Sask. schools to close as of Friday amid COVID-19 pandemic

No evidence certain health criteria met

A media release from the provincial government said on Sunday, March 15, the Chief Medical Health Officer indicated that school closures would be based on a number of factors including: evidence of sustained transmission within the community; rapid increase of local cases; and transmission without a known link to travel or confirmed cases.

The government said there continued to be no evidence that any of the above three criteria have been met. Children remaining in schools between March 16 and March 19 face a low risk of exposure to COVID-19. A preventative approach of proactive school closures beginning March 20 means reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Seventh novel coronavirus case in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan has its seventh presumptive positive case of COVID-19. The resident is in their 60s with recent travel from Arizona. The resident was tested in Regina and is currently in hospital due to unrelated medical issues.

Public Health officials are following up with individuals who had close contact with this case who may be at risk of developing COVID-19.

You will be notified if you are a close contact and need to take further measures.

Current grades and continued learning

As far as Friday’s school closures go, every student will receive a final grade based on their current grade, and students will progress to their next grade level next year. Every student who is eligible to graduate from Grade 12 this year will graduate. The Ministry of Education and School Divisions will work with Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Institutions to adapt entry requirements for programs commencing in the next academic year.

Teachers and staff can work from home or in schools as scheduled during the class cancellations. For the rest of the scheduled school year, the Ministry of Education will work with School Divisions and Saskatchewan Teachers to implement a supplemental curriculum program through distance and alternative learning methods. While this supplemental curriculum will have no impact on final grades, it will ensure that students seeking to continue learning will have the resources necessary to do so.

These measures apply to daycares that are co-located with schools, but do not apply to licensed daycare facilities outside of schools. Further measures regarding licensed daycare facilities are being considered and will be implemented at a later date.

Officials are currently examining options to provide childcare services for individuals that are providing essential services during the COVID-19 response.

Francophone schools

Conseil Des Ecoles Fransaskoises (CEF) will also implement the directives for schools to close as of Friday.

In a media release the CÉF said with the cancellation of parent-teacher meetings on Thursday, March 19, parents will have the choice of keeping their children at home that day, or to bring them to school where they will be under teacher supervision during school hours. No school transportation will be available on Thursday.

The day of March 20 will be set aside for staff to allow the preparation of the following week’s activities.
As of Monday, March 23, all CÉF students will have access to online or distance learning classes adapted to their age and graduation requirements. Scheduling and procedural details shall be communicated as soon as possible.

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow

by paNOW Staff

Sask. schools to close as of Friday amid COVID-19 pandemic

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