Welcome to Rainy River District

Masks

Effective March 21, 2022, masks will no longer be required for students, staff and visitors in schools, the Education Centre and on student transportation. Students and staff are welcome to continue wearing their masks at times, or consistently for the remainder of the school year.

Effective April 25, 2022, as per the federal guidelines, upon return from international travel, masks are no longer required for 14 days after your arrival. Please note, u
nvaccinated children aged 5 through 11 will still need to wear a mask in public settings (including schools and day camps) for 14 days after arrival to Canada. The Rainy River District School Board strongly encourages students, staff, and visitors to wear masks while on school/Board property.


Qualities of a Good Cloth Mask or Face Covering

A good cloth mask should:

  • be made of at least 3 layers
    • 2 layers should be tightly woven material fabric, such as cotton or linen
    • the third (middle) layer should be a filter-type fabric, such as non-woven polypropylene fabric
  • be large enough to cover the nose, mouth, and chin completely and comfortably without
    gaping
  • allow for easy breathing
  • fit securely to the head with ties or ear loops
  • be comfortable and not require frequent adjustments
  • be changed as soon as possible if damp or dirty
  • maintain its shape after washing and drying

Proper Use of a Mask:

  • Do not share your mask with others.
  • Wash your hands before putting on and after taking off a mask.
  • Place the mask over your nose, mouth and chin.
  • Avoid touching your face and mask while using it.
  • Change your mask as soon as it is moist or dirty.
  • For disposable masks, discard and do not use again after wearing for a day.
  • Do not leave your mask tucked under your chin, hanging from your ear, or on your forehead.
  • Remove the mask by the ear loops without touching the front of the mask.
  • For reusable cloth masks, put in a bag or directly in the laundry bin to be washed after use.
  • Launder cloth masks with other items using the hot cycle and dryer or follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Accommodation Process

As per our mask accommodation process, if a parent/guardian feels that their child has an underlying condition that interferes with wearing a mask or a face covering, they are invited to request an accommodation.

The accommodation process involves the parent/guardian meeting with the principal to discuss the application for accommodation.

Please note that we will take reasonable steps to understand the nature of each individual request and to consider whether an accommodation, including a possible exemption, is appropriate. This includes the principal considering:

  • the documentation and information about disability-related restrictions/needs;
  • the relevant medical documentation that already exists within the school (e.g., Plan of Care);
  • the student’s learning-related needs, which may require an accommodation for mask removal during speech language therapy, for example;
  • other school-documented concerns (e.g., Individual Education Plan, Safety Plan) that would support the request for accommodation, including a possible exemption;
  • any protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code, or Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) that may be impacted, if applicable.

As part of the process, the principal may request that the parent/guardian provide appropriate medical documentation and other relevant information pertaining to the health issue. Please note that the medical documentation, when requested, is to confirm there is a disability related need, not the student’s diagnosis.

The nature and degree of accommodation will depend on each student and their specific context (e.g., learning needs, etc.). The principal will also take into consideration the health and safety needs of other students and staff members within the classroom and school.

There may be circumstances in which the health and safety issues are such that an accommodation, including an exemption, is not appropriate.

Certainly, the option of attending virtual learning is also always available for parents/guardians who disagree with the provincial requirement for masking requirement.

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