COVID Corner

List of 12 items.

• Guidelines for students who develop COVID symptoms

  In case of symptoms, follow the instructions presented on this government webpage to take care of yourself and others.
  
  

  If you have any of the following symptoms, take steps to reduce the risk of infecting other people.

  • If you have a fever, stay at home.
  • If you have a cough, sore throat or nasal congestion, wear a mask.

  For 10 days after the onset of symptoms:

  • Keep your distance from others as much as possible.
  • Avoid contact with vulnerable people, such as the elderly, the immunocompromised and people with health problems.
  • Choose remote activities, such as telework.
  • Avoid non-essential social events.
  • Tell the people you are in contact with that you might be contagious.

  Perform a COVID-19 rapid test as soon as symptoms appear to find out if you have a COVID-19 infection.
  
  Source: Gouvernement du Québec. April 6, 2023. Steps for limiting the spread of respiratory infectious diseases. https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/advice-and-prevention/accidents-injuries-and-diseases-prevention/steps-limiting-spread-respiratory-infectious-diseases-1

• When to Stay Home

  Flowcharts provided by Montreal Regional Public Health (in English and in French, updated January 2023) to help determine when to keep a child home from daycare or school. Parents can use this guideline, in addition to the guideline for limiting the spread of upper-respiratory infections, when making the decision to keep a child home.
  
  As we are still required to report COVID related absences to the Ministry of Education, students and staff will be asked for the reason for any absence. 
  
  The Ministry of Education has ended online instruction for students isolating at home for Covid-related reasons. To continue learning while at home, students can contact teachers via email, and check classroom resources such as mySelwyn, Google classroom, and SeeSaw.

• Masks

  Wearing a face mask at all times at school is not mandatory for staff or students since May 14, 2022, in the classroom, in common areas or school transportation. The choice to wear a mask remains at the discretion of each person.
  
  We will continue to have masks available for anyone who would like to wear them. We are asking all members of the community to be respectful of everyone's choice, regardless of whether you agree with it or not. We reserve the right to reinstate a mask mandate if we feel that the Covid situation at Selwyn House becomes a concern.
  
  Public Health still advises anyone with symptoms to wear a mask and anyone who has tested positive for Covid to wear a mask for 10 days after the test result.¹ At Selwyn House, we encourage our staff and students to take the extra precaution of wearing a mask at school in the days following a positive Covid test result, even if you are non-symptomatic.
  1 - Montreal Regional Public Health instructions in the context of schools and daycares (in English), updated January 2023

• Rapid testing

  Rapid testing in school
  
  All students and staff can be rapid tested in school if they present with symptoms during the school day. 
  
  

  Parents of students under the age of 14 are required to complete this consent form in order for their son(s) to be tested at school. Students who are 14 years and older do not need parental consent. However, before a rapid test is administered to any student, regardless of his age, parents will be consulted. Results and next steps will also be communicated shortly thereafter. 
  
  Rapid tests at the pharmacy
  
  Parents can also visit Clic Santé to obtain rapid tests from their local pharmacy.

• Reporting positive COVID cases

  Reporting positive cases to our school community
  
  Prior to January 2022, all schools were required to report positive COVID cases to Public Health. Public Health would then outline for the school what protocols to follow on a case-by-case basis. At Selwyn House, we communicated all positive COVID cases to our entire school community. 

   

  As of January 2022, Public Health is no longer involved when there are positive COVID cases in the school; however, our administration is keeping track of all COVID-related absences.
  Below is a chart detailing COVID positive cases per class in our school. This chart will be updated weekly on Friday afternoons at 3 p.m. (unless there is a school holiday).
  
  
  
  Reporting positive cases to the government
  
  We encourage parents to use the government's self-reporting tool, which you can find here.

• Management of cases and outbreaks

  As the public health authorities are no longer carrying out epidemiological studies, they will not order the closure of classes or schools.
  
  

  (Source: Quebec directives for educational institutions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Updated: August 24, 2022.)

• Learning Continuity

  In the event that the Ministry of Education closes schools for health reasons, the schedule for online learning in each division is prepared and will be shared once we have been informed of the closure. This schedule will require students to follow classes.
  
  

  Should this need arise, student attendance in online classes is mandatory unless they are ill. Students will be asked to follow our online etiquette protocol which will be shared with the online schedule.

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• COVID-19 vaccines

  Covid-19 protocol instructions differ depending on the Covid-19 vaccination status of each individual.
  
  All Quebecers aged 6 months and older can get the Covid-19 vaccine. Those aged 5 and older are eligible for booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. More details available on this vaccination infographic.
  
  Appointments for Covid-19 vaccinations can be made here.

• Social Distancing & Hand Hygiene

  Physical distancing and hand hygiene are fundamental to a healthy environment. 
  
  

  Sinks and soap are in every Elementary School classroom. Frequent hand washing with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds limits the risk of transmission of viruses. This is especially important upon arrival in the morning, before and after eating, after handling shared items or objects that are touched frequently, and before departure at the end of the day.

  
  Hand sanitizer is available at entrances to the school and in the cafeteria, in all classrooms, and hallways. 

   

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• Air Quality

  Selwyn House parents rest assured, knowing that their sons are breathing purified air in the classroom, thanks to the air purifiers installed throughout the school.
  
  

  Since 2020, the school has installed more than 100 new electronic air purifiers in classrooms, offices, and gathering spaces. The most powerful model—the type installed in all classrooms—claims to be “almost 100 per cent effective in the elimination of airborne and surface bacteria, viruses, mould, fungus, and volatile organic compounds.”
  
  The units claim to be capable of performing 4.2 air exchanges per hour in a 351-sq.-ft. room, or one exchange per hour in a 2000-sq.-ft. room. The average classroom at Selwyn House is less than 600 sq. ft.
  
  

  Manufactured by Aerus, the Beyond Guardian Air “uses light waves and a catalytic process to produce superoxide ions and hydroperoxides that destroy contaminants on surfaces and in the air,” the company says. The unit is “based on a variation of the technology originally developed for use on the International Space Station and is recognized as the exclusive Certified Space Technology™ in its category.”
  
  

   “The safety and well-being of our staff and students is our number one priority,” says Selwyn House Headmaster Mike Downey. “We will do whatever we feel is necessary to make sure that we are taking care of each other. We are all in this together, and we are stronger together.”

• Visitors and Parent Access

  For health and safety reasons, visitors and parent access to the school will be limited. All parents and visitors must report to the Front Office in the Lucas Building if they wish to deliver or drop something off. 
  
  

  Any visitors or workers in the school (i.e. those who are not employees or students) must sign in upon entry and follow all health & safety guidelines in place at the time of their visit.

  
  
  

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• Emotional and Psychological Support

  The social and emotional well-being of our students is a priority, and is foundational to academic success. Our school counselor, Ms. Carissa Springer, will be providing support for students and teachers.
  
  

  We encourage parents to reach out if they have any concerns about their son’s adjustment to school or their stress level. We also encourage students themselves to speak to any teacher, administrator, or counselor and be open about any concerns and worries they may have.

  
  
  

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