To all of our parents and families,
In light of the recent surge in cases, Keystone is implementing some new protocols to help ensure the safety of everyone in our community. All of these new policies and procedures are based on recommendations made by the City of Toronto Public Health. We have provided some links and resources to help navigate these unprecedented times. This opens up the opportunity to have conversations with your children about health and what we can do to help curb the spread of COVID-19… We will be having a lot of open discussions about it in class and we encourage you to do the same at home! We realize that these are unprecedented times, therefore we appreciate your cooperation and understanding.
Our policies and procedures surrounding COVID-19 may be subject to change based on the most up-to-date recommendations by the City of Toronto Public Health. We will do our best to keep families updated on any major changes to public health guidelines. The links provided in this package are a great way to access the most current information relating to the pandemic. Find out more here.
Enhanced Cleaning and Sanitization Policy
- All surfaces and high touch areas (doorknobs, sinks, tables, etc.) in the school/classroom will be disinfected twice a day
- Toys/materials will be sanitized at the end of each day
- Toys/materials will be washed once a week
- All surfaces, toys & materials will be disinfected as needed throughout the day.
- Climber and gym equipment will be sanitized after each use
COVID-19 Safety Protocols at School
- Children’s temperatures will be checked daily before entering the school
- Children will need to sanitize their hands upon entering the school
- There will be increased handwashing times during the day, following the Ontario Public Health Model for effective handwashing
- Students will sanitize hands upon entering and exiting the classroom
- Children and staff will be expected to wear masks at all times while in the school, with the exception of eating and drinking
- We will be practicing physical distancing at the school
- Staff will be required to adhere to 2 rapid tests per week
Symptoms & Illness
Current lists of symptoms as per the City of Toronto Public Health:
If you have ONE or more of the following four List A symptoms, then it is highly likely you have COVID-19. You and your household members must self-isolate.
List A:
- Fever > 37.8˚ C and/or chills
- Cough – new or worsening
- Trouble breathing
- Decrease or loss of smell or taste
If you have TWO or more of the following five List B symptoms, then it is highly likely you have COVID-19. You and your household members must self-isolate.
List B:
- Runny nose or nasal congestion
- Headache
- Very tired
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches or joint pain
Other less common symptoms include the following. If you have any of these (and do not have any of the symptoms in the above two lists) then it is less likely you have COVID-19.
Less Common Symptoms:
- Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea (age <18 only)
- Abdominal pain that does not go away
- Headache (new and unexplained)
- Pink eye
- Lack of appetite (young children)
* If you ONLY have one or more of the five symptoms above, you should self-isolate (stay home) until your symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours. If you have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain you must wait 48 hours once your symptoms are improving before ending self-isolation.
Here you can find more information about symptoms.
What to do if my child has symptoms:
- In the event that your child develops symptoms from the lists above, please visit this website for the next steps.
COVID-19 Outbreak Policies and Procedures
- The definition of a COVID-19 outbreak in the school is defined by public health as ONE or more positive cases of the virus.
- Due to the fact we are deemed an essential service, if a student or staff should present symptoms, they need to be tested. See this link for more information.
- If one staff or student tests positive for COVID-19, all students and staff will be required to isolate and monitor for symptoms. Please see this link for ‘How to Self-Isolate”.
- If you have come into close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 but are not presenting symptoms:
- You need to self-isolate, but do not need to get tested.
- If you are fully vaccinated (at least 2 doses of the vaccine), or are under the age of 12 you are required to be isolated for 5 days.
- For more information on what to do if you come into close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, please see this link.
Resources:
