A Special Note in Uncertain Times

UPDATE: This situation is rapidly changing. Please continue to check your email for the latest information from Mr. MacDonald and the CBE. The CBE website also has up-to-date information.

This afternoon, the government announced that all classes are cancelled immediately and indefinitely due to COVID-19. We thank the government for listening to school boards and parents to support the health and safety of students, staff and families.

Please do not send your students to school on Monday, Mar. 16, 2020 and until further notice. Before and after school programs are also cancelled.

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With the province's continued recommendation to keep schools open, I am sure that many of your households are engaged in discussions about how best to do your part in flattening the curve and protecting those most vulnerable in our families and communities. My own household has had similar conversations this weekend, and my own children will be staying home from school this week. I know that everyone wants to do what is best for their own children, and I want you to know that I support your family's decisions, whatever they are.

For students who will be attending school this week, I will ensure that we maintain as much physical distance between individuals as possible with the number of people in our classroom space, separating desks out further than usual and not using table groups. Students will also work at their own desks only, rather than moving to different desks and spaces as they would usually be able to. I will encourage increased frequency of hand washing throughout the day, allowing more time for this important process. While we have access to soap at school, if you also wanted your child to bring their own alcohol-based hand sanitizer from home, they are welcome to do so.

For students who remain at home this week, I will ensure that the blog is extra detailed, ensuring that they have the opportunity to keep up with any work they miss. Depending on the number of students who attend school this week, we will also likely be modifying our plans to prevent absent students from missing anything crucial in the 3.5 remaining school days leading up to Spring Break. I will, as always, be available by email if you have any questions or if there are any ways I can support you and your child during this absence.

A reminder that at this time, for the safety of everyone, schools have a zero tolerance policy for students or staff with any respiratory symptoms. This includes fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and any symptoms that may seem like a mild cold. Please err on the side of caution and keep your child home if they have any of these symptoms; students will be sent home if they exhibit symptoms at school.

Thank-you for your continued support in this uncertain time and the care that you are taking to help keep us all healthy. We truly are in this together. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or if there is anything I can do to support you and your child. The CBE FAQ page also has a lot of helpful information. I know that this is a difficult time for us all, but it is also a chance for us to support one another!