any communication you and/or your household have received from York Region Public Health.
What was done to prevent transmission?
The school has worked diligently with York Region Public Health to review and strengthen infection control measures within the setting. These measures include masking, distancing, hand hygiene, cohorting, screening, cleaning, disinfecting and case and contact management.
It is important to follow York Region Public Health’s advice. Please visit york.ca/COVID19 for information on ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and what to do if you think you or a family member may have COVID-19
COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Additionally, individuals who are fully vaccinated and exposed to COVID-19 are not required to isolate if they do not have any symptoms.
Public Health encourages all individuals 12 years of age and older (born in 2009 or earlier) to seek out a COVID-19 vaccine. Visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine to learn more and find a vaccine clinic in your area.
COVID-19 Screening
You must screen daily for COVID-19.
Parents, students, staff and essential visitors must complete York Region’s COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening daily prior to attending the setting.
If you or your child are feeling unwell with possible COVID-19 like symptoms:
- Self-isolate along with the members of your household
- Do not attend school or child care
- Seek out assessment and testing at a COVID-19 Assessment Centre
If you have any questions or concerns, please visit york.ca/COVID19 or contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653. You can also visit york.ca/SafeAtSchool for more information.
Resources:
- If COVID-19 Is Detected In A School, What Does Public Health Do?
- York Region’s COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool
- COVID-19 Self-Isolation Advice
- What to do if you think you or a family member may have COVID-19
- COVID-19 Vaccinations in York Region
- COVID-19 Vaccine Quick Facts English | French
COVID-19 UPDATE: Confirmed Case (September 12, 2021)
Dear Members of the Pickering College Community,
Further to our communication last evening, we want to take this opportunity to clarify the situation at Pickering College over the last few days with respect to COVID-19 positive cases.
On Friday, September 10, 2021 we were advised that there was a COVID-19 exposure at Pickering College. This was not a student or staff member but a visitor earlier in the week. We immediately reported this to York Region Public Health who assessed the situation and advised us that this was a low-risk situation and no dismissal was required nor did they require a communication to our community.
On September 11, Newmarket Today reported a positive student case. This was a surprise to us as we had not been informed of any positive student cases. When we noticed this report in the media and on the York Region Public Health website, we contacted York Region Public Health to clarify the situation and were waiting to receive the details before we sent out a communication. We did not hear back from York Region Public Health until Sunday and so in the interest of being transparent with our community, even with limited information, we sent out a communication with the information we had at the time.
At approximately noon today, Sunday, York Region Public Health confirmed that there was no student case on Saturday. They explained that their system incorrectly pulled the case and identified it as a student case when it should have been listed as a staff/visitor/volunteer case. York Region Public Health informed us that staff/visitor/volunteer cases are reported under the same category.
Coincidentally, later this afternoon, Sunday, we received separate notification of a positive student case. We have collected the relevant information and submitted our report to York Region Public Health.
Close contacts have been notified and if you have not been contacted it is safe for you to come to school. We ask that you read the letter from York Region Public Health that appears below.
We are committed to communicating with you as soon as we have information regarding COVID-19 cases. The identity of the person is protected and under privacy legislation cannot be shared. Also, details of the investigation cannot be shared due to privacy considerations.
I want to assure you that we will continue to work with Public Health and take all appropriate steps for the health, safety and well-being of our school community.
To that end, it is imperative that every person completes the REACH screening each morning before coming to campus. We also strongly request that you contact the school should your child or a family member test positive or are a close contact. We also remind you that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illness, hospitalization, and death from
COVID-19.
Peter Sturrup Laura Mason, RN
Head of School Director of Boarding and Health Services
LETTER FROM YORK REGION PUBLIC HEALTH
GENERAL NOTIFICATION OF COVID-19 CASE AT PICKERING COLLEGE
September 12, 2021
Dear Staff and Families:
York Region Public Health is currently investigating a COVID-19 exposure at Pickering College located in Newmarket. We are taking all appropriate steps for the health, safety and well-being of our community. Details of the investigation cannot be shared due to privacy considerations.
Close Contacts and Cohort Dismissal
If you are identified as a close contact of a confirmed case and have potentially been exposed to COVID-19, you will also receive a letter from York Region Public Health with isolation and testing instructions for you and your household members. If you do not receive a letter from Public Health, you are not considered a close contact and are safe to continue attending.
COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Additionally, individuals who are fully vaccinated and exposed to COVID-19 are not required to isolate if they remain asymptomatic.
Public Health encourages all individuals 12 years of age and older (born in 2009 or earlier) to seek out a COVID-19 vaccine. Visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine to learn more and find a vaccine clinic in your area.
School Response
The school is working diligently with York Region Public Health to review and strengthen public health measures within the setting. These measures include masking, physical distancing, hand hygiene, cohorting, screening, cleaning, disinfecting and case and contact management.
It is important to follow York Region Public Health's advice. Please visit york.ca/COVID19 for information on ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and what to do if you think you or a family member may have COVID-19.
COVID-19 Screening
You must screen daily for COVID-19.
Parents, students, staff and essential visitors must complete York Region's COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening daily prior to attending the setting.
If you or your child are feeling unwell with possible COVID-19 like symptoms:
- Self-isolate along with the members of your household
- Do not attend school or child care
- Seek out assessment and testing at a COVID-19 Assessment Centre
If you have any questions or concerns, please visit york.ca/COVID19 or contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653. You can also visit york.ca/SafeAtSchool for more information.
Resources:
If COVID-19 Is Detected In A School, What Does Public Health Do?
York Region's COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool
COVID-19 Self-Isolation Advice
What to do if you think you or a family member may have COVID-19
COVID-19 Update (September 11, 2021)
Dear Members of the Pickering College Community,
On September 10, 2021 we were advised that there was a COVID-19 exposure at Pickering College. This was not a student or staff member. As a result, we have contacted York Region Public Health and we ask that you read the letter from them that appears below.
On September 11, Newmarket Today reported a positive student case and we have contacted York Region Public Health to get details.
We recognize that this information is worrying for families and I want to assure you that we will continue to work with Public Health and take all appropriate steps for the health, safety and well-being of our school community. Close contacts have been notified and if you have not been contacted it is safe for you to come to school.
Reminder – it is imperative that every person completes the REACH screening each morning before coming to campus.
Peter Sturrup Laura Mason, RN
Head of School Director of Boarding and Health Services
LETTER FROM YORK REGION PUBLIC HEALTH
GENERAL NOTIFICATION OF COVID-19 CASE AT PICKERING COLLEGE
September 10, 2021
Dear Staff and Families:
York Region Public Health is currently investigating a COVID-19 exposure at Pickering College located in Newmarket. We are taking all appropriate steps for the health, safety and well-being of our community. Details of the investigation cannot be shared due to privacy considerations.
Close Contacts and Cohort Dismissal
If you are identified as a close contact of a confirmed case and have potentially been exposed to COVID-19, you will also receive a letter from York Region Public Health with isolation and testing instructions for you and your household members. If you do not receive a letter from Public Health, you are not considered a close contact and are safe to continue attending.
COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Additionally, individuals who are fully vaccinated and exposed to COVID-19 are not required to isolate if they remain asymptomatic.
Public Health encourages all individuals 12 years of age and older (born in 2009 or earlier) to seek out a COVID-19 vaccine.
Visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine to learn more and find a vaccine clinic in your area.
School Response
The school is working diligently with York Region Public Health to review and strengthen public health measures within the setting. These measures include masking, physical distancing, hand hygiene, cohorting, screening, cleaning, disinfecting and case and contact management.
It is important to follow York Region Public Health's advice. Please visit york.ca/COVID19 for information on ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and what to do if you think you or a family member may have COVID-19.
COVID-19 Screening
You must screen daily for COVID-19.
Parents, students, staff and essential visitors must complete York Region's COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening daily prior to attending the setting.
If you or your child are feeling unwell with possible COVID-19 like symptoms:
- Self-isolate along with the members of your household
- Do not attend school or child care
- Seek out assessment and testing at a COVID-19 Assessment Centre
If you have any questions or concerns, please visit york.ca/COVID19 or contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653. You can also visit york.ca/SafeAtSchool for more information.
Resources:
If COVID-19 Is Detected In A School, What Does Public Health Do?
York Region's COVID-19 School and Child Care Screening Tool
COVID-19 Self-Isolation Advice
What to do if you think you or a family member may have COVID-19
Return to School 2021-2022 (August 27, 2021)
Dear Pickering College Families,
Today I would like to share with you some additional information about our plans for the 2021-2022 school year and our COVID-19 Safety Plan. We encourage each family to take the time to review these webpages carefully in preparation for the start of school.
In our email dated August 20, we covered a number of topics including daily screening, masks, visitors, academic program changes, lunches, and vaccinations. We also shared the login access to the Back to School pages (sent to parents). Below, you will find a brief summary of additional information that you may find helpful:
Daily Screening
All students and staff are required to complete a daily COVID-19 screening prior to the start of each school day. Families are asked to download the updated REACH Student Life Management App found on the App Store and Google Play. Learn more: Reach Student Mobile App User Guide
Cleaning, Disinfection, and Safety Protocols
Like the 2020-2021 academic year, Pickering College has implemented enhanced cleaning policies and procedures for the school building, classrooms, school resources, and classroom materials.
Cohorting for Junior, Middle, and Senior School
Junior and Middle School students will remain with their homeroom cohort throughout the day for all classes and activities. Senior School students will have four classes a day in a semester system. We have reorganized our spaces within the school to promote as much physical distancing as possible between students.
Ventilation
Pickering College has made ventilation improvements as a key element in the protective strategies to support a healthy and safe learning/work environment for students and staff. We use the highest grade filters in our ventilation system (MERV 13) that are changed out every three months. Every classroom, office and residence room has a standalone high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter unit. These units ensure particle filtration of air and improve air exchange. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to open the windows throughout the day as able to enhance air exchange.
Library Access and other Communal Spaces at Pickering College
The Student Lounge will be available to Senior Students at a limited capacity. The Learning Commons will be the Grade 4 classroom; a temporary library will be set up in a classroom for Junior School students. Library programming for Middle and Senior students will take place in their classrooms. The Egan House gymnasium, which was used for classrooms last year, will be available for Physical Education classes and co-curricular activities.
Morning Meetings and School Events
Our traditional school events are important to our school life and community. In order to keep our community connected, Morning Meetings will occur through live Zoom meetings; this way we can respect the distancing between cohorts. Other special events, such as spirit events, guest speakers, and GLP celebrations will continue in a similar virtual format to our Morning Meetings.
Co-curricular Program
All students are required to participate in the co-curricular program. Students will have opportunities to enjoy indoor and outdoor activities that promote an active lifestyle, skill development, and social interaction, while following the safety protocols outlined for Health and Physical Education.
Music
The return to a comprehensive music program that involves singing and the playing of wind instruments will happen cautiously. Singing and the playing of wind instruments is permitted indoors within a cohort as long as a minimum distance of two metres or more can be maintained. When possible, music classes will be held outside. As an additional precaution, students will use instrument covers and vocal masks that are designed to reduce the spread of aerosols. These instrument covers and vocal masks are fitted with MERV 13 filters and will be available at the school bookstore. Information about instrument rentals will be available when school begins.
Staggered Drop-off and Pick-up
Division-specific drop off and pick up instructions can be found within the pages of School Information 2021-2022.
Questions?
Please refer to the School Information 2021-2022 webpage for the list of contacts.
We look forward to welcoming our students back to in-person learning and beginning the new school year.
Janet Downer
Assistant Head of School, Academics
Important Back to School Information (August 20, 2021)
Dear Pickering College Families,
We are pleased to welcome you to the 2021-2022 school year.
As you know, things continue to change rapidly with respect to the pandemic and the impact it is having on the health and safety of our communities, international travel, businesses, and education. Here at Pickering College we have been monitoring and analyzing the news, the recommendations and guidelines from government and public health agencies and the data being presented.
With this letter we want to provide you with some updates on some of the school's decisions with respect to health and safety guidelines and information on preparing for returning to school.
School Safety Plan
As we have done since the beginning of the pandemic, the priority for making decisions is the safety of our students and staff. Following the release of the guidelines published by the Ontario Ministry of Education on August 3, 2021, we have the following updates:
Daily Screening
Daily Screening through REACH will continue for all staff and students. Please anticipate an email from the Health Centre explaining how to complete the screening. It is imperative that the REACH screening is completed prior to arriving on campus for each student.
Masks
All students and staff will be required to wear masks under the following conditions:
- All staff will be required to wear medical masks at all times while indoors.
- All students K to 12 will be required to wear medical, non-medical or cloth masks at all times while indoors.
- All staff and students will not be required to wear masks when outdoors when physical distancing is possible. If physical distancing is not possible or cohorts are mixed, masks will be required outdoors.
Visitors
Visitors in the school will be by appointment and limited to those essential to support learning. All parent meetings, PCA meetings, and volunteer meetings will continue to be virtual.
Academic Program changes
Academic program changes include the following:
- The Senior School program will be semestered, with students taking four courses per day from September to January and four courses per day from January to June.
- The Instrumental and Vocal Music programs will be offered in person, with physical distancing and some masking requirements in place.
- Health and Physical Education will be offered in person, with appropriate safety requirements in place.
- The Co-Curricular Program will be mandatory again for all students with clubs, and various sports introduced in a way that allows the school to proceed with caution.
- Remote Learning will be offered on a limited basis to qualified students. Details of our Remote Learning policy will be part of the "School Information 2021-2022" web pages (formerly known as the "Continuous Learning" section) that will be made available next week.
Lunches
Students in Kindergarten to Grade 5 will continue to be served lunch in their classrooms. Students in the Middle and Senior School will have buffet lunches in the Dining Hall, sitting in their cohorts with appropriate physical distancing between cohorts.
Vaccinations
Following the lead of the Ontario provincial government, we are requiring all staff who work at Pickering College, and any other visitors who interact with or are in contact with our students or staff, to be fully vaccinated.
More detailed information will be made available next week in the "School Information 2021-2022" section of our website.
Back to School Information
Families have been sent a link to a password-protected page with our Back to School information. On this site you will find information about the first week of school, booking uniform appointments, school store hours, and ordering textbooks. These pages also contain the updated Parent/Student Handbook, which includes the Boarding Handbook and Student Conduct and Expectations, with information about the school, the school day, rules, responsibilities and expectations. This valuable resource is meant to help answer your questions.
Forms are coming next week
With school beginning in just over two weeks, there are several forms we require you to review and sign for the 2021-2022 school year. You can expect to receive them by email next week from Permission Click notifications@permissionclick.com. The subject line will be Form Response Required for Pickering College. You will receive reminders to submit these forms.
Included in the email from Permission Click we will be asking you to acknowledge that you have read and understood Pickering College's back-to-school plans and our safety plan on our School Information 2021-2022 web pages. You will be asked to acknowledge that there are risks inherent in placing your child/ren in the school, and that you agree to conducting daily screening requirements and to accurately respond to all screening questions.
What you have received so far:
- New families should have received an email from the Health Centre with information on completing the health form, at the start of the summer. It is important that this form be returned to the Health Centre before the beginning of school.
- Families of Middle and Senior School students should have received an email from our IT Department regarding the tablet program (Middle) or laptop program (Senior). If you have not already done so, you will need to place your order now.
- Last week, you should have received a letter from your child/ren's homeroom teacher(s) or advisor with information specific to your child/ren's grade. If you have not received this yet, please contact us backtoschool@pickeringcollege.on.ca.
Questions?
If you have questions regarding the academic program, contact Janet Downer, Assistant Head, Academics at jdowner@pickeringcollege.on.ca
If you have questions regarding the boarding program, contact Laura Mason, Director of Boarding & Health Services, at lmason@pickeringcollege.on.ca
If you have questions regarding safety measures, contact Laura Mason, Director of Boarding & Health Services, at lmason@pickeringcollege.on.ca
If you have questions about your student account, contact the Business Office at studentbilling@pickeringcollege.on.ca
For all other questions, contact Peter Sturrup, Head of School, at psturrup@pickeringcollege.on.ca
I hope you enjoy the last few weeks of summer and we look forward to seeing your children for Orientation Day on September 7.
Peter Sturrup
Head of School
Return to School Planning (August 5, 2021)
Dear Parents and Custodians,
I hope that this email finds you and your family well and looking forward to the return to school in September.
On Tuesday, the Ontario government issued its COVID-19: Health, safety and operational guidance for schools (2021-2022). These guidelines are designed for public schools and the document indicates that schools like Pickering College are not required to follow requirements that apply only to school boards, giving us more latitude in our planning. While we must adhere to all protective strategies, we have autonomy to set our own continuous learning plans relating to in-person instruction time, remote learning and secondary school timetabling.
As always, we are developing our plans for a return to school in an environment that is as safe as possible for our students and staff. We are reviewing these guidelines and planning for the beginning of school in September and will communicate our adjusted plans to you as soon as we can.
Back to School Information
In the coming weeks you will be receiving back to school information about such things as Registration Day, Important Dates, Book and Supply Orders, and Pickering College Association (PCA) information.
There will be a number of forms and policies that will require you to review and sign off on them coming to you through Permission Click.
We would also like to remind families of new students and those entering Grade 9 who were sent information from the IT department on Tuesday, August 3 about ordering laptops and Chromebooks that you place your orders as soon as possible. Please check your junk mail if you do not see it in your in-box and take a moment to ensure you have completed this request on or before August 11.
As you are aware, the information guiding our decisions from the Ontario Ministry of Education and Public Health is being updated regularly and we will review and incorporate relevant guidelines into our planning.
In the meantime, feel free to contact the appropriate person listed below if you have any questions:
For questions regarding the academic program, contact Janet Downer, Assistant Head, Academics at jdowner@pickeringcollege.on.ca
For questions regarding the boarding program, contact Laura Mason, Director of Boarding & Health Services, at lmason@pickeringcollege.on.ca
For questions regarding the safety plan, contact Laura Mason, Director of Boarding & Health Services, at lmason@pickeringcollege.on.ca
For questions about your student account, contact the Business Office at studentbilling@pickeringcollege.on.ca
For all other questions, please contact Peter Sturrup, Head of School, at psturrup@pickeringcollege.on.ca
Thank you again for your support.
Sincerely,
Peter Sturrup
Head of School
Pickering College Boarding Student Arrival (July 16, 2021)
Dear Boarding Families:
We hope that your summer is going well. As we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, we are monitoring the changes and travel updates as they become available and will communicate them to you.
As of July 5, 2021, the Government of Canada eased the current travel measures. Fully-vaccinated travellers, with the right of entry to Canada, will no longer be subject to the federal requirement of quarantine, or the requirement to go into a three-day government hotel quarantine stay, or to submit a day eight COVID-19 test.
This means that international students with a valid study permit to a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) listed on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) DLI list, have the right of entry to Canada. Pickering College is on the DLI list.
Canadian Vaccination Requirements
To be considered fully vaccinated, travellers must have received a full series of a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine or combination of accepted vaccines at least 14-days prior to the day you enter Canada. The following vaccines are the only ones approved by Health Canada:
· Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
· Moderna (mRNA-1273)
· AstraZeneca/COVIDSHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
· Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)
Entry Requirements
All travellers must follow Government of Canada entry requirements:
· Pre-entry COVID-19 PCR test result (negative) required within 72 hours of departure
· A quarantine plan in case travellers do not qualify for any exemptions
· An arrival COVID-19 PCR test done at the airport
· All travellers are required to download the ArriveCAN app at least 72 hours prior to departure and provide details of doses of vaccine (if applicable) – you will need to bring original proof of vaccination with you (if not in English or French it needs to be a certified translation), required contact information for the traveller(s), purpose of travel (study), travel details (date of arrival, flight number, airport and airline), information about the countries you have stayed in or visited in the 14 days prior to your arrival in Canada, your quarantine plan (the Pickering College quarantine plan will be sent to you when you have completed a Quarantine Program Consent Form from Permission Click). The ArriveCAN receipt can be shown from the app, a screenshot, your email or a printout.
Pickering College Quarantine Program
We will again offer the Pickering College Quarantine Program in partnership with the Comfort Inn Newmarket Hotel. This supervised program will be available for the both the 14-day quarantine that will be necessary for those students who have not been vaccinated, and for those students who will need to quarantine until their arrival COVID-19 test results are back and are negative. Some students may have an alternative quarantine plan with family or friends, which just needs to be outlined in the ArriveCAN app.
The Pickering College Quarantine Program is fully supervised by Pickering College staff and all meals are provided to the room. Each student (unless immediate family) will quarantine in their own hotel room. The cost of the 14-day program is $2500. For fully vaccinated students who require the Pickering College Quarantine Program, they will need to quarantine until their arrival COVID-19 PCR test results arrive and are negative. The shortened program is $550 for the four days/three nights. The cost for additional nights in the hotel is $180 per night. All charges are billed to the Student Account.
Arrival Date in Canada
As you are planning your child’s arrival in Canada you can plan the flight date according to their vaccination status. If you are wanting your child(ren) to participate in the Pickering College Quarantine Program, please complete the CONSENT FORM as soon as possible. I have reserved a block of rooms for our program which will officially begin on August 22, 2021. If you have made travel arrangements outside of that time, due to flight availability, please contact boarding directly at boarding@pickeringcollege.on.ca and we will do our best to meet your needs, as we understand that there are some travel constraints that may make a specific travel date difficult.
Boarding Move-In Date
The official move-in day to boarding is Monday, September 6, 2021. If students need to move in before the official move-in date the cost is $150 per day.
More information about move-in day will be available on our website soon, as we are awaiting the COVID-19 directions from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education later in July.
We request that, if you have not already done so, that all families communicate to boarding their arrival plans by emailing boarding@pickeringcollege.on.ca. If you want to register for the Pickering College Quarantine Program, please complete the CONSENT FORM by August 1, 2021. If you have specific questions, please contact boarding as well. We look forward to meeting everyone upon arrival, and in the meantime will continue preparing for the upcoming school year.
Respectfully,
Laura Mason RN
Director of Boarding and Health Services
COVID-19 Vaccine Information (July 16, 2021)
Dear Pickering College Families,
As we navigate the global COVID-19 pandemic, we strongly encourage everyone who is able to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to do so prior to September 2021. Vaccines, combined with the ongoing infection prevention and control measures, will provide the best opportunity to keep our community as safe as possible. In Ontario, there are COVID-19 vaccines available for anyone living in or going to school in Ontario. Please see the linked documents from York Region Public Health for more information about vaccines, and vaccine availability:
COVID-19 Vaccination Second Doses Now Available For Youth 12+
Frequently Asked Questions: Vaccines for 12+
In York Region you can book an appointment by visiting York.ca/COVID19vaccine. More appointments are added regularly, and walk-in appointments are now available at York Region vaccination clinics for first doses only.
Laura Mason, R.N.
Director, Health Services and Boarding Life
Updates Archive
View our archive of past COVID-19 pandemic-related messaging.