Hamilton students are going back to school — here are some of your questions answered
We check in with public and Catholic boards about vaccinations, class sizes, ventilation and student supports
With a Wednesday start this year, school buses will soon be pulling up in front of homes, waiting to bring Hamilton kids into their classrooms for the first time in many months.
Here are some answers to burning questions about going back to school for elementary and high school students with the city's public and Catholic school boards.
How many students and staff are vaccinated?
The short answer is we don't know right now.
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) and Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) students must do daily screening for COVID-19 symptoms, but there's no requirement that kids must be vaccinated (and right now, only kids born in 2009 and older are eligible for vaccination).
Staff must report their vaccination status and, if unvaccinated, do regular testing and receive training.
HWDSB and HWCDSB both told CBC Hamilton they don't know how many students and staff are vaccinated.
HWDSB spokesperson Shawn McKillop wrote in an email schools will be collecting staff vaccination rates but not student vaccination rates.
"Public health is collecting vaccination status based on postal code information. The Immunization Disclosure Policy does not apply to students at this time. This is not something that school boards are collecting," he said about student vaccination rates.
"Currently we're asking staff to disclose their vaccination status through the immunization disclosure policy. We will be sharing system-level vaccination rates of staff at the board meeting on Sept. 13."
Pat Daly, HWCDSB chairperson, said in an email the Catholic board is gathering data on vaccination rates.
Also, all students in both school boards must wear masks to school, unless they are exempt.
Will all HVAC upgrades and HEPA filters be ready for Day 1?
The short answer is no.
McKillop said HWDSB has 30 ventilation projects funded by the federal government that are either tendered, underway or done.
Half will be ready for school start-up and the others will be finished in the fall and by the Dec. 31 deadline.
Daly said HWCDSB has finished numerous HVAC projects and installed approximately 1,100 HEPA filters.
"My understanding is there are a small number of schools awaiting the installation of Unit Ventilators," he said.
It's unclear exactly how many schools are waiting for more ventilators. The HWDSB released a school-specific ventilation dashboard on Sept. 3, which displays ventilation and filtration measures for each school, such as whether ventilation was assessed and how many HEPA filter units are now in place.
Both school boards were also completing HVAC upgrades last year.
What will be the average class sizes?
McKillop said the public board projects:
- An average of 22 to 23 students in full-day kindergarten classes.
- An average of 19 to 20 students in classes between Grades 1 and 3.
- An average of 23 to 24 students in classes between Grade 4 and 8.
He didn't provide an estimate for the average number in high-school classes because there's no limit on those.
Daly said the Catholic board projects:
- An average of 19 to 20 students in kindergarten classes.
- An average of 19 to 20 students in classes between Grades 1 and 3.
- An average of 22 to 23 students in classes between Grades 4 and 8.
He added the board didn't know the secondary school class averages yet.
What are school boards doing to help students catch up?
McKillop pointed to HWDSB's annual board plan, which focuses on safety, reading and graduation, as well as equity and inclusion.
The public board also launched a series of activities and lessons to address the needs highlighted during the school closures for COVID-19.
Daly pointed to HWCDSB's most recent board meeting for details.
Lorena Madalena, assistant to the HWCDSB chair, said the board will be focused on mental health and student well-being, especially at the start of the year.
"Staff will be using their professional judgment and various tools at their disposal to support in the assessment of where students are at as they enter a new grade/course," she wrote in an email.
"Based on this information teachers will build back into the curriculum of the grade/course with a pretty good understanding of the areas requiring remediation. The initial pace of the curriculum is expected to be a bit slower as teachers ensure essential prior learning is reinforced/reviewed."
There were also transition programs during the summer for students who need special education and students in Grade 9.
Are school sports and clubs back?
The short answer is yes, but with some caveats.
Masking is encouraged for indoor sports but not needed outdoors at both school boards.
WATCH: HWDSB chair Dawn Danko talks about going back to school
Catholic school students will also need to show proof of full vaccination or take part in regular COVID-19 testing to participate in high-contact sports.
But clubs, activities, bands and other extra-curriculars are permitted without that requirement. Field trips are also happening again.
Parents, students and teachers: We want to hear from you!
We hope you'll use this form to tell us about school conditions, how classes are going, or other pressing issues on your mind this September in Hamilton, Niagara, St. Catharines and Burlington areas.