Every day, our staff are in school, in the classroom, supporting and educating students. They have been working harder than ever to ensure students, and their families, continue to have the help they need as we keep moving through COVID-19. Student and staff safety has always been our greatest priority, and we have been strongly advocating for staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. With provincial plans to keep our schools open, access to the vaccine for our staff is critical.

With the incredible support of the Niagara Region and Niagara Health, we are grateful that as many as 4,000 eligible DSBN staff who work in schools will have the option to be vaccinated between April 10-18, which includes the April Break (April 12-16). Eligible staff will include educators and other staff who work in school environments.

“Vaccinating staff who work in schools means that another layer of safety and protection is there for students, staff, and their families,” said Warren Hoshizaki, DSBN Director of Education. “We are once again thankful to the Niagara Region and Niagara Health for recognizing the important role that these staff have in the community.”

“The Niagara Region and Niagara Health have gone above and beyond to ensure that staff who work in schools are vaccinated and we are incredibly thankful. By making this decision, they have increased the safety of our students, staff, and their families for the rest of the year,” said Sue Barnett, DSBN Chair of the Board.

DSBN staff are working with the Niagara Region and Niagara Health to conclude all the logistics for the vaccinations this week, in time for appointments to start on April 10.