Please monitor this page for ongoing updates regarding COVID-19 and the impact on Bluewater District School Board schools.
Daily Epidemiologic Summary
The Ontario Ministry of Health provides a daily epidemiologic summary with provincial and regional data on confirmed cases of COVID-19, demographics, and trends of cases since the outbreak began, including geography, exposure, severity, and vaccination information. The daily summary is based on data reported by the 34 public health units across Ontario, and recorded in the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS) for disease reporting. Click here for the daily update.
Ontario COVID-19 Data Tool
This tool provides epidemiological information of COVID-19 activity in Ontario to date. Explore the most recent COVID-19 data by public health unit, age group, sex, and view trends over time by clicking here.
Click on the buttons below to access COVID-19 specific information on our return to school protocols and resources from Bluewater District School Board.
BWDSB UPDATES:
March 10, 2022
As announced this week by the provincial government, several COVID-19 restrictions will soon be lifted in schools across Ontario to align with community measures and return us to a more traditional learning environment.
Schools in Bluewater District School Board continue to follow provincial direction when it comes to our COVID-19 health and safety protocols. With this in mind, please note that the following measures will be in place at our schools when we return from March Break effective Monday, March 21, 2022:
Masking
We will continue to encourage but can no longer require that students, staff, and visitors wear masks in schools and on buses. While the province has made the decision to lift the mask mandate, we anticipate that many will still choose to wear masks while at school. Masks and eye protection will be provided for students and staff who wish to continue wearing them until the end of the school year. As we move forward, we ask that all students, staff, and families be kind and respectful of one another regardless of one’s personal choice around wearing a mask.
*Please note that under federal requirements, anyone returning from international travel must wear a mask for a period of 14 days when in public spaces, including schools.
Cohorting/distancing
Student cohorts and physical distancing will no longer be required indoors or outdoors at school, including during lunch, recess, or on buses. Students will no longer be restricted from mixing with other classes or grades, or from fully using shared spaces, such as the library. Limitations on in-person gatherings and assemblies will also be removed, which means that we can once again plan for in-person school events. Despite these changes, we encourage everyone to continue to be mindful, respectful, and accepting of each other’s personal space and comfort level when it comes to physical distancing.
Daily screening attestation
We will continue to request that students, staff, and visitors self-screen each day before coming to school using the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool. Students will no longer be required to submit a formal attestation of self-screening at school each day to confirm that they have completed their COVID-19 screening.
Hand hygiene/cleaning protocols
We will continue to practice and promote proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette throughout the school day. Enhanced cleaning protocols in our schools and on buses will also continue.
Ventilation
We will continue to monitor improvements to ventilation in our schools.
Rapid testing
Rapid antigen tests will be available to support symptomatic testing of students and staff. Rapid antigen tests will also be available to those returning from an unplanned absence due to illness.
Vaccination
We will continue to encourage vaccination for students, staff, and families as the best defense against COVID-19.
Isolation requirements
As always, anyone who is sick or has any new or worsening symptoms of illness should stay home until their symptoms are improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours for nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea).
Please note the following updated guidance for close contacts in the community and in households:
• Asymptomatic individuals who are close contacts of a case or a symptomatic individual in the community are no longer required to isolate but must self-monitor for 10 days following their last exposure. During the self-monitoring period, close contacts must wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings and avoid activities where they need to take off their mask (e.g., playing a wind instrument in music class or playing high-contact sports).
• Asymptomatic household contacts of a case or a symptomatic individual are also not required to isolate if they are 17 or younger and fully vaccinated; 18 and older and have already received their COVID-19 booster; or tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days and have completed their isolation period. Asymptomatic household contacts who are not required to isolate are also required to self-monitor for 10 days following their last exposure, as outlined above. Children under 5 who are asymptomatic household contacts are required to isolate for five days.
We recognize the significance of these changes and know it will be an adjustment for a number of our students and families. Our local medical officer of health supports the provincial government’s plan to lift masking requirements for most indoor public settings, including schools, and feels the timing is appropriate based on current COVID-19 data and trends. Rest assured that we remain committed to prioritizing the health and safety of our students and staff.
Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding as we work through these changes. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the school.
January 18, 2022
With this week's return to in-person learning, a letter to parents/guardians is being shared from Minister of Education Stephen Lecce and Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore. Click here to view the letter.
January 12, 2022
In following recent provincial direction, all elementary and secondary schools in Bluewater District School Board will fully return to in-person learning on Monday, January 17, 2022.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding return to in-person learning
January 3, 2022
As announced by the provincial government, the return to in-person learning at all publicly funded schools across Ontario is being further delayed by at least two weeks in response to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. In Bluewater District School Board, elementary and secondary schools will offer synchronous remote learning to students effective Thursday, January 6, 2022.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding delayed return to in-person learning
January 2, 2022
A letter to parents/guardians from Minister of Education Stephen Lecce and Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore is being shared as we prepare for the return to school. Click here to view the letter.
December 31, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health along with Bluewater District School Board would like to announce that the outbreaks of COVID-19 at Hepworth Central Public School, Owen Sound District Secondary School, and Dawnview Public School are now declared over by public health. Thank you is extended to the staff, families, and public health for their support, cooperation, and patience during this time.
December 30, 2021
The provincial government has announced that the return date for students following the holiday break at all publicly funded schools in Ontario is being delayed until Wednesday, January 5, 2022.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding the return to school in Bluewater District School Board
December 29, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health along with Bluewater District School Board would like to announce that the outbreaks of COVID-19 at Grey Highlands Secondary School and Peninsula Shores District School are now declared over by public health. Thank you is extended to the staff, families, and public health for their support, cooperation, and patience during this time.
December 27, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health along with Bluewater District School Board would like to announce that the outbreak of COVID-19 at Saugeen District Senior School is now declared over by public health. Thank you is extended to the staff, families, and public health for their support, cooperation, and patience during this time.
December 24, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health along with Bluewater District School Board would like to announce that the outbreaks of COVID-19 at Mildmay-Carrick Public School and John Diefenbaker Senior School are now declared over by public health. Thank you is extended to the staff, families, and public health for their support, cooperation, and patience during this time.
December 23, 2021
Effective immediately, Grey Bruce Public Health has changed its guidance to align with a change in provincial guidance surrounding isolation requirements for students and staff who are high-risk contacts of COVID-19 cases. This change is aimed at ensuring that all public health units across Ontario are following the same guidance for isolating.
CLICK HERE - New guidance from Grey Bruce Public Health regarding isolating
December 22, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Highpoint Community School. This is in addition to the one positive case that was previously communicated on December 18, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. One additional class is being dismissed aside from the one class that is already isolating as previously directed by public health. Public health’s assessment, to date, indicates that transmission would not have taken place within the school environment. Currently, there is no outbreak; that is, evidence of transmission from person to person, in the school. No bus routes are involved with these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases of COVID-19.
December 22, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one additional positive case of COVID-19 at Owen Sound District Secondary School. This is in addition to the nine positive cases that were previously communicated. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Public health has classified this situation as an 'outbreak'. No additional classes are being dismissed aside from the eight classes that are already isolating as previously directed by public health. No additional bus routes are involved aside from the three routes that were impacted by previously announced cases at the school. Public health is the lead for managing all cases of COVID-19.
December 21, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address two additional positive cases of COVID-19 at Owen Sound District Secondary School. These are in addition to the seven positive cases that were previously communicated. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Public health has classified this situation as an 'outbreak'. Four classes are being dismissed in addition to the four classes that are already isolating as previously directed by public health. Three bus routes are impacted by the cases at the school. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 21, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address two additional positive cases of COVID-19 at Hepworth Central Public School. These are in addition to the 10 previously communicated cases on December 15, 16, 17, and 19, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Public health has classified this situation as an 'outbreak'. One class is being dismissed in addition to the five classes that are already isolating as previously directed by public health. One bus route is impacted with some of these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 21, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address three positive cases of COVID-19 at Hillcrest Elementary School in Owen Sound. These are in addition to the one previously communicated case on December 19, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Three classes are being dismissed in addition to the one class that is already isolating as previously directed by public health. Public health’s assessment, to date, indicates that transmission would not have taken place within the school environment. Currently, there is no outbreak; that is, evidence of transmission from person to person, in the school. No bus routes are involved with these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 20, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive of COVID-19 at Dawnview Public School. This is in addition to the two positive cases that were previously communicated on December 15 and 19, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Public health has classified this situation as an ‘outbreak’. One class is being dismissed in addition to the one class that is already isolating as previously directed by public health. No bus routes are involved with these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 20, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Keppel-Sarawak Elementary School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class is isolating. One bus route is involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 20, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address two positive cases of COVID-19 at Peninsula Shores District School. These are in addition to the one positive case that was previously communicated on December 17, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. With these latest positive cases, public health is classifying this situation as an 'outbreak'. Two classes are being dismissed in addition to the one class that is already isolating as previously directed by public health. Three bus routes are involved with all of the cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 20, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one additional positive case of COVID-19 at Owen Sound District Secondary School. This is in addition to the six positive cases that were previously communicated. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. With the additional positive case, public health is classifying this situation as an ‘outbreak’. No additional classes are being dismissed aside from the four classes that are already isolating as previously directed by public health. One bus route is involved with these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 20, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health has determined that one of the previous positive cases of COVID-19 at Saugeen District Senior School has been deemed a false positive. In light of this determination, there are currently nine positive cases associated with the school, which include the cases that were previously communicated on December 13, 15, 17, and 19, 2021. Ten classes are isolating as previously directed by public health. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Public health has classified this situation as an ‘outbreak’ in relation to two of the positive cases that have been identified over the past few days. One bus route is impacted. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 19, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address two additional positive cases of COVID-19 at Saugeen District Senior School. There are currently 10 positive cases associated with the school, which include the case that was announced earlier today and those previously communicated on December 13, 15, 16, and 17, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Public health has classified this situation as an ‘outbreak’ in relation to two of the positive cases that have been identified over the past few days. No additional classes are being dismissed aside from the 11 classes that are already isolating as previously directed by public health. No additional bus routes have been impacted aside from the one bus route involved with the previous cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 19, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address five additional positive cases of COVID-19 at Hepworth Central Public School. With the previously communicated cases on December 15, 16, and 17, 2021, there are now 10 positive cases associated with the school. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Public health has classified this situation as an 'outbreak'. One class is being dismissed in addition to the four classes that are already isolating as previously directed by public health. One bus route is impacted with all of these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 19, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Dawnview Public School. This is in addition to the one positive case that was communicated on December 15, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. With the additional positive case, public health is classifying this situation as an ‘outbreak’. No additional classes are being dismissed aside from the one class that is already isolating as previously directed by public health. No bus routes are involved with these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 19, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Hillcrest Elementary School in Owen Sound. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class is isolating. No bus routes are involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 19, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one additional positive case of COVID-19 at Saugeen District Senior School. There are currently eight positive cases associated with the school, which include the cases that were previously communicated on December 13, 15, 16, and 17, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Public health has classified this situation as an ‘outbreak’ in relation to two of the positive cases that have been identified over the past few days. As directed by public health, two classes are isolating in addition to the nine classes that were previously dismissed. No additional bus routes have been impacted by this latest case aside from the one bus route involved with the previous cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 18, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is now declaring an ‘outbreak’ of COVID-19 at Saugeen District Senior School in relation to two of the positive cases that have been identified over the past few days. There are currently seven positive cases associated with the school, which include the cases that were previously communicated on December 13, 15, 16, and 17, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified of the change to ‘outbreak’ status. As directed by public health, nine classes are isolating. One bus route has been impacted. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 18, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address two additional positive cases of COVID-19 at Owen Sound District Secondary School. This is in addition to the four positive cases that were previously communicated. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. No additional classes are being dismissed aside from the four classes that are already isolating as previously directed by public health. Otherwise, the school will remain open. Public health’s assessment, to date, indicates that transmission would not have taken place within the school environment. Currently, there is no outbreak; that is, evidence of transmission from person to person, in the school. One bus route is involved with these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 18, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address two positive cases of COVID-19 at Grey Highlands Secondary School. This is in addition to the one positive case that was communicated on December 16, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. With the additional positive cases, public health is classifying this situation as an ‘outbreak’. As directed by public health, three classes are isolating in addition to the two classes that were already dismissed due to the previously announced case. Otherwise, the school will remain open. One bus route is involved with these latest cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 18, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Highpoint Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified by email. As directed by public health, one class is isolating. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 18, 2021
A letter to parents/guardians from Minister of Education Stephen Lecce and Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore is being shared as we enter the holiday season. Click here to view the letter.
December 17, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one additional positive case of COVID-19 at Owen Sound District Secondary School. This is in addition to the three positive cases that were previously communicated. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. No additional classes are being dismissed aside from the four classes that are already isolating as previously directed by public health. Otherwise, the school will remain open. Public health’s assessment, to date, indicates that transmission would not have taken place within the school environment. Currently, there is no outbreak; that is, evidence of transmission from person to person, in the school. One bus route is involved with these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 17, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one additional positive case of COVID-19 at Hepworth Central Public School. With the previously communicated cases on December 15 and 16, 2021, there are now five positive cases associated with the school. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. With the additional positive case, public health is classifying this situation as an 'outbreak'. No additional classes are being dismissed aside from the four classes that are already isolating as previously directed by public health. Otherwise, the school will remain open. One bus route is impacted with all of these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 17, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Peninsula Shores District School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class is isolating as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. One bus route is impacted. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 17, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Macphail Memorial Elementary School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 17, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address a second positive case of COVID-19 at John Diefenbaker Senior School. This is in addition to the one positive case that was communicated on December 12, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. With the additional positive case, public health is classifying this situation as an ‘outbreak’. No additional classes are being dismissed aside from the one class that is already isolating as previously directed by public health. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 17, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one additional positive case of COVID-19 at Saugeen District Senior School. With the previously communicated cases on December 13, 15, and 16, 2021, there are now six positive cases associated with the school. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one additional class is isolating in addition to the eight classes already isolating due to the previously announced cases. Otherwise, the school will remain open. Public health’s assessment, to date, indicates that transmission would not have taken place within the school environment. Currently, there is no outbreak; that is, evidence of transmission from person to person, in the school. No additional bus routes are involved with this latest case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 17, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Grey Highlands Secondary School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, two classes will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 16, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address three cases of COVID-19 at Hepworth Central Public School. These cases are in addition to the one positive case that was communicated on December 15, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, three classes will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution, in addition to the one class already isolating due to the previously announced case. Otherwise, the school will remain open. Public health’s assessment, to date, indicates that transmission would not have taken place within the school environment. Currently, there is no outbreak; that is, evidence of transmission from person to person, in the school. One bus route is impacted with all of these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 16, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one additional positive case of COVID-19 at Saugeen District Senior School. With the previously communicated cases on December 13 and 15, 2021, there are now five positive cases associated with the school. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one additional class is isolating in addition to the seven classes already isolating due to the previously announced cases. Otherwise, the school will remain open. Public health’s assessment, to date, indicates that transmission would not have taken place within the school environment. Currently, there is no outbreak; that is, evidence of transmission from person to person, in the school. No additional bus routes are involved with this latest case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 16, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Hepworth Central Public School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. One bus route is impacted. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 15, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address two positive cases of COVID-19 at Owen Sound District Secondary School. This is in addition to the one positive case that was communicated on December 12, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, two classes will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. This is in addition to the two classes that are already isolating. Otherwise, the school will remain open. Public health’s assessment, to date, indicates that transmission would not have taken place within the school environment. Currently, there is no outbreak; that is, evidence of transmission from person to person, in the school. One bus route is involved with these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 15, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Kincardine District Senior School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, two classes will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. One bus route is involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 15, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Dawnview Public School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 15, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address two positive cases of COVID-19 at Saugeen District Senior School. This is in addition to the two positive cases that were communicated on December 13, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, three classes will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. This is in addition to the four classes that are already isolating. Otherwise, the school will remain open. Public health’s assessment, to date, indicates that transmission would not have taken place within the school environment. Currently, there is no outbreak; that is, evidence of transmission from person to person, in the school. No additional bus routes are involved with these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 15, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address two positive cases of COVID-19 at Hillcrest Central School in Teeswater. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding these cases, public health has determined that there is no impact or risk to the school community. The school will remain open, and no bus routes are involved. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 15, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health along with Bluewater District School Board would like to announce that the outbreak of COVID-19 associated with Holland-Chatsworth Central School is now declared over by public health. An outbreak is declared when there is evidence of transmission from person to person within the school environment. Currently, there is one active case that remains in isolation while all others have been cleared to return to school. Thank you is extended to the staff, families, and public health for their support, cooperation, and patience during this time. As always, public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 14, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address a second positive case of COVID-19 at Mildmay-Carrick Public School. This is in addition to the positive case that was communicated on December 10, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. With the additional positive case, public health is classifying this situation as an ‘outbreak’. No additional classes are being dismissed aside from the one class that is already isolating as directed by public health on December 10. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 13, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at G.C. Huston Public School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding this case of community transmission, public health has determined that there is no impact or risk to the school community. The school will remain open, and no bus routes are involved. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 13, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address two positive cases of COVID-19 at Saugeen District Senior School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, four classes will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. Public health’s assessment, to date, indicates that transmission would not have taken place within the school environment. Currently, there is no outbreak; that is, evidence of transmission from person to person, in the school. One bus route is involved with one of these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 13, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Owen Sound District Secondary School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, two classes will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. One bus route is involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 13, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at John Diefenbaker Senior School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 11 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at the Bluewater District School Board Education Centre. Staff have been notified, and public health is working to identify anyone who may be deemed a close contact. Otherwise, the centre will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 10, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with Mildmay-Carrick Public School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 10, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Highpoint Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding this case, public health has determined that there is no impact or risk to the school community. The school will remain open, and no bus routes are involved. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 9, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one additional positive case of COVID-19 at Holland-Chatsworth Central School. This additional case brings the current total to four active positive cases associated with the school. Thanks to the efforts of public health and cooperation of those in the school community, 135 voluntary tests were conducted at a recent screening clinic held at the school for students, staff, and families. As directed by public health, impacted students and/or staff associated with this additional case who are not fully vaccinated are isolating for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, there is currently one class (students and/or staff who are not fully vaccinated) associated with previously announced cases that remains dismissed. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Despite the number of cases, it is important to note that public health has thus far identified one instance of potential spread from one individual to another within the school. It is this instance that has prompted public health to classify the current situation as an ‘outbreak’. The school will remain open, and no bus routes are involved with this additional case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 8, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Saugeen District Senior School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding this case, public health has determined that there is no impact or risk to the school community. The school will remain open, and no bus routes are involved. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 7, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Kincardine District Senior School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding this case, public health has determined that there is no impact or risk to the school community. The school will remain open, and no bus routes are involved. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 3, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Georgian Bay Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. One bus route is involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
December 3, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address three additional positive cases of COVID-19 at Holland-Chatsworth Central School. There are now 11 positive cases associated with the school. Thanks to the efforts of public health and cooperation of those in the school community, 135 voluntary tests were conducted at a recent screening clinic held at the school for students, staff, and families. It is through local clinics that these latest cases were identified. Five classes in total were dismissed in relation to the 11 cases. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Despite the number of cases, it is important to note that public health has thus far identified one instance of potential spread from one individual to another within the school. It is this instance that has prompted public health to classify the current situation as an ‘outbreak’. The school will remain open. Three bus routes are involved with these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
November 28, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address additional positive cases of COVID-19 at Holland-Chatsworth Central School. There are currently eight positive cases associated with the school, which include the positive cases that were previously communicated on November 23 and 24, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Despite the number of cases, it is important to note that public health has thus far identified only one instance of potential spread from one individual to another within the school. It is this single instance that has prompted public health to classify the current situation as an ‘outbreak’. However, there is no evidence to date of additional in-school spread with the remainder of these cases. As directed by public health, four classes are remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. Three bus routes are involved with these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
November 25, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address two positive cases of COVID-19 associated with Grey Highlands Secondary School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, impacted students and/or staff who are not fully vaccinated in four classes will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. Two bus routes are involved with these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
November 25, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address a third positive case of COVID-19 at Holland-Chatsworth Central School. This is in addition to the two positive cases and one probable case that were communicated on November 23, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. With the additional positive case, public health is classifying this situation as an ‘outbreak’. As directed by public health, two classes are remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
November 24, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with Kincardine Township-Tiverton Public School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
November 24, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address a second positive case of COVID-19 at Hanover Heights Community School. This is in addition to the one positive case that was announced at the school on November 21, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding this second case, public health has determined that there is no impact or risk to the school community. The school will remain open, and no bus routes are involved. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
November 24, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address two positive cases and one probable case of COVID-19 associated with Holland-Chatsworth Central School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, two classes will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. Public health’s assessment, to date, indicates that transmission would not have taken place within the school environment. Currently, there is no outbreak; that is, evidence of transmission from person to person, in the school. No bus routes are involved with these cases. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
November 21, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with Hanover Heights Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, impacted students and/or staff who are not fully vaccinated in one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
November 12, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with Spruce Ridge Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, impacted students and/or staff who are not fully vaccinated in one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
November 10, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with Georgian Bay Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. One bus route is involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
November 8, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with John Diefenbaker Senior School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, impacted students and/or staff who are not fully vaccinated in two classes will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. One bus route is involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
November 5, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Port Elgin-Saugeen Central School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding this case, public health has determined that there is no impact or risk to the school community. The school will remain open, and no bus routes are involved. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
November 4, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Saugeen District Senior School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding this case, public health has determined that there is no impact or risk to the school community. The school will remain open, and no bus routes are involved. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
October 30, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 at Spruce Ridge Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding this case, public health has determined that there is no impact or risk to the school community. The school will remain open, and no bus routes are involved. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
October 28, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with Kincardine Township-Tiverton Public School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
October 28, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with Huron Heights Public School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
October 27, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with Hanover Heights Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class is isolating as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
October 22, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with Kincardine District Senior School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, impacted students and/or staff who are not fully vaccinated in two classes are isolating for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
October 18, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address two positive cases of COVID-19 at Grey Highlands Secondary School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding these cases, public health has determined that there is no impact or risk to the school community. The school will remain open, and no bus routes are involved. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
October 10, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with Kincardine District Senior School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, four classes will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
October 9, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with Port Elgin-Saugeen Central School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. One bus route is involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
October 9, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address a second positive case of COVID-19 associated with Saugeen District Senior School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. No bus routes are involved with this case. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
October 8, 2021
Parents/guardians and staff were informed on October 6, 2021 of one probable case of COVID-19 at Saugeen District Senior School. Since that time, confirmation has been received from Grey Bruce Public Health that the probable case has been confirmed as positive. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified of the positive case. As directed by public health, no classes have been dismissed and there are no high-risk contacts associated with this case. The school will remain open and no bus routes are involved.
October 6, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one probable case of COVID-19 associated with Saugeen District Senior School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, no classes have been dismissed and there are no high-risk contacts associated with this case. The school will remain open and no bus routes are involved.
September 10, 2021
With our recent return to school, the Ministry of Health is encouraging all public health units in Ontario to offer school-based COVID-19 vaccine clinics to help increase protection against the rapid spread of the Delta variant. To support greater uptake among the youth population, Grey Bruce Public Health is hosting voluntary clinics at schools across our region for all eligible students and education staff. These clinics are not open to the general public. Information regarding clinic dates, consent, and facts about vaccines from the Ministry of Health are being provided to Grades 7 to 12 students and their parents/guardians.
CLICK HERE – Grey Bruce Public Health school-based COVID-19 vaccine clinic schedule
September 7, 2021
Minister of Education Stephen Lecce is sharing a letter with parents/guardians to coincide with the return to school.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Minister of Education Stephen Lecce
August 30, 2021
Bluewater District School Board is pleased to share details with students and families regarding the return to school for the 2021 - 2022 school year.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding the return to school
August 12, 2021
To assist with student vaccination efforts in preparation for the return to school in September, Grey Bruce Public Health is hosting mobile pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinics in secondary school parking lots across Bruce and Grey counties from August 17 to September 3, 2021. The clinics are geared toward students who are age 12 and up and their families, but are open to all.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: Back-to-School Vaccine Clinics
June 2, 2021
The provincial government has announced that schools in Ontario will remain closed to in-person learning for the remainder of the current school year.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding continuation of remote learning
April 15, 2021
Parents/guardians and staff were informed on April 13, 2021 of one positive case of COVID-19 at Hanover Heights Community School. Grey Bruce Public Health is now working with Bluewater District School Board to address a second positive case of COVID-19 associated with the school. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Public health’s assessment indicates that this additional case qualifies as a ‘suspect outbreak’. As directed by public health, one class is isolating as a precaution. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Suspect Outbreak Hanover Heights Community School
April 15, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with John Diefenbaker Senior School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class is isolating as a precaution. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
April 15, 2021
As a follow-up to the letter sent to families on April 12, 2021, some additional information is being provided on the start-up for remote learning the week of April 19, 2021.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding remote learning start-up
April 13, 2021
Parents/guardians and staff were informed on April 11, 2021 of one probable case of COVID-19 at Hanover Heights Community School. Since that time, Grey Bruce Public Health has confirmed this case as positive. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class is isolating as a precaution. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
April 12, 2021
As announced by the provincial government, all publicly funded schools in Ontario will be closed to students for an undetermined period following the April break as part of province-wide efforts to manage the spread of COVID-19. Bluewater District School Board elementary and secondary students will switch to full remote learning on Monday, April 19, 2021.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding switch to remote learning
April 12, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address five positive cases and one probable case of COVID-19 associated with Georgian Bay Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, three classes are isolating as a precaution. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with Georgian Bay Community School
April 11, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one probable case of COVID-19 associated with Hanover Heights Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with Hanover Heights Community School, Hanover
April 9, 2021
Parents/guardians and staff were informed on April 3, 2021 of one positive case of COVID-19 at Beaver Valley Community School. Grey Bruce Public Health is now working with Bluewater District School Board to address a second positive case of COVID-19 associated with the school. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Public health’s assessment indicates that this additional case qualifies as a suspect class outbreak. However, public health has determined that there is no further impact or risk to the school community. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Suspect Outbreak Beaver Valley Community School
April 6, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with Walkerton District Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. The school will remain open. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding this case, public health has determined that there is no impact or risk to the school community. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
April 3, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with Beaver Valley Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with Beaver Valley Community School
April 3, 2021
Parents/guardians and staff were informed on March 30, 2021 of one probable case of COVID-19 at Georgian Bay Community School. Since that time, confirmation has been received from Grey Bruce Public Health that the probable case has been confirmed as negative. As a result, those individuals who had previously been asked by public health to isolate as a precaution are returning to school. Public health operates with an abundance of caution, and treats probable cases in a similar manner to positive cases, until such time as they are confirmed.
April 3, 2021
Parents/guardians and staff were recently informed of one positive case and one probable case of COVID-19 at Ripley-Huron Community School. Since that time, confirmation has been received from Grey Bruce Public Health that the probable case has been confirmed as negative. As a result, the class associated with the probable case is returning to school. The class associated with the confirmed positive case will continue to remain at home for the time being as a precaution. Public health operates with an abundance of caution, and treats probable cases in a similar manner to positive cases, until such time as they are confirmed.
April 1, 2021
As announced by the provincial government, Ontario is implementing a province wide emergency brake for at least four weeks to combat a rise in COVID-19 cases.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding the status of Bluewater District School Board schools
March 30, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one probable case of COVID-19 associated with Ripley-Huron Community School. This is in addition to the one positive case of COVID-19 that was communicated on March 29, 2021. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class associated with this probable case will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. The school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
March 30, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one probable case of COVID-19 associated with Georgian Bay Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with Georgian Bay Community School
March 30, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with Elgin Market Public School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. The school will remain open. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding this case, public health has determined that there is no impact or risk to the school community. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
March 29, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with Ripley-Huron Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with Ripley-Huron Community School
March 29, 2021
Parents/guardians and staff were informed on March 27, 2021 of one probable case of COVID-19 at Kincardine District Senior School. Since that time, confirmation has been received from Grey Bruce Public Health that the probable case has been confirmed as negative. As a result, those individuals who had previously been asked by public health to isolate as a precaution are returning to school. Public health operates with an abundance of caution, and treats probable cases in a similar manner to positive cases, until such time as they are confirmed.
March 27, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one probable case of COVID-19 associated with Kincardine District Senior School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with School - Update
March 24, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with Hepworth Central Public School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. The school will remain open. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding this particular case, public health has determined that there is no impact or risk to the school community. As always, public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
March 10, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with Highpoint Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. As directed by public health, one class will be remaining at home for the time being as a precaution. Otherwise, the school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with School - Update
March 10, 2021
Parents/guardians and staff were informed on March 7, 2021 of one probable case of COVID-19 at Kincardine District Senior School. Since that time, confirmation has been received from Grey Bruce Public Health that the probable case has been confirmed as negative. As a result, those individuals who had previously been asked by public health to isolate as a precaution are returning to school. Public health operates with an abundance of caution, and treats probable cases in a similar manner to positive cases, until such time as they are confirmed.
March 7, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one probable case of COVID-19 associated with Kincardine District Senior School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. The school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with Kincardine District Senior School
March 5, 2021
As mandated by the Ministry of Education, Bluewater District School Board is making voluntary asymptomatic COVID-19 testing available to students and staff. Clinics are scheduled to occur between March 11 and June 3, 2021 as outlined in the letter below.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians and staff from Director Wilder regarding voluntary asymptomatic COVID-19 testing
March 1, 2021
To minimize an unnecessary increase in student absences due to the new provincial daily COVID-19 screening guidelines, Grey Bruce Public Health has worked with the ministries of health and education to develop a solution that better reflects our positive local situation.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding updated COVID-19 screening guidelines
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health COVID-19 Guidance for Screening in Schools and/or Child Care
February 16, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with John Diefenbaker Senior School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. The school will remain open. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding this case, public health has determined that there is no impact or risk to the school community. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
February 12, 2021
Parents/guardians and staff were recently informed of one positive case and one probable case of COVID-19 at Highpoint Community School. Since that time, confirmation has been received from Grey Bruce Public Health that the probable case has also been confirmed as positive. Public health investigated an additional probable case of COVID-19 on February 11, 2021. The test results were confirmed as negative. The school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
February 11, 2021
Parents/guardians and staff were informed on February 8, 2021 of one probable case of COVID-19 at Grey Highlands Secondary School. Since that time, confirmation has been received from Grey Bruce Public Health that the probable case has been confirmed as positive. The school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
February 11, 2021
Parents/guardians and staff were recently informed of one positive case and one probable case of COVID-19 at Highpoint Community School. Since that time, confirmation has been received from Grey Bruce Public Health that the probable case has also been confirmed as positive. Public health is also in the process of investigating an additional probable case. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. The school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
February 11, 2021
The provincial government has announced the decision to delay this year’s March Break. The break will now take place from April 12 to 16, 2021.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding March Break
February 10, 2021
Parents/guardians and staff were informed on February 6, 2021 of one probable case of COVID-19 at Highpoint Community School. An additional probable case at the school was then communicated on February 8, 2021. Since that time, confirmation has been received from Grey Bruce Public Health that the first probable case has been confirmed as positive. The second case remains probable at this time. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. The school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with School - Update
February 8, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one probable case of COVID-19 associated with Grey Highlands Secondary School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. The school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with School
February 8, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one additional probable case of COVID-19 associated with Highpoint Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. The school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
February 6, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one probable case of COVID-19 associated with Highpoint Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. The school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with School
February 6, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with the relevant school bus company to address one positive case of COVID-19 associated with a single bus route. Parents/guardians and staff associated with the bus route have been notified. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with School Bus Route
February 2, 2021
Parents/guardians and staff were informed on January 31, 2021 of one positive case and one probable case of COVID-19 at Walkerton District Community School. Since that time, confirmation has been received from Grey Bruce Public Health that the probable case has been confirmed as negative. As a result, the class associated with the probable case is returning to school. Students associated with the confirmed positive case continue to self-isolate. Public health operates with an abundance of caution, and treats probable cases in a similar manner to positive cases, until such time as they are confirmed.
January 31, 2021
Grey Bruce Public Health is working with Bluewater District School Board to address one positive case and one probable case of COVID-19 associated with Walkerton District Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. The school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with School
January 20, 2021
As determined by the provincial government, both elementary and secondary students in Bluewater District School Board will return to in-person learning at school on Monday, January 25, 2021.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding return to in-person learning
January 7, 2021
The provincial government has announced the decision to delay the return of Southern Ontario elementary students to in-person learning. Unless otherwise determined by the provincial government, in-person learning for both elementary and secondary students in Bluewater District School Board will return on Monday, January 25, 2021. In the meantime, all elementary and secondary students will continue to engage in full remote learning.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding delay of in-person learning for elementary students
January 6, 2021
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding remote learning during provincial shutdown period
January 4, 2021
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Minister of Education Stephen Lecce
January 2, 2021
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Outbreak Associated with School – Declared Over
December 22, 2020
The Grey Bruce Health Unit is working with Bluewater District School Board to address a second case of COVID-19 associated with Normanby Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Outbreak Associated with School
December 22, 2020
As part of the recently announced province-wide shutdown to help manage the spread of COVID-19, all Bluewater District School Board elementary and secondary schools will switch to full remote learning following the holiday break beginning on Monday, January 4, 2021. Unless otherwise determined by the provincial government, in-person learning will return on the following dates:
Elementary students – Monday, January 11, 2021
Secondary students – Monday, January 25, 2021
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding provincial shutdown and remote learning
December 21, 2020
The Grey Bruce Health Unit is working with Bluewater District School Board to address a case of COVID-19 associated with Normanby Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with School
December 17, 2020
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding personal belongings and preparing for January
December 13, 2020
The Grey Bruce Health Unit is working with Bluewater District School Board to address a case of COVID-19 associated with Walkerton District Community School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. The school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with School
December 7, 2020
The Grey Bruce Health Unit is working with Bluewater District School Board to address a case of COVID-19 associated with Macphail Memorial Elementary School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. The school will remain open. Public health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with School
November 27, 2020
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding inclement weather days
November 22, 2020
The Grey Bruce Health Unit is working with Bluewater District School Board to address a case of COVID-19 associated with a Hillcrest Elementary School student. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. The school will remain open. Public Health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with School
November 14, 2020
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with School
November 3, 2020
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Investigation
October 30, 2020
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: Students Cleared to Return to School
October 19, 2020
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding learning transitions in the event of a school/classroom/district closure
October 18, 2020
The Grey Bruce Health Unit is working with Bluewater District School Board to address cases of COVID-19 associated with students belonging to one household attending Osprey Central School. Parents/guardians and staff of the school have been notified. The school will remain open. Public Health is the lead for managing all cases and will directly contact ONLY those who may have been exposed as identified through contact tracing.
CLICK HERE - Grey Bruce Public Health media release: COVID-19 Associated with School Students
October 5, 2020
CLICK HERE - Letter to elementary parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding school reorganization
September 16, 2020
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding in-person/remote learning transition dates
August 26, 2020
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Minister of Education Stephen Lecce
August 25, 2020
CLICK HERE - Letter to secondary parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding timetable change
August 19, 2020
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding staggered entry
August 17, 2020
CLICK HERE - Medical Officer of Health Open Letter to Parents and Guardians of School-Aged Children
August 7, 2020
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding return to school plans and pre-registration
July 30, 2020
Minister of Education Stephen Lecce has announced Ontario's plan for returning to school in September.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Wilder regarding the return to school
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Minister of Education Stephen Lecce
July 2, 2020
Bluewater District School Board is seeking input from parents/guardians to better inform a plan that will best support their children as they return to school. This information is essential to our understanding of how we may best welcome back our students in September. The survey, which is anonymous and takes about five to 10 minutes to complete, will be available until July 10, 2020 at the following link:
June 26, 2020
June 23, 2020
June 19, 2020
In preparing to wrap up the 2019 – 2020 school year, this is to confirm that the last day of online learning for students will be Thursday, June 25, 2020.
Bluewater District School Board thanks parents/guardians and families for all their support, patience, and understanding over these past several months of learning from home, and hopes they are able to take some well-deserved time to relax and rejuvenate over the summer.
As always, parents/guardians are encouraged to reach out to their child’s teacher if they have any questions.
June 8, 2020
Bluewater District School Board Chair Jan Johnstone and Director of Education Alana Murray have issued the following letters of congratulations to this year's Grade 8 and secondary student graduates. The letters also speak to the postponement of formal graduation ceremonies.
June 3, 2020
Ontario has released its new testing plan for COVID-19, which includes the availability of testing for anyone who would like to participate.
May 22, 2020
The Ministry of Education has released Ontario’s Framework for Continued Learning, a plan to keep students safe and learning during the COVID-19 outbreak, including details on how the Ontario government will help support student learning now and in the summer, and work to reopen schools responsibly in the fall. Public feedback is being encouraged. Visit the following link to view the plan, and for details on sharing feedback:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontarios-framework-continued-learning
May 19, 2020
Minister of Education Stephen Lecce has announced that all publicly funded schools in Ontario will remain closed for the rest of the current school year due to the ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Murray regarding school closures
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Minister of Education Stephen Lecce
May 5, 2020
The Ministry of Education announced recently that all remaining professional activity and examination days for the 2019 – 2020 school year would be converted into instructional days.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Murray regarding secondary examinations
April 29, 2020
The Ontario School Boards' Insurance Exchange (OSBIE) is providing the following blog:
CLICK HERE - Distance Learning and Cyberbullying during COVID-19
April 28, 2020
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Minister of Education Stephen Lecce
April 27, 2020
Minister of Education Stephen Lecce has announced that the current shutdown of all publicly funded schools in Ontario due to COVID-19 will be extended from the previous target date of May 4, 2020 until at least May 31, 2020.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Murray regarding extension of school closures
April 17, 2020
CLICK HERE - Director's Message to parent/guardians and families with latest update of continuous learning plan
March 31, 2020
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Murray regarding next steps in continuous learning plan
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Minister of Education Stephen Lecce
March 28, 2020
To help stop the spread of COVID-19, all Bluewater District School Board school outdoor playground structures are closed until further notice. This means that no person is to come in contact with any of the structures, effective immediately.
March 26, 2020
CLICK HERE - Media release from Grey Bruce Public Health: Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health orders international travelers to self-isolate, and strongly recommends against non-essential travel to and from Grey and Bruce Counties
March 24, 2020
CLICK HERE - Open letter to students, parents/guardians, and staff from Director Murray
March 22, 2020
The provincial government has launched a new online portal to assist families with student learning during the current closure of schools due to COVID-19. Details are available in the provincial government’s media release. A letter to parents/guardians has been issued from Ontario Minister of Education Stephen Lecce with further information on the new online portal, and provincial planning that is happening to ensure student learning continues should the current school shutdown period extend beyond April 5, 2020. Please read the letter below, in addition to the latest letter to parents/guardians from Bluewater District School Board Director of Education Alana Murray.
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Murray regarding learning planning in Bluewater District School Board
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Minister of Education Stephen Lecce
March 18, 2020
CLICK HERE - Media release from Grey Bruce Public Health regarding third case of COVID-19 in Grey Bruce
March 17, 2020
As part of the plan in response to the emergence of COVID-19, the Ontario Ministry of Education has CANCELLED all Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) assessments for the 2019-20 school year.
This includes:
the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), scheduled to be written on March 31, 2020; also the ministry has waived the literacy requirement for graduation for those students who have met all Ontario diploma requirements, except the literacy requirement, and plan to graduate in the 2019-2020 school year
the Grade 9 mathematics assessment scheduled for June 2020
the Primary (Grade 3) and Junior (Grade 6) assessments scheduled to be written in May and June 2020
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Murray regarding cancellation of secondary EQAO assessments
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Murray regarding cancellation of elementary EQAO assessments
March 17, 2020
CLICK HERE - Media release from Grey Bruce Public Health regarding enhanced measures to limit spread of COVID-19
CLICK HERE - UPDATED school closures Q and A for parents/guardians
March 15, 2020
CLICK HERE - Media release from Grey Bruce Public Health regarding first two cases of COVID-19 in Grey Bruce
March 13, 2020
CLICK HERE - Letter to parents/guardians from Director Murray regarding closures in Bluewater District School Board from March 14 to April 5, 2020
CLICK HERE - School closures Q and A for parents/guardians
CLICK HERE - Media release from Grey Bruce Public Health on preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Grey Bruce
March 12, 2020
ALL Bluewater District School Board schools CLOSED March 14 to April 5, 2020
As announced today by the provincial government, all publicly funded schools in Ontario will close for two weeks following March Break, in response to the emergence in Ontario of COVID-19. Please view the Statement from Premier Ford, Minister Elliott, and Minister Lecce on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) by clicking here.
This means that ALL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS in Bluewater District School Board will be CLOSED from March 14 to April 5, 2020.
ALL schools are open as usual tomorrow, Friday, March 13, 2020.
Further information will be shared tomorrow with parents and board staff regarding the impact on programs and other worksites. In addition to SchoolMessenger updates, you are also encouraged to monitor our dedicated COVID-19 Updates web page, as well as our Bluewater District School Board Facebook and Twitter pages.
January 28, 2020
January 27, 2020