SILVERTHORN Collegiate students back to remote learning after COVID outbreak. File photo.
Many parents are left worried and concerned over the closure of Silverthorn Collegiate Institute due to an outbreak of COVID-19.
The almost 900 students of the 291 Mill Road School, in central Etobicoke, were moved to remote learning, according to Toronto Public Health officials.
All in-person classes and activities were dismissed on October 12.
THE SCHOOL closure has left parents worried and concerned.
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) said the closure will allow public health officials additional time to investigate the cases. There is no idea on how long the closure would last.
“We’re working closely with Toronto Public Health and helping in any way we can,” TDSB spokesperson Ryan Bird said.
The outbreak was declared and a decision to close the school was made after an investigation last weekend showed potential exposures to students across multiple grades.
There have been 21 active school outbreaks and 30 active investigations in 122 school settings as of October 8.
This is its first whole-school dismissal of the academic year.
Parents said they are concerned their children may contract the virus and school and health officials are encouraging students to get their vaccination shots.
Free vaccination shots are available at a Mobile Immunization Clinic on October 18 at Lakeshore Collegiate Institute, at 350 Kipling Avenue, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The school is more than 50 years old and is named after a prominent Etobicoke family.