Confirmed Case of COVID-19 at St. Stephen CSS in Bowmanville

Nov. 30, 2021,

The following letter was sent to staff and families at St. Stephen CSS informing the school community about a confirmed case of COVID-19 at the school.

Dear parents, guardians and staff, 

As always, the well-being of our students and staff is our top priority. With that in mind, we are letting you know that Durham Region Health has notified us of a confirmed case of COVID-19 at St. Stephen CCS. The identity of the individual is protected by privacy legislation and will not be shared.

What we can share is that the individual is isolating at home. They will remain at home until Durham Region Health advises they may return to school. We are working closely with Durham Region Health to identify anyone at the school who may have been exposed to the individual while they were infectious. On behalf of Durham Region Health, we will be notifying all identified contacts with a separate notice to advise them of next steps. As isolation requirements for household members vary depending on the vaccination and symptom status of the high-risk contact, please follow the direction provided by Durham Region Health. 

Our school remains open, and as always, we continue to follow all public health and provincial recommendations, including thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all areas; frequent and proper handwashing by everyone in the building; wearing masks; maintaining physical distancing to the fullest extent possible, and following any other steps directed by Durham Region Health.

We continue to ask all students and staff to complete the daily self-assessment for symptoms before arriving at school: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening. 

We will let families know of any further developments. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Trevor Poechman
Principal