Lori Wilder, currently acting as Director Designate for the Bluewater District School Board, will be appointed to the position of Director of Education effective October 1, replace retiring Director of Education Alana Murray.

In a letter July 30, Lori Wilder, Director of Education informed parents and guardians that the Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB), along with some school boards in Ontario, will begin the 2020-21 school year using a conventional full return model for both elementary and secondary students.

The announcement came from the Minister of Education Stephen Lecce.

This means that on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, BWDSB elementary and secondary students can return to school on a full-time basis. The letter stated that "enhanced public health protocols" will be in place to "maximize safety."

"We are now in the process of presenting to the Ministry of Education our return to school plan developed by our planning team. In the coming days, we will share the full details with you once our plan is confirmed," read the letter.

A new page has also been created on the BWDSB board website at www.bwdsb.on.ca/Parents/Return_to_School to share details of the plan as well as new information. Updates will also be shared on BWDSB's Facebook and Twitter pages.

"We are planning and preparing, in collaboration with Public Health, to support the health, safety, and well-being of our students, staff, and families every step of the way," read the letter, adding that the Ministry of Education has emphasized that a conventional full return to school in September is voluntary, and ultimately, based on the choice of parents and guardians. For parents and guardians who choose not to send their children back to school in September, remote learning will be provided.

"We hope that a conventional full return to school will restore some stability for families who have spent the past several months trying to manage work, childcare, and remote learning responsibilities, among other challenges," the letter said and added that the Board has conducted extensive back-up planning should the need arise to switch to either an adapted model of combined in-school and remote learning or fully return to remote learning.

"Should there be a surge in COVID-19 cases in Ontario, we must be prepared for these different models of delivery and the flexibility to shift between them," the letter read.

"We hope today’s news allows you to start planning accordingly for September. As always, we will continue to keep you informed as we move through this transition."