Covid-19 Policies

(Updated August 27, 2021)

We ask the Howlett Academy community to become familiar with and practice the following health and safety expectations:

Monitor for Symptoms

Covid-19 has different effects on individuals. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate symptoms. With this in mind, here are common symptoms we ask you to be aware of:

  • Fever (if your temperature is above 37.8C)
  • Decrease or loss of smell or taste
  • Dry Cough (the cough to look out for is a continuous cough—i.e. coughing a lot for more than an hour or having three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours)

Some people may also experience:

  • Stuffy nose and/ or runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Diarrhoea/ nausea/ vomiting
  • Headache that’s unusual or long lasting
  • Fatigue, lethargy, muscle aches
  • A rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes

On average it takes 5-6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to present, however it can take up to 14 days.

Daily COVID-19 Assessment

A parent or guardian is expected to complete our daily COVID-19 assessment on behalf of their child/ren before arriving to Howlett Academy. The link to the assessment can be found at https://howlettacademy.com/covid-19-assessment/.  If there is a YES response to ONE of the assessment questions, the student and siblings are to stay home. Howlett Academy will be in communication with you to determine next steps.

All visitors will also be expected to complete our daily COVID-19 assessment before arriving to Howlett Academy. If there is a YES response to ONE of the assessment questions, the visitor will not be permitted to enter the school.

Students with Flu-Like Symptoms Presented at School

If a student exhibits flu-like symptoms at school, they will be isolated until a parent or guardian arrives to bring them home. As a precaution, all siblings of the sick child will also be sent home. The school will be in communication with parents and guardians to determine next steps and an appropriate return date.

Staff with Flu-Like Symptoms Presented at School

If a staff member exhibits flu-like symptoms at school, they will be directed to return home and self-isolate immediately. If they cannot leave immediately, the staff member will be isolated until they are able to leave.

Hand Washing Protocols

Pre-Arrival

Be mindful of flu-like symptoms and ensure each member of your household coming to Howlett has thoroughly washed their hands before departing.

Arrival

Upon entering the building, students will be instructed to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, or to use the sanitizer station located at one of the school’s entry points. As a reminder parents are not allowed inside the building.

Snack or Lunch Time

Before snack and lunch time, students and staff will go (individually) to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Recess Time

Upon returning from recess, students will be instructed to wash their hands (one at a time) thoroughly with soap and water, or to use the nearest sanitizer station.

Gym Time

Teachers will ensure that students wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water upon returning from the gymnasium.

Departure

Teachers will ensure students wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water before leaving the building for the day.

Masks and Face Coverings

Visitors, students and teachers in kindergarten to grade 8 are required to wear a non-medical or cloth mask throughout the school day. However, students and teachers will be permitted to take “mask breaks” in which they can remove their mask during select times throughout the day.

These allocated times include, snack time, lunch, and outdoor recess.

To help maintain good hygiene practices, we will provide all students with a mask case to properly store their mask when it is not being worn.

Masks are available to staff and students in the second-floor kitchenette of 15 and 17 Madison.

School Case, Contact, and Outbreak Management

For testing and contact tracing, Howlett Academy will follow the current Toronto Public Health guidelines as of August 2021. The school will consult with TPH for guidance on steps to take where an individual tests positive for COVID-19.

To ensure successful contact and case management, the school will maintain up-to date contact lists, including support staff and essential visitors.

Hygiene, Sanitation and Ventilation

To ensure the health and safety of everyone at the school, Howlett Academy will:

  • Monitor and maintain HEPA air purifiers and ventilation units (we have air purifiers in each classroom, five separate ventilation units in 15 Madison and three separate ventilation units in 17 Madison)
  • Monitor and maintain hand-sanitizing stations in multiple areas around the school
  • Monitor and maintain touchless paper towel dispensers
  • Monitor and maintain touchless soap dispensers
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
  • Reinforce good hygiene habits with the students and staff, including 20-second hand washing and sneezing/coughing into one’s arm
  • Monitor physical distancing as much as possible
  • Keep windows open when possible