Dear TCS Parents & Guardians,

On Tuesday, January 12th, citing increasing transmission rates of COVID-19 and concerning projections in relation to Ontario’s long-term care homes and health care system, the Ontario government declared a provincial state of emergency. In an effort to mitigate further impacts of the virus, the government announced stay-at-home orders aimed at reducing mobility; under these new orders, those in Ontario have been directed to stay at home, only going out for essential purposes such as to pick up groceries or attend medical appointments. These stay-at-home orders are set to commence as of Thursday, January 14th and are expected to last for 28 days. Click here to read the government’s January 12th full announcement.

Plans to re-open schools to in-person learning

As part of the government’s announcement yesterday, the province’s chief medical officer of health shared plans for re-opening schools. The government’s plans currently still include the re-opening of most schools – including Trinity College School – to in-person learning on January 25th. However, schools located in five other public health units considered COVID-19 “hot spots” learned that they would remain closed to in-person learning until February 10th.

Trinity College School continues to prepare to restart in-person learning on January 25th for students in both our Junior and Senior Schools. That said, TCS families should note that yesterday’s announcement indicated that by January 20th, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health will update the Ministry of Education on which public health units will be permitted to allow schools in their jurisdiction to resume in-person instruction based on up-to-date COVID-19 data and modelling. This means that there is a possibility that more public health unit regions will be required to keep schools limited to online learning for a period of time after January 25th.

With the provincial government committing to update Ontarians by January 20th regarding plans to re-open schools on January 25th, the School commits to promptly share that information when it becomes available.

Information for boarding families

We recognize that yesterday’s provincial announcement leaves significant uncertainty for families, particularly boarding families considering when their child will travel back to campus. Ultimately, each family needs to decide what travel plan is in the best interests of their child.

For those students with imminent travel plans, please know that the School will continue to receive students (following 14-day quarantine per government requirement).

For those planning to return to campus on January 24th or after, for the currently planned start of in-person learning on January 25th, we hope that the anticipated update on school re-opening plans promised by the government next week will provide your family with more information from which to assess your child’s travel plan. Regardless, please note that the School remains open to any boarding student who does not have another option.

Important: If at any point your child’s travel plans change, please contact your child’s housemaster to advise of those new details.

For those boarding students currently residing on campus while attending classes remotely, we continue to support their experience by offering engaging activities and interaction while respecting required health protocols and the recently announced provincial emergency measures.

Enhanced health & safety measures

Yesterday’s government announcement also indicated that new health and safety measures, specifically “enhanced screening protocols and expanded target testing,” will be put in place when schools are allowed to re-open to in-person learning. TCS has reached out to our local public health unit for further clarification and we also await more details from the province. TCS continues to be committed to reflecting government and public health directives to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and to keep our community healthy.

We recognize that this is a time of constant change and great uncertainty for everyone. Please know that the School is committed to providing a quality program of online learning and engagement until such time that we are permitted to come together again on campus and recommence in-person learning. You are reminded to reach out to the School if you or your child has questions or requires support. Parents and guardians are asked to please watch your email inbox as the School will continue to share new information as it becomes available.

Sincerely,

Stuart Grainger
Headmaster