The Lambton Kent District School Board and the St. Clair Catholic District School Board jointly issued an updated return to school plan Thursday.
At the elementary level, Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8, the return to school will be phased-in using a staggered approach beginning on Thursday, September 10. Junior Kindergarten students will return using a staggered approach beginning on Tuesday, September 15. All elementary school families will receive a communication from the school to indicate which dates the students will attend.
At the secondary level, Grade 9 students will return to school on Monday, September 14, and students in Grades 10 to 12 will begin on Tuesday, September 15.
The first day of school for all students participating in Learn at Home instruction is Monday, September 14.
Lambton Kent District School Board Director of Education, John Howitt said they've had to push back start dates from what was announced a week ago.
"It's becoming very evident that our parents are exercising their choice and are moving from face-to-face learning to virtual learning and vice-versa," said Howitt. "That is impacting our school timetables and reorganization and the classroom set-up so we are ready for the students."
Howitt said high school students won't be returning until the week of September 14 now.
"We do need a couple of days longer in secondary, that's why we're bringing our elementary students back two days before our secondary students."
A chart summarizing the revised staggered entry plan can be viewed below:
A chart detailing the Lambton-Kent and St. Clair Catholic school boards' safe return to school plans. 27 August 2020. (Screenshot of release from LKDSB, SCCDS)