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, and severity. 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.
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