October 8, 2020 Important Reminder on COVID‐19 and Social Gatherings and School Safety Dear Parents and Guardians, In solidarity with our peer Coalition of Single Sex Schools of Toronto (COSSOT), we are writing this shared communication to emphasize the expectation that everyone in our communities follow public health and school guidelines, particularly during a period where COVID-19 case numbers are increasing. We have had a good start to the year and hope to continue to keep people safe, engaged, and connected at school. What we ask of our students and families: As we go into the Thanksgiving weekend, we ask that students and families follow the advice of Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, by “restricting contact as much as possible to the people you live with every day.” We understand this may be challenging for young people who wish to spend time socially with individuals outside of their school cohorts, and so they may need reinforcement to make good decisions that support our collective health and well-being. Specifically, we ask that students refrain from hosting or attending large private parties and non-family social gatherings. As of September 19, 2020, the new limit in Ontario on the number of people allowed to attend an unmonitored private social gathering is 10 people at an indoor event or gathering and 25 people at an outdoor event or gathering. Our schools have an obligation to ensure the safety of everyone in our school communities. Should we become aware that students are contravening provincial rules, the school may direct them to self-isolate for 14 days before returning to campus. Our schools have done so much to prepare for reopening and to ensure safe and healthy learning environments for our students and employees, and it is our strong, shared desire to ensure that we can keep our schools open. To do this, we are seeking your continued partnership in keeping our students and communities healthy. As schools, we are required to report all probable or confirmed COVID-19 cases to Toronto Public Health, as well as any increased illness rates within a grade or cohort. Therefore, we also ask that parents and students continue to keep our school nurse informed of any possible signs or symptoms of COVID-19, so that we can assist in determining next-steps with regards to self-isolation periods and testing requirements. If you have questions or concerns about a student’s potential exposure to COVID-19, you should follow-up with your family physician and/or Toronto Public Health. We have so much to be thankful for including your continued support and partnership. We wish you a safe and restful long weekend filled with grace. Sincerely, Mr. James McKinnon Principal COSSOT member schools; Branksome Hall Crescent School Havergal College Holy Name of Mary Royal St. George’s College St. Andrew’s College St. Clement’s School St Mildred's‐Lightbourn School The Bishop Strachan School St. Michael’s College School Trafalgar Castle School Upper Canada College .