Public schools to open for students to collect their belongings

Schools will contact families with pickup dates and times

WATERLOO REGION — Public school students will soon be able to empty their lockers and collect items left behind prior to the COVID-19 school closures.

Students will be able to start picking up their belongings the week of June 15 — schools will contact families with specific pickup dates and times, the Waterloo Region District School Board in a release.

Everyone who comes into a school has to complete the province’s COVID-19 self assessment before arriving. If the assessment says to stay home and monitor health, or to get tested for COVID-19, that person is not to come to school and can make alternate arrangements.

To stay safe, individuals picking up items from schools are being asked to comply with the following:

Sanitize hands before going into a school. Sanitizer will be available at school entrances.

Abide by physical distancing rules, keeping a two-metre distance from nonfamily members. If possible, wear a face mask during the visit.

Student are not allowed to access other areas of the school such as washrooms or the main office.

Only one person is allowed to retrieve a student’s belonging from lockers at secondary schools. For elementary students with lockers, only one family member can come into the school with a student.

Individuals will be given 15 minutes to enter the school and collect their belongings from their lockers. A collection kit will be given to students as they enter their schools.

Students without a locker will have their belongings gathered by the classroom teacher. The items will be available during a scheduled pickup time.

Any additional information will be provided to students and families from their schools.

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board says it will be contacting students and families this month regarding its plans.