COVID-19 Update: Socializing

Dear JICS Parents,

The health and safety of all our students and staff and their families remains our number one priority at the JICS Lab School and it is critical that we work together to ensure that protocols are followed by our families, even when they are off school premises.

With Thanksgiving this weekend, we list the following reminders to follow so that we can all return to school safely on Tuesday:

• Wash your hands often and stay home when you are sick.

• Keep two metres distancing from others not part of your household.

• Wear a mask or face covering, in indoor public places.

• Wear a mask or face covering when physical distancing is difficult with others that are not part of your household.

• Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces.

• Keep gathering sizes small: Smaller, outdoor gatherings are safer than indoors. Reserve close contact to members of your household and essential supports.

It has come to our attention that there have been social events with JICS members (adults and/or children) where those in attendance were gathering together, not wearing masks and not adhering to physical distancing protocols. We advise parents to do your due diligence and to know of the full circumstances of a particular event, before attending and/or allowing your child to attend.

We are all required to comply with municipal and provincial legislation and directions, including directions and recommendations from Toronto Public Health in an effort to reduce the community transmission of COVID-19. It is imperative that interventions to reduce disease prevalence and community transmission be maintained by all members of JICS Lab School community. As a community and individuals, we all have a significant role in remaining vigilant and adhering to public health recommendations to keep community transmission as low as possible.

As of September 19, 2020, the new limit in Ontario on the number of people allowed to attend an unmonitored private social gathering is 10 people at an indoor event or gathering and 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering.

Should we become aware that students are contravening provincial rules, the school may direct them to self-isolate for 14 days before returning to school.

We are all in this together and it is only with the help of our entire school community that we can remain as safe as possible.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and we wish you and your families a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Yours sincerely,

Richard