March 22nd, 2021

Dear WRDSB Families,

I am pleased to let you know that the WRDSB is planning to welcome students and staff back to a regular school year with students learning in-person starting in September 2021. We have heard from you through our Let’s Connect surveys that you feel strongly about the importance of school in the lives of your children, and the many benefits of in-person learning. Like you, we continue to believe that student mental health and well-being are best supported through in-person learning as part of a classroom and school community. Having a teacher attached consistently to a group of students, for the whole school year, where they experience care, inclusion, connection and belonging, is in the best interest of both students and staff. Our experience over this past year has also reinforced that in-person learning best meets the needs of our most marginalized students, families and communities.

We know that our students and families are anxious about what the 2021-2022 school year will look like, and for many, given the uncertainty of the pandemic, it feels impossible right now to decide what may be best for your child. We recognize that there may be some families who will ask for a virtual learning option for their child. Knowing this, the WRDSB will provide virtual learning for both elementary and secondary students where required. Over the coming months, we will be sharing updates and timelines with you and we are hopeful that the impact of the pandemic will lessen. As we do every year, students registered in our schools will be automatically enrolled in their home school for the 2021-2022 school year. For families and students who will be new to the WRDSB or wishing to register for kindergarten you can find information about registering your child here https://www.wrdsb.ca/register/.

We can assure you that safety protocols will continue to be in place in September 2021 as directed by the Ministry of Education in consultation with Public Health. Should we need to move to virtual learning for all students as a result of public health measures, contingencies will be in place. This has been a very challenging year for everyone in the WRDSB community, and we have met these challenges together. Thank you for your continued support and collective efforts.
Sincerely,

John Bryant
Director of Education