Students across Lambton-Kent have been told to empty their desks at the end of class Thursday and bring everything home with them.
Lambton Kent District School Board Director John Howitt said they're taking the proactive step heading into the Easter break, as a precaution, to prepare students and staff for a switch to virtual learning if needed.
"We will be sending devices and personal learning materials home with students," said Howitt. "We are optimistic that spring break will still happen as scheduled, but we also want to protect, as we did before Christmas, against the potential for an emergency break happening as well."
Howitt is really hoping that students will be welcomed back to in-class learning, after four days off, on Tuesday, April 6.
"Quite simply, we don't have an inside track on the information. We find out at the same time the public does and we're not spending a lot of time with conjecture, instead we're planning contingency plans."
On Wednesday, Howitt urged families and staff to follow pandemic safety protocols over the Easter weekend.
He said the virus has spread through multiple Lambton-Kent school communities as a result of social gatherings, including a bush party and basement sleepovers.
