5 schools now above 30% absence rate in Mississauga

One elementary school in Mississauga had an absence rate of nearly 40 per cent last Friday, provincial data says.

Ontario public schools, which are no longer required to notify parents when there is a presumed positive COVID-19 case in their child’s class or cohort, only have to report the combined absence rate among their students and staff. The information is made public the following school day.

It is known how much COVID-19 influences the absence rate, but there is also the possibility of students and staff coming to school while infected.

Last Friday, at the end of the third week of school since the province rescinded mandatory masking in public indoor settings, including schools, 27 out of 144 schools in Mississauga had an absence rate of at least 20 per cent.

The highest reported rate was 39.6% at Oakridge Public School, which is on Stonehouse Crescent. That exceeded the rate of St. Oscar Romaro Catholic Secondary School and Peel Alternative South, which typically have high absence rates, due in part to the unique educational formats they offer for many students.

Streetsville Secondary School also reported a 37.6 absence rate.

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Five schools, not including Romero or Peel Alternative, were above 25 per cent.

The Children’s Health Coalition, Public Health Ontario and the Ontario science advisory table have all suggested at least a temporary return to masking in schools. While schools are not considered a high-transmission environment, they offer a strong layer of protection.

A U.S. study has shown that mandatory-mask schools had 72 per cent fewer transissions than ones where it was optional or only in some grades.

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic board (DPCDSB) recently said it will resume notifying parents about presumed positive cases.