Local school board 'anticipating staff shortages' could close schools

The Near North District School Board is warning parents and guardians its schools could close again at a moment's notice following the return of students to the classroom, Monday.

"Many workplaces are expecting to be short-staffed due to the transmissibility of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, and the new requirements around self-isolating. NNDSB is anticipating staff shortages, too," reads a letter from the board.

See related: Ontario schools will resume in-class learning on Jan. 17

And: Ontario students, staff to each get two rapid tests after schools restart in-person

"If schools are not able to safely operate with the number of available staff, NNDSB will close schools. The announcement may be made the night before, the morning of the closure, or possibly even during the day in certain circumstances."

If schools close, learning will continue online and teachers will reach out to families about remote learning opportunities in that event. NNDSB says it will work within the parameters outlined by the Ministry of Education but situations will vary from school to school.

The board understands the lack of notice will be "problematic for many families. Unfortunately, it is a reality we face, and we want to give families advance notice so they may make contingency plans if their child’s school is closed."

See: Omicron wave may be peaking, but modelling shows COVID-19 hospitalizations to surge

If a school is closed, it will be communicated to affected families by the school through SchoolMessenger. Information will also be shared on NNDSB’s Facebook and Twitter accounts as soon as possible.