Hamilton Catholic school board approves phased school reopening and mandatory masking

Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board has approved a staggered reopening during the first two weeks of schools to teach students proper COVID-19 protocols as they return to class during the pandemic.

The board has also mandated mandatory masking for all students, between junior kindergarten to Grade 12.

Chairperson Pat Daly told CBC the board of trustees has been listening to public health and families.

"We thought it was in the best interest of our students and staff," he said.

It's still unclear what a staggered or phased approach would look like. That could mean different grades starting at different times. It could even be half the class coming in on certain days to learn the safety protocol.

"Anything that allows for flexibility and greater assurances for parents, students and staff, we want to take advantage of. We don't have the details yet but we will communicate that to parents as soon as possible," Daly said.

The mandatory masking for kids beneath Grade 4 will be "subject to reasonable exceptions" and was made in consultation with Hamilton Public Health Services.

The board also expects between 12 and 14 per cent of students will choose remote learning, but is waiting on final numbers since 10 per cent of students have not indicated which option they will choose yet.

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